Dodgers make qualifying offer to Teoscar Hernández & opt against offering one to Walker Buehler

Well, you're more tuned in to the baseball side of things then I'll ever be, so I appreciate the breakdown. But it still boggles the mind.

Sometimes I wonder how the guys who played when I was a kid feel. Compared to the players today, they made peanuts, even factoring in inflation, cost of living, etc. That's especially true in the NFL, where guys destroyed their bodies and still had to get a second job during the off season, selling insurance or working at a bar.

In the 90s I represented an insurance company. The president was a guy who graduated from high school in the late '40s and then played professional baseball. He spent a decade in the minors and had a cup of coffee (and his own Topps card) with the Orioles.

Based on what the major league minimum was at the time --$8000, tops -- he sold insurance in the off-season. When he retired he went to work for the insurance company full time. By the time I met him he was president of the company, later Chairman of the Board.

Well, you're obviously familiar with those Topps trading cards. I remember the ones from the '60s, where they'd sometimes have a miniature cartoon near the stats, with text reading something like "Bob sells insurance during the off-season." And then there'd be a little cartoon of some guy wearing a suit but with shoulder pads and a helmet and carrying a briefcase, on someone's doorstep. The door-to-door insurance salesman.

I have said several times and I think people have picked up on my number that Te Oscar Hernandez should be a three-year $70-$75 million offer and if that’s not pushing things enough perhaps a fourth year option at 25 million. I would like it to be a team option. That’s a pretty good contract for a guy age 34 to 38.

That’s surprises me a bit considering he just made such a big deal of only wanting to play for one team forever and ever and all of that. What also surprises me is that he would turn down next year‘s contract which I think was for about 17 million because his durability and performance certainly do not justify the Dodgers paying anymore or for any more years.

What I could see happening is that there’s an understanding and he will sign for a team friendly deal instead of one year and 17 million perhaps two years and 20 million allowing the Dodgers to take his money and spread it over with the understanding that next year is basically his last year

All that to say that Clayton has nothing left in the tank

I’m a little surprised that Blake Snell did not get one

That seems perfectly reasonable for Teo. 3 for 75. Esp compared to 10 for 500 or 600 for Soto. Too risky and who knows if he's really only 26. He looks older. Soto is an awesome hitter, don't get me wrong, but I don't want him at a price near Ohtani and more than Betts.

Juan Soto got one also. Obviously he’s not going to be playing for 21 million a year. I believe they make that offer because if the player turns it down and signs elsewhere, the original team gets compensation.

Well, considering my offer was three years 75 million or maybe 70 million as a starting point if that’s what his agent is looking for that agent and I could get something done in a couple of hours I’m not saying anyone is worth 25 million but in today’s market with today’s production, that’s definitely what that player is worth so I think LA should jump on it and be thankful they’re not dealing with a deck like Scott boras