DODGERS NEWS/RUMORS thread

I kinda like the DH rule as is because if an NL team gets to the WS, I think it’s much easier to find a bat in an AL park than it is for an AL manager to manage the pitching situations in an NL park or have an AL pitcher suddenly pick up a bat and try to hit or bunt.

Not a definite advantage as we all know too well, but I still think it’s an advantage.

 

This FO is all about value. That Reds trade was for prospects that they hope they can use before the trade deadline when other teams start to get desperate or off load talent when they are no longer in the hunt.

I do not expect a huge FA signing to trade before ST.

 

I understand the “unfairness” of an unbalanced schedule, but say you actually balance the schedule... everyone in the NL plays each other the exact same number of times... then why even have divisions at that point? That would be unfair too, as eventually a team with a worse record will get in the playoffs just because they are in a crappy random division.

IMO you keep the unbalanced schedule. 18 games against each division opponent, so you have no excuse if you lose your division. 6 against every other team in your league. 28 interleague or other “unbalanced” games. Interleague draws a lot of interest from casual fans and displaced fans who can’t see their team very often, you can also use it for extra games based on the previous season, similar to what the NFL does. An extra Dodgers vs Cubs 2 game series, etc... But this is just my 2 cents.

 

In interleague play, the AL has won the season series over the NL 17 - 5. Since 1986, when the WS went to the current rule (where DH rule of home team is used) the AL has beaten the NL 18 - 14.

I agree with you, I think strategy wise the NL has a bigger advantage in style when playing NL rules. But the AL rules allow players a little more rest, and allow teams to gamble more with older players or positionless-players - and I’d argue that’s what has given them the long term edge.

 

I’d be ok with a small amount of unfairness if it was 1) limited, and 2) intriguing matchups.

Right now teams in the same division have almost identical opponents. Typically, the only major difference with our schedule vs SF is that we might play Anaheim and they play Oakland. I’m ok with that small amount. Playing interleague opponents isn’t unfair if all the teams in your division play the same opponents.

 

Dodgers made a deal!! The Dodgers have acquired Jaime Schultz from the Rays for MiLB'er Caleb Sampen. He had a rough ERA, but had good results from his fastball and curve as a reliever. We can close the book on this offseason, we have got our team....

 

The unbalance I was referring to was the interleague schedule. I still think playing your division more as to potentially earn a division championship is fine. I get the fun aspect of playing these teams in other leagues, but I just don't feel it works out in the grand scheme of a fair and balanced schedule. This year it was not a huge deal since the Phillies ended up falling apart and the Rockies held on, but there was a lot of rightful grumbling that the NL Central got to beat up on the atrocious AL Central. That for a long time looked like it was going to have an effect on the WC and it very nearly did. If they are going to have the WC, then they need to do away with interleague play imo to have a more balanced sched. If all of this were to come down, it would also be cool if maybe in ST, only AL teams played NL and vice versa. They are currently set up 8-7 in the Grapefruit and Cactus League's, once more teams are added, there is a chance is could be evenly split 8-8. I just like this idea as I hate when we play the Rockies 19 times in the regular season and then another 5 or 6 times in ST. That is the time to play somebody you may not see again.

 

Some morning notes from the offseason pure insanity....

• The White Sox signed Jon Jay last night. This is interesting as it is another one of Manny Machado's best friends. They now have acquired Yonder Alonso and Jay in which many folks see as an attempt to lure Machado to the North side(south side?) of Chicago. This will be mildly hilarious if this doesn't work.... also will be funny if it does since both those guys are, you know, not all that good.

• The Phillies are rumored to be gearing up to make their run at Machado and are said to being potentially close to making their final offer to him. This might have something to do with...

• Word is that teams are being told that they are going to have to BLOW the Nationals offer out of the water to lure Bryce away from DC. As I mentioned the other day, his 5 hour meeting last week with the Nats owner was fairly peculiar in terms of timing. The Phillies are said to be under the idea that to beat the Nats, they will need to tack on "millions per YEAR" and he really could be working his way to a $400M contract if he were to leave for a team out of DC. The new Nats offer is suspected to be somewhere in the $330-360M. It is starting to look like the Nats were likely never going to let him go without a fight.

• Morosi is the only person that is talking about this, so my feeling is that these talks died weeks ago, but Giants asked for Burnes, Woodruff or Freddy Peralta in return for MadBum. I would not be shocked if Corey Ray was also a topic of conversation. Probably worth any of those 3 guys if a Ray is not included. Those guys mentioned above saw MLB success in reliever type roles and would think the potential of what Bumgarner to bring to a team that was just one win away from a WS is worth the risk. I'd be most hesitant about Barnes of the 3.

 

Man, that’s a lot of popcorn.

 

Manny signs = floodgates.

 

I prefer abolishing interleague play and keeping the DH in the AL only. Separate and unequal [racist].

But if they insist on making MLB the NFL, these would be interesting divisions:

Dodgers
Giants
Padres
Mariners

Angels
Diamondbacks
Las Vegas
Athletics

Rockies
Astros
Rangers
Royals

Cubs
Cardinals
Brewers
Reds

White Sox
Twins
Tigers
Indians

Mets
Phillies
Pirates
Expos

Yankees
Red Sox
Orioles
Blue Jays

Braves
Marlins
Rays
Nationals

#changemymind

 

Bring the Expos back bkitch

 

Being a Dodger fan is a lot of drama so might as well enjoy the popcorn. It’s like the soap operas on tv

 

THIS

 

Sheeeeeeeeeeeiiit listen to @BlueMouse sounding all old... LOL