DODGERS NEWS/RUMORS thread

There has been a whole lot of talk and whole lot of no deals league wide. FA's aren't signing, big trades aren't happening (mostly because they already happened before), but it just seems like a whole crapload of smoke.

 

If the Dodgers don’t have salary restrictions, this would be the smart thing to do. Take on extra salary while the luxury tax is lowest (this year), and build a strong farm so we can have cheap, young players 4 years from now to reset the tax again.

 

I think a lot more teams are going with this method of waiting until the meetings are over. It really is too bad as some of the craziest deals used to happen at these meetings. There have been GM's over the years that were known to be easily manipulated after a couple of cocktails and that is where the really wild deals would happen. Seems like those days are behind us. It really is too bad for baseball. I used to love the MLB offseason, but this slow roll has really taken the fun out of it. I wish it was more like the NBA where at like 12:01 am est, dudes are rushing to sign.

 

The other thing is, there is a strong chance that they could drop under the tax next season and reset it again while still fielding a competitive team.
Kemp 20M AAV
Ryu 17.9M
Hill 16M
Puig 12.5M (Projected)
Wood 9.5M (P)
Freese 4.5M
Cingrani 2.6M
Fields 2.5M (P)

That is right around $85M in salary that is gone and I could see a scenario where none of those guys are back after next season. The org should have a lot of money to play with and maybe they see an opportunity to yes, take on another bad contract, but the long term gain outweighs the short term negative impact.

 

sure some of those deals over cocktails are exactly why nothing happens anymore
its more like a meet and greet and everyone goes back to their bunkers

 

How would you compare him to our current pitching prospects? After a very minor google search, his numbers don't seem to be impressive whatsoever.

 

It's a 17 million pro rated cap hit if you will and the trade would be similar to the Kemp deal.

 

https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2018...ttempting-to-trade-yasiel-puig-matt-kemp.html

 

Summary of some of the rumors we were left with at the end of the day:

• Cody Bellinger and Corey Seager are working with our new hitting coach/instructors. I don't know how this whole thing is going to workout, but I have been reading a lot of positive things about this guy. Also, he was behind Lux's big turnaround this year.

• One of the goals with Bellinger is to work out his kinks against LHP. The team plans to use him and Max Muncy in everyday roles next year.

• Roberts said that the plan is for Kenta Maeda to be in the opening day rotation.

• The club is planning to use Hernandez, Taylor and Muncy at 2B this season.

• The Dodgers and Pirates are said to have had talks discussing Ross Stripling for Francisco Cervelli. If Stripling returns to first half form, this would be an awful deal. If he is more in line with his career norms, it's still probably not a great deal for the Dodgers, but a necessary move to make. Cervelli had a strong year offensively, but his framing and defense comes out as below average. Would honestly rather roll the dice on Ramos.

• The Reds and Dodgers have discussed a number of possibilities that I won't get into here.

• The Dodgers are said to be hiring Chase Utley to be in their front office. HELL FUCKING YES!

• Mark Feinsand is reporting that the Dodgers are actively trying to trade Puig and Kemp. Shocking.

• Dodgers are said to be making the biggest push for Joe Kelly. Kill me...

• Clayton Kershaw is working on "biomechanics" this winter to regain some of that velocity he has lost. Apparently it has worked for Justin Verlander. He also is not likely to add a changeup to his mix, which then fuck him.

• The Giants are said to be one of the strongest pursuers of Japanese FA Yusei Kikuchi who prefers to play on the west coast. The Dodgers have an advantage as he does IDOLIZE Clayton Kershaw.

• The Rockies are said to be pursuing an impact bat for 1B and have reached out in regards to some of the bigger names.

• The Rockies are also believed to be one of the mystery teams pursuing Bryce Harper.

• The Phillies acquiring McCutchen does not hinder their pursuit of Machado and Harper.

• Growing belief that the chances of the NYY, NYM and MIA 3 way are getting pretty slim. Dodgers are still said to be one of the strongest pursuers. The Phillies have re-entered talks for the star catcher as well.

 

I could see him falling behind Gonsolin, White, May and Santana, but that's not an insult since those guys all have high ceilings and are coming off of positive years. Gutierrez took forever to sign if I remember correctly and the hype around him really dwindled during the process. He was kind of seen as being on the same level as Alvarez when he came out, but as we have seen, neither have lived up to expectations. I've heard that his future could also be in the pen.

 

Muncy for ~50 games at 2B is a smart move I’m glad they’re doing that. Then give him ~70 at 1B and 5-10 at DH and you’re good.

 

Dodgers have had talks with the Cardinals in regards to 1B/DH Jose Martinez. Signs are pointing towards the club working on something big involving multiple teams. If this is the case, just a reminder that one piece can bring the whole thing down.

 

sure the Dodger FO would love nothing more than to show Zahidi he's been replaced

 

FIFY!

Tom Metzger likes this post

 

So I guess we'll all be on twitter all day tomorrow waiting for news regarding a potential 4-team (Dodgers, Reds, Cardinals and Indians), 15 player trade.

 

Hmmmm.....this off season feels a lot like the last one. Lots of talk, but no dice. It looks like another season of bargain price hunting at trade deadline time.

 

:dizzy:

 

Heyman is reporting that the only holdup from the Dodgers acquiring Realmuto has been their unwillingness to trade Bellinger... LOL, the Marlins are nuts.