The Big Picture

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1. I used to say that the bad Mattingly had a hard time winning battles and the good Mattingly could win a war. I saw some things in the SF series that felt like the Dodgers could do better at the battle level but I love that at the win the war level they are very good.
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   If I could find a way to like Mattingly with all his bad lineups etc, I am not about to get down on the Dodgers this early in the season.
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   The season is a series of battles and most of them have to be won but it is ability to stay focused, relax, stay positive, believe, stay motivated, and keep grinding and improving that wins wars.

2. While I may look at the big picture, there are still some games that hurt more. Wednesday was one of those games for me. I just had to get away from the news and stories for 24 hours. Maybe it is because I am emotionally invested into Alex Wood and his performances, and he deserved to win that game. There was a game against SF last year where Kenley blew the save and game that I felt the same way.
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   Many want to take shots at the apparent lack of starting pitching with the Dodgers. The Dodgers have played 23 games. Of the 23 games, the opponent has scored more than 4 runs only 3 times, and Maeda was the starter in two of those games (1 win and 1 loss). The bullpen blew up against the DBacks for the third game (loss). The opponent has scored 4 runs in 7 games, where the Dodgers are 1-6. They have allowed 3 runs or less in 13 games and have won 9 of them. The pitching has kept them in arguably 20 of the 23 games, but are only .500 in those 20 games. Maeda has not been good, and Ryu has not done well in 2 of his 4 starts. Doc has said that Wood has earned at least one more start, and tomorrow’s start will go a long way to determine if Maeda is going to continue to be a starter in the near term.
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   Where’s the problem? Dodgers OF is certainly a mess right now:
   Puig .247/.344/.432/.776
   Toles .207/.258/.362/.620
   Joc .220/.322/.340/.662
   Kike’ .237/.302/.553/.855
   SVS .133/.257/.267/.524
   Gutierrez .231/.286/.385/.670

   No out-fielder batting better than .250. Only two OF with OPS better than .700. From a position that is supposed to generate offense, there is not much from the Dodgers OF. Based on the numbers, Kike’ deserves to play a little more. I agree with MJ that it is hard for Toles to get comfortable at the plate while he is platooned so much. If Joc or Puig were better offensively, a Toles/Gutierrez platoon could work, but I think Toles needs to go down to play every day and try to get his stroke back.
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   The Dodgers are designed to be a HR threat. So why is it that Chris Taylor/Austin Barnes/SVS with 1 HR apiece have the same number of HR’s as JT/AGon/Joc/Forsyhte combined? Maybe with a couple more jacks, some of those games where only 4 runs were scored against, they could have turned some of those losses to a win. JT is hitting, just not with power. He does have a .908 OPS, second on the team to Seager’s .963. AGon has a slugging % of .319 and an OPS of .661. Not very productive for a clean-up hitter. With Forsythe out, the offense is really Corey and JT. IMO, that is why the Dodgers are at .500 when the opponents have scored 4 runs or less, not because of ineffective starting pitching.

   1. AC

      I think these platoons are not good for any of the hitters.

      Of course it doesn’t affect our everyday players, that play everyday, but everyone else, it isn’t good for.

      When Kike is starting 6 of the last 7 games, that isn’t good for the team, because the part time players, shouldn’t be playing that much.

      And that is no knock on Kike, it is just the truth.

      And I know I say this to much, but I think it is mainly the everyday players, that provide the offense most of the
      times, on these platoon teams.

      Our numbers are not that good at all against lefties, we are not last in offense, but we are one of the bottom four teams, against lefties in offense.

      And our numbers are mean more then the other team’s numbers, because we are facing lefties at a higher rate, then the other teams, so we have a bigger sample size, so our numbers mean more.

      Our lefties numbers were horrendous last year too, and we have mostly all the same platoon players.

      When I saw Toles first at bat yesterday when he struck out, he actually looked better to me, but we will have to see.

      Puig didn’t have a good game yesterday at all, maybe he is getting tired.

      He has started and played in every game, so lack of consistent at bats, is not the reason that Puig numbers are a little low lately.

      I thought Urias looked like he was getting tired in his last inning, and it looked like he was just going through the motions, especially with his throw, but Scott has to keep that ball, in front of him.

      I thought Roberts should have went out there sooner, but Urias pitched really well, considering that was his first major league, game this year.

      He kept his pitch count down, and that had been a problem with him, at times before, so he did pitch pretty well.

      AC I remember that one game that you talked about, that got to you last year.

      I was so upset too, because when Kenley couldn’t save that game, it cost us two games in the standings.

      Kenley had already lost a couple saves against the Padres, before that game in SF, so Kenley was on my and Mark’s Sh t list, after that game.

      We learned something good when Wood started that game, so that game wasn’t a total loss.

      Wood was really effective against two of the Giant’s leftie bats, that was Panick, and I believe it was Crawford, because Belt already didn’t have good numbers, against Wood.

      And the Giant’s third base men, had a lot of trouble with Wood too, so Wood is the guy to bring out of the bullpen, to face these Giant hitters.

      I was impressed especially, with the way Wood neutralized Panick, because Panick is a pretty good contact hitter.

      I think I heard the Phillies have won sixth games in a row, so they better not, under estimate them, but I don’t think they will.

3. I continue to like Taylor. He has made some changes and they are all good. He should get more playing time, but he may be the best bench player we have. When he plays he seems to get at least one hit.

   Our outfield is our problem. I agree with you Complete. We should have two good sluggers out of the three. We do not. Joc and Puig are what they are. Bellinger has to keep playing. He certainly has problems with a high inside fast ball. It does not take long for major league pitchers to find your weakness.

   The other concern I have at this time is Grandal. His play calling was not good the other night. He is not hitting. Defensively he has some problems. His first job is to catch the ball. I would give more playing time to Barnes. Send Grandal a message.

   Starting pitching is looking good. Maeda, it is your turn to shine.

   1. Idahoal

      I agree with you about Taylor, he is hitting the ball hard, in almost all of his at bats.

      And I agree about the starting pitching looking better, and the rotation at a whole, looks much better too.

4. Urias impressed me even though his command was a little off. His change and curve set up his fastball or vice versa, they could not catch up when he elevated and his curve got mostly ground balls. He is tough to face and looks like he can pitch deeper into games this season.
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   If Maeda gets hit who is the long man today? This is a risky move with the bullpen a bit short. A night game at Dodger stadium usually limits long balls, Maeda has had extra time and rest to work on things with Honeycut, maybe he turns the corner. He needs to throw more off speed and keep his fastball down in the zone.
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   Utley is a guy I want up in key situations late in a game and that is why he is on this team. He thrives under pressure and seems to come through most times. Roberts brings guys off the bench that were sitting due to matchups for that one big inning. With the consistent pitching as AC points out that is often all they need.
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   Bellinger just need to lay off the high inside pitch as it is usually a ball anyway. He can handle middle to low just fine, and seems to have a good eye otherwise. He has thunder in that bat and could get hot soon if they keep playing him, but lower in the order please.
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   Toles may need to go down but my concern is with SVS, he is just not producing and takes a roster spot away. He has an option, send him down to play every day and find his stroke. Hatcher is looking improved, he has always had filthy stuff. He may be the long man today if Maeda is off. Fields is looking good as well and Dayton is supposed to be activated today which will really help the set up spot. Baez is doing pretty well there but can’t go every day and in every situation.
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   The Dodgers have a chance to make up some ground on this home stand with the Rockies and DBacks facing off. They need to win both of these series and get above .500 and send a message to the rest of the NL West.

   1. I’m with you on SVS. I think the return of FG may just send SVS down to OKC to work on his swing. I also agree with your takes about Puig hitting second. His .OBP is up. His approach has been good. My biggest concern is whether or not he can reach the outside corner with his new stance.

      7-8-9 going Baez, Dayton, and Kenley makes me feel much better about the pen. No game all year will tick me off more than Wednesday’s. Poor decision to pull Wood. Romo was awful again. All Baez had to do was throw an off-speed pitch to Morse who was coming out of his shoes trying to hit a HR.

   2. Vegas and Hawkeye

      I agree about Scott, I hate to put him down, but he has had the most horrendous at bats, on the team.

      He lets two good fastballs, go right down the middle of the plate, and then he lets a pitch go by that is to good to look at, with two strikes.

      And he has done this, much to often.

      And Hawkeye I agree about the way we pitch hitter’s like Morse.

      These should be the type of hitter, that should be easily struck out, because they are being over aggressive, because they are trying to only do one thing, and that is, hit one out.

      1. And Baez seems to have actually improved his off speed stuff. That pitch sequence drove me crazy.

5. Big Picture
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   1. We are 6th in pitching even with Maeda/Ryu/Romo. Team ERA 3.48, 1.17 WHIP. Organizationally we have LOTS of internal options if necessary (Wood etc.).
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   2. We are 13th in batting even with “offensive positions” outfield/1st base sucking. Team batting .240, .384 SLG and .713 OPS. Organizationally we have some internal options and trade pieces if necessary.
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   3. Need to remember Compete Now/Compete Later. No trading inexpensive 25 yr old Pederson, 2015 2.3 WAR and 2016 3.4 WAR and 24 yr old Toles, 2016 1.4 WAR for 31 yr old RENTAL Cain. Keep shopping for BARGAINS while tinkering around the edges. Replace SVS with Dickson, DL Gonzalez. Platoon, left, center, 1st (I know I am the only guy) and regular rest for Grandal.
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   4. Even with suckage, we are only 3 1/2 games out of first.

   1. Box, at some point the team has to think this is the year that we go for it. The pitching is lining up to be a factor at the end of the year with Kershaw/Urias/McCarthy/Hill/Wood all potential playoff pitchers. But you have to get there. The thought that there is always next year keeps the team looking for BARGAINS.
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      They do have the organization now where they can make moves. We do have BARGAINS already in the system. Dickson is the first bargain I would give a shot to. Put Ethier on the 60 day and bring up Dickson. Move SVS down to get his stroke back. He is a RH pinch hitter that needs AB’s. Eibner , Tyler Holt, Charlie Culberson, Rob Segedin, Trayce Thompson, Ike Davis are all those bargains, and not one of them are going to make up for the poor OF/1B production. The assumption is that one of their OF is going to eventually get hot. Who? Other than 2013 and 1st half 2014, Puig has not been that dynamic offensive player we thought he would be. I am not a big WAR guy. I think FO’s use that to justify the contracts for the players they sign. Joc needs to produce. Too many people get caught up with his K’s. I am fine with the K’s if he starts attacking the ball and stops waiting for that perfect pitch that is not going to come. Oakland does not care about Khris Davis’ K’s, Baltimore does not care about Chris Davis’ K’s. They play every day against all pitchers. I am okay with .250 BA if he gets 25+ HR’s. He needs to get aggressive. Right now he is only the #4 CF in the NL West behind Blackmon/Pollock/Margot. Toles/SVS/Kike’/Gutierrez are all fringe players with Toles the only potential difference maker. But right now he needs to go back to OKC to get his stroke back. I will say he has been a pretty good clutch hitter. He has 9 RBI compared to Joc’s 7. Even Kike’ has 6.
      .
      You don’t like LoCain…okay. What would it take to get CF Kevin Pillar out of Toronto? What would it really take to get Braun, who truly crushes LHP. What about Khris Davis? LoCain is a better overall offensive player than Joc and a better defensive player. Will he be a difference maker this year? Will Joc? We can worry about 2018 CF this winter. Let’s win it this year.
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      Quite honestly I am tired of waiting until next year. Next year has come, and we are right at the start of it. Contrary to some thinking, the Dodgers have the arms to get there, but do they have the bats? Other than Seager and JT (and currently Chris Taylor)…NO. I do not like deadline trades because that is where the big overpay comes. and the player traded for does not really have a lot of time to get acclimated to their new environment and produce enough to justify the overpay. You want to keep Kershaw when his opt out comes, prove to him that you want to win now, not 2019. Is this giving up on this year…absolutely not. I think I believe in Joc more than the FO. I would have him put in CF and let him play against all pitchers. That is what they said they were going to do. Does that mean I am down on FAZ or Doc. No. They obviously see something in Joc that we fans do not. Nothing would make me happier than Joc getting hot or AGon or Grandal or Toles. But will they?

      1. I agree, we have the pitching to possibly win it all this year. Additionally, I can see the NEED to thin the organization in some kind of quality for quantity trade and I do like Cain, even though, KC is last in runs scored this season with him in the 2 spot.
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         However, and maybe I am totally underestimating his trade value, I just believe young major league talent like Pederson and Toles with 3 and 5 more years of team control is too big of price for a rental. That it would contrary to the Compete Now/Compete Later FAZ philosophy.
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         Where we are TODAY, and the internal options we have, I wait longer to pull the trigger unless a Hanley Ramirez/Manny Ramirez BARGAIN situation pops up. Here’s a article on possible sellers.
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         https://www.fanragsports.com/mlb/inside-baseball-potential-sellers-stand-right-now/

   2. All true but not big picture.

6. I hope they keep Segedin when he comes back. I like players like Toles, Segedin and Taylor. They have great stories to their careers. These are guys who will be bench players and be very happy. Taylor and Segedin both had good ST. I am no longer a Kike or SVS fan . Both had opportunities to show their skills. They have not produced. Time to turn the page.

   1. Idahoal

      I just wanted to point out, the hit that Toles had, to put us ahead yesterday, was off a leftie, and that was only the third at bat, that Toles had against a leftie, this year.

      1. Toles looks like he is tense. I wonder if he relaxed more he would do better.

7. I root for Joc because he’s a Dodger, but I was never a fan when he was in the minors. I always said that he was a 4th or 5th outfielder at best. He’s the starting CF, so I was wrong, but I don;t like what I see.

   1. As I remember, Joc was twice voted most exciting player in the league. Once at AA and once at AAA. He was looking faster on the bases just before he was hurt. I really like the guy but I don’t generally make predictions for him. He needs to let his play do the talking.

8. I don’t need to say this again because I have said it enough but here goes–I am not a Grandal fan. If he has value, I would trade him in a heart beat.
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   I thought Pederson was looking better and better. I want him in the lineup everyday.
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   Puig has hit more hard ground balls that have not found a hole than anybody in recent memory. A MLB player has yet to play the game that hasn’t looked absolutely fooled and silly trying to hit the ball. Puig is making good hard contact. Maybe too many of the balls he hits are grounders but that should change. I don’t think he looks bad any more than Utley or Gonzales. It’s just that those two have long histories of doing well.
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   Thompson and SVS missed to much of last season and nursed their bodies in the off season. They need more time at AAA to hone their hand eye coordination. They are taller players and I think it takes taller players more swings to find their groove.
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   Bellinger stands too close to the plate for his uppercut swing to make contact with up and in strikes and that is compounded by him swing at balls that look above the strike zone. For some reason he reminds me of Reggie Jackson.

   1. If he has a Reggie Jackson career, I don’t care how close he stands to the plate. I know Krukow/Kiper were commenting how close Bellinger stood to the plate. Did they ever say anything about Bonds practically standing on the plate? I cannot remember anybody’s hands being quicker than Bonds’ so it was justified. Bellinger just needs to recognize the high fastball and lay off. That will take AB’s. Let him continue to be aggressive. He makes the adjustments. He will soon learn the ML fastball up in the zone and recognize that his not his pitch. I am not sure why, but lefties hit the low and in pitch much better than the pitch up in the zone, while righties like the pitch up and look bad at the low ones. Just an observation, I have no data to support it.

      1. It took awhile but Bellinger started fouling off high and in strikes. In his first 7 at bats he was not coming close to making contact. I thought Jackson took big swings and his swing and misses were exciting to watch. I don’t remember how close Jackson was to the plate.

9. Mitch White goes again tonight for the Quakes. Could this game be the audition for a jump to AA ? Isaac Anderson is too young to give up on, but he needs to get back to RC to get his confidence back.
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   Alveraz had a very good outing last night. He is starting to get back to where he was last year. Now he needs to start to lengthen his outings. It’s also time to let Buehler stretch it out.
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   Andy Sopko gets another start for Tulsa tonight. Hope things go better for him this time.
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   Leo Crawford goes tonight for Great Lakes.

   1. Alexy is someone to keep an eye on for a promotion to RC this season.

      1. I agree. I think he is should be on the fast track. Devin Smelzer is another to watch.
         Push them until they hit a roadblock. I am still waiting on a Farmer to AAA and Smith to AA. That makes way to much sense for someone like me on the outside. I would also like to see Garlick get promoted to AAA and Diaz to AA. Obviously some other moves would need to happen for Garlick and Diaz to move.

10. 2 mediocre teams played the last 4 days, and it ended up an even split. A close, even split. That’s what mediocre does. Competitive mediocrity. The Phillies are hot and have one of the best records in MLB the last 10 days. The Nats pounded a good Rockie team in Colorado. Right now it is the cream of the crop. The Phillies have some good, young starting pitchers, so it will be another tough series. Urias was good yesterday under the circumstances. Playing in a hostile environment; big game; losing streak on the line; etc. Too many walks, but still ok. Roberts said he was composed, which is not what I saw in Grllendale. At least he didn’t hurt himself. No blister, shoulder, forearm, etc. I wish I were 20. Not really.

    1. Wait, I thought the Midgets were the way to build a team! Everyone told us the Midgets were the team to beat. Now they are mediocre? What happened?

    2. Bobbie17

       You wish you were twenty, and knew what you knew now!

11. When are FG and Forsythe coming back?

12. I was as excited as anyone to see Joc come up, truly a disappointment so far.

    He is what he is, very low average hitter that will hit the occasional bomb and draw walks.

    I hate to say it, but I can’t wait to see him replaced.

    Hell, give Verdugo a shot, LoCain would be a miracle.

    AC’s comment on our outfield cannot be overlooked, it is down right awful in terms of offensive production. It’s not like we have a stud 1B to make up for it either.

    The outfield has been a mess for years now, hoping Joc and Puig turn it around, oh, and that whole left field thing we have going on.

    We must start looking into other options for Joc, Puig has done enough to keep him in there for the time being.

    1. CF and catcher are defensive positions and Joc is good enough defensively and against righties last year was very productive offensively. Trying to replace a CF with a 81 made up score with one that would give the Dodgers one that would be a 87 doesn’t improve the team enough.
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       Barnes would give the Dodgers a very good defensive catcher at a position where defense is more important than offense.
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       Left field is where the biggest opportunity for improvement lies. I will now be happy with Braun there. I prefer Ozuna but Braun would meet a need. Package Grandal, Toles, Kazmir, Hatcher, and a young pitcher with Kazmir’s contract used to keep cash out of the deal.
       .
       Pederson
       Seager
       Turner
       Braun
       Bellinger
       Puig
       Forsythe/Taylor
       Barnes
       .
       Gonzales and Gutierrez as pinch hitters

       1. Offense takes a back seat to defense when you have Kevin Kiermaier in CF. It’s not fair to throw Mike Trout’s name out there, because he can obviously do both and better than anyone else offensively or defensively. Kevin Pillar and LoCain are both better defense players than Joc. Pillar has been a CF GG finalist the last two years. Not that I would trade for him, but Jacoby Ellsbury is good offensively and defensively. AJ Pollock was the 2015 CF GG. Charlie Blackmon is a quality defensive CF, as are Odubel Herrera and Billy Hamilton. Hamilton is in the lineup because of his defense and speed. Even Lonnie Chisenhall is a good defensive OF.
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          If Joc were Trout and Kiermaier like, I would agree that they might be able to hide him offensively. But he is not a GG CF. He is a good defensive CF, not great and worthy of staying in the lineup strictly because of his defensive ability.
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          I am in agreement that he needs to play to prove if he can be a good ML hitter. He should not come out of the lineup. He is too young to be thought of as a #4 OF or a defensive OF. He needs to produce offensively. More importantly, he needs to be more aggressive at the plate, not wait for that perfect pitch. It is a lot harder to hit
          0-2 and 1-2 than 1st pitch. Being more aggressive gives you the chance to catch up to that mistake rather than waiting for it to come to you.
          .
          With regards to Grandal or Barnes, I think Barnes should get more looks behind the plate, but Grandal still needs to be the primary catcher. Grandal is the power bat that Barnes will never be. Whether we fans like it or not, the Dodgers are currently built for power. The team is not very good with situational hitting.

          1. We are talking past each other AC. My main point is not that Joc is currently a great defender or a powerful Center Fielder. My point is that he is not the weak link on this team and to use assets to obtain another CFer would not be that much of an improvement. That is not the case with LF. That is an offensive position.

13. Interesting look at Maeda and his sinker usage in relation to his success:

    http://www.fangraphs.com/blogs/kenta-maeda-needs-to-bring-back-the-sinker/

14. Maybe someone in the front office read that and can suggest some changes for tonight’s game.

15. The Biggest of Big Pictures is that the Dodgers are currently in 3rd place, 11 – 12, (.478), 3 1/2 games back. They were supposed to win 98 games according to some SABRphiles. They have played 14% of the season. To win the 91 games that they won last year they will have to go 80 – 59 the rest of the way (.576). This is not an impossible goal, but they have to make many obvious changes in the way that the season has played out thus far:
    1 – Better hitting with RISP
    2 – Better hitting in late and close situations (they are 1 – 5 in one run games)
    3 – Better hitting against southpaws
    4 – Better contact. They have taken either a walk or a strikeout in nearly 32% of their plate appearances thus far. To keep innings moving they have to, you know, actually hit the ball? They spend too much time working the count and fail to swing at hittable pitches.
    5 – Solve left field, center field, leadoff hitter holes.
    6 – Get rid of the dead wood on the roster. (On offense right now that would include Van Slyke, Utley and Toles.)
    7 – Find starting pitchers who can actually pitch every 5 games for 6 or more innings. Right now I have confidence in 3 Dodgers starters – Kershaw, Urias and McCarthy. Do they need to dump Maeda and Ryu? Will Blister Boy make his 20 starts this year?
    8 – Finish juggling the bullpen to find roles for everyone. They need a bridge to Jansen. They don’t have one right now. Dump Romo. A healthy Dayton will help.

    1. Rick, big picture thinking involves waiting too.
       Or, maybe we can have minute by minute big pictures?

16. Good takes all around today. I like Cain but need to keep the price down for what could be a one year rental. There is a need for the RH part of an outfield platoon and Cain has hit lefties and is an above average outfielder in left and can still play center. I’m ok with Kike, he is not going anywhere now with his versatility, and he has some power and speed. But if he would bring back Cain by throwing in a young arm I would pull the trigger. Perhaps Dickson could fill that role and he can play 1st and 3rd as well and deserves a shot at some point. It would require a roster move and there are 2 spots waiting if Ethier and Kazmir are moved to the 60 day DL. Forsythe, Gutierrez, Joc and Segedin will all be back soon and the roster will have to be juggled.
    –
    I still like Joc as well and he has such a low salary for his production teams would love to take him off our hands. Great point about the Davis boys, Chris and Khris that play despite lots of K’s because of their power, and Joc has speed and defense going for him. He would bring back the most in a trade package and they have Bellinger now and Verdugo in the wings to replace him as a LH hitting outfielder, but only for the right deal. For now they will probably try to improve from within but closer to the deadline there could be a blockbuster.

17. It had to be said Mark..GJ

18. Big Picture: We’ve played beyond pathetically the first 20ish games, and yet we’re 3 back. I’ll take that. I still believe this division is ours, and ours by a good margin come late Sept.
    I”m done with Joc; I’ve seen enough, and I think we can do better. Better to me will be Alex Verdugo, who’s hitting .380 or something. Yes, Verdugo has a great, RF type arm, but we already have a great, RF type arm in RF. Nothing wrong with having a stud arm in CF either for those deep throws from right center or left center.
    Urias first 2 starts will be vs. SF and their crappy offense; that’s a PERFECT way for him to build up confidence and gt going.
    Wood looks like the real thing. I love him in the bullpen though, so I hope he goes back there. Then again, Rich Hill and his blister may be better suited for 2-3 ip at a time, 3x a week. So let Hill and his $48mil go to the bullpen, and start Wood.
    Bellinger deserves another week or two before we decide he’s not quite ready yet, and send him back.
    Turner’s power will come; at least he’s hitting.
    Agone looks DONE. He looks like a poor man’s James Loney at this point. Just stop trying for deep fly balls, and go for the opposite field singles now; at least that can get some runners in.
    My favorite minor leaguer, Mitchell White, goes tonight

    1. He’s a good one to like and follow. I think this could be an audition for AA. He gets to throw in that Lancaster wind tunnel.
       .
       I just read an interesting stat. Corey Seager has 35 exit balls with at least 95MPH. This is tied for the ML best with Nicholas Castellanos. He really is something special.

19. Bellinger needs at least two or three weeks. I’d say the same think if he were 10-10.

    He has shown the capacity to adjust continually.

20. Kazmir and Ethier should head to the 60-day DL. Send SVS down and let Dickson get a taste of the big leagues. He can’t do any worse than SVS is doing.

21. If I were Roberts, I would tell sit Andrew Toles down and tell him that he is going to play everyday in CF. L or R on the mound. Let’s see what he can do. Yasmani is a high Strikeout Guy. So is Joc and so is Cody Bellinger. Joc would be the logical one to trade if Andrew can step up. I think THIS YEAR, Toles can hit .265 or .270 with 10 HR and a .320 OB%. Let him hit 8th. Forsythe will be back in a couple of weeks. or so.
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    The character of this team needs to change. Here’s some off-the-wall ideas:
    –
    Trade Puig and Pederson for Braun. Dodgers take all his salary.
    –
    Send A-Gon back to SD if SD will assume $10 of the $42 million he is owed. The $10 Mil is THIS year so it helps with the Luxury Tax.
    –
    Trade Maeda, Calhoun and Peters for Andrew McCutchen.
    –
    Here’s my lineup:
    –
    1. Forsythe 2B
    2. Seager SS
    3. Braun LF
    4. Turner 3B
    5. Grandal C
    6. McCutchen RF
    7. Bellinger 1B
    8. Toles CF
    –
    OK, Kill me!

    1. Pederson has more upside than Toles so that one is a “no” for me.
       Why would SD want Gonzalez? What do we get back?
       Isn’t McCutcheon about done?
       I would like Braun too – but trading Puig and Pederson to get him seems like it leaves the hole in RF that we now have in LF.

       1. We get 7 batting practice baseballs for Gonzo. Treasure them.
          –
          Cutch is hitting two fifty.

    2. May your water not be treated or filtered.

22. Kike in right tonight for Puig your friend.

23. I like your thinking Mark, and Braun would be a huge upgrade for the lineup for at least this year and next and perhaps beyond. He is a hometown boy and wants to come here. I doubt San Diego would take on AGon but he is very popular there. Maybe if he goes on a hot streak they would bite but then why move him? I love me some McCutchen but prefer not to trade DJ Peters, he’s a keeper. Maeda has a great contract and Searage may be able to fix him. I think Kike has some value to some team out there and maybe Hatcher.

    1. I would like to see Braun in LF for the Dodgers. Not so much McCutcheon. I would not trade Puig and Pederson for Braun. Mark, I like your trade proposal of Puig. Calhoun, and Kike’ much better. I doubt the Brewers do. While I do think Lorenzo Cain will be dealt this year, I brought up a name I have no inclination that he would be available, but I would sure like to know what it would take to get Kevin Pillar out of Toronto. Probably at least Adam Eaton type return, so not very plausible. I also still think that Melky Cabrera will be moving this season.
       .
       I would not be in any hurry to trade DJ Peters. While the Dodgers are deep in pitching depth in the farm (especially at the A and A+ level), they do not have a lot of RH power hitting. Kyle Garlick’s ceiling is really going to be as a reserve OF. Kyle Farmer has zero power, and with Smith and Ruiz also in the pipeline is probably not really considered in the Dodger’s long term plans. Yusniel Diaz has no real power. Will Smith’s weakest grade is his power. That leaves DJ and Ibandel Isabel as the highest RH power threats in the organization. Isabel is a 1B, while Peters should be able to play all 3 OF positions. The Dodgers need to pick up RH power bats not trade them.

       1. AC

          I like Cain because he is a really good defensive centerfielder, and he hits for a decent average, and has some power.

          He is one of those centerfielders, that often takes away a lot of HRs, over the fence.

          He also has good speed, and he is an excellent, base runner.

          He is just one of those good, all around players, like the Royals have.

24. Have to agree with Rick though that Joc and Puig is too much for Braun, especially if they take his whole contract. If Joc is moved Bellinger will step into that spot not Toles but I do like Andrew and his speed. McCutchen may just need a change of scenery, I think he has something left. Not sure if they still want to move him with Marte suspended but maybe at the deadline.

25. Puig, Pederson, and kazmir for Braun.

    1. If the Brewer’s GM is in a drug induced coma. 😉

    2. Joc has seven more strike outs, then hits.

       And Toles has hit two more HRs, then Joc has, but Joc has almost struck out, twice as much, as Toles has.

       And actually Toles average was better then Joc’s was, when Joc went out.

       He didn’t get a hit in two games that he started , after Joc went out, but he got a hit yesterday, when he pinched hit, and that was off a leftie.

       Also one of Toles HRs won a game, and one of his HRs tied a game.

       He has also hit in runner
       on third, with two outs twice.

       I expect more from Joc, because this is his third year, unlike Toles.

26. This just in:
    –
    Mad-Bum is expected to be out at least 3 months.
    –
    The Dodgers had the depth to withstand the loss of Kershaw.
    –
    SF does not.
    –
    They will be sellers!

27. Should I bring this back?
    –
    

    1. Only if it’s something you still have time and a passion for.

28. Latest on Braun including tonites game: BA-.304; 7 HR- 18 RBI’s
    VS LHP BA-.400; OBP-.500; OPS-1.200

    1. wow. that’s impressive

29. Excellent game by Kenta today.

    We’re playing 6 vs the crap Phils and Giants. MINIMUM has to be 4 wins in these 6

30. Good Job Dodgers!!

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