Hello, and welcome to a different version of Dodgers Dugout. My identify is Houston Mitchell, and let’s discuss Freddie Freeman after which let’s speak to nice former Dodgers first baseman.
Moments earlier than I used to be about to make the ultimate preparations for supply of this article, information got here by means of: the Dodgers and Freddie Freeman have reached an settlement on a six-year, $162-million deal.
We’ll speak extra about this deal subsequent week, however it’s laborious to discover a draw back to this. Final yr, whereas main Atlanta to a World Collection title, he hit .300/.393/.503 with 31 residence runs and 83 RBIs. For his profession, he's hitting .295/.384/.509 with an OPS+ of 138, that means he's 38% higher than a league common participant in his profession. He’s a neighborhood participant (El Modena Excessive) coming residence. He has made 5 All-Star groups, gained an MVP award and a Gold Glove award.
He's 32 (turns 33 in September). He's sturdy, having missed solely seven video games within the final 4 seasons. He attracts walks. He doesn’t hit into a variety of double performs (11 final season).
Wait, right here’s one thing troubling. He hit .167 in 2010. Oh, that was in solely 24 at-bats. Listed here are his batting averages since 2016:
2016: .302
2017: .307
2018: .309
2019: .295
2020: .341
2021: .300
Our stat analysts are all hungover proper now, however I’m fairly positive these are good numbers.
And now that is the Dodger lineup (only one chance of many variations):
RF-Mookie Betts
SS-Trea Turner
1B-Freeman
DH-Max Muncy
C-Will Smith
3B-Justin Turner
LF-AJ Pollock
CF-Cody Bellinger
2B-Chris Taylor
You'll even have Gavin Lux, Austin Barnes, Edwin Ríos, Matt Beaty and Zach McKinstry, amongst different prospects, on the bench.
That's one heck of a lineup. The very best lineup in baseball. The very best Dodger lineup maybe in L.A. historical past. You've gotten principally traded Seager for Freeman. And whereas Seager performs the extra vital defensive place, Freeman is a prime defensive first baseman and, is a bit higher than Seager offensively, and is much less damage inclined (hopefully I didn’t simply jinx that).
In 2027, will or not it's doable the Dodgers remorse this signing as Freeman turns 38? Something is feasible. However proper now, there may be nothing to complain about. It’s a median annual worth of $27 million, and the best way issues are going, $27 million might be the minimal wage in 2027.
We’ll have extra subsequent week. Till then, learn what the remainder of The Instances’ baseball crew is saying at latimes.com/sports activities/dodgers. And my apologies for the size of as we speak’s e-newsletter, however rather a lot occurred proper after the lockout ended we have to make amends for.
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Ask Eric Karros
Eric Karros holds the L.A. Dodgers file for many residence runs (270) and was type sufficient to spend a while on the telephone this week answering questions posed by Dodgers Dugout readers. As at all times, I checklist the identify of the one who requested the query first.
From Jonathan Marmor of Seattle: What was it like for you when Peter O’Malley bought the Dodgers to Fox Group?
Karros: Shocked. I keep in mind I used to be in my automotive on the freeway, and we had been all plugged right into a convention name. Mr. O’Malley addressed us all, and he tell us that it was a household choice to promote the Dodgers. This was through the season. I had a chance to talk and I simply thanked him for all that he had achieved for us as a crew. However no person noticed that coming. (Comply with-up query from me: Was there an enormous distinction when Fox took over?) Karros: It was totally different. One was a family-run enterprise. The atmosphere, the best way your loved ones was included in events. My mother and father flew on the crew airplane for part of six or seven seasons. It was a household atmosphere and an organization couldn’t mimic that.
From Keith Burruss: Had been you shocked to be traded to the Cubs?
Karros: No, I wasn’t shocked. I wasn’t the identical sort of participant. The entrance workplace was totally different. I don’t know that (then-manager) Jim Tracy was all that excited to handle me. They might have had a public-relations nightmare if I had reached a sure variety of at-bats the subsequent yr, which might robotically set off in at a loopy value on the time and I definitely wasn’t price it. And also you couldn’t very properly sit me on the bench after the profession I had. So it was not a shock. If I had been the Dodgers I’d have achieved the identical factor.
Anthony Lucero: What's your fondest reminiscence with the Dodgers? And Shannon Almadrones ask: What was your favourite sport you performed in?
Karros: My fondest reminiscence is type of loopy, however it will be my first look in a Dodger uniform within the large leagues. On the time I assumed it was the fruits of all my laborious work, later I'd notice it was only the start. It was towards the Chicago Cubs, and Corridor of Fame supervisor Tommy Lasorda used me as a pinch-runner for Mike Sharperson. And that was my first look. That’s one thing I'll at all times keep in mind. A sport that I'll keep in mind was one towards the Atlanta Braves within the mid-90s going through Greg Maddux. I had by no means had success towards Maddux. We go into Atlanta, I imagine it was a Saturday night time sport, so Friday night time I stayed out somewhat longer than regular and rolled in about 5 a.m. Saturday. I most likely was a bit overserved. And that night time I went residence run-double-home run off of Maddux. So I'll always remember that. That was essentially the most whole bases Maddux had given as much as a participant in a single sport.
From Lawrence Gagliardi: Which pitcher did you hate going through? Which one did you like going through?
Karros: Maddux was robust on me. Not intimidating, however robust. Randy Johnson was intimidating. I had some delicate success towards him, however he was intimidating. For the very best, Brian Bohanon in Colorado and Greg Harris in Colorado. These two ... they only couldn’t get me out.
Editor’s notice: In his profession, Karros hit .421 towards Bohanon in 17 at-bats, with two doubles and 4 homers. In opposition to Harris, he hit .450 in 20 at-bats, with two doubles and three homers. The one pitcher he hit extra residence runs towards than Bohanon was Pete Harnisch, six in 30 plate appearances.
From Monica Yoshinaga: What are your ideas on the DH coming to the NL?
Karros: I like offense and I stay up for it. I perceive the technique elements which may be misplaced however I'm at all times desperate to see another person within the lineup that may hit.
From Randy Moore of Lancaster: How did you want having Mike Piazza as a teammate and what did you suppose when he was traded?
Karros: For a time period, we had been as shut ... we had been like brothers. And that was a operate of Tommy and the 2 of us developing on the similar time. We had a variety of related traits. Till he grew that Fu Manchu, we might typically be mistaken for each other. So, we had been very shut. When he was traded I keep in mind I used to be within the coaching room icing my knee. He got here in with Todd Zeile and Derrick Corridor and Fred Claire they usually went to Dr.Frank Jobe’s workplace. And everytime you went in there, that was a double-secret assembly kind of stuff. They had been in there for a time period after which Mike walked out trying like he’d seen a ghost. And he stated to me “Dude, I simply received traded.” Todd’s strolling out like “I received traded too!” However everybody was extra specializing in Mike. We had been like “Holy ... , Mike’s gone.
From Gary Platt: What did you consider Invoice James’ current suggestion to shorten video games during which a batter will get two foul balls after two strikes, and the third foul ball is a strikeout?
Karros: The pitchers would find it irresistible. As a hitter, properly, it’s so troublesome to hit anyway, it's going to by no means occur. It’s an attention-grabbing idea, however then you definitely would by no means see issues like Alex Cora‘s 18-pitch at-bat that ends in a house run.
From James Malone: It's an honor to have an opportunity to (kind of) converse with you. I sat within the bleachers at Candlestick Park in 1992 and watched you hit a house run over my head that crashed off the Budweiser check in left-center. It was positively awe-inspiring to my 12-year-old mind. I used to be simply questioning what gamers you had been in awe of or impressed by.
Karros: My favourite participant as a child was Pete Rose. Possibly I used to be simply enamored with the head-first slide into third and sprinting to first base on a stroll. Once I was within the large leagues, I'd attempt to get out and watch batting apply for Mark McGwire and Barry Bonds. The power of these two guys to hit the ball to this point. I imply, you watch your friends and say “That man’s good, however I’m good too.” However these guys had been on a totally totally different stage. Bonds particularly. You'll be able to say no matter you need to say about him, to me he was the best hitter to ever stroll this planet.
From Steve Latiner: What number of weeks of spring coaching do you suppose is critical?
Karros: I am going again to 1995 after we had a shortened spring coaching after a labor dispute. That was three or 4 weeks and that labored nice for me. I perceive it's totally different for pitchers. After all, again then, and extra so now, the cash we make permits us to to not must work within the offseason. So you can keep in form. Not baseball form, however bodily you might be able to play. Whereas again within the ‘60s and ‘70s, guys needed to get jobs within the offseason to earn money and wanted an extended spring coaching.
From Andrea T: As a fellow UCLA alum, is it true that in 1995 spring coaching you'd do the eight-clap throughout spring coaching and the opposite Dodgers received so uninterested in it they requested you to cease?
Karros: No, not true. In ’95, I used to be on a airplane with Billy Ashley flying to Vero Seashore the night time the UCLA males’s basketball crew gained the nationwide title. Due to the lockout there was no spring coaching through the event that yr.
Kershaw is again
It didn’t take lengthy after the lockout ended for Clayton Kershaw to announce his free-agent choice: He’s coming again to the Dodgers on a one-year, $17-million deal, with incentives that would take it as much as $22 million.
“On the finish of the day, I wished to be right here and win a World Collection,” Kershaw stated. “I feel the Dodgers give me the very best probability to try this and I’m excited to be again.”
So far as his elbow damage?
“I wouldn’t come again if I didn’t suppose I might pitch a full season and be able to go,” he stated. “That’s what I’m right here to do. ... As I began throwing in January, I began feeling higher and higher and on daily basis I might throw extra and I wasn’t as sore, then I threw off the mound somewhat extra and stored bouncing again. I used to be like ‘Man, I’m wholesome.’ ”
And for many who criticized Andrew Friedman for not making a qualifying supply to Kershaw, that was a think about his choice to return.
“Credit score to Andrew as properly for not having to do the qualifying supply,” Kershaw stated. “That was very nice. … It simply gave me time to determine it out.”
It is a key signing for the Dodgers. When wholesome, Kershaw remains to be the most effective pitchers within the sport, and his numbers look dangerous provided that you evaluate him with prime Kershaw.
And the Rangers, the opposite fundamental suitor for Kershaw, revered his choice.
“I don’t maintain any laborious emotions or something,” Rangers supervisor (and former Dodger coach) Chris Woodward stated. “He clearly gave his causes. I’m somewhat biased. I feel we nonetheless have an opportunity to win a World Collection. However that’s clearly not a foul cause to return for another yr. However he advised us, principally, instantly. And that’s the integrity of Clayton Kershaw shining by means of, at all times.”
Most seasons with the Dodgers, pitchers
16 seasons
Don Sutton
15 seasons
Kershaw (contains 2022 season)
14 seasons
Don Drysdale
13 seasons
Orel Hershiser
Johnny Podres
12 seasons
Jim Brewer
Carl Erskine
Kenley Jansen
Sandy Koufax
Dazzy Vance
11 seasons
Ralph Branca
Watty Clark
Charlie Hough
Clem Labine
Ramon Martinez
Van Lingle Mungo
Fernando Valenzuela
10 seasons
Burt Hooton
Brickyard Kennedy
Nap Rucker
Bob Welch
Joe Kelly is gone
Reliever Joe Kelly signed a two-year deal with the Chicago White Sox price $16 million. He definitely introduced a sure swagger to the crew, highlighted by his “pouty face” incident after “by chance” throwing inside to a few Houston Astros hitters in 2020. He was reliever however appeared to at all times be injured. He most likely gained’t begin the season with the White Sox as he recovers from a biceps damage suffered through the playoffs final season.
A enjoyable story from Kelly concerning how common the “pouty face” made him. In an interview with radio host Rob Bradford, Kelly stated, “I received meals on the best way residence from the drive-thru final night time and somebody requested me to make the pouty face as a result of they acknowledged me and I stated, ‘No man. I’m good.’ And my window was down and Knox was sitting within the backseat and goes, ‘I’ll make it for you!’ ”
Knox is Kelly’s 4-year-old son.
As at all times when key former Dodgers go away, the very best factor to do as a fan is want them properly towards everybody aside from the Dodgers.
Free-agent watch
The Dodgers made a few signings, agreeing to phrases with infielder Hanser Alberto on a one-year deal and on a minor league take care of third baseman Jake Lamb.
Alberto hit .270/.291/.402 final season with the Kansas Metropolis Royals and is a profession .276/.298/.383 hitter over six seasons with three groups. He can play second, third and quick.
Lamb was an All-Star in 2017 with Arizona however hasn’t been the identical since having shoulder surgical procedure in 2018. He hit .248/.357/.487 with 30 homers in 2017, however in 220 video games since then, he has hit .203/.308/.355, together with .194 with seven homers with Toronto and the Chicago White Sox final season. Possibly the Dodgers have detected a flaw they will repair. In any case, they've rescued the careers of fairly just a few gamers, together with Chris Taylor and Justin Turner.
Former Dodger Joc Pederson agreed to phrases on a one-year take care of....... the San Francisco Giants.
New voices for the printed crew
The Dodgers have added 5 new members to their broadcasting crew: former Dodger first basemen Adrián González and Eric Karros, former All-American softball participant Jessica Mendoza, former Angels announcer José Mota (son of Manny), and two-time NL All-Star pitcher Dontrelle Willis.
They be a part of the returning broadcast lineup of Joe Davis, Orel Hershiser, Jaime Jarrín, Fernando Valenzuela, Charley Steiner, Rick Monday, Nomar Garciaparra, Pepe Yñiguez, Jerry Hairston Jr., John Hartung, Tim Neverett and Kirsten Watson.
Hershiser is slicing again on the variety of video games he's doing this season, focusing primarily on residence video games, and among the new faces will choose up the slack.
González will function an analyst on the pregame and postgame exhibits. Karros will name choose residence and street video games alongside Davis, whereas additionally showing on some pre and postgame exhibits.
Mendoza has been an ESPN baseball broadcaster since 2007. She is going to name choose street video games alongside Davis.
Mota will name choose video games for each the Dodgers’ Spanish and English radio.
Willis will name choose street video games.
Talking of recent voices
Joe Buck, the primary baseball announcer and the World Collection voice at Fox for years, signed a contract with ESPN and would be the fundamental announcer on “Monday Evening Soccer.” This implies Dodger announcer Joe Davis, who has additionally known as Fox video games for a number of seasons, could be in line to change into the No. 1 baseball voice at Fox. That shouldn’t have an effect on his Dodgers duties, aside from lacking occasional weekend video games, as he has been doing for some time now, identical to Vin Scully did for years when he was a baseball, soccer and golf announcer for NBC.
Make-up video games
Bear in mind how the season is beginning every week later due to the lockout, and 7 video games had been going to must be rescheduled? Right here’s when these rescheduled video games might be performed:
As a part of a doubleheader vs. Arizona on Could 17
vs. Colorado on July 6*
vs. Arizona on Sep 19*
As a part of a doubleheader vs. Arizona on Sep 20
Three-game sequence vs Colorado from Oct 3-5
*-was initially an off day.
A statue for Koufax
The Jackie Robinson statue at Dodger Stadium can have some firm when the Dodgers unveil a statue of Sandy Koufax earlier than the June 18 sport towards the Cleveland Guardians.
The primary 40,000 followers in attendance will obtain a duplicate Koufax statue.
The Koufax statue was initially to be unveiled through the 2020 season, however these plans had been delayed till now due to the pandemic.
Single sport tickets on sale Friday
Tickets for particular person video games at Dodger Stadium will go on sale Friday at 10 a.m. and could be bought at dodgers.com/tickets. Tickets for opening day gained’t be accessible till March 24.
The Dodgers additionally introduced their promotional schedule. The highlights:
April 15: commemorative Jackie Robinson jersey
April 16: Maury Wills bobblehead
April 18: Will Smith bobblehead
April 19: Hooded sweatshirt
April 30: Kirk Gibson bobblehead
Could 12: Max Muncy bobblehead
Could 14: Don Drysdale bobblehead
Could 16: Walker Buehler bobblehead
Could 31: Julio Urías bobblehead
June 4: Gil Hodges bobblehead
June 18: Reproduction Sandy Koufax staue
June 30: Trea Turner bobblehead
July 5: Chris Taylor bobblehead
July 26: Clayton Kershaw bobblehead
Sept. 22: Dustin Could bobblehead
Oct. 3: Mookie Betts bobblehead
You'll be able to see the whole promotional schedule by clicking right here.
Tales you might need missed
Rangers disenchanted to not get Clayton Kershaw. However what about subsequent yr?
With ‘irritating’ hip challenge healed, Dodgers’ Mookie Betts is ‘able to go’ this spring
5 Dodgers spring subplots: Will Trea Turner get an extension? Who's the nearer?
Hernández: Dodgers pitcher Julio Urías is calmer and extra assured for 2022
Former Dodger Corey Seager will tackle a brand new, unfamiliar function with Rangers
And at last
Ross Porter talks to Eric Karros earlier than the lockout ended. Watch and pay attention right here.
Till subsequent time...
Have a remark or one thing you’d wish to see in a future Dodgers e-newsletter? E mail me at houston.mitchell@latimes.com, and comply with me on Twitter at @latimeshouston. To get this article in your inbox, click on right here.
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