Yesterday, Dodgers General Manager Ned Colletti ran down a number of topics during the club's formal introductory press conference for Carl Crawford. During the presser, Colletti said that the Dodgers would target both starting and relief pitching this winter, plus outfield depth. Here's more out of Los Angeles from Dylan Hernandez of the Los Angeles Times..
- Colletti reiterated that Brandon League has interest in returning to the Dodgers and the club would like to keep him. League's representatives told Hernandez that the two sides are currently discussing a three-year pact. The 29-year-old is able to hit the open market for the first time after earning $5MM in his final season as an arbitration eligible player.
- People familiar with the Dodgers' thinking say they are interested in Japanese free-agent reliever Kyuji Fujikawa. The right-hander boasts a mid-90s fastball and has been considered the Japanese league's top closer in recent years. Fujikawa is expected to pitch in the major leagues next season after recently completing his contract with the Hanshin Tigers.
- The Dodgers are also known to be in on 18-year-old Shohei Otani along with the Red Sox and Rangers. Hernandez notes that the Dodgers may have to approach the situation carefully as they have a longstanding relationship with Japanese baseball. The Nippon Ham Fighters, who selected Otani first overall in the NPB draft, have until the end of March to negotiate with him. Any team that signs him before then could hurt MLB's relationship with the top league in Japan.
- The Dodgers are still looking for a hitting coach and Mickey Hatcher, who assisted Dave Hansen late this year, is not in the mix.
3 year pact?? yikes
Would love to see the Red Sox go after Otani and develop him in their growing studly minors system. With all that money, this is exactly the type of player they need to put money in, rather than overpaid veterans like Greinke who would blow up in Boston. For all we know, Otani could be another Strasburg, it’ll be fun to watch him develop at the very least.
Or… for all you know, Otani could be another Greinke, who would blow up in Boston.
100mph throwing 18 year old with nasty stuff, yeah that sounds like a HUGE risk in terms of baseball signings and an old FA pool……. Not. Best case scenario you have a Cy young calibur pitcher on your team for his entire 20’s, worst case scenario you have another prospect fall off in your system like dozens do each year on every team. Plus at that age it’s easier to possibly help anything psychological / emotional that might effect him, though it’s too late in Greinke’s case
How’s it too late for Greinke? He took some time away from baseball and got some help for his depression. He since won a Cy Young award and he pitched to 15-5 record, 3.48 ERA, and 200Ks last season. He just turned 29 yrs old and should have a couple more good seasons before he retires.
overpaid? Greinke was paid 13.5 million last season which is a modest
paycheck for a pitcher of his caliber. Will he get overpaid next season?
Maybe. Depends on the market for him.
And there’s really no telling how he’ll pitch for Boston. Besides the Yankees, he’s been okay against the AL East teams.
i wonder if Fujikawa can become as good as Sasaki was with the Mariners?
Wonder if the Dodgers are hoping Fujikawa will help with Otani. While I have said I don’t think MLB players will have a role with Otani (like Darvish, Ichiro, etc), this could be different as they both will be coming over to MLB together. Otani will go into the minors, but at least they could spend the offseason learning about the US together.
With League, 3 years is a lot, but I don’t mind it. We have money, he was dominant with us and he won’t be relied on being the closer