Bye – Bye A-Gon?

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1. I hate to agree with you on Agon, but I do. It will be messy if they release him. I think they will keep him for the year, but Bellinger will get more time at first. They will keep Utley and Agon around this year. Next year they will be gone. FAZ will not bite the bullet.
   I would like to see Dickson come up and SVS sent down. Put Either on the 60 day DL.
   I do not want Braun. It will cost us to much. I would still like to see Toles in the line up every day. My biggest concern is still Joc and Puig. Two guys who should be playing well now, but are not. They just have not mproved. They both should be batting around 300. If you trade for Braun one of those two must be in the trade.
   Bellinger is going to be another great player. He is going to adjust and he learns quickly. Why others do not bunt against the shift, I do not understand.

   1. Ok..wait… I know I wrote this but my name is not on the title. What the hell? Actually, I agree with you completely, Idahoal. Word for word even. Well said! (ps, can I move in with you in Idaho? I hate Cali, but love the blue, of course).

2. It’s a little early to be talking about outright releasing Agon Crawford style. He’s not quite there yet. Still, this puts the team in a dilemma. Aside from the power outage, his defense has slipped badly, too. Remember, though, that he started off slowly last year. Around August he really started to pick it up, hitting homers to all fields, and generally looking like Agon. If his elbow is still hurting, a trip to the extended DL is probably the answer. I’d like to see Bellinger’s gold glove caliber fielding on display.

   I don’t think there’s a problem with Maeda. In fact, I think his problem is that he came to spring training stronger. He apparently was on a strength training regime during the off season to keep him from wearing down over a long season. He’s actually throwing a little harder. The problem is a lack of command and a little less vertical drop on his change. His whole game is build on command. That’s what makes him an effective pitcher. It’ll come back, I think. Sometimes when an athlete gains strength in the weight room, he loses a little of that fine motor control. Think of a basketball shooter loosing a little touch with his outside shot after bulking up in the off season.

   I don’t like giving up a controllable talent in Joc for a one year rental in Matt Cain. Trading for Braun…fine, but no Puig and no Verdugo. The the farm has a surplus of arms and a relative scarcity of position players. Puig has actually shown better discipline at the plate. I think the hits will come. Besides, he’s worth having on the team just for the effect he has on Bumgartner

   1. I meant Lorenzo Cain

3. Yeah, the “trade” continues to rear it’s ugly head. Gonzalez has regressed very quickly, I was embarrassed for him on that throw to the plate. What to do?
   .
   Contrary to those who believe Dodgers can afford 10 Greinkes and 20 Cuetos, we are going to see how hard it is for the Dodgers to eat a measly $40M. If released, his salary still counts against the luxury tax. Doesn’t make sense to release him, before COMPLETELY checking out all alternatives. I think when some of the currently DL’d players are ready to return, Gonzalez goes to the DL. Let’s see if some rest will help that ailing forearm and how well Bellinger plays at first. Boy, there is lots to like about that kid. Bellinger’s versatility helps to keep Gonzalez on the roster as a pinch hitter and defensive replacement at first. I agree with Idahoal, Gonzalez is gone this off-season.
   .
   I don’t believe Gonzalez’s decline forces the Dodgers to trade for Braun. This team is built on pitching and defense and hopefully a “long” lineup. Braun would be very nice, but the cost in dollars and what the Brewers want in players probably makes it prohibitive. I hate to sound like a broken record, but, Compete Now/Compete Later, I don’t think it can be understated the importance of getting out of luxury tax hell in 2018 to the Dodgers. The new rules, losing draft picks, etc., make it a huge priority. I don’t think luxury tax priority totally excludes FAZ trading for Braun, but someone like Kazmir or Gonzalez has to go back to Brewers. Fortunately, in my opinion, I think our outfield and overall hitting is better than what we have seen so far, especially if Bellinger can do the job at first instead of Gonzalez.
   .
   Regarding Maeda, very nice game last night!! I guess that old adage, keep the ball DOWN, nibble at the corners and change speeds still works. Very encouraging for the rotation or as a trade piece.
   .
   What is FAZ waiting for regarding Kazmir/Ethier? Can a player be placed on the 60 day DL retroactively?? Do it!! Let’s see Dickson platooning in left with Toles!

   1. Kaz, Ethier, and Ravin can all be retroactively placed on the 60 day DL to March 30 (I am pretty sure about that date). None of the three will be able to play before June, so there should be no issue. Except, if any do come off the 60 day DL, who comes off the 40 man at that time? Everybody’s punching bag, Chris Hatcher is actually pitching decently. Other than with AZ he has pitched very well. 7 games, 12.2 IP 14 K, 3 BB, 1 HR, and 3.55 ERA. Keep him out of high leverage situations, and he could be fine. You need these types of pitchers. Romo could certainly be an option. As can be the trade of someone on the 40 man for a lower tier prospect. Think De Jong/Jackson.

      1. Thanks for that info. One more question, once a player is added to 40 man roster (Dickson) can he be taken off again (a certain number of times), without risking losing him or must he be run through DFA? If not, for instance, Bellinger is now on the 40 man to stay?

         1. Once a player is added to the 40 man, he must then be optioned to the minors to retain control. If he does get designated for assignment, they will lose him as someone will absolutely pick him up.

            1. That is what I thought. And I guess there is a certain number of years a team controls a player after drafting or signing (Cubans) a player before they must be added to the 40 man or risk losing to Rule 5?

            2. We all know Dickson isn’t part of their long-term plans. Put Kazmir, Ethier, and maybe Ravin on the 60-day DL. Send SVS down and give Dickson his shot to show what he can do. If they lose him because they have to DFA him later, big deal. He isn’t in their long-term plans, but could create interest from other teams by giving him a look. Or better yet, he may just surprise the Dodgers front office. However, Segedin is coming off the DL very soon and Dickson’s window of opportunity may be closing.

4. I totally agree with you mark. I would like to have seen them unload him last year while there was a chance. I think he has done well for the dodgers and I like him but I would keep bellinger up and play him everyday mixing him in the infield and outfield. Send van slyke out he is not needed. Send him and toles to triple a so toles can play everyday. Give bellinger a long look everyday. He can’t be as bad as van slyke and he might be pretty good given time. I don’t think joc will ever hit. He will supply power at times and play good defense but is not a threat against good pitching. I would also be in favor of giving Dickson a shot but with franklin g coming back they won’t.

   1. “Give bellinger a long look everyday. He can’t be as bad as van slyke and he might be pretty good given time. ”
      I think you may be underestimating Bellinger’s ceiling. I see him as a future star, once he learns to avoid the up and in pitches. Time will tell.

5. The entire post revolves around this line:
   .
   Dave Roberts blames the decline on his elbow and while that may be true, it’s part of that dreaded aging process.
   .
   But if that’s true, why not just let the elbow heal?
   .
   Seems like much ado about nothing here, except that Gonzalez in his current (probably, most probably, injured) form isn’t helping the team.

   1. Bluto

      It is true about Agone’s elbow.

      They talked about it, on the pregame show.

      They were talking about how Agone has tried to change his swing a little, to be able to hit with his elbow like that.

      But just like with pitchers, it is not good that Agone is trying to adjust his swing to hit, when he is hurt.

      Because he could pick up a bad habit, doing that, and that could mess up his swing, when he is healthy again.

      And the question is, how is Agone going to get healthy again, if he is still using his elbow, instead of resting it?

6. Mark

   I personally think Agone should go on, the DL.

   Because we all know he isn’t himself, because he is hurting.

   Because if Agone goes on the DL they have insurance, to cover his salary.

   They are not going to release Agone like they did with Crawford, because Agone, is one of the team leaders, and he doesn’t have the DL history, that Crawford had.

   And if Bellinger doesn’t do well during the time he is filling in forAgone. we will still have Agone, when he is well, and ready to play.

   And if Bellinger does do well, and shows he can hit lefties, he can give Agone his days off, when the team faces a leftie, instead of Scott.

   And against righties, they will find a place for Bellinger to play in the outfield, to keep his bat in the line up, if he is hitting that well.

   And if Agone does come back strong, we will not only have Bellinger’s bat in the line up, we will also have a healthy Agone, hitting in the line up too.

   And even in decline, Agone has a better bat, then most of players, on the team.

   And remember that Turner was pretty bad for almost the first three months in the season, last year.

   And Roberts never stopped playing him, and he never moved Turner down, in the order.

   And believe me, I and other people, thought that Roberts, should have moved Turner, down in the order during that time last year.

   And Turner wasn’t himself, much longer, then the first month, of the season, last year.

   1. MJ, I agree that AGon is not going to be released. He has been a great Dodger and deserves more respect. But just as I have been laughing at Giant fans about how selfish MadBum was by going dirt bike riding during the season, is AGon hurting the team by not going on the DL? Will rest help his elbow? Or is this the AGon we get for the next two years? His 10/5 rights vest in August, so he will remain a Dodger for through 2018. A .250 BA and .316 Slg% from a #4 hitter is less than pedestrian.
      .
      There really is no salary relief insurance for going on the DL. The insurance is more for players that sign long-term contracts and incur a career ending injury. Think Darren Dreifort and Jason Schmidt. You can insure anything, so it is possible that the Dodgers did have some insurance on Ryu for two years. But not for 10 Day DL trips.

      1. AC

         I can’t imagine the team’s, don’t have that kind of insurance to protect them, if a player goes out, that seems odd, but I believe you.

         I thought you could insure almost anything, for the right money.

         And about him hurting team, that is why I said he needs to go on the DL, and get healthy, if possible.

         And you mentioned something else, that I was thinking about.

         Will rest help his elbow, or is it going to be an on going problem.

         And the other thing I was thinking about, is do we have anyone else to go to, if Bellinger isn’t quite ready yet.

         Bottom line, we don’t know enough about Agone’s injury and problem, to know that right answer.

         But if Agone is can get healthy, and he is able to produce as much as he did last year, he is still a better bat, then most of the team, in that case.

         1. AC beat me to it. There isn’t insurance for tendinitis. It’s for severe injuries that end season’s or careers. Agone needs to go on the DL instead of making excuses or in this case having excuses made for him. No one forced him to play in the WBC when he knew he was injured. Get a cortisone shot, rest the elbow for 10 days and then see if there is anything left in the tank. Incredibly bad job by our 3rd base coach last night sending Adrian home.

7. “7.0, 6.0, 7.0, 6.0, 5.2, 7.0 – Over the past 6 games Dodger starters have averaged almost 6.2 innings per start.” Well now this cannot be. This has got to be fake news. Everybody knows the no Dodgers starter other than Kershaw can go more than 5. Although we did get some concession that the starting list grew from Kershaw, to Kershaw/McCarthy/Urias. Still zero confidence in Ryu and Maeda. Well, Ryu went 6.0 last time out after being on the shelf for 2 years. Maybe he is getting more comfortable and confident. I guess it depends on what colored glasses you have on. Maeda went 7.0 yesterday. There goes that idea that the starters cannot go more than 5. That’s okay, the glass half empty crowd can still point to Hill. What’s going to happen when Hill actually is able to pitch?
   .

   We keep hearing that the vaunted Mets are the standard bearers for starting pitching. Syndergaard/deGrom/Harvey/Wheeler/Gsellman – 129.2 IP (5.87 IP per start) – 3.96 ERA, with only Syndergaard and deGrom with ERA’s under 4.25. With Lugo and Matz hurt they have nobody else to turn to. That cannot be right…only the Dodgers have pitchers that get hurt.
   .
   Or the Cubs, with Anderson/Lester/Hendricks/Arrieta/Lackey – 124.2 IP (5.64 IP per start) – 4.26 ERA. And that list is in ERA order. Anderson is the Ace with 3.54 ERA. Only Anderson and Lester have ERA’s less than 4.50. And if any of them go down, they have no one to step in.
   .
   Compared to the Dodgers mediocre starting crew of Kershaw/McCarthy/Wood/Ryu/Maeda/Hill/Urias. How dare the Dodgers have 7 pitchers who have started this year? Doesn’t that show just how inept they are at putting together a starting rotation? 134.2 IP (5.59 IP per start) – 3.61 ERA with McCarthy/Wood/Kershaw with ERA’s less than 2.30. To be fair, Wood has an ERA of 3.14 as a starter, 0.00 as a reliever, for an overall 2.29 ERA.
   .
   The pitching is fine, and could be very good. With a little optimistic hyperbole, scary good. Oaks is ready now, and Stewart later this month. Jurrjens and Masterson for an emergency start if needed. It is the offense that needs help; either from within or outside help, with Braun/Cain/Cabrera all ready to move. We read how it was Zaidi that orchestrated the Hill/Reddick trade with his mentor Billy Beane. Can Anthopoulos call over to Toronto and work on acquiring Kevin Pillar? That would start with Pederson. I have no reason to believe that Pillar is even available, but I can wish. I have heard Donaldson perhaps being available, so maybe Pillar can be (by the way Pillar also leads off). As I suggested yesterday, with the pitching, the Dodgers have a chance to be very special this year. If there is a season to go for it, this could be it. Is Braun a difference maker? Everything points to yes, but at what cost. The Brewers lose some leverage come May 14 when Ryan’s 10/5 rights vest. Is it possible that FAZ can pull off a miracle and get Braun and Pillar (or LoCain). They certainly have the assets to do so. One can hope and dream.

   1. But, but, you forgot about the Midgets! Surely you must agree, that is how to assemble a starting staff! You know, with BIG LONG EXPENSIVE contracts for pitchers that go deep into games. Here are the FACTS:
      .
      SF starters, 145IP, 24 games, 4.45 ERA
      .
      LA starters, 135IP, 24 games, 3.61 ERA
      .
      OK, that doesn’t look so good for SF, but they have only used 6 different starters, Dodgers an over-the-top 7 different starters.

8. Mitchell White did get beat, but the defense let him down in that 3rd inning and there was an absolutely insane wind in Lancaster (and most of LA) last night which had the ball going all over the place. But yes, his ERA sure did jump up. It’s good for him to experience failure a bit. Let’s see how he rebounds.

   The easiest thing to do is bat Agone 7 for now, or more likely, stash him on the DL for 2-4 weeks. That way Bellinger can stay up here at 1b. Agone clearly isnt what he was; hopefully a big reason for that is an injury which needs to be healed.

   1. Bobby, most pitchers get killed in Lancaster, especially at night. The wind is horrendous. I am not surprised that White got hit. Now let’s see how he comes back next game.
      .
      The one exception to the Lancaster experience for me was JDL. I saw him pitch at Lancaster, and he absolutely dominated. It was the most dominating pitching I saw at the minor league level outside of Felix Hernandez when he was at Tacoma and pitched against the River Cats. JDL was promoted to AA very shortly after that game.

9. We can’t judge this Agon until he is healthy. How to get him healthy? He is well enough to play and compete, and as long is he is somewhat producing and is healing, he should be in the lineup. If he is not healing, while playing, he should go on the DL. The training staff must know what’s going on with the elbow, and hopefully Agon is honest with them about the symptoms. In the meantime, move him around the lineup. The only hitters we have that anyone fears are Turner and Seager, who should hit in the 3 & 4 holes. Too bad no one fears 66. As usual, 66 is the big hole and Pederson is the next biggest hole. We don’t have anyone on this roster who can replace even a mediocre AGon. Bellinger is not there yet. Too bad because that would be a perfect fit. The outfield produces zip. Toles still has a chance to be good. Leave him alone and play him every game. I think if we had someone who could replace a mediocre AGon, he would be playing. He is the best we have at that position. Even now.

10. As Bluto said, injuries are a part of aging and decline. A-Gon hit 18 HR last year with 90 RBI as a cleanup hitter. He was one of the weakest #4 hitters in baseball. In the last 4 years, he has averaged .238 against LH pitching. Compare that to the previous 4 years where he averaged .308. Yeah, blame it on his elbow. It a trend and it’s a huge decline. Then, add in the fact that he clogs the bases and is timed, not with a sundial, but with Halley’s Comet and the Dodgers have a huge problem.
    –
    I no longer think the Dodgers can win with Adrian… Period! Bellinger is better RIGHT NOW than A-Gon. I mean, in the last 4 years his decline has been considerable. He used to mash LH pitching… not any more. If the Dodgers don’t get a REAL cleanup hitter, I no longer think they can win the NL West, let alone the World Series. I am sure that A-Gon will hit better than he is now, but he should not hit above #6.
    –
    At the minimum, we need Braun. I think he will be productive in 2018 as well. The Dodgers can afford him to sit in 19 and 20 if he declines, but he just might put them over the TOP this year. I expected a breakout year from Yasmani. It has not happened and Pederson and Grandal are the same player. I am now in the “Dump Joc” Camp. If he is in a deal for Braun, so be it. Puig Too. I am losing patience. I would be (somewhat) happy, even if they keep A-Gon, with this lineup:
    –
    1. Toles CF (he can hit leadoff)
    2. Forsythe 2B
    3. Seager SS
    4. Braun LF
    5. Turner 3B
    6. A-Gon 1B
    7. Grandal C
    8. Bellinger RF (keep the kid up – he will be fine)

    1. If it boils down to keeping either Grandal or Pederson, it is Pederson that should be kept. Barnes is a better catcher and pitch caller. He has some speed. He has good OBP.
       .
       Pederson is a much better leadoff hitter than Toles.
       .
       Agon can smack a ball off the Green Monster all day long.

       1. Bum

          I agree Joc is a better lead off hitter then Toles, because Joc has had to try to work his counts, to get enough walks, to off set, his strike outs.

          And he is also more experienced then Toles is, because this, isn’t Joc’s first year.

          And Toles tends to swing early sometimes, in his counts.

          And sometimes, that is ok, because that may be the best pitch, he will get.

          But at the top of the order, the first goal for a lead off hitter, would be to get on base, and let the big boys batting behind you, hit you in.

          I don’t know that Joc is the best lead off hitter on the team, because he has only batted in the lead off position, twice this year, so I would have to see more.

          1. Joc was plain awful as a leadoff hitter two years ago. Not enough sample size to make that conclusion in my opinion. It could be true. We don’t really know that though.

             1. Hawkeye

                I agree with that, because if we looked at Joc’s biggest sample size, he was terrible, but that was his first year.

    2. I continue to be confused by Mark’s positioning.
       .
       Yes, Gonzalez is declining, but this was known and is known and expected. The team (and I) expect others to offset his decline.
       .
       What wasn’t expected was his elbow would be hurt.
       .
       What is the point of acting rashly? Wait. Wait to see what impact the elbow healing has. Wait to see if others can step to the plate as Gonzalez wanes.
       .
       If the dodgers were willing to wait and see after an offseason, why not wait until he is healthy?

11. Maeda showed us his pride. He really pitched with attitude plus better strategy.
    .
    I like Agon as a pinch hitter. He just needs to get to first base. He would be used to knock in runs.
    .
    Agon and Gutierrez as lefty and righty pinch hitters.
    Hill and Stripling become the Dodger’s Miller but better in that they would give the Dodgers a righty and lefty Miller.
    .
    Stop with the Joc trades. Righties pitch 70% of the time and he had a 2016 line of .246 .352 .495 .847 last year mostly against righties. Anybody that doesn’t like his defense needs to rethink that.
    .
    If Toles hit as a righty he would be great in LF.
    .
    Keep Taylor and Hernandez. The bench: Taylor, Hernandez, Gonzales, Gutierrez.

    1. And I agree it was nice to see Maeda do well!

       He is a very likeable guy, and you know he wants to do his best.

12. That was more like the Andy Sopko I was expecting this year. Tonight, Josh Sborz goes for the Drillers and hopefully he will get it together..
    .
    I questioned why Bobby Wilson was retained by the Dodgers, and have stated that I thought that it would hurt the development of Kyle Farmer. I stated a couple of weeks ago that I thought the combo of Wilson/Murphy should end and Farmer promoted to AAA, and Smith to AA. Smith is proving to be a great pick, and needs to be pushed as he was last year. His defense is special, and he just needs to prove he can hit. Let’s see what he can do at Tulsa. Come on Gabe, make the move!!
    .
    Peters is getting the Bellinger treatment. He bypassed Great Lakes (as did Cody), and is playing very well at RC. He absolutely belongs. He may not get the 30 jacks that Bellinger got at RC, but he should be in the 20-30 range. He should stay at Rancho all year, just as Bellinger did. Let him continue to be successful.
    .
    The big news yesterday was the relief pitching from Adam Bray at OKC. Bray was promoted from RC yesterday and was inserted in the game with 2 on and 2 out in the 6th inning of a 2-1 game at the time. He got the third out, and went a total of 3.1 IP, 0 R, 1 H, 0 BB, 2K. At RC, Bray was in 4 games (1 start), 16 IP, 0.56 ERA, 2 BB, 18 K. Not bad for a 2015 33rd round pick out of the baseball hotbed, South Dakota State. OKC needed relievers as they used a reliever committee (6) for the game on Thursday after Urias was recalled. So Bray may be going back to RC, but he has made his name known.

    1. Thanks again AC for your updates on the Dodgers prospects. I had not ever heard of Bray before your post. Now I will keep an eye on him as he develops in the farm system. At this point, there must be about a half dozen Dodgers prospects where I heard their name from you first. By the time they get ranked in MLB’s top 100 prospect list, it’s like reading old news LOL

13. Mark: “At the minimum, we need Braun. I think he will be productive in 2018 as well. The Dodgers can afford him to sit in 19 and 20 if he declines, but he just might put them over the TOP this year.”
    .
    After reading this post I had to go back a couple threads to make sure this was the same guy who was able to pass on the $22,000 Denali XL package, with it’s “rich corinthian leather” and Butt Warmers in subartic Indiana!!!
    .
    C’mon, Braun would be HUGE but so would the price. FAZ has been talking with the Brewers since before the trade deadline. Brewers must want an arm and a leg. Now with the Brewers at 12 and 12 (same as Dodgers) and only ONE game behind the Cubs, they aren’t ready to blow it up, unless overwhelmed. Don’t know for sure, but with Thames and Braun maybe there is some excitement in Milwaukee.
    .
    Let’s wait and see what bargains might appear, including possibly Braun. If necessary, couldn’t we make do with cheap rentals Cabrera and Cain instead of Braun? Let’s not forget that we could hate the last two years of Braun’s contract just as much as Gonzalez’s contract.

14. With hill, pederson, guiterrez, forsyythe, Dayton , and segedin coming back who goes down.

    1. I think a lot depends upon how Toles, Bellinger, Gonzalez, Taylor others do.
       –
       Hill might be 10 days away. If Toles and/or Bellinger get hot, then maybe SVS and Taylor go back. I think KIke is safe because of his flexibility. They could DL A-Gon and Romo. It’s going to be interesting…
       –
       someone might get their feelings hurt.

15. Mark you’re dead on about where A-gon is in his career. He needs to swallow his pride and take 10-days on the DL and see if he can right the ship. He may know a certain 21 year old is breathing down his neck and is afraid to do what’s best for the team. I don’t think Braun is a must right now, but there’s no doubt the Dodgers are watching him and McCutchen. I’m not so sure the Brewers are in a big hurry to move him either. They’re payroll is low, their minors are stacked, and the Pirates are falling apart. They may not be in a hurry to move him anymore.

    Hopefully, the Dodgers will get a good look at their lineup with Forsythe and Guttierez real soon. The injuries have caused some bad batting orders. Grandal should not be hitting 4th or 5th in a good lineup. Getting a good look at a healthy squad will give FAZ a good idea of what moves need to be made. A RH relief pitcher is definitely needed.

    1. I agree with Brewers and Braun. They are not in any hurry to let him go, unless there is an overpay. The Brewers do lose some leverage after his 10/5 rights vest, but if they want to keep him, there is no leverage to lose. The main point with him is that he could be a 2017 difference maker. McCutcheon was a 2015 difference maker. I would not be a fan of such a trade.
       .
       RHRP is a prime target for many teams right now. Everybody’s go to, Baltimore’s Brad Brach/Michael Givens, are not going anywhere. The O’s believe they have a shot this year, and only have a two year window with all of their FA coming available after 2018, that they are not inclined to move anyone from what many believe is the best part of their team.
       .
       Chicago White Sox have 3 RHRP that could be available…Zach Putnam/Tommy Kahnle/Nate Jones. Robertson is going to go to the Nats. I am 90%+ convinced of that.
       Other possibilities include Drew Storen/Raisel Iglesias from the Reds, Adam Warren from the Yankees, Alex Colome from Tampa Bay, Jose Ramirez from Atlanta, and Corey Knebel from the Brewers. None of those teams are in any hurry to move anyone until the deadline when they will get a big overpay.

       1. Kelvin Herrera is a name to keep an eye on. MLBTR say the Nats are interested.

          Someone might wasn’t to tell the O’s they aren’t going to win it all with Jimenez and Miley.

    2. Braun is the same Agon salary albatross in a couple years.

       Agon is hurt and they won’t sit him – that tells you a lot. Even with a 10 day DL this year. They are tippy toeing around when they should do what’s best for the team- game to game, month to month.

       Until we see the FO make him time to recover and a slide him down in the batting order we know We have weak game theory.

16. Loved Maeda’s effort and determination, he gave the bullpen a rest and his confidence a boost. Him in the rotation gives more balance between L and RHP. Hopefully he turned a corner command wise and his arm is fine. Speaking of trade chips what is Wood’s value right now? Until Hill gets past his blister issues Wood is too valuable to trade. It seems like they want to build Hill back up to starter pitch counts. Kazmir still has not found his velocity so he is late season insurance at best.
    –
    Gutierrez may have trouble staying healthy all year and will need to find his stroke again. A ML rehab assignment may be in order. Forsythe’s return makes Taylor a luxury unless they sit Utley which is unlikely. I would keep Toles up when Joc returns so Kike is the only RH OF for platoons unless Segedin gets the spot occupied by SVS. Segedin can play 1st and 3rd also like Dickson.
    –
    Bench very soon:
    Barnes, Kike, Toles, Utley, Segedin or SVS pending Gutierrez return.
    –
    AGon gets more time to prove himself, Bellinger is sent back down. Grandal and Puig need to be more consistent. Roberts is nothing if not loyal to his core guys he has been to war with.
    –
    McCarthy has become a stopper of sorts and now there is a 2 game win streak to extend. 4 runs of offense today should be enough to beat Eflin and the Phillies on Seager Bobblehead Night.

17. I got to go back and continue reading the comments but first just had to counter Mark a little who I have great respect for and thus have full intent to politely disagree but I have to say it as I see it. Firstly, the owners do not and will never “rue the day” ‘THEY’ dumped tons and more tons to get ‘the deal’ done. Their big picture isn’t baseball, it’s bucks and Kasten approached Colletti with every intent of making blockbuster noise as equal to what they paid for the franchise. AGon was a simple passenger and Colletti may had been the pilot but the owners navigated ‘the trade’ and are still stroking one another because the big picture is big bucks. That move is even still picking my pocket as pay TWC cable and watch only one channel so I’m mad too, but not at AGon. He’s been one of the reasons that’s kept hope alive since he arrived in LA. Yes, AGon is way-way over paid and so is Turner and so is Jansen but all of them are the reason TWC remains able to pick these pockets and will not continue if Braun becomes somebody I’m expected to cheer for. Every player in baseball’s HOF went through decline and they all had to hear it, but not when they held the RBI crown and AGon’s decline started before then.

18. Oh, and love ya Mark.

    1. It would be more exciting if we called each other bad names and fought to the death!
       –
       You know you can disagree with me anytime.
       –
       I don’t buy your argument and you don’t buy mine.
       –
       What’s the issue? There is none! I hope you are doing well, Quas!

19. Thanks. I’ve had a bit of wind taken from me with bad news of a friend. The bummers continue so is the saga. Something to blame the’ can’t get it up anymore’ on.

20. I hope the Dodgers do not go after McCutchen. I did not like Gutierrez in Seattle and still do not like him. He was hurt a lot and did not hit well. Maybe he hit righties well, I do not know. I did not keep track .

    Nothing like taking 3 from Philly and 3 from the Giants. Starting pitching is good and will stay good. We have replacements to back them up. I will feel good when Hatcher and Romo are gone. It will not happen. FAZ won’t do it. You just cannot trust Hatcher or Romo in a tough situation. The only time me I want to see them is when we are 5 runs ahead or down and it is the last inning.

    kLD–North Idaho is very beautiful. You have to love the outdoors. Golf in Boise is around $25-30 for 18 holes.

    1. Idahoal

       I am glad the weather is better for you now, so you can enjoy yourself, outside now.

       And I bet your state is beautiful.

21. Chas de Jong is throwing for Seattle tomorrow.

    1. I hope he throws a complete game shutout.

22. I know Josh Reddick is a bad name for Dodgers fans, but did anyone see the catch he made against the A’s yesterday? It was outstanding. He is still a singles hitter, but he is batting .309/.347/.441/.788 for the Astros. I am glad for Josh, he was just a square peg in a round hole for the Dodgers.
    .
    One of my favorite non-Dodger players is Alex Bregman, a 23 year old inf w/Astros. I was thinking about his start last year with Houston after watching Bellinger go 1-10 to start his career. Bregman was a #2 overall pick by Houston in 2015 out of LSU, and spent all of 146 games in minor leagues including 18 games at AAA and 62 at AA last year before getting called up. Bregman started 2 for 38 over his first 10 games. He was not sent down, and he played every day. Starting in Game 11 he proceeded to get a hit in 34 of the last 39 games of 2016, including 8 HRs. He is not starting 2017 very hot, but he should be something special, as Bellinger will be for the Dodgers. Just leave him out there and let him struggle if need be. He will adjust, even if that means bunting to compensate against the shift.

23. Big blow for the Nats. Eaton gone for year with torn ACL.

24. Tonight’s lineup features AGon and Grandal at the 3 and 4 spots ahead of Puig, more than clogging up his speed and Taylor giving Turner a blow. Put Puig at 2 and move everyone else down please. Grandal down to .203 and Utley at .103…Taylor batting .368 hits 8th. Toles leads off the game with a HR, he and Kike have both done that more than once this year. McCarthy and Eflin both have given up 1 hit through 2. Az up 4-1 after 4 in Phoenix, Greinke against Anderson, have a chance to gain some ground.

    1. Nothing revives a struggling offense like Gonzalez and Grandal hitting 3-4.

       MCCarthy has always been HR prone. Just have to hope they’re solo shots.

       1. Hawkeye

          McCarthy had runners on base, almost the whole, night.

          1. Not his best performance but the offense has to do better. Hatcher comes in and kills whatever momentum the Dodgers had.

25. Gutierrez hit one out for Rancho.

26. Friggin Hatchet!! Every time I start believing all the stats and comparisons against other guys in the bullpen that you guys post, which hey, I know is in good faith, and I totally respect you for it, he get’s drilled for a home run. I feel like it is ground hog day, like the first 2 or 3 months of last season when Hatchet and the human rain delay, Baez, would mow down the first two guys in the inning, even getting Vin to marvel at the smoke they were throwing, then the next guy goes yard and breaks our back. Please make it stop!

27. Hatcher, when you throw a fastball right down the middle, even average hitters will hit.

28. A pathetic AB by Grandal.

29. Are you kidding me

30. They should win this with Toles and or Seager.

31. Come on Gonzalez. You’re do!

32. Agone with a shot to win it

    1. Was that ruled a hit or an error?

       1. Bellinger has that “prodigious” power. I read that one scout claimed Bellinger had 50 hr power.

          I can see why. This guy might be a better version of Anthony Rizzo for us

33. I’m surprised M.T didn’t shut it down!??!
    Wow life is good right now and my Blue is making my mood ring bright…
    Ya, it was infield hit, but my oh my did AGon deserve a break like that…
    It looks like Cody going no where and our SP’s are getting the job done, ALL of em..

    1. Why would I shut it down?

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