WEBVTT 1 00:00:00.320 --> 00:00:04.679 I'm back home in Los Angeles. Welcome to Dodger Talk. 2 00:00:04.839 --> 00:00:07.879 David Vase with you until eight o'clock tonight here on 3 00:00:07.960 --> 00:00:11.320 AM five to seventy LA Sports. We have a great 4 00:00:11.320 --> 00:00:14.080 show for you tonight, and we have phone lines open 5 00:00:14.279 --> 00:00:17.519 at eight six, six, nine eighty seven, two five seventy. 6 00:00:17.960 --> 00:00:21.440 Coming up in fifteen minutes. You'll hear from Dodgers GM 7 00:00:21.519 --> 00:00:26.399 Brandon Gomes. You'll also hear my conversation with Cy Young 8 00:00:26.399 --> 00:00:30.280 Award winner, two time World Series Champion and now analyst 9 00:00:30.559 --> 00:00:33.840 for the MLB Network, Jake Peevey. We will share that 10 00:00:33.960 --> 00:00:37.960 with you as well. Man. Very happy to be back 11 00:00:37.960 --> 00:00:42.439 here in Los Angeles after a great four days in Dallas, Texas. 12 00:00:42.479 --> 00:00:45.359 I got to tell you these winter meetings were a 13 00:00:45.359 --> 00:00:49.159 lot more action packed than any winter meetings I can 14 00:00:49.200 --> 00:00:52.320 think of in recent memory. You know, at least it 15 00:00:52.439 --> 00:00:55.679 started off the right way with Juan Soto signing on 16 00:00:55.840 --> 00:00:59.240 Sunday night, and then from there we started to get 17 00:00:59.280 --> 00:01:03.520 more action, whether it was negotiations or actual signings. We 18 00:01:03.600 --> 00:01:06.359 actually had a few big things happen while we were 19 00:01:06.359 --> 00:01:10.840 in Dallas, Texas. After Juan Soto signed, then the New 20 00:01:10.920 --> 00:01:14.480 York Yankees moved on and picked up the pieces and 21 00:01:14.560 --> 00:01:18.719 signed in Sinos Max freed to the largest contract by 22 00:01:18.719 --> 00:01:22.239 a left handed pitcher. So there was a lot going on, 23 00:01:22.359 --> 00:01:25.959 including a lot of buzz about where Corbyn Burns is 24 00:01:26.000 --> 00:01:29.159 going to go, where Alex Bregman is going to go. 25 00:01:29.719 --> 00:01:33.359 And right now it's between the Boston Red Sox and 26 00:01:33.480 --> 00:01:38.040 San Francisco Giants for Corbyn Burns, and that brings us 27 00:01:38.120 --> 00:01:41.760 to Tioscar Hernandez. We do not have anything new to 28 00:01:41.879 --> 00:01:46.400 report on that front. The Dodgers and Tioscar's agent are 29 00:01:46.519 --> 00:01:49.760 still in dialogue to try to make this happen, and 30 00:01:49.799 --> 00:01:52.640 it feels like it's stalled out at the ten yard 31 00:01:52.719 --> 00:01:57.120 line last week and we're still there. But my understanding is, 32 00:01:57.560 --> 00:02:00.040 as Andrew Friedman stated a couple of days ago, so 33 00:02:00.280 --> 00:02:03.840 the Dodgers are still hopeful to make this happen. Taoscar 34 00:02:03.920 --> 00:02:07.359 Hernandez wants to come back. The Dodgers want him back, 35 00:02:07.439 --> 00:02:11.240 So the sooner the better in my opinion, if it's 36 00:02:11.280 --> 00:02:14.919 really going to happen, because I know Boston has been 37 00:02:14.960 --> 00:02:18.680 talked about they were interested in Taoscar last year and 38 00:02:18.840 --> 00:02:22.360 right now they're trying to pursue more pitching, even after 39 00:02:23.000 --> 00:02:27.960 trading for Garrett Crochet. They're looking for pitching and maybe 40 00:02:28.000 --> 00:02:30.879 if they miss out on Corbyn Burns, all of a sudden, 41 00:02:30.960 --> 00:02:35.319 they may really turn their attention to trying to sign 42 00:02:35.439 --> 00:02:38.919 ta Oscar Hernandez. And my understanding is it's between the 43 00:02:38.960 --> 00:02:43.400 Red Sox and Giants for Corbyn Burns. Remember Burns, it 44 00:02:43.479 --> 00:02:46.280 went to college in the Bay Area at Saint Mary's. 45 00:02:46.560 --> 00:02:49.719 He was teammates with Tony Gonsolin, so you can understand 46 00:02:49.719 --> 00:02:53.919 why maybe he has more or San Francisco has more 47 00:02:53.960 --> 00:02:57.560 appeal to him than Boston. But it's still unknown whether 48 00:02:57.639 --> 00:03:00.599 or not the Giants are willing to pay the to 49 00:03:00.719 --> 00:03:04.199 sign Corbyn Burns. They had the press conference in San 50 00:03:04.240 --> 00:03:10.080 Francisco on the same day all of baseball and sports 51 00:03:10.280 --> 00:03:15.319 eyes were in New York for Juan Soto's introductory press conference. 52 00:03:15.360 --> 00:03:18.319 Go figure that out. They Yeah, the Giants had Willia 53 00:03:18.400 --> 00:03:22.599 Domis's press conference in San Francisco on the same day. 54 00:03:23.159 --> 00:03:26.400 The Mets had the big press conference of the sports 55 00:03:26.400 --> 00:03:30.840 world today with Juan Soto. Go figure that one out. 56 00:03:30.879 --> 00:03:35.919 But nonetheless, the wild card in the ti Oscar Hernandez 57 00:03:36.199 --> 00:03:41.360 free agency sweepstakes, in my opinion, is the Toronto Blue Jays. Yes, 58 00:03:41.400 --> 00:03:44.599 he was there a few years ago before they traded 59 00:03:44.639 --> 00:03:48.199 him to Seattle. But you know, nobody can figure out 60 00:03:48.199 --> 00:03:51.759 what Toronto is trying to do. So the longer this 61 00:03:51.879 --> 00:03:54.919 goes on, the more you leave the door open for 62 00:03:55.080 --> 00:03:58.919 other teams that miss out on other pitchers or players 63 00:03:59.000 --> 00:04:04.080 to maybe engage with Taascar Hernandez, even with that qualifying 64 00:04:04.199 --> 00:04:07.680 offer attached to him. So, uh, you know, I'm still 65 00:04:07.680 --> 00:04:11.800 a believer that this will get done, but I would 66 00:04:12.400 --> 00:04:15.080 the longer it doesn't get done, you get a little concern. 67 00:04:15.360 --> 00:04:18.720 So that's where things are with Taascar Hernandez. Eight six 68 00:04:18.800 --> 00:04:21.920 six nine to eight seven two five seventy is the 69 00:04:21.959 --> 00:04:26.279 phone number in case you're wondering about Walker Bueller. Still 70 00:04:26.319 --> 00:04:29.279 no word on which team is going to land him. 71 00:04:29.519 --> 00:04:32.279 You know, the Oakland A's who signed Luis Severino to 72 00:04:32.360 --> 00:04:36.240 a three year, seventy five million dollar contract, they really 73 00:04:36.279 --> 00:04:40.240 did offer that same deal to Walker Bueller. And Walker 74 00:04:40.279 --> 00:04:43.000 Bueller is not going to pitch for the A's and 75 00:04:43.199 --> 00:04:46.000 he's not going to pitch for the A's and Sacramento, 76 00:04:46.160 --> 00:04:48.920 so that shouldn't be a surprise. He wants to win. 77 00:04:49.319 --> 00:04:52.240 He is a winner, and it looks like he's going 78 00:04:52.279 --> 00:04:55.680 to be wearing a different uniform next year. The Yankees, 79 00:04:55.759 --> 00:05:00.399 the Cubs, the Red Sox, the Orioles, the Rangers all 80 00:05:00.439 --> 00:05:04.040 have interest in Walker Bueller. So we'll see how that 81 00:05:04.120 --> 00:05:07.519 plays out. And also, you know, like we talked about 82 00:05:07.639 --> 00:05:12.519 last night from Dallas, Nolan Aeronato Dodgers thing, it's not 83 00:05:12.639 --> 00:05:15.560 going to happen. I would be shocked if it did. 84 00:05:16.319 --> 00:05:20.240 Brandon Gomes went on the record and said Maximunsey is 85 00:05:20.279 --> 00:05:23.439 going to be their third baseman, and I believe him. 86 00:05:24.199 --> 00:05:27.639 Right now, Nolan Aernato is owed a lot of money 87 00:05:27.680 --> 00:05:30.160 the last three years. Now the Dodgers have a lot 88 00:05:30.160 --> 00:05:32.680 of money, but they're not just going to throw it 89 00:05:32.720 --> 00:05:37.639 around for no particular reason. This is not twenty eighteen 90 00:05:37.720 --> 00:05:42.240 or twenty nineteen anymore. Nobody has ever beaten Father Time, 91 00:05:43.279 --> 00:05:47.240 and the Saint Louis Cardinals right now are going to rebuild. 92 00:05:47.319 --> 00:05:50.639 Nolan Aernato wants to be on a team that's going 93 00:05:50.639 --> 00:05:54.319 to win right now, he doesn't have a lot of leverage. 94 00:05:54.519 --> 00:05:57.399 I would say the one team that may make the 95 00:05:57.480 --> 00:06:01.000 trade for Aeronato would be the Phillies if they can 96 00:06:01.079 --> 00:06:05.639 move Alec Bohm. If they can move Alec Bohm, that 97 00:06:05.720 --> 00:06:09.199 would be the one team I would say Aeronauto would 98 00:06:09.199 --> 00:06:13.399 play third base for. But here's the kicker, and I'm 99 00:06:13.439 --> 00:06:16.079 not sure how many people realize this. I was told 100 00:06:16.079 --> 00:06:21.120 this today by somebody that is familiar with Nolan and 101 00:06:21.199 --> 00:06:24.399 the Cardinals. I'll put it that way. The Rockies, and 102 00:06:24.439 --> 00:06:27.199 I believe this is public knowledge. The Rockies, when they 103 00:06:27.279 --> 00:06:32.120 traded Aeronaudo to the Cardinals are paying ten million dollars 104 00:06:32.120 --> 00:06:37.160 of his annual average salary. The kicker is, if Aeronato 105 00:06:37.360 --> 00:06:41.560 is traded, the Rockies are off the hook. Whoever trades 106 00:06:41.600 --> 00:06:46.000 for Aeronauto hypothetically would have to pay the remainder of 107 00:06:46.040 --> 00:06:49.040 his contract. And that's where it gets a little tricky, 108 00:06:49.439 --> 00:06:53.120 where teams are saying, all right, Cardinals, you don't have 109 00:06:53.160 --> 00:06:55.279 a lot of leverage here. We're not going to give 110 00:06:55.279 --> 00:06:58.360 you a lot for him, and you're going to have 111 00:06:58.399 --> 00:07:01.040 to pay for some of this. The Cardinals don't want 112 00:07:01.079 --> 00:07:03.759 to do that, and teams don't want to take on 113 00:07:03.879 --> 00:07:07.680 Aeronato's full salary. Now, will he be traded? I one 114 00:07:07.759 --> 00:07:10.639 hundred percent believe he will be, because how are you 115 00:07:10.680 --> 00:07:15.079 gonna go back now? But it's a lot more complicated 116 00:07:15.120 --> 00:07:17.839 than just making a straight up trade. With all these 117 00:07:17.879 --> 00:07:21.839 different things attached to his contract. Eight six six nine 118 00:07:21.920 --> 00:07:24.800 eight seven two five seventy is the phone number, Dodger 119 00:07:24.879 --> 00:07:27.560 talk with you until eight o'clock tonight here on AM 120 00:07:27.639 --> 00:07:30.600 five seventy LA Sports. Let's go out to the phones 121 00:07:30.720 --> 00:07:33.839 before we hear from Brandon Gohmes and then Jake Peavey, 122 00:07:34.240 --> 00:07:36.839 our guy Kevin and Culver City lead us off. How 123 00:07:36.879 --> 00:07:37.560 you doing, Kevin? 124 00:07:39.279 --> 00:07:39.920 God is good. 125 00:07:40.120 --> 00:07:41.600 I want to give you a Merry Christmas to you 126 00:07:41.639 --> 00:07:45.759 and your family. Happy holidays, glad you are getting some 127 00:07:45.800 --> 00:07:47.680 good family time. And I heard you went to Disneyland 128 00:07:47.680 --> 00:07:51.079 with the sam Got love that man. You know, you 129 00:07:51.199 --> 00:07:54.759 the best on on theirs and I appreciate everything you've done. 130 00:07:55.040 --> 00:07:57.439 I just want to give some kudos to my boy 131 00:07:57.519 --> 00:08:01.680 Dave Roberts, the best manager based all hands down. I 132 00:08:01.720 --> 00:08:04.000 mean he's evolved as a manager. I remember he didn't 133 00:08:04.000 --> 00:08:05.879 want to He took Tyler Anderson all of that game 134 00:08:06.160 --> 00:08:07.639 he left trying it in there. That was one of 135 00:08:07.680 --> 00:08:11.439 the managery moves of the whole World Series. And your 136 00:08:11.439 --> 00:08:14.040 boy snails Zilla, how many times I call Dodger tack saying, 137 00:08:14.199 --> 00:08:16.240 can we get our boy Blake Snail here? We finally 138 00:08:16.279 --> 00:08:19.680 got it done. Look, I'm smoking cigars. We got a 139 00:08:19.800 --> 00:08:22.399 bona fide ace who's a left handed ace to take 140 00:08:22.439 --> 00:08:25.120 that mantle from Kershaw, learned from the best, and he's 141 00:08:25.120 --> 00:08:27.000 a dog in the playoffs. We know we've seen him 142 00:08:27.000 --> 00:08:29.160 do it. He's always wanted to be a Dodger, even 143 00:08:29.199 --> 00:08:31.399 when you're doing this project interviews, when he's on the podjets, 144 00:08:31.399 --> 00:08:33.000 he seemed why he wanted to be here with us. 145 00:08:33.159 --> 00:08:36.399 So it's great. Look I'm not tripping. I'm still enjoying 146 00:08:36.399 --> 00:08:38.759 this World Series. Thank you, Walker Bila for all you've done. 147 00:08:38.759 --> 00:08:40.600 You are a great age for us. You are a 148 00:08:40.600 --> 00:08:43.799 bonaphyte stud in two World Series Championship wins for us. 149 00:08:43.840 --> 00:08:46.720 Now let's take care of our own. Bring Koster back 150 00:08:47.000 --> 00:08:49.480 and let's bring up Boy back, kek her nanez Mster 151 00:08:49.559 --> 00:08:52.360 Clutch and run it back. I'm so excited. I can't 152 00:08:52.360 --> 00:08:55.360 wait for the snail Zilla with Shuvasay and f snail Zilla. 153 00:08:55.759 --> 00:08:58.600 That's his stake on the song Dodger Blue by Kendrick Lamar. 154 00:08:58.759 --> 00:09:01.519 Dodger Blue a Dodger song on your best so you 155 00:09:01.519 --> 00:09:02.360 gotta check it out. 156 00:09:02.759 --> 00:09:06.240 I've heard it. I love Ketchrick Lamar's new album, It's Awesome, Kevin. 157 00:09:06.320 --> 00:09:09.919 And that's when everybody freaked out about Nolan Aernato because 158 00:09:10.200 --> 00:09:14.600 one of his latest Instagram posts had that song attached 159 00:09:14.600 --> 00:09:17.200 to it, and that's when everybody freaked out. But I 160 00:09:17.360 --> 00:09:20.679 just feel like from what I gathered in the last 161 00:09:20.679 --> 00:09:23.639 couple of days, the Phillies seemed to be the best 162 00:09:23.679 --> 00:09:27.240 trade partner for the Cardinals for Nolan Arenado. Eight six 163 00:09:27.360 --> 00:09:30.399 six nine eight seven two five seventy is the phone number. 164 00:09:30.440 --> 00:09:33.000 And look, you know, all these other teams are still 165 00:09:33.000 --> 00:09:36.960 trying to fill out their rosters with impact players. The Dodgers, 166 00:09:36.960 --> 00:09:40.879 who won the World Series, started the off season by 167 00:09:41.279 --> 00:09:45.519 retaining Austin Barnes and Miguel Rojas. Then they lock up 168 00:09:45.639 --> 00:09:51.360 Tommy Edmund the NLCSMVP, to a five year extension, and 169 00:09:51.399 --> 00:09:54.960 then from there they go out and sign arguably the 170 00:09:55.000 --> 00:09:58.480 best starting pitcher on the free agent market in Blake Snell. 171 00:09:59.120 --> 00:10:02.200 They bring back Blake Trinin, and they go out and 172 00:10:02.240 --> 00:10:07.200 sign Michael Conforto, and they're still looking to add another outfielder, 173 00:10:07.240 --> 00:10:10.799 whether that's ti Oscar Hernandez like we all hope, or 174 00:10:10.840 --> 00:10:14.679 somebody else. The Dodgers, to me, have been the most 175 00:10:14.720 --> 00:10:19.000 aggressive team, and that's coming off a World Series championship. 176 00:10:19.519 --> 00:10:21.840 We're gonna take a time out here on Dodger Talk. 177 00:10:21.879 --> 00:10:24.200 We have two lines open at eight six six nine, 178 00:10:24.240 --> 00:10:28.519 eight seven two five seventy. When we continue, you'll hear 179 00:10:28.559 --> 00:10:33.039 my conversation with Brandon Gomes Dodgers GM before we left Dallas, 180 00:10:33.320 --> 00:10:35.559 and coming up at the bottom of the hour, you'll 181 00:10:35.600 --> 00:10:40.320 hear from Jake Peevee, who's now given his great insight 182 00:10:40.399 --> 00:10:43.519 on MLB Network. So a lot to get to between 183 00:10:43.519 --> 00:10:46.360 now at eight o'clock and who knows, maybe that ta 184 00:10:46.440 --> 00:10:51.080 Oscar Hernandez breaking news may come down sometime between now 185 00:10:51.320 --> 00:10:53.759 and before we get off the air. That's why I'm here, 186 00:10:54.000 --> 00:10:57.320 That's why I'm live. I'm on TAO watch until it 187 00:10:57.440 --> 00:11:02.480 happens on AM five to seventy LA Sports Angelus Dodgers 188 00:11:02.639 --> 00:11:06.799 David Vasse back in the City of Angels after four 189 00:11:06.919 --> 00:11:11.559 days in Dallas, Texas. Our next Dodger Talk show will 190 00:11:11.600 --> 00:11:15.320 be next Friday night, and I would imagine by then 191 00:11:15.440 --> 00:11:19.519 we would have more clarity on the Tioscar Hernandez sweepstakes. 192 00:11:20.039 --> 00:11:22.080 Who knows, we may even have it by the time 193 00:11:22.080 --> 00:11:25.159 we go off the air. Tonight. But that's the biggest thing. 194 00:11:25.240 --> 00:11:28.480 All of you are looking at taoscar Hernandez and as 195 00:11:28.480 --> 00:11:32.120 far as Keyk Hernandez goes, you know, Keik wants to 196 00:11:32.159 --> 00:11:35.840 come back, the Dodgers wanting back, but there's no need 197 00:11:35.919 --> 00:11:38.519 to have to make that move right now. There's a 198 00:11:38.559 --> 00:11:43.120 lot of strategy involved in trying to maximize your forty 199 00:11:43.159 --> 00:11:46.840 man roster even during the off season, so that's part 200 00:11:46.960 --> 00:11:50.519 of what's going on there. I wouldn't be alarmed about it. 201 00:11:50.840 --> 00:11:54.720 Keyk is one of the best October players we have 202 00:11:54.879 --> 00:11:58.879 seen in a Dodger uniform. You know, obviously Freddie Freeman 203 00:11:58.960 --> 00:12:02.720 and Tommy Edmond were dominant. Mookie Bets had his best 204 00:12:02.759 --> 00:12:06.279 October of not only his Dodger career, but of his 205 00:12:06.720 --> 00:12:10.559 entire postseason career going back to when the Red Sox 206 00:12:10.919 --> 00:12:13.320 won the World Series in twenty eighteen. I feel like 207 00:12:13.440 --> 00:12:16.840 Mooki is not getting enough love out there. I think 208 00:12:16.879 --> 00:12:20.840 we're all taken for granted just exactly how vital he 209 00:12:21.120 --> 00:12:23.879 was to the Dodgers winning the World Series and how 210 00:12:24.360 --> 00:12:29.159 he actually redeemed himself with the way he played in October. 211 00:12:29.399 --> 00:12:32.480 And I know I was saying it from spring training 212 00:12:32.519 --> 00:12:35.879 on it was the season of Mookie Bets. And it 213 00:12:36.000 --> 00:12:39.360 was still the season of Mookie Bets with the injury 214 00:12:39.480 --> 00:12:42.360 to his left hand when he got hit by that 215 00:12:42.519 --> 00:12:45.679 pitch and missed six weeks. You look at Mookie Betts 216 00:12:45.720 --> 00:12:49.480 this year. He was really good. He helped the Dodgers 217 00:12:49.519 --> 00:12:53.559 come back in the NLDS. Remember he hit home runs 218 00:12:53.559 --> 00:12:57.960 in consecutive games to bring them back. In the NLCS, 219 00:12:58.039 --> 00:13:01.759 Mookie Bets had an OPS of almost twelve hundred. He 220 00:13:01.840 --> 00:13:05.159 hit three forty six in the NLCS and drove in 221 00:13:05.279 --> 00:13:09.039 nine runs with two home runs. In the World Series 222 00:13:09.240 --> 00:13:13.039 two seventy eight, he drove in the go a head 223 00:13:13.120 --> 00:13:16.679 run in Game five on a sacrifice fly, So you know, 224 00:13:16.759 --> 00:13:21.320 I know it wasn't any dramatic type of hit he had, 225 00:13:21.799 --> 00:13:27.879 but Mooki Betts when the series in San Diego really 226 00:13:27.919 --> 00:13:31.919 started to turn the Dodgers way after Keik Hernandez started 227 00:13:32.320 --> 00:13:35.559 every single game in center field and Tommy Edmond moved 228 00:13:35.559 --> 00:13:39.480 to shortstop, Mooki Betts, as you know, was out there 229 00:13:39.679 --> 00:13:43.120 before the first game in San Diego taking batting practice 230 00:13:43.159 --> 00:13:47.159 from teammate Brent Honeywell to really get his confidence going. 231 00:13:47.440 --> 00:13:50.159 And from that point on, MOOKI never looked back. So 232 00:13:50.720 --> 00:13:54.679 don't forget how good Mookie Betts was in the playoffs. 233 00:13:54.720 --> 00:13:58.279 He got a lot of criticism the last two years 234 00:13:58.360 --> 00:14:01.200 leading into this season, and the reason why I was 235 00:14:01.240 --> 00:14:03.639 so confident that it was going to be Mookie's year 236 00:14:03.840 --> 00:14:07.080 is because in spring training he had that same look 237 00:14:07.240 --> 00:14:11.399 and attitude about him that he had in spring training 238 00:14:11.480 --> 00:14:14.720 in his first year with the Dodgers twenty twenty. And 239 00:14:14.840 --> 00:14:17.159 everything Mookie said, and I'm going to find it, we'll 240 00:14:17.159 --> 00:14:18.720 play it back next. 241 00:14:18.480 --> 00:14:20.600 Week, he delivered. 242 00:14:20.759 --> 00:14:23.919 He said it wasn't just about the regular season, It's 243 00:14:23.960 --> 00:14:28.039 about October. It all doesn't matter until October. 244 00:14:27.759 --> 00:14:29.120 And he proved it. 245 00:14:29.360 --> 00:14:31.960 He kept his focus and he helped the Dodgers win 246 00:14:32.000 --> 00:14:35.279 the World Series. And I was extremely happy for him 247 00:14:35.679 --> 00:14:38.440 to be able to enjoy a parade here in Los Angeles. 248 00:14:38.639 --> 00:14:42.720 Nothing like it and still one of my favorite days 249 00:14:42.799 --> 00:14:46.080 doing this job the last thirteen years. All Right, I 250 00:14:46.120 --> 00:14:49.440 want to share our conversation with Dodgers GM Brandon Gomes 251 00:14:49.480 --> 00:14:52.960 on our final night in Dallas. Here was our conversation 252 00:14:53.120 --> 00:14:56.080 about the Dodgers' off season, where it already has been 253 00:14:56.480 --> 00:14:57.919 and where it is going. 254 00:14:59.399 --> 00:15:00.000 Coming here. 255 00:15:00.159 --> 00:15:02.720 It works out that if you win the World Series, 256 00:15:02.720 --> 00:15:05.440 everything's a little more enjoyable. So this is the meetings 257 00:15:05.480 --> 00:15:08.600 have been great, and obviously we've turned our focus to 258 00:15:08.679 --> 00:15:11.919 twenty five of like going out and doing everything we 259 00:15:11.960 --> 00:15:16.039 can to repeat, which is incredibly challenging. But we feel 260 00:15:16.080 --> 00:15:18.679 like we're we've set a good foundation right now. I'm 261 00:15:18.720 --> 00:15:20.879 going to love to continue to add talent where we 262 00:15:21.320 --> 00:15:24.720 feel necessary, but also taking the time to appreciate the 263 00:15:24.759 --> 00:15:26.799 accomplishment of being able to win last year. 264 00:15:27.279 --> 00:15:30.440 And you guys have arguably been the most aggressive team 265 00:15:30.480 --> 00:15:34.679 already this offseason, signing Blake Snow, Michael Confordo, bringing back 266 00:15:34.720 --> 00:15:39.000 Blake Trinon. Do you feel like you've accomplished a lot 267 00:15:39.120 --> 00:15:41.399 that you wanted to accomplish already to this point. 268 00:15:41.519 --> 00:15:45.600 Yeah, I think we're right now if this season started, 269 00:15:45.600 --> 00:15:47.360 we feel like we're in a good place. That doesn't 270 00:15:47.360 --> 00:15:49.679 mean we're not looking to continue to get better, but 271 00:15:49.919 --> 00:15:52.559 we're happy with what we've been able to do. And 272 00:15:52.759 --> 00:15:54.519 you know, we kind of set out to add or 273 00:15:54.519 --> 00:15:56.679 relieve her a starting pitcher and an olt fielder, and 274 00:15:56.720 --> 00:15:58.679 we've done that, and now it's about how do we 275 00:15:59.000 --> 00:16:01.840 go out and continue to make the team better. And 276 00:16:02.399 --> 00:16:06.039 you said the repeating is even more challenging. 277 00:16:05.840 --> 00:16:08.159 Than winning it one time. 278 00:16:08.279 --> 00:16:11.120 So that's our main focus, and we'll do everything we 279 00:16:11.159 --> 00:16:13.200 can to put the best team out there. 280 00:16:13.559 --> 00:16:16.120 When you talk about repeating that you hear about the 281 00:16:16.159 --> 00:16:20.080 World Series hangover. How much of the equation to add 282 00:16:20.200 --> 00:16:24.000 players are adding hungry guys that have not won before. 283 00:16:24.159 --> 00:16:28.639 Blake Snell's never won before, Conforto hasn't won before. How 284 00:16:28.720 --> 00:16:32.360 much does that help just fuel that desire of guys 285 00:16:32.399 --> 00:16:34.360 that have been there and done it last year and 286 00:16:34.440 --> 00:16:35.000 other years. 287 00:16:35.480 --> 00:16:37.720 I mean, I think that is we're just looking to 288 00:16:37.759 --> 00:16:41.559 continue to add talent on those fronts. They are incredibly hungry, 289 00:16:41.600 --> 00:16:44.399 and obviously they're coming here to try to win a 290 00:16:44.399 --> 00:16:48.240 World Series. I feel like, experiencing the parade and what 291 00:16:48.279 --> 00:16:51.519 everybody went through last year, our guys are going to 292 00:16:51.559 --> 00:16:53.559 be on the other side of complacency, and I feel 293 00:16:53.600 --> 00:16:57.000 like it's going to be like this hunger and you know, 294 00:16:57.120 --> 00:16:59.799 an even deeper desire to go out and win, knowing 295 00:16:59.840 --> 00:17:03.440 how how how incredible it was to have that parade 296 00:17:03.480 --> 00:17:06.119 and get back to Dodger Stadium and see it packed 297 00:17:06.160 --> 00:17:09.279 and celebrate with the city. So I feel like our 298 00:17:09.319 --> 00:17:11.920 guys are in a really good place of Hey, let's 299 00:17:11.920 --> 00:17:13.200 get back to work and do it again. 300 00:17:13.839 --> 00:17:17.119 You know when you Obviously the last twelve thirteen years, 301 00:17:17.240 --> 00:17:19.920 players have wanted to come to play for the Dodgers 302 00:17:19.960 --> 00:17:22.680 because of the culture and the infrastructure. 303 00:17:22.440 --> 00:17:23.519 You guys have created. 304 00:17:23.599 --> 00:17:26.799 But this offseason, do you feel like you've gotten more 305 00:17:27.519 --> 00:17:30.519 offers from players that, hey, I'd love to join this 306 00:17:30.599 --> 00:17:32.960 party too. It feels like there's a lot more players 307 00:17:32.960 --> 00:17:35.960 that are being very upfront that they would love to 308 00:17:36.039 --> 00:17:36.920 join the Dodgers. 309 00:17:37.000 --> 00:17:39.880 Yeah, it's been it's been an exciting time to see that, 310 00:17:39.920 --> 00:17:44.119 and it's it's what you know, we were looking to build. 311 00:17:44.319 --> 00:17:48.160 And obviously having just one is incredibly helpful. But the 312 00:17:48.200 --> 00:17:50.839 culture and guys talking to guys that are on the 313 00:17:50.880 --> 00:17:55.359 team and other you know, other staff members, and like 314 00:17:55.559 --> 00:17:59.039 just understanding that we're going to do everything we can 315 00:17:59.160 --> 00:18:02.240 to get everything and talent wise out of each and 316 00:18:02.279 --> 00:18:03.920 every player, and we're going to take care of you 317 00:18:04.000 --> 00:18:04.400 on and. 318 00:18:04.279 --> 00:18:07.519 Off the field. So I think players are appreciating. 319 00:18:06.960 --> 00:18:09.920 That and want to come and join the group. 320 00:18:10.079 --> 00:18:12.559 Who you know, our number one goes to win a. 321 00:18:12.559 --> 00:18:15.119 World Series, and my assumption is that, yeah, that is 322 00:18:15.240 --> 00:18:17.319 the goal of most guys as well. 323 00:18:17.680 --> 00:18:20.960 Roki Sazaki's agent I got you know, well, Joel Wolfe 324 00:18:21.000 --> 00:18:23.640 had a big press conference yesterday to kind of kick 325 00:18:23.680 --> 00:18:27.319 off the period of forty five days for teams to 326 00:18:27.400 --> 00:18:29.960 sign him, and now able to kind of discuss it 327 00:18:30.039 --> 00:18:33.400 a little bit. What's so appealing about him? For those 328 00:18:33.440 --> 00:18:36.920 of us that don't know a lot about Roki Sazaki, 329 00:18:37.000 --> 00:18:40.599 why is there such a demand for him? 330 00:18:40.839 --> 00:18:43.079 Yeah? I mean it's an incredible arm talent. 331 00:18:43.160 --> 00:18:47.279 He's obviously young, and for as good as he's been, 332 00:18:48.640 --> 00:18:51.559 you know, we feel like being in our environment with 333 00:18:51.640 --> 00:18:55.440 our coaches, there's opportunity to continue to get better. And 334 00:18:56.240 --> 00:18:58.720 this is the type of arm that you watch him 335 00:18:58.839 --> 00:19:01.000 pitch and you're like, this could be a cy young 336 00:19:01.000 --> 00:19:04.400 winner in the big leagues. So I think everybody who 337 00:19:04.400 --> 00:19:07.400 has seen him throw, whether it's live or on video, 338 00:19:07.559 --> 00:19:11.839 it is it is wild type stuff with legitimate upside 339 00:19:11.839 --> 00:19:14.720 for him to continue to get better and grow and develop. 340 00:19:14.839 --> 00:19:16.839 So it's a unique package. 341 00:19:17.839 --> 00:19:18.200 All right. 342 00:19:18.240 --> 00:19:21.839 There's Dodgers GM Brandon Gomes giving us a glimpse into 343 00:19:22.119 --> 00:19:25.920 the Dodgers off season so far and being very very 344 00:19:25.960 --> 00:19:29.839 candid with us as far as the Dodgers' evaluation of 345 00:19:30.079 --> 00:19:35.359 young Japanese right hander Roki Sazaki, who was posted a 346 00:19:35.400 --> 00:19:39.079 couple of days ago. Officially, he's twenty three years old, 347 00:19:39.440 --> 00:19:42.039 throws one hundred miles an hour, has a great split 348 00:19:42.079 --> 00:19:45.240 fingered fastball, and the Dodgers have a lot of interest 349 00:19:45.279 --> 00:19:47.880 in him and think very highly of him, as you 350 00:19:48.119 --> 00:19:51.759 just heard Brandon Gomes described now the way it's been 351 00:19:51.799 --> 00:19:55.599 described to me by Japanese reporters that have seen Sazaki 352 00:19:55.680 --> 00:19:58.519 pitch and know a lot more about him than I do. 353 00:19:58.680 --> 00:20:01.359 He's twenty three years old, and they still feel like 354 00:20:01.960 --> 00:20:05.160 he can grow into his body and that what you're 355 00:20:05.200 --> 00:20:08.640 going to get in his first season is not it's 356 00:20:08.680 --> 00:20:12.839 barely scratching the surface of the potential he has. And 357 00:20:12.880 --> 00:20:16.119 that's what is really attractive to the Dodgers and every 358 00:20:16.119 --> 00:20:19.920 other team in baseball to try to sign Rochi Sazaki. 359 00:20:20.440 --> 00:20:23.400 Eight six six nine eight seven two five seventy is 360 00:20:23.440 --> 00:20:26.920 the phone number. Let's go out to Victorville. James, You're 361 00:20:27.079 --> 00:20:29.079 on Dodger Talk. How you doing, James? 362 00:20:31.359 --> 00:20:34.319 Hey, nice talking to you, Richard. 363 00:20:34.400 --> 00:20:35.039 Everything you do? 364 00:20:35.559 --> 00:20:39.720 A quick question regarding Dallas trip out there? 365 00:20:40.920 --> 00:20:44.519 Any word on boern Any. 366 00:20:45.720 --> 00:20:49.119 Paple talking about Bower bringing him back, or just to 367 00:20:49.160 --> 00:20:50.000 talk about him. 368 00:20:50.240 --> 00:20:54.720 Maybe now nobody ever mentions his name, James. I saw 369 00:20:54.759 --> 00:20:59.400 his agent Rachel Luba out there, but nobody was saying 370 00:20:59.440 --> 00:21:01.319 anything about Trevor Bauer. 371 00:21:03.000 --> 00:21:05.119 I you know, just there's like a lot of talk 372 00:21:05.160 --> 00:21:07.359 about pitchers pictures. 373 00:21:07.519 --> 00:21:12.079 Just out there, like hey, you know, well yeah, yeah, 374 00:21:12.079 --> 00:21:14.759 that makes you wonder why not, right, I mean, there's 375 00:21:14.839 --> 00:21:16.799 got to be more to this story than we know, 376 00:21:17.039 --> 00:21:21.000 right Why teams are not trying to give Trevor Bauer 377 00:21:21.039 --> 00:21:24.599 another chance? And I'm not talking about the Dodgers, I'm 378 00:21:24.599 --> 00:21:27.599 talking about any of these teams. There's gotta be more 379 00:21:27.759 --> 00:21:32.000 than we know about, right or you know, he's a 380 00:21:32.119 --> 00:21:37.960 He's a very polarizing figure, James, So teams have to evaluate, uh, 381 00:21:38.480 --> 00:21:41.839 whether or not the cost is worth the reward. 382 00:21:43.640 --> 00:21:44.240 Right right. 383 00:21:44.839 --> 00:21:48.039 I appreciate your help on this matter, and keep doing 384 00:21:48.079 --> 00:21:48.519 what you're doing. 385 00:21:48.839 --> 00:21:52.400 Maybe all right, James, thanks a lot for the phone call. Yeah, 386 00:21:52.440 --> 00:21:55.599 you know, it's funny not many people were talking about 387 00:21:55.599 --> 00:21:59.240 Trevor Bauer. I feel like if anybody was gonna take 388 00:21:59.240 --> 00:22:02.200 a chance on him, we would have heard about it, 389 00:22:02.440 --> 00:22:06.319 but we have not. So Trevor Bauer, I believe, pitched 390 00:22:06.480 --> 00:22:11.559 last year again in Mexico. Yasio Puige is playing in Mexico, 391 00:22:12.599 --> 00:22:15.599 So that's where those two guys are right now for 392 00:22:16.039 --> 00:22:19.599 different reasons. Eight six six nine eight seven two five 393 00:22:19.680 --> 00:22:21.000 seventy is the phone number. 394 00:22:21.200 --> 00:22:21.440 Yeah. 395 00:22:21.440 --> 00:22:23.880 I had a great time in Dallas. The first night 396 00:22:23.920 --> 00:22:26.599 I was out there, went to a great dinner and 397 00:22:26.720 --> 00:22:29.839 it seemed to be kind of the place to be 398 00:22:29.839 --> 00:22:34.559 because at one table behind us was the entire Angels 399 00:22:34.640 --> 00:22:39.200 baseball operation staff led by Param Nissian. A few tables 400 00:22:39.279 --> 00:22:43.119 down was the Boston Red Sox table with Alex Cora 401 00:22:43.559 --> 00:22:48.079