Before I answer with my position, let me do my best to lay out some of the factors assuredly being discussed in the Dodger “war rooms”.
Max Scherzer is a HOF pitcher who can still bring it at 37. He would be a front of the rotation pitcher even with the Dodgers. This year he is 7-4 with a 2.83 ERA and an exceptional WHIP of 0.886 in 105 IP. He has 142 strikeouts against 25 walks. That is a SO/W ratio of 5.68. He has allowed 17 HRs, which is on pace to surrender more HRs in 2021 than any other season other than his CY year of 2016 when he yielded 31.
While not in the MadBum post season class, Max has been tough. In 22 games and 112.0 IP, Max has a 7-5 records with a 3.38 ERA. He has compiled 137 strikeouts vs 46 walks, and given up 12 HRs (3 to LAD). Not as scary 2.98 SO/W. Being candid, he would probably fall into the #2 slot behind Walker Buehler who has been sparkling in post season play. 11 games, 61.1 IP, 2.35 ERA with a 1-1 WL record because LAD cannot score for Walker. He has 83 K and 22 BB and has allowed 5 HRs. Walker gets the ball in a one game WC or in Game 1 of the NLDS.
There is a lot to like about getting Max for the stretch run and October. But at what cost. A rental CF, Starling Marte, cost Oakland Jesus Luzardo. Don’t look at his stats right now. He is a 23 year old who has three plus pitches with plus command and control. He has been hurt, and like Sixto Sanchez, that has to be a concern going forward. But Oakland gave up a lot as a potential Ace for the A’s to win it this year.
Farhan says he is not giving up Joey Bart for a rental. So does Andrew regarding Keibert Ruiz. Will one blink? Or will Preller swoop in and include Luis Campusano? All three front runners have a catcher that Washington would covet.
Who knows the truth when Scott Boras opens his mouth, but his latest comments indicate that he is NOT looking for an extension. Boras prefers negotiating with all 30 teams over 1. He will still ask for something. Maybe he will want to move up the $10MM deferral from 2028 to some time sooner. Maybe tax issues. Who knows, but it will not be free to waive Max’s no trade clause.
On the flip side, Max is not unbeatable. In the postseason, Max is 1-1 against LAD. In 13.0 IP he has allowed 5 runs (3.46 ERA) with 12 Ks and 3 BBs. And as previously indicated, he allowed 3 HRs in those 12 innings.
I am writing this before Wednesday’s game, but Max would not have made a difference in Julio’s start. Well I guess he could have allowed 0 runs. The 8th inning error would still have occurred, and we all know how LAD does in extra inning games. The starting pitching has not been a problem now that Gonsolin and Price are stretching out. As many on this site (and others) have said, this team is not going to win unless Mookie, Seags, and Clayton Kershaw come back healthy, and Belli turns it around. CT3 can play 2B and Lux can go to the bench for this year. I like Lux, and think he will be a star, just not this year.
Scherzer would make any rotation better. But is starting pitching really a problem? How much would Scherzer add to Buehler, Urias, Kershaw if the Dodgers can find another option (internally or externally)?
Would I include Keibert Ruiz for a rental, even one as good as Max Scherzer? No. I would include Ruiz for Luis Castillo, but the Reds do not need another catcher. They have a fine catcher (more than fine) in 24 year old Tyler Stephenson. Jose Berrios? I do not think Berrios is that big of an upgrade over what the Dodgers have to move their #1 prospect. He would be better than the current #4, but at the cost of Ruiz? And Minnesota NEEDS catching, so you know Ruiz would be a must. Byron Buxton? He just cannot stay on the field enough. LAD has enough injury concerns.
I m not opposed to trading Keibert, but not a knee-jerk reaction at the trade deadline. Take some time to see if there is another option next winter, and see how much Cartaya develops. I am sorry for all of you Austin Barnes haters, but he is a perfect backup catcher. The pitchers love to pitch to him, and he hits enough, not a lot, but enough for this supposed offensive juggernaut. As so many complain about his inability to throw out runners, although by the slimmest of margins, Barnes has a better rate at the ML level than does Ruiz at MiLB. Ruiz has still not improved his transfer from glove to hand enough to bring that CS% up. Bringing up Ruiz now would put him on the bench as a PH, and why take him away from playing every day? Hold on for a month, and he will get called up. Smith is an AS catcher (forget what the votes said). Why should he move? Can he play ML 2B or 3B? He hasn’t yet, so how do you know. Because he played some there in college? He is an exceptional athlete so he can move there as a fill in, but I am not convinced he can play enough defensively to stay there. I am amazed at the number of fans who do not value defense. As I said about Seattle, worry about 2022 in the winter.
If the cost for Scherzer is Cartaya and Beeter, make the trade. If AF needs to add another top 20-30 player, okay. Cartaya is a top 100 prospect. In 2017, I wanted Justin Verlander in the worst way. MT and I had some very “healthy” discussions on the merits of Justin Verlander, who like Scherzer had a no-trade clause. Justin wanted to come to LA, so he would have waived it as he did for Houston. Verlander with 2+ years of control brought two top 10 prospects, prospects, and one #23. The best of the bunch, Franklin Perez, who was a top 100 player, has just been a mess with arm issues, and has not pitched since 2019. He had shoulder surgery earlier this season. Daz Cameron (CF) and Jake Rogers (C) were the other two. Scherzer is older and a rental. Cartaya, Beeter, and Jackson, may be an overpay for a rental, but one I would do. Washington probably would not.
Other options: If the offense turns around with the addition of Mookie and Seags, and Kershaw comes back healthy, LAD can live with Price or Gonsolin as #4 and #5. I still like the idea of adding Wade Miley. The cost would be more than reasonable for a #5 pitcher who could be a big lefty out of the pen in the post season. Miley has a $10MM option with a $1MM buyout for 2021. He also has Scherzer type numbers for ERA and WHIP.
But with the offense floundering, I would check into the cost for Kris Bryant and Craig Kimbrel. Cubs have said they are willing to combine players.
I also love the idea of Trea Turner to LAD. Lux would have to be a part of that deal, and some top pitching (other than Gray). Would Lux, Hoese, and Beeter get it done? Lux and Cartaya? Lux, Cartaya, and Kendall Williams or Andre Jackson? I think Lux becomes an AS with Washington.
I do not like to make trades because I fear what other teams may do. That is exactly how LAD ended up with a significant contract overpay for Trevor Bauer. So if SF or SD overpay to get Max, LAD should just go out and beat him. They are more than capable, and they have done it before. There are other options other than Max Scherzer, and I would like to see AF spend some of his prospect capital for a bat. I do not want to hear there is no place to play. Just like Preller did with Adam Frazier, you make room. Find a way to play a Kris Bryant or a Bryron Buxton or a Trea Turner.
My preference #1 is Max Scherzer if it does not require Keibert Ruiz. Preference #1A – Craig Kimbrel. Preference #2 a difference making bat; Turner, Bryant, Buxton. Preference #3 – Wade Miley. Preference #3A – Ian Kennedy. Preference #4 – Josh Harrison. Preference #4A – Daniel Hudson. Preference #5 – Jonathan Schoop. Preference #5A – Raisel Iglesias. Every one of those players would be an improvement.
I would also check every box possible for Luis Castillo or German Marquez. Let Seattle trade for the Tyler Anderson’s. No to Sonny Gray, Michael Pineda, Danny Duffy, or any of the other mediocre SP being discussed.
So to answer my question above, Would I trade for Max Scherzer…a definite ——-Maybe.
The deadline to sign 2021 draft picks is 2 p.m. PT on Sunday, August 1.
2021 Dodgers draft picks
Round Pick # Pos Player Bat/Throw Age* School Slot value Signed?
1 29 LHP Maddux Bruns L/L 19 UMS Wright prep (AL) $2,424,600 $2,197,500
3 101 RHP Peter Heubeck R/R 18 Gilman School (MD) $577,000 $1,269,500
4 131 RHP Nick Nastrini R/R 21 UCLA $430,800 $497,500
5 162 RHP Ben Casparius R/R 22 UConn $318,200 $247,500
6 192 RHP Emmet Sheehan R/R 21 Boston College $247,000 $244,500
7 222 RHP Ryan Sublette R/R 22 Texas Tech $194,400 $147,500
8 252 LHP Ben Harris L/L 21 Georgia $162,700 $197,500
9 282 LHP Lael Lockhart S/L 23 Arkansas $149,800 $2,500
10 312 RHP Michael Hobbs R/R 21 St. Mary’s College $142,200 $2,500
11 342 LHP Justin Wrobleski L/L 20 Oklahoma State $197,500
12 372 LHP Ronan Kopp L/L 18 South Mountain CC (AZ) Yes
13 402 RHP Antonio Knowles R/R 21 Florida SouthWestern State College Yes
14 432 RHP Jordan Leasure R/R 22 Tampa Yes
15 462 RHP Madison Jeffrey L/R 21 West Virginia Yes
16 492 SS Michael Sirota R/R 18 The Gunnery School (CT)
17 522 LHP Adam Tulloch L/L 20 West Virginia
18 552 OF Damon Keith R/R 21 Cal Baptist Yes
19 582 RHP Gabe Emmett R/R 20 Folsom Lake College Yes
20 612 RHP Charlie Connolly R/R 22 Navy
Totals $4,646,700 +$232,300 (4.99%)
*age as of June 30, 2021
Dodgers sign 16 of 19 picks so far
Connolly has a commitment to the Navy. He won’t be signing.
I don’t think the team has the money for Sirota.
They have said they think he is going to honor his college commitment and therefore not sign able anyway.
So the money can be used on someone else. But perhaps it already has…
Totally agree, it is not the pitching that is failing (although it would not be a bad thing to get another arm for the bullpen) I think that sometimes the simple fact of making a trade gives encouragement to the team, it is like showing that you want to do something for the team, I think Bryant would be the one for the team
Good win, Walker was fantastic and White showed again why he has a future with the Dodgers.
Good to see Belli connect after all.
Chance to close the gap to 1 today.
When will Lux and Seager finally be back ? Lux should be able to come of the IL today if I am correct.
Go Dodgers!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
White and Bueller effectively gave everyone in the pen a day off. White looks like a pitcher with that large frame. Such a nice kid, I hope he finds his confidence and command and realizes his potential of a top reliever.
Eso es exactamente lo que necesita este y otros muchachos que han estando trayendo a suplir peloteros lesionados, mentalizarse de lo que son capaces, porque desde la lejanía se notan las cualidades que ellos tienen ( y me refiero en ofensiva y defensiva ), bien dicho B and P.
Thanks José! Mi nombre era José en la clase de español en la escuela secundaria. 😉
I agree with your post. Scherzer can b awesome but he also gives up a lot of homers and some have been gamechangers in a close game. He also has had meltdowns against San Diego for one where he just totally loses it. Having said that I would like to have him but not for Ruiz.
Wade Miley would b an interesting arm to get. Cincinnati thinks they r still in but I don’t. I would not want Kennedy but of course Bryant and Kimbrel would be nice. Kimbrel mb too costly. Harrison mb because he plays multiple positions and can make contact compared to our 4a players. If healthy I believe our answers are on the roster. We just have to perform.
No Kennedy? 1 blown save all year. I’ll take that in a heartbeat.
I love your plan AC, but I want to talk about that contact play last night! What a difference a day makes.
In a game that’s very close to being a “must win” because the result would put us either 2 games back, or 4 and another series loss to our most hated rivals. A 4 run lead in the seventh didn’t make me feel very comfortable. A 5 run lead keeps you out of grand slam territory and would seem like all the difference in the world against a pesky Giants team and our bullpen which is full of surprises.
Once again, we find ourselves in a familiar spot, 1st and 3rd with one out. Bueller hits a ground ball to 3rd and the runner, AJ Pollock again, goes on contact. But, this time he ends up with the desired result. A dropped ball by the catcher and that glorious 5th run scores without a key out recorded on the play.
You see, the added benefit here was that since the out wasn’t record it later brough Muncy to the plate to deliver the dagger through the heart, a two run dagger to put the game away. Without the contact play, AJ is back to third, the out is recorded at first and CT3’s popup ends the inning.
You see, I love the contact play as I love aggressive baserunning. Put pressure on the defense to make the perfect throw and catch and tag. A lot can go wrong, that’s why you do it. Sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn’t just like many plays in baseball.
It was a huge win and that play turned the game into the unreachable territory. Just what the Doctor ordered.
I really like the idea of bringing in Kris Bryant. He can play 3b and OF and would provide as much insurance for the lineup as a Starting Pitcher would provide for the rotation. I’m pretty comfortable with a postseason rotation of Bueller, Urias, Kershaw and Price, but wouldn’t mind evening it out with another righty. After Gonsolin’s disappearing act last year, I just don’t trust him.
Wade Miley is a fine pitcher…this year. I trust him about as much as I trust Gonso. Which one will show up? Gray looks like he has the tools to do an about face, and become a weapon down the stretch. But, with just about a day remaining before the deadline, are we willing to roll the dice?
Berrios is another fine pitcher and he checks the right handed box. He’s young and has another year of control providing some insurance for next year. He’s the Ace of the Twins staff and is used to going up against other “Ones”. He’s been solid, but underwhelming in the postseason.
Kimbrel would be a huge add. He is possibly the top closer in the league right now and has been there before.
One starter, one closer and one bat sounds a lot like good ole George Thorogood, one bourbon, one scotch and one beer. Both will put you over the top.
Alright Badger and PJ. Do you still hate the contact play?
I know this is a discussion more for BulldogsandPenguins/Badger/Phil Jones but I thought I’d comment as it’s a fun discussion among talented baseball fans. To me the contact play is a crap shoot, not sure on the numbers but it’s got to be close to working and failing 50% of the time. To me it’s all who is on base than it is just to put the play on automatically. That’s my 2 cents and you guys have had a lot more in depth discussions and I look forward to them.
It’s almost the same discussion as the runner on 1st and 3rd. Does the runner on first break for 2nd and try to get in a run down so the runner on 3rd can score. Same thing depends on who the runners are and I’d bet that is close to working about 50/50 as well.
Yeah, it worked last night. And they got lucky. But the replay showed the ball was not dropped by the catcher, it went under his glove. And another point, Vosler was playing 3rd. A rookie with limited experience, so he might be more prone to do exactly what he did, bury the ball into the dirt. Someone like Arenado playing there and Pollock would have been dead meat.
I posted some “coach speak” that is in moderation. There are some numbers to be examined. The bottom line for me can be looked at from a defensive perspective. The only reason you bring the infield in is to choke that runner off. From an offensive perspective if you break on contact and know you are going to be out, you should stop and get in a rundown allowing the other runners to move up a base.
Yeah, it didn’t work the other night. And the defense got lucky. The replay showed that Raley’s foot wasn’t down and he was hugging the bag to start the play. Another two foot lead and he’s safe. And another point, Ruf as playing first, although a veteran, the ball was hit to right to him in the perfect position to make the play as a right handed first baseman. Someone like Belt playing there would have had a worse angle and Raley would have been safe. Even with all the luck breaking right for the Giants on the play, Raley, who isn’t the fastest guy on the team was almost safe. The ball was hit perfectly to Ruf, he made a near perfect throw to the plate and Posey made a near perfect tag and Raley would have been safe anyways if he had a slightly better lead.
See how that works?
Yeah. I still hate the play.
I hate the play too. A careful examination of my previous posts clearly state that the only time I think the play is called for is with runners at 1st and 3rd and the runner at 3rd breaks on contact to avoid the around the horn double play. That’s what happened last night. It also helped that the 3rd baseman had to avoid throwing into the runner.
That’s the only time I’m in favor of the contact play and I previously made that point clearly. I hate the play
We all have things we hate. I hate the DH, platoons and unnecessary double switches and pitching changes after a strikeout.
Runner on 3rd with one out. Contact play. You wind up with a runner on 3rd and two outs or a runner on first with 2 outs. A runner of first would likely require 2 hits to score the runner and a runner at third requires a hit to score. With batting averages around 250 on average, you have a 25 % chance to score the runner from 3rd and a 6% chance of scoring from 1st. We just saw the play work 1 out of 3 tries for a 33% success rate. I don’t know what the overall success rate on all contact plays, but if it’s better that 25% you may as well go for it.
Just wondering if you all considered the odds and are not just going by personal observation and experience.
Damn the odds. I always use the eye test, just like I know Crawford’s double in the first would have been the third out without all this stupid shift crap. I dislike the play, period, and nothing anyone can say will ever change that unless Betts is on 3rd. I am not wishy washy and just change my mind on things. There is a 50-50 chance I could die tomorrow, but I plan to beat the damn odds. You cannot win this argument with me.
I still think we won’t need an extra bat if Mookie and Seager come back at 100%. Big if. Bellinger just might have it figured out and soon. My gut has told me “pitching” since before Bauer and Kershaw went down. You can never have too much pitching, and both Urias and Buehler could use a blow in August. The Dodgers season plans always include a few intense, highly competitive series’ in October. And, that extra #1 just might be needed if for some unseen (and visible) reason we have a play in game.
Come on Mookie. I can’t help but think that the trade for Scherzer depends on two important points. 1. Mookie’s health. If he’s not here, I don’t risk it. And I know hip injuries can be serious. Careers have ended with hip injuries. And 2. is Scherzer a rental? Maybe he wants to end his career in LA hanging with the likes of La Bron, Drake, Kershaw and Matthew Stafford.
A lot of unknowns. One thing that isn’t unknown is the fact we are catcher rich.
“both Urias and Buehler could use a blow in August. ” That’s funny because that phrase doesn’t mean what it use to mean. We know what you mean, but some might take it differently. 🙂
It still means what it used to mean.
If that meaning is get a rest.
If you changed it from “a blow” to “some blow” it would mean another thing. If you added another noun that is synonymous for occupation it would mean something else entirely.
I heard Doc call Mookie’s injury a “hip pointer”. Hip pointers are like bruise at the end of the hip bone and aren’t consider a serious injury that would require surgery or a lengthy recovery and is not a degenerative condition that gets worse over time. Now, we all know that Doc is not a real Doc, so you never know. But, it seems that Mookie’s hip injury should eventually go away and not jeopardize his career.
I fully agree that a Starting Pitcher gives this team the most bang for the buck as it most likely sends a starter to the pen strengthening both areas. The offense has been great, but inconsistent with no less than 2 stars out of the lineup for most of the season. I can only imagine what a juggernaut it will be when everyone is back and healthy. It sure was nice seeing that Belli Bomb last night even if he delivered it with a 7-0 lead.
If you had the choice of acquiring Bryant and Kimbrel, or Max Scherzer who would it be? I would go with Bryant and Kimbrel as it addresses at least two weaknesses. Bryant is killing lefties this year and he provides insurance at all 4 corners. Kimbrel would allow us to keep Kenley away from one run games.
I would go with the Kimbrel and Bryant package for the same reasons you mentioned above. As much as I would like Scherzer I think the cost for a rental would be too high. I hope the Mookie hip pointer is an accurate diagnosis. According to Kirsten Watson from last night’s game he is feeling much better. We’ll see what AF thinks in the next two days.
I know we have heard the song and dance before, but Mookie is supposed to be in the lineup on Sunday and Seager could be reinstated by the weekend as well. Seager will not require a rehab. Lux will be going on a rehab maybe next week. I get the feeling that there is no rush for Gavin.
Rehab, or batting practice for Lux?
I just think Friedman is a lot more confident in this team than most of the people on this site. It looks to me like he’s more interested in making sure guys are healthy while the team stays within striking distance playing with replacement players. If we were 6 games out, we probably would have already seen Seags by now.
I sure hope they bring their bats and their A game today against Cueto.
I think it is more they like what CT3 is doing. Keep Lux down until his hammy is fully healed, and maybe his confidence as well.
If the Dodgers have anything, it is patience where injuries are concerned. The did not rush Bellinger back after his leg injury. Same thing with Seager, giving him time to fully heal. Their management of injurie issues is a policy of do not try to bring them back too soon. They are two back, and have on of the best records in the game. In fact, other than the AL West and NL West, they would be leading if they were in any other division. 1/2 game back in the AL East.
definitely Kimbrel and Bryant.
Bryant? Yeah, I already voiced my opinion on that. But again, if Mookie is in the lineup, our outfield is Pollock, Bellinger and Betts. Taylor is our #4.
Hip pointer. Hmm. I haven’t heard that, but for me if true it’s good news. Hip pointers are manageable, especially in baseball. Just don’t slide on that hip. Shoot him up with cortisone, rub some dirt on it and get him back in there. No rush though. We are only 2 back with 50 to go. That’s of course 50 using Colorado math.
If I had to choose right now, tough choice but with limited information I take Scherzer. He has to pass a Covid test though.
Hardeharhar……thanks for reminding me of my fading brain power old buddy.
I’m here for you Bear.
Thanks….like I need more reminders that I am not the Bear I once was…….still losing weight though.
Good for you. Me too. Back to my high school playing weight. It’s arranged somewhat differently now.
Not close to that, but every pound lost is a win.
Chris Bryant is hitting .208 with a .327 OB% over his last 30 games. That spans 96 ABs.
Last year he hit .206. He’s not much of an upgrade (hitting-wise) over Cody Bellinger, although I believe both players will ultimately put it together.
I say no to Bryant.
Craig Kimbrel’s stats are “otherworldly.” When was the last time a relief pitcher has been so dominant?
0.49 ERA
0.71 WHIP
The league is hitting .106 against him.
In 36.2 IP, he has allowed 13 H, 13 walks, and struck out 64.
Baseball is a game of averages and hot and cold streaks.
Can he keep that rate up? I say it’s not likely.
Mark Melancon had an ERA resembling Kimbrel’s in April and May. Then in June, it went up to 4.22 and it is 3.00 in July.
When you trade for a player, you rarely get that same player. Sometimes they are better, many times, they are worse!
Taking Kimbrel’s salary is a big deal. I would love to have him, but not for significant prospects. I would trade Hoese (from The Region) , Amaya, and Jackson for him).
The Nats want too much for Scherzer. I can’t see that happening unless the Nats are willing to take quantity over quality!
I agree Mark. Just look how much Machado regressed when he came to the NL. And he has not been close to the player he was as an Oriole since. You can always find instances where a player comes over and makes a huge impact. I still think the best mid season deal they ever made as far as production from the player was Manny. He just ignited excitement and every at bat had the fans going nuts. Darvish was ok, Reddick sucked, Hill was entertaining. Freeze came over in a deal in August, but they do not do those anymore. Only 2 players will get called up for September. I also think one of the things over looked in comparing this season to last, there is no DH. And last year the lineup was so deep that teams late in the game had a hard time getting through the Dodger lineup. You did not have some cold guy coming off the bench most of the time.
Bryant might be bored in Chicago. Being traded to a contender could light him up.
I would do Mark’s trade for Kimbrel. But Chicago can do better.
The Nats could be in the catbird’s seat. I say that not really knowing what that seat is, only that it’s used as an alternative to driver’s seat. If they know Scherzer is coming back, they can downsize a return. If he can be extended here, I’d increase the payload.
I think today will be a busy day on the trade front as far as deals being discussed. I know the Dodgers have talked to the Cubs about various players including Kimbrel. But tomorrow, that is going to be a very hectic day. Game is at 12:05 LA time today. Price V Cueto. Should be fun to watch. Two savvy vets facing off.
Kimbrel has had 2 bad years out of 12. I can certainly understand why teams would not have been interested in Mariano Rivera. After all look at the odds and averages. He couldn’t possibly keep it up. And no, I am not comparing Kimbrel to Rivera. Because that is as illogical as stating Kimbrel is going to go cold because “Baseball is a game of averages and hot and cold streaks.” Or as illogical as comparing Melancon to Kimbrel.
“When you trade for a player, you rarely get that same player. Sometimes they are better, many times, they are worse!” Yeah, yeah!! Sometimes you win and sometimes you lose. In order to win, you have to play the game. If you do not have faith in your or your scout’s judgment, get out of the game. You cannot say AF is playing chess while we are playing checkers if you do not believe he will make a fully informed decision.
We have no idea what the Nats want for Scherzer. He has not been traded yet. I wrote that Ruiz should not be included. But I am sure AF will do his due diligence on Scherzer and if he can make a deal, he will. The same with Kimbrel. The same with any difference maker. And yes I believe Scherzer, Kimbrel, and Turner are difference makers.
Bryant – You can look at the stats you did or you can see that he was in a slump, but is now coming out of it.
Last 15 games – .244/.404/.512/.916
Last 7 games – .316/.519/.737/1.256
Now compare to Belli:
Last 15 games – .125/.197/.286/.483
Last 7 games – .167/.200/.417/.617
I like how Bryant is coming out of his slump more than Belli.
Of course I would rather have Trea Turner, who can play CF leaving Belli at 1B. I am sure he can play 2B if Belli wants to go back to CF. But that cost may be too high as well. I think Diego Cartaya is going to be a star. But I would make him the focal point if AF can get Scherzer or Turner. Not for any of the other players being discussed in trades.
If Jed Hoyer wanted Graterol in a package for Kimbrel I would do that as well (of course depending on the package). IMO, Graterol is not untouchable.
Regardless, you have to have a Plan B. What if Mookie cannot make it all the way back this year? What if Kershaw can’t? There is no August trading deadline any longer. Some are willing to stand pat. I say make a move. It just depends on which one, and it must be for a difference maker.
Nice game w/ Buehler & White both over 70% strikes and well placed ones at that.
Bellinger might not be able to hit the high ones right now, but he can sure take a knee and dig one out. Plus going 1-5 raises his avg! Sure hope they carry “the feeling” over to this afternoon.
cheers
pb+
I liked the HR naturally, but I really liked it when he took a pitch to the warning track in left. His head was right where it needed to be and he was not pulling off of the ball. That was improvement. His last 4 hits have been for the cycle.
Food for thought:
https://www.sportsinfosolutions.com/the-effectiveness-of-infield-in-defense/
http://probaseballinsider.com/baseball-instruction/infield-situational-positioning/
Infield in is done to prevent scoring. BABIP is increased significantly with infield in. I don’t trade a runner at third for a runner at first. As a hitter, with the infield in, you must barrel something up. The Dodgers hit with 2 strikes more than any team I ever played on or coached. Before 2 strikes you want you want to get it in the air to the outfield. With 2 strikes you want to shorten up and barrel it through the drawn in infield. What always worked for me was – think “back through the middle”. More often than not you seldom go straight up the middle but you hit it hard enough to find a hole.
I agree that with the infield in, you need to do better than hitting it right at a corner. Go up the middle and the longer throw makes the contact play’s success more likely. But, you also run the risk of the DP with runners at first and third which was the situation the last two nights.
Badger, nice find on the instructional manual pages especially the one on infield depths. As a shortstop, I hated when we had to play “IN”, especially with some bopper up. “What kind of soup do you like?” We said playing “IN” added a 100 points to a batting average when actually it’s only 70 based on your information. Close enough.
I much preferred 1/2 way and had the arm to do it. But in those were situations when you preferred to get an out at home, but the game wasn’t on the line, the depths could vary. That offered other options – “the ball would take you to the play”.
It’s always very possible that you might play the corners “IN” and the middle at “double play depth”. Or with a power lefty up, the left side plays 1/2 way and the right side deep, giving up the run from 3rd. As the article explains, if the game isn’t on the line late where playing “IN’ or “1/2 way” in the middle are the only options, the hitter, score and situation will change pitch to pitch. And this didn’t consider the added variables when the infield is in a shift. In the right situation with the winning run on third with less then 2 down, I loved to throw a 5 man infield at them, especially with a weaker hitter.
These situational options are unique to baseball and what makes it so fun to guess along with the Skipper.
Half way is where I played. I could throw well and half way gave me one more step laterally. As a hitter I loved infield in. Singles and an RBI were SO much easier. Playing pepper with a fastball you could hit .500. What we faced, and often used, was corners in, pull side half way.
You know, I figured you would be the one who appreciated those articles.
The clock is ticking down. AF is slowly running out of time. Yanks deal for Gallo not finalized yet. Astro’s getting Yimi improves their pen. One last thing, yesterday ZZ Top bassist Dusty Hill passed away. I always thought their music was some of the best I ever heard. Even being more into country than their bluesy rock, I appreciated their awesome sound and contributions to music. I rarely think songs that are covered by artists other than the original are as good as the original. Hank Jr’s rendition of La Grange is not very good in my eyes. But ZZ Top covered Elvis’s Viva Las Vegas. I think it is one of the best versions I have ever heard. When I wanted to get somewhere fast I would put that song on. It is definitely cruising music. RIP Dusty.
Amen on ZZ Top and Dusty Hill. He will be missed. RIP Dusty.
White Sox close to getting Indian’s second baseman Caesar Hernandez, return not yet known. Both Hudson and Turner on Covid-19 IL for the Nats. Scherzer starting one of the doubleheader games for the Nats today. Giants have inquired with the Rockies on Trevor Story.
ZZ Top will live forever.
Story to the giants makes sense. I wonder how his power would play in that park?
In Vegas for about 40 hours. I have never stayed at the Wynn before. It’s a pretty nice shack. I doubt that I will gamble even a dollar. No time!
Max Scherzer To Start Game 1 Of Nationals’ Doubleheader As Trade Rumblings Continue
By Steve Adams | July 29, 2021 at 9:54am CDT
Max Scherzer remains the most intriguing trade candidate on the market, and interested parties will get one more look at him before deciding on an asking price. Nats skipper Dave Martinez announced to reporters Thursday morning that Scherzer will start Game 1 of today’s doubleheader against the Phillies (Twitter link via Chelsea Janes of the Washington Post). It seems likely this will be Scherzer’s final start with the Nationals, and it’ll serve as an audition of sorts to prove that his triceps is at full strength; Scherzer was scratched from his Saturday start due to minor triceps discomfort, but an MRI has since come back clean.
Blue Jays traded for Brad Hand. Some of the mid level names will be coming off the boards today.
I would like to know why Keibert Ruiz is so important to the Dodgers going forward. Last night, Roberts praised Smith, not only for a key hit, but said that he has become much better in handling pitchers. So why is it that we so much need Ruiz, that we must hold on to him no matter who is offered? I am not saying that he is not going to be a great star, who knows, but what has he done that makes one fairly confident that he will be? And again, he is a catcher, you can only play one catcher at one time, unless we think that it is a good idea to move Smith to the infield, and let Ruiz take over the catching, and pitcher handling. And this would be done next season? And if Smith doesn’t want to play infield, he will try to get out of here as soon as possible, and go to a team which wants him to play his best position, and be the on-field brains of the team? So we are willing to possibly lose Smith, would rather keep Ruiz long-term?
Scherzer is very good. The fact that he was not phenomenal in the playoffs is fairly common, look at Kershaw. But he still gives you a solid performance almost any time out. And we need to win the division, and he gives us a better chance to. I would of course prefer him to sign for a couple of years, maybe coming here will help in that. If we don’t get him, somebody will, maybe SD or NYM. We have passed on big-time pitchers in the past during the deadline period, and never won a title by doing so. Maybe we would not have, anyway, even if we had picked up Lester or Lackey or Verlander. The Cubs did win with Lester, and the Astros with Verlander. Boston traded for Sale and won another title. What major pitching star have the Dodgers traded for in the last ten years? None, because the teams which had them always asked for more than we were willing to give up, which at one time was Pederson, another was Lux, and now maybe Ruiz.
Next year, we are currently looking at a starting staff of Buehler, Urias, possibly Kershaw, Gonsolin, and maybe Price, or maybe some middling pitcher we pick up. May won’t come back until August or so. We have seen the problems this year with bullpen games. We need another top pitcher for this staff. Scherzer is the only one of that caliber we could get. It seems obvious to me. What has happened with Bauer certainly is damaging, but it does not mean that we should just stick to our minor-league talent and not take a risk or two. NYY went for Stanton, it was a mistake, so now they have picked up Gallo. That is an approach that I would like to see us take more often.
It is not that Ruiz is so important to the Dodgers (although he is). It is that you do not trade your #1 prospect for a rental. As I wrote, I am not opposed to trading Ruiz, but I would wait until the winter to pursue it. Even then it will have to be a huge deal. AF should be able to get Scherzer without giving up Ruiz. It may take Cartaya plus-plus-plus-plus, rather than Ruiz plus-plus, but it is doable. Washington is not going to take Ruiz straight up for Scherzer. Are you willing to send Ruiz, Gray, and Busch for Scherzer? A younger Justin Verlander with two + years of control did not cost a #1 prospect.
Smith and Ruiz on the same team would give the offense a boost all the way through to November. It’s a 180 game season. Plenty of innings for two catchers.
You’re convinced that Ruiz can handle the Dodger pitchers? The key to LAD’s chances lie within the pitching. Are you convinced that the LAD pitchers will be comfortable with Ruiz? We know they like to pitch to Barnes, especially Buehler and Kershaw. We know Barnes can handle a staff in a pennant race and the postseason. We do not know Ruiz can. At AAA Barnes hit .299/.383/.470/.853, so we know he hit at AAA. Ruiz can hit AAA. Reks can hit AAA. Raley can hit AAA. Everybody (other than me) is concerned about Barnes’ bat. I have not read one person who wants to continue the Raley/Reks show during a pennant race. Are you sure Ruiz is going to hit at the ML level? A pennant race is not the time to throw a rookie catcher with no experience to the pitching staff into the fire. Bring him up in September and get some game experience. Put him on the taxi squad for the postseason, just in case. If he proves in September he can come off the bench and produce, put him on the postseason roster. Will Ruiz hit more than Barnes. Undoubtedly. But the catcher position is so much more than a bat, and there is no way that Ruiz can handle the catching duties as well as Barnes.
Convinced? No. Pretty sure? Yes. He’s already OPS’n .800. I think most everyone believes he’s the real deal. My question is between Cartaya and Ruiz, who do the Dodgers like?
.800 OPS with 15 ABs and 2 HRs of his three ML hits. Is that really enough to jettison a proven pennant stretch backup catcher. Do you really want to see him try to catch Blake Treinen? KJ? He is having a great run this year in OKC (so did Lux). So is Reks.
Why the rush to bring up Ruiz’ bat right now? To sit on the bench and PH? He will be up in September. That is plenty of time to decide if he deserves a spot on the postseason roster. If there was a NL DH, there would not be a question at all.
I am somewhat surprised at your take on Ruiz for this year. You are usually a big advocate for defense. There are not many of us. The defense starts with up the middle, and that starts with the catcher. And I cannot see you as an advocate for moving Smith from catcher to weaken two positions defensively.
Ruiz or Cartaya? Good question. I will trust AF on that one. I think it is all going to hinge on Cartaya’s development this year. Admittedly, I am somewhat disappointed in him not playing in games more this year. He should have been pushing to get to AA to start next year.
“.800 OPS with 15 ABs and 2 HRs of his three ML hits. Is that really enough to jettison a proven pennant stretch backup catcher. “
No. Not really. I said that with humor in mind. But, I think the kid is confident with a bat. Defense will come with maturity, hard work and coaching.
With Cartaya right behind him, I would, and it would sting, use him in the right trade. For a rental? No. For 2-3 years? Yep.
We agree. The world is right. ☺
We agree. The world is left. 😉
Posturing my friend. He’s the best trade chip we have, and the least needed. Talk him up, tell everyone how great his by saying he won’t be traded for a rental to try to get the Devil to advise his client on adding another year. Show me a team that has two great catchers and I’ll show you a team that didn’t fill a hole with one of the them.
Porque tal vez pasaría lo que sucedió con Pedro Martínez o Paul Konerko, o talvez no pasará nada pero hacer ese movimiento por un alquiler es inaceptable, sobre todo que se trata de tu prospecto No.1.
It is being reported that Minnesota is asking a ransom for Berrios. Now we have a couple of names that are being discussed. Minnesota wants one of Seattle’s top two pitchers; Emerson Hancock (MLB #23 Top 100) and George Kirby (MLB #72 top 100). Berrios is a good pitcher, but certainly not dominant. If Dipoto is willing to trade Emerson Hancock, give Mike Rizzo a call. Berrios may have one year more of control than Scherzer, but Scherzer can dominate.
While on the subject of trades, he is an interesting one for the Lakers.
https://fadeawayworld.net/nba/would-the-lakers-trade-anthony-davis-for-brandon-ingram-lonzo-ball-josh-hart-and-no-17-pick
Interesting idea. I agree with “no”. Add a shooter and load manage your fragile super stars.
I would if LeBron could be also traded to say Golden State in a 3 team trade that brought Melo Ball to the Lakers. Two Ball Brothers on Lakers would be entertaining and make them younger.
I wouldn’t trade LeBron because of his politics. His voice is needed regardless of whether he is agreed with or not.
Does not matter to me until Lebaby is gone
I’m with you, I can’t stand Jabrone and won’t be watching until they get rid of him. I would trade Jabrone in that deal instead of AD!
Why do people not like LeBron?
I am no basketball fan, but he’s tremendous no?
I also know him through the former school of his kids. He’s a pretty decent guy too! Beyond decent for the craziness he has to deal with.
A lot of it seems to have to do with his association with the BLM movement.
LOL.
That’s rich. (pun?)
I didn’t like him until he got to LA. Even when I didn’t like him I appreciated his skills. And why wouldn’t he be associated with Black Lives Matter?
The list is much longer than just the BLM thing. The flopping that he does is the biggest turnoff. His mouth is a turnoff. His television special when he went to the Heat was a turnoff. His forced trades of his teammates is a turnoff. His yelling and causing a scene at an announcer at his son’s basketball game is a turnoff. Add it all up and he’s pretty much the biggest jerk that’s ever played the game. He makes Bauer look like a boy scout IMHO.
Is he a great player? No doubt about it. Is he as good as he thinks he is? No one is that good.
Because he doesn’t to shut up and dribble?
He’s intelligent, articulate and appears to be well informed. I respect that about him.
Okay, I’m not sure where Kris Bryant would play.
AJ Pollock and Chris Taylor are both having excellent years. Add in Mookie Betts, the outfield is set. Cody Bellinger at first, Max Muncy at second, Corey Seager at short and Justin Turner at third, pretty much the infield is also set. What do the Dodgers do with Bryant? A back-up? Sorry, but I just don’t see the need. If the Dodgers had a DH, maybe. But Bryant, after a hot start, has become a pedestrian lately.
As to Max Scherzer, Bill Plaschke notes in his column today in the LA Times the Dodgers could have inked him years ago as a free agent, Max wanting to play in LA, but Andrew Friedman passed and that might have cost the Dodgers a couple of World Series titles. But if I recall correctly, that would have cost the Dodgers a first round pick. Walker Buehler.
Hey, I wanted the Dodgers to trade for him when the Diamondbacks decided not to keep him because they felt he was a high injury risk. There was just something about him, a power pitcher and all. No great success at that point. But they didn’t. Oh well.
Now Plaschke thinks they need to go all in to acquire Scherzer and I mean all in — Ruiz, Gray — whatever it takes. He thinks the Dodgers should put together a package to land both Scherzer and Trea Turner, who may also be available. While his proposal is interesting, I’m not trading half the farm. He would include Bellinger going back as part of the package to get Turner. Not sure what happens to Seager, where he plays in Plaschke’s new infield. Maybe first?
Obviously the pressure is on Friedman, maybe more than ever, with all the injuries and challengers looking to grab the crown.
If the Dodgers could acquire Scherzer and Craig Kimball that would be an incredible coup. But it would also be incredibly costly. Not sure Friedman is looking to empty the system. In Plaschke’s thinking and he’s not alone, it’s about today. Worry about the future tomorrow.
But that kind of thinking would have mean’t no Buehler, Will Smith, Seager and Bellinger if applied to earlier deals. Where would the Dodgers be without their young stars?
I really like Scherzer, but would it be better to pick up Kimbrel and a lesser starting pitcher? I realize some top prospect has to be included, but I’m not sure I want to toss in Jo Jo Gray or Ruiz. Would it make more or less make more sense to include Diego Cartaya and one of the top young pitchers. Hard questions, no doubt being debated by Friedman and top Dodger brass. Will the Giants go all in?
Exciting next couple of days.
I would unload the top of the system for Scherzer and Turner. I still doubt Turner is available.
All I can say is Plaschke’s an idiot. I’m not even trading Belli for Scherzer and Turner at this point. I don’t know what the fascination is with Turner. He has a lot of errors for a SS and wasn’t a good defensive center fielder when he played there a few years ago.
You’re trading immense power and elite defense for less defense and more of a table setter, speed guy. If you play him at shortstop you make everyone change positions to accommodate him. If you play him in center, you lose that elite defense.
I’d take Bryant over him any day of the week. Pollock, Turner and now Mookie need the most rest. They’re all corners as is Bryant. Bryant is absolutely crushing left handed pitching. Way better fit.
I agree. As good as everybody thinks Tatis is, he already has 20 errors at SS. Guy can hit, but his defense is not 1A. Ohtani hit # 37 last night. That bat is impressive.
Plaschke SUCKS, imho.
I usta like him. Great writer. I’m not a subscriber so I don’t read as often.
Not that my opinion matters, but the only names I am interested in are:
1 Kimbrel
2 Scherzer
I’m still high on our offense, all that needs to happen is for our offensive guys to get healthy. But I am not happy with Jansen as our closer and that is why Kimbrel is #1 on my list.
Lots of rumors and not much action. Boston has joined the Scherzer sweepstakes. Indians got one player for Hernandez and Nats the same for Hand. Yankee deal for Gallo official now.
I don’t trust Kenley enough not to try for another back end reliever. Even Treinen can’t be counted on every time and I think Doc prefers to drop him into key spots rather than use him as a closer.
So, let’s get Kimbrel if the cost isn’t absolutely outrageous.
If it is, step down to Rodriguez and if that doesn’t happen, go for old friend Daniel Hudson.
I’d like to have Scherzer but I think Preller will do what he has to to put him in an SD uniform, especially since he can’t count on Snell and even Darvish is showing some signs of regressing.
I wouldn’t mind getting Bryant but I think Farhan wants him more so let’s get Harrison from the Nats who can play all over and is certainly an improvement over our other subs.
Pie in the Sky wishes: Reynolds from the Pirates or Turner from the Nats. I’d give up a pretty good haul for either of those guys because I don’t see Seager back next year and if we got Reynolds we could move Belli to first (assuming he ever regains his form) and Muncy to second.
My pie in the sky wish is Haniger. Won’t happen, but he is a solid player. Belli back in the 4 hole, Pujols at 1st, Smith not starting.
True to form, no day game after a night game for Smith. That was expected. Let’s see if Pujols can provide some Giant killing magic. San Francisco is slow to come out with their lineup I see. I hope to see a gem from Price.
Yep, I would love to see David go at least 6 full.
I wanted Haniger a few years ago before he was injured to be the righty bat the Dodgers needed. I still like him and I like Lewis as well but Seattle needs Haniger this year and the Dodgers do not if Betts plays.
I like Buxton as well and the Twins might not be able to sell high given his injury history and pedestrian performance prior to this year which again is shortened by injuries. Pollock is also injury prone and also having a good 2021. I would definitely trade Pollock for Buxton unless the other players from both sides that would make this trade possible were win win.
While I too would prefer Kimbrel, I am not sure Rodriguez is the same pitcher as he was earlier this season. Some are speculating that he benefitted due to the sticky stuff and increased spin. Since the substance ban went into effect, Rodriguez has pitched 10G, 10IP, 5.40 ERA, 1.20 WHIP, .237/.293/.421/.714, 6 saves and 1 blown save. He has had multiple good games and a few horrid games. Sounds a lot like KJ.
I like Hudson a lot, but he is not a closer. He has zero saves and 2 blown saves. But he does have 14 holds. Excellent 7th/8th inning setup guy. But with Doc’s affinity with KJ as closer, Hudson is a more realistic target than Kimbrel. I do not agree with it, but that is what it looks like. No Kimbrel, KJ will be the closer.
You know I have a great deal of interest in acquiring Bryan Reynolds. Pittsburgh is not going to trade him.
Turner would be my first position player target. I do not know how truly willing Rizzo is to trade Turner, but AF should be knocking that door down. He would be a perfect fit in a Dodger uni.
I am not sure that Preller has the green light to go after Scherzer unless he can unload Hosmer. IMO, Gallo isn’t a Padre because Texas did not want Hosmer. If I were a Padre fan, I would be upset if they are willing to slightly go over the CBT, but not go all in for Scherzer. But they have to trade at least one of their marquee prospects as well, and Preller says he does not want to trade any of his top 4. Although he was willing to throw in Robert Hassell to get Texas to take Hosmer. Still didn’t happen.
Harrison is another perfect fit for LAD. He is the perfect fit for the unknown. I very much prefer Max Scherzer and/or Trea Turner, but I will not be upset with Josh Harrison and Daniel Hudson. The team would be improved, and maybe that is all they need.
Hadn’t kept up on Rodriguez, so maybe we just pass on him. I really do think we need someone, even if it’s just to close on the day after KJ closes.
You’re right, Hudson isn’t a closer, so we need to come up with another name. If nothing better turns up, I’d still go after Ian Kennedy. He can’t cost very much and would be another veteran arm to put out there to close a game.
This is why I’d really like to get Kimbrel, because he then becomes our 2022 closer as well. No way I see KJ coming back. He’ll go somewhere that he can be the closer, even if it’s a lesser team.
I have stated all along, I have no problem with my fellow Trojan, Ian Kennedy.
I don’t have a problem either. And I’m a UCLA guy.
I agree about Trea Turner being my top choice for a position player, in fact regardless of pitching need, he would be my favorite acquisition, position or pitcher.
Scherzer has given up 1 on a homer to Realmuto through 6 in Philly. Crawford back in the lineup for the Giants. Posey not in the starting lineup. That shot he took in the mask must have really shook him up. Cole getting lit up AGAIN. Rays scored 4 in the first. Giants DFA’d Tauchman to clear space for Crawford. They also activated Sanchez from the 60 day IL and sent Brebbia back to AAA.
Scherzer is done for the day. 6.0 IP, 3 H, 1 R, 3 BB and 5 K. 88 pitches. Yan Gomes hit a 2 run HR in the 7th off Zach Wheeler. Doubleheader today, so only going 7 innings. With Brad Hand traded to Toronto, I wonder who closes for the Nats today.
Asked and answered. 29 year old RHRP Kyle Finnegan. He closed out the 7th without allowing a baserunner, and had 2 Ks to go with a perfect inning.
These will be the reinforcements:
Two elite hitters: Mookie Betts and Corey Seager
SP: Clayton Kershaw
Closer: Corey Knebel
Two experienced bench players
Agree. If I never see Neuse up in a clutch situation the rest of this year, I will be a lot happier. No Raley, Reks, Neuse, Souza, they all need to stay in AAA. Raley will be sent down soon. Maybe as soon as this weekend.
I’ve changed my tune lately about the Dodger’s needs. As good as Urias and Striker have pitched lately plus CK coming back and Price getting stretched out, and some nice innings by JoJo Gray, I’m becoming less convinced we need to break the bank or trade Ruiz for a starting pitcher. Especially if it’s a rental. I’m getting more interested in standing pat if it’s going to take a Gray or Ruiz to get a deal done. Assuming we have enough boys to field an outfield I’d purge any of the AAAA guys and a few pitchers in a heart beat. Raley, Reks, Neuse, McKinstry, McKinney, Peters are all expendable but do they have any value? I’d trade Lux for the right package as well. I’m not mortgaging the future for a rental starting pitcher for the remaining 60 games. What’s that 10 or 12 starts?
I don’t yet trust Price as a starter. I might change my mind after today. Might not.
So far NOT
Excelente artículo Jeff, de acuerdo en todos los espectros que sugieres y lo primordial NO cambien a Ruíz lo que más urge es respaldo ofensivo.
Muchisimo gracias, Jose. Estoy de acuerdo contigo en Keibert Ruiz..
Yo quiero un helado.
Mi tambien.
Sí ¿Como no? Danos helado! Ahora por favor..
Mets just announced that they are open to trading J.D Davis.
Doubt he is of interest to AF. He is focused on pitching. Votto hit another HR today. Has 20 now and has homered in 6 straight games.
Cubs just traded Ryan Tepera to the White Sox for a minor leaguer. Yanks open to trading Voit, and they are interested in Schwarber.
Per MLBT the Twins now more willing to trading Berrios.
Read that too. They seem to be retooling. But outside of Cruz, they have not dealt anyone yet. But they are also asking for the moon for Berrios.
If anybody wants to see what TBs money grubbing bitch really looks like without her face blurred go to Don Khan Swaylo on YouTube. It’s about 10 minutes in . You’ll see Miss cutie in her pad squad uniform. The dude said she’s a graduate from California Baptist University with a degree in criminal justice.lol
Can we not?
In every sense, can we not?
I’m not interested. Though I do find it interesting she and I went to the same school. Ok, that’s not true. But I did study criminal justice for two years. Didn’t much care for it.
Two more runs on the shift. They’ll never learn.
LOL
Why ban the shift?
Three walks and 2 runs.
Uphill battle from here.
Pollock goes from unwatchable to RED HOT.
Rosenthal says Pads on verge of getting Scherzer
Rosenthal says Padres are very close on Scherzer.
Somebody get eyeballs on Jorge.
Grrr, Bobby has even more free time this lunch hour than I do!
If so, Berrios will be a Dodger by this time tomorrow.
No he won’t, Kimbrel will.
Jorge will go ballistic.
Heyman reports the deal is not final nor immanent yet. Bryant out of the lineup for the Cubs. Ender Inciarte released by the Braves.
The same kind of stuff we heard about the Mets getting Bauer…………………………and then we swooped in……………………….so maybe we’ll do that again………………………………..ignoring how the Bauer signing turned out.
Heyman reported that even though they might be close, Scherzer can still veto any trade. And he might not want to play in SD.
An alert just popped up on my iPad screen. Scherzer close to becoming a Padre. Veto San Diego? Who would veto San Diego? I’d go to San Diego if my wife traded me.
Yeah you would, and now MLBTR is saying they have agreed on the players involved waiting for medicals and Scherzer’s approval.
I see Scherzer approving. Looks like LAD will be facing Max, Yu, and Musgrove on July 24-25-26 in SD. I am feeling pretty good about a David Price v Max Scherzer matchup. We knew Preller was going to sell out. I am looking forward to seeing what Washington is getting. Then Rizzo can sign Max again next year.
I guess Keibert Ruiz is breathing easy now. Oh well. Next!
I guess Jon Heyman is not convinced the deal is done. He is reporting that LAD, SFG, and Boston all believe they still have a chance. Maybe this last start from Price is pushing AF a little.
Scherzer has advised the Nats that he will not allow them to trade him to SD. Doesn’t think they’re competitive and he doesn’t like the weather there.
Will only allow a trade to Baltimore, Pittsburgh or Arizona.
Pittsburgh is nice. He can go there.
Who is this Barnes guy? I really like what I see.
Could this umpiring be any worse? Just getting ridiculous on the ball strike calls.
When I see it posted on MLB.com as completed, then I will believe it.
Okay, I know you guys are freaking out.
Deep breath. Relax. Again.
Now repeat. Friedman has a plan. Say it again.
Now don’t you feel better.
I feel pretty good about things. Of course, I’m heading for Lake Tahoe.
So does anybody want to explain y Freudman thinks THIS team is gonna win and doesn’t try and get anybody!!!!
He can get more in the off season than he can get now for the same players?
Friedman doesn’t think THIS team is gonna win. He thinks this team plus Seager, plus Mookie, plus Kershaw, plus Knebel, plus whatever he trades for in the next 24 hours is going to win.
Is Freudman and Freudian slip?
Price pretty much sucks right now
The Price is Wrong.
Why aren’t we clobbering Cueto? He ain’t all that.
I think Pujols has eaten too many fastballs. He looks waisted.
Neither is Wood or DeSclafani.
Lol. I noticed that too! Life is good being the Dodgers first base ambassador, he put on a couple pounds!
Well done. How long did you work on that one?
Just came to me.
“WAISTED” …… in a BIG way
Why the heck is Albert in against RHP? Is Beatty sick?
The Dodgers just cannot get it together when they get close. Just can’t play their best when it counts the most. Poor pitching, poor hitting, just no fight. Cueto has made Muncy look awful chasing out of the zone. 4 runs scored with 2 out. Flores and slater kill la and slater awful against everyone else Flores is a bench player. Getting blown out and shutout by the showman Cueto. Pujois 3-0 count dp ball. I feel about the 3-0 like some of u do about the contact play. I just don’t like it. It just takes the air out of the balloon when u get excited ready to watch and once again they just stink it up. The pujois magic appears to b gone. Terrible lately and I know clubhouse guy well that doesn’t put any runs on the board.
Belli …. whiff-o-matic
Still does not lay off of those low outside pitches he has no shot at hitting hard. That pitch was not even close to a strike. As for Scherzer, I cannot get upset about things I have zero control over. AF is the man in charge, maybe he felt the price for Scherzer was too much for him to pay, if that deal goes through. Scherzer, as good as he is, still is not invincible. Dodgers are not at full strength and it shows. But they are still better than a lot of teams in the league. I disagree with a lot of Roberts lineups and I had an issue with today’s from the get go. In what basically is a game with 2 game implications, he goes with a B lineup and a struggling Bellinger in the 4 hole. Pollock as hot as he has been would have been a better choice. Pujols was 1-16 coming in, and has not hit RHP at all. They have been playing shorthanded for weeks. And with guys like Raley and McKinney their main bench pieces, I do not have much confidence in late inning heroics. A huge difference from last years team. I have little doubt AF will just stand pat here at the deadline. But most fans are pulling their hair out as he seemingly lets his opposition retool and stock up with very good players.
The way he is playing right now, we would have had a better chance if they had put a squeeze play on. Typically something you would be VERY unlikely to do….. but …. Belli.
Bellinger. Completely overwhelmed.
Running out of outs to give away.
Stick a fork in him…..he’s done!
I’m afraid all your excuses won’t help him get back to being the guy he once was. Pitchers adjusted in the 2nd half of 2019…..the book went out to every pitcher on every team…..and now his weaknesses have been exposed.
Case closed!
But I know….he’s young….he’s injured…..his hair is too long….he can run…..
Case closed?
I don’t think so.
Bellinger gets played like a cheap fiddle. I’d really hoped he bottomed, but it looks like not. Well maybe this is the bottom and it’s only up from here.
Rosenthal reporting that even though Pads and Nats have agreed on the players, other teams now jumping in trying to beat the offer. Ultimately it’s going to be Scherzer’s choice as to where he wants to go.
Heyman saying pretty much the same thing. Dodger fans on twitter pretty much going nuts waiting for news. I have never seen so much negativity from the fan base since the days of the parking lot guy.
Dodgers announce that they weren’t able to get Scherzer, but have picked up Danny Duffy who is on the IL and are allowing Frank McCourt to re-buy the team.
Dodgers on verge of acquiring left hander Danny Duffy from KC
Duffy-Scherzer, it’s all the same. 🙂
Duffy isn’t even expected back off the IL till late August. If we give up anybody in our top 100 prospects we’re nuts.
Duffy will be hitting for Bellinger from now on
Maybe he knows how to lay down a bunt.
Just read that. He is still on the IL, and probably would not be available until the end of August. Just what we need another starter on the IL. Way to go Andrew.
That can’t be all there is.
The Duffy deal is for a PTBNL. It would appear the return will be contingent on how much he pitches (if he pitches). This should not have anything to do with any of their other plans (if they have any).
Return for Duffy is said to be multiple PTBNL. That guy sure gets traded a lot. Supposedly this trade does not mean LA is not in on other arms, including Scherzer who’s trade to SD has not been confirmed yet. KC is also sending cash to the Dodgers who need money desperately.
For you Laker fans, Woj first reported that they were trading Kuzma and Harrell to Sacto for Buddy Hield.
He then reported that they were taking those same two guys, adding KCP and their first round choice from tonight and sending that to Washington for Westbrook.
I don’t see how Westbrook and LBJ exist on the same team. I’d rather do the Hield trade and keep the draft choice.
Westbrook acquiesces.
And with another 2 out run and mediocre performance once again by Gonzalez, I turned this nightmare off. Tomorrow is a new day, take 3 from the dismal D-Backs and move on. By tonight we should know if SD actually gets Scherzer, and it will be tomorrow before we know AF’s plan. And most will either hate it or love it.
One of my concerns about VGon is the plantar fasciitis. That injury lingers for months and it is very painful. My son tore his plantar fascia and it ended his career. If he still hurts, he should stop throwing. Ask Dizzy Dean (I guess you can’t), how it turned out when he pitched with a “bruised toe”. I have the same concern with Jimmy Nelson. He strained his lumbar. Last year he had lumbar surgery. His velo is down. What reliever does anyone have any confidence in. That question is not to Mark, because we know he would say all of them. We don’t need no more stinking relievers. ☺
I read somewhere, perhaps here perhaps TrueBlue, that Gonzalez’ spin rate has been perhaps the most impacted by the stickiness crack down.
He’s definitely not at last year’s level
As of today, I am not saying that this is going to end like this at the end of the season, the Dodgers and Giants in pitching and offense have very similar statistics, they are very even but where the Giants are better is in defense and in the players bench and that is making a difference in these four months, the Dodgers have made many mistakes that have cost them the game, also SB that later become runs scored and lose the game, the bench players have not done the work or With the bat or the glove, those are the weaknesses of the Dodgers, so far, the defense and AAAA players, there is time to correct.
I know he’s not as good as he once was, but would Patrick Corbin be an upgrade? I would think the Nats would be happy to get out from the remaining part of his deal.
Here’s what the Dodgers need:
Two elite hitters: Mookie Betts and Corey Seager.
A quality SP: Clayton Kershaw
A closer: Corey Knebel.
Three players to strengthen the bench: K. Ruiz, Joc, J. Harrison
I like the Duffy move.
Cheap, flexible good pitch mix.
Either frees up Gonsolin to be moved, or Urias to go the ‘pen (or Duffy to the ‘pen) in the playoffs.
Also, gives another starter for Urias to go on the IL with a stubbed toe or whatever.
At a pre-draft workout in 2007, Tommy Lasorda signed a baseball to him that said, “To Danny, a future Dodger.”
If all we get is Duffy and the Madres wind up with Scherzer, I’m gonna be pissed. But, I don’t think this makes them better than us and at least it keeps him away from the Giants. Pick your poison, eh?
Duffy is insurance for the rotation and has a good amount of experience in the pen and it seems that AF is intent on having a left handed multi inning reliever. I think they need a starter and a closer, but what do I know?
Maybe after watching the games since the All-Star break Andrew changed his priorities and is trying to the get a bat.
This game is crapola. Glad we won last night, because they’re really laying an egg with this one.
Duffy will fit right in on the IL. I heard they entertainment, great restaurants and the resorts are nice near the Arizona Complex. What a life!
It looks like KC is paying for most if not all of Duffy’s remaining 2021 salary. It appears that KC is just giving Duffy to the Dodgers for September. This is his second left forearm flexor strain injury this season. The first was May 14. He next pitched June 23. His next six games – 19.1 IP, .236/.329/.458/.788, 3.72 ERA and 1.40 WHIP. Average 3.0 innings per game. I guess if he is free, then why not. He is going back to KC next year.
NYY made a deal for Joey Gallo, and are now trading for Anthony Rizzo. I hate NYY. I am guessing Voit to Chicago???
We still have a better baseball team than they do.
And we haven’t even traded for Kimbrel and stolen Scherzer out from under the Padres yet.
Are you sure AF has not yet uncovered all of the injured pitchers? ☺
The end game isn’t getting pitchers who will help you, it’s to avoid paying too much to get them.
lol – Is he in talks with Tyler White again?
Tyler White was offered the closer’s job but he refused.
Said he just couldn’t put up with Bear’s insults.
No, but I hear he is talking with Kristopher Negron. AF likes that OF, 2B, 3B look.
For that slug my insults were high praise. He was about the worst pickup AF has ever made, he and Gyorko totally sucked hind utter.
Really? Their pitching is still very suspect. Their ace got knocked around today and they are WAY behind Boston. I do not fear the evil empire. I fear complacency.
Yanks close to getting Rizzo from the Cubs. AF not finished yet, and Heyman says Scherzer trade is not a done deal yet. Put this one behind you and move on. Tomorrow is going to be as Arte Johnson once said, Verrrrrrrrrrrrry interesting.
We better pray we get Bauer back because with Scherzer going to the Pads, we may not have enough quality starters to keep up with SF and SD. I believe you need 4!
Kershaw (if and when Healthy), Buehler, and Urias may not be enough.
Gonsolin and Price are iffy.
Not to mention, do we really trust Jansen to close out games? I don’t.
Disclaimer : I’m assuming out hitters will come around with Mookie and Seager returning. Maybe we could bring Ruiz up to play 1B….or try Will Smith there.
He has not been traded yet, The trade is not official. After and if it is then you can cry. My biggest bitch about this team is that they are not all that fun to watch. Especially when they get close, have a great opportunity to close ground and then play like they are in AAA. Very frustrating to see.
I understand where you are coming from, but with Mookie and Seager out, Bellinger and Lux disappointing, we just aren’t going to score runs like we all desire. Thus, all the close low scoring games. And of course, Kenley Jansen’s inconsistencies…..yikes!
By the way, there are two guys on Twitter reporting the deal is done with Pads. Hmmmm, stay tuned I guess. I was hoping Boston moved ahead of Pads.
Check again, latest blurb on MLBTR says the Dodgers are closing in on a deal for both Scherzer and Turner, with Ruiz one of the pieces headed to DC.
It really is as if it were in AAA, there are games that half a line up is from AAAA players.
If we keep putting Price and Gonsolin out there, this will happen quite a bit. Actually, it doesn’t matter that much, because we are likely to be the Wild Card team, and we will have one game against the Padres. We might win that. Any series where we need to match up our four starters against another team’s, we will lose, as in past playoff series we have lost: I am remembering the St. Louis series where we had to pitch Nolasco in Game 4, and we lost. We do not have four reliable starters. We had Bauer, but then that fell apart. We needed to replace him, but we apparently are not going to. Duffy is not going to do it.
If the Padres get Scherzer, we will not only have to deal with him in the wildcard game, but also next season. That is the problem when there is a team in your division which apparently has unlimited resources to make major deals, and you will not very often. We did win the title last year, and we can enjoy that. The upcoming seasons do not look nearly as promising. What is the starting staff next year? Who is the closer? What is the lineup going to be? It would help if we got key players back very soon, but the lack of enough starting pitching is going to really hurt. What if Kershaw cannot pitch well? Friedman needed to do something big to save our pennant chances, and he or the owners did not choose to do it. They run the club, and make those choices.
We don’t know that we would have to deal with Scherzer next season since he’s a free agent this winter. They might very well sign him to another contract but so could we.
The guy who has one more year remaining is Kimbrel. Actual Berrios does also, but not Max.
Wasn’t able to watch the game as it was too early with work and taped it in on DVR. It lasted 2 innings before I gave up and checked the score and see we lost 5-0. Way to come out fighting today. Then I see it looks like Padres are closing in on Scherzer and we get an injured Duffy. Wow what a whirlwind!
Does anyone have the information on how they are going in games won and lost without Lux’s defense in the SS since he got injured?
The Dodgers are 4-6 since Lux went out. The Dodgers are 2-5 against the Giants and 2-1 against Colorado.
Thank you !!!
Danny Duffy is having a good year but, like Kershaw has developed forearm tightness from squeezing the ball too hard. Will they both get off the DL and be able to spin the ball for the next three months? The answer to that is a clear and resounding I doubt it. If they do, using my own algae rhythms, I developed while watching women noodling in Louisiana, I have arithmetically calculated Duffy’s current 2.51 ERA in the AL will soar to over 4 in the NL West. My math says Duffy could help but isn’t the answer.
Dodger Horse @ 6:14 – makes as much sense as Duffy does.
Something else is going to happen.
Okay, a moment of honesty and reality.
It doesn’t matter who pitched today, Duffy or Scherzer, the Dodgers lose. The inability to consistently score runs is a problem. I know that’s stating the obvious. Other than the eight runs the other day, the Dodgers have only scored five runs in four games.
Once Seager and Betts return and get into gear, that should change. But I said this before, chances are that Bellinger doesn’t turn it around until 2022.
I’m sure Friedman has a move or two left beyond Duffy, who won’t be ready until later in August. But Duffy didn’t cost much so it’s a good deal and may pay off in September. My guess is Friedman is working hard to acquire a major bullpen piece, Craig Kimbrel?
Since Kimbrel has another year that would solve the Dodger closer issue next year. Again, if the Dodgers hadn’t blown two games last week against the Giants, the race would look totally different and fans would be feeling better.
I wouldn’t be surprised if the Dodgers add another starter or even a hitter at this point, depending upon the deal. We’ll all know tomorrow or perhaps this evening. But Tony Gonsolin looked really good Saturday night. That’s a promising sign.
I think too many people are freaking out a day early. Less we forget that AF pulled off the Darvish trade minutes before the deadline, and few saw that coming. Few saw the Machado trade coming, as well.
One thing that does keep popping into my mind is the thought about those very trades. The only player that has produced any value for either the Rangers or the Orioles in those trades is Willie Calhoun. And not much value at that. The players the Orioles received have been wallowing in the minors for years.
AF’s success in the past is likely hurting him now. I don’t believe than any GM trusts the future value of any prospect AF offers in trade. The record is pretty clear. Which is why I think it will probably take Ruiz to get any substantial deal done. Which is something AF won’t do lightly.
All that said. Tomorrow will tell the tale. I’ll reserve any gnashing of teeth until the deadline has actually passed.
KC will get a player to be determined from an agreed upon list. Will Bauer be on it?
Whoever said above that you wouldn’t trade Belli for Scherzer and Turner, you crazy.
Turner isn’t Ozzie Smith but Seager isn’t either. Turner has speed, power and can do some OB% Max is Max and I remember him dominating LA in the playoffs a few years back until Joc got him with a late HR.
Seager is NOT a 10yr/300mil player and getting Turner lets Seager walk with no regrets. Scherzer bolsters the team THIS year and keeps him from SD. Be nice to have a power/speed threat in the lineup again.
Bellinger is doing nothing with the bat and may never again. More likely than not that he doesn’t. Again, another guy that is going to want a HUGE deal that I wouldn’t pay. I wouldn’t take him on ANY kind of long term deal. I really question his ability to get better, and long term viability health wise.
Jeff una pregunta, si los Cachorros que recibirán de Yanquis al jardinero Kevin Alcántara y al lanzador derecho Alexander Vizcaino en el trato con Chicago por Rizzo, esos retornos a estos últimos, a que jugadores de la granja de Dodgers equivalen ? Este ejercicio es para dimensionar los eventuales cambios que se pudieran dar para nosotros entre hoy y mañana, De antemano gracias.
Jose, Esa es una pregunta difícil porque Alcantara es un novato OF a los 19 años y es Rookie Ball. Y Vizcaíno es un RHSP de 24 años en A +. Me dirijo al Doctor para que me revisen el pie. Pero lo pensaré y me pondré en contacto contigo. Para Alcantara tal vez un Jake Vogel, excepto que Vogel está en baja A. Ambos son CF de 19 años. Preferiría tener a Vogel. Creo que tiene futuro con LAD.
Gracias Jeff.
Mariners are getting Diego Castillo from the Rays. DiPoto promised his guys he wasn’t finished and he obviously wasn’t. I guess Castillo will step into Graveman’s spot.
Angels are now in the fight for Scherzer. Maybe they’re just trying to get their fans to think they’re trying .
Terry Francona taking the rest of the year off from managing the Indians, due to health reasons. That poor man is not in good health. I know he loves the game, but maybe he just needs to retire and concentrate on his health.
Scherzer wants to be traded to a contender not a pretender. That leaves the Angels out.
This team makes it kinda hard to put a lot of faith in. Too many times they fail to answer the call even when facing pitching that really isn’t top shelf. Gotta hope Seager and Betts can light the fire. Too damn dry and it doesn’t take but a little spark to turn on the dynamics.
Duffy deal is official. In order to add him to the 40-man roster they needed to drop someone and, surprisingly, that someone is DJ Peters. I would assume they will find a trade partner rather than just releasing him outright.
I hear straight up for Scherzer.
As I said to Jose, I am headed to the Doctor for my foot. The LAD doctors want to see if I am injured enough to sign a contract. For all of you good Catholics out there, get your rosary beads out and pray for something positive to come out of Dodger Stadium.
Andrew Friedman is driving by hospitals tonight looking for injured players to trade for tomorrow.
I don’t want something positive coming OUT of Dodger Stadium. I want something positive going INTO Dodger Stadium.
I’ll take a pennant flying OVER Dodger stadium.
All kidding aside I’m pretty damn sure AF is going to do something to give this team a big shot of adrenaline.
Blast from the past former Dodger Kyle Farmer went three for five today in the Reds win over the Cubs. He’s battling .258. Good on you Kyle!!
I was watching a lot of the Cubs/Reds series this week. Votto hit 6 HR’s in the series. They said Kyle Farmer is hitting over .400 since All-Star break.
That’s great to hear, I always liked him.
Me too. He’s also playing mostly SS! I never saw that coming. Good for Farmer, the key to the Gray/ Downs trade.
No, Votto hit HR’s in 6 consecutive games. 3 against the Cubs.
How about Bauer for Stanton straight up?
DJ Peters is DFA’d to make room for Duffy. Maybe he’s included in another trade or is he just going to the trash can? Ito doesn’t make a whole lot of sense when you have three crappy AAA outfielders and you cut the only right handed one.
I hope this isn’t going to be another Tyler White /Adam Kolarek/Jedd Gyorko deadline.
Jeff Passan says Dodgers making significant progress on a deal for both Scherzer and Trea Turner. That will mean a lot of prospects if it happens.
Dodgers to get Scherzer and Trea Turner
Don’t count your chickens, er ballplayers before they’re hatched Bobby. I saw that too but it said making significant progress. If it happens it will probably decimate the farm system, but hey.
Ruiz scratched from tonight’s lineup
Oh yeah, something big is going down!
Well, I’ve totally changed my mind on Turner then.
A source tells me that the Padres and Giants both had deals in place, but Scherzer, secretly a Dodgers fan had to turn in paperwork to veto both trades and is currently working on his paperwork to waive his no trade rights for the Dodgers, which explains the delay.
I’m betting Belli is not included in the deal.
Maybe Gonso or Gray are included in the Scherzer deal which would explain the Duffy move.
I would guess we would prefer to give them Gonsolin, although for Scherzer and Turner both you have to suck it up.
Looks like this might actually happen.
San Diego reporter now saying Padres not optimistic.
It’s apparently a prospect ladened deal.
Hey, is this fun or what?
Definitely seems as though maybe Max is steering the deal in our direction.
I’m going to predict that Lux is part of the deal.
Let’s see, how about Lux, Ruiz, Pepiot/Miller (one of them), Uceta, Pages
That would be a huge price to pay, but we’re bidding against our main competitors. Hopefully I’ve overestimated the cost here.
Report says that Ruiz will definitely be part of the trade if and when it goes down. Hell, if the are getting those two, expand it a little more and add Hudson, and you have instant blockbuster. Unless of course, AF is in on Kimbrel too.
He’s getting Kimbrel and then also getting Westbrook from the Lakers.
Latest has the deal as being prospect laden. Josiah Gray is also said to be on the table. Would make sense I think. He is after all just a prospect at this point. DC would get a young talented C and pitcher and most likely some lower level prospects. This aligns with wanting to go back to back and going all in. I can see Turner taking over at second when Seager is here opening up the super utility role for Taylor. Muncy, Turner, Seager, Turner on the infield, Pollock, Bellinger and Betts in the outfield and Taylor to spell them all, I think some of you are undervaluing Bellinger and not realizing how hard it is to be consistent when coming off of shoulder surgery and then missing so many games. I don’t care how bad he has looked. or the fact that he has had one really great season. I look at his overall average for 162 games, which when healthy he should be able to match, 38HR’s, 100 RBI’s and a .264 average. I think we would all take that. And even with as bad a 100 plus game stretch as he has had, he has the ability to be better. All he needs is health, and some confidence.
Bellinger will never be the same player ever again unless he changes his hitting mechanics, Stepping in the bucket won’t get it done, shoulder surgery or no shoulder surgery. He’s late on center cut fastballs.
I agree Andrew, but I think he will, If I am wrong, well so be it, but the guy’s average over his MLB time gives one some hope he can turn it around.
RHP Josiah Gray also would be part of package that would head from Dodgers to Nationals in Scherzer-Turner blockbuster, source tells Rosenthal.
With Ruiz, I guess.
Without getting too far ahead of things, one could argue that the Alex Wood, Kyle Farmer fleecing led to Josiah Gray and Jeter Downs who will have been used by the Dodgers to get Max Scherzer, Mookie Betts and Trea Turner
I’m okay losing Gray. Scherzer is a sure thing….Gray is a prospect but not a sure thing yet.
Now I’m not disrespecting Gray because he has shown me in his two starts he has the pitches to be awesome, even though he has given up some home runs. But I think he will just get better and better.
I know if we don’t win the WS this year and Scherzer leaves us we will be sad to see Gray doing well on Washington, but something tells me Max will want to stay in LA for a few more years.
I can accept Gray and Ruiz for Max and Trea (throw in Hudson), since Turner has another year of control.
Alright Mark, time for you to make one of your famous lineups.
TureBlueLA is reporting it as a done deal.
If trade is completed, full package headed to Nationals for Scherzer and Turner will be C Keibert Ruiz, RHP Josiah Gray and two mid-range prospects, sources tell Rosenthal.
Will believe it when I see it on their web site. Old friend JT Chargois is part of the Castillo trade with the Reds. And the Yankees are only giving up 2 minor leaguers for Rizzo. Cubs seem to be selling cheap.
7:50 pm: Scherzer is willing to waive his no-trade right to facilitate a deal to Los Angeles, reports Jesse Dougherty of the Washington Post – MLTR
It sure looks like it’s lining up Bear. Time to enjoy the joy.
Doc’s best baseball move this year was starting him in the All Star game
I just read on MLBTR that it involves 4 prospects, Ruiz, Gray and Donovan Casey are the ones who have been named. Ruiz pulled from tonight’s start for OKC. Sure looking like it will be a done deal.
Thank you, Jesus!
Come on down, Maxie! Glad to have you on board!
Ya-hoooooooo
By MLBTR: ” Incredibly, Scherzer’s likely the second-most valuable part of the Dodgers’ potential haul. While he’s slated to hit free agency at the end of this season, Turner’s controllable next season via arbitration. The 28-year-old has been a quality player since breaking into the big leagues in 2015, but he’s developed into a true superstar over the past couple seasons. Since the start of the 2020 campaign, Turner’s hitting .327/.378/.546 (145 wRC+) with 30 home runs and 33 stolen bases across 155 games and 679 plate appearances.
Turner’s one of the top few players in the sport, even if he rather remarkably didn’t make an All-Star team until this season. In addition to that high-end offense, he’s one of the game’s most dangerous baserunners and a fine defensive shortstop. FanGraphs estimates Turner’s been worth seven wins above replacement over the past two years, a mark that trails only Fernando Tatís Jr. among position players”.
He also has 2 career cycles. And he had them about a week apart. He has also played some games in Center field, and can fill in there if needed.
Trae Turner is a superior defensive shortstop. Maybe he’s going to be the future at that position.
Sure hope this happens. Then extend both of them.
We could re-sign Turner and play him at SS or re-sign both Turner and Seager and put Truner at 2B or the outfield until Justin retires and then put Turner at SS and move Seager to 3B. Seager;s only problem is staying healthy.
They are not going to break the bank to sign Corey, and Turner gives them a MLB ready alternative without having to sign a free agent.
Is he a free agent after this year? I know he is on a one year deal.
William must be grinning about a mile wide!!
Yes, Zeke, though still holding my breath!This would be great. I am not someone who can look at many baseball players and project their ability, like some here impressively can. But when I saw Scherzer pitching for Arizona, being mostly wild but with great velocity, I immediately liked him, and wanted us to go after him. But he went to Detroit, and sure enough, became a great star. So now if we get him, it will be very exciting.
I was not a big fan of Trea Turner, but I had not realized how much better he has gotten, though he did show some of that against us this season. If we get both of them, and if we can sign Scherzer for a couple more seasons, Friedman and Kasten and whoever else helped, deserve great credit. This could keep us in major contention for the next two or three seasons, and then we’ll see what we have in the minors to keep us on top. Things look much brighter for this season and next, if this deal does go through. And we want to give Scherzer great credit too, if he is the one who helped this to happen.
I’d package both Lux and Bellinger instead of Ruiz.
Yes, you heard me right….I’d rather take my chances on Ruiz than the former MVP, Cody Bellinger.
And, I will go one step further….I would bet you $100 that Washington also would rather have Ruiz than Bellinger. In fact, I don’t believe any team would want our .150 hitter who strikes out every third at bat.
What have you don’t for me lately? NOTHING! Two years of crapola! The only team that wants Bellinger may be us….and even that is probably debatable.
Anyhow, let’s make the trade, win our 2nd WS and then we could take 5 years off to regroup!
Who cares TM?
Seriously.
Carrillo, Casey, Ruiz and Gray I think.
As per A beat reporter:
Max Scherzer and Danny Duffy are not the players you sell the farm for if you expect Trevor Bauer to pitch for your team in 2021.
All I said was I’d rather trade Belli instead of Ruiz. Nothing wrong with me saying that.
But, I’m very happy with this trade because not only do we get Scherzer, but SF or SD don’t get him. Without Bauer, we needed one more solid arm down the stretch.. Although I like Duffy too…maybe he can be our 5th and both Gonsolin and Price to the pen…..or maybe Duffy to the pen and Gonso can be our 5th.
Turner is Seager protection because I do believe he will be a Yankee next year.
Maybe Rizzo in DC is smarter than you and does not want either one of them and indeed so far neither is in the deal, Ruiz and Gray are. You have no idea what the Dodgers think of Bellinger and even less of a clue on what they feel Lux is worth.
Being reported by Bowden, the final deal Ruiz Gray Casey and Carrillo to Nats.
Just read that. And it is close to being reality. Nice job Andrew……now get a closer! LOL.
Betts, Seager, T Turner, Muncy, J Turner, Bellinger, Smith, Pollock–Who would have thought Belli would be the weak link in a Dodger lineup.
He can bat 8th. And I have a lot of faith that he will come out of it.
It seems that the players that the Dodgers will send are: Ruiz, Gray, D. Casey and Gerardo Carrillo.
Just do not trade these young players and we will be fine today in the long term: Lux, Cartaya, Pepiot, Miller, Pages and Vargas
I have been asking for Turner for a couple weeks!!
As good as Max is, I am more excited about Turner. Again, allow them to let Seager walk and adds another element to their game IF THEY USE HIS SPEED!!
I hope Roberts and AF are getting him to actually start stealing some bases
He, like Betts when healthy will have a green light. Turner is eligible for arbitration this winter. Now Dodgers have a SS if Seager leaves who provides some offense.
Some?
Better or at least comparable in most everything that gets measured. Offensively and defensively. Yes, less RBI for the past few years but Turner plays from the leadoff spot on not nearly as good as a team over that time.
Turner is an UPGRADE over Seager on both sides of the ball AND he stays on the field.
Not sure if this will link correctly or not but https://mlbcomparisons.com/corey-seager-vs-trea-turner-comparison/
Yep, this is protection for when Seager leaves to the Yankees, a team he has always admired and wanted to play for.
Why did the Nata do the deal?
Using Baseball America’s rankings:
The No. 4 Nats prospect has an ERA above 10.00 in Class A. The No. 6 prospect is sidelined with elbow soreness. No. 7? Hitting under .200 in Class A. No. 8? Also under .200 in Class A. No. 9 is a AA reliever. No. 10 has a 5.00+ ERA in AA.
Gray and Ruiz can play now. I don’t know about the other 2. Doesn’t seem like all that much to me.
Sure hope they both stick around a while.
Scherzer’s first start would line up to be Tuesday in Dodger Stadium against the Asterisks.
I think Wednesday. Buehler will go Tuesday. The weekend against the DBacks looks to be Gonsolin (Friday) TBD (Saturday), and Urias (Sunday). Monday is an open date. As I said below, I hope Mitch White gets a shot to start in JoJo’s spot on Saturday. It’s his time to shine.
To me this is a dope fin move, should keep Gray going to be one helllva pitcher. And to add the dodger over paid.
You may be underestimating Turner.
And under estimating the depth of pitching in the minors. Gray will be good, but top of the rotation good? I doubt it. And Turner is also insurance for Seager going elsewhere. Sorry they did not trade for Joc Bum.
Not too late. Beaty and McKinstry for Joc?
I’d do that in a heartbeat!
Atlanta will need Joc against Scherzer. He broke up his perfect game in the top of the 7th with a home run that led to Scherzer being pinch hit for in the 2019 play off game.
Dope fiend is a term that goes back to the late 1800’s but nobody but Mark has used it since 1978.
This deal should work.
Just waiting for MLB to sign off wayto go AF
But let’s not start suc…… well you know what Harvey Keitel said or should I say Winston Wolfe
We still need a closer , without that everything else is moot
So the Dodger bench is now Taylor, Lux, Pujols, Barnes and who else; Beaty or McKinstry?
The bench is Taylor and Lux. Backup catcher is Barnes. The rest of those guys? Meh.
Why would you play Cody over CT3? You saw how good CT3 could play CF in the All Star game. Mookie in RF. If you feel Cody doesn’t have to go down to work on his swing, then at least platoon him with Pollack….not with CT3.
But, we all are watching Cody struggle at bat….why not go down for a week and work on his swing? Why should he be an automatic out for LA?
As I said earlier. People are freaking out a day early.
DJ peters was DFAd. So I assume he’s part of the Nat’s deal. Which sucks, personally. He’s my friend. A lifelong Dodger fan. But if he goes, it’s better for his career. Won’t have a legit shot in LA.
My buddy with the Angels org said Taylor Ward was just pulled mid game for the Angels AAA team. So they are making a move.
Tomorrow will be a very busy baseball day.
Nope, Peters is not in the deal, Gray, Ruiz, Castillo and Casey are.
Let them have Peters. We don’t need him
If that’s the deal I’d be surprised. Nats must think an awful lot of JoJo. I like the guy. He’s got legit stuff. But that’s not exactly a haul. Turner isn’t a free agent until 2023. So he’s not a rental.
If this is the deal, I’m happy.
It is the deal. Being reported by every outlet as what the return is. Also remember this, Turner is on the Covid-19 IL list. He will be out for a little while, maybe at least 10 days before he can report and play.
Bummer….out 10 days…when did that 10 day suspension start ?
If Seager is back, we should be okay until Turner clears. By the way, I assume Turner plays SS…so where does Seager play? Can he play 2B?
Muncy stays on 1B all the time now. Send Lux to the minors to work on his swing…Bellinger too. We can play CT3 with Pollack and Mookie in the OF.
It is not a suspension, he was pulled from Tuesday’s game in Philly after testing positive. Seager will be playing SS. Turner will move to second, they can also move Turner to CF and use Bellinger and Pollock as a LF platoon. Listen, they are not sending Bellinger to the minors. Lux maybe.
I can live with that. We added a top starter. A player with speed who can play SS, 2B and Cf.
I call this a win.
Seems like Turner would play CF, Muncy at second and Belli at first if Dodgers are babying Belli.
Seems like this deal is an overpay unless both guys are extended.
Now get Kimbrel.
LOL
Great night for the LA Dodgers! Never underestimate Andrew Friedman.
I won’t say I told you so but if you look back to my Sunday posts, I indicated the Dodgers should get Scherzer & Turner Now that it has happened, at a perceived much lower cost as I said we should give up Seager and Bellinger whereas now we are giving up 4 prospects (2 good ones in Ruiz & Gray). I know you all didn’t agree that they were worth acquiring for the cost of S & B but hopefully now we will have the necessary pieces to win the West Turner should help us field a more consistent offense especially with the return of Betts & Seager. Look out Gnats we are coming after you!
Just the other day some of us were touting CT3 as our MVP. Now he may have no regular place to play. Whatever it takes, they need to start him at least 5 days a week.
Between all 3 outfield positions and short and 2nd they can rest everyone one day a week. You don’t just tell Taylor thanks for everything, you’re now a utility guy and maybe you’ll start once a week.
There are plenty of innings to share the rest of the way. Taylor will play, just maybe not as much.
If Bauer hadn’t screwed up, consider this rotation:
Buehler
Kershaw
Scherzer
Bauer
Urias
Not a single rotation can come close. What a shame.
They can rest Bellinger every day for Taylor! This would be a huge get by AF! Hopefully this will WAKE this team up!!!!!!AF has done his part! Wow!
I agree AF wants a Yankees run, now on this team to respond and go get it! This is a brilliant move on a lot of levels. I hate to say it but Mark may be right when he says Friedman is playing chess while we are playing checkers. I trust his internal evaluations more then anyone. However I do hope Ruiz and Gray are good players with the Nationals or no one will ever trade with us again.
I feel Friedman believes the window is closing slowly and this year is for the taking so the timing was perfect for us to exert our might. I have been a Friedman doubter but he has won at every turn, used might when necessary but above all still stuck to roster/farm building principals he learned in Tampa Bay and made them a winner
Let’s go get our 9th straight and get ready for the LDS versus the midgets or the gnats. Back to Back!!
And it keeps Scherzer away from the Giants and Padres. Could this be a Verlander move?!!!!!!
Well I am ready to sign a ML contract. I have soft tissue damage in my achilles and ankle.
I got my preference #1 and preference #2. Now how can we get Preference 1A? I am not counting on that as I am sure that no matter what we fans think, Doc is going to stick with KJ.
Losing Ruiz and Gray will hurt, but a Max Scherzer and Trea Turner do not become available very often, especially in a package deal for a playoff run. It is clear that LAD wants it this year. and AF went for it, and paid plenty. They lost their #1 and #2 and #17, with the first two being MLB consensus top 100. But there is no longer any MiLB player ready for ML next year. I would like to see Busch and Vargas pushed as well as Pepiot from the pitching side. So the depth has been depleted. I am not as high on the bargain relievers as some are, so I would like to see that addressed. Although if Clayton can come back healthy, that will put Duffy and Gonsolin in the pen come playoff time.
With Gray, Ruiz, and Carrillo all on the 40, two will be replaced by Max and Trea, with the 3rd coming when Seager reports this weekend.
I am guessing that AF will make a couple more peripheral moves to bolster the pen. It is unfortunate that Garrett Cooper is out for the year, because he would have been a terrific RH bat off the bench.
He is not Jedd Gyorko, but Adam Duvall is a typical AF deadline pick. Not a great batting average or OBP, but he does have 22 HRs for Miami, which would be tied with Muncy for the team lead. RH bat coming off the bench to win it???
I am sorry to see Gray and Ruiz go, but as I said about Seattle, when you are in a position to win it this year, GO FOR IT. Worry about 2022 in the winter. Actually I am pulling for Seattle to go all in for Berrios. Let’s see how SF and SD respond. Who knows maybe Diego Cartaya will turn out to be a better prospect than Keibert, and Ryan Pepiot and Bobby Miller may turn out to be better than JoJo Gray. Mitch White should get a chance to start in place of Gray on Saturday. He has earned a shot.
It looks like it is setting up to be Walker Buehler and Max Scherzer to face the Cheaters next Tuesday and Wednesday at home. Hopefully those will both be sellouts. Make Max feel welcome so he will want to re-sign.
Friedman stuck the landing.
I’ve yet to see an official confirmation on the Scherzer-Trea Turner deal, but let’s have fun and assume it’s legit.
Immediate question: How do Trea Turner and Corey Seager play together? Turner is the superior shortstop, but do the Dodgers try to move Seager to 3B or 1B during a pennant drive? Does Justin Turner shift over to 1B? (Seager must have the better range?) This assumes Muncy plays 2B.
Then again, TT also has experience at 2B and CF. But I want the better glove at SS.
Or if Muncy moves back to 1B, who plays 2B? Trea, Justin or Corey? (Please don’t say Lux.) Pretty sure JT played some 2B for the Mets.
The deal, I think, signals strongly that the Dodgers don’t expect or perhaps even want Bauer back. Perhaps the report are true that he’s become a pariah in the clubhouse. At the very least he is a big PR problem. Dodger brass, methinks, want to put Bauer in the rearview mirror. They want him to be yesterday’s news.
It also signals that Dodgers will only bring back Seager if he is willing to move off SS. Well, I guess the Nationals will be in the market for a shortstop soon.
Finally, I doubt that AF is done after added these two plus Duffy. The arrival of TT and the returns of Mookie and Seager should energize the anemic offense–and maybe Belli will still get his groove back.
So will AF target Kimbrel too? He could offer Lux + Graterol. Both have “upside,” as they say.
At any rate, we could regret it all when Ruiz and Jojo Gray become perennial all stars.
But in the meantime…
Just like Verdugo?
Exactly!
So let’s look back at the Cincy trade a couple of years ago. We get Gray and Downs for Kemp, Puig, Wood and Farmer and end up flipping them with Verdugo and Ruiz in deals for Betts, Scherzer and Turner! Now that’s playing chess! And possibly back to back WS titles! Wow
Maybe this is finally the definition of “Let’s be Pigs”!!
Hahahahaha. I took so much grief on this site over that phrase. It got really crazy for a while.
It’s a tough crowd! Enjoy your analysis, humor, etc.
I think this is a great deal. They dealt away from depth and acquired what they need this year to complete the run. Maybe they can throw some cash at Turner and extend him. With Seager, it’s up to him if he wants to come back next year and beyond. Turner gives them some leverage and Lux get’s another shot next year unless they sign Seager. They just protected themselves in case CT3 and Seager both bolt in free agency.
With the emergence and rapid rise of Pepiot, Gray became expendable. Bueller, Urias, May, Gonsolin, Pepiot and the one who shalt be named are all under contract next year, as is David Price.
I’ve been saying for the last couple of years, it’s a waste of resources to have Ruiz and Smith sharing catching duties. Smith needs to catch more, not less and Cartaya is on schedule to replace Smith when he hits free agency. Carrillo has a chance to become a solid reliever or a back of the rotation starter on a rebuilding team and Casey is a 20th rounder who’s having a solid season at AA.
All in all, I think it’s a fair deal. Gray and Casey for Scherzer then Ruiz and Carillo for Turner. It would have been nice to have a little more control, but both of these guys are impact players.
San Diego picks up Adam Frazier and the Dodgers say hold my beer and pickup Turner, basically Frazier with pop and snatch Sherzer out of their hands. Nice payback for their involvement with the Bauer saga, way to go AF!
I starting to resolve myself to the idea of Bauer being gone for the year, but I’m still holding out hope as long as there’s a chance. Bauer, Bueller, Scherzer, Kershaw, Urias in no particular order. Are you kidding me?
That was a boss move, my friends!
Not so fast Cassidy, we still have to solve the bullpen.
Kimbrell’s the next domino, but just to piss off the Padres. AF wants to get Preller fired so he can hire him to be one of his bitches.
I have never felt the bulllen is a problem.
We don’t need a bullpen if you don’t score any runs! The key to winning this year is if the bats wake up and we can consistently score 4-5 runs per game. And not 1-8-0!
The key to winning this year is to improve on defense, limit SBs to a minimum and not have the need to put AAAA guys to play.
Hudson to Padres. We still need a closer, we don’t want to lead playoff games after seven innings and then lose them. Can we get Kimbrel? Ian Kennedy? Who else do we have to offer Chicago or Texas?
Well reading the comments it looks unanimous that this is a fantastic trade for the Dodgers and the probability that they will win the WS. If the Dodger reaction is anything like the fan reaction this will be a hell of a shot of adrenaline for the team. Time to buckle up!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tc9-INPwMA0
Jim Bowden is gushing over this deal.