DODGERS NEWS/RUMORS Thread

I see what you did there.

 

Missed this by Gurnick from Friedman
"Friedman said he goes into the offseason open to changing the complexion of the roster."

That..... that's a pretty interesting thing to say.

 

Friedman bout to be the president of baseball operations, GM, Manager, pitching coach, and he's going to be the Jewish Ohtani and become the ace of the pitching staff while playing 1B on his off days

 

It's definitely what's needed. The 30+ year World Series title drought + all of Kershaw's choking, reasonable to think they're a dark cloud over the clubhouse in the fall. Just means they're gonna have to be open to changing the dynamics of the team..if they actually care about winning a World Series, which can be debated.

Would be wise to target a few pros that are loose because this club is under some pressure/scrutiny and not everybody will be able to handle it. Not even completely sure if handing out a monster contract and adding that sort of pressure to what's already going on is the way. What's a Votto trade look like?

 

Told you we should look at that Kendrick guy. He’s a stud.

 

As mad as I am at Kershaw, I’m not recommending it as punishment. But if our starting rotation is filling up, I’d rather move Kershaw to the pen than our young guys. Maybe moving to the pen can help him add a few ticks back to his fastball, and he could find a role where he can be a plus pitcher in the playoffs. I understand his value to the rotation, as he can still be a 200 inning workhorse, and a full rotation is rarely if ever a problem... so it’s me just spitballing.

 

Not sure a bullpen role would be advisable considering how Kershaw has struggled in his first innings recently.

 

Time to be creative in a big way, if they give a damn, that is. Plenty of payroll flexibility to do that. Maybe they sign Rendon to take 3B since they're reportedly high on him, and then deal for Votto since they've been striking a bunch of deals with Cincy in recent years. Seager and Turner, both out, flipped for young pitching. Muncy + others go to Boston for Mookie.

Rendon's been lauded for his loose approach to the game. Maybe he'd be immune to the big contract pressure and all the other 30+ year/Kershaw shit hanging over LAD? Mookie is obviously thriving in arguably the most pressure filled market, so he can't be bothered. And we know Votto doesn't give a fuck, the ultimate troll in MLB, and he could potentially be a great guy for lefties Joc/Belli/Lux to learn from. Shed old man Turner and his remaining money, as well as Pollock, Kenley, Seager and sell high on Muncy. Muncy + Verdugo + Rios + Josiah Gray for Mookie.

L Joc LF
R Mookie RF
L Votto 1B
R Rendon 3B
L Belli CF
R Taylor/Kike 2B
L Lux SS
R Willie/Ruiz C

The lineup by September given good health, of course. Offensive positions/least important defensive positions at the top half of the lineup, most important defensive positions in the bottom half. Pitching..is what it is since they choked by giving Kershaw the extension. They don't want to spend big, so just rely on Buehler and May to lead the staff into the fall, and maybe Julio or Gonsolin slots in @ #3. Let Ryu and that money move on..one soft tosser from the left is enough. Make Kersh a Game 4 starter, at best. Should prefer to send Kersh to the hill on the road..that way the LAD offense gets a crack at scoring 1st because he's obviously going to get raped early in games. At least our O will have a shot at playing from ahead on the scoreboard in Kersh's games. Closer..I don't care as long as Kenley is gone. Maybe see if Maeda can slide from starter to closer in the fall, or use Gonsolin there if/when he fails to crack the post rotation. Whatever the case, I trust Friedman will once again figure out a way to put a pen together that'll get them to the dance. But yeah, that's what I'd do. I'd blow a lot of this shit up. But then again, I'm someone that cares. Guggs doesn't give a fuck.

 

As much as I love Votto, that one ain't gonna happen and for good reason. He is coming off an awful season that was preceded by his worst full season since his rookie year. He's 36 now and is still owed $107M over the next 4 years. He is basically Muncy without the power or defensive versatility. I think if anyone comes knocking asking for Votto, the Reds would be insane not to listen.

 

If Mookie would resign (and we’d pay him which they wouldn’t) I’d give up Seager++ in a heartbeat

 

It would need to be a three team trade then. Red Sox don't have a need for Seager.

 

Devers to 1B?

 

I guess that could work, but the Sox are then paying more of a premium for Seager since he is a top tier SS, just to move a decent 3B over to 1B when they could probably get solid bat 1B for a lot less.

 

Xander is a free agent after 2020. Lots of moving parts.

 

He signed an extension last spring. He is not a FA until at least 2026

 

Oooo. It’s not on baseball prospectus contract page, weird

 

I want Votto in over Seager in the postseason, don't give a damn about the price. That's just the way I look at it because I'd be swapping Muncy+ for Mookie. Rendon in for JT. I'd send Turner to Cincy, don't care, old guy for old guy.

Granted, Votto has had a bad year and a half by his standards..which is really all it was because he made the all star team in 2018..you're still taking Votto over Seager in the lineup and you want Votto over Muncy @ 1B defensively. For me, it's the offensive player version of Verlander, so take advantage this time

 

The only problem with Donaldson is that he is likely not really a long term option and his injury history is scary. Rendon gives you the long term safety net that you can also then move on from Seager for. With Donaldson you still create the log jam of having to move Seager, but not necessarily having a long term option at 3B unless they fully believe in Kody Hoese. Tuner and Donaldson on the corners is one of those things that could go bad really quickly if the injury bug nips them. With that said, both those guys in the postseason would be awesome to have.