Everything Baseball

[LilKitKat]

He's subject to spending limits on international players. The Dodgers are definitely getting him. Lol.

It's a good time to be a Dodgers fan... And a confusing time to be a Jays fan. Haha

might go to SD since they have Yu Darvish, still a major city, good team, same flight length back to Japan...but I mean...the Padres...meh. Id say I get it if it was BoSox, Yankees, Cubs, Giants...but...

 

[TunnelKing089]

you cant have him! Sorry!

And we are taking Roki Sasaki too!

Japangeles Dodgers baby!

Possible,Red Sox signed Buehler today.

https://www.mlb.com/news/roki-sasaki-has-met-with-dodgers

In four seasons with Nippon Professional Baseball's Chiba Lotte Marines, Sasaki posted a 2.10 ERA and struck out 32% of opposing batters, thanks to a fastball that can reach triple digits on the radar gun and a devastating splitter.

 

[LilKitKat]

Possible,Red Sox signed Buehler today.

https://www.mlb.com/news/roki-sasaki-has-met-with-dodgers

In four seasons with Nippon Professional Baseball's Chiba Lotte Marines, Sasaki posted a 2.10 ERA and struck out 32% of opposing batters, thanks to a fastball that can reach triple digits on the radar gun and a devastating splitter.

that was a few days ago actually.

Loved him but a couple of TJ surgeries and he isnt the same.

As for Sasaki, Id be shocked if it was anyone but LA/SF/SD to be fair, and I think he has known who for a long time.
Only reason I would think he wouldnt pick LA is...not being even remotely close to the most famous person in LA, be "just another guy" on a fucking loaded team.
But if he wants to be with other countrymen, closest to Tokyo, in 2nd biggest market in the country, huge Asian population, be able to put off all the pressure in his first MLB season, and also a decent betting favorite to make the post-season and get to or win the WS...well...its LA

 

[TunnelKing089]

that was a few days ago actually.

Loved him but a couple of TJ surgeries and he isnt the same.

As for Sasaki, Id be shocked if it was anyone but LA/SF/SD to be fair, and I think he has known who for a long time.
Only reason I would think he wouldnt pick LA is...not being even remotely close to the most famous person in LA, be "just another guy" on a fucking loaded team.
But if he wants to be with other countrymen, closest to Tokyo, in 2nd biggest market in the country, huge Asian population, be able to put off all the pressure in his first MLB season, and also a decent betting favorite to make the post-season and get to or win the WS...well...its LA

Agree I would lean a west coast team,gonna cost someone though lol.

 

[TunnelKing089]

Oh and the manager wants paid too @LilKitKat Any money left for him?

https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2024/12/dodgers-expected-to-discuss-extension-with-dave-roberts.html

 

[LilKitKat]

Oh and the manager wants paid too @LilKitKat Any money left for him?

https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2024/12/dodgers-expected-to-discuss-extension-with-dave-roberts.html

Dodgers print money. Merch alone for Ohtani prob paid for his contract already.

 

[TunnelKing089]

Dodgers print money. Merch alone for Ohtani prob paid for his contract already.

Still printing money,they signed Hyeseong Kim today.

https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2025/01/dodgers-to-sign-hyeseong-kim.html

 

[LilKitKat]

Still printing money,they signed Hyeseong Kim today.

https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2025/01/dodgers-to-sign-hyeseong-kim.html

I saw. Course its not exactly breaking the bank for him but good deal.
Gavin Lux and Kike' probably gone now.

 

[TunnelKing089]

I saw. Course its not exactly breaking the bank for him but good deal.
Gavin Lux and Kike' probably gone now.

Lux has never impressed me,1st round pick to be the SS of the future never quite made it.

Kike is a solid backup veteran,we'll see on him.

 

[lifeisgood3976]

RIP Bob Uecker.

 

[Taegul]

RIP Bob Uecker.

He must finally be getting that seat in the front row.

 

[TunnelKing089]

you cant have him! Sorry!

And we are taking Roki Sasaki too!

Japangeles Dodgers baby!

Sure did....

https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2025/01/roki-sasaki-to-sign-with-dodgers.html

 

[TunnelKing089]

Good ol Bob...RIP

 

[LilKitKat]

Sure did....

https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2025/01/roki-sasaki-to-sign-with-dodgers.html

I know Toronto has a high Asian population and theres sevreal great organizations around but this one wasnt a contest. Toronto is also hella far from Tokyo.
...and he wasnt going to San Diego. Their org is a mess. I would have expected maybe SF.
But Yoshi and Shohei and Roki together is ridiculous. Plus Snell and Glasnow. And dont forget an aging Kershaw. And Gonsolin and when Gavin Stone comes back. Its actually insane.

 

[Belegon]

I know Toronto has a high Asian population and theres sevreal great organizations around but this one wasnt a contest. Toronto is also hella far from Tokyo.
...and he wasnt going to San Diego. Their org is a mess. I would have expected maybe SF.
But Yoshi and Shohei and Roki together is ridiculous. Plus Snell and Glasnow. And dont forget an aging Kershaw. And Gonsolin and when Gavin Stone comes back. Its actually insane.

The Dodgers are probably going to be a big discussion point when the CBA comes up again in 2027. As LilKitKat referred to, they seem to be printing money. Perhaps, if they actually DO take the step of applying revenue sharing to ALL TV money instead of only national money, we could see a bit of redistribution of talent based only on that. Local deals falling through has been aq big problem for the last couple of years. Both my personal fave teqm (SD Padres) and the Texas Rangers are good examples of how a local broadcasting deal going sour can have a dramatic effect on the fortunes and future of the team. At this point, for my Padres to be truly competitive with the up the coast neighbors during the regular season, A.J. Preller is going to need to have as dramatic of a year as he did last year (when he got Arraez for almost nothing during the season and made the huge acquisition of Dylan Cease the day before the Padres left for Korea to open the season.



(nice to talk baseball for a moment on here again. Don't think I've had a baseball related conversation on Lit since Colleen Thomas passed, quite some time ago. Colly was a HUGE Cubs fan.Colleen Thomas )

 

[LilKitKat]

I used to kind of like the Padres (I like their logo, a few players here and there), but they now have some true asshats on their team (Machado and Tatis, though yes they are supremely talented) and with the team being competitive, the fans became insufferable (to us at least) and the Padres truly have not won anything so not sure what they are sticking their chest out for...because you beat us in the playoffs once? And I get the little brother syndrome is likely pretty damn annoying to SD, Dodgers have been a juggernaut for a decade, plus losing their football team and their basketball team to LA (you can have both back, the Chargers are still SD if you ask me, never wanted them and F the Clippers) and with the new ownership being idiotic, you need to cop a style and embrace it..Yankees are always the evil empire but I mean, more rings than fingers and toes right so...and now yes, the Dodgers print money, have an amazing farm system, pitching dev, keep winning blsah blah...just remember, we used to have terrible ownership and since Guggenheim came in and we got Friedman, we have been pretty great. I hop the Padres get new ownership and rebuild soon. Darvish wont last forever, and you need some quality nice guys like Freddie Freeman.

Also...



ps - the Giants are our rivals. The Padres are just an annoying swarm of gnats. Sorry.

 

[LilKitKat]

....and the Dodgers just got Tanner Scott.

I take it back. Dodgers = evil empire

Bring on the hate! (and the rings)

 

[TunnelKing089]

I know Toronto has a high Asian population and theres sevreal great organizations around but this one wasnt a contest. Toronto is also hella far from Tokyo.
...and he wasnt going to San Diego. Their org is a mess. I would have expected maybe SF.
But Yoshi and Shohei and Roki together is ridiculous. Plus Snell and Glasnow. And dont forget an aging Kershaw. And Gonsolin and when Gavin Stone comes back. Its actually insane.

Relief pitcher Tanner Scott today as well.

Saw this guy a lot being in my division(Miami)really good closer.Rich keep getting richer lol.

https://www.espn.com/mlb/story/_/id/43479164/dodgers-land-closer-tanner-scott-4-year-72m-sources-say

 

[TunnelKing089]

With Scott, the Dodgers' luxury tax payroll is estimated to be somewhere in the neighborhood of $375 million, about $70 million more than that of the second-place Phillies.

Printing money.

 

[LilKitKat]

With Scott, the Dodgers' luxury tax payroll is estimated to be somewhere in the neighborhood of $375 million, about $70 million more than that of the second-place Phillies.

Printing money.

Supposedly Shohei's merch sales this year brought in something like 50 or 60 mil alone, paid for his salary and then some.
See, the Dodgers are yes, signing everyone but some owners dont spend to win. They pocket tons and tons and good for them, but their teams are not competitive. If you spend tons, you are showing a committment to winning, to being competitive, to the fans and city. Cant complain about that.

 

[Belegon]

and you need some quality nice guys like Freddie Freeman.

Also...

View attachment 2471918

ps - the Giants are our rivals. The Padres are just an annoying swarm of gnats. Sorry.

The Giants WERE your rivals when both teams were in NY. That's the genesis of that rivalry and always will be.

I have to admit, despite the team they play for, I really like both Freddie Freeman and Mookie Betts. Not only solid, possible MVP every year players, but seem to be nice guys too. Manny Machado is not even close to the personality problem he was in Baltimore, he is actually a solid clubhouse guy now and is active in the community. People all over the league (not just LA) give him a lot of hassle he simply doesn't deserve anymore. I think Dodger fans generally dislike him only because he didn't sign with the Dodgers after they traded for him at the deadline (although he didn't exactly have a great second half that year either, so some of it may be resentment of that.) I don't know why I'm always hearing negative stuff about Tatis. Certainly I love him as a player, and he loves the fans and interacts with them. I know some people question his suspension, but that was more a case of immaturity and carelessness than anything else. He used an over the counter medicine for ringworm that is the most popular medicine for that ailment in his own country and he didn't do what he should have, which is check with the team doctors before using ANY medication.


As for the Chargers, they moved to LA strictly as an attempt to raise the value of the franchise. Alex Spanos would never have moved the team, but Dean had far less of an emotional connection to San Diego. I hate that they are there and all my Charger gear will remain in storage as long as they are. I no longer have a single NFL team I root for, despite the lightning bolt tattoo'ed on my right arm.

BTW, I covered both teams as a sportswriter for MVN.com back from 2004 until about 2009. Made a little bit of money doing it, but had a lot of fun as MVN had a minor national reputation and I occasionally would be called on to be a sports radio guest or to contribute to a higher profile website, for example I made Charger picks in the NFL draft for a Chicago radio station for three years and I was interviewed by stations as far away as Philly. I was also listed and profiled as a "place to go for further information about the Padres" in the Sports Illustrated baseball preview issue in 2007. A lot more recognition than I ever got while actually playing the game.

 

[Belegon]

Supposedly Shohei's merch sales this year brought in something like 50 or 60 mil alone, paid for his salary and then some.
See, the Dodgers are yes, signing everyone but some owners dont spend to win. They pocket tons and tons and good for them, but their teams are not competitive. If you spend tons, you are showing a committment to winning, to being competitive, to the fans and city. Cant complain about that.

Shohei's international profile and merch sales are easily worth what the Dodgers are paying him, IMHO. He's also the most talented player two way player since Ruth... but those that claim he is better than the Babe need to do some more research. The Babe out homered every other TEAM in 1921 and was the all time home run leader for practically the last decade of his career. Every dinger he hit after 1921 set a new all time mark. Plus he hit .342 for his career and had a career OPS+ of 206 and a lifetime .474 OB%. There simply has never been a player more dominant in the game, not even Ohtani.

 

[LilKitKat]

The Giants WERE your rivals when both teams were in NY. That's the genesis of that rivalry and always will be.

I have to admit, despite the team they play for, I really like both Freddie Freeman and Mookie Betts. Not only solid, possible MVP every year players, but seem to be nice guys too. Manny Machado is not even close to the personality problem he was in Baltimore, he is actually a solid clubhouse guy now and is active in the community. People all over the league (not just LA) give him a lot of hassle he simply doesn't deserve anymore. I think Dodger fans generally dislike him only because he didn't sign with the Dodgers after they traded for him at the deadline (although he didn't exactly have a great second half that year either, so some of it may be resentment of that.) I don't know why I'm always hearing negative stuff about Tatis. Certainly I love him as a player, and he loves the fans and interacts with them. I know some people question his suspension, but that was more a case of immaturity and carelessness than anything else. He used an over the counter medicine for ringworm that is the most popular medicine for that ailment in his own country and he didn't do what he should have, which is check with the team doctors before using ANY medication.


As for the Chargers, they moved to LA strictly as an attempt to raise the value of the franchise. Alex Spanos would never have moved the team, but Dean had far less of an emotional connection to San Diego. I hate that they are there and all my Charger gear will remain in storage as long as they are. I no longer have a single NFL team I root for, despite the lightning bolt tattoo'ed on my right arm.

BTW, I covered both teams as a sportswriter for MVN.com back from 2004 until about 2009. Made a little bit of money doing it, but had a lot of fun as MVN had a minor national reputation and I occasionally would be called on to be a sports radio guest or to contribute to a higher profile website, for example I made Charger picks in the NFL draft for a Chicago radio station for three years and I was interviewed by stations as far away as Philly. I was also listed and profiled as a "place to go for further information about the Padres" in the Sports Illustrated baseball preview issue in 2007. A lot more recognition than I ever got while actually playing the game.

Machado is a douche...

and the Giants are the rival. Just like the Celtics/Lakers. Red Sox/Yankees. Michigan/Ohio State.

 

[Belegon]

Giants/ Dodgers is CLEARLY one of the most storied rivalry's in sports, but they aren't the threat to Dodger dominance the Padres are. The ONLY team that I felt gave the Dodgers even the slightest moment of doubt last year was the Padres. I may not like to admit it emotionally, but my intellect tells me the Dodgers are once again the most likely team to win it all. the thing about baseball is, a couple injuries and a couple surprises and things get turned all upside down. Profar and Merrill last year for the Padres for example in "surprises." Padres have a tough season ahead without Joe Musgrove and the rotation is a BIG question mark. But it's the most difficult game in the world and anything can happen especially with the long season and then transitioning to 5 and 7 game series where one or two moments can either devastate or fulfill fans dreams.

 

[Crownvic]

With Scott, the Dodgers' luxury tax payroll is estimated to be somewhere in the neighborhood of $375 million, about $70 million more than that of the second-place Phillies.

Printing money.

Got enough ink...