Quote from Randy Manese on February 4, 2021, 7:31 pm

I think the Dodgers have to make a choice between Bauer and Turner, since they are just 5.5 M below the CB tax threshold.  Bauer will certainly command in AAV more than Turner, however, Dodgers could whiff on both which is what I hope!  If they sign neither, I don't think they'll repeat at World Series champions in 2021 but they still would have a formidable team and almost a certain playoff spot.

Quote from MrPadre19 on February 5, 2021, 3:57 am

Word got put that he signed with the Mets...then a “not so fast”!

Makes me think the Dodgers may have upped their ante at the 11th hour.

Let’s hope not.

Signing Bauer does the same for them as our adds did for us.

Allows them to strengthen their rotation “and” their bullpen.
They can put May and/or Gonsolin in the Pen.

 

Quote from BoosterSD on February 5, 2021, 12:09 pm

Well, it looks as if last nights report was totally wrong, and Bauer is signing with the DUDS!!! Going to be a great battle with Empire to the north all season.

Quote from fenn68 on February 5, 2021, 1:13 pm

This should make the SD-LAD series even more interesting.

Saw one report (unverified) that he accepted less money than the NYM offer (but that could be an issue of structure of the contact making a direct dollar comparison hard). Another report it was the higher use of analytics by the LAD appealed to him.

All may be elements of the decision but I will throw in another factor that would supportive of his next FA run .... playing in the NL West over the NL East. IF the NL West has three really bad teams (COLO, AZ, SF) and some pitcher friendly parks in LA (home park), SD, and SF ... he has a chance to put up some good numbers. In the NL East ... ATL, PHIL, WASH, MIA are both deeper from a competitive aspect and more hitter friendly parks. Money close go with the more pitcher friendly environment?

Quote from fenn68 on February 5, 2021, 1:20 pm

I know Bauer has received all the hype but he has and his chinks in the armor.

2 great seasons: 2020 (11 games) ...1.73 ERA; 2018 (28 games) 2.21 ERA.

However, 2014-15-16-17 and 2019 ERA over 4.00.

2018 and 2020 are recent and may show signs that he developed or is the fact that the Central Division was poor and elevated what would have been “very good” to “outstanding”?

Call back in at the end of 2021. P.S. ... Machado crushes Bauer over his career.

Quote from fenn68 on February 5, 2021, 1:23 pm

In 2021:

Bauer ... $40MM

Darvish ($23MM) + Snell ($11MM) + Musgrove ($4.5MM) = $38.5MM.

Quote from Brian Connelly on February 5, 2021, 2:48 pm

Quote from fenn68 on February 5, 2021, 1:23 pm

In 2021:

Bauer ... $40MM

Darvish ($23MM) + Snell ($11MM) + Musgrove ($4.5MM) = $38.5MM.

And Cubs are paying 3 MM towards Darvish... so $35.5 MM.  Cot's contracts has Snell @ 10.5 MM , so that's 35 MM.

Maybe we add Rosenthal @ my 7 MM + incentives + 3 MM buyout in '22 (vs 13 MM) less P. Johnson in trade out @ 2 MM+

= 5 MM guaranteed net in 2021.   Add Rosenthal to our 3 SP's = 40 MM.  I like those odds... except in a 1 game playoff.

Quote from Brian Connelly on February 5, 2021, 2:52 pm

Well hopefully this huge $ is enough to push LAD out on Justin Turner.  Or maybe they're just willing to go way over tax penalty for one year hoping to retain the title to remove the "60-game season" asterick from their WS win.

Hoping/assuming Bauer opts out next year under new CBA agreement on a long term deal?

At least Bauer's a guy who's "easy to dislike" on the enemy side.

Quote from fenn68 on February 5, 2021, 3:10 pm

Bauer should put them way over the Luxury tax in 2021 .... and maybe a need for a 3B (Turner?) and probably some RP help. Maybe the have a "payroll shedding" trade coming?

2022 may not be a problem ... but will have a lot of decisions for LAD. FA potentials are Kershaw, Janson, Kelly, Taylor, Seager, Knebel ... that is a down $89MM so even if Bauer stays at $45MM some wiggle room to stay under the cap (if in the new CBA the cap remains at its current level).

Has to be more for LAD before the season and a lot of post-season moves.