WEBVTT 1 00:00:00.120 --> 00:00:03.720 Welcome to the Dodger Talk. David Vase with you fresh 2 00:00:03.799 --> 00:00:07.040 off a Dodger Fest this past weekend. We had a 3 00:00:07.080 --> 00:00:10.160 great time out there. Thank you to all the players. 4 00:00:10.199 --> 00:00:14.039 Thank you to Wanderrado from the player relations staff bringing 5 00:00:14.080 --> 00:00:16.480 them by, setting them all up to come by in 6 00:00:16.519 --> 00:00:21.239 a very special thank you to Colin Yee. I forgot 7 00:00:21.280 --> 00:00:23.879 to thank Colin at the end of our broadcast, so 8 00:00:24.039 --> 00:00:26.920 here I am at the beginning of this one thanking 9 00:00:27.000 --> 00:00:29.800 Colin Yee for coming in on a Saturday. He does 10 00:00:29.839 --> 00:00:33.759 a great job producing our broadcast in the studio during 11 00:00:33.799 --> 00:00:38.079 the season, and we appreciate Colin and everything he does. 12 00:00:38.679 --> 00:00:42.399 We have a great show for you tonight. Kirby Yates 13 00:00:42.520 --> 00:00:46.159 is going to join us at seven point fifteen. At 14 00:00:46.159 --> 00:00:49.600 the bottom of the hour, you'll hear my conversation with 15 00:00:49.719 --> 00:00:52.520 Austin Barnes. We did not have a chance to get 16 00:00:52.520 --> 00:00:55.640 to him on Dodger Fest on Saturday, so you'll hear 17 00:00:55.679 --> 00:01:00.520 that conversation with the longest active tenured Dodger right now, 18 00:01:00.880 --> 00:01:04.000 there is no player on the Dodger roster that has 19 00:01:04.079 --> 00:01:08.319 been a Dodger longer than Austin Barnes. And I know 20 00:01:08.359 --> 00:01:12.799 what you're thinking, what about Clayton Kershaw. Well, Kershaw will 21 00:01:12.799 --> 00:01:15.239 be back, I would say in the next couple of 22 00:01:15.280 --> 00:01:18.599 weeks if I was a betting man, But for now 23 00:01:18.640 --> 00:01:22.920 it's Austin Barnes. He holds that distinction. And coming up 24 00:01:23.000 --> 00:01:25.799 also at the bottom of the hour, we'll give you 25 00:01:25.799 --> 00:01:29.280 an update on Freddie Freeman. But man, you know, I 26 00:01:29.319 --> 00:01:32.640 feel a lot of pressure to be positive on this show, 27 00:01:32.760 --> 00:01:35.680 and usually that's not an issue for me. I'm very 28 00:01:35.760 --> 00:01:39.640 positive the Dodger's coming off a World Series championship. You know, 29 00:01:39.680 --> 00:01:43.319 I was mocked for ball washing Blake Snell and everybody 30 00:01:43.359 --> 00:01:46.959 else on Petros and Money Show, But I have to 31 00:01:47.079 --> 00:01:50.319 give those guys some props because that must have been 32 00:01:50.359 --> 00:01:54.799 the most positive Petros and Money I have heard since 33 00:01:54.920 --> 00:01:58.640 probably the Parade in two thousand and nine. I mean, 34 00:01:58.719 --> 00:02:02.200 since Paul Gasol was on the Lakers. That's gotta be 35 00:02:02.239 --> 00:02:06.239 the most positive pro Laker Petros and Money Show I 36 00:02:06.280 --> 00:02:09.800 have heard since two thousand and nine. I mean, they 37 00:02:09.840 --> 00:02:14.360 are all in on Luca. It's funny though, how money 38 00:02:14.479 --> 00:02:18.240 is all in on Luca. But an NBA source gave 39 00:02:18.280 --> 00:02:21.520 me a great comparison. On top of telling me that 40 00:02:21.639 --> 00:02:25.039 Luca was beloved by his teammates. There was nobody on 41 00:02:25.080 --> 00:02:29.080 the team that didn't like Luca, but they brought up 42 00:02:29.120 --> 00:02:32.039 and brought to my attention that Luca is the point 43 00:02:32.039 --> 00:02:37.800 guard version of the two three four Shaquille O'Neal, where 44 00:02:37.879 --> 00:02:41.560 everybody complained that he wasn't in shape in December, but 45 00:02:41.599 --> 00:02:45.520 by the time playoffs rolled around, Luca and Shaq are 46 00:02:45.599 --> 00:02:48.520 always in shape for the playoffs. So I give it 47 00:02:48.560 --> 00:02:52.520 around this time next year where they're making fat jokes 48 00:02:52.520 --> 00:02:55.719 about Luca and they're soured on Luca right now, I 49 00:02:55.719 --> 00:02:58.360 mean they're all in on Luca now. I give it 50 00:02:58.400 --> 00:03:01.319 around this time next year where they're starting to poke 51 00:03:01.360 --> 00:03:04.759 holes and getting upset and ripping Luca. It may even 52 00:03:04.800 --> 00:03:10.039 happen tomorrow, but props to Petro some money. Always cynical, 53 00:03:10.319 --> 00:03:16.680 always cantankerous, a little condescending, but very positive today on 54 00:03:16.759 --> 00:03:19.840 their show. And I did enjoy them going after Bill Ryder. 55 00:03:20.159 --> 00:03:22.919 He was very difficult to work with and was not 56 00:03:23.000 --> 00:03:26.479 a great guy in the hallways. Anyway, let's get to 57 00:03:26.520 --> 00:03:31.159 the Dodgers. Andrew Friedman joined us during Dodger Fest, and 58 00:03:31.240 --> 00:03:33.919 I know there's been some reports out there or a 59 00:03:34.120 --> 00:03:37.159 report out there that the door is shut on Keith 60 00:03:37.199 --> 00:03:41.280 k Hernandez returning, as you know, listening to me here 61 00:03:41.439 --> 00:03:45.199 or watching on Sports net LA, I have maintained the 62 00:03:45.280 --> 00:03:48.879 Dodgers and Key k a Hernandez have a very clear 63 00:03:49.039 --> 00:03:53.080 path for a reunion, and I do not believe that 64 00:03:53.120 --> 00:03:56.039 the door is closed. You'll hear from Andrew Friedman on 65 00:03:56.080 --> 00:03:59.800 that topic. But also everybody wants to know when is 66 00:04:00.280 --> 00:04:03.599 hey Otani going to pitch? And before we get to 67 00:04:03.800 --> 00:04:06.919 when he might pitch in the regular season, I want 68 00:04:06.919 --> 00:04:08.520 to know whether or not we're going to see him 69 00:04:08.560 --> 00:04:13.280 pitch in Arizona, even on the backfields. What should be 70 00:04:13.319 --> 00:04:16.519 our expectations of what we see him do on the 71 00:04:16.560 --> 00:04:19.720 mound during the time at Camel Back Ranch. 72 00:04:20.319 --> 00:04:23.600 I don't know yet. You know, he's playing long toss 73 00:04:23.680 --> 00:04:27.959 and he will start progressing and advancing. I don't know 74 00:04:28.079 --> 00:04:32.040 yet as far as win he'll start facing hitters. We 75 00:04:32.120 --> 00:04:34.920 haven't figured that out. We want to get around him, 76 00:04:35.240 --> 00:04:38.480 be a part of a stowing program with our pitching guys, 77 00:04:38.519 --> 00:04:41.120 and you know, each and every day he's with our 78 00:04:41.160 --> 00:04:43.959 trainers right now, and you know he's kind of moving 79 00:04:44.000 --> 00:04:48.680 out of rehab phase and to go compete mode, and 80 00:04:48.720 --> 00:04:51.639 so exactly how that progresses we haven't figured out yet, but. 81 00:04:51.639 --> 00:04:54.720 There is a possibility a fan might be there on 82 00:04:54.759 --> 00:04:59.160 a Tuesday afternoon and see him maybe just pitch to somebody. 83 00:05:00.639 --> 00:05:04.480 Yeah, maybe left handed or underhanded or something. Sure, Yeah, 84 00:05:04.519 --> 00:05:06.959 I don't I don't know when he's going to face 85 00:05:07.000 --> 00:05:09.079 hitters yet, but I do know he is going to 86 00:05:09.319 --> 00:05:11.079 pitch for us this year and be a big part 87 00:05:11.120 --> 00:05:13.639 of what we do on both sides of the ball. 88 00:05:14.879 --> 00:05:18.160 And that's a huge bonus to this pitching staff. I 89 00:05:18.199 --> 00:05:21.120 feel like we have undersold the fact the Dodgers are 90 00:05:21.160 --> 00:05:23.879 getting back one of the top pitchers in all a 91 00:05:24.000 --> 00:05:27.560 Major League Baseball as hard that as hard as that 92 00:05:27.839 --> 00:05:30.959 is to comprehend and wrap your head around. We're talking 93 00:05:31.000 --> 00:05:34.439 about one of the best hitters in baseball, as evident 94 00:05:34.560 --> 00:05:38.360 by the way he played last year, a fifty to 95 00:05:38.399 --> 00:05:43.800 fifty player first time in baseball history, MVP, and now 96 00:05:43.839 --> 00:05:46.680 they're going to get him back as a pitcher. And 97 00:05:46.759 --> 00:05:51.240 the beauty and the biggest advantage to having show Hey Otani, 98 00:05:51.720 --> 00:05:55.800 besides the obvious, is the fact that with the roster 99 00:05:56.279 --> 00:05:59.399 restrictions put in place by Major League Baseball as far 100 00:05:59.439 --> 00:06:02.439 as how many pitchers you can have on your roster. 101 00:06:02.560 --> 00:06:06.480 I believe it's thirteen shoey. Otani does not go into 102 00:06:06.480 --> 00:06:11.079 that bucket, so you essentially have an extra pitchure on 103 00:06:11.120 --> 00:06:16.839 your roster that no other team has. That's another caveat 104 00:06:16.879 --> 00:06:19.759 to all this. He does not count as one of 105 00:06:19.839 --> 00:06:23.839 the quote pitchers on your roster, and he's coming off 106 00:06:23.879 --> 00:06:28.439 to Tommy John surgeries. He's coming off left shoulder surgery. 107 00:06:28.480 --> 00:06:31.319 It's his back shoulder when he hits, so obviously the 108 00:06:31.360 --> 00:06:34.600 finish will not be as effective as it was for 109 00:06:34.800 --> 00:06:38.079 let's say Matt Kemp, a right handed hitter, or a 110 00:06:38.120 --> 00:06:42.160 Hanley Ramirez a right handed hitter. So that's a good 111 00:06:42.240 --> 00:06:46.480 positive right there. But the reality is, going back to 112 00:06:46.800 --> 00:06:52.360 Andrew Friedman's time in charge of the Dodgers, he does 113 00:06:52.399 --> 00:06:56.560 not emphasize April and May and even June as much 114 00:06:56.639 --> 00:07:00.800 as he is emphasizing July, August, and more importantly October 115 00:07:01.399 --> 00:07:05.639 for pitchers that you have to be slow played. Otani 116 00:07:05.720 --> 00:07:09.680 falls in that bucket. I would not anticipate seeing him 117 00:07:09.839 --> 00:07:13.560 be redline or push to the limit the first half 118 00:07:13.560 --> 00:07:16.240 of the season, even if he's on the mound in May. 119 00:07:16.319 --> 00:07:21.079 As Dave Roberts said after Andrews spoke to us, But look, 120 00:07:21.240 --> 00:07:24.279 the Dodgers want Otani when he counts the most. We 121 00:07:24.319 --> 00:07:26.920 saw what he did in the World Baseball Classic, not 122 00:07:27.040 --> 00:07:30.800 just striking out Mike Trout, but really leading Team Japan 123 00:07:31.240 --> 00:07:34.240 as a hitter and as a pitcher. So that's what 124 00:07:34.279 --> 00:07:38.040 the Dodgers have their sights on. They have well, they 125 00:07:38.040 --> 00:07:40.639 have more than enough starting pitching to get through the 126 00:07:40.680 --> 00:07:44.000 first half of the season. I feel like the most 127 00:07:44.079 --> 00:07:48.759 forgotten pitcher on this roster is Bobby Miller. Bobby Miller. 128 00:07:49.199 --> 00:07:52.199 I know I'm maybe a little partial. 129 00:07:52.439 --> 00:07:52.600 But. 130 00:07:54.160 --> 00:07:56.879 I believe in this guy. Still. I'm not giving up 131 00:07:56.920 --> 00:08:00.319 on Bobby Miller. And if you look at it, what 132 00:08:00.399 --> 00:08:03.160 are the guarantees that a guy like Tyler Glass now 133 00:08:03.439 --> 00:08:06.000 is going to start the season. Is he going to 134 00:08:06.040 --> 00:08:10.959 be behind? That still remains to be seen. Roki Sazaki, Again, 135 00:08:11.120 --> 00:08:14.480 the Dodgers are not going to rush Sazaki. They want 136 00:08:14.480 --> 00:08:16.480 to see what they got with him in spring training. 137 00:08:16.600 --> 00:08:21.639 And this is a six year development. It's not just 138 00:08:21.680 --> 00:08:25.360 about twenty twenty five. It's about making him and growing 139 00:08:25.439 --> 00:08:28.519 him from this point on and not being the guy 140 00:08:28.600 --> 00:08:32.600 that is counted upon to really lead this staff. I 141 00:08:32.679 --> 00:08:36.519 see Sazaki's role growing as the season goes along, but 142 00:08:37.039 --> 00:08:42.600 not necessarily. In March or April, Yamamoto missed several months 143 00:08:42.759 --> 00:08:46.320 with a shoulder injury. What's his status? How careful are 144 00:08:46.360 --> 00:08:48.679 the Dodgers going to be with him? So that's why 145 00:08:49.240 --> 00:08:54.039 the importance of Bobby Miller is greater than what anybody's talksity. 146 00:08:54.720 --> 00:08:56.600 He's a guy that you can count on. He's a 147 00:08:56.639 --> 00:08:59.440 guy that already has been working with the Dodgers in 148 00:08:59.519 --> 00:09:03.200 Arizona for two weeks. He's taken Bobby Miller under his 149 00:09:03.240 --> 00:09:06.480 wing as well. So, uh, I'm a big believer that 150 00:09:06.639 --> 00:09:10.200 the Dodgers need all these pitchers there. I don't really 151 00:09:10.240 --> 00:09:13.559 see that they have too much pitching to start the year, 152 00:09:13.960 --> 00:09:16.799 not to mention a guy like Tony Gonsolin, who is 153 00:09:16.840 --> 00:09:20.240 going to be probably a full go after the way 154 00:09:20.279 --> 00:09:22.840 he was able to come back towards the end of 155 00:09:22.919 --> 00:09:25.559 last year. So they have they have a lot of 156 00:09:25.559 --> 00:09:28.440 starting pitching, and they need a lot of starting pitching 157 00:09:28.519 --> 00:09:33.879 considering the question marks surrounding their three Japanese pitchers, Otani, 158 00:09:33.960 --> 00:09:38.159 Yamamoto and Sazaki eight six six nine eight seven two 159 00:09:38.240 --> 00:09:41.720 five seventy is the phone number? All right? Here's Andrew 160 00:09:41.759 --> 00:09:46.320 Friedman about Keith a Hernandez. And when I asked him 161 00:09:46.320 --> 00:09:49.799 this question, I wanted it on the record, and he 162 00:09:49.960 --> 00:09:54.559 delivered and realized what I've been telling you, that the 163 00:09:54.639 --> 00:09:58.000 door is wide open for Keith a Hernandez to walk 164 00:09:58.039 --> 00:09:59.960 through those camelback ranch doors. 165 00:10:00.519 --> 00:10:00.720 Yeah. 166 00:10:00.759 --> 00:10:04.039 I mean, I don't think the door's ever closed on Kik. 167 00:10:04.399 --> 00:10:07.080 That being said, it doesn't mean that it will necessarily 168 00:10:07.159 --> 00:10:09.759 work out. But we've acquired him a lot of different 169 00:10:09.799 --> 00:10:13.679 times and through trades and free agency, you know, twice 170 00:10:13.720 --> 00:10:17.320 through trade, and you know, I don't know how it'll 171 00:10:17.320 --> 00:10:19.600 play out. We'll never close the door on him, but 172 00:10:20.440 --> 00:10:23.279 you know, if he does sign somewhere else and hopefully 173 00:10:23.279 --> 00:10:25.679 we'll have a chance to trade for him or whatever. 174 00:10:25.720 --> 00:10:28.519 But the most important thing is for he and his family. 175 00:10:29.039 --> 00:10:30.960 We want them to make the best decision for them 176 00:10:31.000 --> 00:10:33.759 and whatever that means. And obviously we're biased and we 177 00:10:33.799 --> 00:10:37.120 hope it means us, but we'll see how that plays out. 178 00:10:37.240 --> 00:10:39.960 It was encouraging to see him at a Utah hockey game. 179 00:10:39.960 --> 00:10:43.360 It feels like he's just drifting, waiting for the time 180 00:10:43.480 --> 00:10:46.960 to drift back to la. I mean, Keik had a 181 00:10:47.039 --> 00:10:49.600 Utah hockey game, Andrew, I never thought i'd see that. 182 00:10:49.960 --> 00:10:50.759 Yeah, I didn't either. 183 00:10:52.039 --> 00:10:55.559 He's good friends with the gm oh and I talked 184 00:10:55.600 --> 00:10:58.039 to him about it during the season, But when I 185 00:10:58.039 --> 00:10:59.279 first saw it, I was like, wait. 186 00:10:59.080 --> 00:11:01.840 A minute, what Yeah, and then I remembered that connection. 187 00:11:02.679 --> 00:11:04.720 All right, there you have it. The door is not 188 00:11:04.799 --> 00:11:07.799 closed on Key k Hernandez. And I know all of 189 00:11:07.879 --> 00:11:11.000 you think the automatic move to make room for Key 190 00:11:11.080 --> 00:11:14.600 k Hernandez is finding a way to jettison Chris Taylor. 191 00:11:15.279 --> 00:11:18.320 That's not happening. There are ways for keyk to be 192 00:11:18.399 --> 00:11:21.519 on this twenty six man roster on opening day. There 193 00:11:21.559 --> 00:11:24.159 are no guarantees that it's going to be an immediate, 194 00:11:24.240 --> 00:11:28.399 smooth transition for Heyesan kim right, he's a great guy. 195 00:11:28.519 --> 00:11:30.559 He's got a lot of speed. They see him being 196 00:11:30.600 --> 00:11:33.840 a big part of this roster at some point this season, 197 00:11:33.960 --> 00:11:37.200 but doesn't mean right away. Uh. They can have him 198 00:11:37.240 --> 00:11:39.679 start in the minor leagues. And as much as we 199 00:11:39.759 --> 00:11:42.159 saw the growth of Andy pa has and how much 200 00:11:42.200 --> 00:11:44.120 I believe it would be great for him to get 201 00:11:44.159 --> 00:11:49.039 an opportunity, he has options. He could start the year 202 00:11:49.440 --> 00:11:51.679 in the minor leagues if the Dodgers bring back Key 203 00:11:51.759 --> 00:11:54.320 k Hernandez. So there's two other ways to get him 204 00:11:54.720 --> 00:11:58.519 on this opening day roster without just the you know, 205 00:11:58.679 --> 00:12:03.399 knee jerk reaction of get rid of Chris Taylor. They're 206 00:12:03.440 --> 00:12:05.720 not getting rid of Chris Taylor. And if you heard 207 00:12:05.759 --> 00:12:08.840 Chris Taylor at Dodger Fest, he said he still has 208 00:12:08.879 --> 00:12:11.159 an edge, and he said that he wants to be 209 00:12:11.200 --> 00:12:14.399 around for a long time. He knows what's at stake. 210 00:12:14.519 --> 00:12:17.960 He knows he has underperformed the last couple of years. 211 00:12:18.000 --> 00:12:21.840 So on the last year of his deal, I think 212 00:12:21.879 --> 00:12:24.559 he wants to try to, you know, find a way 213 00:12:24.600 --> 00:12:27.279 to earn a spot for at least another year on 214 00:12:27.360 --> 00:12:29.679 this team. So we'll see how it plays out. But 215 00:12:29.759 --> 00:12:33.080 there are numerous ways that the Dodgers can have key 216 00:12:33.080 --> 00:12:37.080 A Hernandez and Chris Taylor on this roster. We're gonna 217 00:12:37.080 --> 00:12:39.679 take a time out. We'll take your phone calls as 218 00:12:39.759 --> 00:12:43.120 we move towards eight o'clock eight six, six, nine, eighty seven, 219 00:12:43.200 --> 00:12:46.159 two five seventy. Coming up next, you'll hear from the 220 00:12:46.200 --> 00:12:51.679 newest shiny toy reliever, Kirby Ates, thirty eight years young, 221 00:12:52.159 --> 00:12:55.159 joining the Dodgers after an All Star season with the 222 00:12:55.200 --> 00:12:59.679 Texas Rangers. David Vasse Dodger Talk on a five seventy 223 00:12:59.799 --> 00:13:03.519 LA Sports on your home for the world champion Dodgers. 224 00:13:03.639 --> 00:13:09.399 Don't forget it. We are just one week away from 225 00:13:09.519 --> 00:13:15.320 pitchers and catchers reporting officially to Camelback Ranch a week 226 00:13:15.440 --> 00:13:20.159 from today, and today's almost over. We are that close 227 00:13:20.240 --> 00:13:24.639 to your world champion Dodgers getting ready to defend their 228 00:13:24.679 --> 00:13:28.480 World championship. And it should be a great season. As 229 00:13:28.519 --> 00:13:32.200 great as last year was, this one should be just 230 00:13:32.440 --> 00:13:37.080 as exciting, just as fulfilling in a lot of ways. 231 00:13:37.159 --> 00:13:40.039 And obviously that's up to the guys. And look, you know, 232 00:13:40.240 --> 00:13:43.919 I saw Miguel Rojas was on some podcast or set 233 00:13:43.960 --> 00:13:49.080 it at Dodgerfest that the expectation is to eclipse the 234 00:13:49.120 --> 00:13:53.360 Seattle Mariners all time wins record in the regular season 235 00:13:53.639 --> 00:13:57.000 that was one hundred and sixteen back in two thousand 236 00:13:57.039 --> 00:14:02.840 and one. That has never been the expectation of Andrew Friedman, 237 00:14:03.000 --> 00:14:06.799 Dave Roberts, or any of the other veteran leaders on 238 00:14:06.840 --> 00:14:10.759 this team. You look at it, this past year, for 239 00:14:10.799 --> 00:14:13.919 the first time in a while in a full regular season, 240 00:14:14.440 --> 00:14:17.120 the Dodgers did not win one hundred games and won 241 00:14:17.159 --> 00:14:21.440 the World Series. The Dodgers won ninety nine games this season. 242 00:14:22.399 --> 00:14:26.799 The goal is never to have the most regular season wins. 243 00:14:27.799 --> 00:14:30.799 It's to win the World Series championship. And I know 244 00:14:30.919 --> 00:14:34.600 Miguel was in Miami for an eight year stretch, but 245 00:14:35.360 --> 00:14:38.759 he's been around this team enough to know that the 246 00:14:38.840 --> 00:14:43.840 Dodgers have proven they can win the regular season. But 247 00:14:44.039 --> 00:14:48.279 last year was about the World Series, and every player 248 00:14:48.399 --> 00:14:53.440 on this team outside of Miguel Rojas, to date, has 249 00:14:53.559 --> 00:15:00.519 never mentioned eclipsing the Mariners all time regular season win total. 250 00:15:01.559 --> 00:15:04.799 They've talked about winning back to back championships for the 251 00:15:04.840 --> 00:15:09.440 first time in twenty five years. That's the goal. It's 252 00:15:09.480 --> 00:15:12.840 not beating the Mariners record of one hundred and sixteen wins. 253 00:15:12.879 --> 00:15:16.879 And I don't know if it was taken out of context, 254 00:15:16.919 --> 00:15:19.200 but I don't know how you take that out of context. 255 00:15:20.360 --> 00:15:23.559 I just think Miguel Rojas needs to recalibrate what the 256 00:15:23.639 --> 00:15:28.080 expectations are. Nobody in La is talking about winning one 257 00:15:28.159 --> 00:15:31.679 hundred and seventeen regular season games. They're still talking about, 258 00:15:32.159 --> 00:15:34.600 let's see if we can win back to back championships 259 00:15:35.080 --> 00:15:39.159 for the first time since the Jeter team Jeter Pasada, 260 00:15:39.279 --> 00:15:42.679 Pettit Yankees. That's what it's about this year. It's not 261 00:15:42.720 --> 00:15:46.559 about the Mariners record. Now, I understand what he's saying. 262 00:15:47.519 --> 00:15:49.480 They have the talent to be able to pull that 263 00:15:49.679 --> 00:15:53.960 off if it all goes well. But the Dodgers were 264 00:15:54.559 --> 00:15:59.399 on pace two years ago, three years ago, and they 265 00:15:59.480 --> 00:16:05.080 chose not to chase it on purpose. So I think 266 00:16:05.080 --> 00:16:07.600 we're on the same page. It's not about the Mariners 267 00:16:07.639 --> 00:16:11.519 one hundred and sixteen win record. It's about winning back 268 00:16:11.559 --> 00:16:14.440 to back championships. That's all I've heard Mookie Bets, Freddie 269 00:16:14.440 --> 00:16:18.000 Freeman and the others talk about until I saw this today, 270 00:16:19.120 --> 00:16:23.320 So that's that's certainly not what the goal is of 271 00:16:23.399 --> 00:16:27.240 this year. And I like Miguel Rojas's confidence and that's 272 00:16:27.240 --> 00:16:30.960 his expectation. But the Dodgers have a big enough bullseye 273 00:16:31.440 --> 00:16:34.840 on the back of their chests, on the back of 274 00:16:34.840 --> 00:16:39.360 their jerseys. They don't need any more. Eight six six 275 00:16:39.559 --> 00:16:42.919 nine eight seven two five seventy is the phone number. 276 00:16:43.000 --> 00:16:46.399 I love what Jim Harbaugh says. His mantra ever since 277 00:16:46.440 --> 00:16:50.919 he's been a head coach is be humble and be hungry. 278 00:16:51.039 --> 00:16:53.679 You don't need to start saying that the expectation is 279 00:16:53.720 --> 00:16:57.679 to win one hundred and seventeen games. That's that's not humble. 280 00:16:57.679 --> 00:16:58.240 And hungry. 281 00:16:58.600 --> 00:17:01.720 Eight six six eight seven in two five seventy is 282 00:17:01.759 --> 00:17:04.440 the phone number. I had a chance to catch up 283 00:17:04.440 --> 00:17:08.519 with Kirby Yates after he was officially announced a Dodger 284 00:17:08.920 --> 00:17:12.200 and here was our conversation at Dodger Stadium. Thanks a 285 00:17:12.200 --> 00:17:14.359 lot for the time. And does it feel real putting 286 00:17:14.359 --> 00:17:15.079 on this jersey? 287 00:17:15.119 --> 00:17:15.319 Now? 288 00:17:15.960 --> 00:17:18.920 Yeah, it's a little I would say surreal probably a 289 00:17:18.920 --> 00:17:21.200 better word, but yeah, it's this cool. 290 00:17:22.079 --> 00:17:24.160 You know, this is going to be exciting and this 291 00:17:24.200 --> 00:17:25.400 is gonna be awesome. 292 00:17:25.319 --> 00:17:28.240 When you look at what the Dodgers have done this offseason, 293 00:17:28.440 --> 00:17:32.119 during this entire process, if all things were equal, was 294 00:17:32.160 --> 00:17:33.279 this an easy choice? 295 00:17:34.400 --> 00:17:34.559 Yeah? 296 00:17:34.640 --> 00:17:37.880 I mean, look, I kind of scoured the market. I 297 00:17:37.880 --> 00:17:40.039 don't think I made it exactly easy for them, but 298 00:17:41.480 --> 00:17:43.680 look all in all, you know, to come here and 299 00:17:44.000 --> 00:17:47.359 uh so one, you know, they were pretty persistent in 300 00:17:47.440 --> 00:17:49.920 wanting to sign me all off season, which I appreciate 301 00:17:50.039 --> 00:17:53.160 and too to just for them to target me, and 302 00:17:53.400 --> 00:17:56.319 how active they've been all off season with you know, 303 00:17:56.400 --> 00:17:58.359 the people that they've brought in and me being one 304 00:17:58.359 --> 00:18:00.839 of them, I mean, you know, yeah, how. 305 00:18:00.759 --> 00:18:03.599 Could you not say you've been part of bullpens where 306 00:18:03.880 --> 00:18:06.799 you're the guy and everybody's leaning on you for high 307 00:18:06.880 --> 00:18:09.599 leverage outs. When you look at this bullpen the way 308 00:18:09.640 --> 00:18:13.119 it's constructed, do you feel like the sum is greater 309 00:18:13.200 --> 00:18:14.039 than the parts. 310 00:18:14.599 --> 00:18:16.880 Yeah, I mean, saman it doesn't matter. They can still 311 00:18:16.920 --> 00:18:17.279 lean on me. 312 00:18:17.279 --> 00:18:21.880 If they want, you know, but this is you know, 313 00:18:21.920 --> 00:18:26.599 a very very talented group and there's you know, kind 314 00:18:26.599 --> 00:18:29.880 of endless options on what you can do. You know 315 00:18:30.200 --> 00:18:32.279 in certain times that games are going to be really 316 00:18:32.319 --> 00:18:35.279 short for the other team, and you know in other times, 317 00:18:35.480 --> 00:18:37.599 you know, we have pretty good starting rotation also, so 318 00:18:38.039 --> 00:18:41.480 you know, I think the combination of both is just 319 00:18:41.519 --> 00:18:42.640 going to really work out well. 320 00:18:43.000 --> 00:18:46.640 When Kirbyate's was watching the postseason, I would imagine. 321 00:18:46.279 --> 00:18:48.400 You were watch some of it some of it. 322 00:18:48.640 --> 00:18:51.599 Yeah, but you realize that Dodgers only had two and 323 00:18:51.680 --> 00:18:56.440 a half starting pitchers, went to bullpen games multiple times 324 00:18:56.480 --> 00:19:00.440 in multiple series. You're going to be teammates with those guys. 325 00:19:00.480 --> 00:19:03.559 They were known as the dogs. Are you ready to 326 00:19:03.599 --> 00:19:07.799 be inducted into a bullpen that identifies as that type 327 00:19:07.799 --> 00:19:09.200 of ferocious competitor? 328 00:19:09.519 --> 00:19:09.759 Yeah? 329 00:19:09.799 --> 00:19:13.440 Absolutely, It's gotta be fun to take part in that. Yeah, 330 00:19:13.440 --> 00:19:15.319 they were some of those guys are really impressive. But 331 00:19:15.480 --> 00:19:18.599 trying very very impressive. I mean he's always been impressive. 332 00:19:18.680 --> 00:19:20.400 I think it's just you know, he'd kind of put 333 00:19:20.400 --> 00:19:22.079 it on full display in the World Series and the 334 00:19:22.160 --> 00:19:25.160 playoffs and all the other guys. I think, you know, 335 00:19:25.480 --> 00:19:27.680 Evan Phillips is kind of forgotten guy right now, and 336 00:19:27.720 --> 00:19:30.079 he's been pretty good at the past and you know, 337 00:19:30.160 --> 00:19:32.160 so like I said, I mean it's as deep as 338 00:19:32.440 --> 00:19:35.160 you could probably have really a bullpen in the league, 339 00:19:35.240 --> 00:19:36.599 and so you know, be. 340 00:19:36.559 --> 00:19:37.799 A part of that. It's very exciting. 341 00:19:38.039 --> 00:19:41.559 You mentioned Blake Tryning. You're both in the same demographic, 342 00:19:42.079 --> 00:19:44.160 so maybe you have a guy down there, just one 343 00:19:44.200 --> 00:19:48.200 guy and Blake Tryning that can relate to your TV shows, 344 00:19:48.279 --> 00:19:51.000 your movies, and maybe your music. I'm not sure about 345 00:19:51.000 --> 00:19:53.240 his music taste. 346 00:19:53.319 --> 00:19:53.960 Dad jokes. 347 00:19:55.160 --> 00:19:57.200 Yeah, I mean like he's been around for a while, 348 00:19:58.000 --> 00:20:00.359 he's been nasty for a while, so yeah, it you know, 349 00:20:00.559 --> 00:20:02.319 I had my partner last year that was Diira. 350 00:20:02.440 --> 00:20:03.319 We were the old guys. 351 00:20:03.400 --> 00:20:07.880 So I tend to lightly use that word just because 352 00:20:08.000 --> 00:20:09.640 you know, I know I'm getting older. 353 00:20:09.640 --> 00:20:11.039 I just don't want to believe it. It's going to 354 00:20:11.079 --> 00:20:11.799 be hard to believe that. 355 00:20:11.839 --> 00:20:14.039 I'm probably I think I am the oldest one on 356 00:20:14.039 --> 00:20:16.480 the team now, so finally made it. 357 00:20:16.519 --> 00:20:19.599 But yeah, it's gonna most experienced Kirby. There you go, 358 00:20:19.640 --> 00:20:21.160 there you go. It's gonna be a lot of fun. 359 00:20:21.880 --> 00:20:22.039 You know. 360 00:20:22.079 --> 00:20:24.319 I've heard nothing but good things about the guys as 361 00:20:24.359 --> 00:20:27.759 humans too, so I think that's the biggest thing. And 362 00:20:27.880 --> 00:20:30.000 you know, pitching aside, we have to hang out with 363 00:20:30.039 --> 00:20:32.440 each other all the time, so that's one of the 364 00:20:32.440 --> 00:20:34.000 things that I'm kind of looking forward to. 365 00:20:34.319 --> 00:20:37.759 Before I let you go. I've always been a big 366 00:20:37.799 --> 00:20:41.039 fan of Kirby Yates split fingered fastball when I was 367 00:20:41.079 --> 00:20:43.960 growing up in the eighties. Roger Craig, the manager of 368 00:20:44.000 --> 00:20:48.079 the Giants, former Dodger pitcher, he was the godfather of 369 00:20:48.119 --> 00:20:50.519 the split fingered fastball. It seemed like to go out 370 00:20:50.519 --> 00:20:53.799 of vogue, but you've kept it alive. Do you feel 371 00:20:53.799 --> 00:20:57.119 like the split fingered fastball might have a comeback? Since 372 00:20:57.200 --> 00:20:59.880 Kirby Yates is continuing to persevere and. 373 00:21:01.160 --> 00:21:03.559 I revived my career kind of changes the path of 374 00:21:03.559 --> 00:21:05.799 my career. So and you kind of look around in 375 00:21:05.799 --> 00:21:07.519 the league. There's a lot more guys that are throwing 376 00:21:07.559 --> 00:21:09.880 them now, so I think that pitch is Seriously, I 377 00:21:09.920 --> 00:21:11.279 don't think it's going anywhere. 378 00:21:12.160 --> 00:21:14.559 Guys are learning it and it's uh, you know. 379 00:21:14.680 --> 00:21:18.519 Usually when I about five six years ago, when I 380 00:21:18.559 --> 00:21:20.680 started throwing it, you know, there was only a few 381 00:21:20.799 --> 00:21:22.920 that threw that pitch. And now you look around, there's 382 00:21:22.960 --> 00:21:24.000 a lot of guys that throw it. 383 00:21:24.400 --> 00:21:26.079 Before I let you go as well. You got some 384 00:21:26.240 --> 00:21:28.839 muscle over here. I mean two suits that are monitoring 385 00:21:28.920 --> 00:21:30.880 everything that I say, who do you got with you? 386 00:21:30.960 --> 00:21:33.200 It's my bodyguards. That's my agents. 387 00:21:33.680 --> 00:21:38.480 Oh agents slash bodyguards, very intimidating agents. No wonder the 388 00:21:38.519 --> 00:21:40.480 Dodgers signed you. They got a good deal. I bet 389 00:21:40.480 --> 00:21:42.480 they pounded the desk a few times. 390 00:21:42.720 --> 00:21:44.039 He got it done. I don't know what he did. 391 00:21:44.200 --> 00:21:46.319 I won't tell anybody though, but he got it done. 392 00:21:46.559 --> 00:21:49.799 Beverly Hills Sports Council, don't let the city name fool you. 393 00:21:49.839 --> 00:21:50.400 They're tough. 394 00:21:54.640 --> 00:21:58.599 That's a model for you. Gotta use that right on. 395 00:21:58.759 --> 00:21:59.119 Thank you. 396 00:22:00.079 --> 00:22:02.720 All right there he is Kirby Yates. We're having a 397 00:22:02.720 --> 00:22:05.640 good time and everybody's in a great mood right now. 398 00:22:05.759 --> 00:22:08.400 Right nobody's throwing a pitch at spring training. And look 399 00:22:09.319 --> 00:22:12.480 the Dodgers going into the World after winning the World 400 00:22:12.559 --> 00:22:17.799 Series as champions, they played longer than any other team 401 00:22:18.319 --> 00:22:21.720