Come on, Man!

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1. Boy Mark I really rattled your cage. I never said luck wasn’t big part of baseball I was trying to say it’s not all just a lucky crapshoot. It takes a lot of talent and elite pitching to win it all. Of course having a Orel brings chance’s way up and if I’m ever convinced it’s nothing but a lucky crapshoot I’m done with baseball. There’s no point and Friedman isn’t the genius you think he is and neither are you

   1. This has been the best organization in baseball since Andrew Friedman came aboard. He’s not perfect, but he is way ahead of whoever is in 2nd place. I urge everyone to enjoy the ride. We never know what will happen when you get lemons. Sometimes you make lemonade. Luck is involved, but luck can also be created. Still, crazy bounces and bloop hits will always alter expectations.

      1. If you don’t strike out! I don’t think Betts plays 2nd full time. Just to give Vargas a day off now and again. With our pitching we can still win this thing! Have faith!

         1. That’s a good point.

   2. This is in Reply to Dodgerfan since 1792 and mqarep and the other monikers you posted under, who called me an ass.

      Well, you smell like A$$!

      Let me post all your comments here, Little Man:

      Roberts the Clown doesn’t recognize tools. He also has no idea how to motivate his team. We will not win a “real” season WS and not even advance very far into any post season with Roberts the Clown as “manager”.

      You’re a Friedbrain and Roberts the Clown ass kisser.

      In reply to Eric.
      I agree with you. Thor is no more. CT3 is Mr. Strikeout. Muncy is worse than Bellinger and will continue his poor hitting. No one can replace Trea’s offensive numbers. May may not return to his original form. Kershaw will be out injured yet again.

      The Negative Nancies are correct. The Positive Pussies are not. We need to remove the rose colored glasses. This teams needs help. We will need to work hard for a wildcard spot next year.

      I like it except Heyward should be placed back in the dumpster from which he was found. Dumpsters should be declared off limits by the MLB Commissioner’s office. That way Friedbrain could no longer keep saddling us with broken arms and broken players.

      Careful, you cannot criticize the Dodgers on this site. Though I do agree with you. Fans don’t give a sh*t about payroll, they just want the best possible team on the field every year. This year…well, you are right. We continue to dumpster dive.

      Too many a-holes on this site. Talking about you Bullsh*t and Penguins and you Timmons.

      “I think it is about time people realized that being a good manager and having a good record in no way is connected.”

      I stopped your sentence above with a period to make it accurate as it relates to the exceptionally talented Dodger teams over the last several years. In other words, a monkey could have managed the team to the same W/L percentage as Roberts the Clown.

      Most of the writers on this site use bullying tactics to itimidate posters of comments they don’t like.” … followed by your latest.

      You sir, are an asshat, and:
      

      I am officially using this on you:
      
      Goodbye!

2. Injury Update Above:

3. I am going to take a stab at the Opening Day Lineup:

   1. Betts RF
   2. Freeman 1B
   3. Martinez DH
   4. Muncy 3B
   5. Smith C
   6. Peralta LF
   7. Vargas 2B
   8. Outman CF (the second choice is Heyward)
   9. Rojas SS

   Would Doc consider starting Clayton one final time on Opening Day?

   1. That lineup is middle of the road on paper at this moment. No one knows if Vargas and Outman can hit major league pitching on a regular basis . Both are question marks .
      Rojas and Peralta are both average major league hitters for their careers. That is two guys you already know are weak spots.
      Muncy might return to his old ways but maybe not and 2022 was the new norm for him.
      Martinez is far from the slugger he once was.#
      The only three top hitters are Smith, Betts and FF. Dodgers offense other than the previous years does not strike fear into anybody. WE talked about best lineup of all time the last couple years.
      Far from it this season. And that is a realistic look at the offense on March 1st.
      We will see soon enough if the questions can be answered in a positive way.

      Dodgers meal ticket will have to be pitching and in that department we are top 3 in all of baseball.

      Go Dodgers!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

   2. That’s how I see it now look at Padres lineup or Yankees which is better then that was my point about getting Reynolds and Adamme and all yiu ever say is wait until deadline. Why because then your like ten games back if the Padres and have to fight for the division and then get tired out by the playoffs. He should do that trade now so we lose prospects but you gain two allstate players and sign them long-term. Then you have a team and can bring in guys that are hurt from AAA. I guess your theory is wait for the midseason trade deadline then that’s when the season starts. Oh and when I mentioned players in a lineup yes I left off Peralta in the lineup thanks for putting him in. And without Vargas in that it that lineup it does look better if they trade him just saying. Oh and I said what if Vargas doesn’t hit then what do they do. See your articles never explain what we really said. You just stick up for your boys Vargas Busch and Outman and want three rookies on the team. That’s not going to happen three rookies on the Dodgers maybe two.

      1. Bradley,

         It remains incredibly difficult (for me) to read these posts of yours.

         Can you slow down PLEASE and review them before you post?

         1. There is no way Bluto. That the Dodgers will have three rookies on this year’s team. Meaning Bushes Outman Vargas. No way Roberts likes veteran guys. So you will see Peralta Heyward Rojas Thompson maybe they get Inglesis for infield help just in case Vargas doesn’t hit. Is that clearer for you Bluto. We are the LA Dodgers not the Royals not the Pirates not the Orioles teams that have rookies after rookies come up and start.

            1. Dude are you in 2nd grade?

            2. Maybe they should let the kids play. The Dodgers right now have one of the oldest lineups in the league. If Peralta, Betts, Muncy, Freeman , Taylor Thomas, Martinez and Heyward are in the lineup at the same time, they are all over 30.

         2. Agreed bluto, it is terribly tedious to always read the same exchange despite the multiple reasons and explanations that have been given to him as to why his proposals to exchange or acquire players do NOT make any sense in ST.
            It is always better to read, learn and shut up when you don’t know the subject.

         3. I only have a few brain cells left. I can’t spare any more! Send help!

   3. That lineup is certainly possible–and I hope you’re right about Outman. He’s off to a nice start, but the tea leaves tell me he’ll be sent to OKC.
      If they face a lefty on Opening Day, we could slot in Taylor for Peralta, and maybe Trayce plays too… despite the reverse splits from last season.
      If Taylor is off to a hot start and Rojas isn’t, Taylor could become the primary SS and Rojas could revert to the backup role. The Dodgers, I think, have often sacrificed defense in favor of offense. (Sad to think about Lux. I really was hoping he’d get a chance to prove the doubters wrong. )
      Also, I would swap Smith and JDM in this lineup. Smith has been the better hitter lately, while we’re hoping for a resurgence from a 35-year-old veteran. Even if JDM rakes, Smith is \ faster and less likely to clog the basepaths. (JDM could stretch a single into a double the way Smith just did.)
      I hope Kershaw gets the OD start…and I also hope Julio to get a long-term contract.

      1. According to Roberts yesterday, Tuesday, the first, Taylor is going to get from 20-25 percent of the starts at SS. Rojas is the better fielder and hitter average wise. Taylor has more power.

4. I’m a big fan of Friedman’s Mark, what he’s done for my team since been there is awesome but I’m not happy with the way he’s constructed bottom of order and bench last couple years and so far this year. Wasn’t happy with the Kimbrel trade. Not happy with signing Shelby Miller and was downright pissed over gallo trade at same time no other GM I’d rather have. Those are my opinions and can be disagreed with all anybody wants just like I disagree with lots of your opinions and that’s ok

5. I agree with Mark that the Lux injury is big but not fatal. Just plug Rojas in and bat him 9th. He may surprise.

6. Hey man, ya sound like there’s something bad about what I been smoking. You straight arrow guys don’t know what a good joint can do for your thinking and concentration. Plus it must make me look cool cause when I walk in at work everybody starts looking at me!
   Maybe your pissed at the world or somethin. But no worries dude, hit me up at 743-, wait, its 437- uh, no 347- something, oh hell I’ll get back w ya, but I can score you a good bag to end all your worries!

   1. It is simply not everyone’s cup of tea. I myself never have smoked it simply because I do not like taking anything foreign into my lungs. Being a professional singer, that just was not in the plan.

7. Okay, it’s not the end of the world, but losing Gavin Lux definitely hurts the team. I feel really bad for him. I’ve always liked Lux, no question he can play shortstop. But now it falls to Miguel Rojas, a slick fielder, who will provide some good at bats. The Dodgers can definitely win the division with Rojas at short.

   Although I’m somewhat stunned by the big contracts the Padres are tossing around, I also find it interesting that a lot of other MLB teams are not happy with San Diego. Padres are making other teams look bad because they apparently believe they can spend their way into a championship. Makes their fans wonder why their team is not pursuing a similar strategy.

   As to the Dodgers, this is where LA’s farm and development system pays off. Some of the young players will step up and can make a difference. Just looking at it on paper, the Dodgers would seem to have the pitching edge and that may end up as the deciding factor in the NL West.

   The Dodgers do need Chris Taylor and Max Muncy to bounce back. Clayton Kershaw raves about Miguel Vargas and his bat so that says something.

   I really like James Outman, never been a fan of Jason Heyward, but if Freddie Freeman is right, Heyward could help, especially if the bat comes around. Who knows, but the Dodgers have been able to get more out of players like Heyward than their former teams did.

   Honestly, I’m more excited about this upcoming season than those in recent memory. I think the unknown is fun and the chance to see prospects reaching the major league club and contributing adds to the excitement.

8. Peralta is a mediocre defensive outfielder. I don’t see him playing RF. However, Lux’s injury gives Outman or Trayce a bit of a lifeline, especially if Mookie plays some 2nd base. It seems like, aside from Mookie, the Dodgers are unsettled in the outfield, but, at the same time, have a lot of possibilities in the outfield – too many, maybe. With Mookie playing some 2nd base, the Dodgers could have Peralta/Heyward in LF, and any combination of Outman, Trayce, CT3 in CF, and Outman, Trayce in RF. A lot of possibilities, but also a lot of moving parts and and too much of a temptation for Roberts to overmanage the lineup.

   CT3 and Rojas have pretty equal splits, with Rojas having an edge against LHP and CT3 being a little better against RHP. Expect Roberts to do his lineup juggling routine. Expect to see CT3 play a lot at SS – maybe even be the starter with Rojas being the utility guy at 3rd/SS/2nd base that they signed him to be. After all, CT3 at short is what Mark was advocating months ago.

   I’m somewhat amazed that Mark and Bear take the time to read and respond to some of the comments. I had to read one twice before was able to decipher the unique dialect of poor spelling and incoherent thoughts. I will never do that again.

   I grew up in a religious household and the Exorcist scared the bejeesus out of me when I was young. I think Linda Blair lives somewhere locally here in OC – Coto de Caza I think I read. Like a lot of child actors, she wound up being a bit of a trainwreck as an adult.

   1. David Peralta has a Gold Glove and a Silver Slugger Award, so he is not a chump… especially if he just plays against RHP. He’s better than Joc.

      1. “David Peralta has a Gold Glove…”

         As a LF. Good jump. Lacks arm. He’s only played left. With all of those guys with the defensive chops to play RF, why even bother with Peralta there?

         Read that Jose Iglesias is unsigned. Looked up his stats. Looks like a clone of Rojas. We have Rojas already.

9. If, big if, but if Andy Pages proves he might be ready now, then stick him in LF.

   Would anyone be shocked if Pages had better numbers this year than Heyward, Duggar, Peralta, etc?

   That allows CT3 to play SS as well.

   1. I think you are right about Pages. He has a chance to be good this year.

10. 3:05 PM ET vs Texas Rangers

    SP Dustin May

    Confirmed Lineup
    RF Mookie Betts R
    LF T. Thompson R
    C Will Smith R
    SS Chris Taylor R
    CF J. Heyward L
    DH James Outman L
    3B Y. Hernandez S
    1B M. Busch L
    2B M. Vargas R

    1. very interesting

11. I attended 3 Spring games (Sunday vs Cubs, Monday vs. Pads, Tuesday vs. Reds). A few obserevations:
    1 – Urias already looks ready for the season. He looked really sharp yesterday and was already throwing a crisp 93 with the FB, great command, good curve. Saw Thor throw 2 innings yeseterday too – throwing about 91 with the FB. No big changes yet.
    2 – Graterol throwing 97 already and looks really good. Rubby de la Rosa looked surprisingly good yesterday. Andre Jackson looks sharp.
    3 – I know it’s early, but JDM, Perralta have not looked good at the plate. Taylor still looks like Taylor at the plate. Jason Heyward looked like he’s in great shape, but he still isn’t hitting. I don’t see him as a CF.
    4 – Of the prospects, Busch, Outman and Cartaya have all looked overmatched – Outman has looked particularly bad at the plate, but very good in the field. Busch has not looked very good at 2B either. Cartaya does not look like a major league catcher yet. Pages has looked good though.
    5 – No sightings of Kershaw, May, Gonsolin, Almonte or Phillips yet.
    6 – The team will be find with Rojas at SS. I am more concerned with INF defense with Muncy and Vargas. They really don’t have another utility INF candidate. Vivas looked pretty good. Yonny Hernandez is not a major league player.

    1. It’s early, but disappointing to see Thor at 91. At his peak, he averaged about 98. Normally you would expect a pitcher in his 2nd year back from TJ to regain velo, and this is key to the hopes that he has a resurgent year this year. The Dodgers are great at coaxing the best out of pitchers by fine tuning mechanics and strategizing sequencing and pitch selection, but if he still tops out at 94 in the regular season, a big part of what made him an intriguing FA signing is gone. He was a serviceable but not exceptional pitcher last year with his 94 MPH fastball. If his stuff hasn’t changed for the better, I don’t think his results will, either.

       The collection of Dodger outfielders don’t inspire confidence. Outman might play himself back to AAA.

       If 2023 Taylor is the same as 2022 Taylor, then you can forget about my prediction that he gets most of the starts at SS.

12. It’s still early. But JDM’s bat speed doesn’t look any better than JT’s. We’re gonna need a few players to step beyond their 23 projections.

13. Pitchers got the edge over hitters this early in spring. I think Should wait til hitters start getting their timing back before making to harsh of observations

    1. See how they are doing after about 30-50 at bats.

14. Roberts said yesterday that they were putting Taylor on a throwing program so he could play more SS. As for Thor, you cannot expect a pitcher to come out his first time in spring and be throwing at maximum velocity. Monday noted that he was throwing at about the same velocity he was at the beginning of spring last year. So, look for an uptick as he pitches more and more. None of the regulars have looked especially good with the bat, but none have had more than a handful of at bats. Sheesh, have a little patience already. I think by the time spring training ends, they could very well be hitting on all cylinders. They open against Arizona at home. There have been some who have said the Dodgers and Yankees could hook up for a trade for Isiah Kiner-Falefa. For the Yankees it would be more of a salary dump, and he would not cost much. There are three free agents with SS experience still on the market. Iglesias, Gregoriuos, and Simmons. Padres signed Rougned Odor to a minor league deal. The only reason I think Busch could make the team is because with Lux going down, they lose a solid LH bat. If Heyward makes the team, they have Muncy, Peralta, Freeman, Heyward as the only left-handed bats. Everyone else hits from the right side. They could also opt to keep Steven Duggar on the roster. Both he and Zimmer hit from the left side. Right now, Zimmer is 2-4 in spring and Duggar has not gotten a hit yet. Bradley, I want to explain something to you and do not take it wrong or personally. There were two SS whom the writers thought the Dodgers could target in trade over the winter, Adames in Milwaukee, and Anderson of the White Sox. As of right now, neither team has shown a willingness to trade either of those players. The reason Mark keeps saying it will not happen until the deadline, is simply because in all reality, that is when those kinds of trades are made. Machado was picked up right after the All-Star game in 2018. Turner and Scherzer were picked up at the deadline in 21. AF has also not always traded for star players simply because he might not think the star was worth what his parent team was asking. Case in point, the Dodgers probably could have put together a package equal to, or better than what the Padres paid for Soto. Besides, Soto primarily plays right. So does Betts, so he was not a need. Oh we fans would have loved to get him, but at what cost? Then you have to factor in his free agency after 2024. How much would they be willing to pay him when they have to think about Urias and others after this season? AF does not trade prospects he believes will help the Dodgers win. Outside of Keibert Ruiz and maybe Jeter Downs, he rarely has moved his #1 or 2 prospect. Adames has a lot of power that is true, but did you know he struck out 166 times last year? That is six more times than Chris Taylor did. If I had my choice of Anderson or Adames, I would take Anderson any day. Close in power, better hitter for average, and the guy can run.

    1. Yeah, Thor is on track velocity-wise for what he did last year, but we don’t want last year. 94 MPH Thor is not 98 MPH Thor. In a lot of cases a guy comes back from TJ throwing harder (Buehler an example).

       The Dodgers are doomed.

       1. Really? It is way tooooooo early to make that assessment. Thor will be fine. Kersh doesn’t throw more than 91-92 anymore and he does fine. Thor is younger and should get up around 96 by the end of spring.

          1. Thor said yesterday that his lack of velocity is more about his delivery than his arm. He has to retrain those muscles.

             1. Thor is a minor reclamation project.
                The hope is that he can get back to all-star form. If he’s the same pitcher he was last year, he’s an OK back-end guy. If Prior and other coaches raise his game–like they did for Anderson, Heaney, Phillips, Almonte and others–he might be excellent.
                I’m more optimistic about the pitching than the hitting, especially with Lux out.
                I find myself wishing that AF never signed Peralta, especially since Dodger brass seemed committed to Heyward. Peralta may effectively block both Outman and Busch.
                Not to be pessimistic, but the Dodgers defense suddenly look pretty thin. What if there’s another injury to a key player?
                Who is backing up Muncy?
                My guess is that Vargas would move over to the position he played in the minors, and then maybe Busch would get a chance to play 2B. Or maybe Mookie would slip in there and JHey would play
                Who would back up Barnes if Will Smith gets hurt?

15. It seems like most and especially Mark are saying because the Dodgers can replace Lux defensively they are therefore fine offensively.

    The Dodgers need to replace a sizable portion of Trea’s offense. Hoping Taylor, Muncy, Heyward, and Martinez are better than last years versions is prayer based.

    Padres are going to be fun.

16. Heyward goes yard today! Dodgers 2-1 middle of the 2nd.

17. I missed the first inning where May struck out 3.

    Anyone notice how hard he was throwing? I don’t believe they have the radar gun at these games.

    1. Looked like he was bringing it pretty good. Didn’t have command of a secondary piitches though
       Nice diving played by Vargas to save a run in the bottom of the 3rd

       1. I know it’s spring training and there’s not a lot of pressure. But Vargas is looking real comfortable to me so far

18. Thanks Bear for clearing that up. It wasn’t the all-star game break that we got Machado. I still get the feeling that Dave Roberts likes veterans on his team. Rather then a bunch of rookies. It’s great you have guys in the minors. That you can bring up when starters get injured. As well as have guys that can be starters on other teams. With that you go and get there starters that we need. That’s just how baseball has been. The weaker teams lose there stars to the bigger teams. Now the Mets and Padres did it the Yankees way you go and buy all the star players. But what happens those guys like Sheezier Bogarts will they play that entire time of there contract? You never know. It’s called taking a shot at getting a ring. That’s why teams either buy or trade to get that ring. And yes your probable right. They will go with what they have. And then see what they need. But the offseason. That’s when you hope they would have gotten certain players then wait.

    1. Bradley, who would you give up to get Adames and Burnes

       1. Adames is overrated. He struck out more times than Taylor did last year. He made 14 errors at SS.

          1. Who cares about K’s when your a SS with 30+ HR

             1. You should. That is 166 missed opportunities. Just think how much damage could be caused if he cut down his K’s by say, 20 percent. K’s are worthless at bats. I would rather have a contact hitter like Rojas, who K’s rarely and is a far superior defensive player to Adames, at SS than a whiff machine. Everyone complained about Bellinger, Gallo, Muncy, Thompson and Taylor striking out so much, and Adames struck out more than any of them. Check his OBP, it is dismal. Under .300. OPS plus is not all that great either.

       2. Busch cartaya and Pepiot to pirates

          Pages Jackson and and infielder maybe even Thompson to Brewers but that’s got to be Addames and Burnes

          Lok what the Dodgers get they sign Reynolds they have there center fielder for the next five years they sign Adames to 4 years they solve that position then you could put Outman in LF and you still have Vargas at second base or third base the pieces are then set plus yiu get a starting pitcher this year and to be in rotation next year when Kershaw and syndenguard retire. That’s what the Dodgers do they get guys from other teams that don’t want to be with those teams.

          1. Look at this lineup in 2024if they get remolds and Adames and sign them long term and Burnes.

             Betts. RF
             Reynolds CF
             Freeman 1B
             Muncy dh
             Smith C
             Outman. LF
             Adames ss
             Vargas 3B
             Lux 2b

             Bench
             Barnes
             Taylor
             Rojas
             Peralta
             Hernandez

             See martinez retired Kershaw retire Syndenguard retires you can then find bench players but you know who plays 1b SS LF cf RF C platoon LF or 3b and 2b. But you then have your core players.

          2. All the dodger prospects you mentioned is probably what it would take to get Reynolds from the Pirates. Now to get Adames and Burnes you’re probably starting with Miller and Stone, you see where this is going . from what I understand the Pirates want a big overpay for Reynolds. There’s no way that Milwaukee is going to let a Cy Young caliber pitcher with three years of control, plus a 31 home run hitting shortstop. go for that cheap. That’s ridiculous.

    2. Bradley, the Dodgers sent five players to the Orioles for Machado on July 18th, 2018. The All-Star game was on the 17th. So yes, they did get him at the All-Star break. Their next game after the All-Star game was Friday, the 20th. Machado started, hit second behind leadoff man, Chris Taylor and went 2-3 against the Brewers in a 6-4 Dodger win in Milwaukee. I always check my facts before I say something. The deadline was the 31st of July.

       1. I thought it was at trade deadline I know they got him after all-star game but I thought at deadline

          1. Nope. Day after the All-Star game. And sorry to burst your bubble, but they are not trading Cartaya. And the Pirates have to want to trade Reynolds before they could even make an offer. And unless you have not been reading the news, the Pirates and Reynolds are back in discussion about an extension.

19. Ok, Gavin Stone’s stuff is big time.

    If he’s not a starter, my god put him at closer!!!

    1. I take it he looked great today.

       He is not Pedro Martinez! Yet. But the Dodgers traded Pedro for a need that wasn’t plugged because Pedro wasn’t large enough. Lesson learned? I hope so. Stone could be an Ace as soon as this year. Hopefully for the Dodgers.

       As worrisome as four or five spots in the batting order is, the pitching seems solid.

       The Dodgers might have to resurrect a pitcher or two on a one year contract each year but I like the idea of Miller, Stone, Pepiot in the rotation for years to come. Gonsolin might stay healthy. Pitching should not be costly for the next 5 years.

       Where will the Dodgers spend payroll through 2028?

       1. More impressive was him getting out of a situation where he had two runners on. Game should have been called in the 5th inning as hard as it was raining. Poor Jimmy Nelson could not get any footing at all on the mound. Heyward’s homer, into the wind was impressive. For all those in the Cody Bellinger marching and chowder society, Cody went 2-3 with a run scored. He did not strike out. Both of his hits went to the left side of the field. A first inning double to left center and a single later in the game down the left field line.

    2. Gavin Stone could be a wicked swingman this season.

20. I have also talked about luck in the playoffs. It’s not all luck. And to use the Astros winning it all as an example to say there is no luck is stupid.

    What do you think would have happened if the Dodgers with the slump in offense beat the Padres and moved on to the next round?

    Let me remind people that the Padres barely beat the Dodgers by 2 runs, 1 run, 2 runs to advance to the next round.

    The answer to that first question is possibly the Dodgers offense would have come out of their slump and beat the Phillies to advance to the World Series making the World Series look a lot different than a team that was mediocre during the regular season who got lucky to be in the World Series.

    Don’t you think the Dodgers would have had a better chance at beating the Astros than the Phillies?

    I piece of luck in the playoffs can create a domino effect.

    And I want to mention since the discussion came up today that I had Gavin Stone as my #1 prospect on my top 11 prospect list. Others might disagree and say Cartaya and I won’t disagree about that, but I’ve been high on Gavin Stone.

    1. What killed the Dodger offense more than anything else was the five day layoff they had because they had a bye in the first round.

21. I agree, Eric, 100%
    I can’t argue with your take on Stone either
    Cartaya needs to prove himself at AA

    1. They all need to prove themselves. Outman has not played a full season at AAA. The kid I want to see hit is Rushing.

       1. Is Rushing in the camp?
          I don’t think so. I think I’d know if he is.
          Seems odd. He’s about the same age as Cartaya, and obviously is rising fast. Don’t they always need extra catchers at spring training?

22. I have been a Stoner for a long time!

23. Mark

    You continue to site Outman’s performance in MLB last year as to why me and maybe others here are high or somewhat high on Outman. I won’t speak for others, but I will speak for myself.

    You ignore the stats that Outman put up in AA and AAA that were better than what Vargas put up in AA and AAA, but you tout Vargas and dismiss Outman.

    I’m high on Outman because of what he did in the 2 upper levels of the minors, not what he did in a small sample in MLB last year.

    I’m not saying Outman will have a better career than Vargas because nobody knows, but the so called experts say so. But the so called experts get it wrong sometimes. But what I’ve been saying is Outman is more ready for MLB RIGHT NOW than Vargas is.

    1. Until stats play the game, I will continue to use my eyes in addition to the stats. Where did I dismiss Outman? I just do not think he is all that. If stats were the KING, then there would be no need for scouts or talent evaluators. Just letthe computer rank them!

       1. Ok I understand all of that. Maybe not today, but you’ve dismissed him in the past by saying he’s a 4th or 5th outfielder. He’s better than a 5th outfielder for sure and just me but I think he’s better than a 4th outfielder.

          1. OK, that’s fine. You are free to believe that, just as I am free to believe he is a 4th or 5th OFer! I said it and it i my opinion, but you sound like you want to fight me for saying that. 😉

             1. I don’t want to fight. Peace between me and you.

          2. If Outman can cut down on the K’s, he would probably be considered a starter in center. What he has to prove is that he can hit lefties. He does that, he starts in CF almost every day. At this point in time, he is a platoon player.

24. I was at the game today (rain and all). May was consistently 97-98 with every fastball. I was impressed with both Mookie and Heyward’s HR’s. Heyward into the wind was extremely impressive and off a left hander to boot. Also wanted to mention the 2 very good plays by Vargas, one on a ground ball ranging to his left and an over the shoulder catch on a wind blown pop-up. Both Trace and CT3 hit very long flies into the wind in right center. All in all the team looked pretty good.

25. The trade for Rojas sure likes like a wise investment by the Dodgers. He may not be a great offensive player, but he is a competent MLB SS who has started several years and was a highly rated defender in 2022. Hopefully, he stays healthy and provides great defense and adequate offense.
    I am sure AF is investigating several avenues for adding depth at SS. Trade candidates like Adames, Rosario, and IKF would be helpful, but costly in terms of prospects. Although Mark was critical of Jose Iglesias, he had a good year with the Rockies last year hitting 292 with 708 OPS. His career average is 279, but he does not have much power. He signed with the Rockies on March 12th last year for $5 million, so he is likely seeking more money than teams are willing to pay him. For comparison, Elvis Andrus just signed for $3 million to be backup for White Sox.
    Iglesias will be just one of many options AF is considering, but another quality SS besides Rojas and Taylor would be advisable.

    1. A couple of things. # 1. Bradley, the Dodgers are not going to trade 3 Top-10 prospects for Reynolds. Cartaya is 1, Busch is 4, and Pepiot is #6 on their list. They might give them one Top-10, but not three. Pirates will only trade Reynolds when they can maximize their return. And there is a chance that will not even happen since they are discussing an extension. He is not a free agent until 2026. He is arbitration eligible after this season. #2. Your fascination with Adames is amusing. Yes, he hit 31 homers. He also struck out 166 times. More than Taylor, more than Muncy and more than Bellinger. His OBP was under .300 at .298. His OPS plus was 112. Not impressive. He made 14 errors at SS. If I am trading for a SS, I would go after Tim Anderson, who may have worn out his welcome in Chicago. Much better hitter and defensively. Has speed and can steal some bases for you with better than average pop in his bat. A little older than Adames, but a more rounded player. Another plus, Anderson has very good playoff numbers. Adames sucks in the postseason. His BA? .194 in 30 postseason games. Large pass. In any trade for Reynolds, they would give up from depth in the organization. The depth is at catcher and RH pitching. So, maybe a package of Busch, Grove and Nastrini. Or Busch, Grove and a couple of lower tier players. But they are not trading three top 10’s for anyone except maybe Shoei Ohtani.

26. I’m feeling better about Rojas as each day passes. He sure seems to have right attitude and top three defensive SS in league and really like the low K rate especially after getting so burnt out on strikeout prone players last year. Outman got a look in his eyes that brims confidence, believe he’s gonna do just fine in the show. Hope he gets his chance this year. Busch is having a rough go of it so far. Vargas man this kid got the it factor. It’s a joy to watch him enjoying playing. Can’t miss star in my book. All I can say about Stone is Wow this kid knows how to pitch. See big things coming from him

    1. Busch got one through the infield late in yesterday’s game. Bellinger had a 2-3 day with a double, a run scored and no K’s. Both of his hits were to the left side of the field. He would still be a Dodger had he done that last season.

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