Trade Deadlines

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1. Not that we desperately needed Rosenthal, but what would have been our equivalent of Olivares? And of course there’s also the PTBNL. Just wondered what he would have cost us.

   1. McKinstry or Peters?

      Did I spell the first name correctly?

      1. Yes, but why don’t we just refer to him as ZacMac from now on. Easier to remember.

         1. How about ZMac. It’s even easier.

2. There is no doubt that we are not getting the kind of production from our rotation that we thought we would have when the season started and losing Price which I will always hold against him. However, I believe our current rotation is able to give us more than a fair shot of our finishing games with a win. It seems the BP will be our ‘Ace’ that we seem to be missing next to CK. They are doing a bang up job of holding the enemy back as we have the firepower offensively to hurt teams badly. So, I also don’t expect AF to be doing much this weekend. We really don’t need anyone, but it would be very nice for our 3 young arms to solidify their place on the rotation by going longer into games and not put so much pressure on our BP heroes. It would be grand to get Urias smiling on the mound, fist pumping into the air every time he whiffs a batter, sneering with disdain at those who oppose him. Maybe he needs a few beers before he starts a game to loosen him up. An edible? Hey, whatever works, we just want him to be happy!

   1. Our starting pitching is pretty good. The 4 top starters have ERA+‘s of 240, 153, 118 and 100. The lowest number on that list is Walker Buehler. And Gonsolin isn’t even included.

      Holding a grudge against Price huh? I used to do stuff like that. Years ago.

      There are a couple of teams that could give us trouble. Oakland for sure, Tampa maybe, Cleveland pitching, some NL team that suddenly puts it together at the end, but everyone knows the Dodgers, as constructed are the team to beat. If our hitters hit and the staff does what it’s been doing we will win this thing. My confidence level is high.

      1. I, too, have high confidence that we will be in the playoffs and barring injuries, will be the team to beat. But, I don’t share your high confidence in the pitching, specifically of the rotation. Without our BP, they’ve got no one covering their insufficiencies. Battle tested is a feature of a fighting force. Buehler got his feet wet and certainly has the stuff to get the job done, but so does CK, who has not fared well in post season play. Our other starters are not battle tested and some are still on pitch limits and other filters that have an impact on every player’s game. Price was supposed to help in this area but plans don’t always work the way they are intended. Stripling will never see the post season as a starter unless there is an emergency.

         And, btw, there was no way you could have understood my remark about Price being tongue in cheek because of the way I wrote it, so you took it literally and showed your condescension towards it making it personal that you were now beyond those things. tsk, tsk. If you really cared for me you would have suggested therapy and not compared your better self to my diminished state as superior. But you are absolved by the power I invested in me. lol

         1. “August 30, 2020 at 3:51 am
            There is no doubt that we are not getting the kind of production from our rotation that we thought we would have when the season started and losing Price which I will always hold against him.“

            You can say those words are tongue in cheek. I don’t believe it. Sounds to me like you will “always” hold Price’s decision to not risk exposing his family to the coronavirus against him.

            As for what I think of you, what do you care?

            1. Sorry, that sounded snipey. I didn’t mean it.

               Maybe you should get therapy.

3. IMO the trades we need to make are to slim down and tighten up. Trade Stripling and Joc to make room for Gonsolin and maybe Rios. Get more prospects in the deal because there’s not alot we need at the major league level, maybe Lynn.

4. I like this idea by Howard:

   https://www.si.com/mlb/dodgers/news/if-the-dodgers-can-trade-for-just-one-player-who-should-it-be

   1. We know that Whit Merrifield looks good in Blue, but he would look great in Dodger Blue. Yesterday Bear made the observation that the Dodgers might be kicking the tires on a Merrifield. I said I would be shocked, and I think that is underempahasizing how I actually feel about the chances. If KC were to agree to two-three-four of the following (as the author suggested) AF would have made that deal by now. Mitch White, DJ Peters, Zach McKinstry, Cody Thomas, Victor Gonzalez, Marshall Kasowski, Jacob Amaya, Michael Busch, Jeren Kendall, Zach Reks, Braydon Fisher.

      I will not say it will absolutely not happen, but I still do not see how it can happen. If there was a year to make such a move, this would be it.

      1. KC wouldn’t trade Merrifield for ALL of the players you mentioned, let alone 3 or 4 of them.
         It would take something like Gray, Ruiz, Pages and White for them to even start thinking about it.

         1. Come on Jeren Kendall makes it a slam dunk.

            I agree. Dayton Moore is not talking Merrifield with the Dodgers unless Lux is in the deal. Just to start.

            1. Would you include Lux in a Merrifield trade Jeff?

            2. Yes, but as the centerpiece. No top pitching. Maybe Edwin Uceta and ML ready OF such as DJ Peters or Cody Thomas or Zach Reks. Maybe the Dodgers would take back Ian Kennedy’s salary, although there is not a lot of time left for that salary. KC would not do the deal, but I would not be willing to overpay either. But I am not AF and he is not giving up Lux even for Merrifield.

   2. All of what is said there makes sense to me. If Merrifield can be had for few of the prospects mentioned there then by all means, bring him on. Having him here for 3 years changes the planned team dynamics going forward. He isn’t a rental. That said, what are the odds we do it? I say less than 50/50.

   3. How far has Sports Illustrated fallen.

      Sigh.

5. Yeah, I’m not sure why there’s uneasiness about our bullpen. The stats show we have one of the best bullpens in baseball. The eye test shows that we have maybe the best overall bullpen we’ve had since this run started in 2013. Granted Morrow/Jansen in 2017 was the best, but the guys before them were suspect. Sure even Morrow/Jansen failed against the Trashtros, but of course that’s partly due to their cheating.

   If we have an offensive need, it’s better production at 2b, but I also feel if Lux doesn’t take this job by force, that I’d be satisfied if CT3 got that job in October.

   And since I don’t see us trading for a top of the rotation starter, let’s hope that game 3 person (and game 4 in rounds 2,3,4) can give us 4-5 good innings and let this pen carry us the rest of the way.

   1. Why the uneasiness Bobby? Could it be because we’ve been a very good, even great team for several years running and for all of those years we’ve lost our last game. Do we, on some level we don’t talk about at parties believe we are not good enough? Kinda sounds like it in here.

6. I get a very uneasy feeling these days when Kenley comes in for a save. Does anyone else feel this way? It seems he gets more 3-2, 3-1 and 3-0 counts than ever before. I remember, in his prime he would pitch a batter something like this – cutter, cutter, cutter and then a cutter for the out pitch. I realize he’s older and lost some velocity but now he throws 3 or 4 different pitches and doesn’t seem to have great command on any of them. He’s doing a pretty good job on the saves this year, but I still have this uneasy feeling whether he’s protecting a 1, 2, or 3 run lead. BTW, I didn’t check the stats on my comments above. Please correct me if I’m wrong. Kenley’s done a great job for the Dodgers over the years and I hate to see him losing it.

   1. You are not wrong. He still does not have the command of his cutter. He is still good enough to get out trouble most of the time, but nowhere near his 2017 dominance.

7. I think looking at the history of these trades and how they turned out is evidence of why AF does what he does. The general pattern here is that the deals for the immediate help included players that will be mainstays for years on their new teams. Meanwhile the star players that were supposed to get their teams a WS championship have fizzled or weren’t exactly the difference makers they were supposed to be(Chapman really didn’t have a significant impact even when the Cubs won). Even if Sale helped the Sox win a WS in the short term (and I think they would have won anyway), look at where he is now and look at where the Sox are now.

   This is exactly the scenario AF has avoided – by design. It’s the way every team has operated for years – this boom and bust cycle and overpaying for a “star” to somehow increase the odds in a short series with a small sample size of statistical events. If you think about it, it’s really dumb – like signing players over 30 to long-term expensive deals (*cough* Pujols *cough*).

   Build a system that gets the team in a position to win the WS every year, do some tweaking around the edges without squandering the long term outlook or plans of the team. Don’t overpay. Look for overlooked value and have the excellent player development process refurbish players who had previously languished (our reliever core, Muncy, Taylor, Turner, et al).

   Don’t make panic moves.

   It’s a sellers market this year. I don’t see the Dodgers doing much of anything at the trade deadline. The asking price on anything will probably be absurd. The Dodgers made a deal with the Rangers to get Darvish because he was gonna be an FA. They gave up a decent prospect, but someone who never figured to be part of the Dodgers long-term plan.

   Lynn has a relatively low annual salary and he’s signed through next year. If Texas think they can rebound and have a good year next year – and they really should – they will have little interest in moving him. He’s really the only SP potential difference maker that would be available.

   The Dodgers have the best team in baseball. They are in the hunt every year. The WS championships will come.

8. AC thanks again for a great article. As a big Caleb Ferguson fan, I, 100%, agree with you on him being the set-up person in the bullpen. I think he has proven his promotion to the job and hope his huge contributions and value have not gone unnoticed.

   Regarding other things, let me say I love Hernandez’ play and enthusiasm. I think he is a very talented player but do not believe at this point he has won the everyday starting position at 2nd base. I do think he is a very valuable asset to the Dodger team

   CT3? He could be the starting 2nd baseman or shortstop on more than one major league team. Also a valuable team player.

   Will leave the trade opinions to those of you much knowledgeable than I.

   1. I do not know what is wrong with Kike at the plate. He has been on a downhill slide since opening day. And unfortunately baseball is a performance driven sport. As a person, I like the kid. He is energetic and entertaining. But he is enigmatic and not very consistent at the plate. He falls in love with that power swing, and does not make enough solid contact to be in the lineup everyday. He is also a free agent after this season along with Joc, and I believe that both of them will not be Dodgers next year. Taylor just turned 30 and is signed through next season. They said yesterday that Lux is going to get a majority of the starts against RHP. So I look for him to be there most of the time.

9. Moreland new Padres
   Milone new Braves
   Martinez new Cubs

   1. This may be one of those that fans will look back and say what were they thinking. Hudson Potts (21) and Jeisson Rosario (20) are legit prospects. I am not sure how much more Moreland gives them that Hosmer, Cronenworth, Grisham, Garcia, and Naylor as LH hitters already do. He is a 1B/DH only and that is what Hosmer is. Another 35 year old LH bat who has had a good start to 2020.

      I will give the Pads credit. They see an opportunity to go deep into the playoffs and they are going for it. I am just not sure they needed another LH bat.

      1. I think the Padres have roster protection issues on the horizon. Makes trading prospects easier OR it make the trading prospects question different.

   2. The Braves are desperate for pitching. Maybe they catch lightening with Milone. But more probably he will not be much help. They need pitchers who can take the mound.

      Martinez is an interesting pickup. He was a very good hitter with St. Louis. Maybe he gets back to the NL Central and starts to rake again. Two PTBNL is not a stiff price to pay for a potential RH bat.

      Of the three, I like the Martinez to the Cubs the best.

10. I’m just saying, half-jokingly (probably a third jokingly TBH), that Julio Urias has the 6th highest value on the great MLB Trade Simulator.

    1. What is the trade simulator throwing out for the Dodgers?

    2. Maybe we should include Julio in our offer for Merrifield.
       Would any of you be willing to do Urias and Ruiz for Whit?
       Would AF do it?
       Would the Royals do it?
       Talk amongst yourselves.

       1. I like Merrifield, but not that much. I would not trade Urias unless in a package for an elite pitcher. He is too good and too young. The same for Ruiz. That is a lot to give up for three years of 2B. Arguably Whit would give a good three years, but I am not giving up on Lux that I am willing to give up Urias and Ruiz for a perceived hole. Just my opinion.

          1. Who qualifies as an elite pitcher?

             1. I would have included Urias in the proposed deal for Chris Sale in 2016. Think of Chris Sale at that time. I like Lance Lynn, but he is not elite.

       2. Who is the we in that first question?

          1. We, the collective experts at LADT, on whose opinion all trades are judged.

11. Line up
    1.Betts
    2.Seager
    3. Muncy
    4. Bellinger 1B
    5. Pollock
    6. Pederson
    7. Taylor
    8. Smith
    9. Lux
    P Gonsolin Pollock in center and Taylor in left.

    1. I really liked what I saw from Max on his at bats yesterday. I just hope it continues.

    2. For all of those who want Francisco Lindor as a Dodger, now would have been the perfect opportunity to see how Seager would take to 3B. For all of the Lindor fans, still not happening.

12. Vin Scully is launching his own web page in November, and is now on twitter. Vin, who is pretty much confined in his home, says he wants to connect with the fans. He is also going to be on You Tube. Roberts said that Baez is not close to returning yet, and Buehler threw 30 pitches yesterday with no problem and the area where he had the blister exposed. Trade talk concerning Lynn has heated up, with the White Sox and Twins the latest to join the fray. According to Jon Heyman, the Dodgers have been in contact with the Indians about Clevinger, who most believe will be traded since the Indians have 6 starters. Price will be high, but teams not shying away from kicking the tires.

    1. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w6FGfSLcBAY

13. DODGERS RECALL RHP TONY GONSOLIN

    RHP JOSH SBORZ OPTIONED

    LOS ANGELES – The Los Angeles Dodgers have recalled right-handed pitcher Tony Gonsolin and optioned right-handed pitcher Josh Sborz.

    Gonsolin, 26, returns for his third stint with the club and will start the rubber match against the Texas Rangers this afternoon. On the season, he is 0-0 with a 0.00 ERA (0 ER/14.2 IP) in his three starts. He has limited the opposition to .125 (6-for-48) batting average with a 0.55 WHIP and 12 strikeouts. He has not allowed a run in his last five outings dating back to last season and has tossed 17.2 scoreless innings in that span. In 14 career Major League games (nine starts), he is 4-2 with a 2.14 ERA (13 ER/54.2 IP) and 49 strikeouts. The former ninth round selection in the 2016 First Year Player Draft out of St. Mary’s College is 20-14 with a 3.33 ERA (100 ER/270.1 IP) and 315 strikeouts in 100 minor league appearances (39 starts) with the Dodgers.

    Sborz, 26, made his season debut on Thursday in Game 1 of the doubleheader, tossing a scoreless inning to secure the victory for the Dodgers over the Giants. In parts of two seasons, eight games, the right-hander is 0-1 with a 7.20 ERA (8 ER/10.0 IP) and eight strikeouts. The former Virginia Cavalier has not allowed a run in five of his last six appearances with the Dodgers and has seven of his eight career strikeouts in that span. He was originally drafted in the second round of the 2015 First Year Player Draft by the Dodgers.

    The Los Angeles Dodgers franchise, with six World Series championships and 23 National League pennants since its beginnings in Brooklyn in 1890, is committed to a tradition of pride and excellence. The Dodgers are dedicated to supporting a culture of winning baseball, providing a first-class, fan-friendly experience at Dodger Stadium, and building a strong partnership with the community. With the highest cumulative fan attendance in Major League Baseball history, and a record of breaking barriers, the Dodgers are one of the most cherished sports franchises in the world.

14. Whit Merrifield is signed through 2024, when he will be 34. KC has little chance of winning by then. I think Merrifield will be productive through 2024.

    I was not in favor of this before, but based upon a lot of factors, I would do that now.

    In fact, I would trade Gavin Lux (who would be much closer to his Wisconsin Roots), Mitch White, and Victor Gonzalez for him. I think KC would do that. They like Whitt, but this could be his chance at a championship and sometimes you do that for a player if (IF) <1.>you have their best interests at heart; and <2.> if you get a compelling return. It’s a lot to give up, but I would help the Dodgers immensely.

    They may want to include Kike, just to balance the roster. AF might be willing to take some salary back if he could lop off a prospect or two.

    1. That is a deal I would do, but I do not think KC would.

       1. I think they would in a heartbeat.

          Somebody run the trade simulator on that. My guess is Lux alone grades higher than Merrifield.

15. The DBacks are making Starling Marte and Archie Bradley available. I would love to see what it would take to get Starling Marte. He is batting .379/.438/.483/.920 against LHP this year. He does have a $12.5MM option with a $2MM buyout for 2021.

    I will pass on Archie Bradley.

16. Nice to score 3 in the 7th to get us some breathing room, although I couldn’t feel comfortable for the reasons hodges54 mentioned.
    * Big day today for Tony Gonsolin and ME. He needs to pitch well and take another step to solidify his roll in the rotation. I need him to because I have been a huge cheerleader for him being part of the big club and in the rotation. I have my fingers crossed.
    * Stripling has had good fortune with the team scoring runs and getting him off the hook unlike May the day before. Ross’ last 2 starts are almost identical; 4 innings each time, 6 and 4 hits, 2 and 3 earned, and 2 homers in each. These short, so-so outings just don’t keep him in the rotation for me down the road. Despite his 3-1 record, his performances isn’t cutting it foe me.
    * Stripling might as well be called an “opener”. In 6 of his 7 starts he’s gone 5.2 innings or less. His last 4 starts have been 4, 3.2, 4 and 4. He’s big part of the reason why we have to keep so many relief pitchers and can’t add a position player.
    * In Doc’s in-game interview he said “Ross’ stuff is really good today”. Doc is so predictable.
    * I always get pissed when I see MLB players pull the high school trick to wear one for the team. In this case the Dietrich kid putting his elbow out to get hit on the pad. Thankfully it didn’t work. I have a nasty habit of wanting, when the time is right, to help him out in his eagerness to get hit, by putting something above 93 in his rib case. It’s bush league baseball. Anyway you can works both ways.
    * As things have evolved, I would put CT3 at 2nd against right hand pitching every time. He’s at .288 vs righties. Against lefties you flip a coin.
    I need a day off from Orel and Joe today. They spent an important inning doing their sophomore babble about Denny’s breakfasts, meal money and bottomless fries. Later at a critical time in the 9th Choo was fouling off about 6 pitches while Orel rattled on and on about the new extra inning rule. He takes these mental strolls into space. Call the game, please.
    * Can somebody tell me why Joc was in the 5 hole and Pollock in the 7th hole last night?
    * I think KJ has the late innings rules mixed up. He must think since the 10 inning starts with a runner at 2nd, the 9th inning starts with a runner at 1st. He complies with the rule by walking somebody in the 9th seemingly every time.
    I’ve been too negative in my post today and I apologize. I’ll try to be better today.

    1. Dodgers get to see another “not so good” RHP in Kyle Gibson. I like their chances and for you to have a good day.

    2. I think Orel finds himself interesting.

       I still put Lux at second. He needs at bats to get him ready for the playoffs. Taylor is utilitarian. He and Hernandez can wear the same uniform. Chriké Taynandez, #314.

17. The White Sox and Indians are in trade discussions regarding Mike Clevinger. Knowing the Indians need OF and the ChiSox are not moving Robert or Jimenez, that would leave Mazara. He may be better than who the Indians have right now, but not much. It is obviously going to need to include prospects. GMs are saying Clevinger being traded is “likely”.

    If the White Sox land Clevinger, they will be very tough to beat in the AL. NYY will need to go big for SP. Would the Twins react? Oakland cannot do much except with who they have.

    1. Why would the Indians trade Clevinger to a Division rival?

       1. Good question. Smokescreen to drive up price to Yankees, Dodgers, Padres,…?

18. Givens traded to the Rockies. Just announced. Bowden thinks the Dodgers should trade Stripling and Gray to the Rangers for Lynn…I’ll Pass.

    1. Wrong color. Stripling and White.

19. If the Dodgers make a trade I will be very interested in what Friedman thinks are the additions or addition that will make the Dodgers a better team. I will have no problem if he does nothing as long as Gonsolin remains in the rotation and Stripling moves to the pen.

20. Smith bomb.

21. Bomb by Will Smith – 109 mph; 439 feet

22. Gonzolin!!

23. Gonsolin is a keeper.

    Sorry, Chicken Strip: You could be left off the playoff roster.

    Now, Julio is on the bubble… one more start!

24. According to Heyman, Dodgers have inquired about Hader of the Brewers…

    1. Hey Bear, can you run that MLB simulator for me. What I see is Lux valued over 80 and Merrifield valued at 50. I can’t get the damm thing to accept a trade.

       1. Sorry ol buddy, that is way too complicated for me.

       2. I decided to set up a trade for Merrifield using just minor leaguers.
          It gave me Gray, Ruiz and Hoese. I’m guessing most folks here wouldn’t do that for 3 years of Merrifield.

          1. Nope.

25. I would have liked to have seen Gonsolin go 5 innings and about 80 pitches. He had the run support. It’s time Doc let these kids run a little bit. Nice to see Lux get a base hit. More to come from him.

    1. 39 pitches in one inning did it.

26. Padres pick up their third player. Catcher Jason Castro from LAA

27. A couple of observations.
    I would never give Corey Seager a strike and still get him out.
    Pollock should not play a playoff game against a righty. He is overmatched by the slider.

    If we get Kelly and Baez back we don’t need bullpen help. Ferguson has been great. We just need them to perform. We need Baez/Kelly for 5,6, and mb 7th inning but no later. We have treinen and Ferguson for setup.

    Everybody likes Merrifield but it is a lot different playing in kc as opposed to la at playoff time. Just sayin

28. No doubt the top three potential trade candidates on the Dodgers list.

    1. Hader

    2. Clevinger

    3. Merrifeld

    Good chance that all three are available.

    1. Hader and clevinger could get quite expensive or not. They are going into second year of arb making 4 million plus now. If they perform will probably double or triple that. I don’t know have this short season will impact the next contract. But, both could make 15 mil before free agency conceivably. But, if they are performing that is a good thing but has to be considered when you decide what to give up.

       Merrifield contract has the best value but he is moving up in age. His sb and range could decrease. Lux will start somewhere. I suppose it depends on what seager does or if lux is included in any deal. I doubt lux will be moved.

29. While we’re all talking about the chances of getting a real difference maker, Kenny Rosenthal just published this in The Athletic in a rundown of what various teams are looking at:
    “the loaded Dodgers are attempting to zig while others zag, working on smaller deals in which they would part with some of their depth for prospects.”
    Now, I’d just like to know what AF defines as the depth he would move. Names please Kenny.

    After the game Doc stated that Gonsolin will make his next start, and I’m assuming he meant that he would make that start as a Dodger.

    1. This could be a list:

       Joc playing awful currently
       Stripling not a starter for Dodgers
       Kike if we can get a prospect that can hit 200 and play defense
       Taylor could not lose he and kike both
       Beaty meh

       All have pluses and have served the Dodgers well but AF mb can do better.
       No idea who he is referring to just surmising the usual suspects

30. Those of us who advocate that the Dodgers’ rotation depth may not be playoff worthy have had our concerns underlined by today’s 3 inning appearance by Gonsolin.

    Here’s MLB.com
    “Dodgers starters have lasted fewer than five innings in 12 of the last 22 games.”

    and

    “(Urias has) 5 runs and 14 baserunners over the last 5 2/3 innings in his last 2 starts, despite striking out 11. He’s been throwing his fastballs slower and his offspeed pitches faster than last year.”

    Notwithstanding Buehler’s ugly start, he has a track record and the Dodgers can have him ready for the post-season to be a strong 1 – 2 punch with Kershaw. I have no confidence in any of the Dodgers’ other starters at this point. It’s not that May, Gonsolin and Urias aren’t talented – they just aren’t pitching deep into games and lack postseason experience as starters. I don’t think that Stripling is the answer this year.

    They need more than 2 starting pitchers in the postseason, no matter how good the bullpen is.

    1. I was one who said prior to the season our main weakness is the starting pitching and I still believe that. Kershaw has pitched better than anybody but the playoffs are a different animal. Buehler I would have said can match up with anyone but he has me biting my nails. May has tremendous stuff but lacks a 3rd pitch thus very few strikeouts. Urias I have no idea and no confidence. He does have playoff experience but he has got to turn it around. Even after today I would go with Gonsolin at 3. He battles, he has good stuff, and I think he has the confidence to come up big. It is a scary proposition to go into the playoffs with our sp but mb somebody steps up.

31. I like this team. This is one of the best Dodgers teams that I have seen in my lifetime. Yes I just said that. I’ve followed the Dodgers since the 1977 world series. This team compares with the late 70’s and 80’s teams. I just don’t like the manager, because I have somewhat of a different philosophy.

    I have no problem with the offense except one guy and you know who I’m talking about.

    I don’t really have a problem with the starting pitching if it is Buehler, Kershaw, Gonsolin, May, Urias. In the playoffs you only need 4 of them. As of now Urias would be the odd man out of the playoffs as a starter. I would let Urias start for the remainder of the season because the Dodgers are going to make the playoffs with or without him starting. Might as well find out what he has as a starter.

    Here is where I have some jitters and that is the bullpen. The bullpen is where Doc has the most hands on. As of right now the bullpen has pitched better than the career stats would suggest. I hate talking trades because I’d hate to lose a good Dodger player or 2 or 3 or more in trades. I have heard Friedman has inquired about Josh Hader and I would love to have Hader as a Dodger. But what is the price tag? So if the price is right I’d add Hader to the Dodgers bullpen and I would see if there is another Hader type reliever available for the right price.

    The team is good enough that the only way I would make a trade would be for an impact reliever or 2 if the price is right.

    1. What “Hader type reliever” are you talking about? Right now the only reliever in the Hader class is Liam Hendricks and he is not going anywhere. The cost for Hader would be astronomical, so it is extremely doubtful that the Dodgers will find a high leverage late inning reliever available.

       I just do not see a trade that AF is going to make. If I am wrong, I hope it is a trade that “will move the needle” (as described by Doc).

       1. Jeff

          I don’t know who’s available. I haven’t done my homework like I have in the past. Probably because I haven’t felt the need to do my homework because this team is good except for Doc.

          If Hader costs too much, then I will pass.

32. While all of the guessing about who KC would want, apparantly they are very much enamored with Jacob Amaya (multiple sources). He would not be the centerpiece of the deal, but that may mean if the Dodgers do in fact want to pull off a Merrifield deal, Lux may not be a part of the deal.

    1. No way he trades lux. With kike leaving, the uncertainty of seager, Taylor not long term and nobody else ready I don’t c how he would. He would have to jump into free agency for somebody like lindor and after signing Betts it would be a huge surprise.

       1. I am not in favor of trading Lux, just indicating that Jacob Amaya is someone that KC covets. The reason is, he is considered a superior defensive SS over Lux. Almost all scouting reports had Lux early on moving to 2B while Amaya is someone who can and should stick at SS. I have always like Amaya, so I can see why other teams have interest. I prefer Lux as a 2B over Amaya as a SS as long as LAD has an elite SS. In two years the cost for a SS is going to be Seager, Lindor, or Story. I would think there would be a revolt in LA if Carlos Correa was even considered (also a FA at that time).

          1. Don’t forget Javier Baez who is also a free agent along with the other four, although I’m expecting he’ll get the lowest $ contract.
             That off season is really going to be something.

          2. No Correa!! I just think it is unlikely that a middle infielder will go as I don’t think we are deep at that position. I think that is why the original trade with the Angels would have brought us some middle infield depth. We might send a pitcher or of somewhere or sit pat. I did not think you were in favor of trading lux. It looks more and more likely that we will lose kike and Pederson with no return. They are currently dismal in their walk year

             1. Both Kike and Joc have had their post season moments. Maybe they’ll go out with a bang and that will be our ultimate return rather than getting players back.

33. Did we really just break a record for the most collective HRs in a month for an NL team? Honestly, it didn’t feel like a record pace…felt sort of typical. Maybe we squeezed in an unusually high number of games to get it.

    I wouldn’t trade for Hader unless Kenley’s involved or getting traded as well. He did not react well when we courted Chapman and I see no reason why he’d react differently now. Not that I’m against the idea of getting Hader. We might have two rings if Hader was a Dodger the last two years.

    I think if we make a deal, it won’t be a world shaker. A reliable vet along the order of Utley or Freese is what I suspect. Who that is? Beats me?

34. SD now in discusssions with Seattle about Austin Nola. They would use him more as a utility/ emergency catcher. Makes little sense after trading for Moreland and Castro. Castro/Hedges/Mejia??? I have to assume that either Hedges or Mejia will be going back to Seattle. I am guessing that the Lance Lynn/Mike Clevinger/Dylan Bundy price tag is out of control. Pads are making multiple peripheral trades. They will make them better, but not good enough without pitching.

    1. The Nola deal is done.

       I wasn’t able to see the game but looking at the box score, it seems representative of how I see the Dodgers proceeding towards the post season. CK & Buehler with the rest of the rotation being supported by the BP, or you could call it the BP supported by the rotation. 3 IP and the BP takes over. That’s how good our BP has been this year. However, going into the playoffs like this gives me the heebie jeebies. The possibility of the BP cracking seems greater with the more work they will get. The pressure will be great. I’m sure AF did not plan for this, not that he was supposed to. 2 of his starters are not playing and 1 starter leads the majors with most HRs given up. If that is not a weakness, I don’t know what is. We can talk about our offense being weak in certain areas but this doesn’t match up to the pitching. I can live with that roster but the rotation really worries me especially with Doc pulling the strings.

35. I know we are talking trades, so I’m sorry for getting off the subject, but I was thinking about something a lot today because of the discussion I had yesterday about defense.

    Remember when Doc, Cora, Izturis were all playing for the Dodgers. All 3 of them were almost automatic outs and they couldn’t hit a home run if their life depended on it. Add the pitcher in the starting lineup with the 3 of them. I remember thinking to myself back then, how the hell is this team suppose to score any runs with 4 almost automatic outs and no homers from them. Man I am glad times have changed.

    1. You have said this before about Dave Roberts. Doc had zero power, but he was hardly an automatic out.

       2002 – 479 PA – .277/.353/.365/.718 – 51 K, 48 BB, 45 SB
       2003 – 440 PA – .250/.331/.307/.638 – 39 K, 43 BB, 40 SB
       2004 – 270 PA – .253/.340/.356/.696 – 31 K, 28 BB, 33 SB

       OPS was not a big consideration at that time. Stealing bases was a much larger consideration than it is today. It was that great stolen base that changed the entire 2004 BoSox season and launched them to the WS. You are right, he had no power. In his LAD career he struck out 121 times and walked 120 times in 1,189 PA. He was not an automatic out

    2. I looked it up, it was 2003.

       Cora .249 average 4 homers.
       Izturis .251 average 1 homer.
       Doc .250 average 2 homers.

       1. No power agree. Automatic outs I do not.

          1. Yea you’re right they were not almost automatic outs. But it sure seemed like it at the time. I was surprised when I looked it up and their batting average was right at .250. I thought it would be much worse.

             But still .250 and almost no homers, someone like that today would be packing their bags.

             1. Probably right. Maybe only 17 years but a different game. Dodgers has 57 HRs just in August 2020, and 124 in all of 2003.

36. Pads and Seattle complete a 7 player trade. Nola part of the return package and a couple of pitchers. Ty France and the Pads prospect Torrence and 2 pitchers headed to the Mariners.

    1. Trammel dealt again.

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