International Signings Two Years Later

There has been a lot of discussion about the state of the Cuban players the Dodgers signed in 2015. It has been nearly two years since the Dodgers embarked on a $43,874,000 spending spree on 11 international players, but only three are Cuban.  There were also five from the Dominican Republic, one from Venezuela, and one from Nicaragua.  Eight of the players are still remain in the organization with 7 being in the MLB Pipeline Organization’s top 24 prospects, and all 7 are between the ages of 18 and 21.

 

Home Signing Dodger
Player Country Bonus Prospect Age
Yadier Alveraz Cuba $16.0M #2 21
Yusniel Diaz Cuba $15.5M #6 20
Omar Estevez Cuba $  6.0M #11 19
Ronnie Brito DR $  2.0M #20 18
Starling Heredia DR $  2.6M #12 18
Oneil Cruz DR $950K #21 18
Carlos Rincon DR $350K #24 19
Damaso Marte DR $300K Released
Luis Rodriguez Venezuela $62.5K Released
Ramon Rosso DR $62K Released
Aldo Espinoza Nicaragua $50K 18

Yadier Alveraz

Alvarez has so much arm speed and athleticism that he delivers overpowering fastballs with ease, sitting at 94-97 mph for innings at a time and touching three digits with little effort. He utilizes three secondary pitches, all of which show potential of becoming plus offerings. His mid-80s slider can be a wipeout pitch at times, he has begun working on a low-80s curveball and his changeup can throw hitters off balance when at its best.

Alvarez’s limited track record included 35 walks in 31 innings in Cuba’s 18-and-under circuit in 2014, but he issued just 11 free passes in 39 1/3 frames in low Class A last year. He still needs to learn to repeat his delivery more consistently, but he might be a frontline starter with just average command. There’s still a lot of projection remaining in his lanky 6-foot-3 frame, so his stuff could get even better.  Alveraz reportedly came to camp overweight and out of shape, so he started the year in Extended Spring Training.  On April 17, Alveraz was assigned to Rancho Cucumonga Quakes in the California League.  On May 29, Alveraz was placed on the temporary inactive list.  For 2017, Alveraz has compiled the following in the Cal League.

 

W L G GS IP H R ER HR BB K ERA BAA WHIP GO/AO
0 2 8 7 30.2 34 20 20 2 16 32 5.87 0.219 1.63 1.59

Yusniel Diaz

Challenged with an assignment to high Class A in the California League in his pro debut, he acquitted himself well but missed six weeks with recurring issues with his throwing shoulder.

With his quick right-handed stroke and good hand-eye coordination, Diaz barrels balls easily. He focuses on hitting line drives and using the entire field.  He shows good discipline at the plate. Diaz does not project to be a big power hitter and figures to max out at 12-15 homers per year.

However, Diaz doesn’t need to be a slugger because the rest of his tools all grade as solid or better. He’s a plus runner who is still figuring out how to use his speed on the basepaths. He has the range and arm strength to man all three outfield spots and he’s capable of playing regularly in center field.  For 2017, Diaz returned to the Cal League and his offensive numbers are:

 

G AB R H 2B 3B HR RBI BB SO AVG OBP SLG OPS
46 182 18 44 6 1 3 21 21 51    0.242    0.317    0.335    0.652

Omar Estevez

Estevez has one of the best right-handed swings among Dodgers farmhands and precocious feel for the barrel. He scuffled with pitch recognition at times and got a little aggressive and pull-happy in the initial stages of his debut, then made adjustments and was able to take off. He has some raw power and the ability to translate it into production, which eventually could mean 12-15 homers per season.

An offensive second baseman in the mold of Howie Kendrick, Estevez has fringy speed and arm strength. He has a good internal clock on the field and has shown the Dodgers a little more defensive ability than they expected. He has seen action at shortstop and third base, but he’s not suited for the left side of the infield and doesn’t fit a utility profile.

 

G AB R H 2B 3B HR RBI BB SO AVG OBP SLG OPS
43 163 22 37 7 1 1 14 10 37    0.227    0.278    0.301    0.579

Oneil Cruz

Cruz hit well in his introduction to pro ball, batting .294/.367/.444 with 11 steals in the Rookie-level Dominican Summer League. With his whippy left-handed swing and the leverage provided by his frame, he has considerable power potential that he’ll begin to realize as he gets stronger. His quick hands help him make surprisingly good contact at his young age with such a naturally long stroke.

Cruz has exceptional body control for someone his size and can play a decent shortstop. His size makes him destined to be a third baseman, and he has the agility and arm strength to be a solid defender there. He has been playing more 3B and getting more comfortable at third this year.  A long strider who has above-average speed underway, he’ll probably lose a step once he fills out.

 

G AB R H 2B 3B HR RBI BB SO AVG OBP SLG OPS
50 195 32 45 4 0 4 18 13 62    0.231    0.274    0.313 0.586

Carlos Rincon

 His power potential quickly became evident when he homered 13 times in 52 games while batting .328/.383/.661 between two Rookie leagues in his 2016 pro debut. He made his U.S. debut ahead of schedule in late July and went deep twice in the second game after his arrival.

Already 6-foot-3 and 190 pounds when he turned pro, Rincon has impressive strength and loft in his right-handed swing. The Dodgers have faith in his ability to hit for average as well as for power, However to reach his potential, he is going to have to tone down his extremely aggressive approach and make consistent contact against better pitching.

Rincon moves well for his size, though he may lose some of his presently average speed as he matures physically. He’s raw defensively but could become an average right fielder with more experience. He has the solid arm strength desired at his position.  Carlos’ started his 2017 in the Midwest League at Great Lakes, full season A League.  His numbers are as follows:

 

G AB R H 2B 3B HR RBI BB SO AVG OBP SLG OPS
38 151 20 39 8 1 9 31 13 63    0.258    0.321    0.503    0.825

Starling Heredia

Already physically imposing at age 18, Heredia carries more than the listed 200 pounds on his 6-foot-2 frame. He combines bat speed, strength and leverage from the right side of the plate and can drive the ball great distances. There are no red flags with his swing or approach, though he’ll have to make the necessary adjustments as he faces better quality pitching.

Though Heredia spent most of his debut in left field and Los Angeles plans to give him more time in center in 2017, he projects more as a right fielder. He has the strong arm for the position and figures to lose some speed as he continues to mature physically. If he hones his instincts and stays on top of his conditioning, he can become an average defender in right.

Ronnie Brito

He made his pro debut last summer in the Rookie-level Dominican Summer League, batting .228/.352/.345 but establishing his credentials as the best middle-infield defender in the system.

Though he’s years away from the big leagues at this point, it’s not difficult to project Brito as a possible Gold Glover. With his quick first step, smooth actions and advanced instincts, he covers plenty of ground at shortstop. Soft hands and a strong arm round out a complete defensive package.

Once Brito gets stronger, he could provide some offense as well. A switch-hitter, he has a patient approach and solid speed that will help him hit for average. He also has the bat speed to perhaps provide double-digit home run power as well.

 

At first glance, the above numbers do not appear to be very impressive or worthy of the cost allocated to these international players.  However, when you factor in their age and where they have come from, you might look at their accomplishments in a different light.  Each player is at least 2.0 years younger than the average age of their respective leagues.  Cruz and Diaz are starting to heat up a little more.  Rincon is in the top three in HRs in the Midwest League and top 10 in RBIs.  I would expect to see both Brito and Heredia in the US with the AZL Dodgers this summer.

MINOR LEAGUE REPORT (06-04-17)

OKC Dodgers lost to the Colorado Springs Sky Sox (Brewers) 3-1 this afternoon.  Justin Masterson went 6.1 innings giving up 1 run on 4 hits, 2 walks, and 4 strikeouts and took the loss.  Justin threw 98 pitches.  In his first rehab assignment, Luis Avilan pitched 1 inning and allowed 2 runs on 1 hits, 1 walk and 2 strikeouts.  Joe Broussard and Layne Somsen continued their excellent relief work with no runs allowed in their 1.2 innings.  Taylor Jungmann was the winning pitcher for the Sky Sox.  Some of you may remember Taylor as a very capable rookie starting pitcher for the Brewers in 2015.  However he followed that season up with a not very good 2016 campaign.

As I responded to Mark in the last thread, Julio Urias has been held back just in case they need him to go Tuesday instead of McCarthy.

Tulsa Drillers won for the third time in 4 games in walk-off fashion.  Going into the bottom of the 9th trailing 9-7, Edwin Rios clubbed his 11th HR with a runner on to tie the game.  After Jacob Scavuzzo struck out, Matt Beatty hit the walk off solo HR with 2 outs in the 9th for a 10-9 victory.  The Tulsa starter was Isaac Anderson and he went 4 innings, allowing 7 runs on 7 hits, 2 walks, strikeouts, and 3 HR.  I am usually very up-beat when writing about minor leaguers, but it sure appears that Isaac is overmatched in AA this year.  I cannot remember him having a good game.  Shea Spitzbarth came on in the 6th in relief and went 2.1 innings.  He put two runners on base in the 8th and was then relieved by Karch Kowalczyk.  Karch promptly allowed a base hit to score one of the runners and send one to third.  That runner then scored on a WP by Karch, making both runners Shea’s earned runs.

Besides the 9th inning heroics, the Drillers had 12 hits in total.  Matt Beatty led the team with 3 hits including his 4th HR.  Tim Locastro with a double (14) and HR (2) had two hits, as did Edwin Rios and Erick Mejia.  Today, 28 year old FA OF Quincy Lattimore was signed to a minor league contract and started in LF.  Quincy had 2 hits including his first double for the Drillers.  Welcome to Tulsa and the Dodger organization, Quincy.

The Great Lakes Loons smashed 15 hits on their way to a 11-0 win over the Bowling Green Hot Reds (Rays).  The pitching star was Dustin May who went 7 strong shutout innings (83 pitches) allowing 5 hits and no walks while striking out 7 for his 3rd win of the year.  Sven Schuller pitched the final two shutout innings.  Errol Robinson and Oneil Cruz had 4 hits each today.  Robinson was one HR shy of hitting for the cycle.  Cody Thomas had three hits including hi 7th double and 10th HR.  Cody is now 3rd in the league with his 10 HRs.

RC Quakes lost to the Modesto Nuts (Mariners) 6-4. Adam Bray was not very effective in his start today.  Adam allowed 6 runs on 7 hits in his 3.1 innings pitched.  His big undoing was that of the 7 hits, 3 were HRs.  Daniel Corcino, Tony Gonsolin, and Andrew Istler combined for 5.2 shutout innings on 1 hit in relief.  The Quakes outhit the Nuts 9 to 8, but the game is decided on runs.  Leading the offense was Yusniel Diaz who along with the Loons Oneil Cruz is really starting to heat up.  Diaz had three hits including his 4th HR and second in back to back games.  Omar Estevez hit his 2nd HR.  Will Smith had a 2 RBI double to account for the final two runs.

The Quakes welcomed back Joey Curletta who spent most of last year in RC.  Joey was included in the AJ Ellis and Carlos Ruiz trade last year.  Joey was later traded to Seattle earlier this year.

 

 

This article has 57 Comments

  1. Great post AC, as usual. There is a lot of talent among those players who are very young. We should know more in two years…

  2. Always, this is a response to your comment on the last thread.
    .
    You asked where would Taylor play if not CF. The Dodgers do not have an answer for second base for the next 5 years unless Taylor or Lux plays there. Lux is a question mark and Taylor is an exclamation mark. Forsythe will be gone at the end of the year unless the Dodgers pick up the 2018 option option year and why would they do that when they have a better player for second in Taylor.
    .
    CF is a key defensive position and should have a very good defensive player there. Joc is a very good defensive CFer. A slow start to this year is no indication of him all of a sudden losing it offensively. He clearly is working with Ward and he has hit the ball harder on average than any other player on the team even with his slow start.
    .
    Bellinger has become an all or nothing hitter over the last 30 games and his average over that time is .219 and has struck out 42% of his ABs during that time. That is Joc like after Joc’s hot start in 2015. Forsythe has 4 hits in his last 35 at bats.
    .
    I agree with everybody that Taylor should stay in the lineup but at second base and not CF. Bellinger is trending toward a visit to Oklahoma more than he is trending to ROY. So, before we give up on Joc and disrespect the loyalty to a guy that sacrifices his body in an all-out effort on defense by not giving him his job back when he returns from that injury, lets put the future second baseman at second base now.
    .
    The bench should be Hernandez, Forsythe, Utley, Barnes. That is a strong and versatile bench.
    .
    2B Taylor
    SS Seager
    3B Turner
    C Grandal (hit him cleanup to humor Grandal lovers)
    1B Gonzales
    CF Pederson
    LF Bellinger
    RF Puig

    1. Why would you expect the Dodgers wouldn’t pick up Forsythe’s option? Taylor has been great, but always good to have versatile depth! Forsythe has had a slow start, and an injury, but I expect the 30 yr old “pro” to earn his salary.
      .
      A slow start isn’t necessarily an indication of a 25 yr old outfielder “losing it”. But you got to admit Joc has looked absolutely lost of an awful lot of at bats. I am pulling for him to find it and I am sure FAZ won’t make any knee jerk moves with Joc.
      .
      I enjoyed some of the trade proposals in the last thread. It will be interesting to see what if any moves FAZ makes. I don’t see FAZ targeting any #2’s unless a great deal materializes. after all our pitching is GREAT. I can see them targeting and paying a lot on an Ozuna/Yelich type, young, controllable and cheap outfielders. The offense could use some help.

      1. The Dodgers would save money if they did not pick up Forsythe’s option and avoid the issue of him sitting on the bench in favor of Taylor. Kike’ can also play second base. As the season plays out we will have better guesses about what the Dodgers might do with Forsythe’s option.

        1. Yes, let us allow the season to play out before anointing Taylor a starting caliber player.

          1. Play him, win with him and find a use for his value.

            Fixed that for you Bumsrap.

    2. Bum

      Like I said on that previous thread, I think everything should depend on what Logan and Joc do on offense, once Joc comes back.

      When a player has more strike outs then hits, it really doesn’t matter how hard they hit the ball.

      Consistent contact, is just as important, and exit velocity doesn’t mean much, with no consistent contact.

      And Joc has not hit with much power at all, so his strike outs, are hard to take, with no power.

      Puig has also at times, hit the ball hard too, but a lot of major leaguers, hit the ball hard, into shifts.

      Right now, Logan is hitting lower then Puig, and if he keeps this up, his average will be where Joc is, or even lower then Joc was, when Joc went out.

      They might pull that veteran thing, but I think it should depend on how productive both Joc, and Logan are.

      And defensively it would be better if Joc could come back and hit, because that way, we wouldn’t have a player out of their normal defensive, position

      We would be better defensively if Taylor played second, and Joc played center, as long as Joc is producing enough, offensively.

      And Joc is a good defensive centerfielder, but he is not a elite defensive centerfielder, and even elite defensive center fielders, have to produce offensively.

      There is one problem with my defensive suggestion, and that is that Logan is hitting well against lefties, and that has been a weakness with this team, so even if Logan is not hitting well against righties, if he continues to hit well against lefties, that will be a factor too.

      And someone on the previous thread said that they could see Joc and Puig platooning, but that won’t happen, because both Joc and Puig, don’t hit lefties well.

      But I do expect the team to do the veteran thing, and Logan will continue to get a chance, to produce on offense, because that has been the pattern, with our management, and Logan has been able to hit in the past, so he will get a good chance, to show he can still hit.

      And Joc hasn’t been able to hit decent, beyond one half of a season, in the two years, he has played in the majors, so he probably won’t get as much time as Logan will get, to prove he can still hit.

      1. Joc has not had the same launch angle so far this year which is the reason he has not had more home runs. Home runs are equal parts launch angle and exit velocity. Joc has not lost power.
        .
        Joc has not struck out 50% of the time. This year he has struck out 32% but 36% using the ratio of K/AB instead of K/PA and Bellinger has struck out 42% in the last 30 games.
        .
        MJ, do you ever look anything up before you say something? In 4 of the 7 years Forsythe has played in the MLB he hit less than .224 and had 6 or less home runs in 5 of those 7 years.
        .
        Joc’s full year line against righties in 2016 was .269 .371 .547 .918.
        Forsythe’s full year line against lefties in 2016 was: 270 .315 .461 .775
        .
        Some people are fair weather fans of players and soon will be down on those that have looked good for a month after they come down to earth.

        1. Edit: Joc has not struck out 50% of the time. This year he has struck out 32% but Bellinger has struck out 36% using the ratio of K/AB instead of K/PA and Bellinger has struck out 42% in the last 30 games.

          1. Bum

            First I am surprised that you are responding to me, like this!

            Because I think I was the only one, that didn’t say trade Joc, on that previous thread.

            And I made the case, that Logan wasn’t doing much better, then Joc.

            And I also suggested that it should be decided, by who produces more on offense, when Joc comes back.

            And I also mentioned,that Taylor would be better defensively, at second.

            But here is my response, to your response.

            I did not specifically say the percentage of times, that Joc has struck out.

            I just said he has more strike outs then hits, and isn’t that true?

            And how can you compare Cody, who has only played a little over a month, in the majors, to Joc?

            Joc has played in the majors, for two plus years, now.

            And Cody only played about a month in AAA, before he came up.

            Unlike Joc, who played a full season in AAA, before he ever came to the majors.

            That is just not a fair comparison.

            I already knew that Logan only had, two really good seasons, so you shouldn’t, assume.

            But he had those two pretty good seasons in a row, just before, he was traded to the team.

            And since that was recently, that means more, then what he had did, in the past.

            But that is still better then what Joc has done recently, in his two plus, seasons,

            And Joc has only had one pretty good half of a season, in those two plus, years.

            Logan was not a platoon player in 2016, like Joc mostly was, but logan was still able to hit for a decent average, in both of those, two seasons.

            Joc has never been able to hit 250 for a season, in his two years, plus, even though, he was mostly platooned.

            And about Joc’s power, look at his stats, he has only hit two HRs.

            And the only thing that matters, are results, not exit velocities, not launch angles.

            And remember, sabers said the Dodgers had the best team on paper, last year.

          2. MJ
            You said: First I am surprised that you are responding to me, like this!
            Because I think I was the only one, that didn’t say trade Joc, on that previous thread.
            .
            I noticed that MJ and it was appreciated. Sometimes family members annoy each other and I consider you family and sometimes you do annoy me. Just like I annoyed you with my comment.

        2. 2016 was Joc’s first full year line because he was so awful in 2015 that he finished the year on the bench. He absolutely made improvements last year, but it hasn’t shown up yet this year. I hope it does because he and Gonzalez OPSing under .700 was killing them.

          I think Taylor may indeed be the second baseman of the future. He was interviewed on SiriusXM today. He said after SS, 2nd was his favorite position, but he was getting more comfy with CF. Right now he needs to be in the lineup and I feel he should be hitting leadoff when Turner returns. I’m not completely sold on him as a CF yet because I don’t think he’s very good going back on balls YET. If Gutierrez continues to spend the season on the DL, I could see Forsythe becoming the guy who plays LF against lefties while Bellinger slides to 1st against lefties. It’s going to be a real challenge for Roberts to keep everyone happy when JT returns. I could see FG given his walking papers if he doesn’t start producing because the 2nd Base squad of Utley, Kike, Barnes, Taylor, and Forsythe are all fighting to stay on the roster.

        1. Bluto

          Why are you saying Joc was the third best hitter on the team, when he had the second highest OPS, on the team last year?

          Be consistent!

    1. Bluto

      Joc was hitting eighth last year, and platooned.

      If he was the third best hitter he wouldn’t be hitting at the back of the line up, or be a platoon player, like he has, most of this year.

      And he only hit well, in the second half of the season,last year.

      Take a look at Duke Sniders numbers for his age 24 season, and compare them to Joc’s which was last year.

      This comparison shows that OPS doesn’t mean much..

      Only hitting well, for half a season, in a two year plus career, is not a big enough sample, to even make that conclusion, not to mention one half, in one year.

      I already knew you had a bias to Joc, when you didn’t share his war, this year.

  3. Great summary AC on the status of international signings. McCourt set the Dodgers back by his decisions to buy houses instead of investing in international signings.
    .
    On May 29, Alveraz was placed on the temporary inactive list. Do you know what that is all about?

    1. Bums, I have tried to find out but the people I talk with do not know, and I have not found anything in print. Most every reason for a player to be made inactive is identified; injury, bereavement, paternity, extended ST. This sounds personal. What that might be I do not know, but I am not about to speculate. This is where Jon Weisman was very good. I am sure that Cary Osborne or Ken Gurnick will eventually find out and report it.

      1. AC

        Good info, as usual!

        About Alveraz, I saw a poster comment, that he was placed on that list, twice this year.

        1. MJ, I have not heard or seen that Yadier was placed on the temporary inactive list twice this year. He was assigned to Extended ST out of camp, but that was not the temporary inactive list. From April 17, when he was assigned to Rancho from Extended ST, he has remained on the roster until May 29 when “Rancho Cucamonga Quakes placed RHP Yadier Alvarez on the temporarily inactive list.”
          .
          I have no idea why this occurred, and it is not fair to Yadier or to the organization to even speculate.

  4. The summary doesn’t include all of the Cubans signed by the Braintrust. Unmentioned are:
    1 – Pablo Fernandez, singed to an $8MM bonus on 5/19/15
    2 – Hector Olivera singed to a $62.5 MM contract on 5/19/15
    3 – Yasiel Sierra signed to a $30 MM contract on 2/21/16.

    That’s $100 MM to guys who never played a major league inning before their signing and who may never play another one.

    1. The intent of the post was not to discuss every Cuban signed by FAZ. It was to go back to the 2015/2016 International signing period, beginning in July 2015 (subject to bonus pool limits), and bring it forward two years. None of the three you brought up were part of that process, so they were excluded. While Yaisel was signed in 2016, he was not subject to the bonus pool limits due to his age, and was excluded. By the way, you forgot to mention Jose Miguel Fernandez who was signed by FAZ and probably will not make the Dodger MLB roster either.
      .
      This was not directed at the Cubans, but to the International Players designated for that specific signing period. You want to bag on FAZ, go ahead. Nowhere in the post did I ever discuss FAZ. It appears that no subject should go untouched without the FAZ bashers always directing the conversation to how misguided and incompetent they are. The intent was not to give credit to or criticize FAZ. It was to discuss the players. They are the ones that deserve the notice.

      1. “There has been a lot of discussion about the state of the Cuban players the Dodgers signed in 2015.”

        Let me make several points here. First, I for one was very glad to see the Dodgers become aggressive in the international market again after years of neglect during the McCourt years. Second, Cuba does/did seem to be the most obvious place to go for players as the rest of Latin America has been picked over by MLB teams for years, so it made perfect sense to go there for players/prospects. Third, you began your article with the line above and it appeared that your intention was, in part, to belie the concern that some Dodger fans have had with the millions spent on unproven Cubans who have yet to pan out or turn out to be anything.

        As I stated above, I have no problem with the Braintrust spending Dodgers’ dollars on international players. My concerns are that:
        1 – There hasn’t been much of a payoff. Maybe Alvarez is the second coming of Camilio Pascual. I would be ecstatic he is – I want the Dodgers to have the best pitching that they can possibly have. As of now, I see millions spent and not much to show for it.
        2 – Instead of signing actual major league players who have a proven track record, the Braintrust signed Olivera, Sierra et al. Maybe the millions could be better spent on actual major league players.

        1. Sierra seems to have made some progress this year as a potential bullpen piece. A large part of Olivera’s contract is being paid by SD I believe and he did net Wood and Avilan.

          1. I do not know what eventually transpired between SD and ATL. But here is what I know about the Dodgers involvement. The Braves wanted Olivera, but did not want to commit $62.5M (don’t blame them). The original contract signed with the Dodgers was that Olivera was to receive a $28M signing bonus and the remaining $34.5 of the contract paid out over 6 years as follows:
            .
            $2 million in 2015
            $4 million in 2016
            $6 million in 2017
            $6.5 million in 2018
            $7.5 million in 2019
            $8.5 million in 2020
            .
            When Olivera was traded to the Braves, the Braves assumed 100% of the salary portion. That was approximated to be $33M ($.5M for 2015 and the remaining amounts indicated above). This is the amount that the Braves were willing to originally pay for Olivera. The Dodgers assumed 100% of the signing bonus. The bonus payments were paid out as follows:
            .
            $12M five days after contract signed
            $7.5M by August 1, 2015
            $8.5M by December 31, 2015
            .
            At the time of the trade, Atlanta also sent back $7.45M to the Dodgers. $4.5M was for Bronson Arroyo’s option buyout, and $2.95M was for Olivera’s December 31, 2015 bonus payment (or 10% of the Dodger investment of $29.5M). Thus, the Dodgers paid out $26.55M for Olivera. All of the signing bonus money has been expended. It was completed December 31, 2015. The Dodgers are no longer obligated to pay any additional dollars to Olivera. Without Olivera, I do not know how the Dodgers would have acquired Alex Wood/Luis Avilan/Jose Peraza. I look at it as if the Dodgers paid $26.55M for the rights to those three.

          2. I believe SD took what remained of his contract so they could get Kemp out of the locker room.

  5. Meanwhile the Dodgers return home to host the Nats, Ryu against Gio Gonzales and need to shake everything off and win tonight as they face Sherzer tomorrow against McCarthy or possibly Urias. The Rockies host the Indians and the Snakes host the Pads.

    The MLB Draft is around the corner and it is obvious they need some 3B prospects and natural CF’s. A RH 1B with power might be nice too. Hoping they spend the top few picks in those areas. They have addressed SS and C already and surely will draft some pitchers. I predict mostly college players ready to produce sooner rather than later.

    1. Vegas

      When I saw you mention Scherzer, I thought of Turner right away.

      He hit Scherzer pretty well, I wish he was able to play, but I know we don’t want to rush him back, and lose him again.

      But the Gio, Ryu, match up, seems to be a pretty even match up, so I hope Ryu can pitch a good game, again.

  6. Great post AC. Very helpful summary! Your insight on the Dodger minor league players has been very enjoyable to follow.

    I view the Dodger prospects much like I do my grand kids. I know other people have cute grand kids, however, they’re just not as cute and special as mine. Same with the prospects, other teams have them too, but ours are ours and, therefore, much more special.

    I sincerely appreciate your perspective and articles. I don’t post often, but I do read the posts every day.

  7. The Dodgers spent big because it was one of the last opportunities to do so before new international spending limits kicked in. Even the lower spending Padres did the same thing the following year. If a team was ever going to go in big for an international player it would be for this guy, the Japanese Babe Ruth who can hit and pitch, Shohei Ohtani:

    http://bleacherreport.com/articles/2695575-shohei-ohtani-the-best-baseball-player-in-the-world-isnt-in-mlbyet

    http://www.truebluela.com/2016/12/3/13829292/dodgers-international-restrictions-mlb-cba-shohei-otani

  8. Before Mark took the year off I brought up at LADodgertalk that I was having very strong feelings that some form of massive doom soon ahead and asked if anybody else had feeling of the like. Badger asked if I was referring to ‘nibiru’ and I had to say”I don’t know” as that was the first time I heard of nibiru or anything relating to such. Those strong feelings left me after asking if someone might also feel disaster coming soon. I’m having those feelings again but not from me. The revisiting feelings of doom are a substantiation through youtube on the endless content about ‘nibiru’ all saying it’s arrived they all say there’s only moments left. At the great risk of appearing like a complete rube to my friends here that the first feelings of this started inside of my gut. If I’m any sort of a prophet I’m not a very good one. But sadly other things in the past came true that I had expressed feelings of. I wish I paid more attention and believed my gut even though my gut is more often wrong than right many fold. But with all the substantiation I just want to say I hope all is well and that you all fair well if trouble is ahead. I hope I’m just a silly fool and soon embarrassed from this comment. Peace friends!

    1. Like two ships passing in the night, I will wave a hello. Peace back at you Quas.

    2. So if a nibiru was coming, what could you do?

      Put your head between your legs and kiss your ass goodbye?

      Image and video hosting by TinyPic

  9. Kike at 1st base tonight as the Dodgers figure out how they can field 9 Second Baseman at the same time. They must have forgot to pencil in Utley and put Taylor at Short. On a serious note, I’m not sure why the guy who has experience at 1st, Forsythe, wouldn’t play there while Kike plays 3rd, but I guess they value Forsythe’s excellent D at 3rd.

    1. Hawkeye

      They are bringing up an utility player from AAA, to the team.

      His name is Mark Freeman, I believe.

  10. Here’s Howard Cole’s take on how the Dodgers are messing Julio Urias up:
    “Urias has pitched on four days rest once in his last seven minor and major league starts and is scheduled to start tonight on eight days rest. How he’s expected to get into a rhythm with that kind of treatment, I have no idea…

    They’re jerking the young man around and it has to stop. If they’re not careful Urias won’t pitch the 150-170 innings he’s projected to this season, and they’ll have to limit him yet again in 2018.”

    1. I agree with you 100% on Urias. They way things are going, he will enter next season with restrictions too. They botched his innings two years ago and they’re doing it this year too. His first two starts of ST were excellent if my memory is correct and then they started dialing him back. I hope they have him back on track by the All-Star game at this point.

  11. 1. He was scheduled to start Saturday but had the flu.
    2. I believe they botched his innings on purpose two years ago and now this year. They are trying to limit his innings.
    3. I think the gloves are off now. They want those innings to come in the playoffs. They were saving him for that.
    4. I believe that in the playoffs Julio Urias will be the Dodgers #3 at worst, #2 at best!
    5. Howard Cole is a journalist who writes what people like to hear. He’s very good.

    1. I agree they botched them on purpose. I just don’t get why they didn’t do the surgery in the offseason. Of course, I’m not privy to those conversations. Whatever they’re doing with him this year hasn’t worked so far. I with you on the talent and upside. The depth has covered it up so far, but deep down they were counting on him to be a #2 or #3 by season’s end this year.

  12. Somehow we’ve got to make enough noise to take the opportunities away from umpires making bad calls on pitches. There’s just way too many game changing bad calls to keep putting up with it. If they were accurate through baseball history the record book would surely look different. The tech has been around and it’s nothing short of fact that umpires can’t get it right. I don’t think any umpire has ever gotten any game completely right. And then they top their inaccuracies with unwarranted arrogance. Baseball’s history books shouldn’t be written by umps.

  13. Dodgers bats stalled again. Why is Eibner on the team?
    Ryu, Maeda , Hill don’t give the team a chance to compete – too many 4 and 5 inning starts, fall behind early too often

  14. Brandon Morrow just looked good going 1-2-3 vs their murderer’s row (granted Zimmerman hit a hard ground ball to short). This definitely gets him into higher leverage situations now.

  15. Quas, you’re so right about the umps… I was always sort of a purist keeping umps/human element in the game, but the guy who started my change of heart was Joe West… A bona fide bung hole… Now arrogance seems to be the attitude and when in the hell did following after players become chic… Emmit Ashford be rolling over in his grave…

  16. I agree with the umps. It needs to change. I watched the game on ESPN and they had the strategy zone up all night. A lot of missed calls. Seattle also has the strike zone up. The Dodgers do not show the strike zone very often.

    Morrow is starting to look like a keeper. FAZ, you have three players on the team who are not helping. It is time to get rid of them. Colorado and Arizona are not going away.

  17. I hate these spell checkers who change your words. It should be strike zone and not strategy zone.

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