Interesting topic on who goes and who stays when Cingrani comes back. Cingrani has pitched in three rehab games (1 with RC, and 2 with OKC). He had three days between his first game and second and dropped it down to 2 games between games 2 and 3. He still needs to show he can go back to back.
May 4 – 16 pitches/10 strikes
May 7 – 20 pitches/11 strikes
May 9 – 15 pitches/8 strikes
It still looks like he needs to work on command and control issues, but he should not be far away. He has no options so once his rehab assignment is complete, he will need to be added to the 25 man or released. I think we can guess what that will be. The same for Garcia. He is pitching very well of late and should be in no danger of being released.
Yimi Garcia from April 9; 11 games, 12.2 IP, 2 runs (1 earned) (in 1 game), 2 hits, 3 walks, 2 HBP, and 12 strikeouts. In the 6th inning on May 4 with, with 1 out, he inherited 3 runners from Joe Kelly, and 2 scored on a HBP and walk, but he did get 2 strikeouts to minimize the damage in a game the Dodgers eventually won. He has been almost unhittable during that stretch, albeit they were all non-high leverage games. Garcia finished 7 of the 11 games, but they were all mop up type situations. Is he headed for high leverage situations? He is certainly a better option than Joe Kelly right now. Garcia has not allowed a HR since April 5, when he allowed 2 in his worst outing if 2019.
I would expect to see Joe Kelly go on the IL, head down to Extended ST to work on a few things and then his 20-day rehab. This will keep Alexander on the 25 man for a while, as I expect Caleb Ferguson to be optioned once his IL days are over.
I suspect that the Dodgers will look anywhere and everywhere for a RH bat and reliable late inning reliever. Then the question…who gets moved? The 40 man will not be a problem, but there is a budding concern over what prospects should be considered safe and what may be used in trades. While we all have our favorites, AF must remain unemotional about trades, perhaps the most difficult part of being a President of Baseball Operations/GM. You cannot convince me that these FO personnel do not bond with some of these kids.
Perhaps the biggest consideration will be the players who will become Rule 5 draft eligible this winter and require to be placed on the 40 man at that time or risk losing them. This year there are 15 first time Rule 5 eligible players:
AAA - OKC
Will D. Smith (C)
Errol Robinson (SS/2B)
Tony Gonsolin (RHP)
AA - Tulsa
Zach McKinstry (inf)
DJ Peters (OF)
Cody Thomas (OF)
Mitchell White (RHP)
Andre Scrubb (RHRP)
Parker Curry (RHRP)
A+ - RC
Nick Yarnall (1B)
Brayan Morales (CF)
Carlos Rincon (OF)
Jordan Sheffield (RHRP)
A – Great Lakes
Leonel Valera (SS/2B)
Jesus Vargas (RHP)
The Dodgers are scheduled to lose 5 to FA after 2019; Hill/Ryu/Martin/Cingrani/Freese. Brock Stewart will be out of options, and I do not see him on the Dodgers 25-man next year. Shaggy, Schultz, and McCreery are potential releases if the Dodgers need a spot on the 40 man this year (May/Gonsolin or trade). The team has kept the roster at 39 in full anticipation that Toles will be added soon.
Players I believe will be protected if remain with the Dodgers: Will D. Smith, Tony Gonsolin, Mitchell White, DJ Peters, Andre Scrubb. Depending as to how well Jordan Sheffield pitches the remainder of the year, he will certainly be strongly considered to be saved, but with the number of pitchers the team has and the number they are going to need to protect, Jordan could very well be exposed.
I cannot see any of the remaining 9 players being protected, but I also do not see any of them being picked up. Errol Robinson would be the closest since he can become that versatile middle infield/utility player for a team that needs the versatility in their roster.
The Dodgers will now have to decide if it makes more sense to package some of the Rule 5 eligible players for a potential trade, or risk losing them in the draft. Because the Dodgers farm system is so strong, many of the Rule 5 draft eligible players could very well be protected on other teams. Can DJ Peters and Jordan Sheffield be included in a trade? Errol Robinson/Zack McKinstry/Cody Thomas could all be protected on other teams without the deep farm system the Dodgers have. That team could protect them and will then have three option years to get the player ready for MLB. That could make sense for a trading team.
It is one thing to stockpile players, but they all cannot play with the Dodgers and often times it makes more sense to move that player to get something rather than risk losing them in the Rule 5 draft. The FO will obviously have a far more realistic ETA for these players and can make assumptions as to their marketability based on that ETA.
The Dodgers have a lot of prospect options they can put together to get that RH bat and/or lock down late inning high leverage reliever. If they do, some fans will go ballistic depending as to which of their favorites are moved. The FO has thus far looked good in these decisions as only Frankie Montas looks to be a significant contributor to a ML team at this time. Grant Holmes may be lost for a 2nd year due to shoulder issues. He apparently has a significant rotator cuff injury that could eliminate his 2019 season after losing all but 2 games (6.0 innings) of 2018. The one I will be watching will be one of my favorites, Tampa Bay’s Jose De Leon. He is scheduled back this year from TJ surgery. Jharel Cotton is also due back this year after TJ surgery. Willie Calhoun is back in AAA with the Rangers.
So who do you think the Dodgers protect? Which prospects could be traded? If you do not think it matters, think back to 1954 when the Dodgers lost Roberto Clemente to the Pirates in a Rule 5 draft.
Minor League Report by AC
OKC – Nashville Sounds (As) Suspended after 4 with the Dodgers in front 4-0.
The game will be completed when Nashville is back in OKC on 8/19 thru 8/22 as part of a DH. With one out in the third inning and two runners on, Matt Beaty connected on a one-out RBI single before Kyle Garlick doubled to the wall in center field to bring home two more runs. The Dodgers’ lead grew to 4-0 on a RBI single by Edwin Ríos.
The Dodgers open a four-game road series against the Round Rock Express at 7:05 p.m. Friday at Dell Diamond.
Tulsa 7 – Arkansas Travelers 4 (Mariners) – Game 1
In the first game of a DH, the Drillers’ Zach Reks did most of the damage with a 2-4 night including a triple and his 8th HR, and 4 RBIs. Cody Thomas and Keibert Ruiz each had two hits with Thomas hitting his 7th HR. Dustin May had another tough outing, although not as tough as the previous one. He pitched 4.0 innings allowing 2 runs on 4 hits, 2 walks and 7 strikeouts. Shea Spitzbarth pitched 2 shutout innings, while Layne Somsen surrendered the final 2 runs on 2 hits and 2 walks in his 1.0 IP in a non-save situation.
Tulsa 0 – Arkansas Travelers 1 – Game 2
If you like pitching duels, this was a game for you. Parker Curry started his 3rd game and pitched 4 scoreless innings. He did allow 2 hits and 2 walks and registered 6 strikeouts. Recently signed Chris Nunn relieved Curry and retired all 5 batters, 3 by strikeout. However with 2 out in 6th, nobody on base, Chris Nunn was sent to the showers and Michael Boyle was brought in. Boyle promptly gave up a single, wild pitch, walk, run scoring single, and another wild pitch before getting out of the 6th. That run was all the Travelers would need as they held on to a 7 inning 1-0 shutout victory for the DH split, keeping the Drillers 2.5 games back of the 1st place Arkansas. Cody Thomas followed up his 2-hit game in Game 1 with another 2-hit game, including a double.
Rancho Cucamonga Quakes 2 – Visalia Rawhide 7 (DBacks)
For the second consecutive game, Michael Grove could not get out of the 1st inning. However in this game, Grove surrendered 4 runs on 4 hits, on walk and 1 K, in 0.2 IP. Wes Helsabeck came in to end the 1st inning with a strikeout and proceeded to pitch an uneventful 2nd inning. Caleb Ferguson in his first rehab outing pitched a clean 3rd inning allowing 1 walk with 2 strikeouts. Wills Montgomery had a rough beginning giving up 3 runs on 3 hits, 1 walk, and a double steal before he could get out of the 4th. He pitched a very good 5th through 8th inning, but the lead was 5 runs after 8. Connor Mitchell pitched to 3 batters in the 9th and struck out all 3.
Offensively, Jeter Downs had a big night going 3-3 with his 3rd triple. He scored both Quakes runs. Marcus Chiu had a 2-hit night. Donovan Casey got off to such a great start, but in his last 11 games, he has gone 4-46 dropping his average from .310 to .238.
Great Lakes Loons – Quad Cities River Bandits (Houston)
As reported yesterday, the three games scheduled with the Bandits have been canceled due to the flooding in Quad Cities leaving the ball park in Davenport an island surrounded by flood waters.
This is very relevant information and should give us a look into what could happen. Great stuff!
Shaggy, Schultz, & McCreery happens to be the name of the law firm I employ.
Good for the preliminaries, but can’t close?
I hired Dewy, Cheetam and Howe.
Good post AC, you brought up things I had been thinking about. I think it’s too early to get into the Dodger’s thinking on Rule 5 when they are still focused on this year but I agree with your protection candidates for now and prospects are the capital of choice at the deadline and the team has much to offer in trades. Of the Dodgers free agents I see only Ryu potentially coming back and there is Boras. Some of the shuffling at OKC the last few days tells me promotions from Tulsa are coming soon, especially OF and possibly Lux. Some payroll will drop off next year but they will need some for Cory and Cody at some point. Joc, Kike and CT3 are due raises that could influence decisions. Muncy, Alex, Ferris, Urias will still be uber cheap. I would keep Maeda around, good contract and can pitch in the pen too. I don’t see them forcing May, Gonsolin or White before they are ready or Lux and Smith for that matter. They will get younger and cheaper but there is room for another stud on the payroll next year.
Good post AC. Informative, as always. The only player I might add to your Rule 5 protected list is Cody Thomas. He has an intriguing combination of athleticism and power that could continue to develop nicely. If Peters continues to perform at his present levels, there would be no need to protect him. On the other hand, if it all starts to come together for him for the remainder of the season and he cuts down drastically on the strikeouts, he might have to be considered for protection.
I think there will be an IL assignment for someone(Kelly most likely) to allow Cingrani to return. I agree that CF will probably be optioned. Then again, it might just be Rocky Gale sent back down. I somewhat understand why they have him ready, as Martin can go on the IL any moment and the whole pinch hitting thought. But, in the overall scheme of things, he just seems like a useless addition.
We know one thing for certain, the team we have now is not the team we will have at the end of the year.
I can see the Dodgers possibly carrying three lefties in the pen, but doubt there will ever be four. The clear need is an eighth inning guy. Is Cingrani that guy? Beaz, Kelly, Yimi? Sending Kelly down is a short-term and temporary solution to that problem. It will be interesting to see what happens.
I think it is hard to ignore Peters’ raw power. I do think that the best use of Peters may be in a trade. His strikeouts are a problem for me, but not so much for the Dodgers or other teams looking at power. How else do you explain Chris Davis? DJ is also a good defensive OF with a plus arm. He can play MiLB CF, but is more of a fit in RF.
100% agree that Cody is a tremendous athlete, but as a baseball player, he is one who also strikes out a lot (32% this year – 30% career), and does not have the power potential that Peters has, but he does have legit power. Could he become a better bat to ball skills player? Sure, but at 24, he does not have a lot of time to improve them that much. As a baseball player is Cody that much better (if at all) than Zach Reks? Reks has better bat to ball skills and is developing power. Cody is a LH hitter (as is Reks) while Peters his RH. Cody is 14 months older than DJ. Reks is a year older than Cody. I think the Dodgers see Reks as a LH version of Kyle Garlick. Older AAAA type OF who are great for organizational depth and can be a good #4 or #5 OF when needed. Cody may be more developable. With lesser talent at the top of a prospect list, Cody would certainly be protected. And he may still with the Dodgers. I have nothing to base it on, but I believe that either Cody or DJ will be included in a trade at the deadline. I just cannot see them protecting both OF, and it seems a better solution to trade one of them than to risk losing one of them in the Rule 5 draft.
You’re probably right. It would be better to trade one (or two) to satisfy a more pressing need. However, it’s hard not to fall in love with your own prospects and have your vision of the bigger picture blurred. That’s why I continue with my fascination with Kyle Garlick. Will he make the Dodgers a better team? Probably not, but as hard as these young men work and struggle for the opportunity to play in the show, I want to see them get their opportunity. Even if it is only for a couple of games.
Yordan Alvarez
The Dodgers had control of Alvarez for two months (June to August 2016). I do not think he ever actually played in the Dodgers organization. He will certainly be considered the one that got away, but nobody predicted what he may become. I do not remember anyone saying that the Dodgers made a massive mistake (or a mistake at all) in trading Alvarez at the time of the trade. Now? Sure. Mistake…BIG Mistake. If you did, I apologize and sincerely applaud your foresight. He was a late bloomer out of Cuba (18/19 when the Dodgers signed him). He was signed at the end of the 2015/2016 international signing period. Great deal by the Astros.
No I did not predict anything concerning yordan. I was just saying I remember the signing and the deal with Houston. He is killing triple a and it appears he is on the cusp of a call up. Apparently he is not a great defensive player but offensively he is highly regarded. Will this translate to the big leagues who knows. But with all the international stiffs they signed who won’t pan out the one who might they traded. I know we got fields who did a good job in the regular season but was lit up in the ws I believe by none other than Houston. The Dodgers international signings were almost a total waste. I believe those who found the signees were summarily dismissed.
Dey gone, Bye, Bye!
Alvarez has all the makings of a stud hitter… but, like Wille Calhoun he is a defensive liability and has had continual injuries. The jury is out… he may become a great hitter… or not. The last step is the hardest. Ask Willie Calhoun.
Alvarez = Rios?
BTW, the Dodgers are up to 7th in team ERA. They have come a long way.
They are 5th in starter ERA and 1st – I said FIRST – in IP by starters.
But Doc takes his starters out too soon?
Wow – that is an amazing fact.
Seems our starters never go more than 5/6 innings.
Did I read correctly that Scherzer is 1-4?
Doesn’t seem possible.
Max is not maxxing right about now.
Max is a good argument for rings not being a major determinant in how good a pitcher is. He’s one of the best ever whether he wins one or not. Nothing but respect for that guy.
Let’s see what the Dodgers are made of the next 2 games. Let’s see who hits really good pitching. Scherzer has been pitching much better than his record indicates. His stuff is still,electric.
A little late but that defensive play at 3b by Muncy was incredible. He’s a baseball player in every sense. Very valuable piece to control.
Max Muncy is WAY underrated defensively!
He IS a baller!
So Frank Vogle is the new head coach of the Lakers. What do you think MT? You saw a lot of him in Indy, seems like a good defensive guy.
I like him a lot. He is a defensive orientated coach and a good guy .
I’d take him back in a heartbeat.
However, the Lakers problems are bigger than their coach. Much bigger.
I can’t see LeBron there next year.
They just need to blow it up!
I have 6 season tickets to the Pacers because I can leave home at 6:30 and be back before 10:00. We go to at least 37 to 38 games a year, but I lose interest in the rest of the NBA now.
Thanks…maybe the Buss kids should sell the team or get a basketball guy to run it. Maybe Kyrie goes back to play with LeBron, he makes a better Robin than Batman.
Agreed
Josiah Gray is starting for Rancho tonight
He’s out of the game now, but his ERA is 40.50.
Not a good night!
Buehler settling in and JT takes Sherzer deep with Muncy aboard! Let’s go Blue!
Striker!
Great ball game so far tonight. 2 good pitchers dueling. My kind of baseball. Buehler coming on strong.
Defense and pitching? Yikes. Just flushed a dynamite outing from the kid.
That meltdown inning is on JT. That should have been a 5-4-3 DP and Baez likely would have put up a scoreless inning.
For me the key to the Nats 5 run inning was JT’s error and Alexander’s inability to get any of his pitches down.
Just waiting for Seager to find his swing, and hope that this is just him shaking off the rust, and hope that this is not just one of those bad years for him.
Turner giveth, Turner taketh away.
Seriously though Turners seems to have had more fielding miscues then he used to.
Never like Baez. Never will.
Unbelievable! Buehler actually outduels Scherzer and a combo of a leaky ‘pen and a leaky glove blow the game.
El Gasolino! Alexander the not so great. Even Floro.
The Dodgers have to fix this.
If I was a starting pitcher on this team I would go on strike until they could get a decent reliever. The Dodgers are off to a great start but they could have won another half dozen games with a decent bullpen. Embarrassing!! .185 hitter who has been cut by half the teams in the league and difo pathetic!
Actually Baez got the DP ball he needed but JT threw it into RF. Alexander looked horrible on the AB to Soto. Couldn’t pitch a single pitch below his knees. Every pitch was up and Soto got an oppo base hit.
I kind of thought Floro would allow a base hit to Rendon, but Parra “the Dodger killer” got him on a 1-2 pitch that got too much plate. El Gasolino has been good of late! It’s not the entire BP that sucks but there are some pieces that need an IL stint.
Defense wins games and championships. Don Nelson, the former Warriors/Mavericks coach, is famous for this one-liner, “THE BEST DEFENSE IS A GREAT OFFENSE”. IMO, nothing could be farther from the truth and that is why I never liked Nelson and cheered when he was let go by the Warriors and drifted into oblivion. His offenses were fun to watch, but he wasn’t a winner.
If anyone saw the Warriors beat the Rockets, yesterday, you saw how a championship team, with their best player injured, 2nd best player, Curry, also suffering from a dislocated finger, beats a team that most thought would pounce on the Warriors deficiencies. Warriors played D. Did not allow their opponents to control the game. That is how you win.
That loss was on JT, not the pen. You can’t give away two outs and expect to win.
Baez did his job and induced the DP which Turner blew it. It happens. It hurts.
Yes Turner opened up the opportunity but Alexander is terrible and Floro made a terrible pitch. There’s plenty of blame to be shared.
Good read by Mike Petriello on our “ace.”
https://www.mlb.com/dodgers/news/hyun-jin-ryu-among-best-pitchers-in-baseball
Win together – lose together – Gotta shake it off and wreak havoc on the Gnats today!!!
P.S. Buehler is a young ace to be who is in school right now… When he learns the ropes, no stopping him… Reminds me of a young Drysdale who out of the gate didnt have a clue..
How nice was that to see the Dodgers manufacture a run with actual productive outs!