November 30th, 2021 at 8:00 am 
by 0799291000348 * * *
“That is the way this game is – you win, you lose, you celebrate, and you suffer.” – Vin Scully
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Sage words from Hall of Fame broadcaster Vin Scully, who celebrated his 94th birthday on Monday, November 29th. A bittersweet day by all accounts once Dodger fans learned that their 2020 World Series MVP, 27-year-old shortstop Corey Seager, had signed a 10-year deal for $325 million to play for the Texas Rangers.
(Photo credit – Alex Trautwig)
That, coupled with reports that 37-year-old right-hander Max Scherzer was finalizing a three-year deal with the New York Mets for $130 million, and the Dodgers faithful are definitely suffering. It never hurts to free up payroll, but saying goodbye to great Hall-of-Fame-bound players does.
Some players are trying to secure deals before the current Collective Bargaining Agreement expires at midnight on December 1, 2021, while others have taken a “wait and see” stance. Over the years, many have learned to have faith in Dodgers President of Baseball Operations Andrew Friedman and the Front Office, but that doesn’t mean it has been easy.
This is potentially just the beginning. The team had eleven players who entered free agency after their NLCS Game-6 loss to the Atlanta Braves. With two now seemingly spoken for, fans are still waiting to hear what fate awaits their other favorites.
Will 33-year-old three-time Cy Young Award-winning pitcher Clayton Kershaw finish out his career with the Dodgers? Or what about 31-year-old All-Star infielder/outfielder Chris Taylor, who hit his famous walk-off winning home run in the 2021 Wild Card game? Never mind 41-year-old Cooperstown-bound first baseman Albert Pujols, who was only with the Dodgers for less than a year, but whose famous hugs solidified him in the hearts of his teammates and fans alike.
(Photo credit – Jon SooHoo)
Whether you have ever met a player in person, been to games at Dodger Stadium, or watched from your living room, these men touch our lives every day from March to October if we are lucky. And when they leave to take the next step in their respective careers, we cannot help but celebrate them and the memories while simultaneously mourning their loss.
Here’s to whatever comes next. Good luck in Texas, Corey! And best wishes to Max as he solidifies his place on his new team.
We all Bleed Blue!
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Posted in 
This was indeed one of the more painful ones.
Sadly, landing ridiculously long / ridiculously enormous contracts has become that standard by which MLB players are judged; at least among themselves.
What blows my mind is that no one, no matter who you are, can spend $325 million in their lifetime … or their kid’s kid’s lifetimes. And you don’t have to be a rocket scientist (who make considerably less) to figure out where that money comes from.
And $325M is worth much more in TX than CA — no state income tax
Jesse
Don’t blame Seager at all.Wish him well. But on June 25th you look up and your 16 games out of first it’s going to be a new experience.
I really don’t care about the money.
We still need 2 starting pitchers and some help in back up positions.
Other than catcher we have no back up players
You may want to sit down before reading further……I think the Dodgers are expecting Trevor Bauer to be one of their starting pitchers in 2022, perhaps as early as opening day. Consider the slap on the wrist received by Marcell Ozuna and you get an idea of what may happen with Bauer.
Jesse
I figured that out as well. Also if they don’t sign CT3 they will need 2 players to replace him.
Joc reunion? Solano for the infield?
Plus everyone but Friedman is panicking, if there is a DH the Dodgers might sign Soler or Cruz and actually have more offense than last yr. WSS.
There are so many possibilities, but bringing back Taylor seems an important part of structuring the 2022 (and beyond)position player roster. I will not be surprised if the Dodgers sign Kris Bryant (trade Pollock) for LF and third base with Justin Turner playing half his games at DH. Edwin Rios should be 100% by opening day, and he can play first, third, left, and DH.
I think Dodgers will trade for a starting pitcher.
CT3 is back, pending physical.
That is awesome news. $15M AAV is a fair deal for him and the team. I would like to see him become a regular at one position (left field? second base?) and see how his offensive and defensive stats would turn out. Still could use him in emergencies at different positions.
I think CT3 would calm the fans down. I felt he is more important than Seager to the Dodgers.
The acquisition of Trea Turner made Seager expendable as far as the roster goes, I agree with you that Taylor was an important player to re-sign
Scherzer’s a lock for HOF, but I wouldn’t crown Corey Seager with an entry to Cooperstown just yet. Caliber of player? Absolutely. Has he the production and the stats to back it up? IMO, no. Not yet anyway.
I wish him well and am very sorry to see his tenure as a Dodger end.
If, I repeat if, Seager continues to produce stats that he has accumulated since 2015 season, he would be a lock for HOF. For active shortstops with more than 600 games played since 2015, Seager is the leader in wRC+ at 132. Carlos Correa, playing in a much friendlier home park for hitters, is next at 128. Xander Bogaerts at 121, also in a hitter friendly home park (Fenway) has a 121 wRC+ and Francisco Lindor is 117. Seager has the stats to support HOF entry — whether or not he can maintain those stats for the remainder of his career is to be determined. But, remember that the Rangers home field is also hitter friendly, and Corey is being reunited with his favorite hitting coach Tim Hyer.
And in Major League Baseball, “IF” is a very large word. I wish Corey the best and would be proud IF he makes it to the HOF… which, debating IF he does, will be much clearer in another 7 years or so.
We are young
Wandering the face of the earth
Wondering what our dreams might be worth
Learning that we’re only immortal
For a limited time
Once you leave the Dodgers as a FA you are the enemy. If traded then I still dont wish you well just not as bad as if you leave on your own.
Harsh? Yeah, but not like I give too much energy into any of this. I understand the why’s. Scherzer left to be closer to his family and for more money. Seager left because he is a Boras client and took the most money he could. Professional sports is an entertainment business and it is what it is.
I follow my team and root for my team and the players on my team. Once they leave good riddance.
Enemy of my enemy is my friend. Here’s to the Rangers consistently crushing the Houston Cheetos in the AL West.
GREAT point, Jesse!
…and just what we needed right about now, as we lick our collective wounds.