It’s almost 2024, and with 2023 ending, a lot has changed for the Dodgers in just a few short weeks. Most of the changes involve the massive historic 700 million dollar contract to superstar DH/pitcher Shohei Ohtani. The Dodgers have been pretty busy this winter, other than the Ohtani deal. Extending Max Muncy, re-signing Jason Heyward, adding Yoshinobu Yamamoto, and acquiring Tyler Glasnow and Manuel Margot.
I never thought the Dodgers would actually sign Ohtani, but I was wrong. Whether the mega-deal was mandated directly by ownership or not, one thing is clear….I can never call Andrew Friedman, Stan Kasten, or Guggenheim cheap again. While that is a sad realization to never be able to call the Dodgers cheap again, I’ll gladly take the consolation prize of Shohei Ohtani. I’m sure you would too.
The Dodgers still have a lot of work to do as we enter into 2024. They have to rebuild their starting rotation from the ground up. Nurse various players back from injury, and perhaps, most importantly give up on a couple of their failed philosophies on how to build rosters and manage the game.
Even more important, don’t drink the swill next year either. Too many people I’ve had the pleasure of dealing with, other bloggers, commenters kept boasting about how great the Dodgers were. Forget about that little problem of not having a pitching staff. Despite the boys in blue getting swept pathetically out of the playoffs by the Dbacks, these guys puffed their chests and predicted World Series greatness. They won 100 games again! They told me. My answer to that was simple….So what?
Wasn’t I the one who told everyone back in May that the Dodgers had no chance of winning a World Series in 2023? To which I was met with anger, derision. The 100 wins I was told, I don’t know anything. But they have no pitching I responded. “You don’t get it”. Was the response I received. Since when has a team with no pitching, specifically no starting pitching ever won a championship?
Never. It’s never happened. Not that I want to be right about that. I want the Dodgers to win titles. That’s probably why I’m such a pain in the ass all the time. I’ll see you all in 2024, where I’m sure to be a huge pain in the ass again next season. Happy New Years all!
No pitching. I agree. No proven big-league starters. Even Glasnow only pitches 120 innings, others are injured or unproven
Not sure I understand the point of today’s post.
If we can win another 100 games and have a shot in the playoffs you can count on me as satisfied. I’m not sure what else you can realistically ask for in this day and age.
GREAT Fangraphs look at the Hernandez signing, which ends with this lovely kicker:
It’s amazing what a motivated baseball team can do merely by spending money, and how much the inaction of its competitors allows such a team to profit even more.
Teoscar Hernández Bound for L.A. On One-Year Deal
https://blogs.fangraphs.com/teoscar-hernandez-bound-for-l-a-on-one-year-deal/
Hello Everyone I hope the past few years has treated you all well. I have a lot of confidence in the Dodgers and hope they get a World Series in 2024. I will be following you going forward. Go Dodgers!!
Good to see you back Pack. Hope you’re doing well.
Hey Scott
Bet you are still the best at telling it like it is honestly. I look forward to your posts! Good to see Bluto and Michael too.
I never predict anything. Too many bad things can happen. But I have faith that the Dodgers will be better this year. Miller has some experience now. The lineup is deep. Glasnow is supposedly healthy, and if he is, he can be a big boost. I saw Yamamoto pitch against MLB talent in the Baseball Classic. Now maybe they set things up, so he pitches every 6th day. Which can only help their other pitchers. But I believe at 25, this guy is the real deal. Buehler will be on an innings limit. But I also saw him pitch during his rehab last year. He probably could have pitched out of the pen then. But the Dodgers have been cautious. I liked what I saw from Sheehan. But he too needs more experience. I would have kept Pepiot and traded one of the other young arms, maybe Grove or Stone. Only time will tell how things will work out. But the Dodgers are still the class of the division. To win, the big stars, Ohtani, Muncy, Hernandez, Freeman and Betts are going to have to play at their highest levels. Lux is going to have to prove he can handle SS every day. But if they have a need, I expect it will get addressed at the trading deadline.
The pitching seems overall improved with Glasnow and Yamamoto. Health and innings will play a huge role as usual.
Michael I believe you are spot on and I too have reservations about Lux. Sad to say that the Dodgers let Seager and Turner walk but they did. The lineup does look deep except for SS. Let’s hope the pitching holds up.
Hope is all we have, package.