2020-2021 OFF-SEASON NEWS AND RUMORS

just trying to understand why they'd do it when there's no need other than a perceived issue w attitude
have no idea at all about what kind of a team mate he is or how he is in the clubhouse
my guess is his agent laid it out idk
Bellinger never had that treatment although it may have been wise in the long run
just seems that even if you wanted to get it done before the deadline you'd wait a couple of more years and watch him prove it

 

Sometimes I think AJ Preller just gets insecure if his name isn’t mentioned in the news for more than 2 days.

 

here’s an interesting video on this subject. You can clearly see Cole going to his hat and in slow motion, thumb getting stuck to his hat. Also everyone is doing this.

 

DJ LeMahieu has told his agent to re-engage with other interested teams. Sounds like he was dead set on the Yankees and he’s now grown tired of their slow play. The report listed 6 teams, which included the Dodgers as the teams to previously show interest.

 

Sounds like the Yankees aren't buying all this supposed interest in Lemahieu. That or they just don't believe he's that good, which he's not, so good for them I guess

Already been reported that the Mets and Cubs broke off trade talks for Bryant last week, so looks like the Mets would rather trade for Bryant than meet Lemahieu's price. NL East doesn't make much sense, outside of games he could play in Philly. AL East is where Lemahieu should be to feast on all the little league parks. Can actually earn the money he's asking for there

 

Yup, sounds like the Yanks are calling his bluff on this one too as Heyman is saying that the Yankees are not really budging on their offer after what came out. Not a shock as the dude just has too many red flags for me in terms of the years and money he is looking for. Also sounds like other teams feel the same way since they all kinda walked away. Apparently it is not just LeMahieu as Springer, Bauer and Realmuto are all said to be complaining about how far apart they are in negotiations with interested clubs. This is having a major impact on the next tier of free agents as well who are said to be getting pissed at the guys above them for dragging this shit out. It is a fucking mess again and the longer this shit holds out, the better it is for us. We are one month from pitchers and catchers which at that time, the Dodgers will open 2 more spots on their 40 man which currently sits at 39 with very few guys that you would want to actually DFA.

 

Lemahieu probably has a fallback offer that he at least feels OK about. Otherwise, maybe he wouldn't be so adamant. Or maybe it's just the pressure he's feeling to make good on what he did last year given that he's nearly 33 yrs old and that this may be his last call for alcohol.

Whatever the case, yeah, like you said looks good for us. At this rate LAD will get Turner on the 2 year deal they reportedly prefer him on

 

Players want to complain about the slow offseason but they don't want to concede any power they have in upcoming negotiations. Unfortunately they don't have any power, period. The questions about the DH, the questions about lost income, etc leaves everything in the owners power.
I feel for them

 

Lindor, 27, has already talked with owner Steve Cohen, team president Sandy Alderson and general manager Jared Porter. If the two sides do work out an extension, it will likely have to come before Opening Day.

"I have never negotiated a contract during a season," he said. "Never. I've always said before spring training, but once it gets to a point in spring training, it's time to enjoy the ride and focus on winning and that's the only thing I should be focusing on, not how much money I'm going to get."







Love'em. Hope Cohen fucks it up. That or Lindor just chooses free agency after smelling the Mets odor during spring training. Will probably smell worse than Cleveland. Not buying NYM as a contender..probably not even if they trade for Bryant

 

• According to Rosenthal, MLB has once again pushed talks on expansion back. Usually after the league takes a major financial hit, they recoup losses with expansion. That is said to not be the case at present. The reasons he cites are:
  • Some of the poorer teams are against it as they would get less in revenue sharing every year with two new clubs. While the franchise fees are big money, once they are spread out it is not enough to make up for massive losses in 2020 on top of how much less than would make in the years ahead.
  • The A's/Rays need to get their stadiums figured out. The A's had some momentum before the downturn and their planned stadium project on the water is now not gonna meet their projected goal of opening by the 2024 season. The Rays lease goes to 2027 and after plans fell through for a new stadium in the area known as Ybor City in Tampa, feelings are that the team is likely due for relocation. In all honesty, Sternberg is generally regarded as the lady owner from the Major League movies, so it makes some sense that he may want to move to a market that he sees as more desirable and less full of transplants/people on their way out the door....
  • Teams are said to be wary of an expansion draft that would take away minor league talent soon after a pandemic killed the MiLB season. There is worry around the league that there is going to be a higher than normal bust factor with a lot of MiLB'ers which will stretch organizations thin. If this were the case, expansion teams could pilfer what little talent is out there and set many franchises back further.

We probably are looking at 5+ years now as that will allow the A's and Rays to have their issues resolved, while having in place a better CBA with the knowledge going forward of what is happening with TV deals. Manfred reiterated that it needs to be done.

• Morosi tweets a nothingish burger again stating that the Cubs and Blue Jays haven't held Bryant talks in some time. If this is true, than that makes 2 of the teams that make the most sense as out on him. As I mentioned the other day, the asking price is said to be incredibly steep.

• Trevor Bauer as said that in his talks that he wants to have a partnership with the team that signs him, including say in factors such as when he is going to pitch as he would like to throw every 4th day and he does not wanted to be thrust aside for his advanced analytical beliefs.

• The Reds and Nationals held talks around Eugenio Suarez. The Reds refused to discuss top prospects Jackson Rutledge and Cade Cavalli in a deal and talks stalled. Both are big right handers with big time upside. The Reds are said to be listening on everyone, but have shown very little interest in moving Suarez for anything less than a huge return. The Dodgers have been rumored in on Suarez, but this makes me think that we are probably not going this route.

• The Braves are said to be focusing on a left fielder now over 3B. The plan going forward is for star prospect Austin Riley to go back to 3B to start the year.

 

Hendriks to the Sox

53mil over 3 years.

 

That's the going rate for a premier closer. His agent did him well considering the market.

 

4 Years. Buyout of 4th season is same payout as if he stayed, only it is paid out over 10 years. Not bad, but contracts longer than 3 years for relievers is not going great for teams right now.

 

As evidenced by this signing...

If not for The Predator's 4th year we'd have most likely made this one.

 

• Rob Manfred notified teams tonight that they will have a normal spring training and 162 game season. It appears that the the UDH is not going to get implemented.

• Feelings are that the FA reliever market could move quickly now that the Hendriks situation has been figured out.

 

Let's GO!!

 

• Ummm... The Dodgers are said to be one of the teams to have shown interest in Marcell Ozuna, as well as a handful of other NL Teams. Guess this is a back up option if the UDH is implemented. Dodgers could then pivot to Rios or Muncy at 3B.

• The Cubs and Marlins are supposedly talking about a Willson Contreras trade. It looks like the Marlins are trying to add some controllable pieces to their improving young core. The Cubs are said to be in limbo right now as they struggle to figure out whether or not to move more of their pieces or not.

• The Red Sox are said to be close to moving former star OF prospect Andrew Benintendi. Like most things with this club, he wildly broke out in the 2018 season where he had the highest OPS+ of his career. Since then he put together a meh 2019 and an awful injury plagued 2020. Marlins were said to be in on him early, but have bowed out at this point. Others said to be interested are Texas, Houston and Oakland. The Astros make the most sense as they lost 3/4's of their 2020 OF.

• Baseball America came out with their Dodgers Top 10. I have loaded it up with summaries of what was said. Sounds like our system may be fairly reloaded, though the talent is not knocking on the door like they had been the past 2 years. I'll scan the chat when it happens later this afternoon.

 

Baez to Houston. Leaves a champion, good luck king.

 

Baez leaving is the happiest news since the Betts extension. God bless him, but he’s unwatchable. If only Wood retired.

 

According to a report out of the Dominican Republic, the Dodgers and Marcell Ozuna are in "negotiations" over a contract. Not sure if that is some language barrier shit, but that would be interesting. Blake Harris from TrueBlueLA says the guy reporting this is one of bigger journalist on the island. This is on the heels of a Ken Rosenthal interview where he said belief is now that there will be a universal DH in baseball starting this season. The Dodgers were said to have shown interest in Ozuna a couple days ago, so not sure if he is just repeating that news. Ozuna replicating what he did in 2020 for the Dodgers would be Fan-FUCKING-Tastic.