I think it has more to do with the White Sox over-valueing Alexei. Don't get me wrong, he's good; but he's not great. Plus, his bat would come from hitter friendly US Cellular to Dodger Stadium. Not totally dismissing Seager, but it's highly unlikely he makes the club out of ST (like 90-95%).
Plus, their winter makes it seem like they're going for it next year or at least not giving up on it. So a trade would have to make sense for them in 2015
this kind of bullshit infuriates me we're the dodgers... the fucken dodgers the ones with the bottomless pockets, according to our (then) new owners we should be in on every desirable free agent -- every year i understand spending wisely, but to do that you have to actually spend fuck these guys didn't spare any costs acquiring each other fucken cyber ckunt asspounding fag saber bkitch whore stat slut gloryhole buttfucks i challenge -- and would be delighted for -- them to prove me wrong but until then... yes, venting... i think i've earned that right :irish:
The one thing I do worry about, and I'm not saying this to defend Friedman/Zaidi, is that the Dodgers are looking to reduce payroll from the orders of Owners/Kasten. If they do want to lower payroll, I feel much better about it with Friedman/Zaidi at the helm then pretty much anyone else but I'm just saying, that not going after big name free agents could be about Friedman/Zaidi thinking they're not worth it, OR (and possibly more importantly) about ownership/Kasten not allowing it to try and wait out these big contracts and stop spending. I really don't know who is ordering what in terms of things but I could see it just as likely that the big boys on top don't want those big names as much as Friedman/Zaidi, so maybe they would be to blame. If so, it's a shame (I'm obviously speculating at all this) but yeah
yeah, it's just getting old and like you alluded, we don't know who's calling the shots and what the goals are does zaidi have free reign as GM, or does he have to ask friedman's permission before doing something anything? and what about andy?... does he have absolute power, or does he have to run it everything by stan first? and even stan... does he have to consult with the big boys before giving his okay? you almost have to wonder if they themselves truly know for sure but it sure sounds like the "too many cooks in the kitchen/too many chiefs, not enough indians" scenarios
It's fun to go out and buy everyone until you become what the Phillies and Yankees are now. It's just not the best way of going about business anymore. Obviously, it's fine signing a player in his prime to a big deal, but Boston is getting 2 guys on the wrong side of 30 for 5-6 years each. EDIT: Sandoval will only be 28, so that's a good get for them if he keeps in shape. There's plenty to worry about Hanley though.
and it's one thing if you're surprised by their current approach..however, it's another thing entirely if every report has pretty much indicated that they'd be looking to get the payroll down, trade off guys and get value for them, etc. it is what it is. still, all i've gotten from some of you is how good the Dodgers were last year..well, if you really believe that then there's no need for them to go shopping again. there's just a need for them to play better come playoff time. the obvious need is for relievers and they've started there. and then of course they also needed to strengthen the defense up the middle and they've started there by letting Hanley go. the front office is going about their business quietly..almost what you'd expect from a 94 win team, no? the loudest thing thus far was this train wreck of a deal that Hanley got ( literally..MLB Network is shitting all over Hanley's contract today)..and of course a train wreck/car crash grabs attention and get's people goin, but eventually you move on and traffic starts moving again.
no, what's fun is actually winning it all something the phillies and yankees did in '08 or '09, respectively and it wasn't as simple as just buying everyone yes, they were aggressive but they bought wisely and effectively we shouldn't criticize them, we should learn from them same with the giants because last time i checked, we're still 0-for-the 21st century and 0-for-26... and counting
no, the Cardinals bought ( and sold) wisely, won, and are still winning. the Yankees and Phillies are depleted.
um, no the yankees and phillies spent wisely and have rings to show for it it's what they've done and didn't do afterward that's affected them and building/replenishing/keeping the farm system solid is great but, at the end of the day, if you've got nothing to show for it... it means and winning the division, even an occasional nlds is great but it's still as tiger woods (someone who's also fallen from competitive grace) once said... finishing second just means you're first loser
Except they didn't spend wisely because look at them now. Both teams (especially the Phillies) won't be competing for a title anytime soon because of the albatross of contracts on both rosters. Yes, the goal is to win the World Series, but it should also be about continuing to put a great team on the field year in and year out (cough Cardinals cough barf cry).
no, the Yankees gave Biogenesis boy ARoid his retarded 10yr deal in his age 32 season, 2yrs before they won the title, and that tainted ass title chase is still haunting them today with that clown now returning and 3yrs still left on his deal. Lol they followed that up the next year with a 5yr/80M+ deal for a 31yr old bum in AJ Burnett who was boo'd out of town. those are just a couple of decisions/clowns from before they won in '09 that haunted them ( and contunue to haunt them) after the title. but oh, they're still at it..overrated 30yr old outfielder Jacoby Ellsbury gets 7yrs/153M. remarkable. Lol and Philly..they locked up a 30yr old Howard for 6yrs and a 29yr old Utley got 7yrs ( and he still contnues to get extensions Lol) in comparison, the Cards let 31yr old Pujols go and continue to play in October. hell, they let " the greatest post season player of all times " in Beltran go this past winter and still made the LCS. hate them all you like, but the Cards are doin it the right way. that's where the Dodgers ultimately need to be..what they used to be known for. yes, they can spend more than the Cards, but like your emoji says..spend wisely. and busting out 5-7yr deals for 30yr olds is not wise. when they get to the point where they can kick a 31yr old all-star to the curb and have a farm guy step right in and keep rollin..they'll have reached their destination. a healthy farm and the ability to spend ( wisely) when they need to. what does " when they need to " mean?..see: Clayton Kershaw's new deal.
@irish , @doyerfan You guys just haven't been paying attention the last couple of years, have you? Kasten made it clear from the start that the team would spend significantly in order to become a contender right away but that they would decrease payroll over time by growing the farm, signing international free agents, and exploring the trade market. Guess what? That's exactly what is happening. I get your fervor for the free agent spend-a-thon and thinking the Dodgers should be in on every big name that hits the market whether he is needed or not, but those days are over. The Dodgers will occasionally make a big free agent purchase in time of significant need (catcher ain't it - SS ain't either) but other than the "emergency" signing once in a while, expect the spending to be on smaller names. Over the next couple of months we are going to see exactly what Andy & Co. are worth as they try to carve out trades that both better the team and are fiscally responsible. I fully agree with b2bx2+1 about the Yankmees and Philthy's, their extravagant ways are exactly what got them in the shape they are in now, while the Cards are still plucking fruit from their well tilled farm system.
you can't even get one over on the Cards in trades because they're sittin in a position of power with their arms folded like.. " what? " Lol not even after Taveras, you can't get'em. " oh yea? fuck you then. we'll just call up random white guy and he'll do work. " - Cards " wait!..who's random white guy?!? " - team X
teehee he thinks Sandoval has every been in Any shape.. but round.. okay round is a shape but... what Sandoval brings is an "A" game on the corner and a clutch swing when it matters Hanley? well you have to have a place to hide him. Or just accept the fielding % at 3rd. Which is easy to do when he's hitting .342
Thanks for the memories and oft injured out of the lineup days hanley. Even though we were probably smart to let him walk I have a feeling he has one of those MVP type seasons in 2015. Now off to Boston where he stays healthy and rakes, Boston wins another title. Our fucking luck.
@IBleedBlue15 @back2back x 2 + 1 i think you guys are misunderstanding what i'm trying to say... or perhaps i'm not explaining myself well yes, those moves may have helped put them into their current dilemma but it also got them each a world championship along the way and last i checked, that's what the goal was so i guess it's a matter of preference... would you prefer a team that stays somewhat competitive every year while holding onto its top prospects? or a team that just fucken goes for it, wins it all, and worries about the future when it happens? and fwiw, we've had some lean years too without ever taking any philly/yankee-like risks
The problem is that you're not guaranteed anything. So I'd probably take the team who consistently makes the playoffs because that increases your odds of winning the World Series. Look at the Tigers. They go "all out" every year and haven't really even come close to winning a title.
