Why Did Friedman Trade JT for JDM?

December 19, 2022

Well, he did not actually do that, and it is not my intent to disparage Justin Turner. He will always be a Dodger in my mind, but I think he should have just retired rather than go to Boston. Essentially by not signing JT and signing JDM instead, he made that trade. But like lots of athletes, Justin Turner did not know when to quit as he thinks he can…

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Sunday School: A Realistic Look at the 2023 Dodgers

December 17, 2022

It’s time for some Sunday School, Boys, and Girls, and I have a few observations, including what the Dodgers need to do for a SS, CF’er, and a six-man rotation in 2023. It’s time for some Sunday School Education. JD Martinez: The fact that the Dodgers signed J..D. Martinez means two things: (1) Max Muncy will play 3B while JD plays his best position – DH; and when Muncy DH’s…

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Dodger Bullets from the winter meetings

December 8, 2022

This is the time of year where everyone has an opinion and that means the intelligent and the morons.  Unfortunately, the latter seems to get a lot of play. The calls from some for the Dodgers to break the bank and shell out hundreds of millions on 30 year old stars in deals that pay them into their 40s is beyond insane.  Hasn’t anyone learned from the Pujols deal? Talking…

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What is Wrong With Andrew Friedman?

December 6, 2022

Not a Damn Thing! That’s what’s wrong. He is just failing to make any dope-fiend moves. Now, I want to give you a full disclaimer: It is possible that some of the dope-fiend moves made by other teams could have good short-term consequences (possible, but also not likely). I am not willing to pay off $300 million for 11 years for Freaking Trea Turner! But neither was Andrew Friedman. Max…

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That Emotional Attachment to Players

November 23, 2022

When I was a kid, Wes Parker was definitely one of my favorites.  The guy was absolutely the best defensive first baseman in the game, (Gold gloves for six consecutive years, 1967-1972). In 1970 he came into his own and hit .319 and knocked in 111 runs.   He was popular, had movie star looks, and was public relations minded.  Heck, he even played the teacher’s boyfriend in an episode…

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Conventional Wisdom is Not Always Right

November 6, 2022

Dave Roberts Conventional Wisdom: Fire Dave Roberts The more things change, the more they stay the same. Many Dodger Fans blame Dave Roberts for the loss in Game 4 of the NLCS because he took Tyler Anderson out after five excellent innings. Anderson had only allowed two hits and thrown 86 pitches, and the Dodgers were ahead 2-0! What if Roberts had let Tyler Anderson pitch the 6th inning? Maybe…

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The Humanitarian Efforts of Roberto Clemente

November 2, 2022

With the recent attention to Justin Turner being awarded the Roberto Clemente Award, I felt the need to discuss a bit of the background regarding the Hall of Famer who gave his life to a humanitarian cause for whom the award is named. Justin and his wife Kourtney have been instrumental in aiding homeless veterans, the Children’s Hospital of Los Angeles, Boys and Girls Clubs, various food banks, and more….

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A Championship Without a Designated Closer

September 29, 2022

I have always wondered about the predictability of having a closer and why teams have simply gone in the direction of having a 9th inning man, no matter what the situation was.  If you really think about it, throwing that “stopper” out there for the final three outs night after night is probably not the best managerial strategy.  It may be for teams with limited bullpen resources, but not with…

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“Get It Out of the Grandstand!”

September 7, 2022

On a night when no other Dodgers drove in any runs, Max Muncy and Joey Gallo, the true “Live by the HR, Die By the Strikeout Guys,” went yard three times and drove in all six Dodger runs. They didn’t have to get the Home Runs out of the ocean as Max did to Baumgarner, but they did have to get them in the grandstand. Don’t you dare say the…

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What About Next Year?

September 6, 2022

I had already started this blog post when Whistling Ranger (welcome to LADT) posted this: “I look for the Dodgers to concentrate on roster management in the offseason. There is extreme competition for the 40-man roster.  Look for them to trade older players for younger, promising players that they don’t have to protect. If they don’t, they will lose some through the rule 5 draft or have to DFA them.”…

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