This is the fourth straight Spring Training where Gavin Lux has an opportunity to win the 2B job and for the 4th straight season, Gavin Lux has failed to seize the day. In Spring Training of 2018, Gavin had no chance at winning a job, and he had only 4 ABs but he did have 2 hits. In 2019, he would have been a longshot to win a spot, but in 20 ABs he only had 3 hits (.150). 2020 was better and he had 33 ABs with 8 hits (.242). That wasn’t enough. In 2021, Gavin had 51 ABs and had 16 hits (.314) and then proceeded to hit .179 in March and April. In 2021 he had two good months and 4 bad ones.
This Spring Training is more of the same. Gavin Lux has had 16 ABs and 2 hits (.125) and to compound, his lack of hitting is his inability to complete routine throws with any precision whatsoever. I know that Gavin Lux was a Top Prospect and has been for a few years now. I know a few of you are predicting (actually you are praying) that he is going to have a breakout year THIS year. I confess that I have been Cold-Hot-Cold-Hot and back to Cold with Gavin. His throwing issues are certainly mental, not physical. He seldom has a “clean” throw from 2B and I think it eats him up mentally all over the field.
Those of you who are predicting great things for Gavin, right about now, are hating on me for suggesting that he is a bust, except that you know it too. Look, I would love to be wrong on this one, but what I see with Gavin Lux right now is a “deer in the headlights, lack of confidence, what happened” look. Admit it! I happen to think that his only chance at greatness is to ditch the infield and play the outfield. I think he has good instincts and his speed will play up out there. His throwing yips are in his head and he needs to turn the page. Barring a total final week of him going 12 for 12, I do not think he makes this team. I think he needs to go to OKC and learn to play CF… actually all of the outfield positions.
Look, I do not know if Gavin Lux will ever reach his potential, but if you do what you have always done, you are going to get what you have always got. I say “Do something different.” Going to OKC to play CF is something drastically different. Now, I am pretty certain that some are going to say that Cody Bellinger should go to OKC and learn to hit too.
To that, I am going to respond that Cody has actually already done it in the past. Gavin has not… at lest on the MLB level. In 2017 Cody hit 39 HR as a Rookie, slumped to 25 HR in his sophomore year, and then was the NL MVP in his 3rd year with 47 HR and OPS’ed over 1.000. Typically, only a handful (or less) of players do that. Cody is in elite company, no matter how bad he sucks right now. I always say that “If you have done it before, you can do it again”… it just does not guarantee it! Cody probably has a month or six weeks to get it together… if not, maybe Gavin will be Good Lux by then.
Could it really be that the Yips have derailed Gavin’s career? I mean, do I really have any insight or inside information into this? Not really, except that I am pretty at ready “body language.” I think it’s worth a try to see what can happen by making the switch. Playing at this level is hard – very hard. If something is standing in the way of success, maybe a change of scenery (I.e., position) will work.
If I was going to keep another 2B, it would be Eddy Alvarez – he deserves a shot! He’s 32 years old and one heck of an athlete, but he has been on fire this spring. It probably won’t happen, but it would be a cool story. Alberto is absolutely on the team, so there is that, but Alvarez is a switch hitter. His odds are long, but he has a shot. Jake Lamb is a feel-good story, but they can’t keep him and Rios… Can they? Someone needs him…
The Price is Right!
David Price says he feels great. He says that normally his arm is “sore” in Spring Training, but that is not the case this Spring. Juan Toribio of Dodgers .com wrote this:
Dating back to 2011, Dodgers left-hander David Price said he has a two-week period in which he feels pain in his throwing elbow. It’s not an injury, per se, but it’s a level of pain that usually sidelines him after his first live batting practice session.
That routine was no different this season for Price, who called the process of getting back on the mound “a grind.” After throwing a bullpen and live BP session during the start of camp, Price’s elbow began to hurt. He had to stop his buildup process due to the pain.
Usually, during a six-week Spring Training, Price would still have time to be prepared for a full starter’s buildup. But because of this year’s condensed Spring Training, Price, who hoped to be built up to five innings before the end of spring, is now behind schedule. Over the last five days, however, Price was able to throw multiple bullpen sessions, an indication that he’s fully healthy again.
“I got through that period and now everything feels good,” Price said. “To go out there and throw the ball with conviction, just playing catch and to be able to work on stuff in bullpens. That makes it more enjoyable and makes it easier.”
Obviously, he is not built up as a starter as yet, but he could be rather quickly. He looked very effective in his one inning on Wednesday. There is a lot to like about Price right now, but also a lot to find out about Andrew Heaney and Tyler Anderson… and I won’t even mention Trevor Bauer! Pitching… especially bullpen pitching is very fickle… that’s why Andrew is hoarding them.
Featured Prospect: Landon Knack
Landon Knack was born in Johnson City, Tennessee, (sounds like a Darius Rucker song) and played college ball at Walters State Junior College before transferring to East Tennessee State. He is a 6′ 2″ RHP who weighs in at about 220, and for most of his college career he had average stuff to go with very good control. However as he matured and his “man strength” surfaced he turned his average fastball into a plus pitch that hits 98 MPH with late movement. That jump made his changeup a great swing-and-miss pitch. His fastball and changeup are his dominant pitches but there is ample reason to believe that he will master the slider, while the curveball is only a “purpose” pitch. The curve needs a lot of work…
To say he has great control is a huge understatement. He pitches quickly and efficiently and is continuously around or in the strike zone. His delivery is easy and repeatable and he has the “look of a #3 or #4 starter”… especially if he can refine his slider. With his impeccable control, I would bet that he can. In 2022, with Great Lakes and Tulsa, he was 7-1 with a 3.18 ERA and a 0.93 WHIP. He struck out 82 in 62 IP and only walked 8. That’s sick! He strikes out hitters and also induces a lot of ground balls.
He is Major League Ready RIGHT ABOUT NOW, but it would be as a bullpen arm. The best thing that could happen to Landon is for him to pitch all season at OKC, master the slider and improve the curve and then move into the Dodgers rotation in 2023. What actually happens depends upon others’ health. Stay tuned: Landon has a Knack for pitching! Here’s some video from the AFL last Fall.
Dodgers Farm Systems Rankings
- Baseball Amerca has them at #8.
- The Athletic has them at #1; and
- MLB.com now has them at #5.
I agree with all that and took a lot of flack for several months until the new rankings came out. All I will say is “I told you so!” 😉 However, I really missed on Kody Hoese. I now think he’s a bust, but you never know – progress is not linear!
What’s Up?
It’s funny with Lux. He seems to have less of a problem throwing accurately from SS then 2nd base. There’s not a lot of velocity from short but he has a quick release and it’s much more accurate. His bat has the potential to play up at 2nd but as an outfielder not so much. I think he’s definitely going down and needs to find his stroke. If we sign TT then his Dodger future looks like a utility role. What’s up with Pepiot? I haven’t seen him but everyone talks about his stuff but the results don’t seem to be there.
Pepiot is working on a new pitch and grips. They are looking for him later this year, but don’t know if it’s a starter or reliever. I say reliever…
After 32 minor league starts over two seasons, going into his age 24 season, there’s no need to think he’s a bullpen arm just yet. The way that Miller and Bruns are coming along, there may not be another choice for him other than Bullpen or Trade Bait.
I thought progress wasn’t always linear but for some players it is?
I’d say that for most players it isn’t, but Gavin’s body language screams loudly.
Bellinger says “hold my beer”.
Well, if we’re going to start calling players a bust based on Spring Training stats, we’re in big trouble this year. Lux’s throws, to me, look more like a problem with his footwork and not “the yips”.
Pollock, JT, Muncy, Pillar, Bellinger, Lux and Betts are all guys hitting below Mendoza’s mark. Maybe they should cut enough bait to make a lineup out of Outman, Busch, Vargas, Rios, Alvarez, Lamb, Freeman, T Turner, McKinstry Barnes and Smith.
Lux had just 7 errors in 471 innings at shortstop last year, which isn’t horrible for a 23 YO that hasn’t played the position in the previous two years at the MLB level. To me, that isn’t a guy with the yips. That’s a guy who feels comfortable at SS and doesn’t at 2B. Just for comparison’s sake, T Turner had 5 errors in about 450 innings at second base last year yielding nearly identical fielding percentages.
Maybe Lux will ultimately bust. Maybe Bellinger is in the same boat. Maybe Mookie will never be the same, he certainly looks lost right now while doing his best Carl Crawford impression. Or, maybe the Dodgers should have had some urgency going into Spring Training.
When I look at the guys who are hitting worse than Mendoza vs. the guys hitting better, it seems like this might be the BBRVS effect. It seems like mostly prospects and newcomers are hitting and guys that have been under the tutelage of Brant Brown and Robert Van Scoyoc are in the red.
So what’s going on with so many hitters on this team? Out of rhythm due to slow playing Spring Training? Bad approach due to our inexperienced hitting coaches? Burnout from playing deep into the post season every year?
I do not call players a bust based upon spring training stats. Notice I have not called Cody, Mookie, Max, and others a bust. With Lux, it is now a “pattern.” That is disturbing!
Spring training….stats mean nothing unless……you are a guy like Lamb, trying to impress, an older rookie, trying to move up on the depth chart. How do you think McKinstry feels about now? Made the team out of spring training last season as the 26th guy. Started of like a house on fire, hit L.A.’s first homer of the year, even though it was an inside the parker. The team has played 14 games. Less than half of a normal spring training schedule. And no one has played all of those games. Only six players have appeared in double figure games. The player appearing in the most games is Alvarez with 12. He is tied with Rios for the team lead in homers with 3. So spring means something to a guy like that. Betts has played in 5 games and had 14 at bats and someone is judging him on those stats? Ridiculous. Lets see how they play once the bell rings. Lets see what kind of at bats they take over the weekend against the Angels. With spring training being over and the season just about to start, they will be bearing down just a little bit more. One thing a lot of you forgot about Price, experience. The guy knows how to pitch.
Yep, don’t judge Betts on 15 AB’s, but Price is back after 1IP. Makes sense. Maybe a little more “get ready” in Spring Training and a little less “Slow Play” especially when ST has been cut in half. We’ll see if they’re ready a week from today.
I read an article that Price was in contention for the 4th and 5th spot in the rotation until his usual Spring arm soreness slowed him down. I’m sure pulling for the guy. Having him pitch well isn’t out of the question. If we think CK can get the job done, why not Price? Ask Jose Ramirez how good Price looked.
The rotation checked in at 7th best overall in the previews. How many spots can they jump if Price and Kershaw are healthy and Bauer comes back?
How can the best lineup in baseball look like the worst Spring Training lineup in baseball? I know they’ll get going, but geez how horrible they are to date.
With a veteran team like this, I put almost zero stock in stats, but stats are the only thing young players or players who are not established have to make the team.
Who is worthy this year?
Alvarez
Lamb
Rios
Outman, Busch & Vargas (too small of a sample)
Alberto
Anderson
V-Gon
Bazooka
Not all will make it, but they have stepped up when called upon.
Jacob deGrom Undergoing MRI After Experiencing Shoulder Tightness
By Steve Adams | April 1, 2022 at 7:28am CDT
The Mets have officially scratched ace Jacob deGrom from today’s scheduled Grapefruit League appearance, tweets Mike Puma of the New York Post. He’ll instead undergo an MRI after experiencing tightness in his right shoulder while playing catch yesterday. While there’s no indication yet that deGrom is dealing with a major injury or expected to miss significant time, the mere fact that he’s been scratched in favor of
Well they better find some urgency one week from now! I sure hope that Mookie is healthy
Mookie’s health is not in question. I have never seen players not find urgency once the season starts. And it is a long season. You need to come out of the gate well. recent Dodger teams have done that. It helps that they open against the Rockies. But they end against the Rockies too for six games. That is when they really need to be playing good baseball.
Possibly the best thing for Lux is a change of scenery in a trade package at the deadline for some of our club’s needs. Some players just can’t handle the bright lights of the big city markets. He might flourish in teams like KC, Baltimore, Miami or Pittsburg. Being from the East Coast, I’ve seen many players come into New York with the Mets and Yankees and never make it, Let’s hope I’m wrong with Lux and he goes to Oklahoma City and comes back an improved player. His chances on making this 28 man roster are slim and none based on his Spring performance.
Mark these are good points about Lux. He is still young and talented so I’m not giving up or trading him. He has nothing to prove in aaa.
When he plays ss he looks much more comfortable than 2nd or outfield. TT is going to get a bulk of the innings this year. I don’t see the Dodgers giving T Turner a long huge contract like Seager got this year. If Lux can get his average in the 275-280 range this season as a bench piece I see him inheriting the SS job next season. He will blossom into the player we all expected and hoped for.
Nothing to prove? Maybe, but what it does it put him in the lineup every day so he can work on things. Turner and LA have had initial discussions on an extension. If an extension gets them an All Star SS over a maybe, I am all for it. Prospects like Lux are suspects until they actually take over a job. I remember everyone saying the same stuff about Kike. Give him a shot at the everyday second base job. They did, he could never keep the job.
Same with CT3. Both were just a hair less than a full time player last year and CT3 was an All-Star. Neither checked in as high on minor league prospect lists and neither had to deal with the COVID season or the COVID hangover season, or the lockout season while trying to establish themselves.
I have no problems sending Lux, or even Belli to AAA to figure things out. That’s what AAA is there for. Yoshii turned a AAA stint into $4M contract in the offseason. That’s chump change for major leaguers, but I think I could live off that for the rest of my life quite comfortably.
A spitball idea…Lux, Rios and a top 10 prospect for Bieber and then Price/Bauer to the Mets for Cano and a top prospect?
Drugs are bad!
😉
Cierto Mark
Funny
Dodgers trade AJ Pollock for Craig Kimbrell
I thought that was an April Fools Joke!
It’s real…
Kimbrell scares me to death. Will he pitch as he did for the Cubs or the Sox? Jekyll and Hyde.
Losing Pollocks offense will hurt. Who are they making room for?
It’s real, and it’s spectacular
Dodgers, White Sox To Swap AJ Pollock For Craig Kimbrel
By Steve Adams | April 1, 2022 at 11:12am CDT
The Dodgers and White Sox are in agreement on a trade sending outfielder AJ Pollock to Chicago in exchange for reliever Craig Kimbrel, reports Mark Feinsand of MLB.com (Twitter link).
Kimbel’s salary is 16 million ,the same salary Jansen signed with the Braves for one year.
Wasn’t the holdup that the Dodgers wanted Kenley to wait until they offloaded some salary so they wouldn’t go over the highest tax threshold? Pollock is making 13 million this year so it’s an increase of 3 million which I think keeps them below the threshold.
LF Candidates:
Rios
Lux
Alfonzo
Taylor
Alberto
Outman
Busch
Vargas
Pages
Alvarez
Pillar
Lamb
Which one of these guys is going to punish lefty pitchers like AJ did?
Wow, as much as I like AJ, I’ll take this one. Craig “Kenley who?” Kimbrell was a freaking beast last year. 100K’s in 59 innings. I hope he has one more year left in him. I guess we aren’t going to have closer by committee any longer.
We just traded 3.1 WAR for 2.5 WAR. Is WAR a stat that Friedman respects?
Just go ahead and pencil in Taylor as the every day left fielder. We have enough utility guys with Alberto, Lux and Alvarez.
Keith Law picks Gavin Lux to be a Breakout Candidate in 2022:
https://theathletic.com/3223869/2022/04/01/mlb-players-to-watch-keith-laws-5-candidates-for-a-breakout-season-in-2022/
Who you goona’ believe…. me or Keith? 😉
Keith
Grrrr!
I’m not rooting against you, I’m rooting for Lux. You blew your credibility with Verdugo and Ruiz.
Are you talking about the 25-year-old Verdugo who has a career BA of .290? He is Tony Gwynn-esque!
Ruiz? The jury is out on him, but he is a Top Prospect.
“I don’t care about ST stats”, “progress isn’t linear” except for Gavin Lux, it seems that doesn’t apply to Lux.
Just go ahead and put Vargas out there in LF. He’ll figure it out eventually! His bat is real.
Can Lux, Alberto hold it down for a while?
I really liked AJ, I like Kimbrel better.
I’m worried about left handed pitchers.
I definitely would have him playing there in OKC and if he produces the way we all think he can he might in Dodger Stadium very soon. We need that righty bat!
Craig Kimbrel’s 2021 season was a Tale of Two Seasons:
With the Cubs:
36 IP
64 K’s
0.49 ERA
0.70 WHIP
With the White Sox:
23 IP
36 K’s
5.09 ERA
1.217 WHIP
Which one will the Dodgers get?
Obviously, the first one. 😉
It looks like CT3 will be the just about every day left fielder with Lux and Alberto being a platoon made in heaven at second base. Jake Lamb might just make the roster as a guy that can play outfield. Get ready to say goodbye to Amaya or Nunez. McKinstry is going to play a lot of second base in AAA to start the season.
So much for closer by committee. Kimbrel thrived as the Cubs closer, not so much as the White Sox setup guy. He’ll be pitching the ninth for the Dodgers.
Could Pillar make the team over Lamb? Over his career, he’s been much better against lefties. Last year his splits were fairly neutral.
Sorry to see AJ go. Always liked the bat. I’m sure he’s shocked.
I’m guessing you get the Cubs version of Kimbrel, not the one with the White Sox. Sure they’ve been looking at him closely this spring. He’s elite, if he’s right.
Pollock had a lot of big hits over the past few years. No idea who steps into the role. Chris Taylor plays more left?
Expect Gavin Lux to play well. But who knows, maybe he ends up in a mid-season trade.
Should, if Kimbrel performs, make the bullpen even stronger. The trade certainly offers up more opportunity for other players.
Well, Andrew Friedman is definitely working all the angles and possibilities. No question about that. That move came out of left field.
He is at least going to a contender. The White Sox in my estimation are the class of the AL Central. I don’t see Cleveland or Minnesota challenging them. Nor Detroit. At least AJ did not have to go far to get into his new teams facility.
I like this trade. Kimbrel contract is for two seasons. This should give Lux more playing time in left. Graterol should be ready to be the closer in a couple years.
Actually, it is one year with a Club Option for the second year.
I think the club option was for 2022. I believe he’s a free agent after this year.
You are correct, he is a free agent after this season.
Wow about AJ for Kimbrel. I don’t think anyone saw that coming. It gives a Dodgers a little insurance in the pen. The only real guy I thought to be a lock to be dependable is Treinen. Sure, there are a lot of guys who could potentially step up, and the Dodgers pen has the potential to be really solid without Kimbrel, but as we’ve said so many times from our arm chairs here, you can’t depend on a reliever being good. They’re erratic. This is why they’re relievers and not starters. Prove me wrong, Brusdar.
Still, the Dodgers lose AJ’s right handed bat. CT3 can’t fully replace his offense. I suppose it’s something that can be absorbed with the historically loaded lineup the Dodgers now have, but still.
England, USA, Iran in a World Cup group, oh god.
It could go nuclear!
And, possibly, Ukraine!
They might have a melt-down!
USA v Iran, must see TV.
What no North Korea! I will be sorry to see Pollock go. When healthy he’s a stud and gave us a great year in 21. Good guy, good ball player. Wishing you the best AJ! Just when you think it’s not Lux’s time he gets thrown a lifeline. I think they keep Taylor at 2nd and give Lux a shot in left especially against righties. Better defensively.
Another great read in TheAthletic. This one about Darren Ruf and Farhan.
For Giants president Farhan Zaidi, Darin Ruf was Max Muncy before Max Muncy… A story about Darin Ruf, who quietly became one of the most productive hitters in the league. But it’s also a story about how the Farhan Zaidi-led Giants value players and trust their acumen to keep finding them on the margins.
https://theathletic.com/3223279/2022/04/01/for-giants-president-farhan-zaidi-darin-ruf-was-max-muncy-before-max-muncy/?source=emp_shared_article
I think the Dodgers really miss Farhan’s ability to find those guys “on the margins.” It’s what the Dodgers really excelled at, much to the disparagement of anonymous commenters on blog sites. The Dodgers org is still pretty good at it, but Farhan has shown himself to be special, and it’s pretty impressive how quickly he turned around a Giants franchise that threw money at the Cuetos and, instead, found guys like Gausman.
One of the First Baseball World problems the Dodgers have now is that Lux’s failure to deliver on the ML level has really decreased his trade value. He was supposed to be the next in a line of that includes Joc, Seager, Belli, Buhler, Smith… but he hasn’t come close.
Perhaps some GM out there with an SP like Montaz or Manea might believe that all Lux needs is a change of scenery….. I’m still bummed that the Jays scooped up Chapman and dashed my blockbuster schemes.
I’m not sure how you can see the Pollock trade as anything but an endorsement for Lux as a key Dodger.
And for Treinen as the set-up guy.
Right?
I agree
That’s what it looks like to me.
Personally, I do not see Lux as the everyday left fielder. Right now he is no more than a scrub. Lux has neither AJ’s power or his defensive chops. And AJ kills lefty’s, Lux cannot even hit righty’s at this point.
Addition by subtraction. Taylor finally gets a position, LF. Lux gets to start the season at 2nd. Muncy mostly the DH. Rios backs Justin.
And, Dodgers strengthen bullpen without adding payroll.
Pretty good summary. A slight drop off in offensive production with CT3, and it limits the Dodgers ability to plug him at 2nd when facing lefties, but they’re gonna let Lux work it out, apparently.
I don’t get the knee jerk Lux hate. He’s still only 24 and considered a potential perennial All Star, and started to pick it up in the second half last this year. Fans here expect instant gratification.
Potential is the operative word. Now, they might let him have a go, but I think Alberto is going to be at second against lefty’s. Lux has not proven he can hit them. Until he does it consistently in the majors he is nothing more than a prospect who is suspect
CT3 will be the LF and Lux the 2B, if Lux can’t beat the lefties then he will be in a platoon with Alberto, this move shows the confidence the Dodgers have in Lux.
Now the bench is: Barnes, Alberto and Ríos, there are places available, it opens an opportunity for: Pillar, Álvarez, Lamb, etc.
I know Miguel Vargas is listed as an IF, but has he ever played LF? Can he play LF?
If so, that job is open for somebody for the next 10 years. Vargas? Pages? Juan Soto?
I think Pagés will be the RF in the future and Betts will go to LF, Pagés’s arm is too good to put it in LF, Betts’s is also good but Pagés’s is better.
I think Vargas will have a long look at 3B but I wouldn’t be surprised if he plays a bit of OF this year, Rios has also played a bit of OF.
I think that in the minors the Dodgers currently have four untouchables: Miller, Cartaya, Vargas and Pagés.
I wonder if Pollock thought Roberts was pulling an April Fools joke on him when he was told about the trade. Hope Kimbrel works out and his problems with the Sox was because he couldn’t get his adrenaline going as a setup guy.
Major League Baseball is expanding the information process of its replay-review system.
The league announced Friday that umpires will be equipped with on-field microphones to inform the stadium crowd and television audience of an official replay decision.
Typically, throughout his career, Craig Kimbrel has had ERA’s in the 1.00’s and 2.00’s EXCEPT in 2019 and 2020 where it was 6.53 and 5.28.
In 2021, he was great the first half and bad in the second half.
I hope he works out and doesn’t scare us more than Kenley.
The active roster as of right now has 12 position players and 22 pitchers. 3 outfielders, Taylor, Betts and Bellinger, 2 catchers, Barnes and Smith, and 7 infielders, The Turner boys, Muncy, Freeman, Lux, Rios and Alberto. 7 right handed hitters and 5 lefty’s. But by May 1 at least one more bat needs to be added as they will only be able to carry 13 pitchers after that. That is 3 bench players going into the season unless they add one of the non roster guys. Kimbrel will wear # 46. Pollock gets his # 11 with the Sox. I think there are moves on the horizon. Lineup is now RH heavy. Conforto is still out there as a free agent.
Something tells me this is not the last move AF will make. I know the Padres are talking with the Pirates about Brian Reynolds. Could AF jump in there?
Lux for Reynolds, perhaps?
I still think AF would be looking for another SP. another
Impossible to know how Bauer factors into AF’s approach. It’s great that we have a lot of bullish reports on the SP prospects–Nastrini is one to watch–but an extra proven SP now would be nice. (Lux + Jackson for Montaz?)
I tend to think of Heaney as proven, just not in a good way. We’ll see….
Pollock’s departure is great news for Lamb, Pillar, Rios, Alvarez and anybody else fighting for the OD roster.
I had the same thought.
If Andrew stole Reynolds out from under Preller after getting Scherzer last year, he’d better arrange 24 hour protection.
jorge would gladly provide it in that case.
I don’t think any more deals can happen without outgoing salary and the team triggering the 90% tax.
Until Bauer is suspended, that is.
March 21st 2,09pm
I was thinking that AF may not be finished yet, as he appears to be in win now mode, and it wouldn’t surprise me if he could swing a trade for Craig Kimbrel, who is surplus to requirements with CWS, and is due what Kenley just got paid.
Would certainly give the Pen a formidable look.
Some wise Dodger fans around here.
Why thank you! LOL….some dummies too.
Nailed it!
Chuckle anyone in particular???? LOL
What would it take to get Brian Reynolds?
Pirates don’t have to move Reynolds. He’s relatively inexpensive and has 4 years of control remaining.
They would probably ask for something like Lux, Pages and Pepiot.
I guess it shows us that Kenley might have soured a little bit with the Dodgers. They let him walk and traded for a guy making the same money and traded a good outfielder to get him. I think AF might have answered Mark’s question about Kimbrel.
Word was out when Kenley signed with the Braves (and I think he confirmed it) that Andrew asked him to wait until the Dodgers could move some salary. If he could have found a trading partner for AJ a couple of weeks ago (other than the White Sox), Kenley would probably be a Dodger today.
Then someone (I can’t remember who) tweeted today that AF has been trying to move Pollock for a couple of weeks.
Both ends of that story seem to line up.
How good is Kimbrel In holding runners?
Better than Kenley…
From MLBTR:
It’s at least worth noting that L.A. just traded its left fielder and has a right-handed-heavy lineup at a time when former All-Star outfielder Michael Conforto and his left-handed bat are still looking for a landing spot.
Really bad news for the Mets with deGrom to miss significant time. Couldn’t happen to a nicer bunch.
Agree.
Love deGrom.
MLBTR: The Athletics announced that right-hander Grant Holmes has been outrighted off the 40-man roster, and been assigned to Triple-A Las Vegas. Such a move was necessary to remove Holmes from the 40-man since the 26-year-old is out of minor league options.
Holmes was the 22nd overall pick of the 2014 draft, and a regular on top-100 prospect lists for his first few minor league seasons. Originally selected by the Dodgers, he was dealt to Oakland as part of a deadline-day swap in 2016, as the A’s picked up Holmes, Frankie Montas, and Jharel Cotton from Los Angeles in exchange for Josh Reddick and Rich Hill.
The trade is correct for the Dodgers, they fill a team need, plus CT3 is a very similar player to Pollock plus he provides better defense and durability, I prefer CT3.
The Dodgers with the team they have don’t need Lux to be a star, although he will be, they just need him to provide good defense at 2B and good ABs in the back of the lineup.
If we look at his AB he does a good job and his contacts are tough, he’s been unlucky that his hits don’t find the holes, in his first full season if Lux has a positive defense and goes .255-260, 12-15HR, 65-70 RBI, 12-15 SB that’s very good at #9 in the lineup, Lux will be better than those numbers, he’ll be fine!!!
I personally think Lux is over rated. I have not seen anything from him except a short stretch last season where he was consistently making contact. I think he is a very mediocre outfielder. He is a good SS, but mediocre at second. Now I have a friend, Badger, who says just keep giving him reps. But how many games can you afford to lose when he uncorks a wild throw to first late in the game? His defense anywhere but SS is highly suspect. They will miss Pollock’s veteran presence. Right now with only 12 offensive players on the roster, it looks like they are considering taking 16 pitchers into the season. That is insane.
I know some fans are happy to see AJ go. I heard all of the negative stuff back when he first joined the team and was oft injured. But in 2020 and 21, Pollock was a huge part of the offense. Last season he had the highest BA among the regulars. I know Trea won the batting title and was real good as a Dodger, but he played a little over 50 games for LA. Pollock hit .297, by far his best in LA. He contributed 21 homers. And had a playoff game where he hit two. He, Bellinger and Taylor were the only Dodgers who had a nice playoff run. Now if they get the Kimbrel of the beginning of last season, it is a great deal. If they get the White Sox version, they got fleeced. I think Kimbrel will really want a new start and to get the bad taste of the second half out of his mind.
If you can put up with Bellinger than you can give Lux a chance
Not really. Bellinger had a rookie of the year season, and MVP season and a decent sophomore season. Lux and Bellinger are entirely different players. Belli has proved he can do it, now he needs to prove he can do it again. Lux has proved nothing.
I’m not a big fan of WAR, but Lux earned 1.6 last year while playing injured for half the season. He’s playing in his age 24 season this coming year, so he’s still extremely young.
Just to put that into perspective, Bryan Reynolds (who seems to be this year’s Mitch Haniger) didn’t start his career in the MLB until his age 24 season and never performed close to what Lux did when he was in the minors. Speaking of Mitch Haniger, who everyone wanted the Dodgers to trade for a couple of years ago, didn’t start his career in the majors until age 25.
To say that Lux hasn’t shown you anything, makes me question how much baseball you watch. The thing is, Lux hasn’t played that much. With just over 500 AB’s stretched across 3 seasons, none of us have seen enough to pass judgement on him.
As far as Pollock goes. It’s really simple. Lux is a better defensive outfielder right now, only playing a handful of games, based on range and arm. CT3 is a way better outfielder than Pollock. So, if you were planning on letting either Lux or CT3 play outfield, Pollock was gonna DH. When you have Muncy, Rios, JT all playing the same position, Pollock wasn’t going to DH very often. Add in the possibility of Lamb, and you have a real dilemma.
Pollock never did much in the offseason for us. It’s time to let him go, just like it was time to let Kike and Joc and Seags go. To get a guy that struck out 100 in 60 innings for him was a godsend. Right now, I trust Kimbrel much more than I trust Kenley. But, I’m not sure how we’re going to do against lefties.
Maybe Rios impressed enough to force his bat into the lineup. His career splits are pretty nuetral.
I have spent the last few days watching a lot of games from last year. Lux was so so at the beginning of the year. He did have a couple of big hits early. But for all the hype he has had, he has to be considered a disappointment. At least so far. Now if the guy goes out and becomes a perennial all star, great. I just haven’t seen those kinds of at bats nor fielding prowess to bear that to fruition.
The Dodgers are about $3M over the upper CBT penalty level.. Next trade they make might be to get payroll below $290,000,000.
Next rade they make might be to get above $300M
Gavin Lux
MLB
Fielding% at SS: .966
Fielding % at 2B: .972
MILB
Fielding at SS: .937
Fielding at 2B: .974
… and he’s better at SS?
No yips on his throws from SS. Aren’t you the one who said he can’t play 2nd because of his yips? I think if he starts hitting then the throwing issues disappear. Give him some consistent playing time and see what he can do. I think that’s the plan
Well… I don’t see how the Kimbrel deal as anything more than a minor endorsement for Lux. To me, the best lineup right now has Lux on the bench. Consider….
Mookie RF
Freddie 1B
Trea SS
Muncy 2B
Justin 3B
Smith C
Rios DH*
Taylor LF
Belli CF
*And when Barnes catches, Smith sees some DH action.
An alternative lineup would have Muncy at DH and a platoon of Lux/Alberto at 2B. But I’d rather see both Muncy and Rios swinging their bats. Who doesn’t want to see Rios in the lineup?
Now, of course, Belli should and could move to the heart of the line. But based on recent performance, batting 9th is where he belongs. At least he’s a superior defender, and he’s obviously proven what he is capable of, while Lux has proven…. what?
Lux may yet prove his worth. If he gets it together, great. But until he proves otherwise, he’s a backup middle infielder and leftfielder. He’d be rotated in and out, but I doubt we’ll see a even a true platoon. Pinch hitter against righties, and pinch runner–and both roles are less important with the DH. Is Lux a better defender that Alberto? Beats me. But I’ve never heard that Alberto has the yips. And Alberto might well be the better hitter.
It would be great if Lux lives up to the hype–but he’s had plenty of opportunity. I think he’ll have a decent career as a UT guy, but I don’t see the stardom that was projected.
I assume the contracts will allow the Dodgers to put Lamb, Piller and Alvarez in OKC if they don’t make the OD roster. That’s a pretty good group of veterans.
Your stats tell me he’s an average fielding 2nd baseman and above average SS
I am sure AF is a lot smarter about baseball personnel then an old duffer like me. I am just a fan – since 1958 but I still believe the eye test is the most imporant aspect of the game. IMO, AJ Pollock was the most consitently productive outlielder last – way beyond my favorite player Bellinger and exceeding the perfromance of Betts. From an offensive point of view, AF traded away his one of his most consistently productive hitters. I am concerned that the Dodgers just lost one of their of their most reliable run producers,
Eddy Alvarez has been one of the Dodgers’ better hitters this spring, going 8 for 23 (.348) with three home runs (tied with Edwin Rios for the team lead). Alvarez is a switch-hitter capable of playing multiple positions. But Hanser Alberto was signed to fill that utility role and Roberts acknowledged a three-week spring training is not long enough for someone like Alvarez to “win a job.”
“I don’t see him breaking camp with us and I think he knew that coming in,” Roberts said of Alvarez, who signed a minor-league contract with a non-roster invitation to big-league camp. “But to put eyes on him every single day, he’s going to help us win this year. He’s going to help us this year at some point in time. I just can’t say when.”