The World Series and The Kansas City Royals!

The World Series and The Kansas City Royals!

Time once again for the Kaufman Corner podcast with you as always, former royal uh and of course host of Breaking the Norm, Les Norman, David Leky from Inside the Crown. Uh my name is Seren Petra from Sports Radio 810 WHP. We are talking Royals baseball. We’re also talking World Series, right? We’re going to break down the Jays and Dodgers. What lessons can we learn from them about the Kansas City Royals? We’ll maybe compare and contrast a little bit of those two clubs to your Kansas City Royals. How many of these Royals would crack the rotation? would crack the lineup, the bullpen for the Dodgers and Blue Jays. We’ll discuss that. And a contract extension for Vinnie Pascotino. Everybody loves him, but is it the right thing to go ahead and put the extension out there to Vinnie Pascino? We’re talking about it right here, right now on the Kaufman Corner podcast. You’re listening to the Kaufman Corner podcast. The most in-depth analysis of the Kansas City Royals, breaking down the Royals like no one else can. Kaufman Corner is hosted by David Ley. Les Norman and Seren Pro. David Ley is an accomplished author and the publisher of the Inside the Crown Royals baseball newsletter. Les Norman is a former Royals outfielder. He’s the host of Breaking the Norm with Les Norman on Sports Radio 810WHB as well as the author of Teaching the Tools of Hitting. Sen is the award-winning afternoon drive host of the program on Sports Radio 810WHB in Kansas City. Kaufman Corner is proudly brought to you by GAN Asphalt and Concrete. Kansas City’s nationally recognized fullervice paving and pavement maintenance contractor. Making parking lot problems disappear in Kansas City since 1994. Free consultations, no commissions, in-house crews, and every project comes with a written warranty. Find them online at ganasphalt.com or call 816484338. Gant Asphalt and Concrete One Contractor All Things Parking Lot. Now, here are your hosts, David Ley, Les Norman, and Seren Pro. Thank you very much, Curtis. We do appreciate it. And the World Series is here, gentlemen. And 3-2, the Blue Jays are leading this unexpected. The Dodgers basically about two to one favorites if you wanted to bet the Dodgers beforehand. I think they were minus 195 uh coming into the series. So I think a little bit of a surprise as they head away from Toronto and uh or head away from Los Angeles and head back to Toronto in this series. Uh Les, how about it? Uh when you look at these two clubs, what jumps at you about the Dodgers and Blue Jays and and why they are where they are right now? Yeah, I’m I I got to be honest with you. I’m still in an utter state of shock. I think I had mentioned coming in that was there anybody. This just goes to show you that the World Series, well, first the postseason, but the World Series is a completely different beast. I mean, it’s anybody any time can get hot. And I I feel like the offense of the Blue Jays and and even some of the starting pitching is showing that they are not to be bullied. And not only that, they’re doing a little bullying themselves. So, we didn’t see that. Toronto is in a fantastic position. I mean, Toronto can win one game out of two against the Dodgers at home. I mean, it’s it’s not impossible that the Dodgers would wouldn’t sweep them, but it’s just the way things are looking. I’m just in shock the Dodgers offense. I mean, they only have two guys that are hitting 300 or above. It’s it’s Otani and Teosscar Hernandez. Everybody else is pretty much in the tank. And then you go down the list of the Blue Jays and and they’re crushing right now. I mean, the the the game the other night, first pitch of the game, home run. Two pitches later, home run. And come to find out that Y Savage was so good that the the home run by Vlad Gro Jr. ended up being the game winner, I think. Wasn’t the final six to one. Did I see that right? Yeah. Yeah. Because I watched the the most until like the last couple outs. So, uh yeah, it’s it’s it’s been amazing to watch. I I am still in shock, but I I also love an underdog story, so it’s been fun. Yeah, they are the underdog based upon the odds coming in, David. But, you know, during the course of the season, if you stack it up by wins and losses, they didn’t look like the underdog. Like, is this just a case where people fell in love with the Dodgers, fell in love with the names, and in reality, if you dig through the numbers that the Blue Jays should have been given a lot more respect coming into the series, or is it just guess what, baseball playoffs, incredibly small sample size? I I think it’s much more the latter, but I think the Blue Jays deserve more respect than they were given. And I mean, we all we all said this last week, the Dodgers are going to win the World Series. They’re they still might. I I think that um going into game five, my thought was if the Blue Jays had to win game five to win the World Series, whereas the Dodgers didn’t. Obviously, makes it a lot easier for the Blue Jays to win and a lot harder for the Dodgers to win now. But I don’t I don’t think the Blue Jays could have won um two in a row, three in a row. I I think which I guess actually it’s four in a row. Um but I I do think that the Dodgers can win two in Toronto. So I don’t want to pop the champagne yet for Toronto, but um I I think that maybe they were underestimated a little bit. The fact that their lineup truly is a little bit deeper. I mean Addison Barger is hitting has an 1147 OPS in the World Series. He looks great. And I he did he make his debut in Kansas City last year? I think he did. and he looked horrible for most of last season, I feel like. Um, which other side note, the Blue Jays make a lot of debuts against the Royals, just FYI, it’s weird. But, um, I mean, you look up and down their lineup. They’ve got multiple guys who can beat you, whereas the Dodgers look old. I They look like a team that they’re going to go out and and offer and probably get Kyle Tucker in my opinion. And people are going to say, “Oh, they’re spending too much.” They need a guy. They need more bats because their lineup is not deep enough. Yeah. No, I I I listen this it is amazing how the Dodgers have all this firepower, all this all these showy names, but then you do look at it and you’re like Kiki Hernandez like this is like you know and and and I know he’s played a valuable role for the Dodgers, but you’re like like if you’re a fantasy baseball player, not to quantify everything to fantasy sports, but like you do get a vibe like when you’re like looking at okay, who are we bidding on here at the end when we’re going a dollar or two, you So, who are we picking up off the waiver wire? And you’re seeing names, you’re like, this guy’s playing a prominent role for the Dodgers. Like, they’ve got a $500 million payroll. When you throw in the luxury tax that they’re paying and this is where they are like, you know, less, we talked about the bullpen, which it was amazing in game three for the Dodgers and, you know, that they that that it was able to keep them in that. You you just kept waiting for like this is where it’s going to implode. But, how do you spend $350 million in in player salary? Forget about the 150. Maybe it’s 340 and 160 in luxury tax. I can’t remember what it is, but it roughly comes out to $500 $500 million total expenditure, but well over $300 million in payroll. And like this guy’s coming out of the pen. Like it it it is shocking to David’s point how you Yes. Show Otani is incredible and has a big paycheck, but there are some guys you’re like, “Wow, this guy’s playing for the Dodgers.” You know, and it a little last week you guys nailed this. Um, I wasn’t sure that the I mean, I look at the statistics, but I wasn’t sure that the bullpen was going to be as bad as it was, but you both nailed it. You know, you said it’s going to be the the uh Dodgers starting rotation versus the uh Blue Jays uh hitters and the bullpen was was not great for for LA and and it hasn’t been. But actually, I mean, you know, the like between Try and Bandit and Sheen, you got a 54 and 18 and a nine. But then you also look at the Blue Jays bullpen. It’s between Farland, Flu Hardy, and Little. It’s nine, five, four, and nine. So it it’s it’s a little bit less bad with Toronto, but it’s just really glaring except for that the the 18 ining game for LA. And u you know, the one thing about LA is obviously with the big market and it’s LA, they’re not they’ll they’ll cut loose where they need to cut loose and they’ll spend where they need to spend. And so whereas other big market teams and middle market teams are going to watch every dollar and try to make the pieces fit, LA is going to spend money. They’ll spend money to get out of contracts, let alone spend money to bring guys in. And so I don’t know that that’s a concern as far as the as far as their payroll goes, but um it has been their bullpen has been atrocious. It hasn’t been great. And uh like I said, you guys nailed it, man. Yeah. Uh you know, I think this Vlad and you Savage uh are shoving. Yes, that that’s a big part of it. That does also speak to the, you know, sample size that okay, a couple of guys get hot, you can get it done. But does it also speak to the volatile nature, David, of you know, like we said, it’s the Dodgers starting pitching. You know, what was it the White Socks back in 200 05 the World Series five? Yeah. 2005 where like their starting pitchers were all throwing complete games and it was like you know when the Dodgers were doing that playoffs it’s like wow this is the first time since the White Sox then it became like okay well this is the plan like this plan can actually work when in reality nobody’s been stacking complete games in the big leagues for many many years now and so we find out that no you’re you’re going to have to get to that bullpen and by the way the bullpen of the Dodgers uh was forced this year to throw what uh 657 innings, right? 658 if you if you round up. And I bring that up because the Blue Jays threw 597, the Royals threw 562. So, while you love the starting pitching of the Dodgers, in reality, it they they had to go to the pen a lot and that meant when they went to the bullpen and it wasn’t that great, that they had to rely on the bats. And a lot of times bats get a little bit silenced in the postseason because middle relievers don’t get on the mound except in 18 inning games and fourth and fifth starters don’t get on the mound. And so was it a little bit of fool’s gold in getting that excited about Dodger starting pitching? I mean I think it was and it wasn’t because if you look at the names it’s Yamamoto who also shoved himself. So he he’s the one who I think is he’s he’s let’s put him away from this conversation because that that plan worked. But I mean Tyler Glass know he should be he’s a guy you should count on. Um who started I’m blow uh who started two games. He hasn’t been good. He hasn’t been good in either game. He’s a two time Sai Young winner though. Yeah. I mean, but but has he how much of that was him and how much was like Tioscar uh Hernandez? Yeah. Needs to catch the ball or or at least let it drop and play. I mean, like one run from from Blake Snell in as we sit here taping on on a on a Thursday. Uh last night’s game was was was not on him. I mean, right at third base that should have been at first if they had somebody who could confidently play right field or at least had competently played that ball. And so is a little bit of like, okay, you wanted the bat, you wanted the protection, but you also get the glove that comes with it. Well, it was also interesting, I thought last night, you talk about decisions. Um, I understand Andy P is not hitting, but Blake Snell gets a lot of fly balls, and you put that defensive outfield in there. I I mean, that’s that is a that is tough. And and I I will also say it’s not I want to say this correctly, so I it might take me a second, but I don’t mean to say that show Otani is a is a problem for your team because he’s clearly the guy you want, but when you have Shi Otani, Tea Hernandez has to play right field and and so you you lose the DH, which it’s you don’t care because you’ve got Showi Otani dhing. So, I don’t mean that, but you you’ve got guys who shouldn’t play the field every day. Tasks Hernandez might be a better right fielder if he played 85 games a year out there, but if you want him in the lineup, he has to play right field because you’ve got the all-time DH and and so that that in some ways he limits the roster. You don’t again, you don’t care that he does, but it leads to situations like last night where Hernandez misses that misplays that fly ball. Some right fielders would catch it. most right fielders should at least stop it from being more than a single. Um, but you you’re right and I I but I also think that you look at the names in this rotation, these guys should be giving them six, seven innings every night based on what they’ve done and their salaries. I I want to ask you real quick, David, and I want to get Less’s thoughts on this, but do you know the numbers on Mookie Betts playing shortstop? Like what is what are the defensive numbers? They’re phenomenal. Um, I’m gonna look him up real quick because I can’t remember exactly, but his his defensive run saved. I mean, he’s gonna win the gold glove at shortstop, which is crazy. Um, let me let me find that real quick. Not bad for an outer. Yeah, no kidding. It it’s it’s so his his defensive run saved 17. Um I believe that might be first among shorts stops if not top three and five outs above average in 1278 innings this year which he had never played shortstop in the big leagues before 23 531 innings last year almost 1300 this year um obviously he was a second baseman in the minors so this is not the first time he’s played infield but yeah he’s been really good out there okay he’s been really good out there but he’s opsing 648 in the postseason 732 in the regular season. Like that’s great. You found a place and he and it is amazing that he can go play defensively. I was like you got to be kidding me right from when he was kind of toying around with it last year like again fantasy baseball nerd. You’re like oh position eligibility. His value just went way up except for you know the offense didn’t go way up. You know last year 19 home runs this year 20 home runs. Two previous years playing in the outfield 39 and 35. Right. Like now also father time is catching up but there is an ele it’s not catching up to his defense obviously but is the defense taking away his offense and that is so the the question becomes the the Dodgers baseball lends itself less to this more than maybe any other sport and you can just collect pieces because it’s such an individualized one-on-one battle offensively. So when you know like the you know are are we are we collecting you know players or are we building a team right the building of the team that there’s less chemistry than say a basketball team you know five guys that score 30 a game somebody’s got to pass the ball right in basketball there’s a little bit more of that that goes into it but there is still an element of they kind of are just pushing these pieces where it fits to to put the names down and I do feel like they kind of just walk through the regular season waiting to get to the postseason knowing they’d be measured that way. But this isn’t 108 win team for all that they’ve spent and all the talent. You know, I I maybe they could be if they wanted to if that’s what they were going to be measured by, but maybe not. Maybe the pieces don’t fit. And while it’s a great collection of talent, it’s not a great team. Yeah. Sharon, when you said that Mookie in those two years hit 35 and 39 home runs, respectively, was he leading off during those two years? I I’d have to go back and look. I think mostly um but Well, here’s why I say it. Well, one of you Well, real quick. Yesterday was the first time he hit below second in a big league lineup, which is crazy. And ever Well, I heard that on the radio. Let me I’ll I’ll conf it was it was uh satellite radio, so even worse. Well, the reason the reason why I asked that is because uh first of all, this isn’t necessarily defending him because he’s still got to be the one to hit. But I imagine that hitting between Show Otani and Freddy Freeman is not the easiest thing because, you know, even if Otani is hitting all those home runs, then, you know, you are leading off, but you’re uh you you should be getting more pitches when Freddy Freeman is behind you. But, you know, it’s just it’s just got to be a weird thing. I mean, the setup of it seems like he’d get more fast balls and pitches to hit. Maybe he’s just succumbing to the pressure of hitting between Otani and Freeman. I mean, he’s mooky bets, though, and his his athleticism and Sen, you had mentioned that, you know, Father Tom might be catching up with his hitting. I agree with that because um it can he is such though a gifted athlete that he’s just able to do that. Now, I don’t think that he would be able to sustain this kind of defense at shortstop for another two, three, four years. Um, but you’re also talking about a guy that’s bowled a 300 game and I know people talk about that, but but his athleticism and his prowess goes beyond the baseball field. I mean, he’s a gifted athlete in anything that he ever touches where he has to, you know, be in some kind of physical competition. So, um, I understand that part of it. Um, but the bottom line is though, he’s Mookie Bets. He’s won three, I think, three World Series rings so far, right? Yeah. Yeah. So, he’s won three World Series rings. pressure shouldn’t be getting to him. And so if the if he’s won three World Series rings, he’s hitting between those two guys, but his offense is declining the way it is. I mean, still 19 20 home runs is nothing, you know, it’s it’s still pretty good. However, it’s not like him. And so, um, I think you just get to a point where you got to move him down in the order and stop just putting guys in there. And like you had said, you need to build this team. And right now, Mookie Betts is probably not your two hitter. Maybe he’s your 56 hitter. Maybe eventually in a year or two he’s your seven hitter. It’s a pretty good seven, eight hitter, even a six hitter that can drive the ball out of the park, too. So, yeah. Yeah. Um I will say I believe it’s with the Dodgers he hadn’t hit below second because he did hit early in his career. Um started at least he pinch hit a couple times, but and I and I know this isn’t Dodgers stadium corner, it’s Kaufman corner, but I I wonder a little bit did they move him to the infield partially saying we know his bat is on the decline. we can we know he can play good defense there and you can accept a little bit less offense in the middle infield than you can in right field. Um so maybe that was their plan. I don’t know. I don’t I don’t think it was I think it was more out of necessity, but interesting. Yeah. Uh it’s interesting is is a great word for it and uh we’ll see if it ends up resulting in another championship because you’re not spending that kind of money uh to come away with just a good season, right? Like you’re spending that kind of money. Seven more years under contract. for a for a for a small guy like that’s the thing is like he’s not just gonna when the bat speed slows down he’s not just going to muscle the ball over the wall uh you know length it you know the length of his arms everything it’s it gets tougher you want to talk about Mikel Garcia again go back to last week the contract extension when did Muki bet start to decline 32 33 this year so that’s that’s yeah that that’s a great point uh we want to get into how the Royals compare to this team what Royals could crack the lineup we’ll do it after we from our friends at Italian Delight where they have daily lunch specials under 10 bucks. Italian Delight was the first restaurant to bring true New York style pizza to Kansas City almost 50 years ago. They sell whole pies or pizza by the slice. Or enjoy their classic straw bullies, cowzones and sausage rolls. Sandwich lovers, check out their lineup of hot and cold subs, the combo, the meatball or the Philly cheese steak, just to name a few. And don’t forget the pasta, their famous lasagna and classic chicken alfredo always at the spot. And if you’re hungry for lunch, check out their daily lunch specials starting at under 10 bucks. Italian Delight can even cater your next work function or party. Dine in, carry out or delivery. It’s Italian Delight located just 3 minutes east of Kansas Speedway at 8145 State Avenue, KCK. Check out the menu and order online at Italian Delightks.com. Kansas City’s own Italian Delight. Northland Injury Law, Kansas City’s Google five-star rated personal injury lawyers serving KC for more than 40 years. Voted Kansas City’s number one accident lawyers helping people with serious injuries from car accidents, work accidents, falls, and other personal injuries. Northland Injury Law doesn’t get paid unless they get money for their client. Don’t wait. Get compensated now. You have a case, text hurt to 2222. That’s hurt to 2222 or call 816400 Hurt. That’s 816-4004878. The choice of a lawyer is an important one and should not be based solely upon advertisements. All right, let’s talk about the uh the difference between the Royals and the Jays. I I gave you those numbers about the uh bullpen. I think a couple of things jump out at me. Uh when we talk about the hitting and and this isn’t going to shock anyone, but we know uh home runs hit by these three clubs. The Dodgers uh this year hit 244, the Blue Jays 191, the Royals hit 159. I know that doesn’t shock anyone, but you know, I I will continue to state the Royals need to quit talking about how the home run is unattainable, right? And need to focus in on doing it. And then the obvious on base percentage, uh the uh the Blue Jays 333, the Dodgers 327, the Royals 309, right? Like those are the things that jump at me offensively. Um you know, who less in your mind like we know Bobby Wood Jr., you know, uh, it could play for anybody and they’d vine they’d move Muki to second or or something or Bobby to second, you know, uh, but, you know, there there are certain guys. But, you know, how many of these guys on the on this Royals team are are or are or or where is the question mark as to could they crack these lineups for the for the Royals and Jays? Less, it’s a great question. Um, and thank you for making me think way more than I usually do. Man, this was a this was an interesting one. Um, I think that that Garcia, you know, I look at Muny and Edmond in their positions and and I know there’s the home run factor, but um I feel like Mel Garcia could fit on on that team pretty well and what he could do versatile at those those positions. He’s not going to hit the home runs the Dodgers probably want, at least not yet. But he’s going to hit a ton and he’s going to get on base. You know, I look at Mookie Betts in that that slot, man. And I tell you, Michael Garcia uh could be if if yes, Wit could be there as well, but if Wit wasn’t there, Garcia would also be a good number two in that slot. He could also be a good number five, number six in that slot. Um maybe he wouldn’t be because of the home runs they hit, but regardless of that, I think Garcia would be a great fit. Now, I can mention pitchers on this, too, right? Yeah. Yeah. So, um I I think um even maybe on on both sides. I did this on on kind of both sides. I think that that a healthy Cole Reagan’s could could fit well into either one of these rotations. I mean, because he’s just downright nasty. I think Noah I think I think Noah Cameron actually could fit on the on the five just because he’s so deceptive and his curveball is so good. I mean, you’ve got guys on both of these teams that they’re showing they can hit 99 100 mph fast balls. Um, the Dodgers are chasing a lot, but but they still have good enough hitters. I think that, you know, they can they can hit guys that can really run it up there. But Cameron’s 91 to 94 is really deceptive because his curveball’s so big, so good. His motion is so deceptive. So, I think he would fit good in there. I think that that uh, you know, Luender Aila is Avala, however you say his last name. I mean, it is a small sample size, but that dude is nasty. I think he’d be a good fit in a bullpen with a little more time under his belt, a little more experience. I think after Lynch’s last year, he’d be a good fit in that bullpen. Shriber possibly could fit. But then finally, the main one I would say is either one of these bullpens could use a guy like Lucas Ersk. I mean, Ersk has done really well. Um, you know, I think that uh he’d be a great fit into either one. We’re not going to give him to them at all. We want him here, but uh yeah, I think that he would fit nicely in there. and I’ll uh I’ll pass it along to David after that. You know, David, let me give you some numbers here that I was looking up just by, you know, their uh their numbers collectively, right? So, when I say catchers, this is all the catchers for each team. Like the the the positions where the Royals actually have a better OPS than than these either one of these two teams. First base, uh overall, the Royals 811 OPS, uh slots in above the Jays, 801, Dodgers 848. Um second base they actually the Royals 640 OPS tops the Blue Jays 617. Uh the Royals at third base to Les’s point 769 top OPS amongst the three clubs. So collectively basically Michaelel Garcia overall OPS- wise was better. Uh shortstop the Royals win that easily with with Bobby Wit Jr. Uh but the three outfield spots, uh the Royals are by far way worse. Uh the DH spot, the Royals are way worse. And that’s kind of interesting because Salvi factors in there. So, you know, Salvi makes them very competitive at the catcher spot, but he kind of torpedoes the DH spot. I mean, one of the things I look at this, I go, they got to Salvi’s got to become an 80 85 game catcher and stop with playing him at first because he liility. Yeah, he becomes a liability batwise. Or maybe it’s maybe, dare I say it, 60 games behind the dish in 2025 over at at at DH and first base because his lack of on base kind of torpedoes the production at those spots. Um, and and just real quick, overall outfield, I mean, we know I’m not I’m not splitting an atom here. We know that’s the problem for the Royals. Like their their overall outfield just is not getting it done. Uh, their ops uh basically roughly um 633 uh and they’re chasing 712 for the Dodgers, 755 or 751 uh for the uh for the Blue Jays. Like, you know, it’s it’s where where you think it would be. We know they don’t get on base enough. We know they don’t hit enough home runs. I think it’s kind of surprising. You know, Mike El Garcia is plenty good offensively at third. You know, he might have more value at short in a trade than maybe he brings to third base, but he’s plenty good a at third base when you compare him to what those those other teams have there. Even though he’s not the traditional type of third baseman, Les’s point about the on base is is right on right on right on point. Yeah. I mean, the Royals, they have good players. They don’t have enough good players. That that’s the issue. It’s not. You look at the top of the Royals roster. I think the top of the Royals roster competes with the Dodgers and the Blue Jays. The problem is the top of the Royals roster ends a lot sooner than the top of the Dodgers roster. And I mean that that’s that’s really what it comes down to because you look I just repeat a little bit here, but like I think Garcia and Whit find a home on either team, you figure I mean I know Ernie Clement’s on a heater, but you’d take Mikel Garcia over him. I don’t think anybody would argue that. Um I think you’d move Clement around or you’d move Garcia around or both. I don’t know. Um, I agree. Cole Reagan fits on a staff. I think Estz um, especially with the both teams bullpen issues. Ersk some some combination in the Royals bullpen. I think you’ve got guys who can fit there. Um, and I actually I looked position by position like starting pitcher one. Reagan versus Gausman. Gausman. Uh, Reagans. I I take healthy Cole Reagans over him. Yeah. I don’t take any Royals starting pitcher though over their uh comparative Dodger starting pitcher, but I would take Cole Reagan’s in the Dodgers rotation. So I, you know, I think you’d put him at three or four there and not one or two. But um but yeah, I mean it, like I said, it comes down to the fact that the Royals just don’t have enough of those good players. Um and and they don’t even have to have great players. They just need to the bottom of the roster is is top of the roster is not doesn’t isn’t as deep, but the bottom of the roster is worse, too. And so you raise the floor, that’s that’s a really easy way to gain four, five, six, seven wins over the course of the season. And the Blue Jays floor is much higher than the Royals, and so is the Dodgers. And that’s that’s that’s a big part of why they’re where they are and why the Royals are where they are right now. Um, but yeah, there are a lot of players who I think would be on would would fit on either one of these World Series teams. You know, Les, here’s one of the things that jumps at me as well comparing the Royals to these clubs. I mean, here are the Dodgers top uh pitchers by game started, right? 30 for Yamamoto, 22 for Kershaw, Glass Now 18, Dustin May 18, show Otani 14. And and some of those 14 are like one and two inning little opener. rehab in the big leagues. Yeah, basically what he was doing. Uh Sheen 12, Snell 11, Sasaki 8, and then you know on down into more single digits. Like they could weather the storm of not having starting pitching, right? That’s one of the things that jumps at me less is that like there’s no scenar like the Royals didn’t get there this year because they had pitching injuries. The Dodgers always have pitching injuries. the Dodgers never get, you know, the year the Royals had two years ago where everybody seemingly got 30 plus starts never happens. But that’s where the payroll comes in. It’s what frustrates me about people being like, well, look, you know, the Brewers are there without Yes, but are they there 10 years in a row? Like that’s the thing about the Dodgers. Like, yes, there’s always a small revenue clubs that get in there and the and the Brewers are the best example right now of a team that does so many things right that they they can weather some bad news. But the difference between the Royals and this year and last year was they they had to weather bad news. They had to weather injuries. They couldn’t do it. That payroll just keeps stuffing the Dodgers back in there because even though they really didn’t get that much production out of all that money they spent on their starting pitching, they they still got there. And now to this point, they’ve been pretty healthy with those guys here in the big leagues. Otani’s back, Snell’s back, you know, Yamamoto’s back. like they they they could weather them not being there in the regular season, but now they’re getting the best of them when it really counts in the postseason, which is a little bit fluky, but it’s but it’s also why the Dodgers are where they are. And that’s stone stone cold hard cash, right? It’s it’s all it comes down to. And even if their struggles this year happen, they’re still going to continue to spend money. It’s not like they’re going to say, “Okay, the formula is not working anymore. We’re not going to spend that money. We’re just going to develop within.” No, that’s not LA. Just that’s not big market. It doesn’t work that way. And so you see, you know, with their starting pitching, you you see this kind of steady downward decline um as the starting pitching rolls on, but even at the bottom end of the Dodgers starting pitching, you still have guys that can do a good job and get it done. Now, we’re not even talking injuries yet, but then you look at like the Royals, you’ve got these guys and then where, okay, now who we got all these now you bring in the injuries and you’re you’re forced to to do things that you wouldn’t normally do. are forced to bring in guys to start and it just it doesn’t compare because they don’t have the money to spend or they don’t spend that kind of money. That’s what a small market team does. So to your point to shorten it, it is all about the money. You just you can’t compete with that and you probably won’t be able to compete. Now John Sherman’s done a good job spending more money than probably what we’re used to and he probably will because he’s committed and JJ’s on that train as well and that’s fantastic. I love that. But again, you just can’t compete with I mean, you know, you you you said what what was it? 500 million payroll this year, including the tax. That’s a lot. And and I don’t what is the Royals right now again? I don’t know what they’re Yeah. That’s not That’s not even close. Yeah, David. I mean, the Benjamins, right? I mean, the good like I I I’m all for the Dodgers do a lot of good things baseball-wise. Uh but but like I I and I’m happy to give them their props. Okay. But I I I don’t like when it’s just pushed aside that you know what, they spend money too, which is a giant part of the equation for why they are where they are. Yeah. I mean, being smart and spending money is better than just spending money or just being smart. They combine both things. And and I mean, you’re right. You name the starts from these guys. You look at um their Tyler Glass now is making $100 million. Uh, Yamamoto is making $300 million. Otani is 700 million. Really two million a year. Um, and who am I missing? Blake Snell is making hundred something million dollars. They didn’t need those. Yamamoto made 30 starts. They didn’t need the rest of those guys to make 20 starts even. And they won 93 games. It’s It’s funny we’re talking about the Dodgers almost like as a failure this year when the worst they can do is lose the World Series in six games. It’s very chief. It’s right. It’s Chiefsish, honestly. Um, obvious different different payroll structure, but it’s they’re they’re able to, like you said, withstand hundred million dollar pitchers going down. Royals gave two starts to Rich Hill because they had injuries. The Dodgers in 2025 would never give two starts to Rich Hill because they don’t have to. And I’m not I’m not saying the Royals did wrong. Um I think after any regular season game Yeah. Yeah. I mean they they did what they had to do and and it that’s what they had to do was go to Rich Hill. The Dodgers didn’t have to do that because they spent a crapload of money and were able to to move on to the next guy. And and and some of that money, by the way, is spent in the ways the Royals could spend money and are now they weren’t before. Development, scouting, all that. Like EMTT Shehan, he’s he struggled in that one outing, but he looked good on on Monday night. She’s a guy when he got when he went when the Royals were selling in 2023, I wanted him badly because I watched one start in the I scouted one start on on grainy internet television, so I knew everything about him. Um, and I wanted him bad because he was he looked incredible. Got hurt because they all get hurt. Um, and he had a really good year this year. You look at his numbers, you’d be surprised if if I if I if you asked somebody what EMTT Shan did this year, like two and a half RA, more than a strikeout printing, not not many walks. He was really really good for them because they invested in their minor league system in a way that that anybody can do, but they also do. Um, so that’s where they that’s where they’re smart. But yeah, I mean, they can withstand mistakes and and small market teams can’t. Let me just for people to understand with the luxury tax that the Dodgers will pay, their payroll expenditure this year was $586 million. Okay, the that was number one. Uh the Blue Jays this year with their luxury tax uh bill and they only paid 10 million in luxury tax. $290 million, right? That’s number five in baseball. The Kansas City Royals actually had the 17th biggest payroll. And the and the tax includes all the benefits and all this kind of stuff. So you when we talk about 130, that’s really just the salary part of the equation. But when you talk about everything that goes into it, the Royals total payroll 174 and they were at 17th, right? Like I mean 17th, they’re right there kind of like averageish. They’re at 174 and I think where the Dodgers are at 586. Like just speaks to, you know, just how far and above like the Oh, the Dodgers are a great team. Well, they should be. I mean, how could they not be, right? Like, well, good on them for for doing because the Mets should be, too. And they didn’t miss the playoffs, but it it does. Yeah. And and you’re right. The Mets are second with with their luxury tax, but but they’re second at 427. It’s not even close. Yeah. So, it’sundred and it’s basically the it’s almost the Royals payroll less from one to wild amount of money. Like I I know everyone’s like, “Oh, the Dodgers have a big payroll.” I don’t think they really understand. I will say this, one of the things I think is going to have to be looked at. I say that, but I think these numbers quantify Show like he’s actually getting paid now, right? I think they factor the luxury tax numbers they’re having to pay like he’s getting paid now. Yeah, they they faced that on cost of living. So it ended up being like 462 million. I can’t remember the exact number, something like that. So he’s they look at him as 46 million a year, whatever it is. So whereas he’s actually making 2 million on the on today’s payroll. I I I I think there is a you know there is an element of cooking the books for for the Dodgers because they’re they’re doing it. And I still to this day everyone keeps telling me like it’s not going to be a big deal when they are actually paying him and he’s not playing. And I’m like, okay, not for this ownership group. They’re going to sell. I I right. I I I I I think that’s probably what they’re going to end up doing. But, you know, if they keep stacking those contracts, maybe there will be a day where like, look, the Dodgers suck. They have a lower payroll right now than the Royals because they’re paying seven guys who are in rocking chairs now. Maybe that will be the case. Maybe it won’t and it’ll just baseball will continue to be completely lopsided in in what it is they’re doing. I don’t know. Uh listen, uh we want to get into uh of course Minnie Pascantino and his contract. We’ll do it right after you hear from our friends at Frontier Justice and Greenlight. Greenlight Dispensary voted Kansas City’s best dispensary and your go-to for quick, convenient service. With four locations across the Kansas City area, we’re never far away. Our drive-thru and express windows make it easy to get in, get out, and get on with your day. Our award-winning service is powered by a team of experts dedicated to making your experience seamless and enjoyable. It’s no wonder we’ve been voted the best. Convenient locations, fast service, knowledgeable staff. That’s the Greenlight difference. Visit us today. This episode of Kaufman Corner is brought to you by Frontier Justice, where freedom is a lifestyle grounded in safety, responsibility, and respect. With locations in Lee Summit, Missouri, Kansas City, Kansas, and Jinx, Oklahoma, Frontier Justice offers firearms retail, a premier indoor shooting range, and training all under one roof. Whether you’re new to shooting or a seasoned pro, you’ll find expert staff, top tier gear, and a strong sense of community. Faith, family, freedom. That’s what Frontier Justice stands for. Visit frontier-justice.com to learn more. All right. Uh let’s talk about Vinnie Pascantino and his contract. Uh is it the prudent? Like first of all, Les, let’s talk about what he means to this club beyond just the numbers. What do you What is Vinnie Pascantino to the Kansas City Royals? Well, that was one of my that was my second uh on my list of pros is he’s a leader in the clubhouse. He’s a leader on the field. Uh he’s a mature guy. Um he’s the guy that’s got your back. He’s the guy that when you’re on the field, you’re just you’re looking over like, man, I’m I’m glad that guy’s on my team. He’s going to go to war with me all the time. So, yeah, I mean, he’s he is without the money, without the numbers, without the offense, he’s just the guy that you’re going to want around because he’s going to be the cornerstone of your clubhouse. And and that’s important. It’s it’s a culture that the Royals have worked really hard over the years to change and they’ve done it and they’ve done a great job of it. are getting guys with that kind of character and stability and maturity and he’s that guy goes a long way. Yeah. Uh David, you know, clubhouse president without a doubt. I think he’s the leader of the team. Bollywood Junior is the best player. Vinnie Pascino is the heart of this team. Really tough to not have him on the on the team, right? Has been an RBI machine for the last two years. Um he did show more potential to draw a walk. I’m surprised that he has not walked more particularly over the last couple years where where he’s been driving in the runs that and maybe that’s a product of they haven’t put good enough behind him and and maybe that that will come back around. Um health I don’t know maybe we answered that problem. I know he bristled a lot when we talked to him in the offseason Randy and I about the the stigma of being a guy who’s hurt all the time. Um not super young. He’s already 28. next year will be his 28th season. So if you’re talking about locking him up, you’re locking up 28, 29, 30. And so then you’re buying into the 31 plus. Uh he blocks Jack Kaggleon from the position that he would normally play. Like those are some of the cons. What what what is pros and cons? How do they add up in your mind for Vinnie Pascino? More pro, more con? Well, I think obviously the obviously more pro, but way beyond the Yeah. We can talk about the clubhouse all day long because that’s a tough that’s a tough you can’t measure it and so it’s very difficult to look at that and and and also sell it because if you look at the reality I mean Vinnie in his career he was a on fan fang graphs wins replacement he was a one and a half win player this year and a one and a half win player last year you don’t lock that up on the field for for the actual performance you don’t lock up a first baseman long term with those kind of numbers because They’re kind of middling, but but and this is where it shifts. I I think that there is something to knowing how to drive in a run. I really do. I think that there is something to knowing. Hitting is not just I mean, hitting is putting up numbers. Yes. Hitting is hitting 300 and and slugging 550 and and all that, but I also think that there are times when Benny knows the situation exceptionally well. I also think that he knows sometimes knows it too well and and so he will there’s a runner on third and this less so this year didn’t happen didn’t work as well but like in 2024 get all the sacrifice flies I think he sold out when he could have done more I I think that there I think there are times when he goes okay there’s an RBI at third base great there’s also an RBI at the plate and and maybe some of that steeped into this year when he had 30 home runs 32 home runs um so I I do think there’s still some development velment going on. But it’s such an interesting case because a first baseman don’t get paid generally. Pete Alonzo hit the open market looking for what six years and 170 million last year I think was the number he he talked about. He ended up getting a a two-year deal with an opt out and he’s going to opt out. We’ll see what he does. He’s not going to have a qualifying offer attached to him. But guy first baseman typically just don’t get paid. So on the field I I think there I think there are two questions. One, I don’t think you’d move him. I think you let him play out his arbitration years. I don’t think you clear the spot for Kaggleon unless Kagleó starts to really hit. Um, but the question, do you extend him beyond that? I don’t I don’t think you need to because I mean some of these free agent contracts you or they’re not even all free agent, but like Matt Olsen is getting $21 million a year. That’s in in three years that’s nothing. It’s it’s it’s not as much now, but in three years it’s even less. You know, Christian Walker a little older, but three years and 60 million. if that’s what it takes when he’s a free agent, sign him then. Do it then. You know, don’t don’t worry about it. You’re not gonna get that much of a discount on an extension right now. Um, but I think he means too much to the team to move in anyway. Um, and and I I don’t think you can move him. I just don’t think I don’t think there’s a need to extend him. Okay. Okay. So, you quoted the fan graphs war at what? 1.3 one point one point 1.5 each the last two years. 1.5 each the last two years on on baseball reference. It’s 2.4. Right. And he’s the sixth most valuable player on the team this year. Now six I think will be like I think old school guys will be like wait a minute he’s 30 and 100 like he’s number one right? He had the best year. Okay well that factors in defense. And I do and I and I like war but it’s kind of like PFF you know grades for for football players. It’s it’s an opinion. He did his job. He didn’t do his job. I know it’s all mathematically driven and like we said we’ve got two two different wars that people look at and everything but you know even if and the players that had more Bobby Jr. Mike El Garcia. I don’t think anybody would argue with that, right? Uh Noah Cameron third. Uh fourth, Chris Bubich, even with being hurt. Fifth, Michael Walka. And then sixth, Vinnie Pascantino. Even if he is sixth, and I think there are people that are like, well, wait a minute, he was there every day, so he’s definitely And then there’s the whole hitter pitcher thing, but you know, he was there every day, so you got to bump him up over Bubich, right? Because Bubich was only there for part of the year. So, your availability is part of your big part of your ability. Wherever you want to put him, are you really wanting to walk away from your fifth or sixth best player even if that’s all that he is? And the answer is no, because somebody’s still got to replace that. The question, will he be your fifth or sixth best player in four years? Because you’ve got him for three. And the question, I think, also is what is your clubhouse atmosphere like? How much does chemistry really matter less? And if you have a pissed-off Vinnie Pascantino or a pissed-off Bobby Wood Jr. cuz Vinnie’s his boy and Vinnie’s not getting taken care of, how much does the chemistry of the clubhouse, how much do you have to think about that? Uh, and and and what is it worth maybe overpaying a little bit to make sure that that is a healthy environment? I think you do need to pay attention to that because if you get one or both of those guys unhappy, then they’re angry at the front office. Look, when when a guy when an opposing team that has potential in a year or two or even this the the next season to become a free agent and he’s somebody that is attractive to your team, they hit a single, they walk, they go to first base playing against the Royals, who are they going to talk to? And and the more advanced guys, the more experienced guys are going to have those type of conversations. Not like, you know, hey Vinnie, what’s up, man? Yeah, I saw you. You hit two home runs yesterday, man. That’s good. Way to swing it. Stuff like that. Sure, those conversations happen, but there’s also conversations that happen like, “Hey man, when you get a chance, give me a call. I want to talk about Kansas City. Tell me what you think.” You were talking a little earlier as we were compare doing comparisons about the Royals outfield and we know what Isbel is, but our corner outfield problem has existed for a long time and if we’re going to get free agents in here if it if we’re not going to make end up de we’re still a long way from developing a solid strong corner outfielder within our system. There’s hope, but that hope is down the line. So right now it’s going to be free agents and so this is one of the ways that you draw them in. So, it’s not just the clubhouse. It’s not just sewing showing solidarity or loyalty or something like that. People are going to talk and when you have a couple of your frontline guys with personality like Bobby Wood Jr. and Vinnie Pascantino, then it’s going to be a situation where they’re going to be able to to be spokespeople for you and they need to do that. Yeah. Um recommendation in the end is what what do the Royals do? Uh David, if you’re sitting there, you’re one of the lieutenants for JJ Pako, what are you telling JJ to do with with right now with Vinnie Pascantino right now and moving forward with Vinnie Pascantino? So, I I I think a lot of it depends on on your guys and what they what they feel like. If if you’re going to get push back from not giving him security, give him security. I I don’t I think that there’s enough that you can count on with him. real quick on the injuries. He’s had two injuries really. He had a shoulder injury that they knew about that they knew could become something that they that would be a problem. It did. They fixed it. It should be over. I I think that that’s that’s their thought process from what I’ve heard is that it was a problem, they fixed it, it’s done. And then he had a fluke injury. He had a fluke injury that a guy ran into his hand on a bad throw from a pitcher. It could happen to anybody. I don’t So I don’t necessarily see the injury label. He played 150 games in 2022 or 21, I can’t remember what year it was, but before he came to the big leagues. Um, and then he did it again this year. So, I’m not too worried about that part. And I’m not too worried about his skills eroding. I I I do find interest in the fact that his walk rate has just dropped from his rookie year. Um, but I I think the kind of skills that he has, he’s he’s big and strong. He can drive the ball. He doesn’t he doesn’t swing and miss. Uh, good contact, smart hitter. If if the team if Bobby Whit Jr. says, “I want him on the team for 5 years.” Give him a five-year deal. I don’t care. It’s not going to hurt. You’re not going to get hurt by doing it. I don’t think is my point. I also think from a baseball perspective, from a stats perspective, let him play out his arbitration years. And if nobody has a problem with that, when he hits the open market, you negotiate with him, and if he’s still worth it, you give him three years and 60 million like Christian Walker and you move on. Yeah, that’s interesting. Les, what would be your recommendation? I’ I’d say right about the same thing. Um, I don’t think that you have to get to a point where you just blow the doors off and all of a sudden it’s major league news that he gets some record deal and the Royals are just showing that much loyalty. Um, you know, you don’t want to spend all your money, especially as a small market team. But, you know, I I echo what David said. You know, keep him happy. Um, I’m interesting interested to know the relationship like with his with his agent and how that would work with with the club. That something we don’t know unless it comes out. But, uh, yeah, I I would do the same thing. Let him play out a little bit, but I wouldn’t I wouldn’t delay too long. I still think he’s enough of a cornerstone of this team where sooner than later I’d go ahead and extend him. I I I’m I’m with you. And I I believe that um, you know, I I look, I watched Todd Helton make a big fat check and play for bad Rockies teams. Um, what’s his name? uh uh the catcher that moved to first base with the Twins um Joe Mau Joe Mau uh Joe Mau and it’s like okay you know and it was kind of Mike Sweenyesque in the sense that they signed Sweeney and that was the only guy I don’t want to see that right like I like and and fans don’t come out for it the idea that well they we need a their favorite players got to be here if you suck no one’s coming so you got to build a winning team and I say that to to to preface for the fans they might have to trade Vinnie Pascantino, right? And it’s going to suck. And and one day you might be in year six of the Bobby Wood Jr. deal and he is won two MVPs and it’s clear that somebody’s going to give him $50 million a year for his mid30s and or $60 million a year by that point and it’s not going to be worth it and you’re going to have to trade Bobby Wood Jr. I I I I want this or I want this fan base to know that they’re turning they’ve turned things around by following the math. And if you follow the math, you’re going to have to wave goodbye to some guys. But to David’s point, I think the market has dictated and I think Vinnie Pascino is smart enough to understand the market. I don’t think he’ll be um you know, out there expecting the six-year deal. I think he can look at it and go, “Okay, I know what it is, and if I can get some security here, let’s do it.” And and I think he would probably sign on for a reasonable price. And then I just I I do think Vinnie Pascarino is a guy that if he’s in your clubhouse and you do go get somebody who has talent, but is one of those guys unless you had to have known him. There are guys that, you know, he’s all right if he’s around good guys, but you put him next to a jerk and he becomes a jerk, right? They’re kind of they’re the chameleons. I mean, I think everybody in every walk of life in the office, this guy’s all right if he’s hanging with us because we we treat people the right way, but man, we bring this jackass in and he’s picking on the fat kid and he’s, you know, he’s he joins in with whatever the crew is doing. Well, when Vinnie Pascino’s there, it sets the tone. And so, I think you can, you know, bring in guys that are followers and they will follow a quality example of from Vinnie Pascino. So, I think that is important. I I would be for signing him and you know kind of the Cole Reagan’s guaranteeing his money through the arbitration, giving him that and going ahead and giving him two years. I mean, I think he’s a cerebral enough hitter that if you sign him to a 5-year deal, you’re not going to hate what you have at at 31 and 32. And I think that would be worth it for the clubhouse, for the continuity, and it even kind of bridges you into going beyond where Bobby Wood Jr. May be, you know, if Bobby Wood Jr. is traded at the end because I don’t even think of it as like seven years like this. They have to trade him before, you know, they either have to get through five years and go, we’re going to guarantee the back end of that. We want you here or they have to get through five years and go, it’s going to be time to move on either because he’s so it’s 2028. Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. It’s not seven years, it’s five years and then maybe a sixth while you figure out what’s the best way to trade him and that would bridge a little bit with with with Vinnie Pes. I think he’d be worth it. I I I I think he’ll be worth it. And I do think that presence and that leadership and the fact that there is a quality guy that at the end of every game when it sucks, he stands there by his locker and he answers the questions and you don’t look like a bunch of boobs, right? You don’t look like an out of control monkey house, you know, with with with guys doing stupid things. You know, Jose Geon being the lead guy is a disaster. And it’s it’s not just because, you know, your your team sucks, it’s because your chemistry sucked. And I and I think there is something to that clubhouse. And I think Vinnie Pascotina does it. I’d be in favor of a five-year deal for a responsible number. And that’s ultimately the question, right? To your point, Les, what is his agent going to ask for? Yeah. I would tend to think Vinnie’s the type of guy that’s like he’s going to take control of those negotiations. And yeah, it’s another reason why I think it needs to get done in the offseason because Vinnie worked so hard and I think can get in his own head and I think it was in his own head a little bit with his hitting. We all agreed we had confidence he’d come out of it. But Vinnie’s going to pay attention to that contract and he’s he’s going to want to be involved and he’s going to be talking to his agent. Well, this and if they do this, I don’t think I don’t want that going on during the regular season with him. Bobby would Jr. You want to negotiate with him during the regular season? Fine. because I guarantee you he’s like, “Nah, my thing, right?” Like, you you guys go do that. I’m over here. Bring bring me a number later. Let me know and I’ll I’ll say yes or no. Dad, agent, you guys work it out and when it’s time to sign, put it in front of me and I’ll sign. And that works for him and that’s great, but I don’t think that’s how Vinnie probably conducts business. And I think he’s more like he wants to know what’s going on. So, I think you need to get it done in the offseason when you do it. So, we’ll see. All right, real quick. Prediction on the World Series. Uh, it’s 3-2 right now as we record this. Uh, it goes back to Toronto. Uh, David, what do you got? I think the Blue Jays win it. I think they take game six. Actually, I don’t if it gets to game seven, I think the Dodgers win, but I think the Blue Jays win it uh tomorrow night. Les, I’m gonna I’m also taking Toronto, but I’m going to give uh the the Dodgers game six, but Toronto is going to win it at home. Okay. Yeah, game seven. I hate to be a flip-flopper. Uh, but my prediction of Dodgers and six is already dead. So, in a way, you can still take it. You can still take it. I Yeah, I’m starting new. I mean, I should just stick with the Dodgers and say I went with the Dodgers, but it really does to me. I thought the Dodgers looked kind of deadeyed in in in that game. Like, yeah, we have some issues. We have some problems. You know, Denny said it for a lot of years. The starting pitcher goes out and shove his next game, then maybe it’ll look a little bit different. But I also think you can crack a starting pitcher like you know the best starting pitcher who maybe wins 20 games is 20 and seven these days like and he makes 32 starts the the club overall is like you know 22 and 10, right? They they they still lose games. Uh and so I I’ll I’ll say the Blue Jays get it done. I think probably six though if they’re going to get it done. I think it’s probably at six. Uh listen, you can always support the Coffman Corner podcast by supporting our great sponsors, Italian Delight. I mentioned their great lunch specials, daily lunch specials starting at under 10 bucks. The first to bring true New York style pizza to Kansas City 50 years ago. They’re on State Avenue about three miles east of the Speedway. Go see them today uh for lunch. Our buddy Renee is often in the chat room. Big fan of the Kaufman Corner podcast. Our friends at Frontier Justice Lee Summit uh in KCK Jens uh locations to help you out. If you’re new to shooting a season pro, expert staff, Top Gear, strong sense of community, that’s what you get at Frontier Justice. Find them online at frontier-justice.com by our friends at Greenlight Dispensary, 15 locations in Missouri. More on the way. Greenlight is your go-to for all your cannabis needs. Tell them you saw it right here on the Coffman Corner podcast. And our friends at Northland Injury Law. You know, for 40 years, they’ve been Kansas City’s go-to for accidents. Uh, voted Kansas City’s number one accident lawyers. Whether you’re hurt at work in a car accident, text hurt to 2222 or call 816400hur t for David Leky from inside the crown. For less Norman from breaking the norm, I’m Saran Petro saying. Thank you very much for joining us here on the Coffman.

What about the Blue Jays and Dodgers brought them to the World Series? Time to break down what made these team pennant winners and look at how they compare to the Royals.

David Lesky (Publisher – Inside the Crown/@DBLesky), Les Norman (Former Royals OF/Author – Teaching the Tools of Hitting) and Soren Petro (Sports Radio 810-WHB, 810whb.com/@SorenPetro) dive into the World Series and more.

– Comparing the Blue Jays and Dodgers?
– Where do the Royals measure up to these teams?
– Which Royals would play for the Jays and Dodgers?
– What are the Pros and Cons to extending Pasquantino?