2015/16 Offseason: More active than Shakira's hips

[Ranma]

One more thing Ranma


if you see anything on what Jose Peraza is doing this winter can you please post it here?
Googling isn't enough and I wanna know where he's playing ball and what position he's playing at over the winter if he's doing that.

I haven't heard or found anything as of yet with regards to Peraza, but if I come across something, I'll post it in here. I'm not even sure he's fully recovered from his hamstring injury, but I guess he should be fine by now. I'd have to think that he'll be working out at both 2B and CF during winter ball with most of his time spent at the infield keystone unless Joc Pederson is unexpectedly dealt. Then again, I suspect **** will also be working out similarly at those positions as well.

so, what do you guys see as Dave rounds out the coaching staff?

With Roberts' previous experience as a player with the Dodgers organization as well as his time with the Red Sox, Giants, and Padres, I was actually excited to see whom he would tab to fill out the coaching staff given his exposure and connections to mostly great organizations. However, the reports I'm reading describe that the coaching staff will be put together primarily by the front office. Roberts would supposedly have input but it seems like Friedman & Co. may already have other people in mind for those positions with Rick Honeycutt's return the most likely to be the 1st announced. I'm not sure I have faith or am enthused with the front office making the call with regards to the coaching staff.

From what I've read and seen, I like that Roberts puts an emphasis on being able to bunt capably as well as having an under-rated understanding of how to handle pitching.

Wallach looks to join Mattingly in Miami while Roenicke and Black seem to be headed to Anaheim. Lopes is already with the Nationals. Plus, McGwire seems likely to be going to either the Diamondbacks or Padres with San Diego the most logical landing spot for him given his preferred residence in Irvine.

It looks like we may already have a new head trainer in the works, but Rampe doesn't sound like anything special. Still, he doesn't necessarily need to be given the amount of man games lost due to injury over recent seasons, particularly with the dreaded hamstring strain.

[tweet]https://twitter.com/injuryexpert/status/668966994553778176[/tweet]

[Neddy]

first of all, everyone should be elated that Don Mattingly is gone and Dave Roberts is in. no more the days of our bullpen being misused and overly practiced double switch.

secondly, I don't believe any team will sign Howie when a compensation pick is on the line, and i fully expect the second baseman to be back in dodger blue while Peraza is rotting away in AAA.

lastly, I don't buy one bit about those BSPN reports about how gnats are rising while dodgers are sinking. leave it to the bull network to make **** up. I am confident that the same ownership and the same FO that decided Dave was better choice over Don will also come to conclude whats best for this team than any pundits combined.

[Ranma]

Even if Roberts will need a year of adjustment, I have absolute faith he'll be better than Mattingly over the course of his career. Personally, I'd rather see Peraza manning 2B, especially if Roberts can work with him in utilizing his speed and incorporating bunting more effectively in his approach at the plate. Plus, the 2B market features little else after Zobrist and Murphy so I think someone will sign him even with the required draft pick compensation. Nothing wrong with Kendrick per se, but I'd rather have the draft pick, myself.

I give very little credence to Jim Bowden's take of the Dodgers' supposed downward trend. This joker disrespected the Dodgers during the Dan Evans era when he refused to start discussions in a scheduled meeting with the Reds when he was their GM until Tommy Lasorda arrived. Plus, he's been outed for taking credit for scoops from a fake Twitter account. Dude, has no integrity or credibility. The fact that (as you aptly described) BSPN still employs him says enough about its illegitimacy as a news organization as well in addition to all the other crap the network has engaged in (e.g. covering up for Goodell, shutting down Grantland, etc.).

[Quake Griffin]

I don't get how anybody can view this organization or this team as downward trending. There's a lot of talent on this roster and tons of flexibility in this organization to make deals happen for this team (at the major league level and down under). Doc Rivers couldn't blow through all of our assets if there were 10 Rivers children available at the deadline.

Seems like more of the bandwagoning, hive-minded, "The Dodgers spend but don't win" garbage that's going to come from every pundit. The only difference between these guys and my Clippers is that I pretty much trust the Dodgers FO to make good moves and not get **** for value.

NVM that the Giants are trending upwards when they have the same question marks as we do.


I'm still willing to bet Peraza is a better SS than Seager (which is why I'm interested in what he's doing this winter Ranma) so that's awkward to me to have the better SS playing 2B because Seager can't play on the other side of the diamond.

[Quake Griffin]

Two things hinging off my 1st point in the post above.

1) I love how tightlipped our organization is but we're linked to everybody. Either somebody is lying about who we're interested in, guessing or the other teams are leaking our conversations when it comes to trade talks.

2) On my point about how flexible we are to make deals. I'm wondering if it's a gift and a curse. We were rumored to be in on Andrelton Simmons and the Angels snagged him for something we easily could have matched. I wonder if these team are scared to pull the trigger for fear that we're going to get the better end of the deal etc. etc.

[Ranma]

You make a good point about Peraza at SS, Quake, even if I think Seager should be fine at SS. I believe Jose Peraza was projected to be the starting SS for the Braves before Andrelton Simmons' rise to prominence. He'll probably get work at SS in winter ball as well as 2B and CF, but I still think 2B will be his primary focus with CF having 2nd priority. While Peraza may have the better range and natural ability for the position, Seager seems to have the smoother approach and hands along with the better throwing arm. Friedman & Co. like players with versatility, so it shouldn't be a surprise to see Seager, ****, Peraza, and Barnes working out at multiple positions, but I suspect that the front office already has their respective primary positions penciled in for each player to start a base to work from in building the roster. We'll see more defined roles after the dust of the off-season settles.

There is a double-edged sword in trades with the Dodgers. When our system was depleted during the McCourt era, we had to overpay in quantity to make up for the lack of quality in order to convince other teams our prospects were worth something. Now with a strong farm system, rival ballclubs are always trying to raid our prospects cupboard where they may even undervalue our prospects relative to other teams' internal rankings. For instance, the Angels gave up their #1 prospect Sean Newcomb along with a couple of throw-ins in order to complete the Simmons trade. The Dodgers easily could have matched that package, but the problem likely was that we were not willing to give up our top prospects even though that would be a clear overpay. I get the sense that teams expect the Dodgers to pay more by virtue of having more. After all, our #1 prospect is better than most other teams' #1 prospect, Newcomb included.

Speaking of the Angels, I'm not only impressed by the Simmons trade but at the front office they've quickly put together with Billy Eppler as GM and reportedly Bud Black as special assistant to the front office. Eppler was the guy I wanted for the position Josh Byrnes currently occupies for the Dodgers as I also gave him consideration for the GM position, but Zaidi is the more appealing option.

[Neddy]

as long as Turner and Gonzo are in dodgers uniforms, Seager will be the SS. if one of the corner guys is gone, I can see Seager moving to third, Peraza at SS, and **** at 2nd.

BTW, what the heck was the Angels thinking trading Hank Conger away just last year, then let Chris Iannetta go this year? Hank hit .759 OPS with 11 HRs backing up Jason Castro. Hank also has the second best framing only behind Mike Z of Seattle the last time I checked for that stat a year ago. the Angels must be kicking themselves for picking the wrong option last season.

[Quake Griffin]

Well, you know I want to trade Adrian Gonzalez.
Billy Beane theory: Gotta trade good players to get good players. His value is only getting worse.
And since our franchise has discussed the fact that we will be lowering salary, I expect him to go tbh….especially if we're going to sign somebody and lower salary. Very ambitious of or franchise but I can see it.

On another note, as the FA period is open...
How do you guys think we are viewing draft pick compensation?
Is it possible that after all of the international signings, we don't have to worry about losing a first rounder if we sign a Zimmermann or Heyward?

Yadier Alvarez can kind of function like drafting a HS pitcher…Diaz a HS position player as well.

[Quake Griffin]

Dammit.

Looks like Puig got into a fight in a Miami night club.

Dude must intentionally be trying to hurt his trade value so he can stay a Dodger.

[Ranma]

[tweet]https://twitter.com/molly_knight/status/670390161360879616[/tweet]

[Ranma]

On another note, as the FA period is open...
How do you guys think we are viewing draft pick compensation?
Is it possible that after all of the international signings, we don't have to worry about losing a first rounder if we sign a Zimmermann or Heyward?

Yadier Alvarez can kind of function like drafting a HS pitcher…Diaz a HS position player as well.

Yeah, our farm system is strong enough where we're not exactly desperate for draft picks, but the organization wants to transition us to rely on our developmental pipeline as a feeding system for the major league ballclub and rightly so. The more picks and international signees we get, the sooner and likelier we can make that happen.

In addition to not being able to sign international free agents to big-money deals in the next two signing periods after this current one, the Dodgers were unable to sign Funkhouser and lost Beuhler to injury. While we're compensated for Funkhouser with the 36th overall pick in the 2016 draft and Beuhler is expected to make a full recovery eventually, the fact is that we'll lose a couple of years in developmental time for two prospects. Plus, with the anticipated graduation of Seager and Peraza, we're lacking in top-shelf talent that is ready to contribute in the near term outside of Urias and DeLeon.

You're right that both Alvarez and Diaz are basically high-upside 1st-round picks for us but we paid quite the pretty penny for both in their actual contracts and the resulting tax penalties. As high as I am on them both, they are still unknown quantities at this point and maybe more so than their American counterparts. However, like I've said before, I'm fine with the price paid for both of those guys while I'm more concerned with overpaying for the more unknown names we have signed. I understand that you win some and lose some, but the organization has had some notable misses with the recent big deals for Esribel Arruebarrena and Alexander Guerrero. While Arreubarrena is the more Puig-like man-child, Guerrero requires a spot on the major league roster.

Right now, I feel that the farm system is lacking in both high-end starting-caliber right-handed pitching and positional prospects, so I'd like to see us use our 2016 draft capital to address those areas with all things being equal. Of course, the best strategy is still to take the best player available.

[Ranma]

Jonathan Mayo, MLB.com (11/27/15)

Should the Dodgers give Jose Peraza the second-base spot? Should they bring back Chase Utley as a backup and a left-handed bat?
-- Sal G., Los Angeles

I would give Peraza, No. 4 on the Dodgers' Top 30, every opportunity to win that job. While perhaps his prospect stock has faded a bit, he still has the potential to provide a real boost to the Dodgers' offense. He makes a lot of contact, hits for average and can steal bases. The one thing he does need to improve is his on-base ability (.318 OBP in the Minor Leagues in 2015). Given the fact that Joc Pederson and his .325 OBP inhabited the leadoff spot more than any other Dodgers player this past season, it won't take a whole lot to improve the top of the order in that regard. Peraza has the skills to play shortstop as well (though he obviously won't in 2016), and is a solid defensive second baseman.

As for Utley, he had a combined .629 OPS in 2015. If you think his August (.901 OPS) is a sign of something left in the tank off the bench, go right ahead. But I'd probably be inclined to look elsewhere.

Inbox: Talkin' Prospects After Turkey Day

[Ranma]

Well, you know I want to trade Adrian Gonzalez.
Billy Beane theory: Gotta trade good players to get good players. His value is only getting worse.
And since our franchise has discussed the fact that we will be lowering salary, I expect him to go tbh….especially if we're going to sign somebody and lower salary. Very ambitious of or franchise but I can see it.

On another note, as the FA period is open...
How do you guys think we are viewing draft pick compensation?
Is it possible that after all of the international signings, we don't have to worry about losing a first rounder if we sign a Zimmermann or Heyward?

Yadier Alvarez can kind of function like drafting a HS pitcher…Diaz a HS position player as well.

Oh, I missed addressing your point about Jordan Zimmermann and Jason Heyward directly. Yes, I think there's a strong case to be made for signing an UFA who requires draft pick compensation in light of the extra picks that we have as well as the recent international signings, especially if we sign at least two such UFAs since we'd "only" be losing our 1st and 2nd-round picks while retaining the 36th overall pick (compensation for Funkhouser not signing) along with 2 possible compensatory picks in the late 30's and early 40's area of the selection slots for Greinke and Kendrick signing elsewhere. However, the lost 1st-rounder would be our highest draft pick with it currently being slated to be at least 25th overall and the lost 2nd-round pick anticipated to be around the 75th overall selection slot.

Given that scenario, IMO we'd have to sign both Heyward and Zimmermann to make the most of the situation. While I suspect that Zimmermann is highly thought of by Friedman' front office, I'd place a higher priority on Heyward in light of the ongoing Puig drama and my desire to trade away both Puig and Ethier this off-season. Of course, money and length of deal is a concern, but with talks of the Red Sox determined to significantly outbid other suitors for David Price and the Giants' hard pursuit of Zack Greinke, we have to assume that Zimmermann is on the Dodgers' radar as a strong possibility. Also, I have to think that having Puig on the roster would hurt our pursuit of Greinke no matter how much that aspect is being downplayed right now.

Personally, I still want Johnny Cueto if we miss out on both Greinke and Price, but adding Zimmermann and Heyward to such a signing would work strongly in that scenario as well.

With regard to trading away A-Gon, I just don't see it happening...or at least happening this winter. Trading him away would just open up another spot on the roster to fill and he's a big part of the Dodgers' community as well as still productive albeit with fading impact late in the season and into the postseason. Right now, the Dodgers are focusing on starting pitching, addressing the outfield, relief pitching, and maybe shoring up the infield with role players.

[Ranma]

Peter Gammons, GammonsDaily.com (11/25/15)

Most of all, no one seems to know what the Dodgers are doing, and whether they’ll conclude Greinke should be subject to normal age regression despite his Madduxesque intelligence and creativity.

This we do know: they hired a manager in Dave Roberts who is a perfect fit for sifting through the disparate personalities in that clubhouse. Rather than the reported cutbacks in scouting, they have actually added to their scouting staff. They have hired one of the best international directors in Ismael Cruz (who built the Mets up and produced enough prospects for Toronto to make the Josh Donaldson and Troy Tulowitzki deals), overhauled their international systems and, in the meantime, signed $90M worth of young Cuban players.

Meanwhile, Mark Shapiro is deep into general manager interviews in Toronto. One candidate is Ross Atkins, VP of Baseball Development with the Indians and widely respected the way Bobby Evans was respected in San Fransisco when the Giants made him the general manager. Josh Byrnes, now with the Dodgers, is reportedly a candidate, and longtime associate of Shapiro.

Peter Gammons: Boras-Samson War Leaves Marlins in the Balance, Black Friday Shopping

[Quake Griffin]

Well.
There's a part of me that wants A-Gon traded.
Then there's a part of me that just realizes it's a possibility and a reality with this organization trying to shed salary.

If we're going to shed salary, whose salary is getting shed? Kershaw's? Andre and Carl are different. You probably have to send a prospect with them and take little in return. So probably not them.


Nice from Peter Gammons. Nobody knows what our tight lipped org is thinking. I'm just going to ignore the rumors and wait to see what they do.

[Ranma]

I actually think there's a very good chance Ethier will be dealt before the 2016 season begins. First, he'll have to be traded before the beginning of the season before his 10-and-5 status kicks in if we plan on moving him since he'd have the right to veto any trade thereafter if he's still on the Dodgers' roster by then. Second, he has $34 million and 2 years left on his contract with a vesting option for 2018 for $17.5 million based on plate appearances with a $2.5 million buyout if it doesn't vests. Third, Ethier had a productive 2015 season as a left-handed platoon player and there seems to be plenty of teams in search of outfielders this winter.

The Dodgers can probably get away with eating $16.5 million for the remainder of his contract ($6 million for 2016, $8 million for 2017, $2.5 million for the 2018 buyout) and save $20 million over the next 2 seasons. This shouldn't require us to package a decent prospect in order to move him since he should be attractive as a $10 million per year player.

[Quake Griffin]

Looks like Zimmermann is going to be headed to Detroit.

Outside of the NL.
Away from our pitcher's park.
Team that didn't win the division or make the playoffs last year.

Hard for me to believe we shared the same level of interest and couldn't sign him from an unattractive situation like that.
Again…i'm just bonn ignore the rumor mill for us

[Quake Griffin]

Damn.

He went 5 for 110 too btw.
I'd try to front load that deal man.
That's real good money compared to Greinke who people were rumoring to go 5 for 150.

[Ranma]

[tweet]https://twitter.com/Dodgers/status/671030449242771456[/tweet]
[tweet]https://twitter.com/ckamka/status/585645245494353920[/tweet]
[tweet]https://twitter.com/ckamka/status/671002265172471809[/tweet]

[Ranma]

I don't know that Arizona's offer is but if it's comparable to Zimmermann's deal, I'd rather sign Johnny Cueto since he doesn't cost a draft pick and is the better pitcher, anyway. Both had/have injury concerns with Cueto's being the more unknown ailment.

We can't really ignore the hot stove talk since dominos will start to fall in short order. With Zimmermann off the board, the Red Sox determined to outbid everyone for David Price, the D-Backs supposedly making an offer for Johnny Cueto, and Zack Greinke in demand with the Giants and Cubs looking for top-shelf pitching as well as the Dodgers, we could find ourselves shut out of the big-name free-agent pitchers fairly quickly despite likely being the biggest spenders this winter.

I suspect we have a trade or two lined up for starting pitching, but signing an elite free-agent pitcher is an integral maneuver to improving the team since it would not require costly assets outside of money. Having said that, I doubt Cueto goes to Arizona. Also, I think Price would choose us over the Red Sox if the offers are comparable, but just how far is Boston willing to push the price tag? The Dodgers have reportedly extended Ricky Honeycutt as pitching coach as they transition him to an advisory role in the front office, so we have to think his input is given weight. Honeycutt stated recently that he thinks Greinke can still dominate into his 40's given his intelligence and guile.

[tweet]https://twitter.com/jcrasnick/status/671016697445396480[/tweet]
[tweet]https://twitter.com/RobertMurrayBBE/status/671053469759991809[/tweet]
[tweet]https://twitter.com/johnfayman/status/671029952519778304[/tweet]
[tweet]https://twitter.com/Ken_Rosenthal/status/671002760393830400[/tweet]
[tweet]https://twitter.com/Ken_Rosenthal/status/671002756321153024[/tweet]