DODGERS NEWS/RUMORS Thread

This guy needs some preparation H.
His analytics are out of control.

 

what you did there... we all see it

 

well, at least he's going out on a limb...

6 Bold Predictions for the 2020 Dodgers
by Daniel Preciado | Dodgers Nation — 3 hours ago

I recently looked at the Dodgers’ current 2020 roster and thought about how much upside it has. The roster from top to bottom has so many breakout candidates and with that comes volatility. However, I truly, whole-heartedly believe that this is the year the Dodgers win it all. If you add in Mookie Betts to the mix, that will only strengthen my stance. The Yankees are a damn good ball club, but it almost seems like destiny in 2020.

I took to Twitter to voice my six boldest predictions for the 2020 season. Let’s see what you think:

1. Corey Seager receives MVP votes
Corey Seager entered into 2019 in hobbled fashion off of a Tommy John surgery and an operation on his hip. It sapped his power in the first half and he simply did not look like himself at the plate. His second half showed a lot of the signs that he was going to experience a resurgence. The insane amount of doubles he hit in 2019 (44) lead to a positive outlook for 2020 as his power seems likely to return with more of those doubles ending up over the fence instead of in the outfield grass. At FanFest, Seager spoke about his health and full off-season of baseball activity, which should make just about any Dodger fan excited. I’m not saying he will win the MVP award, but I strongly feel that he will receive votes. I’m expecting something just under his 2017 season which included a .295 batting average, 127 wRC+, and 6.0 WAR.

2. Dustin May wins the NL Rookie of the Year Award, not Gavin Lux
This one might receive a lot of pushback considering how many people love Gavin Lux, but this is one that I will stand by. I believe in Dustin May’s ability more than I do in Gavin Lux’s and that is just a matter of personal opinion. May might not receive enough starts/innings to receive consideration, but if he does, the league better watch out. Gavin Lux and Dustin May will both likely be in the mix, but I’m taking May here as a bold prediction.

3. AJ Pollock stays healthy
Okay yes, this one is not super likely. Pollock will be entering his age-32 season and has not had a fully healthy cameo since 2015. However, I believe that the Dodgers will find a way to keep him healthy by playing him in the corner outfield and platooning him. Being responsible for somewhere in the 100-110 game range will lessen his workload and in turn, lessen his chance of getting injured. Bumps and bruises will happen, but I’m predicting that Pollock doesn’t experience a huge injury in 2020. If Mookie Betts comes aboard, this prediction strengthens even more.

4. Clayton Kershaw hits 94 miles per hour on the gun at least once
This one is not tremendously far-fetched. I’m not saying he will sit at 94 miles per hour. That’s an unreasonable assessment. I simply believe that he will hit it once. He hit 93 miles per hour a couple times in 2019, but never 94. The hiring of Rob Hill from Driveline Baseball could prove to be the x-factor in this prophecy coming to fruition. Boy, wouldn’t it be fun to watch vintage Kershaw for just one start in 2019.

5. Kenley Jansen returns to prominence
The Rob Hill effect could help Kenley Jansen. He has reportedly already worked with Driveline this off-season and has worked to revamp his cutter that was off at times in 2019. He was one of the best closers in all of baseball just a couple years ago and if he can be somewhere in between his 2018 and 2019, I think we can call this a success.

6. The Dodgers win the World Series
This one is not a bold prediction, but it’s no slam dunk as we have seen in past seasons. The Yankees will absolutely give the Dodgers a hard time from the American League and the Braves and Nationals are no slouches from the National League. However, I strongly believe this is the year, folks. I thought 2017 had that glimmer and I was right to a degree until the Astros came around and screwed that up. 2018 seemed ominous. 2019 seemed good up until Game 5. 2020 feels…right. How great would it be to watch the Dodgers and Lakers both win their titles in the same year since 1988? For Kobe, for the city of Los Angeles, and for the Dodgers. A Hollywood ending could be in store.

BONUS: The Dodgers acquire Mookie Betts
The Dodgers will get Mookie Betts. Find me @DanJPreciado on Twitter to tell me I’m an idiot when the Padres get him — but I will be here. The Dodgers will bring him to Los Angeles this off-season and go from NL favorites to NL locks.
​

 

Lindor's future with Indians clouded in uncertainty
by Tom Withers | Associated Press — 1 February 2020

CLEVELAND (AP) — Francisco Lindor's future with the Indians was already unclear and uncertain.

On Saturday, it got even more confusing.

The four-time All-Star shortstop, who has been the subject of trade rumors because Cleveland will probably never be able to offer him a long-term contract close to what he may one day get as a free agent, made some contradictory comments while discussing his curious situation.

Lindor said he would love to stay in Cleveland, calling it “a home.” But the 26-year-old also said the Indians have not made him the “right thing” to this point, and he questioned whether the club would ever be positioned to come up with the kind of money needed to keep him.

And while discussing other massive, multiyear contracts around baseball, he mentioned wanting a $500 million contract — “anybody wants that,” he said — before saying finances aren't a factor.

“’I'm not money-driven. I’m championship-driven,” Lindor said during a break at Tribefest, the Indians' annual winter warm-up for fans. "That’s what I want. I want to win. Wherever I go, I want to win. I want to bring a championship to the city of Cleveland. This is what I want to do. That’s my mission. I’m here today and I want to win for the Indians. It has nothing to do with the money. It has nothing to do with the years. It has nothing to do with who I like or who I don’t like.

“It has to do with championships. The front office tries to put a team together to win, not to save money. They’re supposed to try to put a team together to win. I’m here to try to win.”

For now.

The Indians are in a tough spot with Lindor, who avoided salary arbitration last month by agreeing to a $17.5 million contract with incentives for 2020. He's under Cleveland's contractual control until after the 2021 season, when he could cash in for a payday of untold proportions.

Based on some recent deals given to stars like Mike Trout, Bryce Harper and Manny Machado, Lindor's one-half billion dollar dream payout isn't far-fetched.

In the meantime, the Indians have entertained contract offers for Lindor, one of baseball's best all-around players who may just be entering into his prime. Cleveland has declined chances to move Lindor to this point, but that could change at any time.

Lindor said he pays little attention to trade rumors and and he understands the business side of baseball. He also made a point of saying he's got no power if the Indians decide to deal him.

He does, however, control his long-term future. So why doesn't he sign with Cleveland?

"Because they haven’t offered me the right thing,” he said, flashing the smile that, along with a powerful bat and slick glove, has made him a fan favorite.

When Lindor was asked what it would take for the Indians to lock him up, he turned the question around on a reporter.

“You tell me,” he said. “What's the number? What's the number where you'd put me?”

Lindor was quoted the seven-year, $245 million contract the Angles gave to World Series hero Anthony Rendon. Lindor asked how much that averaged to per season before launching into a long, perplexing response.

“A lot of money sounds pretty right now,” said Lindor, who has dyed his hair platinum. "Everything sounds pretty. A lot of years sound pretty, too. At the end of the day, it's about what's best or me, my family, and also the Indians' organization. If they don't think I can stay here because of the money situation, then I won't be here.

“But I do want to be in Cleveland, I love the Indians, I love their fans. The city has grown on me a lot. When it is the right time to sign an extension? I don't know when it's the right time. God has a plan for me and my family and I truly believe in it. What's going to happen is going to happen.”

The Indians and their fans have been in this situation before with Albert Belle, Jim Thome, CC Sabathia, Cliff Lee and other star players. And that usually happens is they get traded or sign elsewhere.

As she speedily walked across a floor inside Cleveland Convention Center to get into an autograph line, Brittany Hanus of Solon, Ohio, said he can't bear the thought of Lindor in another uniform.

“It would be heartbreaking,” she said while wearing a red No. 12 Lindor jersey. “I really hope we can hold onto him, that would be great. I know we're a small market team, and it's hard to compete for players with the Yankees and the Astros and Dodgers, but I think having more fans come to the games would help. I'd just hate to see him go.”

 

have to agree
i love gonsolin
but like fall said, if you’re gonna go for it — then go all in