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Mookie Betts Will Be a Dodger for the Rest of His Career…Let That Sink In

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It was already a great day to be a baseball fan in general with the start of the 2020 MLB season just 24 hours away…but now it’s an incredible day for Dodgers fans in particular. Of course, I’m referring to the 12-year, $365 million extension Mookie Betts just signed with the Dodgers this afternoon. I’ll be the first to admit that the rich just got richer, being that the Dodgers already have a stacked lineup that features reigning NL MVP Cody Bellinger, alongside All-Stars Corey Seager, Justin Turner, Joc Pederson, and Max Muncy. However, as great as those guys are, nothing is promised in this league. That’s why when you have the opportunity to sign one of the top three players in baseball, you do so.

Since this news broke I’ve seen a lot of people say that the Dodgers are just buying a championship team, that they have an embarrassment of riches, that they don’t really need Mookie. Do these people have a point? Maybe. Do I think they’re just jealous? Absolutely.

Let’s take a little stroll down memory lane. The Dodgers traded for Yu Darvish in 2017, bolstering their starting rotation that already included Clayton Kershaw and Rich Hill, and Hyun-Jin Ryu. They won the N.L. Pennant, and you know the rest. Fast forward to 2018…the Dodgers trade for Manny Machado, adding another solid bat to a lineup that features most of the stars currently on their roster. Once again, they won the N.L. Pennant, but you know how that October ended. My point here is that it is really fucking hard to win the World Series, even if you have the best team on paper. This isn’t basketball, where one player can win you a championship. Baseball (usually) has a grueling 162-game schedule in which every single player down to the last guy in the bullpen needs to contribute in order to win a championship.

Now, will the Dodgers win more games with Mookie Betts in their lineup vs. without him? Yeah, probably! All I’m trying to say is that his addition doesn’t guarantee a championship. And until the Dodgers do win a championship, I don’t want to hear it.

Now that I’ve dealt with the haters, I just want to say that this was undoubtedly the most exciting thing that’s happened to me in at least five months, and arguably the best Dodgers moment since Puig’s homer in the 2018 World Series. I’m still so caught up in Betts’ signing that I’m not even considering what this means for other expensive Dodgers like Bellinger, Seager, Kershaw, and Turner, (who are all due to get paid soon), or whether or not I think we’ll even finish this baseball season once it starts. I’m just enjoying the moment and hoping there isn’t an opt-out clause after three years or some shit.

Regardless of who you root for, just be excited that baseball is back in our lives as of 7 P.M. EST tomorrow and that hopefully, you’re not a Red Sox fan.

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Sports Illustrated Hates Mookie Betts

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New Dodgers outfielder Mookie Betts and Shohei Ohtani, the Angels’ two-way “sensation” recently landed the cover of Sports Illustrated. I think it’s great that they got two of the area’s best players to grace the cover in what should be an exciting season for both franchises. However, I do have an issue with the cover. The first thing that struck me when I saw the cover was how considerably taller Ohtani is than Betts. The second thing (which I have a problem with) is that Betts is looking up at Ohtani. Imagery is a powerful thing, and when I look at this cover, it seems to me like Sports Illustrated is saying that Mookie is the one with something to prove. Ohtani looks like a seasoned vet while Mookie looks like some young prospect that just got called up and is staring at his idol. Any time a guy has to angle his head more than 45 degrees up he’s better off not looking up at all or just praying there isn’t a camera around to capture the size differential. In Mookie’s case, both things happened, and he’s stuck resembling Ralphie in A Christmas Story looking up at Santa Claus.

Mookie Betts is a former MVP, World Series Champion, 4x All-Star, 3x Silver Slugger, and 4x Gold Glove winner, yet he’s looking up to Ohtani?? His only accolades include winning Rookie of the year back in 2018 and being the most over-hyped player in baseball. I’ll acknowledge that he has great potential, but I’m the type of person that needs to see it to believe it…and Ohtani hasn’t been overly impressive yet; its probably because he’s only played just over 100 games in each of his first two seasons. Once he can stay healthy for an entire year and puts up some Betts-esque numbers, I’ll put some respect on his name.

The only pose that wouldn’t come off as disrespectful to Betts is if they were both facing the camera – I don’t care if they’re smiling or not, just facing the camera. Even if they were facing each other, Betts would look inferior due to his height, being that he’d still be forced to look up at Ohtani. I demand a re-shoot.

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Two Years Post-World Series, How Likely Is Betts/Price Trade With Dodgers?

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According to a report from USA Today’s Bob Nightengale, the Dodgers are in discussions to land outfielder Mookie Betts of the Boston Red Sox.

The Los Angeles Dodgers have engaged in exploratory trade talks with the Boston Red Sox about former MVP outfielder Mookie Betts, according to two officials with direct knowledge of the discussions.

The officials spoke to USA TODAY Sports on the condition of anonymity because they weren’t authorized to discuss the talks publicly.

The Dodgers’ top priority remains Cleveland Indians shortstop Francisco Lindor, but if the two sides can’t agree on a package for the All-Star, the Dodgers could turn its attention to Boston.

The Red Sox are much more inclined to trade Betts – who’s projected to earn $27-30 million in his final year before free agency – than Cleveland is with Lindor. The Red Sox, who had baseball’s highest payroll at $244 million, and will pay $13 million in luxury tax penalties, want to slash their payroll to be under the $208 million tax threshold in 2020.

I wouldn’t be unhappy if the Dodgers were to trade away Corey Seager, but it’s still a weird move to me. It’s clear that the Dodgers are aiming to land a power bat, now that Francisco Lindor and Mookie Betts have entered the conversation. They want more protection around Cody Bellinger, and either of those two guys will add immense firepower to an already stacked lineup.

In my opinion, I would rather land Betts than Lindor, being that Seager is still a solid shortstop; don’t forget he finished third in MVP voting three years ago and was coming off Tommy John this season. Seager still led the league in doubles this season with 44, though his average did dip a bit. The fact of the matter is that he is still an above-average shortstop, plus they have Gavin Lux over at second base, which makes for a pretty solid middle infield.

What makes Betts a better addition IMO is that aside from Bellinger, the Dodgers’ outfield has been a revolving door the past couple seasons between Kiké Hernandez, Joc Pederson, A.J. Pollock, Matt Beaty and Alex Verdugo. The reason they get switched out so often is because none of them are all that great at hitting, which adding Mookie Betts will fix. Come to think of it… Cody B works in at first base often as well, so even he’s gotta get used to single position! There are just way too many guys to be balancing out there every day, and I think they could use some consistency…which is exactly what Mookie Betts will bring on the offensive and defensive side of the ball.

Then of course there was the MLB Network opinion of what a trade including Betts and David Price to the Dodgers would look like:

Although he’s not what he used to be, Price would be a nice little addition to their staff. In this hypothetical trade, the Dodgers would give up a few prospects, but prospects don’t pan out all the time, so I don’t get that worked up when teams let go of them. Plus, I’ve been wanting the Dodgers to add a starting pitcher, and although he’s not top of the line, I’d be fine with adding Price to the rotation.

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Can Randy Arozarena and His Cowboy Boots Beat Arguably the Greatest Team Ever Assembled? The 2020 World Series Is Set: Rays vs. Dodgers.

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“This is our year” – A common phrase coaches, players, and fans use to express the confidence they have in their team. It was also the closing remark of Dave Roberts’ speech following the Dodgers’ huge NLCS victory about 45 minutes ago. I’m too superstitious to ever say something as bold as “This is our year” about a team I deeply care about, but I fucking love the confidence by Roberts there.

The stage is now set. Dodgers vs. Rays in the 2020 World Series. To be completely honest, I couldn’t name one guy in the Rays starting lineup except for that guy Randy with the cowboy boots, but they weren’t the best team in the American League for no reason…they can play. Lead by Blake Snell and Tyler Glasnow, the Rays have one of the best pitching staffs in the league, and Moneyball’d their lineup to somehow score runs.

However, after just beating the Braves, who had one of the best pitching staff’s in the League this year, the Dodgers couldn’t have had a better pre-World Series matchup. Suffice to say, theoretically, if the Dodgers were able to hit that well against an elite group of  Braves pitchers, they should be able to be just as good (if not better) in the World Series. It’s even scarier that there isn’t a break in the Dodgers lineup, especially with a DH. In how many other MLB lineups would reigning MVP Cody Bellinger bat sixth? None, that’s how many. And by the time pitchers reach the bottom of the Dodgers lineup, they have Mookie Betts, Corey Seager (daddy), and Justin Turner waiting for them right around the corner. Their lineup is RELENTLESS. So, what this final round ultimately comes down to is whether or not the Dodgers pitching staff can out-duel an inferior group of no-named Rays hitters.

Look, the Dodgers didn’t have the best record in the Majors this year for no reason. They’re the best team on paper in the league (possibly ever) and now they’re riding high off of a HUGE game 7 victory. The Rays are also just off of a game 7 win, but they let the sub .500 Asterisks come back after being down 3-0 in the series. While it’s still a big deal they were able to win the series, the hype doesn’t compare to the Dodgers, who were down 3-1 and just won three games in a row.  I will tell ya that only having ONE day off before the World Series starts could factor into the Dodgers’ ability to start hot, but the way the game is played now, it might be better for them to have virtually no rest.  Rest vs. Rust. Ideally, I’d love if they had at least one more day off just so their pitching staff could recover a little more, but I think for the most part they’re in a solid position to come out strong.

Like I said earlier, I’ll never say “This is our year”, but let’s just say I certainly like our odds more than I did in the last World Series the Dodgers were in. Granted, hindsight is 20/20, but with the team built the way it is, it’s hard to bet against them. If the Dodgers could win the chip just a few weeks after the Lakers won theirs, I think it’s only right Garcetti says to hell with Covid and throws a joint parade the likes of which could never be topped. I’ll show up in a god damn hazmat suit if that’s what it takes.

Sorry, was getting a little ahead of myself there. 4 more. Globe Life Field. World Series. Game 1. Tuesday at 5:09 PM. Dodgers vs. Rays. Job’s not finished.

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Joc Pederson and Ross Stripling Have to Feel a Little Awkward at Dodgers Spring Training

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I can’t imagine what it must be like for Joc Pederson and Ross Stripling in the Dodgers clubhouse right now. On the one hand, they are staying with the only organization they have ever known, and don’t have to acclimate themselves to an entirely new organization. On the other hand, they now realize that like any other player in this league, they are expendable.

Like I said, the Dodgers are the only organization these guys have ever know. Stripling was drafted by them back in 2012 out of Texas A&M, and has spent the past four years in the Bigs, starting and making appearances out of the bullpen. Joc was drafted in 2011 out of high school, and has been with the big league club since 2014, and a staple in the starting lineup every year. Both of them have played significant roles for the Dodgers the past few years, making it all the more surprising that they had been dealt to the Angels.

But, it was for Mookie Betts and David Price. If it meant parting ways with a back-end starter and career .233 hitter, so be it. I was fine with it, too, if that means anything. But then the deal fell through, and the Dodgers were able to keep both Chicken Strip and Joc. From a career standpoint, it might’ve actually benefited Stripling and Pederson to be traded because they both would have been starters. The Angels’ lineup could have used Joc’s pop, and Stripling is a proven starter who would have been a nice addition to a rotation whose #1 is Andrew Heaney – yikes. But now, aside from them having more competition at their respective positions, they are on a team that was willing to get rid of them.

However, despite the slight awkwardness, both Pederson and Stripling are ready to move on.

They’re handling things the best way they can, and I’m sure could not be happier to still be on the Dodgers. As heavy favorites to make the World Series, it wouldn’t have been easy for them to go to a team like the Angels, who won’t be as competitive as the Dodgers this season. Sadly, now that they were on the trading block once, it’s likely that their names will come up throughout the season if the Dodgers choose to make some moves. And if the Dodgers were to deal away Pederson and/or Stripling and go on to win the World Series that would be completely devastating. But, professional sports is a business at the end of the day, and players need to come to terms with that. All Stripling and Pederson have to do is play well to keep their names off the trading block, and as tough as it may be, they can’t think about the Angels trade.

Rob Friedman has called things “awkward” as well, but management needs to continue to reassure them that it was necessary to get Mookie Betts and David Price – which it was. Plus, it seems like there are no hard feelings between Mookie and Joc…even though he is taking his spot. Gotta love the camaraderie!

 

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Dodgers/Angels Trade Involving Joc Pederson & Ross Stripling Falls Through. Sources Still Not Completely Sure Why.

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Well, it now seems that the Joc Pederson/ Ross Stripling deal for Luis Rengifo has fallen through. After multiple reports from Ken Rosenthal and John Heyman, it is clear that either the Angels or the Dodgers lost interest in this deal after the Dodgers completed their three-way trade with the Boston Red Sox and Minnesota Twins. 

As John Heyman speculated, he believes after the Mookie Betts deal was completed that the Dodgers backed out cause they didn’t think it was necessary to go through with the Pederson deal. I could see this as a possibility but also think it could have a lot to do with Angels owner Arte Moreno pulling the deal because he grew impatient, as Ken Rosenthal stated in a Tweet as well. 

Whatever the case may be, the Angels definitely missed out on this deal particularly with Ross Stripling in my opinion. This would have boosted the strength of the Angels’ starting rotation and it is a bummer for Angel fans everywhere that this fell through. 

However, I would not be surprised if they continue trying to move Luis Rengifo since they have a surplus of infielders. Let’s hope they can figure out another way to get a quality arm!

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NCAA Will Grant Spring Sport Athletes Another Year of Eligibility

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The above statement, released by the NCAA today on Twitter basically states that they are granting spring sport athletes another year of eligibility. It was heartbreaking when the NCAA announced that they were cancelling games and championships for the rest of the season knowing how hard the athletes worked for this  year.

And while it sounds great on the surface, what are the real consequences to another year of eligibility across all spring sports?

Impact on Graduate Programs

Now that this season has been cancelled, each spring athlete effectively “redshirted” this season, meaning that they have another year of eligibility. This means that a ton of seniors will be seeking out opportunities to compete next year as “fifth years”. Some programs endure more turnover (players quitting/transferring) than others, and a lot of the time they don’t notify the coaching staff until after the season or over summer. Since coaches are then forced to quickly replace those players that left, fifth years are a relatively safe option since they are more experienced than a player out of high school or junior college.  However, schools that don’t experience as much turnover and have a whole new batch of freshman slated to enroll in the fall will be forced to cut the seniors or take away the scholarship of a high school recruit.

So if you’re a college coach and figure the best way to “win now” is to keep the senior and cut the freshman, the school will be forced to admit more students into its graduate program. On the flip side, if the coach determines he’d rather keep the freshman, the senior must now scram to find another school with an open spot or accept that their career is over. Usually graduate programs only admit so many students in a year, putting a strain on the schools that don’t have the capacity for additional students. And unless the student is willing to pay full tuition price (unlikely), that’s an additional scholarship they’ll have to dish out, which brings me to my next topic.

How Will Scholarships Work?

A sport like baseball is already extremely limited in their scholarship-giving abilities (11.7 scholarships for a 35-man roster) so I highly doubt that schools could afford to keep additional players. And in being so, I’m sure most athletes wouldn’t be able to afford to pay full tuition plus room and board. Also, does this mean that the roster will be expanded to make room for the seniors that will now be fifth years? Not only is it very seldom that a player receives a full scholarship, but now the NCAA would undoubtedly have to step in to cover the cost of additional players. These are questions that will need to be answered by the NCAA, which I’m sure will happen in the coming weeks.

As I’ve mentioned previously, I was a college athlete, so I understand how painful this would be. If I were still in school right now I’d be doing everything in my power to get that extra year of eligibility. But sometimes the most logical decision is the toughest to make, especially when it involves retiring from a sport you’ve played your whole life. As tough as a decision like this would be, it would make the most sense to just cut your losses and start preparing for the real world (if there aren’t fifth year opportunities out there).

I still think it’s ridiculous they cancelled the rest of a season that goes into May and June. The NCAA could’ve very well delayed the season like the NBA and made a decision at a later date. Although, it’s not 100% the NCAA’s fault. When schools started kicking students out of the dorms it made it difficult to justify keeping the athletic programs active. Ultimately, hindsight is 20/20, and I’m sure a lot of things could’ve been done differently for a more favorable outcome, but this is our reality. And yeah it sucks, but life has a weird way of knocking you on your ass from time to time. As disappointing as this is for all the athletes out there who will never play collegiately again, my advice can be better summed up in the following tweet:

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The Dodgers Have Pulled off the Biggest Trade in Franchise History

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We had been hearing rumors about a Red Sox/Dodgers trade for a while now, but it has finally happened. It seemed like the Dodgers were the frontrunners all along, since it was inevitable that the Red Sox were going to make a trade, but I can’t believe it actually happened. The Dodgers (with the exception of Manny Machado) never make big moves like this in the offseason. They don’t generally sign big free agents and they don’t make big trades. They develop talent through their farm system and build from within (Kershaw, Buehler, Bellinger).

But this move tells me that they are doing whatever they can to win a World Series title next year, and I fucking love it. This fan base has suffered far too long and come too close in recent years of a title, and I’m so glad the front office is making moves. This definitely softened the blow of missing out on Gerrit Cole earlier this offseason, when he chose to sign with the Yankees.

Of course, the Dodgers were forced to part ways with several fan favorites, as Alex Verdugo, Kenta Maeda, and Joc Pederson were all traded. Verdugo is a young outfielder who will no doubt continue excel as he gets more playing time. There will probably be some backlash from Dodger fans about Verdugo because he was beloved by the Hispanic fanbase…most notably for his signature walkout song “Volver Volver”.

I’ve had a love/hate relationship with Kenta Maeda over the past few seasons, but I was really starting to like him more recently in a relief role. And last but not least, Joc Pederson, who is just heading about 45 minutes south to Anaheim, will surely be missed. Yeah he struck out a lot and was frustrating to watch at times, but he’d show flashes of greatness that made you think he could really be a “guy”. He is also one of the most charismatic guys in the league, and he’ll be missed as a clubhouse presence for sure.

However, despite how much these former Dodgers will be missed, they just traded for MOOKIE FUCKING BETTS and DAVID PRICE. Betts is inarguably a top three player MLB right now, and David Price, despite an injury-riddled 2019, is still effective. The Dodgers still have Chris Taylor, Enrique Hernandez, and A.J. Pollock to fill in the outfield, alongside Betts and Bellinger, so offloading Verdugo and Pederson is great from a consistency aspect for the other players. And with losing Ryu and now Maeda, adding Price will solidify the missing arm in the rotation.

However, the biggest win for the Dodgers in this trade is that they didn’t give up any prospects. You can consider Verdugo a prospect if you want, but in my mind he is now an everyday MLB player, and no longer a prospect. They were able to hang on to Gavin Lux and Dustin May, which were thought to have been trade pieces initially. I don’t think there’s a baseball analyst out there who could say Andrew Friedman was anything short of amazing in putting this deal together. The holes the Dodgers had were filled, and gained far more than they lost. It’s safe to say the Dodgers are CLEAR frontrunners to win the 2020 title…mostly because Betts and Price really know how to win a title in LA (2018).

 

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