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The Farhan Zaidi hiring is a good one. The Dodgers are definitely going in a far different direction now with Freidman, Kaplar, Byrnes, Zaidi and Gasparino in the fold. The way we looked at Dodger baseball from the past is gone. Watch the innovative moves that will be coming our way. If we see Mattingly platooning a lot next year, we'll know for sure who is calling the shots in the Dodger organization.
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Having read Kapler's articles over the past few years, I'm convinced that he is in the right place working in the farm system. He's a strong proponent of teaching fundamentals, and drilling them in at the lower levels. It might take a few years, but watch for improvements in this area. Maybe we won't have to hear Vin Scully repeatedly say that run down plays are continually botched by seasoned veterans.
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Arizona Fall League performance of Scott Schebler is showing that the Dodgers have another fine outfield prospect in their system. Over 69 ABs in, Scott is hitting .297 with three homers. Not bad for the kid that broke out in pitcher friendly Chattanooga with 28 dingers last season. Watch for this kid in Spring Training and at Oklahoma City next year.
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The collaborative team of young Dodger executives in place is a very interesting development. It'll be interesting to see how decision making takes place and the hierarchy of power that will be in play. It's quite a change from the days of Buzzie Bavasi and later Al Campanis, (and even Fred Claire). Player personnel administration is truly a team effort. Hopefully they are able to get Mattingly to manage according the the players strengths where he'll take advantage of the chess pieces the brain trust gives him.
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The entire coaching staff returns, meaning that they will be given one last opportunity under the new regime. I suppose that's fair, but I almost wish they had blown the whole thing up and started over. Truth is, I'm thinking that Friedman has certain individuals that he has in mind for field managerial and coaching decisions. The Dodgers went down this road with DePodesta back in '04-'05. Jim Tracy was forced on him and he never managed according to the "moneyball" playbook and the roster that DePodesta had assembled, hampering DePo from the get go. We'll see how it happens this go-around.
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It looks like Hanley Ramirez will seek out greener pastures. And by green I'm referring to money. No surprise there. As much as Hanley was a china doll out there, I loved his bat and the threat it posed. I think he'll be missed. I still think that if Corey Seager does well in Spring training that the Dodgers should start him at shortstop. I know he could use more seasoning in the minors, but this kid is special. I think he has the maturity to survive the inevitable difficulties he'll have in the bigs. Dodger fans are gonna love this kid. And he is a SHORTSTOP, not a third baseman. Seager is not too tall to handle the position. Ask Cal Ripken.
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| Corey Seager |
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Troy Tulowitski has expressed interest in possibly being traded to the Yankees or Dodgers. New York is probably a better fit, but he'd be an amazing acquisition if the Dodgers got him. How that could happen, I haven't a clue. Considering my earlier thoughts on Corey Seager not being too far away from the majors, I don't see room for him unless he agrees to move to third. The "he" I refer to here is Tulo going to 3B, and not Seager. Seager is not a third baseman, nor has he been playing there at all. It would be unfair to try to transition him over to 3B at the major league level.
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Is this not the slowest paced off season we've ever experienced? I know the days are dragging for me.
Evan, I'd like to see Joc in 2015 and if it happens I don't see 2 kids making the starting lineup at the same time. That being said Seager could benefit from a year in AAA. Never would I have imagined such a huge overhaul in the front office as we are seeing now. I'm willing to wait and see and give everyone the chance they need to prove this has all been for the best. But it does seem a bit scary.
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