FRIEDMAN noncommittal on JOC in CF

When you read both the Padres and Dodgers news it is clear they both have excess outfielders they need to move. Padres both left and rt handed. Big difference is the salary/price point of a Dre is much higher and until some other players move he may be around needing a roster spot and playing time.

 

He says he needs playing time. I think any bench player would say the same thing. It's especially hard when you're a former All Star and are used to performing in a starting role.

I mean it was only a few years ago when Josh Hamilton and Andre Ethier were considered the top two position FA's.

 

Dre, is being paid at a higher rate than normal for his playing time. He wants the opportunity to earn his money. Hopefully he gets that chance somewhere.

 

Sure but at his salary the question becomes how high is the bar for him to earn it. That's why I phrased it that way. Being a 2 million dollar a year role player is one thing. Fans will forgive that. But look how brutal some Dodger fans have been about his salary along with that of other players. Imagine how fans elsewhere will react to paying him a yet to be determined amount of money to play for them. How much will the Dodgers eat to move him if they want to? He has ears and knows the comments about his salary and the trash talked about him in connection with. Kemp was starting and put up decent numbers, CC was platooning and put up decent numbers and we know the grief they got. Dre? What will be the expected performance level at what ever another team ends up having to pay? How much will the Dodgers pay in combined salary for folks playing elsewhere or not on the 25 man roster. Remember back a few years ago when we were adding up the money being paid to players no longer on the roster? Folks like Manny, Jones etc. What will be the final total when all is said and done with house cleaning. We still have League and a few Cubans etc etc. That could add a psychological and news worthy ouch to paying a luxury tax.

 

Dre is going to make 18 million next year and that is a chunk of change for any starting outfielder with a fairly high bar. This is for a guy who was not even platooning down the home stretch in 2014. Even if the Dodgers paid half his 18 million what would the expectations for another teams fan base be for a player they were paying 9 million a year for and perhaps even gave up some prospects even if marginal ones? Lot of pressure on Dre wherever he lands and I suspect he is and will be even more salary conscious than most other players with a new team. Maybe other teams fans are more laid back and not as judgmental. I mean at 9 million he is more expensive than most of the outfielders considered for moves. Perhaps his salary will not afford him the luxury of just wanting to play baseball as others expectations in a public arena monitored by the media can be a challenge. Dre has had his moments with the LA press and you and I both know how popular the photo was of him shooting the media the finger a year or so ago.

 

Every time I go to a new company and have a need for a good employee, I almost always look back at my previous guys to fill roles. I of course post the opportunity within the company first and then outside, BUT, always know if I can steal away one of my previous studs..I will.

Nothing wrong with picking up your go to guys if you can and if said guys can play.

 

I agree with your sentiments exactly and have done so myself as well

however as to your reply ... "IF" being the operative word