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

[Neddy]

Roberts also sidestepped batting order specifics or naming names when asked for contenders to bat leadoff, but indicated that it's more likely to be a rotation than a permanent job the way it was for him when he played "because of the way that the game has evolved," meaning metrics and matchups. "Players are starting to understand their strengths and weaknesses," he said. "Nowadays it's another spot in the order, where a typical leadoff hitter doesn't have to be a Brett Butler at the top."


Is this the 1st time you've heard Dave Roberts mention metrics? It is for me.
I knew he was on board because they really liked him but I didn't see for myself. It's been all smiles and hallmark cards mixed with a dose of how to handle Puig.

Either way, the #1 hole is not just "another spot" in the order IMO but it's probably just semantics. I think we're on the same page.

the SABR-head dogma of the lineup, goes something like this.

the best player period, should bat 2nd.
the best OBP who is not the best overall, bats first.
the best SLG hitter among the top 3 in OPS who is not #1 or #2, hits clean up.
the 3rd bats man is the 4th overall who is not #1, #2, or #4 in the lineup.

the reasoning is quite simple, if you get into the math. the #2 hitter in a season typically end up with 50 more at bats with just about the identical total amount of men on base. #4 hitter also usually end up with typically more runners on base than #3 hitter. the conventional ideas go right out the window when the real data accumilated over a century is actually applied. the lead off does not need to be a rabbit around the base to be a good leadoff, a la Juan Pierre. you can't help the team if you can't get on base. guys like Shin Soo Choo who may not steal any base at all but who can get on base with the very best in the game, who got on base at .423 clip, posting .885 OPS with the Reds in 2013, with career OBP of .382, are far more effective than any speedy lead off hitters active today. (ya I'm sure there will be people up in arms about this, if there were more than 3 of us reading and posting in here, lol)

[Quake Griffin]

Zaidi just said Ethier's 10-5 rights are not a factor.

[Neddy]

Zaidi just said Ethier's 10-5 rights are not a factor.

didn't our GM also said he was not trading Dee away then traded him a day after? I tihnk Andre is still as good as gone. but I would not mind one bit if we keep him. he posted better than .850 OPS last season with career numbers right around there. Carl on the other hand, is at around .700. significant drop there. I don't buy the arguement that he is among the best leadoffs we have because he used to be a speedy player around the bases either. he is a career .330 OBP player who posted barely above .300 last season. he is worse than Juan Pierre. no thanks.

[Ranma]

[tweet]https://twitter.com/kengurnick/status/702499194683064321[/tweet]

[Quake Griffin]

LMAO at that Dee thing. I forgot. He was gone a day later….literally. I forgot about that.



Justin Turner to be a full participant in spring workouts.
B McCarthy throwing off the mound for the first time.

good news

[Quake Griffin]

http://www.truebluela.com/2013/10/21/4861112/los-angeles-dodgers-payroll

$229 million?
Considering Brett is getting $15.8
Crawford is making $20 million
Kemp is getting a little something on the side.

looks like our financial ducks are in a row and we're just waiting for contracts to be traded or come off the books.

[Quake Griffin]

http://m.mlb.com/video/topic/7417714/v544395583/mike-podhorzer-on-how-to-forecast-player-projections

3:43 for a discussion on projecting Corey Seager

[Ranma]

JP Hoornstra, Inland Valley Daily Bulletin (2/25/16)

Every time Joc Pederson entered the batter’s box last year, you wondered if he would dig a hole to China. As part of his powerful, coiling swing, Pederson’s front foot always landed with a thud, then twisted and rolled into the dirt.

When Pederson reported for batting practice during the Dodgers’ first full-squad workout Thursday, the thud of his front foot was gone. In its place: a modest, measured step forward. The path of his bat to the baseball was more compact. It’s the swing of a man who is trying to cut down on strikeouts and isn’t worried about hitting the ball out of the park every time he bats.

“I’ve been working hard this offseason to work on becoming a better hitter, hitting more line drives and using the whole field,” Pederson said. “I think I’m gifted that the power will be there. I’m just trying to hit balls on the barrel.”

Joc Pederson Arrives at LA Dodgers Camp with a New Swing

[Neddy]

I wonder if we are really willing to cut Crawford. it will cost of 42 million dollars but it will free up a roster space for more ideal 4th outfielder who can play all 3 positions defensively.

in fact, I wonder if we would cut both Crawford and Guerrero. thanks Ned Colletti, your roster **** ups will cost 52 million just to erase them... smfh....

[Quake Griffin]

I'm willing to do that.
addition by subtraction. they're negatives here anyway. WHy not pay them to have 0 effect on the team?


looks like Ryu won't be ready for opening day.
SMFH.

[Neddy]

I'm willing to do that.
addition by subtraction. they're negatives here anyway. WHy not pay them to have 0 effect on the team?


looks like Ryu won't be ready for opening day.
SMFH.

meh, I never really expected him to be ready in the first place until May anyway. the way Alex Wood was talking about not letting the dodger brass send him back down by outperforming all other options made me think that the season will open with Kershaw-Kazmir-Anderson-Maeda-Wood as our rotation, and Urias and others were just there to learn from, and only in case of an injury. since a week ago when the dodgers press were saying Ryu was 2 weeks to a month behind, I figured this was the case.

but by the season's end, we will have Ryu and McCarthy in the mix for sure. even Urias and De Leon as options and we still have Magic Mike. I am not worried about our rotational depth at all.

[Quake Griffin]

[youtube]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hayglb0CUS0[/youtube]

i think Ranma posted something about Joc's swing.
reminded me of this.

[Quake Griffin]

Bill Plunkett? Verified account ? ?@billplunkettocr · 2m2 minutes ago
#Dodgers Adrian Gonzalez said he had source of his chronic neck issues checked out this winter. Bulging disc that has been there for 5 yrs

Ken Gurnick? Verified account ?
?@kengurnick
Adrian Gonzalez said offseason exam confirmed bulging disk in neck, no surgery, just pain management. Base running Saturday irritated it.

[Neddy]

Bill Plunkett? Verified account ? ?@billplunkettocr · 2m2 minutes ago
#Dodgers Adrian Gonzalez said he had source of his chronic neck issues checked out this winter. Bulging disc that has been there for 5 yrs

Ken Gurnick? Verified account ?
?@kengurnick
Adrian Gonzalez said offseason exam confirmed bulging disk in neck, no surgery, just pain management. Base running Saturday irritated it.

as a fellow middle aged man a few years senior to Gonzo with similar health issues, I can relate to him about chronic neck pain and the fact that physicians have little solutions to offer in terms of cure. my personal MD have also told me that I was years away from surgery, and that was his best remedy other than telling me to pop some anti-inflammatories when the symptoms get bad enough.

radicularpathy of any kind is a bitch but you just have to learn to deal with it. maybe this is a blessing in disguise to let Justin Turner player some more 1B and allow our infield to play Utley and Howie simultaneously with Seager at SS.

[Ranma]

Ken Gurnick, MLB.com (2/27/16)

Kershaw, however, said the fact that Koufax is no longer special assistant to the chairman and no longer in uniform during Spring Training hasn't changed the relationship between the greatest lefty in club history and the next greatest, a friendship that bridges a 53-year age difference.

"Whether or not he's officially here, he's still around," Kershaw said of Koufax, who has ended his three-year stint in the front office but visited the club on Friday. "I don't think it will change much for me. Sandy cares about us as a team, and I think he will be around when he can, and he'll watch our games."

Kershaw: Koufax 'Cares for Us as a Team'


[tweet]https://twitter.com/J_DeLeon18/status/704051638126817280[/tweet]

[Quake Griffin]

I hate those D hats.


What happened to Sandy? He officially retired? Club didnt want him in that role anymore?

[Quake Griffin]

oh and thanks to Ian Desmond's signing with the Rangers today, our pick has officially moved up to the 20th pick in the draft.

That's 5 slots it moved up.
Not bad at all.

[Ranma]

I hate those D hats.


What happened to Sandy? He officially retired? Club didnt want him in that role anymore?

I actually like the Spring Training caps since they are just like the ones from the movie "Mr. Baseball". Given the Japanese theme of that movie and the arrival of our latest pitching import, I think it is particularly fitting and fun. Obviously, it shouldn't replace our iconic cap or logo, but it's a nice novelty for the preseason.

With regards to Koufax, the official word is that it was an amicably mutual decision. Maybe it's a matter of making it clear that Maddux is the top pitching advisor in his new role. It sounds like Koufax will still be around while Maddux takes the lead beyond Honeycutt.

[tweet]https://twitter.com/ctrent/status/692778701239521280[/tweet]

Jon Weisman, DodgerInsider.com (2/28/16)

Since it was revealed that Sandy Koufax no longer has an official, formal role with the Dodgers, there has been some concern. Koufax released a statement today through the Dodgers to address that:

“I’m 80 years old and I have retired. I have not quit. I’m still part of the Dodgers organization and always will be especially as long as Mark and Kimbra Walter are part of ownership. I will do most of what I have done in the past with no official title. I hope all the players, coaches, manager and everyone else in the clubhouse have successful and healthy seasons with a spectacular ending. See you Opening Day.”

Sandy Koufax: ‘I’m Still Part of the Dodgers … See You Opening Day’

[Ranma]

oh and thanks to Ian Desmond's signing with the Rangers today, our pick has officially moved up to the 20th pick in the draft.

That's 5 slots it moved up.
Not bad at all.

Yeah, I'm encouraged with our elevation up the draft boad but I think we're still on the fringe of being able to get 1 of the 4 prospects I'm currently targeting at 20th overall. I've already updated the 2016 Draft thread with our current draft positions through 3 rounds.

[Neddy]

OH GOD I love that movie. MR. BASEBALL is and always will be one of my favorite movies of all time, not just among the baseball movies.

that picture you posted Ranma, is the commercial scene of him saying "big hit, happy body" lmao.

just a little tid bit, Tom Sellick is a graduate of my old high school. probably the most famous graduate of U. Grant High.