Why does Doc keep running some players out there over and over? Some of you are wondering that. Why Kike, why CT3 and why Barnes? Some of you think he’s just rolling them out there for the heck of it because you “know” they can’t hit. I believe some think Doc is just blowing a game they should have won. Let me remind you that the Dodgers have the best record in baseball and are on track to win 108-110 games. That’s pretty dang good!
In case you don’t know, the Dodgers have one of the most sophisticated hitting approaches in MLB, in fact they lead MLB in OB% and are one of the top hitting teams. Robert Van Van Socyoc, Brandt Brown and Aaron Bates have really done a fine job with the Dodgers’ hitting… for the most part. A few weeks ago many were questioning why Chris Taylor was even on the team. My response was that if he could put up 4.3 WAR in 2017 and 3.2 WAR is 2018, he could do it again.
Their patience was rewarded as Chris Taylor finally (FINALLY) started hitting like it was 2017 again. Let’s hope he can keep it up. Now, they are working with Kike to get him back on track. Kike is so intense that when he is in there, he tends to try too hard. I guarantee the Hitting Team is working with him. He was one of the Dodgers best hitters after the All-Star Break last year. Be patient. The Dodgers can afford to be patient with the lead they have and how they are playing.
Austin Barnes has a sweet swing and in 2017 put up excellent offensive numbers. If the hitting coaches thought he was not capable of hitting, they would not waste their time. When you are in a funk, it’s hard to get out. That’s why the Hitting Coaches preach a Body and Mind Approach. You may think it isn’t working but everyone learns differently and at a different rate.
The reason Doc keeps rolling CT3, Barnes and Kike out there is the simple fact that the Dodgers need them. They need them to keep others fresh, they need them for utility, they need them to win. I think all three are at least average Major League Players. Some are capable of more… a lot more!
The same is true with Dylan Floro and Yimi Garcia. Both have MLB stuff. Dylan is still struggling… at times. At other times he looks great. He needs to pitch to figure it out and not at AAA. Doc’s patience with Yimi is now paying off. He is looking very good. This is a long season! You have to go through “peaks and valleys” with most players. The ones that don’t are Superstars (Cody Bellinger).
Patience Grasshoppers. The Dodgers ONLY have the best record in baseball and are ranked #1 in the Power Ratings. Corey and AJ and Mr. Mountain will be back after the All-Star Game. There will be a slow “ramp up.” I was not a fan of the AJ Pollock signing either, but Andrew Friedman is no fool. I guarantee the Braintrust sees something they believe will be valuable. Give it time.
It is my opinion that the bullpen will be fine. Hand is not coming as the Indians will likely be buyers. Francona and Company are not quitters. AF will not overpay or be held hostage. Bet on that! Relief help will come in the form of something unexpected: a trade for a failed starter, the return of Dick Mountain, a rookie stepping up (Gonsolin?), Maeda “volunteering” to go to the pen, or some other unexpected thing. Bullpen pitchers are fickle and you never know what you will get.
Shane Greene has never pitched like he is for Detroit (a losing team) this year. He’s a “Flavor of the Week” for some, but what happens if he comes to LA? I see the potential he could become Jim Johnson re-visited. I would love to have Hand, but that ain’t happening. I suppose Leclerc could happen, maybe Iglesis or Vasquez or Smith. AF will have to pay dearly and now is not the time.
Fans complained over the winter as player-after-player came off the board. They didn’t sign DJLM (if they had, do you think Verdugo would have had the opportunity he has?) They were really never in on Manny Machado or Bryce Harper. They didn’t trade for Kluber or Bauer, and they had the gall to trade two starting outfielders and a starting pitcher for two prospects?
Look at the results. I say “Andrew Friedman has got this.” He has about 30 eyes and 60 ears in his staff of advisors. They have SOOOOOOOO MUCH more information than we do. We are playing checkers – they are playing chess. Trust the process. It’s a good one!
MINOR LEAGUE REPORT by AC
OKC Dodgers 6 – Memphis Redbirds 9 (Cardinals)
OKC outhit the Redbirds 13 to 11, led by an Edwin Rios 3-4 night. Zach Reks, Cameron Perkins, and Rocky Gale each had a pair of hits. The Dodgers used three 2-run HRs to score their 6 runs. Two of those three HRs were hit by Zach Reks (11), and the third was hit by Edwin Rios (13). Jake Peter and Angelo Mora had particularly tough night leaving a combined 11 runners on base.
Dennis Santana started and went the first 4.2 IP. He yielded 5 runs (3 earned) on 6 hits, and 6 walks, while registering 3 Ks. It is really tough to be successful when you throw more walks than IP. Shea Spitzbarth followed with a scoreless 1.1 innings. Luis Vazquez allowed 2 runs on 1 hit and 3 walks in his 1.0 inning of work. Adam McCreery followed up with a scoreless inning. However, after the Dodgers creeped within 1 after a pair of 2-run HRs by Reks and Rios, Justin Grimm surrendered 2 insurance runs for the Redbirds for the final 9-6 score.
Tulsa Drillers off for their All-Star Break
Rancho Cucamonga Quakes 10 – Lake Elsinore Storm 5 (Padres)
The Quakes put up a picket fence in the first four innings, and then double their run production with 4 in the 5th. Jeter Downs opened the inning with a walk, followed by a Donovan Casey double (13) to score Downs. After a Nick Yarnall K, Starling Heredia walked putting runners on 1st and 2nd for Niko Hulsizer who clubbed his first RC HR, a three-run shot. Up 8-4 in the 9th with 2 out, Marcus Chiu and Jeren Kendall both walked, followed by a Connor Wong triple (3) to score two more.
Leo Crawford came off the IL and started for the Quakes. He had a tough third inning where he gave up 3 runs (1 earned) on 3 singles, a fielding error, and a sac fly. Leo cruised through the next four scoreless innings. Connor Strain followed with a scoreless 8th. Austin Drury came into the 9th looking to wrap up the victory, but after 1 out, Drury allowed back to back singles putting runners on 1st and 2nd. Drury coaxed a fly out for out number 2. Drury gave up an infield single to load the bases, but then unleashed a WP to score a run. Drury got the last out to seal the 10-5 victory.
Great Lakes Loons and Ogden Raptors had the night off.
AZL Dodgers Lasorda 6 – AZL Padres (2) 8
The Padres jumped out to after one. In the second, the Lasordas used two singles (Jorbit Vivas and Jaime Perez), a WP, and a 2 run single by Luis Rodriguez to tie the score at 2. That was the extent of hitting with RISP as the Lasordas were 2 for 14 in that category. The Padres rolled off 6 unanswered runs before 18-year-old Dominican SS, Eddys Leonard, hit his first HR on the season in the 7th. In the 8th, Luis Rodriguez walked, moved to 2nd on a ground out, and scored on a throwing error on a ground ball to the SS hit by Brandon Lewis. Leonard then stepped up and hit his 2nd HR of the game to complete the scoring.
Igor Avila was roughed for 3.0 innings, yielding 5 runs (4 earned) on 5 hits and 1 BB with 2 Ks. Adolfo Ramirez followed with 2.1 IP and allowing the final 3 runs (2 earned) on 2 hits and 2 walks. He did strike out 5, but also allowed a 2 run HR. 20-year-old Venezuelan RHP, Emmanuel Marcano, pitched 2.0 scoreless innings, and 20-year-old Dominican RHP, Reinaldo De Paula, struck out both batters he faced. De Paula is having a so far successful start to his US debut. In 3 games and 3.2 IP, De Paula has allowed only a HBP to reach base and has struck out 7 batters.
AZL Dodgers Mota 2 – AZL Padres (1) 8
The second Dodgers AZL team was defeated by a second Padres AZL team. Omar Estevez led off and went 0-2 with a K in his first rehab start since going on the IL on May 15. The Dodgers top two international players from the 2018-2019 class, 17-year-old catcher Diego Cartaya and 17-year-old SS Alex De Jesus, continue to rake both going 2-4, with De Jesus hitting his 2nd double. In 16 US AB, De Jesus has 5 hits. Two doubles, one triple, one HR, three RBIs, 1 BB, and only 3K. While Cartaya is 4-10 (all singles) with 1 BB, and 1K. Both of these 17-year-olds do not seem a bit overmatched in the US. Continuing in the versatility being the key to the Dodgers success MO, De Jesus played 2B and 3B yesterday after playing almost exclusively at SS.
19-year-old Dominican 3B, Luis Yanel Diaz, also went 2-4 with a double (2).
20-year-old Taiwanese RHP, Huei-Sheng Lin had another rough outing going 3.1 innings, surrendering 2 runs on 4 hits with 3 K. Jeisson Cabrera and Jacob Gilliland followed for 4.2 innings and were not much relief. They allowed a combined 6 runs (5 earned), on 7 hits and 4 walks, but did have 5 Ks. However 19-year-old Dominican RHP Carlos Alejo continued with his strong US debut finishing up the game with 1 walk and 1 strikeout. In 3 games (4.2 IP), Alejo has allowed only 1 hit and one walk with 4 Ks.
DSL Dodgers Bautista 7 – DSL Royals (1) 2
The Bautistas put together 5 singles, 1 double, 5 walks, 3 HBP, and 1 error to score 7 runs. In the third, with 1 out, Harold Restituyo was HBP. Jose Garcia followed with a single. A WP put runners on 2nd and 3rd before Eynar Manchin walked to load the bases. Ender Avendano walked with the bases jammed to score Restituyo. Amin Valdez singled to score 2. Jose Ramos was HBP to load the bases again, and Luis Yan singled to score two more for five in the inning. In the fourth, Restituyo singled and worked himself around to 3rd and scored on a WP. In the fifth, Ramos got aboard on an error and came home on a Luis Morales double (4) to complete the scoring for the Bautistas.
17-year-old Dominican RHSP Jerming Rosario started his 5th game for the Bautistas, and still has yet to go more than 3.0 IP but has been brilliant in all five starts. Last night he went 2.2 innings allowing no runs on 1 hit and 2 walks. Duany Gomez, Jeremi Rodriguez, and Wilkin Baez completed the win allowing 2 runs on 3 hits and 4 walks, with 3 K’s.
DSL Dodgers Shoemaker 8 – DSL Indians 2
This was a very strange game. Not only did the Shoemakers score 8 runs with only 3 singles and a 2-run HR, but in the 5th down 2-0, they scored 6 runs on zero hits, 5 walks, 3 HBP, 2 WP and a fielding error. Marlon Cairo hit a two run HR in the 6th to complete the scoring.
18-year-old RHP from Mella, Cuba started and pitched 3.0 innings. He allowed 2 runs on 2 hits, 2 walks, and 3 strikeouts. A trio of young RHP, Juan De La Cruz (18), Samuel Ruben (18), and Frankelyn Feliz (17) pitched the final 6 scoreless innings to preserve the victory.
Can’t win them all but some observations from last night:
1. CT3 has to swing at the 3-2 pitch with the bases loaded. Hirano had just walked in a run to tie the game at 4-4 and a center cut FB was looked at by CT3 for strike three.
2. Kershaw does indeed need to work on the development of a change-up. 90 MPH straight FB’s will not= post season success.
3. It appeared as if Doc did not want to get into a long extra inning game last night by using Floro to start the 8th inning and then leaving him in the fame to flounder.
4. Will Smith looks to be a bona fide major league offensive player and his game inspires me with much more confidence than both Barnes and Martin.
5. The piggback Stripling/Urias start tonight shortened the BP and probably had a role in Doc’s decision making by using Floro.
6. With the deep minor league system and the Dodgers strategy of integrating minor league players slowly before giving them a full-time job means Barnes, Keekay and Joc just might be dealt in a trade deadline deal. With Smith showing he is ready to play, Lux right around the corner, Beaty, Garlick and Verdugo showing they can hit big league pitching might mean the aforementioned will be dealt.
7. JT might need a 10 day IL stint. It’s a bit painful to watch him run.
8. Martin is a placeholder right now. Not sure he survives the entire season with Smith ready to play. His bat looks slow and tired.
All excellent observations.
One more. We have a short bullpen and are carrying 3 catchers. How does this make any sense?
Deadline deals will be starting up soon with only 37 days before the deadline. There is no way Friedman doesn’t get a reliever. Now IS the time to overpay for the right guy. I’m not talking a May, Smith or Lux overpay. But, sometimes you just need to pay to get quality in return. Every day an article is posted somewhere saying that the Dodgers pen is their ONLY weakness. For example from ESPN today…
This team is that good — even with a mediocre bullpen that ranks 11th in the majors in ERA and 24th in win probability added. With a better pen, we’d be looking at one of the best teams of all time.
AF is going to address this with quality, especially considering that Jansen can opt out this year. It isn’t going to be fixed with a failed starter. Sure, they might add a failed starter in addition to getting a legitimate reliever, but they will get a bullpen stud. It is not the time to experiment with another project.
Can you imagine the repercussions if we fail again without addressing our biggest need?
My motto is:
Never overpay.
Never play an ace when the high card will do.
Right on Mark! “The proof is in the pudding.” The Dodger’s record speaks for itself. They may, or may not have a slump during the year, but the team is building off each others success. Hershiser was so excited Sunday, that he exclaimed, “the Dodger’s have enough talent to field two major league teams!” That is tribute enough to Friedman and company for the process they employ… GO BLUE!
As M.T. Gump would say, “Bullpen is like a box of chocolates, you never know what you’re gonna get.”
We gotta get a few of these Az. games before departing to Co. As someone previously mentioned and I concur, Co. scares the s___ out of me. Balls be flying out of the yard and most important, we can’t afford any additional injuries… I’m powerless yet confident that the AF and his guys will do what is necessary to give us a chance to get us a ring…
I’m a huge AJ fan and eagerly await his arrival.. He’ll be great with the kids… Speaking of kids, as I begged with Verdugo, I ask that Smith be given the reins behind the dish to find out what we got… Still a big Barnes fan and maybe Martin gets an IL stint…
Go Blue
Dodgers’ ‘pen a bigger problem than you make it out to be.
From this morning’s Dodgers.com;
”
Monday night’s 8-5 loss to the D-backs, which snapped a six-game win streak, again exposed the Dodgers’ high-priority need come the July 31 Trade Deadline.
With Pedro Baez unavailable after pitching Saturday and Sunday, Dylan Floro got the ball in the eighth inning of a tied game and was charged with four runs, as the bullpen suffered its 15th loss. Floro has allowed 13 runs in his last 13 outings.”
Here’s ESPN.com
“…a mediocre bullpen that ranks 11th in the majors in ERA and 24th in win probability added. With a better pen, we’d be looking at one of the best teams of all time.”
Fix the ‘pen.
Minor League Report Update above. 17 year olds, Diego Cartaya and Alex De Jesus, are having solid starts to their young careers. These two are already in the US, and should be fun to watch as they continue to grow. I am hopeful that the third big international signing, 17-year-old RHP Jerming Rosario (who also pitched yesterday) will get his US debut this year as well. But he is the youngest of the trio. Cartaya is already a Top 30 prospect, but I will be curious to see whether De Jesus and Rosario make any top Dodger prospect lists.
How has Rosario done so far AC? I know he was one of the more highly rated international signings.
Rosario has been very good, and exceptional for a 17 year old (in May). 5 games, 13.2 IP (none more than 3.0 /game thus far), 1 run, 11 hits, 6 walks, and 18 Ks. They will undoubtedly turn him loose relatively soon, but he looks like someone who when he gains command, will be special. I would really like to see what he can do in the US this summer.
So far, it looks like the Dodgers international scouts have found three keepers…Rosario, Cartaya, and De Jesus. The 2019/2020 international signing period starts next week.
I’m hoping to go watch the Loons in a couple of weeks.
I am generally a huge Tulsa Drillers fan, but admittedly this year, the good young talent seems to be getting established at Great Lakes. DC has a far better feel about the Loons, but I would be most interested in your observations on:
Pitchers – LHSP Robinson Ortiz, LHSP John Rooney, and RHRP Zach Willeman, and RHRP Brett de Geus
Catchers – The Hunter Feduccia/Jair Camargo duo
Infielders – Jacob Amaya and Miguel Vargas
Now that I’m done coaching baseball and severely depressed about it. I hope I can get up to a couple of games. The two catchers were already on my radar. I will do my best to get a look at the rest of the Loons. They only come to Cedar Rapids every other year. My son and his buddy got autograph’s from Seager when he was a Loon.
This is what Doc said after the game: “As the season goes on and you give guys opportunities to pitch well and to see how they respond then as the season moves on, you really know what you have in deciding what we need to do if anything,” Roberts said when asked if the relief corps is good enough for a team trying to win a World Series. “So right now, where we’re at, these are the guys we’re going to continue to run with — until there’s a change.”
UNTIL THERE’S A CHANGE is his way of saying get me a damn reliever and not the same old crap you got me last season!
Other than that, we have the best record in baseball, so who cares if we lose 1 game. It’s not the end of the world as some seem to think
Well said Bobby. Gonsolin is up and is expected to make the Wednesday start and it was said that Strip will take Hill’s spot in the rotation. Sounds like Urias will go back to the pen for now. Perhaps Gonsolin will join him in the pen after his start? Or not, going with a six man rotation until the break?
Speaking of Urias, as good as he is, his usage further negatively effects the pen. He pitched just 3 innings against the hated ones on 6/20, but they didn’t use him last night after 3 days rest. I guess he was “saved” for tonight when Stripling inevitably has a short start.
Even when Floro was good this year, his strikeouts were way down. I disagree with Mark that Floro has to figure it out at the Major League level. Not when he can go to the Minors to figure it out without costing the team wins. More likely with a big lead they’re playing musical chairs to see who doesn’t have a chair when the music stops when a late inning reliever is added to the roster.
Trending up
Baez
Garcia
Trending down
Alexander
Floro
Treading water
Jansen
Ferguson
Kelly
In purgatory
Chargois
1- 30 eyes and 60 ears? Have the Dodgers become the Pirates?
2 – I am not sure I get the… if the Dodgers signed DJLM then maybe Verdugo would not get his opportunity. Verdugo got his real opportunity when Pollock went down. DJLM would have been 2B instead of Kike’. I suppose you could argue, but then player A would have been here, and player B and C would have moved there, and D also moving, but isn’t that what they have now? Verdugo got his extended opportunity because he was productive as next man up. with Pollock going on IL. I think the Dodgers could have found a spot for a 2B who is leading the AL in hitting at .331, and a slash line of .331/.380/.495/.875. After NYY with their juggernaut offense did. Plus DJLM is the best defensive 2B in the AL. He would have some competition in the NL with Kolten Wong. It sure would have been fun trying that lineup out.
3 – It was ironic that right before the 3-2 pitch to CT3, Orel said that Taylor has to be looking fastball and adjusting on breaking ball here. Has to. Sure enough, fastball center cut for strike three. He was not thinking fastball at all. But CT3 has been outstanding since he came in to replace Corey. This was one bad AB and one bad game. That’s all.
4 – Bullpen – No I am not going to bag on the bullpen today. Floro did not look good, but I do not expect him to. I am excited when he does, but it is too inconsistent. However, while most want the Dodgers to solve the bullpen today, it cannot be done. Some say it is ONLY 37 days to go, while most baseball execs, say be patient, we have a full 37 days to address the problem. We do not even know who might be available. Most were excited to think that Brad Hand might be available, but Cleveland is playing well right now, and Kluber and Clevinger are still out. I do not count Carrasco, because his good days are in the rear view mirror. But they will be looking for an OF, and maybe a 2B or 3B. They will not be giving up on Ramirez. Ramirez can play 2B or 3B, so they only need one of those. If they have to, they can move Kipnis to the OF. But they are going to be buying not selling.
While I do not believe he would gouge the Dodgers, I still doubt that Farhan will deal with them. I do not see Will Smith coming to LA unless the Dodgers perhaps agree to take on the contracts of Jeff Samardzija or Johnny Cueto. Not likely!! I doubt that Arizona is going to trade Holland to LA. The Nationals are back in the hunt, so Doolittle is probably out. Treinen is on the IL, which make Liam Hendricks also unlikely. I would have been happy with Shane Greene in the winter, but at the deadline in a pennant race makes me VERY nervous. I am not as opposed to Ken Giles as Mark is, but his demeanor reminds me too much of Papelbon. Will he fit in a LA clubhouse? I really am not sure.
So Mark is right, it will probably be someone none of us have thought of and AF will try to find that magic elixir. I mean who of us thought of John Axford, Zac Rosscup, or Ryan Madson last year? Ian Kennedy plus cash? Andrew Cashner or Aaron Sanchez from the rotation to the pen? I do not believe (or at least hope) that AF will ignore the problem. He knows he has the player capital to get it done. I just do not know who will be available. Smith and Holland will undoubtedly be moved, but not to a NL West team (IMO). The time to fix the bullpen was in the offseason. And it was broken then. Why is it that AF will look at the position players and starting rotation as a jigsaw puzzle with dozens of quality moving parts, but seemingly pay lip service to the bullpen. Maybe AF needs to hire two more eyes and ears to find a top baseball scout/exec who knows relief pitching.
Interesting article about Giles:
Closer Ken Giles came to the Blue Jays with a questionable clubhouse reputation, but The Athletic’s John Lott writes (subscription required) that Giles has quickly changed the narrative, emerging as a leader and mentor to less-experienced pitchers. First-year manager Charlie Montoyo even acknowledged a bit of surprise regarding Giles’ demeanor, telling Lott: “You gotta give him all the credit. He’ll do anything for the team. I didn’t know he was like that. I saw what you guys saw from Houston and all that stuff.” Freddy Galvis, who was on the Phillies when Giles made his MLB debut there, suggested that while he never had an issue with Giles, it’s also obvious that the right-hander has matured since they were last teammates. Giles acknowledges that fatherhood, among other factors, has changed his perspective on life. The closer plainly states that he loves it in Toronto and would prefer to stay there, but he’s also keenly aware that a trade is not only possible but likely. Giles, who is controlled through the 2020 season, has a 1.33 ERA and a 47-to-8 K/BB ratio through 27 innings with the Blue Jays so far in 2019.
I did not see that article, but maybe it took Giles longer than Verdugo to mature. Fatherhood does have a way of putting things into proper perspective. As I have said, I am all for giving Giles a shot. He has the highest reward for those that are truly potential for the Dodgers. There are concerns, but aren’t there for everyone? Giles and or Smith (preferable both) would be a great deadline move.
BTW, I know Jansen can opt out, but does anyone truly believe he will walk away from $38MM for two years?
All good points AC. I thought DJLM was most likely a product of Coors field and with Lux coming I thought we would be fine with what we’ve got. DJ should have put Kike on the bench not Verdugo.
~
I agree at the moment Hand won’t be available. I do think Smith is an option for the Dodgers though. It’s just a matter of whether or not Friedman will admit he missed on Kelly and acquire a much needed lefty for the pen.
BTW, maybe they have found that extra two eyes and ears, as they are drafting more pure relievers in the Amateur draft. Also many of the young Latin pitchers are smaller in stature, which generally dictates the bullpen. Most 5′ 11′ Dominicans do not turn out to be Pedro Martinez.
Did the Cubs overpay for Chapman? Do you think they’d give the WS trophy back for Torres? If you want to win a championship sometimes you have to take a risk and make a bold move! It’s not about the regular season and winning 110 games. It’s about shutting down that Yankee lineup in the 8th and 9th innings to get a win. Ball’s in your court AF. Will you make an Epstein move?
Exactly my point. You can’t put a price on a Championship. I would gladly give up the West title next year for a Championship this year. Now is the time to overpay means within the next 37 days. It doesn’t mean today. Perhaps I should have been clearer. If your goal is to win every deal, you will fall short of the ultimate goal.
I was not intending on criticizing your 37 day comment, but to bring it into focus as to how many fans look at the same calendar as do the baseball execs and come up with different stress levels. Some want the problem solved now, but to make that championship type trade, we need to let the next 30 days play out to see who might be available. Farhan is not going to trade Smith until he checks in with AF. Neither is Ross Atkins (Toronto), Mike Chernoff (Cleveland), Jon Daniels (Texas), Dayton Moore (KC), Neal Huntington (Pirates)…Patience is a virtue. Not mine, but a virtue nonetheless.
The Cubs may not have overpaid, but they assuredly made an immoral decision.
As did the Astros with Osuna.
Did anybody see Kershaw not shaking hands with Doc when he was taken out? I am not sure it means anything. Kershaw may have just been upset with himself.
I am sure it does not mean anything. The Dodgers were down 4-3 in the top of the 7th with Kershaw due to lead off. He couldn’t possibly have expected to stay in. Kershaw is a warrior, but he also understands the game dictated baserunners, and Garlick did single and score the tying run. It took Kershaw off the hook after giving up that crushed HR to Kershaw Killer Walker, and that line drive HR to Greinke.
Besides understanding the game, Kersh was surely a little pissed… Conspiracy theories run amuck…
Where’s Hambone??? I so look forward to hearing his drivel…
Best to let sleeping dogs lie, Peter.
We are allowed to discuss each game without it being taken as a commentary on the entire season, correct? Not every critical comment on a game or player is a call for that player’s head, a criticism of the GM’s competence, or some betrayal of Dodger blue.
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I never called for TayloR to be sent down but that doesn’t mean it was acceptable to look at a fastball down the middle for strike 3 last night. That was f’ing terrible. Orel had it correct last night. That AB is why people get so frustrated with CT3.
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Alexander, Floro, and Chargois. Three mediocre pitchers who have zero command of their pitches. The roles in the pen will be different come post-season so that in itself will improve the pen a bit but that doesn’t mean last night’s game didn’t highlight the need for another quality arm. Especially a left-hander. This pen is not good enough. It needs to be improved. Not because of last night’s game but because of what we’ve seen for 80 games this year and out of the same cast of players last year.
Spot on Hawkeyedodger
I fully expect the bullpen to be addressed in some fashion before the deadline. It has to happen. Patience is a virtue but the new trade deadline forces decisions. I’m fully aware they have the best record in baseball and are on a record pace and everything is just lovely. Winning the WS is the goal. I know that in playoff series’, 4th and 5th starters become relief pitchers but the middle relief problems needs to be addressed. As mentioned above, Chargois, Ferguson and Floro are deadwood.
Kike is really amazing with his versatility and quality of his defensive skills. It’s remarkable he can be that good moving around that much. But he can’t hit. Kike and Taylor should never hit back to back in the order due to their BA (.214 for Kike) and propensity to strike out (25% and 31%) with runners on (I love Chris Taylor and he’s vastly improved as a Dodger from when he was the everyday shortstop with the Mariners until he hit .213). That means runners aren’t driven in and runners aren’t moved. When you add Barnes (.217) making it a trifecta, the bottom of the line up stinks.
Barnes and Martin were placeholders until Smith was ready. He may be now as a backup at least, making room for a pitcher.
Don’t give up on Ferguson. He’s young and much more talented than the other two. If he comes back from his injury anywhere close to the 2018 version of Ferguson that will be a big boost to the pen.
100% agree.
Alexander has regressed. I think he’s not an L A guy.
I won’t go into my defense mode for Caleb. I won’t, I won’t, I won’t.
I will, I will, I will. I think he has a great future with the Dodgers. Go Caleb.
Agreed, Ferguson does not belong with those other names. He needs a much longer look. Alexander, Floro, Chargois have some serious flaws.
Dodgers Digest on the bullpen problem:
http://dodgersdigest.com/2019/06/25/dodgers-need-to-focus-on-premium-relievers-at-trade-deadline/
Best Quote: “Seriously, if you’re willing to invest three years and $25 million in Joe Kelly, you better be willing to invest prospect capital in real premium relievers.”
DD has a history of being pretty hysterical at times. Especially since Mike Petriello left.
They’re a little too snarky, but that was a good article. I like your style better. Call it “In your face sarcasm and belligerent”. Much better than passive-aggressive and snarky.
Good things from last night.
1. Yuma pitched good.
2. Garlick got a nice hit to tie the game
3. Joc is trying hard to learn first base position.
Speaking of Joc… is it harder to learn a new position going from the outfield to infield or from the infield to outfield.?
Rooting for all the minor league teams who made the playoffs. Anxious to see Gonsolin tonight. Go Blue. DBM.
Playing outfield is for one of the more natural and the infield is for the better honed. Tommy said great players aren’t born, they are made. Many talented infielders simply do not have what it takes to be great in the outfield. But that is not looking at how it effects hitting while changing.
To me it was going to the outfield after being and infielder but I never did it in reverse.
I think it depends on the person. Lopes adjusted to the infield quickly. CT3 and Kike picked up outfield relatively fast. Dee Gordan did not adjust to the outfield very well. Joc is looking pretty “interesting” at first base. No, clumsy is a better word.
With no empirical evidence, I would say that it is much easier to go from the infield into the outfield. Look at all of the utility type players who have gone from SS/2B to the outfield. CT3, Kike’, Tim Locastro, Ketel Marte, Ben Zobrist, Ian Happ, Trea Turner, Howie Kendrick, Ryan Braun…I am sure there are dozens more.
Scott Van Slyke did go from OF to play some 1B. Bill Russell went from CF to SS.
It happens both ways, but it seems there are far more that go from infield to outfield. It could be that middle infielders are usually the best athletes, so it is easier for them to make such a move.
Thanks Mark and AC. Makes sense and I do remember Van Slyke playing both positions. I am sure it is not easy to learn a new position. I give Joc credit for really trying hard.
Is it an advantage for a first baseman to be tall and/or left handed? Can not remember if Garvey was or not. But, he was good there. DBM
It is an advantage for a 1b to be left handed, especially when fielding bunts and throwing to second or fielding a ground ball and throwing to second or even throwing to third. They don’t have to turn their bodies to make the throw. Garvey wasn’t really tall and he was right handed.
Thanks Campy. Garvey was so good scooping up throws in the dirt. I think that why Bellinger is so good there among other talented abilities. He also jumps like a basketball player.
The competition just got steeper for a late inning closer type. Cardinals’ Jordan Hicks is scheduled for TJ surgery tomorrow.
I love Ferguson also, but He could be a great pitcher if he learned to throw a slider. A lot like Kersh when he came up. It was when Kersh started throwing the slider he went to the next level. Right now hitters just sitting on Fergies fastball which will get him in trouble especially in post season. Cmon Dodgers teach this kid a slider!
It was better that Garvey went to first… His throws from 3rd. jeopardizes the health and welfare of folks behind 1st.
I really liked Billy Russell at SS, preferring to stay in the upright position he never got the uniform dirty though..
I think Fairly went from 1st to RF… Damn he had a rifle for an arm… Remember him in the Coliseum uncorking some great throws…
Thanks Peterj. Good info and good memories.
Open letter to Dave Roberts:
Doc: Instead of doing your normal RH lineup vs LHP, could you please play the hitters who have the most success vs LHP. Those hitters are in order of success but not in order of lineup:
Bellinger-.355
Verdugo -.348
Garlick -.333
Muncy -318
Smith -.286
Taylor -.280
Turner -250
Beaty -.222
Collectively their BA is .328. Unfortunately Freese wasn’t included @.257 since he’s on the DL.
Sorry. Kiki @.253 should be in there and not Beaty
Today’s lineup vs. Robbie Ray:
Kike (cf)
JT
Verdugo (rf)
CT3 (ss)
Will Smith
Garlick (lf)
Beaty (1b)
Barnes (2b)
Strip
Again:
https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2019/06/alex-wood-suffers-setback.html
I may have missed the discussion in here but is Gonsolin ranked ahead of Dustin May as far as a starter in the minors? Or are they guarding Dustin longer because he is younger? I don’t follow the minors like most of you guys do but I thought Dustin was our best pitching prospect. Anyone Thanks
Dustin is the best LAD pitching prospect, but he is still in AA. Best does not necessarily mean closest to ML. A good example is Keibert Ruiz is considered a better prospect than Will Smith, yet Will Smith is already in the ML.
Thank You AC
This has to be the most underdog lineup against a Dodger killer in Ray that we’ve put out in some time. Stripling better be really good tonight. Don’t see a lot of offense with this group tonight! Don’t know what the betting odds are tonight but my money would be on Diamondbacks!
J. P. Morosi (for what it is worth) believes the Dodgers are hot on the trail of Felipe Vazquez. Vazquez’s contract runs through 2021, and has two team options for $10MM each with no buyout. He will cost because the Pirates do not need to trade him. I find it hard to believe that Pittsburgh will trade him, but if the Dodgers are willing to overpay, Pittsburgh will be willing to listen. Although judging by the Gerrit Cole and Chris Archer trades, Neal Huntington may want to make up for past losses. Somewhat like Miami with JTR. Morosi also tweeted today that both SFG and LAD are still willing to consider a Will Smith trade.
There was also an interesting note that the buyers may in fact be willing to buy earlier than usual because of the competition for relief arms.
With a lack of strong bullpens league wide the price for guys like Vazquez could get crazy.
I don’t understand joc to first. This year, are you really going to play joc at first with the World Series on the line? I would be very surprised. Barnes playing second is even more mysterious. Why? I know they are wanting to get the .230 hitter in the lineup. But why they want to get the .200 hitter in the lineup is beyond me. Barnes brings nothing to the table. You sit muncy to play him. Well muncy must be under the weather. Maybe they are showcasing their versatility for a trade.
With 3 catchers and all 3 can play multiple positions plus need to play some Doc is going to rest other guys some games. I heard Martin may start at 3B on JT’s next day off. I will bet Max and Cody and Joc will get in the game about when Ray leaves.
No matter how big of a lead you have, we still have a bad bullpen. Post season is different than regular season. Record starts 0-0. Better teams and hitters. If the Dodgers don’t fix the bullpen they will not go all the way. Easy to see that. Don’t be fooled by their record, a great bullpen would complete the team, making them the team to beat!!
The Dodgers have the #11th ranked bullpen this year.
The Red Sox were 17th last year.
They traded for Eovaldi and Kelly and Kimbrel came around.
Eovaldi was superb! They also used price and he was fantastic for the first postseason ever. So I suppose it’s always possible that it could happen for a highly regarded dodger but I would not count on it. Kelly pitched out of his head so it is possible. Their determination was evident as the starters and relievers kept making themselves available. Boston just seemed much more motivated. I think we need bullpen piece or pieces but if we have status quo we have got to have an attitude anything to win. I thought Boston had that and we didn’t. Just play where and when you are called on period.
I like Vasquez and/or Iglesias of the Reds,
What would it take to get one? I’m thinking Ruiz!
Would Farhan take Carrillo and Rios for Smith?
MLBTRADERUMORS: Dodgers Not Planning To Target Starting Pitching At Deadline.
“Even with Rich Hill on the IL for an undetermined period of time, Dodgers president of baseball operations Andrew Friedman isn’t planning to make starting pitching a particular focus at the trade deadline. “I don’t see it being an area where we spend a lot of energy,” Friedman told reporters, including Bill Plunkett of the Orange County Register. “Could that change? Of course. But I don’t expect it right now. We don’t expect it to be an area of need.” In fact, Friedman didn’t think his team had any obvious weak spots, which perhaps isn’t a surprise given the Dodgers’ league-best 54-25 record. Instead, the front office will look out for “impact players,” since such additions are “what moves the needle in October.”
This is for all those who are speculating on what the Dodgers will do come the trade deadline.
Ok guys, we all know that we have some BLOWPEN issues. With that said, check out the MLB and ESPN sites. The hot topic is how so many teams have terrible bullpens. With what I have read, so many baseball guys are pointing to how much pressure is put on every MLB bullpen, not just us, because of the analytics of the starting pitcher going through the lineup 2 or 3 times, and most starters only going five to six innongs. We can bitch all we want on this site about our bullpen, but take a damn number, soooo many teams have bullpen issues this year. We all know that baseball constantly evolves, and if you are paying attention through out all the teams, you will hear my buddy Uncle Ned (Yeah, love him or hate him) say in his book The Big Chair, that assembling a bullpen is one of the most volatile things a GM can ever do, because how unpredictable they are. Now I get what he was preaching.
Brad hand just blew his first save today. 5 hits 5 runs including a grand slam while recording no outs. 22 saves out of 23 attempts.
Watching the Az feed, and after Barnes took a called strike 3 on a 92 mph fastball their announcer said ‘what happened there? Was he aware that was an at bat? Ray throws a hit me fastball and he watches it’ Priceless! Sending Maeda up to PH for Kelly in the 4th inning shows how deep we are in this game. If they beat Ray with what they are doing lineup wise tonight (have a feeling they will) that would make a loud statement to the rest of the NL West.
Slightly off base but I think they are keeping the starters fresh for later when they have 3 guys who can go 7 innings each in Ryu, Buehler and Kersh in the post season. They still need another bullpen arm or 2 but that starter length would shorten the game considerably. Their starting pitching and offense should keep them in most post season games.
What an epic brain fart by both Muncy and Kike on the same play! Wow! Urias making his case to be in the rotation.
Urias is in the rotation – just not until August. Saving him for October
No guarantee Urias will be in the rotation come October. If Hill is healthy, it will be Ryu, Buehler, CK, & Hill. Our BP will suffer without Urias. Stripling is a weak link as far as a bridge to Kenley or as a starter.
Kenley looking as shaky as ever. Orel mentioned that Kenley wants to get back to a place that inspires fear in batters when they hear is name. He’d better kiss that dream goodbye and focus on pitching with control. At this stage, I would guess there no further possible development for him. He will have to learn to use what he’s got. Same for CK.
Vegas took the words out of my mouth, ‘epic brain fart by both Muncy and Kike on the same play’. Kike became a bystander looking at Muncy getting caught trying to advance. Dumb and dumber. That’s two dumb plays for Kike on the basepath this week. It’s the little things that can lose games when you are using your weakest lineup and a sub rotation starter. Dodgers got lucky. 2 E’s on the pitchers. An ugly game for me.
Really looking forward to seeing Gonsolin tomorrow. I will hold AC accountable if he loses. 🙂
Kenley is making me nervous… But a difficult W nonetheless…
Finally Kelly, Baez and Jansen produce on the same night! Finally!
Tough night for Dodger catchers. Seven ab’s, six K’s and zero balls in play! Any way we can add another one to the roster?
Nice BP game. Petey, Julio and KJ looked solid. Tomorrow might be another extended use of the BP if Gonsolin has a case of the rookie (first big league game) yips. Doc is experimenting with this rookie stuff. Had a couple of occasions where he could have pinch hit Bellinger or Joc and instead let Garlick hit against a RHP and Martin in the 9th.
A full days rest for Cody and Joc. JT will get the day game off after a night game. Perhaps Doc wanted Garlick to get a full game knowing he will be sent down to make room for Gonsolin or will it be someone in the BP like Chargois or Ferguson?
That was a satisfying win with all the changes.
Looking forward to watching Gonsolin tomorrow.
When is the last time KJ had a 1-2-3 inning?