The Dodgers entered the winter in a gloomy state after a bitterly disappointing end to the 2019 season. But the team’s outlook remains exceptionally bright, with a compelling mix of established veterans, elite young talent, and quality role players along with the means to bolster and/or supplement that group as desired.
Despite the Dodgers’ regular-season and postseason successes — the team has seven-straight NL West titles and made it to the World Series in 2017 and 2018 — the lack of a ring and the stunning recent NLDS wash-out have left a lingering sense that something more or different could or even should be done. Reporting indicates there’s an internal a desire to shake things up in some manner, though obviously the front office isn’t inclined to reinvent the wheel.
It’s not unlike the sunny malaise experienced by the organization’s forebears in Brooklyn. Those Dodgers had an enormously successful decade without a crown (1945 to 1954) and fell short in the World Series four times in seven years (1947 to 1953). They waited ’til next year until finally breaking through in 1955.
The present-day Dodgers hope it won’t be quite that dramatic when they finally win it all. But there are quite a few more MLB teams and playoff rounds now than there used to be, making it harder to control randomness. That increases the appeal of prioritizing long-term competitiveness — the Nationals’ own recent breakthrough helps demonstrate this — but also perhaps speaks in favor of maximizing those clear chances that do arise to win it all.
The Dodgers have managed to walk an impressive line between long and short-term goals. Still, it hasn’t come together quite yet. With so many pieces already in place, the focus entering the present offseason was on adding true impact talent. President of baseball operations Andrew Friedman spoke of having a dozen-player wish list. While the club has made a few targeted investments in buy-low, high-upside pitchers, it has yet to swing a major deal for a star player.
Surely some or most of the L.A. targets are already off the board in one way or another — all of the top free agents have signed, of course — but there’s little doubt that a few remain available. We’ve long heard, especially, that the Dodgers maintain interest in superstars Mookie Betts of the Red Sox and Francisco Lindor of the Indians. Cleveland ace Mike Clevinger is another who has come up in rumors. And it stands to reason there are a few other high-quality players of interest.
Dodgers president/CEO Stan Kasten said earlier this winter that the organization is “laser-focused” on winning a World Series after coming maddeningly close in recent years. “There are guys that we think could be difference makers and we have pursued them, we are continuing to pursue them, when there is an opportunity we will certainly jump at it,” Kasten explained.
The clock is ticking but there’s time left before Spring Training opens. A mid-camp strike is less likely but perhaps not out of the realm of possibility. So … do you think the Dodgers will pull off a blockbuster before the start of the season?
(Poll link for app users; response order randomized.)
DarkSide830
Nope!
ChiSox_Fan
Bryant
DarkSide830
Nope!
vtadave
Great analysis.
ChiSox_Fan
Yep
Psychguy
Maybe it’s me… but Bryant comes across as a whiny little b
bronxbombers
He IS best friends with Harper after all
ErniesGhost14
It’s positively you David. Ha ha
I can’t recall Bryant whining about anything.
EVER.
A little over rated perhaps but not whiny.
Still young, best days could be ahead of him.
Salty_rox_fan
Of course he is, he’s a Cub. He’s so whiny, he just lost a grievance against his own team. Even last year, he was pissed about Harper and Machado not getting signed sooner.
richdanna
Ugh. He’s their labor rep. It’s his JOB to be vocal about labor issues.
myaccount
The MLBPA pushed him to file the grievance. They’re trying to prevent similar instances of keeping MLB-ready players in the minors.
Catuli Carl
Lol how does he come across that way at all? He didn’t even want to file the grievance. It was the MLBPA that asked him to do it as a precedential matter. He’s a notoriously kind and easygoing guy. I’ve never heard any soundbite or interview of him that comes anywhere close to being “whiny”. He’s said he wants to be a lifelong Cub and has no ill-will towards the organization. It’s just you, bro. If you have an issue, it’s with the MLBPA or Boras.
Indiansjoe
I’m not sure why they would make a trade. The roster is miles ahead of anyone in the national league, minor league system is bursting with talent for replacement Incase if injuries or to upgrade, no one is putting together a team that makes them feel pressure to. Start the season and see what you need when you need it.
Bart
What? There has been very good improvement on several teams in the NL and the Dodgers are aging and have lost some important pitching.
Indiansjoe
No one has improved to the dodgers status, it’s still their pennant to loose. And aging where? Kershaw is on the decline, most position players are not yet even in their prime years
dodgers702
I do have to agree about many NL teams improving this offseason but saying Dodgers are aging?…LOL. I guess you haven’t heard of Buehler, Bellinger, Seager, Lux, Urias, May, Verdugo…etc.
Jbarger
i like KB in LA…..them Hollywwood Good Looks makes all the girls swoon…
padreshave32yrstobestdodger1stwswin
Jbarger: “swoon”? You mean like the Dodgers when they meet up with muscular manly men in the WS?
Psychguy
Friedman seem more than happy to have a surplus of outfielders sit on their butts.
amk3510
Their surplus outfield of 1. Wow what a jam
myaccount
Berlinger, Pollock, Joc, Verdugo, Beaty, Taylor… their IF is Muncy, Lux, Seager, and Turner at this point, so that seems to be a surplus of more than one, if you’re capable of counting.
itsgood2btheking
@myaccount
I don’t think it’s about amk’s lack of ability to count.
I think its about your ability to know who to count and what position to count them at.
Bellinger, Verdugo, Joc, Pollock are 4 OF’s. (Bellinger can obviously play 1st as well.)
Turner, Seager, Muncy & Lux are 4 IF’s (with muncy and Lux capable of playing multiple positions).
Taylor, Kike, Beatty, are utility players that can play both the OF & IF.
amk3510
Bellinger, Pollock, Joc and Verdugo are the OFs who need everyday ABs. Im aware they have more players capable of playing OF.
acarneglia
Should they? Yes! Will they? No!
macstruts
Why should they? Because they don’t have a title because the Astros cheat?
thetruth 2
They didn’t win in 2017 because of bad managing.
macstruts
There was lots of reason they didn’t win in 2017, and the Astros cheating was one of them.
Jcool90
Okay, and yes but doesn’t mean they would’ve won. Its 50/50 stop crying. It’s over omgosh. Who cares about it bud. Yall might’ve maybe maybe not. Yes or no. Only God knows, they will get there turn. Its only a game dude.
fox471 Dave
Terrible managing and…. wait for it…. Astros cheating!
padreshave32yrstobestdodger1stwswin
thetruth: They didn’t win because they got whupped—and they liked it.
padreshave32yrstobestdodger1stwswin
Real men don’t whine. Quit ‘yo sniveling Dodgers.
DarkSide830
even if they get 2017 and 2018 back, it wolnt feel as legitimate
Indiansjoe
First off you can’t give them the title cause the Astros cheated, they cheated to get there. You don’t know if the dodgers beat the red Sox or Cleveland if the Astros didn’t cheat to beat those teams. All these people assume the dodgers should get the title, they weren’t the only ones cheated out of it.
JustCheckingIn
So because they won illegitimately, the Dodgers would not be legitimate. Lmfao that’s some Houston logic right there
Frisco500
With their history of choking, they probably would have lost on their own. But what if that was the year they managed to hold it together and win… It sucks for their franchise and fans to have to wonder. Too bad the players union is so powerful. Those Houston players deserve suspensions. 81 game minimum.
macstruts
Frisco. They could have choked. I’m an Angel fan, I hate the Dodgers.
I’m still glad they lost.
But they have a great team, they are stacked, and the only reason people are on them is because they haven’t won a World Series.
dodgers702
Tell me facts that state Dodgers have a history of choking? Yes, they have lost 2 WS appearances in the last 3 years but as far as I know they have won multiple WS titles throughout history. Get your facts straight before being a troll.
fox471 Dave
I am a Dodger fan and I am never glad when the Angels lose.
macstruts
fox471
I grew up in the 60s and 70s in Los Angels.
Dodger fans were not exactly respectful. I can understand why a Dodger fan has no bitterness towards the Angels, but if you grew up when I grew up, and all of your friends ribbed you for being an Angel fan, I think you’d understand.
JustCheckingIn
Aww so you need a 40 year old hug to stop being a dumb child?
padreshave32yrstobestdodger1stwswin
Go Angels! Trout and Rendon!
padreshave32yrstobestdodger1stwswin
dodgers702: 6 wins and 132 losses in their history. Those are facts. You Dodger trolls just love getting rolled. Lying little varmints, aren’t you?
Bill Skiles
Oh I don’t know. I grew up then too also a Dodger fan, but I thought Rod Carew was pretty awesome.
oldmanblue
Because they need a big time right handed bat.
its_happening
Pollock not cutting the mustard?
padreshave32yrstobestdodger1stwswin
oldmanblue: I don’t know whether being right-hand is important. It’s the bat they need.
keysox
Yes – the answer is no. Why now. They have an outstanding club. Wait till the trade deadline an do an assessment then.
phillyballers
Probably thinks they have a shot sans-sign stealing
Rangers29
If they wanted too, they would’ve done it back at the winter meetings. Friedman is apparently happy with what the dodgers have, but I’ve said before, a team not getting better, is getting worse. Soon enough, it’ll be July, and the D-backs will be 5 games up o the dodgers, and then they will make a trade for Mookie.
laswagn
Lol @ the D-backs part
thetruth 2
People are too optimistic on the Dodgers, their pitching isn’t that good and the law of averages says they’ll crash at some point.
amk3510
They lead the leauge in ERA every season. But surrree no good.
padreshave32yrstobestdodger1stwswin
Add new players, don’t add new players—it’ll never matter. The Dodgers are in full decades-old choke mode. That’s all they’ve experienced therefore they know nothing else. Division winners with many years of consecutive ribbons (see Kasten’s Dodgers and Braves) think they’re the cat’s meow. Winning the WS is a do or don’t. Guess which option these losers have bought into.
amk3510
Adding players dont add new players its all the same for the Padres. A cycle of mediocrity since 1969. Absolutely nothing to speak of as far as success goes. 1 world series win and 1 good player for the franchise in 50 years. Your picking the wrong team to be a fan of yet talk smack about the Dodgers.
padreshave32yrstobestdodger1stwswin
See, amk3510, that’s the thing. We Padres fans have no need to brag—we’re losers. Look at my posting name—padres have 32 years to best dodgers 1st ws win. Dodgers born in 1883. It took them 83 years to win their first WS. My Padres are 50 years old. We have 32 more years for us to win the WS and beat the Dodger’s timeline. Saavy, Quickdraw!?!? My question is very simple— with your Dodgers having only 6 WS titles in 138 seasons over THREE CENTURIES, why are the Dodgers and their fans always bragging about their team being royal-blue blood winners? You guys are 132-time losers!!
amk3510
You’re so corny its sad. First of all 1955-1883 is 72 years not 83 so do math not meth. But thats irrelevant any because thinking the World Series began in 1883 is downright comical. The real World series began in 1903 and even then its not the best titles to go off. You are the only person on earth who cares about baseball games that were played 20 years after the civil war ended and the wild wild west still being a thing. The Yankees who are the best team ever are still 109 time losers when you go by your ridiculous method. You’re username and logic is nuts and you belong in a straightjacket.
padreshave32yrstobestdodger1stwswin
No, that would be you and your red state cousin/wife.
amk3510
I live in California lmao. Good to see you had no answer for what I said. Further proved how pathetic your mindset is. Imagine not even doing the math in your username correctly. Thats a major fail.
dodgers702
LMAO!
dodgers702
this from a supposedly Padres fans…lol
Basebal101
Getting worse huh?LOL 1/2 of their team is under 25, and still improving leaps and bounds. You don’t have to add players to get better.
BlueSkies_LA
Sometimes you do, sometimes you don’t. In this case they do, because the top of the rotation is not as good this year as last year. This is where they needed to make a move.
JustCheckingIn
Don’t forget system rated as good as SD!
But window shut, sealed closed.
The Human Rain Delay
As a Dodger fan I agree, too many of us think this is some kinda lock…. it sure aint D backs solid as hell and Padres do have major upside if everything clicks-
Im so darn sick of everybody thinking everything is a lock around here- Youd swear they dont even want the games to be played
neoncactus
They’re solid offensively, they added Treinen in the bullpen, and I can understand them waiting into spring training and seeing how May and Gonsolin perform. Urias did well when he started last year. If they aren’t getting good starting pitching, they still have the depth to swing a big trade later in the season. I just wish they’d set the expectations with fans from the beginning that they weren’t going after the big free agents instead of pretending that they were.
padreshave32yrstobestdodger1stwswin
Rangers29: My Padres will have signed the Mook up by then. We’ll trade him to your Dodgers on July 31, The price will be Lux, Maeda, Verdugo and Muncy. You’ll also have to send us the remainder of what they’re owed for the year. You pay Mookie’s remaining 2 months.
macstruts
The Indians don’t want Seager which means Lindor is not coming to LA. They are not going one year for Betts and they don’t need pitching.
AndyMeyer
They could stand to add another starter. Maeda, Urias and Wood 3-5? Some question marks for sure
macstruts
But look who follows those three.
Strippling, May, Gray, Gonsolin.
I hate the Dodgers, but they are stacked.
padreshave32yrstobestdodger1stwswin
Maeda much better as a relief pitcher. Wood’s performance is often hollow. Petey, the Pup Eith the Ring Around His Rye has been hailed as a top prospect since 2012. That’s like being anticipated incoming HS freshman sensation and now you’re in grad school and working PT as a sign-twirler to make your real money.
DarkSide830
why wouldn’t the Indians want Seager? he’s one of the best young SS in the league.
macstruts
Because he’s a free agent in two years and in arbitration. They want longer control.
They already have a shortstop under control for the next two years.
padreshave32yrstobestdodger1stwswin
Why would the Indians want the equivalent of Humpty Dumpty when they have a delicious Lindor truffle?
frankiegxiii
Please don’t ever say that again…
padreshave32yrstobestdodger1stwswin
frankiegxiii: Humpty Dumpty in that he’s always falling apart or Lindor truffle cause he’s a super delicious player?
JustCheckingIn
Yeah 3 team deals never happen
Wait La does 3 of those a year
padreshave32yrstobestdodger1stwswin
Dodgers don’t do 3-team deals, they do things 3 ways—brag about their non-existent success, sign reclamation projects, and choke in the biggest games. I love those guys.
JustCheckingIn
This foolS team can’t get to 500 and thinks he’s funny
You do realize that means the Padres get owned by mediocre teams in the same way you pretend the dodgers do, only against the best? You realize… you’re making fun of yourself with every post right?
Atl Matt kemp deal
Boston Gonzo deal
Cincy Puig deal
2nd Matt kemp trade
This site needs an age requirement
Jock2854
I think they will 2 energize their fan base after this Astro/RSox issue and go for it
padreshave32yrstobestdodger1stwswin
What fan base? They’ve shut out 70% of their local LA television audience for SIX years going on SEVEN. Don’t care what those ex-fans want. What RS/Astro issue? That they can’t take worldwide beating without begging MLB’s Commissioner for honorary WS titles?
Basebal101
@ Padres…….you win dumbest post of the day on this site., Congratulations! What does he win Johnny!
padreshave32yrstobestdodger1stwswin
Dumbest how, Slowpoke? Come on, put out an actual response—I’m sure you don’t have it in you. Baseball 101–win the WS and you’re #1. Everyone else is a “LOSER”—especially if your team has $300M per year for 25 years in TV money before any ticket, radio, souvenir, advertising, food and parking revenues and STILL DON’T WIN. Leading baseball with 4+million in attendance at an average of $45 per ticket equals $180M in ticket sales alone. And your team still can’t win a WS, over two decades? Priceless!!!
Clayton Russell
If that’s how you think of baseball, that’s your choice. A lot of us enjoy it even if we don’t happen to win the WS. 2004 is still one of my favorite Dodgers years and they didn’t even make the WS that year. Yeah, 88 was great, but there have been a lot of great years since then WS or not.
People with your viewpoint are the reason teams tank and rebuild so much now because they think it’s all or nothing. I love the Dodgers. They’re exciting every season and haven’t had a losing year since 2010. I’d take their last 25 years over the Marlins last 25 any day. Who cares about a couple of WS wins when they’re the only seasons you even had a chance.
padreshave32yrstobestdodger1stwswin
I love my home-town Padres team, win or lose. Why the hate from others? Because it’s in their nature. I’m giving the back what they’re dishing out. Defense of my team is a choice. Marlins have won two World Series championships in the years since the Dodgers last won. I’d think the Marlins like their last 25 better than you like yours. Good luck with your team. Good luck to mine. We’ve never tanked—we pretty much stink. Give that credit to other teams.
Clayton Russell
Yeah, I guess I just don’t get it. So you think of the 98 Padres as losers? Or was Tony Gwynn a loser too then? I think the great thing about baseball is that even if you don’t win the WS, you get to see some great games and some great players. Sure, the WS is the goal, but any team that makes it to the playoffs are winners in my book. Sure, they aren’t the ultimate winners, but there have to be shades of gray.
macstruts
Baseball 101, He does seem to be a bit of a jerk.
padreshave32yrstobestdodger1stwswin
Correction—three decades.
padreshave32yrstobestdodger1stwswin
And you guys aren’t?
baseballpun
Only see it happening if it’s a 3-team trade with the Reds landing either Lindor or Seager in Cincy.
Mookie to the Pads.
BASEBALLPUN HATH SPOKEN
Twinsfan333
That’s not a pun. What a let down.
baseballpun
Uh….I’d Betts Mookie lands in San Diego?
padreshave32yrstobestdodger1stwswin
You need to be a Dodger fan—they’ll reward you with decades-long letdowns. It’s actually continued over two centuries now.
solaris602
I think Friedman has come to the conclusion that the expected return for Lindor is too high. Arenado’s contract is a mine field. I really think Bryant will be a Dodger within a week.
WhiteSox4ever
Agreed… Verdugo & May
youngTank15
Dodgers don’t need an infielder.
laswagn
Betts is coming to L.A.! Book it!
Four4fore
When playing in Anaheim.
padreshave32yrstobestdodger1stwswin
They’re gonna pay him as much as Bellinger? For one year? Don’t think so. All that Guggi $$$ is staying in their pockets. That money runs out in 2039 (approximately). They’ll start getting hungry when the money runs out—nah, they haven’t got it in them.
JustCheckingIn
They have spent over 200M in each of the last 4 years
Where’s the Padres big splash? You’re mighty obsessed with kissing the Dodgers boots, why don’t you worry about your cess pool of a team
padreshave32yrstobestdodger1stwswin
Commonsenseslapsyou: Says the homer from Chavez Latrine, home to the poop exploding from the home dugout and onto the infield (see L.A. Times story and images on their Sports page). They spent $200M to the entire team, dummy. My Padres paid $300M to Machado, $140M to Hosmer, $86M to Myers and very soon $27M and $300M to Betts for ten additional years. How about your Dodgers? Please, retort. The Dodger boot licker is you. The only things getting slapped in LA are your postseason teams. 6 wins/132 losses—doesn’t look good in the standings, poopyhead.
JustCheckingIn
So you think that spending money on a single players shows more commitment to winning than an entire payroll? So because the padres pay 50M a year for Myers and Machado to be slightly above replacement level, that’s more impressive than owners spending money on all 25 spots? Hahahahahha
No wonder your comments are so dumb
Btw, Kershaw makes 30M a year, Turner makes 18M, Kennedy makes 18M. So your logic is just horrible in any way you wanna try to spin it bud
padreshave32yrstobestdodger1stwswin
In July. It’ll cost your team sending Lux, Muncy, Verdugo and Maeda to San Diego.
JustCheckingIn
Are you listing the Dodgers all stars for 2020? Maeda seems like a bit of a stretch, but hey, appreciate the good thoughts!
scottn59c
They don’t HAVE to – and I say that as a Giants fan. They’ll win the division again, and should have another legitimate shot at the WS with the roster as it stands. The time to pull a blockbuster is at the deadline if they find there are holes that have arisen.
laswagn
That roster didn’t have what it took to win a W.S. last year, and now they’re a year older. That fine with the youngsters that will chop it off as experience, but for the veterans like Kersh it means another year of wear and tear.
Freddie Morales
How many vets do they have? mostly a young team now outside of Kershaw, Jensen, and Turner.
JustCheckingIn
They won 106 last year hahahahaha
They lost because Roberts didn’t use his bullpen and wanted to use buehler/kershaw like the Nate used Stras and Schzerer
They were up 3-1 G5 in the 8th. To say they weren’t talented enough to win it when they were 6 outs away from eliminating the eventual champs is comical
thetruth 2
I wouldn’t give them the division just yet.
hyraxwithaflamethrower
I think they do. Yankees should be healthy and they added Cole. Dodgers lost Ryu. They may be the NL favorites, but I do think they need to make a move to keep pace.
padreshave32yrstobestdodger1stwswin
The lowly Dodgers will never be like the Mighty Gigantes!
JustCheckingIn
Sure wish we had the 10th overall pick. Dammit!
ben4ben
@scottn59c I absolutely agree
mlb1225
I think it would be a better idea if the Dodgers tried to line up a trade with the Indians for Brad Hand, rather than Lindor, or Clevinger. They already have a shortstop who is still just 26, and was pretty good after missing most of a year from Tommy John surgery, and a rotation headed by two aces, with a handful of very talented and young prospects/former prospects. It would be better to go after relief pitching since that was the worst part of their game last season.
Rangers29
JoE KeLLy Is JUsT FinE.
itsgood2btheking
FWIW…the dodgers bullpen era was 4th in MLB in 2019.
Eatdust666
Yeah, but he was still garbage, though.
JustCheckingIn
Look up his numbers after the first month. They’re right in line with his career numbers
But that would require you to actually do research before speaking
themaven
While Hand is an easier get than Lindor or Clevinger,he still isn’t going to come cheap.The Indians are a contending team and trading their closer who is on an affordable contract wouldn’t be high on the list of things they’re likely to do.
mlb1225
They could trade Kiebert Ruiz or Jeter Downs in a package for Hand. Will Smith will be blocking Ruiz, and the Dodgers have Gavin Lux, Muncy and Seager up the middle. So they could part with one of the two if they really wanted Hand.
themaven
The Indians wouldn’t want either one of those players for Hand,.You’re only looking at this from the Dodgers perspective.
The Indians have Hand for 2 more seasons at 17 million total.They’re going to want major league ready talent for Hand.
Ruiz is blocked in Cleveland as well and Downs isn’t good enough.
youngTank15
Ruiz would not be blocked in Cleveland.
itsgood2btheking
Setting the Indians needs and desires aside…
I’d love to add hands to the bullpen but I think the Dodgers would be fools to offer either Downs or Ruiz for Hand.
Downs made it to AA in his age 20 season and was just voted 44th best prospect in baseball by mlb/com. In 119 games he put up a combined 92r/63 xbh/.362OBP/.526SLG in mostly high A where he was 2.5yrs younger than the avg player for the league.
Ruiz on the other hand made it to AAA in his age 20 season. He played most of the season at AA where he was 3.8 yrs younger than the avg player in the league and was voted 73rd best prospect in recent mlb rankings.
I get that both players might be viewed as potentially expendable because of the dodgers projected depth at their positions(I disagree) but If the dodgers were to move them…then I’d want to use them for something much more valuable than 2 yrs of a RP.
It’s not to say that hand isn’t a good player or that the Indians shouldn’t ask for a lot in return or that i don’t value adding a good RP(Not at all. Hand is great and Id love it if the dodgers could add him to the roster).
It’s more to say that I wouldn’t use either of those 2 players to pay the price required to add a hand or another similar RP unless it was a hader type of RP with a hader type of 4 yrs of control.
I’d much prefer to try to recycle some of the other excess roster value into a deal and combine it with some prospect value to make it a more acceptable type of value to pay with for the dodgers.
hockeyjohn
Roberto Perez is a Gold Glove catcher that is controlled through 2022 cheaply. The Indians value defense at catcher. Ruiz does not fill an immediate need.
thetruth 2
Kershaw isn’t an ace anymore.
mlb1225
Kershaw will be an ace next season if they go back to the un-juiced ball. He was still strong in terms of strikeouts (9.5), control (2.1), and still had a 3.03 ERA. Home runs was the worst part of his game, which should go down.
JustCheckingIn
First season ever with his era under 3 since his first full year
And a juiced ball was how it happened. Yeah washed up. Keep wishing Padres homer
padreshave32yrstobestdodger1stwswin
But he is the WS opponents’ favorite starter.
padreshave32yrstobestdodger1stwswin
The Dodgers need an ex-Padre hand to get them to Valhalla? HAHAHA!
MoRivera 1999
Do you have anything but Dodger hate to offer?
padreshave32yrstobestdodger1stwswin
No, not really—you girls are my “paborite” ones. Trust me, you’ve earned it. Hey, I need a laugh—tell me again when the Dodgers are gonna win the WS?
juanpaolo
When are you going to make the playoffs?
ScottCFA
“Laser-focused” is a disappointing term. It is almost always employed as an excuse for failure…but at least we are “laser-focused” on winning the next time. They’ll probably even double down on their laser focus if they don’t win it all in 2020!
DrDan75
the “laser focus” comment was dumb. Every team wants to win. The best team doesn’t always win a short series.
BlueSkies_LA
It’s generic corporate-speak, a way of sounding serious without actually committing to anything. Friedman talks the same way.
captkrunch
Betts/Price for Maeda/Pollock. Put it in!
padreshave32yrstobestdodger1stwswin
Okay, bend over and cough.
its_happening
Add Pederson and you might get that done. Might.
1drefordays6
They probably will but they don’t need too.
double
They won 106 games last year and they have a roster to do it again. They’re replacing some older pitchers with really hot young arms in May and Urias. They are loaded with young players who will get a shot like Lux, Verdugo, and Smith. They don’t need to do anything.
mlb1225
Yea, all they should do is if they have an opportunity to add relief pitching, take advantage of it.
padreshave32yrstobestdodger1stwswin
Yeah, but they didn’t win the last game of the season. 98, 101, 120—none matter if you can’t win the LAST ONE. Think about that, Quickdraw.
MoRivera 1999
By your logic pretty much the entire Padres history doesn’t matter.
padreshave32yrstobestdodger1stwswin
Mo4ever: Well, Capt. Obvious, you’re correct. That’s why we’re not boasters. We know our place. Come and join us on the MLB loser benches—we’ve saved you a spot. 6-132 record since 1883 gets you to the front row.
gson
The Dodgers lost the World Series in 2017 in 7 games
The Dodgers lost the World Series in 2018 in 5 games
The Dodgers lost the Division series in 2019 in 5 games
See a trend.. 2017 is the high water mark..but, I guess doing the same thing year after year while expecting different results is the path the Dodgers chose to pursue.. well, have at it.. Keep those prospect/suspect guys.. Maybe some of the non-roster invitee players will make a difference.. in the Wild Card game.. if the Dodgers make it to their “next” post season embarras… err challenge..
amk3510
The suspects like Bellinger, Buehler, Verdugo, Lux hahaha Dodger prospects have proven to be much better than “suspect”. The team they have now is clearly better than 2017. There was just less competition then.
JustCheckingIn
Yes 2017 dodgers and 2019 dodgers were identical
Except, they make at least one big trade every offseason on the roster. So you’re wrong
We got beat by cheaters
WideWorldofSports
No reason to, they ran into the team of destiny last year.
BlueSkies_LA
Every team that wins it all is the “team of destiny.”
DarkSide830
no one says that when you arent an underdog
BlueSkies_LA
Nobody? Really? Such a vague concept, I don’t see how you can claim it has an actual definition, beyond they are the team that won.
padreshave32yrstobestdodger1stwswin
No, the team with its own destiny is still wearing the girly-whites to the OK Corral.
Ahimsa
Idiots running the Dodgers. I could lead that team to a WS victory, with what they have now.
baseballpun
Yeah but those idiots running the Dodgers got what they have now, so….
Basebal101
LOL! Not sure what your smoking but please share!
DrDan75
They can stand pat and do just fine. They’re still one of the top two or three teams in baseball. IMO they should be declared the 2018 world champs.
What good will it do them to get Lindor and Clevinger, win 120 games, then lose to the Yankees in seven?
baseballpun
It’d be funny.
padreshave32yrstobestdodger1stwswin
Yeah, but they’re not the #1 team. Nothing else matters. The other 29 teams are by definition “LOSERS”. You begging for a title? MLB says, “Nuts”.
Eatdust666
They won’t, but do they really need to, though?
Jeff 1Bworthy
Nope!! Andrew Friedman will never overpay for FA or give up good prospects. He’s one of those millionaires who drives a used Nissan and shops at Costco. You can take a GM out of Tampa, but you can’t take “the Tampa” out of the GM.
Rangers29
I’m crying
ScottCFA
Now that’s funny!
Basebal101
It is actually pretty funny. Although completely false. Hopefully it was only meant for a laugh
themaven
The chance for trading for Lindor is gone,unless Friedman loses his mind.
Clevinger was a pipe dream cooked up by the LA media..
Betts is a real possibility since the second and third level prospects in the Dodger system would be a pretty good get for the Red Sox.
Betts would replace Pollack or Verdugo so definitely an upgrade,but is it worth it to the Dodgers?
rainbirdmuse
Dodgers won’t make a trade now because they are confident about repeating as Division Champs. Neither the Diamondbacks or the Padres are quite there yet, although they are gaining. Dodgers will wait until trade deadline when the price for Betts has dropped down to several second tier prospects (especially if the Red Sox are way behind the Yankees). Friedman has commitment issues and absolutely will not trade for anything but an expiring contract. Currently the team is packed with players who do well in the regular season and disappear in the playoffs. Will Betts make the difference? Post season batting average of .227. He’ll fit right in..
madmanTX
Maybe some Dodger Dogs to the Astros for some trash cans, slightly dented?
padreshave32yrstobestdodger1stwswin
Nah, keep the Dodger Dogs in LA—Dodgers eating those things contributes to their choking. Astros bang on those trash cans so the Dodgers know what they have to jump into after their beatdowns/meltdowns.
em650r
I think they will wait it out for now
SLL
Big trade? I sure hope not. Sending away the future of the team for one season? I hope not. Surely they’ve learned that getting the big player doesn’t get you the big series, At least, I hope so.
What the Dodgers need is for the manager and coaches to grab their young players by the collar and shake the big-home-run nonsense out of them. The Dodgers need fewer heroes, not more.
BlueSkies_LA
In connection with this story about whether the Dodgers see any urgency about the upcoming season it’s worth mentioning some of the developments in the cheating scandal over the last couple of weeks that haven’t been reported here. The LA City Council passed a resolution demanding that MLB vacate the Astros’ title and award to the Dodgers. This was totally pointless political grandstanding (even the Dodgers said no thanks) but it did provoke a response from the commissioner that revealed some of the thinking that led to the wrist-slap. In essence he said the Astros might have won anyway, so no big deal. That didn’t go down well in these parts. Since then we’ve started to hear from quite a few Dodger players and from the FO in apparent defiance of the gag order. Hernandez said they cheated and they got away with it, and Kershaw said he felt the Astros organization needed to apologize for the damage they’d done to baseball. Probably this would have been a big story had it happened somewhere else. So factor this into the urgency issue and it raises the question of why the organization is expressing so little of it. Well, at least their hands are warm. Meanwhile the fans are hot.
padreshave32yrstobestdodger1stwswin
“Kershaw said he felt the Astros organization needed to apologize for the damage they’d done to baseball”. Sure, Clayton—as soon as you apologize for your damage to post-season Dodger baseball.
Basebal101
@ padres. Do you enjoy making yourself look like the most ignorant baseball fan in MLB? People that think they can sat stupid stuff on the internet with no accountability must live a really lonely life.
padreshave32yrstobestdodger1stwswin
Basebal101: Red stater, huh? That ‘splains the missing “l” in your username, that ‘think they can sat stupid stuff” poetry, the “accountability” (to who, dummies?) and “lonely life” comments—I’m not lonely, I’ve got you and the other Beverly Hillbillies keeping me company and making me feel smart! Think of me as the one who escaped the trailer park.
MoRivera 1999
You are one sorry excuse for a human being. I’m not a Dodger fan but your act still makes me sick. Put a sock in it and give the rest of us a break from you.
padreshave32yrstobestdodger1stwswin
Mo4ever: You might wanna wash off that Chavez Latrine poop (see L.A. Times Sports page story) off your cap and face before calling others sorry. Your evil blabber invites my retort. Now take your sock off that stinky foot and deposit it in your pottymouth.
VegasSDfan
No. I hope not, but if they do hopefully it backfires!!!
ElectricEddie
As long as we get May in return
It’s ok
brucenewton
Padres might. Dodgers go as is.
Mollysdad
Kris Bryant for Alex Verdugo, Keibert Ruiz and Tony Gonsolin
itsgood2btheking
Lol. Hard no from the dodgers. Way too much.
Verdugo put up a 3.1 bWAR as a rookie in only 343 non platoon AB’s last year and he still has 5 yrs of cheap control.
Ruiz is one of the best catching prospects in the game and he was well ahead of schedule by making it to AAA in his age 20 season.
padreshave32yrstobestdodger1stwswin
Kris Bryant back to USD & SD to check on all his ex-girlfriends.
hoodat
Puig still available
SimonSwings
Yeah, isn’t KB to LAD the rumor now that the contract dispute is resolved?
Vin Scully
Tommy Lasorda sized Nope!
oldmanblue
NOPE!
JoeBrady
I’m guessing that LAD does nothing. I think they like Betts, but will a desperate Preller just increase the ante? They might like Bryant as well, but it looks to me like LA is set with Lux, Seager & Turner.
How many superstars are left after that?
padreshave32yrstobestdodger1stwswin
“Desperate” Preller? We’re not the ones who haven’t won a WS over 3 decades ago over 2 centuries—now that’s desperation!!! LA City Council to MLB Commissioner: “Can you pretty please give our Bridegrooms (Their early 1900’s team name) a WS title? Some bullies from Houston and Boston stole our lunch money and beat us up in front of the whole world.” Can you believe it? Panhandling for a title when they’re taking in over half a billion in revenues every year. Money can’t buy you love.
JoeBrady
No one is threatening to fire Friedman. The owner has effectively threatened Preller. One of the things I look for in a trade is desperate GMs, or at least motivated GMs. The LAD can use someone like Betts, but they are still likely winning the division. Friedman would likely put up with an overpayment of some sort, but not a crazy amount.
Right now, SD is maybe a .500 team. With Betts, they might be a .550 team and maybe the playoffs. And they have a higher ceiling on adding more fans. Another 200k pays Betts’ salary. And I doubt Preller sits on that impressive array of young talent that he has. If he finishes .500, he gets fired, and Dombrowski comes in, trades off half the farm, and wins 95 games.
Think Preller allows that to happen?
amk3510
AJ Preller is the definition of desperate. He is out if SD doesn’t show significant improvement. Trading Xaiver Edwards to upgrade from Renfroe to Pham was hilarious. And his feeble attempts to improve the major league club even though it doesnt fit with their window is desperation at its finest
padreshave32yrstobestdodger1stwswin
amk3510: Preller’s not desperate, there are plenty of jobs for him in baseball. Enough for the rest of his wealthy life. Wanna see desperation? 32 years and counting in L.A.
JustCheckingIn
Preller is out of a job in 12 months. Friedman just got a new extension. Sure bud hahahaha
padreshave32yrstobestdodger1stwswin
Preller will win a WS before Friedman. HAHAHA!
JustCheckingIn
Maybe if he takes the Houston job hahahahaha
amk3510
Padres cant even win 80 games. How they gonna win a world series
Badacidtrip69
this year’s Reds are last year’s Browns. #TheyHaveToPlayTheGame
its_happening
The Pollock signing last year was a waste of time. The WARriors were quick to refute without proper thought, as usual. Now the Dodgers are standing pat with a team more than good enough to win a World Series yet leaving many with doubt thanks to their track record. The talk has been acquiring a Third Basemen? Turner is fine, walk-year or not. Kiki and Taylor can fill the void. Improve on areas of real need.
The Human Rain Delay
Haha love your post !!
Anybody with common sense knew that was a terrible sign and just like Frieds first signs of BMcarthy and Kaz it has a domino effect for years to come- Pollock not only sat Game 5 of our elimination game last year he has taken out the possibility of soo much more we coulda done this year in the offseason along with Joe Kelley
These guys have no clue how to use a checkbook, all the good that they have done gets negated against they cant do a simple thing like make a good signing at the free agent table (with a boatload of resources and money too boot)
They are like Ben Simmons of the NBA, all the tools and gifts in the world but cant shoot a wide open jumper to really take thier game to that next level –
Basebal101
JD, Guess as a former AA player i’ve got no common sense. I was, and am quite happy w the Pollock signing. He not only lead the Dodger’s in most all offensive category’s post all-star break he is still one of the best OF’s in the game. I”m glad you think you know more then the current winningest GM in baseball.. Please stick to you day job, or doing drugs, whichever your best at.
The Human Rain Delay
One of the best Of’ers in the game Baseball 101?
Those guys dont ride the pine game 5 of the NLDS my friend……
One of the best Ofers in the game baseball 101?
You couldnt trade this guy for a bag of cheetos without adding in a semi decent prospect to get him off the books (For less than 50 mill)
If we get Mookie guess what this guys platooning with Verdugo
So…… common sense…….. well you just labeled yourself above with……. again…wait for it….. One of the best Of’ers in the game!!!!!-
Your former AA went nowhere as well….maybe work it in subtly, its not strong enough for the lead
its_happening
Basebal101 – Dave Stewart was a well-respected and dominant MLB pitcher for a stretch. Very good career. He was a total bust as an Assistant GM in Toronto and then GM in Arizona. Dodgers had an MLB ready OF (Verdugo) and decided to sign Pollock anyway. Dodgers also had Kiki and Taylor, capable OFs and RH bats. That money given to Pollock could have been, and should have been, allocated elsewhere.
JoeBrady
I didn’t like it. In the 5 years before joing the LAD, he only averaged 94 games, and only 79 games in the 3 previous seasons. Declining fielding and declining K/W. Paying him for years 31-34.
And with Bellinger, Pederson, Taylor and Verdugo, was that the best use of $14M per?
itsgood2btheking
@JD Cadello
“You couldnt trade this guy for a bag of cheetos without adding in a semi decent prospect to get him off the books (For less than 50 mill)”
That’s nonsense.
Once they fixed his elbow issue he put up a 130 OPS+ in 205 2nd half AB’s and his contract isn’t nearly as bad people claim.
His CBT salary is 12m per for the next 4 yrs.
That means he’d need to produce only 5 WAR(1 WAR = 9.5m) over the next 4 yrs to cover the cost of his remaining contract.
Earning 5 WAR in 4 seasons hardly seems unreasonable when you consider that pollock just put up 6..3 WAR over his last 4 yrs. He did that despite missing a significant amount of time to injury as he only avg 328 PA’s per over those 4 yrs.
JustCheckingIn
Yeah cause verdugo didn’t get any playing time in 2019
You complainers are ridiculous and usually so so wrong
padreshave32yrstobestdodger1stwswin
I liked Dave Stewart—a winner guy.
amk3510
Pollock was one of the best hitters vs LHP in all of baseball last year which is exactly what the Dodgers need. No, him looking lost in the playoffs does not make him a bad signing. If your going to judge the Dodgers on what they did in 5 games vs the best staff in baseball you are being purposefully dense. Pollock is a solid player that extends the Dodger lineup and will be a big piece in the next 2 seasons.
its_happening
You can pay a LHP masher at a fraction of the cost for Pollock. Age suggests he’s on the way down after 2020.
The Human Rain Delay
Pollock is NOT a big piece in our plans, we would love to tear that contract in half a million times if we could and act like it never happened-
Pollock has had 1 good season in the last 6 – He was hurt last year, the year before and the year before that- Roto Champ has him on our Bn right now and thats where he will be if we start against a right handed pitcher with Joc Ver Belli in the Of- So No Pollock is not a big part of Our plans whatsoever he is a glorrified platoon guy making 15 mill a year, his defence was horrendous last year as well and hes no longer a threat on the bases which added so much to his “Cinderella stat profile” ( what feels like a gazzilion yrs ago)
JustCheckingIn
He had over an 850 OPS in every month with the exception of April, when he presumably had a bulky elbow bothering him to begin with
It’s amazing how much people on this website love to undersell players value
BlueSkies_LA
Chances are the Pollock signing will work out okay in the end. It didn’t stand in the way of doing other things, they just declined to do those other things. True 3B isn’t exactly a high priority but a solid RHB is, so it becomes a question of where that bat plays. Turner is a good candidate to change positions and doing it now rather than later gives the Dodgers a better opportunity to keep him on the roster beyond 2020. So there’s a logic to looking at 3B that goes beyond the position.
its_happening
It didn’t stand in the way of things? Let’s review….
– Verdugo had nothing left to prove in AAA. Bellinger could handle CF and Verdugo at league minimum was ready.
– Pollock has been injury-prone in his career.
– Paid Pollock $12-mil over 500,000 in change for Verdugo
– Turned 32 in December
Turner moving positions? So where is Muncy going? Turner isn’t going to play 2B unless you want Lux gone. I guess he and Verdugo make too much money? Pollock’s signing can be salvaged if the Dodgers deal Pederson and give Verdugo a starting role he has earned.
BlueSkies_LA
So signing Pollock stood in the way of improving the bullpen? Yowza.
Most of Pollock’s injuries came from being hit by baseballs. So maybe he’s got a case of chronic baseball magnetism? That’s the problem with citing only the numbers. Helps to understand how they get that way. Anyway when you cut through the haze Pollock was actually fine last season (aside from the postseason, where he obviously stunk big time). If he comes back up to his career level of play he’ll be fine, and certainly not the liability that some assume.
Moving Turner to 1B makes Muncy the regular at 2B, with occasional platoons at 1B. You don’t need to question me about this though, it’s why the Dodgers were perusing Rendon et al. It wasn’t my idea. Seems the Dodgers were or are prepared to let Lux dangle, either in the minors or as trade bait. I don’t claim to know why. Do you?
All of which has zero to do with Pollock, of course. Verdugo might, but he still hasn’t resumed baseball activities only weeks away from camp so maybe the Dodgers haven’t inked him into the lineup just yet. I agree on Pederson though. It’s surprising that he’s still with the team.
JustCheckingIn
Verdugo played 140 games! Then got hurt! Pollock did nothing to him
Pollovk was also quite good when he returned from injury, ops over 800. But again, who does research before commenting
JustCheckingIn
Let’s look at some numbers
April: 617 OPS
-IL to remove metal from previous elbow surgery, no actual new injury-
July return: 878 OPS
Aug- 921 OPS
Sept-856 OPS
For 14M? That’s a steal. You fools suck at complaining
itsgood2btheking
FWIW…His CBT tax # is actually 12m per.
The Human Rain Delay
Its pretty obvious the Sox are using the Padres for one last chance to have the LAD step up their offer-
My God just send it already- Joc +Ruiz+ Gonsolin blows Sd’s offer outta the water and doesn’t cripple us too bad at all -Not to mention taking on No dead money in this one (That Sd offer had to be a farce the other day and a bad one at that)
Too much FOMO these days, id bet 95% of the time is worrying about what Ruiz and Gonzo will do and not doing back-flips on having an OF of Belli Mookie Verdugo for 2020- That could be a reality by sundown today!
What will probably happen- Sd steps up the offer and is a Padre the Tuesday after Super Bowl when the needle runs a lil hotter for baseball and they get some good press on the ink
Ketch
That’s a good offer, but isn’t Ruiz’ stock taking a bit of a hit?
The Human Rain Delay
I dont think so….with the lack of quality C in the league Id think he’d actually be gaining traction-
This is a switch-hitting high floor play both sides of the ball type of player-
I actually think Sox would jump on this offer in a NY minute so its probably too much in hingsight but I mean if they got faith in Smith and Cartaya in the system you have to take some risks-
Ruiz may have a fine career, he may not, but he will have paid a pretty huge dividend for the LA Dodgers if they got to start Bellinger Mookie and fan fav Verdugo out at Chavez this year-
JustCheckingIn
He’s a 21 year old catcher in AA. He could repeat AA 3x and still be a young catcher there. His only hit is he didn’t become Gavin Lux this year, and Smith made it to the majors b/c… he’s 4 years older. Down year yes? Horrible year to ruin his projections? Hardly
JoeBrady
That depends on the SD package. I agree that Joc +Ruiz+ Gonsolin is okay. But if the SD package is Quantrill, Naylor, Campusano and Myers (50%), I’m inclined to go with the SDP package. Those three guys look like 18 years of contributions. I like Quantrill over Gonsolin, Naylor (w/6 years) ove Joc, and I it might be too early to say that Ruiz is better than Campusano. Campusano had a better year this year, though Ruiz was a league ahead.
The Human Rain Delay
I lhink Gonzo is leaps above Quantrill but ill give you the rest-
Moreland cant be a good outlook for the inclusion of Meyers-
In the end LAD prolly shys away and Sd gets him with a slightly beefier prospect pool minus Meyers
padreshave32yrstobestdodger1stwswin
Of course your cheap Dodgers won’t get it done. They always want something for nothing—see Manny and Machado July trades. Keep waiting for those “big” Dodger trades. A WS title, too.
JustCheckingIn
You realize you use an example of how good SD Is, and then cite the same player for how the dodgers never improve their team?
Work on 500 before you worry about the playoffs. If you didn’t notice, SD did nothing this year and sucked last year
differentbears
This comments section really needs a block function.
Does the iOS app have that, by chance?
CJ81
mookie for verdugo and gonsolin? maybe too much for 1 year of anybody. but mookie is 1 year removed from being considered the 2nd best players in baseball, and the dodgers could have a legendary team with that addition. mookie, bellinger, seager, muncy, turner, pederson, smith, lux. almost an all star at every position. plus bullpen additions and one of the top rotations in baseball.
The Human Rain Delay
Probably too much…. add in Brandon Workman on the way back to Dodgers and it gets real for me- Although I think Sox are going for a wild card this year despite trading Betts so Workman would be a hard sell for Sox
BlueSkies_LA
Way too much but either way it seems highly likely that the Sox don’t trade Betts without unloading Price since that seems like the only way for them to get under the CBT.
The Human Rain Delay
They get pretty close with a Mookie for Joc plus only prospects- That shaves 19 Mill they need to shave approx 23 (Now/after Moreland ) depending where you look
JBJ could be moved later to get them under-
I do think the best route for LAD would be to go over this year meaning taking Betts and Price thus reducing prospect capital back and also getting Pollock gone (who i feel differently than you about)
The Bones would be Joc Pollock – Mookie Price and then us giving a smaller range of prospect capital than in any other scenario possible ( Bryant Arrenando Mookie (alone ) Lindor Clevi etc etc)
This would be a perfect time to use money as a Flex and save the farm while adding top end talent – Dreaming….maybe….but they did say they :”would” go over and this is about the only way that could ever happen this year……….. capital back wouldnt be great again Ruiz Gonzo would be the MOST ……Ver, May, White,Lux all safe under this roof……… we can easily re-set next year-
I actually dont hate price, hes about 13 mill more than Pollock the next 2 years so that doesnt bother me much value wise- I have little faith in Pollock though so that may be where we differ
Basebal101
Agreed BS
BlueSkies_LA
I’d like to think they’re really willing to pay the CBT this year as they claim since it makes many more trade options doable, but I’m just not seeing any signs of it. That’s why I voted Nope! in this poll.
Ketch
Could they? Absolutely. The Dodgers have the prospect talent to get any name on that list. But will they? Nope. They’ll hold on to all their prospects, and maybe get one or two stars, a few role players, and a lot who never find themselves holding on to regular MLB roles.
differentbears
The last “can’t-miss prospects” were Seager, Bellinger, Urias, Buehler, and Verdugo. May is probably the current one, and he looks like he’s the real deal.
You can’t fault the Dodgers for liking their prospects when their track record is as above.
Joc Pederson is probably the best example of a role player out of their recent highly touted prospects, and while he’s not quite as advertised, he’s a righty masher who gets on base at a fairly good clip.
JustCheckingIn
Yeah LA hasn’t made 30+ trades in the last 3 years. Just prospect hoard. No machado, no darvish. Nothing
JustCheckingIn
Yeah LA hasn’t made 30+ trades in the last 3 years. Just prospect hoard. No machado, no darvish. Nothing
hexum311
I think they should because of Bryant. The city needs it.
JustCheckingIn
Lmfao. Nice avoidance of why they may have come short in 17 and 18 World Series
Every article about recent titles should mention the Astros and Red Sox cheating to a title. Every. Single. One.
juanpaolo
Because the Angels were tbe ugly step child and they had to borrow Dodger Stadium because they were homeless..And they were asses about it..Piersall Fregosi..Knoop
padreshave32yrstobestdodger1stwswin
Angels were the Alan Harpers in LA. Dodgers stole the land from its residents. I think Alan Harper is better.
amk3510
The government owned the land, not the people. Learn about what you are talling about clown.
bigbluewreckingcrew
As long as clubs want Lux I don’t see it happening. The only exception to that would be an Arrenado deal if he gave up his opt out, imo.
bravesfan
Do they really need to? Maybe a pitcher, but that’s it really