Who are the Buyers or Sellers?

This article has 141 Comments

1. I have pulled an about face on this. Mark is right. Relief pitchers are so fickle and you cannot trust what any of them do. AF needs to just release all of the Dodger relievers making more than ML minimum and select from Stetson Allie, Daniel Corcino, Chris Nunn, Kevin Quackenbush, Zac Rosscup, Josh Sborz, Jaime Schultz, Brock Stewart, Shea Spitzbarth, Jordan Sheffield, Nolan Long, Parker Curry, Yordy Cabrera, Victor Gonzalez, Ryan Moseley, Logan Salow, Andre Scrubb, and Rob Zastryzny. I included AA relievers because after all, what minor leaguers do in AA tell us all what they can do at the ML level. Now it is easy to understand why some were not upset that AF traded for Axford, Rosscup,and Madson.

   Would I trust Kirby Yates…YES. If AF could conceivably trade for Yates, I would do so in a minute. As far as Ken Giles or Shane Greene (in that order), are you saying that AF should not try to bring in a reliever who is having a tremendous 2019 because of what they did in 2015 and 2016? Are you saying that you would not trade Cristian Santana and Edwin Uceta for either pitcher? Then you are right, you would never have traded for Ryan Pressly last year because you would never have wanted to trade Gilberto Celestino or Jorge Alcala. Most Dodger fans have no idea who they are, because what Dodger fan follows Astros (now Twins) farm hands. But that is the equivalent of Santana and Uceta. Better yet, let’s just hold on to those 20-30 pitchers and 10 -15 middle infielders and catchers until we can release them or lose them to minor league free agency.

   I do agree that acquiring a relief pitcher will not guarantee a WS companionship. I am not that certain that Ken Giles will not implode again on the big stage. But you have to try to improve, right???? Ignoring a true weakness in the roster makeup is also not the answer. AF does not have to hemorrhage the future to improve 2019. Will it hurt? Yes. You cannot get quality without giving up quality. The bullpen can improve with the 2019 versions of Ken Giles, Shane Greene, or Amir Garrett. While there is no guarantee, who would you rather have facing Aaron Judge in Game 7 of the WS, one of Amir Garrett, Ken Giles, or Shane Greene, or or one of JT Chargois, Casey Sadler, or Yimi Garcia.

   1. Take Scrubb off the list…

      1. Don’t despair, there is still a healthy list to choose from.

2. Nothing ventured, nothing gained?

3. Nice lineup but there’s no room for Freese on the bench.

   Remember Burt Hooten. He imploded during playoffs one year and the next time he was fine. Maybe Giles showed who he was in 2017. Then again maybe he’ s like Hooten.

4. With the injury to Kike’ I think it’s possible that we may be seeing Lux soon. I also believe that Smith can’t be far off, and think so that much more everytime I see Barnes step to the plate. Was Russell Martin the only player left on the bench last night when Barnes was allowed to hit with 2 out in the 9th?

   1. No doubt Roberts was certain that his totally inept catcher was ready to break out of his season-long slump and propel to team to victory.

5. I also think it’s possible, depending on what, if any, moves are contemplated for the trade deadline, that any promotions from OKC will be delayed until after that deadline passes.

6. Is Austen Barnes the new Drew Butera?

   https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/b/buterdr01.shtml

7. The voices in my head may not be real, but they have some good ideas!!
   I agree with MT and AC… Now do I have a clue??? Not really, but I’ll just wait and be surprised..
   I just hope AF senses Dodger fan’s need for a shot at the ring.?!!?
   I hate playing the Angels or the Rockies at Coors…
   I don’t know about the “clock starting” on Lux stuff, but I’d love to give him a shot at 2B…

8. I would love to see Lux up also. But, is it fair to give him a try at 2nd base when I understand he has only played a few games there this year? Would it not be better to wait until September and let him adapt to the position?

9. If you think that Lux can be a significant contributor in the post-season, then he has to be call up before September, unless there was a rule change I’m unaware of.

   1. You have to be in the ORGANIZATION before September 1st not on the 40-man roster.

10. Comical. 4 days ago Will Smith wasn’t ready because Barnes is the catcher for the best team in MLB. Now since we’ve lost 2 in a row, now Smith is ready. Most of us already knew that.

    Another comical: someone yesterday proclaiming Bellinger has “regressed to 2018 Bellinger” because his average has gone from .336 to .331 in a week. Stupid Bellinger, how dare you have a bad week!

    3rd comical. That home plate ump last night!

    1. Well, last 30 games .275

11. Lefty Robinson Ortiz had the best game of his career on Wednesday. He will pitch the entire season as a 19-year-old. The Loons won 2-0 behind his 7.2 innings on 2 hits, 2 walks and 5 strikeouts. He was 8/3 in ground outs to fly out and threw 60 of his 94 pitches for strikes.

    “Pretty much all of his stuff was working for him,” Meza said. “He was able to locate that fastball to both sides of the plate very well. Also his secondary offerings were very good. His slider was one of the best sliders he’s thrown so far. He throws it consistently in the zone, and the changeup was another pitch working for him.”

    “One of the things [we talked about] was be more in the zone, especially with the secondary offerings,” Meza said. “He has good stuff, but one thing that was limiting his control was that he wasn’t throwing the changeup and the slider in the zone. That was one of the things we focused on in these last side [sessions].”

    “This is a guy who wants the ball and is very competitive,” Meza said. “And to see him want to get the ball and get the last out, that was fun to watch. He showed you who this guy is, he really wants the ball in big spots.”

    “Being so young and wanting to show people he’s ready for the level, it’s been a thing where we’re focused on getting him into work habits and routines,” Meza said. “Despite going through some bad stretches, which is something that happens in baseball, he’s had a good work ethic and work habit, so it’s fun to watch and awesome to be part of it.”

12. Definitely would like to see Lux and Smith brought up. Both figure to be starters next year. Totally agree Mark. The Dodgers are not going to get crazy and do something stupid like trading a bunch of top 10 prospects. Kinda see the Dodgers flying under the radar to pick up a couple of relief pitchers. Yates or Smith would be great, but will they be on the trade market? Tough to predict this year.

13. I’d like to point out that we aren’t supposed to pay attention to reliever ERA because it’s so volatile. Then, we’re supposed to “Prove” that relievers are inconsistent and base it on a volatile stat.

    Exactly 7 more days of the worst trade deadline in the history of baseball.

    We’re “in” on every reliever that may or may not be available.

    Every reliever basically sucks. Even Ardolis Chapman can be replaced by guys like Chargois and Floro.

    We can’t possibly send the crappiest hitting catcher to the minors to work on hitting because he doesn’t beat his wife.

    The key to the post-season isn’t a strong bullpen, it’s bats. But, don’t you dare promote a hot hitting catcher to take the place of a guy that hits less than his weight because a guy hitting below the Mendoza line ins’t a black hole.

    Forget about protecting Urias, use him like any reliever because somehow relievers are more valuable than starters even though they pitch less and make less money.

    We should trade for a starter who’s most likely not as good as Urias, so that Urias, who can’t pitch as much as any of the other relievers, can stay in the pen.

    Seager, Belli, Verdugo, Pollock and Muncy are all controllable everyday players. So are Kershaw, Urias, Bueller, Meada. But don’t trade any top 10 prospects. After all, we only have 5 spots to fill in the foreseeable future.

    We should carry three catchers, two that can’t hit on a short bench so we can have extra relievers that can’t get outs and not trade for relievers that can.

    I can’t wait for the trade deadline to pass. It’s driving everyone crazy!!!

    1. There was an all-too-short discussion the other day about what is the best stay to evaluate relievers.

       Would love to continue that here.

    2. “We should trade for a starter who’s most likely not as good as Urias, so that Urias, who can’t pitch as much as any of the other relievers, can stay in the pen.”

       Urias can’t pitch as much as other STARTERS, 59. The Dodgers have a limit on him. Since that is the case, who on the team are you going to select for the 4th and 5th starters now? Stripling and Maeda are the two choices, so far. Neither of them are getting it done. Both are not starting material for this team. Better to have them in the BP where most of the complaining is directed at.

       No guarantee that Hill is coming back or will stay healthy enough to start. The worst that can happen is he plays in the BP.

       Then, most people are not thinking about the future and want to give away the farm for a reliever or two. Okay, if something falls into our laps, we can afford to make a sacrifice or two. But next season, we may lose 2 starters, Ryu and Hill. That leaves us with CK and Buehler. If Urias is ready to go, that would make 3. Do the Dodgers pay Hill big money to stay? I don’t think so. He can’t, or doesn’t stay healthy. He’s a bad gamble, unfortunately. Maeda and Strip should not be starters on this team. Probably, they can sign Ryu and that would make 4. Who is the 5th?

       My argument for focusing on a starter by the trade deadline takes care of two issues, the present and the future. If they are not bringing up anyone to start, a rookie in the WS?, why not get a solid starter now and solve both issues this week. Mike Minor is my choice, so far. If you or anyone else can do better, by all means let’s hear it. The time for upgrade is now. SP, Catcher, and a real 2Bman. Kike had his chance. Muncy is not the answer there. If we’re not moving Belli back to 1B, Muncy/Freese get to play there.

       1. I’ll bite….
          I’ve mentioned the best option several times and that is Urias. As important as it is to limit Urias’ innings, it’s equally important to build him up so you don’t have to limit him again next year. That number was supposed to be 150 innings, or so.

          Let’s do some math…
          There are 58 Regular season games left. That yields 11.6 starts each for a 5 man rotation. Let’s call it 11 for Urias. Mike Minor averages 6 innings per start, so let’s give those 66 innings to to Urias, who has 58 innings to date. That will put Urias at 66+58=124 innings for the season. Add in another 4 post season starts worth 4*6 innings = 24 and you get a grand total of 148 innings on the year. You nearly hit the stated goal on the nose.

          If you get Minor, who’s signed through next year, you’re basically taking yourself out of the possibility of bringing Ryu back.

          Ryu, Bueller, Kershaw, Urias is all we need to worry about for the rotation. We don’t need to trade for a 5th starter since there’s Maeda, Stripling, May and Gonsolin to choose from and none of them will be needed once the post-season starts.

          The biggest hole all year has been the bullpen until recently when our catching tandem has been exposed. We were one of the best defensive teams early on, now that’s become a problem with all the position shifting musical chairs. So let’s solve the problems that we have. The easy one is catching since we have someone who’s ready now and like starting pitcher, we probably can’t trade for someone better. If we add a right handed every day player at LF, 1B or 2B, we get fix the defense by stopping the musical chairs. Add a couple of bullpen arms (one lefty with normal splits, one with experience closing games) and it solves that problem and lets Urias go back to the rotation.

          The bullpen options are endless as we’ve been “in” on every bullpen rumor from A to Z. Here’s some options for Right Handed everyday players…

          Whit Merrifield would possibly make us the best defensive team in the league and move Muncy to 1B where his ordinary defense would hurt us the least.

          Jose Abreu would allow Muncy to focus on 2B but range would be an issue with 2 right side infielders with limited range, but good enough gloves to make the plays hit to them.

          Nick Castellanos is a disaster in the outfield, but left fielders only get 2-3 chances per game, so what’s the real harm if you can make a late inning defensive replacement for him? This would put Belli back at first which makes Muncy’s glovework at second less an issue.

          To summarize. Two Bullpen Arms, a right handed bat, promote Smith, ready for October. And nothing that doesn’t make sense.

          1. Nick Castellanos is a disaster in the outfield.

             That’s ancient history. This year he has improved dramatically. He’s close to league average.

             https://www.blessyouboys.com/2019/6/12/18655269/detroit-tigers-news

             1. Yeah Mark, no longer a disaster…Did you read the article, or just the headline?

                After a historically bad season defensively in 2018, this year he appears to be a serviceable outfielder. His Statcast numbers show that he’s getting a better jump on the ball now but has regressed a little bit in his route-taking, so we should take the numbers and the eye test with a grain of salt.

                He still has negative numbers on Baseball Ref for DRS and Total Zone Rating. Would trainwreck be a better word than disaster?

                Actually, he would probably be fine, if we play him at 1B, can’t be any worse than Joc.

          2. Even if Urias is promoted to a starter, we need 5 starters to finish the season. Maeda and Stripling are periphery starters who can and should be moved to the BP. Bringing in someone like Minor, is both insurance and competition for Urias for the playoffs. There is no guarantee that Urias will be up for the role as you seem to think. I like him, but I don’t trust him yet. Getting another starter is inevitable unless they promote someone and there is doubt whether Gonsolin or May are ready. Going with Maeda and Stripling are a last resort and weaken the rotation, but they strengthen the BP and save us prospects and money for what is probably a rental. To me, someone like Minor makes a lot of sense on different levels.

             I don’t think any of your offensive suggestions will happen or are necessary, but we’ll see………….

14. Just to play Devil’s advocate. Are we really considering going with 3 rookie position players in the post-season? Smith, Lux, Verdugo.

    1. If needs be, yes! CK said Smith is ready. Verdugo is obviously ready. Lux would be the gamble.

15. I bet AC knows this. When is the earliest Lux can be activated and the team not lose an arb year?

    1. Good question Bluto. If Kike does an IL stint it will be interesting to see who they call up. Seager would be the only one on the roster who can play shortstop so that’s a selling point for Lux. Barnes’s batting avg is a selling point for Smith who is already on the 40-man roster. I don’t have a problem with Barnes as a #2 catcher, but they aren’t just going to DFA Martin nor will teams be looking to trade for him. I read from someone if they want Barnes to get his swing together at all in the minors they only have until September 1st to try since OKC’s season will end then. I though that was a good point.

16. I guess if Lux comes up it would be interesting to see how he hits at major league level.

17. Per Pedro Moura in The The Athletic:
    “Their only offensive deficiency is at catcher, where the Austin Barnes-Russell Martin tandem has struggled with a combined .446 OPS over the last month. ”

    .446 OPS over the course of a month?

18. It’s not that Bellinger had a bad week. Inn his last 50+ games he’s hitting like .265. That’s more like 2018. Now how will he finish the last 2 months? Is he really a superstar or a good player who had an insane 2 month run? We’ll see.

    1. Belli looks real pull-happy right now. Lots of ground balls to first. Only balls to left are pop ups to left field. Needs to drive a few oppo to get back in sync. Not at his best right now.

19. I am not worried about how 3 rookies would perform in the post-season. I’ve seen veterans not perform. No way to know who is going to do what. I’m willing to go with talent over experience, especially if some of the experienced players do not inspire confidence in me.

    Given DJ Peters’ history with strikeouts, is he someone who should be considered for a pre-September call-up? Is he someone who will initially have problems against experienced big league pitchers, or has a light gone on that has taken him well past his historical struggles with strikeouts?

    If Peters is real right now, he could provide the big right-handed bat that this team so desperately needs. Since I only see the results, and not the player himself, I’m simply not sure what he could provide at this time. But no doubt, he is intriguing.

20. Yes, we are in some sense coasting, and when we play a team like the Angels, which are fighting hard to somehow make the playoffs, we are at an emotional disadvantage. Now we play Washington, in a similar situation. Oh, we’ll win the division, but we likely will not have a better record than the Yankees, maybe the Astros as well. Injuries have hurt, we miss Hill; that lights-out starting staff of early in the year is not as good, as Maeda in a starting role is regressing somewhat. And that bullpen is certainly never a strength for us.

    This new rule about no August trades, is indeed ridiculous, but we have to deal with it. The market is very sparse, with all those teams thinking they can make the wild card. I still think that we have to make a big offer, maybe to Pittsburgh, because they have a bullpen ace whose numbers are consistent. I also do like Yates, but it’s hard to see SD wanting to trade with us unless they get a lot in return. The rest of the names are risks. I’d rather make the bigger trade for the surer thing. I don’t imagine we will get Will Smith, and that’s okay, because he would be a rental. If we could actually get an ace as a closer, suddenly the rest of the bullpen is a lot more workable. If we don’t, and just get someone who has some ability, but is no sure thing, then Roberts will just have another piece or two to dabble with, more games where he can use seven relief pitchers. Since I cannot believe that we want Jansen to come back next year in the closer role, this is the time to get the closer, since it might help us win a title this year, rather than lose again, and spend another offseason wondering why we cannot win any.

    Finally, maybe many here will disagree, but I think that the Braves might actually be the better team now, or at least will give us major problems in the playoffs. For us to have such a strong team, such a wonderful season start, and then lose in the NL playoffs, would be more disappointing than usual. I wish that we would spend only $50 million on refurbishing Dodger Stadium, and use the other $50 million to upgrade the team roster and pay whatever luxury tax there might be. But I know that it doesn’t work that way, particularly not for our ownership. Well, maybe they will surprise, and pick up that ace closer to help us to the title, or at least get a couple of meaningful relievers for the playoffs. It will be a tense couple of days, but this is always one of the most interesting parts of a baseball season.

    1. What was the reasoning behind the no august trades?

       1. Trying to make the actual deadline have more moves

          1. Do you think it will work as far as more moves are concerned?

             1. If there continues to be separation in the standings this week it may work.

    2. #1. The Braves aren’t even close to being as good as the Dodgers right now.

       #2. The Money spent for the Stadium is entirely different from the players money. AC can explain…

       1. This year’s Braves aren’t as good as last year’s Brewers. Bring them on!

21. MT seems to be as “fickle” as relief pitchers and some of us on this blog (including me) who want a change at catcher and perhaps now at 2B. It seems a week ago it was too premature to swap Barnes for Smith as it might upset the chemistry but now is a good time to make it happen? I think we can all agree we’ve seen enough of Barnes and the time for a change is now.

    I like the boldness in MTs prediction that Lux will be called up within a week. Hunch or some inside information? It seems the team needs an injection of life and energy and that very well might come by way of Lux, Smith and some new RP. We shall see soon enough.

    1. I actually wrote a blog about two weeks ago that it was Smith time. I just said it needed to work itself organically. I’d say it is.

       1. Seems like you wrote more about not bringing him up in the comments section. I love your duality almost as much as your selective memory, second only to your stubbornness, but also closely to your cherry picking of stats to back out your outrageous claim of the moment.

          1. https://ladodgertalk.com/2019/07/13/the-will-smith-era-is-upon-us/

             Since then, I have said that it should happen organically. I don’t know what’s hard to understand like that.

             1. Then why argue against it so fervently?

22. It’s great to say you want Vasquez or Yates but are you willing to give up 2ofbour top 4 prospects to do it? I’m not and either is Friedman. MT is right, relievers are not long term dependent and you could be giving up a couple of good 10 year players. We’re gonna have to settle for some secondary pieces that won’t cost us our top prospects. We’ll win if we hit in the post season

    1. Not going to cost 2 of 4. I don’t buy it.

       1. Atlanta is talking with Pirates about him and supposedly offering 2!of their top 5 prospects both in the top 100 so just sayin. If Atlanta gets him they will be a big threat to us this year!

          1. I haven’t heard anything concete about Atlanta talking to them other than Casey Stern saying they should. However, because Atlanta should go after him is part of the reason I think the Dodgers should. Beat them to the punch.

    2. MT is right,relievers are not long term dependent. So why did Friedman give Jansen such a long contract.

23. The Dodgers have acquired Tyler White from Houston for Andre Scrubb.

    1. Sweet, just what we needed! Another 1B/DH type. At least he’s right handed and has a negative WAR. What, we couldn’t swing a deal for another bad relief pitcher or catcher who can’t hit?

24. First blockbuster of the trade deadline!

    The Dodgers are acquiring corner infielder Tyler White from the Astros, Jake Kaplan of The Athletic reports (via Twitter). White, who is out of minor league options, was designated for assignment by Houston last week. The Dodgers are sending righty Andre Scrubb to the Astros in the trade, Mark Feinsand of MLB.com reports (Twitter link).

25. What do we know about White? If he’s out of options does that mean he’ll be on the 25 man roster? Kike to the IL?
    Scrubb showed a bit of promise, but I’m hearing pretty good things about White although details are lacking.

26. Jeff and 59: love your back and forth today! All great points being made.

    By the way, watch out for StL. They’re coming on, and Paul Goldschmidt has become the Goldschmidt who killed us for so many years. The NL Central and Wild Card races will be fun to watch the next 2 months. Hopefully the NL West race won’t be fun to watch

    1. Jeff and 59: love your back and forth today! All great points being made.
       Damn Bobby, you sound like the type of guy who likes cold toilet seats!!!
       Great verbal restraint fro MT today…

27. I like the deal. White has a pretty good 2017-2018. To me he looks like and could be a right-handed Max Muncy. You never know.

    1. He actually looks like Muncy in some of his photos and they were born within a couple months of each other.
       Let’s just hope that Andre Scrubb doesn’t turn into another Kirby Yates. Remember what the Astros did to us with Yordan Alvarez.

       1. I don’t get this deal at all.

          1. I am guessing they know something we don’t….

       2. Sure he could be another Yates but he could also be another Zach Lee and how did that turn out?

          1. Scrubb is rule 5 eligible next year so I get using him in a deal if they don’t see him being moved to the 40-man roster but for White? Hopefully this doesn’t mean Freese is continuing to have problems.

28. Come on, Tyler White, an average hitting dh/1b who cannot field well. The FO felt he was an upgrade over Beaty? Or likely Kike to IL has to be happening? I think Scrubb is going to be a decent reliever, especially if he can get a little better control. Don’t like the trade, although in the grand scheme means very little.

    I hope you are right MT about Lux and Smith getting a look to see what they got. Phantom dl for one of our catchers? I don’t see them carrying three. The luxury of having the division locked up allows us to do this now, take advantage of it, may find one or two upgrades. Barnes is bringing very little right now, and when he threw that ball into center fielder on the Fletcher steal that sealed the deal for me, either he is lost, not that good or a head case. But whatever the deal is we need a more accomplished catcher in order to three peat in the NL; a huge but extremely difficult accomplishment based on history.

29. https://sports.yahoo.com/how-dodgers-prospect-gavin-lux-developed-into-the-hottest-hitter-on-the-planet-130000030.html?src=rss

    Great article on Lux. I’ve commented many times on his athleticism and even said he could be the most athletic player on the team. I can’t wait for him to be a fixture in the lineup.

    1. deadlifts 600bs? Good grief

       1. lol – I freaked out when I saw that too. Not a skinny teenager anymore.

          1. that explains the power surge then! This guy is built like a smaller Mike Trout (let’s hope he plays like that?)

30. With Lux coming can’t see Dodgers resigning JOC after next year so leads me to think he’s getting traded at deadline or over the winter

    1. The Dodgers are definitely shopping Strip and Joc and Lux will be up within a week!

       Maybe Smith too…

       1. They also could trade Beaty even do he has been good but could add him on a package for reliever and that is why they trade it for White and they will bring up LUX to substitute Kike going to IL and freese might be injured too !

31. Ken Gurnick is reporting.

    “With David Freese’s health an ongoing concern, the Dodgers bolstered their right-handed bench on Thursday by acquiring first baseman Tyler White from Houston for Minor League right-handed pitcher Andre Scrubb. Dodgers management sees White as right-handed depth for a bench that is heavily left-handed. The best right-handed role player on the roster is Freese, who has been hobbled by knee and hamstring issues since before the All-Star break.”

    .162 .267 .243 .511 vs lefties this season.

    1. Couldn’t Kyle Garlick fill this role? (and hit better than .162/.267/.511 vs lefties this season)

       1. Bobby

          I have no idea what is going on. This is mind boggling to me.

          1. At this point, if Freeze is hurt, what about Joc for Jose Abreau, who will be a FA. There’s your right handed bat

             1. We don’t need to trade for any position players period. This trade was unnecessary.

             2. This is why Lux is coming….

             3. I agree. Abreu makes a lot of sense. He has all offseason.

             4. Chicago (at this point) doesn’t want to deal him because they want to extend him.

       2. Last year it was .305/.417/1.010…

          Maybe they this RVS can weave his magic on him.

          Again, in TheAthletic today, Ken Rosenthal wrote this:

          Consider the Dodgers, whose first-year hitting coach, Robert Van Scoyoc, previously worked independently with Martinez, helping transform him into the slugger he is today.

          1. Mark

             “This is why Lux is coming….”

             Explain. What does Lux have to do with trading for Tyler White?

             1. If Lux is coming, he would be the every day second baseman and Muncy will be the every day 1st baseman and Smith would take Freese’s spot as a right handed bat off the bench and against tough lefties.

32. Since Gavin Lux is coming, can I say that he’ll be the 2nd coming of Daniel Murphy (with better defense at 2b of course)

33. Would Hundley be an upgrade at Catcher for rest of season?

    Available now.

    1. Hundley is a bad pitch framer who is a low OBP guy. No way he signs with the Dodgers.

       1. And he’s a douche.

34. This is the kind of transaction that appears frustrating. Tyler White is out of options and has to be on the 25 man roster, so whose place is he going to take? Perhaps David Freese is sufficiently hurt that a return to the IL is necessary. If not, that means Matt Beaty goes back down. It cannot be Kike’ going on the IL because there is nobody else who can play SS. I am guessing that Russell Martin or Max Muncy would be the emergency SS. But if Kike’ goes onto the IL, then Lux has to be called up.

    Is White going to be the 1B or just a RH bench bat? He does not provide any help with LHP, as he has significant reverse splits. Against LHP he is batting .162/.267/.243/.511. Joc is hitting .182/.182/.212/.394 against LHP. I am not seeing any real improvement. Beaty’s numbers against LHP are worse than wither White or Joc.

    I do not know anything about White defensive abilities, but he has split his time between 1B/DH, so I am surmising that he is more of a bat than a glove. And that bat is not that good.

    The cost is a potentially good relief pitcher, Andre Scrubb. Yes he was one that I have been following since he was drafted in 2016 (8th round). He was normally progressing and is 24 at AA doing fine. For his career, Scrubb has been in 108 games and has a 21-6 record. He has 175 IP with a 2.37 ERA and a 1.25 WHIP. 95 BB and 201 K. He has allowed 9 HRs in those 175 IP. If he can cut down on his walks, he could go from a decent middle reliever to a potential setup guy. He misses a lot of bats, but too many times it puts them on base. I am guessing that Brent Strom can work some magic with him.

    Maybe Tyler White is this year’s Steve Pearce. It is not a transaction that looks like a winner for me, but I do not know the whole story. If White can somehow help this year, I am fine with it. But a 28 year old journeyman 1B is not a long term option, and he has a lot to prove to show that he will be a benefit this year.

35. Could he be part of a trade?

36. If we pay attention and remember what we generally say then it won’t surprise anybody that I may be the least enthralled with Muncy and Verdugo. So Mark, we would have different lineup projections if I were to throw one out.

    I would like to see Lux and Smith play. Kike’ and Taylor are hurt and Barnes and Martin continue to not hit. The last 30 games have been below average for Muncy and Verdugo who are both striking out at a higher rate and getting on base less.

    Is Verdugo tiring or is he getting figured out?

    1. Last 30 days:
       Alex – 118 AB – .288/.323/.517/.840, 7 HR, 15 RBI, 15 BB, 17 K
       Max – 109 AB – .229/.346/.532/.878, 10 HR, 25 RBI, 18 BB, 30 K
       Joc – 102 AB – .255/.327/.441/.768, 5 HR, 16 RBI, 9 BB, 25 K

       That is the last 30 games. It doesn’t look like Alex Verdugo is struggling too much. Max has dropped off in BA, but his HR and Slugging is still pretty impressive. Joc’s K Rate isn’t that much different than Max, but Alex is better than both. So if Alex and Max are below average, then so is Joc. But both Alex and Max have OPS > .840, compared to Joc’s .768.

37. Mets are now looking to move both Syndegard and Edwin Diaz. I hope we’re on the phones asking the price

    1. Would love to see that happen. Thor’s the kind of guy you make room for. Good time to pick up Diaz.

    2. Thor is going to cost a lot. Are you willing to include May and Ruiz for Thor and Diaz?

       1. What else is there going to NY? But yes, I would

          1. I would as well. As far as others to include, Santana, Alvarez and Kendall of course!

    3. Syndegaard would provide my piece to the puzzle. BP automatically upgraded with Stripling, Urias, and Maeda, with a possible Hill addition. If that’s not an answer to our BP problems, I don’t know what is.

38. Put Belli in there as well. His last 50+ games are way down. About .265. Both he and Muncy chasing that down and in breaking ball again and not squaring up those middle fastballs And JOC has been in a rut as well. Boy we need Seager to be Seager again by post season if we’re gonna win this thing

39. A lot has been said about the hitting at OKC compared to Tulsa. Just 100 miles apart, why would the difference be so dramatic? With the hitters doing better at OKC compared to Tulsa, how do we explain Dustin May being better as well on the hill?

    With all the talk about Smith and Lux being promoted, there almost as much talk about May being on the verge of promotion as well, maybe before rosters expand. Wow!

    1. May is getting the run support at OKC. The FO may feel it is too early to bring him up to the majors, though. Seeing how the FO has operated in the past, I would doubt we see a permanent call up.

40. Saw a post on TBLA that mentioned Austin Barnes is not listed on the 25 man roster on the Dodgers website. Sure enough checked it out myself and the only catcher listed is Martin. Barnes has been optioned to OKC. That organic switch from Barnes to Smith is happening!!!!!!!!

    1. ooooh!

41. Tyler White is on the 40 man roster but not on the 25 man roster.
    ?

    1. White does not have any options so he has to be on the 25. I am guessing that they are going to have to bring up Smith as Barnes was optioned, but they do not yet know the second move needed. Waiting for all of the medical reports????

       1. Always Compete

          Thank you. You always relpy to me, I appreciate it.

          Also, is this a sign that one of my favorite Dodgers Joc Peterson is getting ready to be traded?

          1. I think we keep him, but we trade Joc Pederson 🙂

          2. I do not know what AF is thinking for this week. I know I heard him say (or read) that they could be both buyers and sellers. They will buy using their prospects, and sell replenishing what they lost. I think he was extremely pleased with the return on the Farmer trade, and wants more of that. AF does not like to trade from the current 25 man roster, but maybe he does this year. This year has me stumped. He could have multiple players on the current roster on the move. I can see Barnes, Strip or Maeda, Kike’ or CT3, and Joc all on the potential trade block. Or none of them.

             I am not in favor of trading Joc. He would be my LH bat off the bench. In 2017 with Corey, Belli, Chase, and Joc all LH bats on the 25 man, and Ethier a potential (and on WS Roster), the Dodgers felt they needed another LH bat and went out and traded for Curtis Granderson. 2016 they acquired Josh Reddick. If the Dodgers need a LH bat on the bench, I would rather they keep Joc.

42. Gonsolin,Ruiz, Stripling, and 2 lottos for Thor and Diaz who says no?

43. Gonsolin,Ruiz, Stripling, and 2 lottos for Thor and Diaz who says no?

    Actually maybe have to include gray as well and only 1 lotto

44. According to Jorge Castillo of the Los Angeles Times, the Dodgers have optioned catcher Austin Barnes to Oklahoma City. In the corresponding move, they have recalled catcher Will Smith. It’s expected that Smith will join the club this weekend in Washington D.C.

    Thank God we can put that to rest.

45. Is oficial: Barnes down, Smith up…..

46. The Dodgers optioned Austin Barnes today and Will Smith will rejoin them tomorrow in Washington.

47. Austin can’t complain and neither can the pitching staff. They gave him every opportunity but for whatever reason, he couldn’t do it. I believe he is a major league catcher… maybe he needs a change of organization.

    Not every hitter will respond to RVS’s program. Maybe Austin needs a different plan. Is Kike going on the DL?

    Not to worry, the Dodgers do have another SS on the roster: One Russell Nathan Coltrane Jeanson Martin Jr.

48. It will be interesting as to who catches Kershaw and Buehler with Barnes gone.

49. I bet Stripling to dl for White. We don’t need a 5th starter until 7/30 and it lines up for a Gonsolin spot start.

50. I know I have been an advocate for keeping Barnes behind the ML dish, and I felt it was justified when I wrote it. But after the errant throw, I think Austin is just trying too hard, and is fighting it. His confidence has been shot to a significant degree. I am okay with Barnes being optioned, but now that everyone has their wish, when Smith starts to struggle (and he will), I am wondering if everyone is going to jump on him and insist that K-Bear take over. Smith is going to be the primary catcher.

    Admittedly I do like Austin Barnes, and maybe the best thing for him is a change in environment. Travis d’Arnaud got out of NY and has magically become a significant contributor for Tampa Bay. All three of the Tigers catchers are hitting worse than Austin.

    John Hicks – .184/.218/.306/.523
    Grayson Greiner – .162/.2311/.279/.510
    Bobby Wilson – .098/.140/.122/.261

    SF Giants – Buster Posey is going to need to play more 1B, Stephen Vogt is in his FA year and will be 35 next year, and Joey Bart is at least 2 years out. Farhan traded for Austin once before, maybe he will again. How about Barnes, Estevez, Garcia (or Floro), and an A level lottery pick for Tony Watson and Sam Dyson? Then the two Santana’s (Dennis and Cristian) for Ken Giles.

    I have no idea if that would interest the Giants or Toronto. Maybe Shaggy has to go to Toronto. Simply thinking out loud on how to improve the bullpen and not hurt the future. The Dodgers may also want to hold onto Barnes as a backup for Smith next year. I would love to be in their meetings to understand what they are thinking.

51. With respect to Thor…“The Mets “want to move” Syndergaard in a trade, a rival evaluator tells ESPN.com’s Buster Olney (Twitter link). The feeling amongst many outside evaluators is that the Mets are “fully intent” on dealing Syndergaard. As to The Athletic’s Marc Carig hears from a rival executive, the asking price on Syndergaard is something in the range of a top-30 prospect “and a couple of other solid pieces.”

    That does not sound like May or Ruiz need to be involved.

    1. Who do the Dodgers have in the top 30?

       1. Lux May Ruiz are top 30

          1. So the Mets would ask for one of the three, correct?

             1. Per the talent evaluator, yes. Ruiz.

    2. This gets me that starter that I need to continue living happily.

    3. The Yankees’ one weakness is lack of starting pitching, and they are well positioned to make this trade, since they have all sorts of young talent, and they don’t seem to worry too much about the luxury tax,. And then there are teams which are not contending, but would really like a pitcher of that caliber. Philadelphia, comes to mind. We always have to outbid the others, which is obvious, but not always noted. It would be great if we got Syndergaard, but this just is not the kind of trade the Dodgers make, not after the first year of Guggenheim, when they were very anxious to get the fan base back, and secure the multibillion TV deal, so that they were willing to take on a high payroll for a few years. When Friedman was asked a few weeks ago about deadline trades, he said that he saw no need to go after a starting pitcher, and I doubt that he has changed his mind, unfortunately.

       1. NYY has no Top 30 talent and I think 1 in the 75-100 range. If the Dodgers want Thor they can beat NYY… if they want to. Pads and Braves are a different story.

          1. I was thinking of all that major league talent on the Yankees’ roster, but I take your point about them not having high-rated minor league talent right now. I am expecting them to get some decently respected starter in the next week, but I could be wrong, of course. They are usually bold when it comes to coming up with what could be the final piece.

52. A recent article at MLB.com indicates that Houston and Washington are very interested in Felipe Vazquez, along with the Dodgers, and as was mentioned above, the Braves. Not only does Vazquez seem as sure a thing as one can be in terms of available relief pitchers, but if we did not get him, and he went to any of those teams, particularly the NL ones, it would certainly be detrimental to our title chances. So I hope that we have the will, and the willingness to go over the luxury tax for next year, to get him. We really don’t need one of the better teams in our league to end up with one of the best relief pitchers in the game. I would assume that we would play at least one of Atlanta and Washington in the playoffs. I hope that we don’t end up with another Verlander situation. And the issue goes past this year to the next two, as well.

    1. William, we could also look at the situation as a blessing in disguise. The Dodgers are usually slow to react when obvious needs appear. This could teach them a vital lesson for the future. But, your wish for them to exceed the luxury limit may be futile. The FO will seemingly only deal with prospects and existing players up to a certain level. As Mark said earlier, NO DOPE FIEND MOVES.

       1. Jeff, you make a good point, but I doubt that the Dodgers’ ownership is swayed by the fact of losing a title because they didn’t spend more. Opting for rental Darvish rather than the more expensive and longer-term Verlander would have seemed like the obvious lesson, but I don’t see any sign that it was.

          I like a little analogy that I thought of a few years ago, about someone who really wants to buy art, and who goes to art auctions. He is very choosy. He finally sees a piece he likes, bids up to a point, and then gets outbid by someone. Finally, he finds another piece he likes; bids, but gets outbid by a different person. There only needs to be one person on each piece who outbids him, for him to never get anything. And maybe five or six years later, one of the buyers who outbid him, finds that it was too much to have paid, but that doesn’t help our protagonist, the piece is gone. And some of the buyers are still very happy with their purchases. The frugality of the our guy does not help him get top art, not if there is always one other buyer who will take the higher risk. I think that this is where we are as Dodgers fans. We just have to hope that a roster continually composed of perceptive diamonds in the rough pickups, plus players from our minor league system, can actually win at least one title, as against those various franchises which from time to time, decide to go all out to win one, and will bid more for major acquisitions from other teams.

          1. William, you mentioned above that the Yankees are in need of starters and would be well positioned to trade for Syndergaard. Assuming we were even interested in getting him, we might be outbid by the Phillies or Braves, but I don’t see any way that Mets ownership allows Thor to be traded to the Yanks, no matter what they offer.
             With regard to spending on players, he’s only making 6 mil this year which pro-rated comes out to a little over 2 mil for the remainder of the year. I don’t see a problem with that. He’s also under control for the next two years through arbitration. Considering the year he’s having this season, I don’t see him getting a ridiculous amount next year and would certainly be affordable especially considering we have a decent amount of money coming off the books.

             1. I’m all for it! And I’m not being negative for its own sake, but I would be stunned if the Dodgers did something like this, it goes against their grain. But yes, they did get Hill in a trade, and then sign him to a big contract the next year, so I guess it is possible.

          2. William, being someone who has actually been outbid many times on art pieces, I can speak from experience. It is the restriction that the buyer or someone funding the buyer has put upon the buyer that limits them. In this case, ownership has tied AF’s hands. But, in my experience at auctions, I have successfully bought many things at the price that I was able to pay. This is also the case with the FO.

             In the recent case of Tyler White, the FO sees a potential in this player and also a need the team has for a RHB. He is also an RBI guy ala Muncy. Kinda looks like him a bit. The need at 1B is also apparent with Freese being oft-injured. To me, I see their logic. They weren’t going to go for a guy like Abreu or Castellanos. This is the most genius FO I have ever witnessed. They still make mistakes, though.

             1. I absolutely agree with your points regarding ownership and Friedman. AF is not perfect, though he is very smart. But so many people keep blaming him for what I think is coming from ownership, the refusal to sign a long-term free agent deal with a big star. At least they apparently bid on Harper, but four years compared to thirteen was not going to do it. It wasn’t that I loved Harper. But I did want Stanton, who wanted to come here. And Scherzer, some years ago, whom some baseball journalists thought we might get.

          3. Let me humbly point out that it is felony stupid to think you can “buy” a title. Now, what was the point?

             1. Everyone in baseball is trying to “buy” a title. They are all using the resources they have to win. Some use them better than others. Some have more available to them and they still don’t win.

53. Man, I don’t see it this way at all. At the 2017 Trade Deadline, Darvish looked like a better pitcher between the two. On July 24, Verlander’s ERA was a full run higher than Darvish. Verlander was NOT traded at the deadline, but was traded after it through waivers. So, the Dodgers grabbed the best pitcher available at the deadline and the Astros got lucky. None of the prospects that Houston sent to the Tigers are on the roster, they’re all sucking in the minors. How’s that prospect huggers?

    We got the biggest prize last year in Manny Machado and did pretty well with Rick Hill and Josh Reddick.

    I don’t know why people keep saying Andrew is too cheap to pull off a big trade. What team has done more at the deadline the last three years?

    1. The Dodgers grabbed the better pitcher on paper and the pitcher who didn’t put them over the luxury tax in the future. Hindsight is 20/20. Verlander had zero wins in the WS. It’s not why they lost. Yes, it would be nice to have him now though.
       ~
       Other than 2017 there has always been a void on the roster and it has been in the pen. Go get Vasquez and close it up! As much as Bobby likes to blame CK for all of the Dodgers post-season wows(and he deserves some) take a look at the inherited runners that have scored when CK has left a game in the post-season. It’s something like 100% for his career. Go get Vasquez!. Build a package around Ruiz. Hell build a package around Smith if they would rather have him, but get it done!
       ~
       I’m glad to come home from golf league and see Smith has been called up and Barnes sent to AAA. No one dislikes Barnes, but it was the right move. He got enough slack from the Dodgers to get things right. Martin is a good enough mentor for Smith.
       ~
       As for the trade today, I dislike it. If Freese needs more rest then let Mucny play more 1st base and call up Lux.

    2. 59, I think your memory of this is not correct on two fronts. Verlander was traded before Sept.1. This allowed him to be added to the 25 man roster. https://www.espn.com/mlb/story/_/id/20526081/houston-astros-acquire-justin-verlander-detroit-tigers

       Also, Verlander’s record has been stellar throughout his career. He is a major piece for anyone. Comparing Yu with Verlander is a no-brainer. Yu had/has potential but he was already faltering badly when the Dodgers got him. Dodgers blew it. Andrew may not be cheap, but the ownership certainly is as they’ve tied his hands the last 2 seasons. Manny and Reddick were disappointments for us. Rich Hill was affordable at the time.

       1. I’m sorry but just about all of that is 360 degrees wrong! You may want to re-consider that…

          Go back and check the stats.

          1. Are you saying that the espn article is wrong?

             In the future, please address the poster you are responding to. It’s hard to tell who you are addressing.

       2. Verlander was struggling then got it together just before the deadline. He had a couple of big money years still on his contract. Houston was lambasted for not doing anything at the traditional deadline and especially for not going after Verlander. Verlander then got on a roll and they did a post August first deal ala Manny Ramirez.

54. BTW, Lux played 2B tonight and had two hits. Gonsolin got shelled. Keibert had two hits.

55. I’m looking forward to the Smith/Ruiz era.
    When was the last time the Dodgers had a decent all round Catcher?

    Don’t say AJ…..

    1. Decent was Grandal until October. Maybe a bit better than that. Last good one was when Martin first came up.

Comments are closed.