Duren, Duren

I think there is too much momentum for all the teams in this trade for it to just fall apart. By the time the deals are agreed on, a lot of intensive work went on within each organization. Scouts, coaches, analytic experts, finance people and the GM and his inner circle. Possibly ownership reps as well. When the minutiae of all the moving parts were finally agreed to it must have felt like closure for all four teams.A big relief to get it done. Decisions were made, comfort levels with the exchanges was reached. Plans for integrating the new additions during spring training were under way. Doubtful any of them want to go back to the drawing board. But if one of the original dominos falls, we could see some repercussions. One loose thread could lead to the unraveling of the nice, neat package. Still, I think all the GMs will want to keep the key players in place. It's easier to tinker with prospects than established veterans. I still wonder why Renfigo seems to be the key return from the Angels. Not a position of need for the Dodgers. Not an elite prospect. Some tantalizing potential if everything works out perfectly for him. You would have to think that Friedman would try to squeeze out a hidden gem from deeper in the Angels system. Not even the obvious top guys, but someone who their scouts are willing to gamble on. The Dodgers always pride themselves on scouting and development. I bet they would love to poach someone under The radar. If everything does fall apart there probably will be some deals just between two teams. Dodgers and Angels may put together something else with fewer players.

The pressure is on the teams to move those players somewhere. Once the names became public it will be awkward putting the toothpaste back in the tube. Fans have already adjusted to seeing their guys gone. Happy or not. Having them reappear like nothing happened is deceptive. The teams made the decision they didn't want them and were pursuing different paths. And if the players stay with their original teams they will be analyzed and judged very differently. Questions will be asked about their loyalty and commitment.

This is a crazy little soap opera. An interlude before the final pieces of the deal are locked in. Adds some suspense and drama that could have long term major influence on the futures of four teams. Suspended animation for fans of each, afraid to pencil in the new names, thinking of all possible alternative options. Imagine what's going on behind the scenes with all the teams. Front offices working around the clock, checking and rechecking with coaches and scouts, thinking inside and outside their respective boxes. It would be great if cameras were in the rooms, watching the wheeling and dealing. As it stands, the original deal is a win for the Angel's. Starting outfielder and pitcher with a legitimate prospect. At a reasonable cost. I would hope it stands without any revisions or substitutions.

Will Fletcher have a better year/contribute more at second than Renfigo likely would have with the Angels this season? If so, then that's a positive and makes the team better right now. If Renfigo adapts really well to a new team and league and manages enough playing time then good for him. But it doesn't matter what he does with the Dodgers. What counts is putting the best possible team on the field now. I think Fletcher settling into one position as an everyday second baseman will be an immediate benefit. Long term I would think of trying to keep Pederson while moving Upton. Obviously there are so many complications and factors involved. And how they perform before the trade deadline will be critical. But even assuming Pederson will get a big long term contract it still will probably be less per season than Upton will make his remaining couple of years. Say it's for five years. Pederson will still have potentially another five plus seasons beyond that and a chance for a second big multi year deal. Pederson and Adell adjusting to left and right field depending on their adaptability in the outfield, surrounding Trout for at least five plus years. Should be better and more dynamic than the Upton and Calhoun set up of recent years. If Pederson adapts to the new league and park well he could be a good investment at this early stage of his prime years. He also will be living in the same place, have a comfort zone and be close to family. Positive intangibles short and long term. If Upton has a good season underway his value to playoff contenders will be higher. Even if the Angels have to eat salary the transition to a younger, more versatile power hitter will have long term value. If Pederson doesn't do well by the deadline, he can be traded or given till the end of the season to prove himself. If he walks after the season it still will have been a very good risk. He has enough experience and been in big game situations to take a chance with.

I love multi player trades. You hardly ever see them in any sports these days. That said, I just want to focus Pederson till everything else falls in place. Years money and term? That's for the future. At least till the trade deadline. More will be known by then. But purely based on the start of the season, this is a great addition. A high energy, enthusiastic, good locker room guy. Should bond well with Trout. Tremendous power. Especially when he pulls the ball. Remember the home run derby? A solid outfielder with some first base experience. Not a great experiment last year, but with work and experience he may be adequate for short term spot starts at first. Really a good right fielder who isn't afraid to bang into walls if necessary. If anything happens to Trout he is an experienced, decent center fielder. Hope this never has to happen. He is a young emerging veteran entering his prime. He has been improving. Making better contact. Obviously better against righties but raw power to all fields. Great to see the Angels being aggressive and loading up on hitting. That's how they will have to win. If you can acquire a proven major league talent at a good price you have to do it. Rengifo is not as much an asset as Pederson is and allows Fletcher to specialize in one position. He will get in sync quickly with Simmons and do a good job. The longer term ramifications get so complicated these days. Lots of big name stars in their prime seem to move around more than ever. But longer term, Pederson is younger than Upton, and even his first long term contract will be cheaper than what Upton costs. The Dodgers made another big deal with the Reds last year that was largely based on contractual/financial considerations. The big name outfielder Puig was one and done. Maybe Pederson will end up the same way. Regardless, Maddon has a nice tool box to draw from and mix and match a potentially devastating lineup every day. Pitching is already somewhat improved with more time for other changes. Adell will find his role in due course. Quite a risk to pencil him in as a starter before having any experience at all. No rush now, but let him get used to the major leagues with less pressure. Now that football is over the smell of spring training is around the corner. Should be fun to get this team assembled and into action.

Painful but pretty accurate recap. Not fun reading. https://www.espn.com/mlb/story/_/id/28577463/ten-reasons-mike-trout-mlb-best-player-2010s-won-playoff-game

Short term gain, long term pain. Unless... This would be part of a different philosophy two years from now. Pujols will be off the books. Simmons may or may not be signed. If not, it would mean finding a younger cost effective shortstop from somewhere. Upton eats up a ton of money. If he could somehow be moved (even if the Angels have to eat a portion). Without Pujols, Simmons, Upton in two years the budget resets differently. Dealing with shortstop will be the biggest issue, but with a deeper hitting line up you would just need a good defensive shortstop. And if La Stella and Goodwin play up to recent standards they can be shuffled around as needed. Losing a key young prospect may or may not be tough, depending on how major league progress takes but you have to take risks. Pitching still is the big problem, but opportunities will still come along. Like acquiring Rendon, there is immediate value in loading a lineup with proven stars.

This is long before the lifetimes of everyone now, but a huge icon of the hockey world in it's early days also died tragically. Injured during a game Morenz died from complications a few weeks later. His funeral was held in the Montreal Forum, his home arena. Still an active player, the legends grew around him that he lost the will to live, realizing he would never play again. https://www.cbc.ca/archives/entry/death-of-howie-morenz

Terrible for the loss of those kids. Hope there are no ugly lawsuits.

Tragic. But watch the scavengers try to exploit his memorabilia on eBay and elsewhere. Happens every time a popular figure dies.

Like them, hate them or neutral, the Dodgers have had a tradition of leaving no stone unturned looking for prospects. Started with Branch Rickey in the forties, and has remained a big part of their philosophy. In the forties and fifties they had two elite AAA farm teams in Minnesota and Montreal providing a steady stream of talent to Brooklyn. Many of those players scooped up by Rickey where other teams didn't look.Then you had Bavasi and the O'Malley's replenishing their rosters through the sixties. And in the seventies most of their championship teams were graduates of their scouting and development programs . Their famous infield of Garvey, Lopes, Russell and Cey were all home grown and came through their system together I seem to recall. In 1981 Fernando entered the scene, but he was just the most prominent example coming from their focus on Latin America. This decade arguably may be their most productive since the seventies in terms of delivering quality prospects to the majors. Management changes for them, but scouting and development have always been a priority. At this point I think Eppler has to stay the course and really prioritize scouting and development. It's tempting to look for a quick fix, and trading prospects for veterans is very common. But when you have elite prospects like Adell and Marsh you have to see things through and graduate them to the big team. If, during the season the team looks like a serious contender then maybe you roll the dice if you are convinced a trade can be a major difference maker. But even then I'd be reluctant to trade a top prospect. Maybe a package of veterans and lower prospects. But patience is needed for the first two or so years of Marsh and Adell. Graduating prospects can have a snowball effect for the franchise as they see the process working and therefore put more resources into scouting and development. Especially the international market. Finding the best local scouts and information pipelines would be well spent money.

The year Walker should have been in the World Series. The most shameful in baseball history, 1994. At age 27 while still with the Expos and in a relatively neutral home park in terms of favoring neither hitting or pitching, he could have made an early gigantic impression via post season play. Look at these team stats. Ironically, Alou was having an MVP type year, and the entire outfield (Walker, Grisson, Alou)were just entering their prime at age 27. With Ken Hill having a Cy Young type season, a 22 year old Pedro Martinez making himself known and a young John Wettland as the relief ace. https://www.baseball-reference.com/teams/MON/1994.shtml Had that team had the chance, history may have been different. Quite realistically the Expos don't sell their stars, move and Walker remains longer. Mind you, he wouldn't have put up the numbers he did with the Rockies and probably doesn't win MVP and other awards. So from a personal perspective in the long run being in Denver probably did more good for him than even playing in multiple post seasons in Montreal.

Everything changes with spring training. All the theories and plans of the off season get a reality check on the field. Remember, Maddon is new to this roster. No preconceived opinions based on actually managing anyone on this team. He and his coaches will use their eyes and brains to evaluate the talent as they hit the field extensively for the first time. Of course no one will be in top form, but you get to see their skill sets and psychological make up. Regarding pitching, it gets tricky. No one will be razor sharp immediately, but velocity, repertoire, technique, and so on will be studied and cross referenced with all their career numbers and tendencies. I think that maybe by the end of spring training Maddon and his coaches/advisors and Eppler will have an in depth discussion about what to expect from whom they have and if trades or other forms of change are worth pursuing. Maddon is the field boss, not Eppler. Obviously they have to be in sync, but the manager has to have a plan on how each player will be used. A pitching staff is an integrated unit, more than a bunch of individuals. Starters, spot starters/long relief, late inning relief specialists. Lefties, righties. Ideally they all have to compliment each other. Realistically there will be weak spots. The off season is when all the fan evaluations and hypothetical deals are discussed. But there comes a point when you just have to let it go and wait till spring training is under way. There may still be some low level trades or player movement but the core of the roster seems set. Spring training will be the time for final tweaking. Maybe semi-big deals, maybe very little. Once the roster is set, I doubt much change will occur till maybe a few months into the season when team patterns are known.

Only one team I hope loses every game. For a multitude of reasons going back decades. Toronto Blue Jays. I've had shorter term dislikes for various teams based on specific events, players, management/ownership. The Astros are on that list now, and may stay a longer time. Yankees and Dodgers will always be power elites, so no point in expecting that to change. Only hope is that all their money and plans fail to take them to the promised land year after year. Red Sox and Cubs get obnoxious when they're doing well but eventually self destruct and can't sustain success. But Toronto? Long may they wander in the wilderness. With every sign of a bright future eventually meeting failure. And let Buck Martinez spend the rest of his already elongated broadcast career having all optimism slowly drained from his voice. And that goes for Pat Tabler too.

Clevinger is ripping into all this from the players point of view. Good for him. MLB wants this to disappear, but I think it's only going to get more intense. https://www.tsn.ca/mike-clevinger-on-astros-none-of-those-motherf-should-be-able-to-look-us-in-the-eye-1.1428984

Stealing signs in game shows players/coaches using their brains. It always has been an acknowledged part of the game. Read any of the old books by Jim Brosnan (precursor to Jim Bouton and Ball Four) and all the anecdotes from old players. Sign stealing was considered a respected skill. And a status symbol for those who were good at it. It was a common topic of discussion in the dugout as a game progressed. Why do you think baseball has had indicator signs and multiple variations of signal sequencing for as long as the game has been played? Each team expects to be analyzed and are ready to instantly change their patterns. Stealing signs was also more than battery related. It involved base running. Steals, bunts, hit and run, squeeze plays and so on. Often the coaches were more adept than the players, trying to break down the opposing signals. The coaches had many more years of experience and familiarity with different systems, and considered trying to get an edge as part of their jobs. Relatively few players had the patience and analytical skills to concentrate on opposition signals when on base and focused on their own coaches and what might happen with the next pitch. As part of the competitive challenge between teams on the field, trying to decipher opposing signals seems fair game. You see it all the time in football, where it is just part of the game. That's why they now have coaches hiding their mouths and using flash cards to try and protect their calls. Technology is the intrusive element that dehumanizes the process, and takes away the skill factor of real time analysis and reaction. Standing on second base, watching the catcher, deciphering the sequence,relaying it to the hitter and bench, having the hitter adjust within a 20 or so second window is an intricate process. Requiring skill and synchronization. Standing in the batters box, waiting for a trash can signal based on video surveillance is a cynical process intruding on the game and not based on player or coaching analytical skills. I know we"re deep into a post modern, technologically enslaved society to some degree. And there is a legitimate debate about how, where and why tradition requires updating and change. A complex subject on many levels. But baseball more than any other sport in North America is proud of tradition and continuity. If you look at baseball history and stats from a hundred plus years ago you still instantly understand and relate to what you see. Even with a new set of analytic metrics superimposed on the past things pretty much equate along similar lines. But if technology gets too intrusive we will see a seismic break with tradition. Replay hasn't had a dramatic effect, mostly just clarifying 50/50 plays. But if Robo umps, hi tech spying and communications and other off field changes become part of the game, then the sport will be entering dangerous territory. Let the sport be decided by the players and coaches using their competitive skills in real time.

It really is an act of cowardice and bad faith just ignoring the players, who gained the most. They fattened their stats, won games and championships. Even the pitchers were beneficiaries, with more run support behind them. I guess betting is considered a worse crime than actual in game cheating. Hard to have confidence in a sport where a major scandal is intentionally spun to protect the actual participants. And I would be furious if I was a Dodger player or fan. Or other playoff opponent. The margins are razor thin, pressure intense and the stakes highest in the post season. This is something systemic amongst the players executed by them and for their direct benefit. Management and coaches watch what happens, but don't have in game power.. The players get into the batters box and look for specific pitches. A home run derby type scenario in effect. Just without the protective cage around the pitcher and the ball thrown at higher speed. Even a very few extra hits coming from this setup is the difference between winning and losing. There are dozens of punitive actions that could be taken beyond the minimal punishment already enacted. If MLB really was serious they would easily find ways that technically don't cross legal lines. Even voiding the World Series results would shame the teams forever. If not that, put an asterisk in the record books and the stats of team players. Poor Roger Maris was demeaned in the record books because he broke Ruth's record in a slightly longer schedule. That act really did have a negative effect on his reputation. These fake champs deserve a hell of a lot worse.

Speaking of cheaters, I was in Vegas recently and as usual, saw Pete Rose waiting to sell his autograph. Also a little fun on the strip!

Take their rings back, replace them with cubic zirconia. Sell/donate the originals to charity. Punishment needs to be shared by those who prospered by cheating. The players. How many had inflated stats and reputations partly based on the benefits of cheating?

USC had a title won on the field taken away for off the field, non game related activity. Astros and Red Sox won championships with cheating help in games. At the least they should be branded like the 1919 Reds. Champs in name only. And the Reds did nothing wrong. How about having all personnel on those teams paying back all playoff/world series money?

Ex-players don't talk crap like that without having some degree of bitterness or resentment. He seems to have grudges and enemies somewhere within the organization. Rejected for jobs? Jealousy? Whatever ... Turning to Edmonds, shows you how different people can be on and off the field. If his libido translated into athletic skills he"d still be playing. He has a slew of kids ranging from twin babies to adult, from multiple women.

Clevenger might need a little physical revival. https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/c/clevete01.shtml

Sign stealing used to be a matter of pride. Players/coaches who could do that were considered savvy and smart. Getting an edge by using their knowledge and experience. And it was an accepted part of the game. Even teams who were victimized accepted it as part of the game and tried to change their signals. That tradition has continued on the field forever. That's why there are so many variations and indicator sequences. The big difference is that now it involves technology. And off the field spying. In the past there were times a home team put a spy with binoculars in the outfield, even hidden within those old style manual scoreboards who would relay signals to the dugout. But even then it was in real time, and required some finesse and cleverness. I still feel players deciphering signals on the field in real time is part of the game. Every player/coach in every sport is trying to get whatever edge they can. And a clever mind can't be legislated against as long as it happens on the field. And if suspected, opposition teams are prepared to change their signals immediately. But technology changes the equation. You have added an artificial dimension to the game. Rules in sports are in a precarious balance. Everyone pushes them to the limit, and sometimes beyond. Thus the constant revisions and changes. There is no middle ground in this context. Either allow all teams to use the same technology or come down hard to keep the game on the field. Technology is becoming too ensconced in real time now. Every sport uses tablets/computers in game. Mostly for replays, study of opposition tendencies, stats updating/scouting. In some ways, where do you draw the line? A really problematic issue going into the future.

So much hype and anticipation about Adell finally becoming an MLB regular, yet now treated by many as a mere bargaining piece. Without even seeing him play at this level. Really, why even bother hyping prospects for years and micro anyzing every stat? It's a long journey to the majors, and if you have belief all the way to this stage, at least keep the faith till he has a chance to play. These are real people, not printouts and names on a data base. Part of the fun of being a fan is watching prospects mature and showing what they can do. Of course many fail, but Adell has been hyped for years as someone special. Calhoun would probably have been resigned if the organization didn't believe in Adell. The map isn't the territory. The game takes place in the real world, not in fantasy trades or idle speculation. Let the guy grab a bat and glove and earn his way into a major league career. Great or disappointing, he has been the crown jewel of Angel prospects so let this play out fully.

Embrace the bat! The team's strength and identity is offense right now. And as a fan, that is the most appealing part of the game. With Castro, it at least makes the catching lineup spot potentially useful. A veteran bat with decent power and familiarity with the league. No one expects a great resurgence, but even if he pumps out 12 - 15 homers and does a good defensive job he is a serious upgrade. Catching was essentially a dead zone most of last year. Adell is the big unknown. First and second will probably turn out decent enough with rotations and platooning. But Adell is going to be isolated in right field. Calhoun may have had some issues, but he mostly was a legitimate power hitter. And an excellent fielder. You knew what to expect and he was a known quantity. Adell has the potential to be a much more dynamic hitter and at least a better than average fielder. The question is, how long will it take? With the 2020 line up, will he be a quick learner and positive upgrade on Kole, or a slower work in progress? Had Calhoun remained in the 2020 line up he realistically would be counted on for 25 plus homers. Especially with Rendon as an addition. As well as steady defense. If Adell can't match that for power right away he could compensate with better hitting/on base production. And solid defense. Everywhere else in the batting order we pretty much know what to expect. Adell is the tantalizing unknown.