There is just so much about the 60 man player pool that has not been made clear, at least to me. As it was first proposed, once a player is announced to be in the pool, the only way of being removed was for that player to opt out or to be removed subject to waiver rules. With the original list of 51, a reduction of 2 (David Price and Jimmy Nelson), the official reporting addition of 11, and an unofficial addition of 2 others. My math says that there are 62 players on the 60 man player pool.
49 Players From Original 51
| RHP (19) | LHP (7) | C (5) | INF (9) | OF (9) |
| _________ | _________ | _________ | _________ | _________ |
| Pedro Baez | Scott Alexander | Austin Barnes | Matt Beaty | Cody Bellinger |
| Walker Buehler | Caleb Ferguson | Diego Cartaya | Omar Estevez | Mookie Betts |
| Gerardo Carrillo | Victor Gonzalez | Rocky Gale | Kike’ Hernandez | Joc Pederson |
| Dylan Floro | Clayton Kershaw | Keibert Ruiz | Gavin Lux | DJ Peters |
| Tony Gonsolin | Adam Kolarek | Will Smith | Zach McKinstry | A.J. Pollock |
| Brusdar Graterol | Julio Urias | Max Muncy | Luke Raley | |
| Josiah Gray | Alex Wood | Edwin Rios | Zach Reks | |
| Michael Grove | Corey Seager | Chris Taylor | ||
| Andre Jackson | Justin Turner | Cody Thomas | ||
| Kenley Jansen | ||||
| Marshall Kasowski | ||||
| Joe Kelly | ||||
| Dustin May | ||||
| Dennis Santana | ||||
| Josh Sborz | ||||
| Ross Stripling | ||||
| Blake Treinen | ||||
| Edwin Uceta | ||||
| Mitchell White |
11 Players Officially Added to Pool
| RHP (7) | LHP (0) | C (1) | INF (1) | OF (2) |
| _________ | _________ | _________ | _________ | _________ |
| Clayton Beeter | Carson Taylor | Michael Busch | Anthony Garcia | |
| Brett de Geus | Jake Vogel | |||
| Landon Knack | ||||
| Bobby Miller | ||||
| Ryan Pepiot | ||||
| AJ Ramos | ||||
| Edubray Ramos |
2 Players Unofficially Added to Pool
| RHP (0) | LHP (0) | C (0) | INF (2) | OF (0) |
| _________ | _________ | _________ | _________ | _________ |
| Kody Hoese | ||||
| Devin Mann |
How can that happen? A deeper look into the rules involving the 60 man player pool does give some semblance of reasoning.
1. if a player is not on the 40-man roster, he cannot be removed from the 60-man roster unless he is released.
2. If a player *is* on the 40-man roster, he can be removed from the 60-man roster BUT he would be exposed to waivers first.
3. if a player tests positive for COVID-19, he can be placed on the special COVID-19 IL, will no longer count against the 60-man roster, and can be replaced on the 60-man.
BUT, when he comes back, that replacement player is subject to the rules outlined in #1-2 above
UNLESS…
4. If there is an “outbreak” (defined as 3+ players testing positive for COVID-19), those players may be replaced on the 60-man by players who would NOT be subject to #1-2 above.
Outbreak replacements can be taken off 60-man roster without being released or exposed to waivers.
CLARIFICATION/UPDATE: – Not sure if “outbreak” is MLB’s official term, just how it was explained to reporters – For players to be put on COVID-19 IL, a positive test is NOT REQUIRED. Exhibiting symptoms or presumed +tests count, and count toward “outbreak (or whatever)” numbers also.
One further update: we’re still not sure we’re going to get official team announcements if a player has been added to COVID-19 IL, only that they’ve been added to IL. Team source says it’s possible they might have to get player permission to announce (clearly due to HIPAA laws).
We do know that Edwin Uceta, Zach Reks, and Cody Thomas were all added to the IL effective June 30, for undisclosed reasons. There is no mention that these additions to the IL qualifies as an Outbreak, but with 62 named to the player pool, we can certainly surmise that there has been an Outbreak allowing for replacement players.
What we do not know is who the Outbreak replacement players are. Of the 62 named above, four are not in Camp…Keibert Ruiz (supposedly never reported), Edwin Uceta, Cody Thomas, and Zach Reks. Are all four on the COVID-19 IL and eligible for replacement until they recover and can report?
We also know that AF is an expert at roster manipulation, while also being very tight-lipped. I do not think that it is a surprise that there have been no reported COVID-19 cases with the Dodgers, except for KJ when he announced after he reported to Camp . Why was Gavin Lux out? Maybe I missed it, but I have not heard anything. It has been speculated that both Keibert Ruiz and Edwin Uceta both tested positive, but it is not officially reported. Zach Reks? Cody Thomas?
Is it all clear now???? For now, there are reportedly 62 names associated with the 60 man player pool, so at least two are not currently in the pool. There have not been any additional players added to the IL. Does that mean that there have not been any positive tests in the monitoring phase? That is certainly encouraging.
On the last thread, Watford asked:
I’m potentially gonna ask a stupid question – but I was wondering why Buehler is behind with his throwing?
All the other Pitchers continued to throw during the break, so why didn’t he?
Wasn’t he morally obligated to be ready for a season if required?
Maybe there was a good reason why not, but it’s disappointing our Ace is unable to lead the team.
Watford, that question was posed to Dave Roberts yesterday, Looking at body language, I got the impression that Dave was not going to be happy with his answer, but he did say that while Kersh, Woody, and Strip were ramping up, Buehler took the time off. Per Doc, he was not injured, no reason other than took the time off. Again with his body language, I got the impression that Doc was disappointed, but said that the team had a surplus of quality pitchers and could handle Walker ramping up in ST 2.0 and his first 2-3 starts.
Still some growing up to do!
The Mets have a decent starting five man rotation, but not much depth. They are already without Noah Syndergaard. Did they push Jacob de Grom too much too early? He had to leave his intrasquad game yesterday due to back tightness/stiffness. He is headed for an MRI for his back. While the Dodgers may be hiding displeasure with Buehler not continuing ramping up during the break, they are not going to let him go too far too fast. Dustin May can jump into the rotation. Who replaces de Grom? Michael Wacha is listed as #5. Steven Matz has always been considered a good reliever, but has never been a plus starting pitcher, is #4. Rick Porcello? He is #3. How much does he have left? So if de Grom is out for any significant period of time, Marcus Stroman becomes the Ace. Seth Lugo and Robert Gsellman, both established relievers who have not found success in the rotation, figure to be first up for consideration.
Great write up on the 60 man pool Jeff. The Dodgers depth is amazing and will keep us in the top tier for years to come. The list of the righties/lefties pitching by my count 20 to 7. This seems to me future draft choices and trades should include some south paws. Opening day will be here before you know it!
I meant 30 to 7 right/ left pitching.
I just looked at some video from Dodgers.com. Joe Kelly in mid-season form gives up HR to Mookie Betts.
I think Mookie is going to hit a lot of HRs against some very good pitchers.
Last night Mookie hit a home run off of Mitch White. On an 0-2 count, White made a beautiful pitch that was a very low and in breaking ball. It was a great pitch, on which White would get a lot of hitters out. Betts, however, put it in the bullpen.
that was a phenomenal job of hitting. Great pitch, and he took it out
His other two AB’s were hit on the screws. Mookie is ready. Muncy had three good AB’s, single, double, and a long oppo fly out . Joc a three-run shot well up into the RF pavilion. Corey hit the ball hard two of his three AB’s but Kenley made him look silly. KJ 4 outs on 8 pitches against Mookie, Corey, JT, and Belli.
Help please. Is there an inner squad game tonight and what time? Where do I go to find it on Facebook.
6:30. On FB, make sure you “like” the Los Angeles Dodgers page
Then at 6:30, you’ll see the screen showing the game
Thank you Bobby. I will do that. Been having trouble getting the games.
no problem. I’ll be on this blog when the game starts, so if you can’t get it it to work let me know
I really like what I’ve seen of McKinstry
He can play – that’s why I was upset when I heard about the dumb pretend trade!
Do you think McKinstry will be on the opening day roster? Beaty and Rios will almost definitely both make it. Kike and CT3 will be there. Does that leave room for Zach? He’s quickly becoming one of my favorites.
It is possible. It all depends on injury and selection of pitchers, but he is in the mix… as they say.
On the last thread, Bear posted this:
I want to conduct a little poll. This topic was discussed on another Dodger blog and I wish to see how the enlightened fans here will respond to the question. Which is, would Kershaw consider moving to the pen? Well, one thing is certain, it won’t happen next year. No way the Dodgers are paying 50 million dollars to two relief pitchers. Jansen and Kersh will both be in their final year next season. Another question I have, does anyone think Kersh will secure a 30 million plus contract after next season??? I think his walk year is going to be a very important season for CK. And I do not think he will get more than a 2 year offer from anyone. Of course, a lot depends on how he performs next season. Does he go home to Texas to finish his career? The Rangers make a lot of sense since they are his home town team. There are Dodger fans I know who think the thought of Kersh finishing his career in anything but Dodger blue, blasphemous. But the list of career Dodgers is not all that long. Especially in the free agency era. Some have been traded, others allowed to walk. Some have even suggested that If the Dodgers are out of the race at the break in 2021, that they should put Kersh on the market. Of course, that scenario is not even thought of by the present brain trust. Just a little food for thought while we wait for actual baseball to take place. I watched Chico’s interview on IT with Ross and Millar. It was pretty interesting. They showed the throws he has made in summer training, but a catch he made down the left field line off of a foul ball was really impressive. It was nice they let the kid play a little. But, it is time to get back to the business of baseball. Old friend Willie Calhoun had an MRI. Rangers fear a flexor strain will sideline him for the opening act.Oh yeah, in the rapid fire part of the show they asked Chico who was the best tipper…his answer, Adrian Gonzalez. I thought that was pretty interesting. And his choice of the coolest celebrity was pretty cool too. Some guy named Kobe.
Kershaw won’t move to the pen anytime soon, but I would consider trading him… for an overpay.
I guess I would have to ask him is he wants to be a lifetime Dodger – if he does, then what would he be willing to do? He could have an outstanding year in 2020 (I fully expect to see him in the Top 10 in Cy Young voting), but he doesn’t have many left. Is he willing to accept less? Does he want to go home for a season or two? I don’t know the answer.
So, if I could get an overpay, like Jung, Huff, Traveras, Solak and Acosta from the Rangers, I would do it!
Kershaw trade??? – As the Dutch would say ‘Poppycock’…
I admire a team like like the Padres letting Tony Gwynn retire a Padre…
If Kersh would care to re-invent himself as a RP in say 2022, go for it…
On the flip side if it is important for him and his family to head to Texas, so be it…
Same goes with J.T… Let him play his last game in the Ravine… Especially if we have the damned DH in 2022
P.S. Mookie makes me happy… Back the Brinks truck in behind the stadium..
Great stuff Mark. It’s fun to speculate about a player’s future, the bottom line is nobody knows the answers, including CK. This short season will tell a lot but there’s no way the Dodgers won’t offer a salary for 2 years, three max. He could finish with the Dodgers than, reiterating, re-sign with us or somebody. His call. That’s unless he has decided to be in Texas, right away.
Incidentally Mark, you frequently mention Driveline now in a positive sense. I remember last year when you weren’t a Driveline fan, being skeptical of their program and results. Since then, I have seen increasing praise for their work. (Having coached in the northwest, I liked Driveline way before and thought the likes of CK could benefit from them. That was 3 years ago). It’s nice to see you Mark, had an open mind about such places and altering your skepticism, with new information. Now will actually see if they got some mph out of CK.
Well, I have seen the results with Price, Jansen, Wood, Kershaw, and others.
It seems to help increase their velocity… now, can it last?
Hope so.