Has Dave Roberts’s “Shelf Live” Expired?

Posted By on April 18, 2023

In the NBA, they change coaches more than some of you change your underwear. The other day, someone asked me, “Do you wear boxers or briefs?” I said, “Depends…” It also might depend on when you ask about Dave Roberts’s shelf life. This is Doc’s 8th year as the Dodger Manager, with 661 wins and 388 losses. That’s a .630 winning percentage. Among any manager in baseball history with at least 1,000 games, Dave Roberts is #1 in winning percentage.

In those eight years he finished first in seven of those years, and in the year he did not finish first, he led the team to 106 wins. He has also won two World Series Championships, but the Houston Astros effectively stole one. Would you feel differently about Dave Roberts if the Astros had not cheated?

Riddle me this… would the Dodgers be a better team without Dave Roberts. Yes or no? … and tell me why! Yesterday, a commenter wrote this:

“We need a change of manager for things to change in the clubhouse and dugout. We all know Roberts is not a real manager. And don’t give me that “But our record under him is awesome” crap. The great teams he has had won despite his meddling. Anyone could have managed these Dodgers teams to the same records and a real manager would have won more games.”

–anonymous

The comment is practically dripping with hatred. Is this warranted? Could it be that Dave Roberts is part of the problem… or maybe he is the problem. Has his “shelf life” expired? Would the Dodgers be better with a new manager… and who would you suggest?

Oh, let me also add that Dave Roberts has managed 81 playoff games where he has a .556 winning percentage. Now, before you say anything, understand that Walter Alston managed 44 playoff games and had a .523 winning percentage, while Tommy Lasorda managed 81 playoff games with a .508 winning percentage. The only difference is that Tommy and Walter managed those games in their 20+ years of managing because only two teams went to the playoffs then (the World Series). Dave Roberts has to win several series in the playoffs to get to the World Series, and don’t tell me that isn’t harder – It’s much, much harder, because the odds are against you.

Just for a little perspective, the 2021 Atlanta Braves were 7-9 on April 18th, 2021. On June 30, 2021, they were 38-41 and then went on to win the World Series. I am just putting it out there because it is not how you start – It’s how you finish!

My final question is, “How do you fire the manager with the best winning percentage of all time, and are you prepared for him to manage the Padres?”

“Have a take and do not suck!“ — Jim Rome

This article has 182 Comments

  1. Pretty sure the Padres are happy with Bob Melvin. I’d say the Giants would be the more realistic team to swoop in and nab Doc.

    1. I believe the Padres will implode at some point… this year or next. I do not think Doc would go to SF, but the Padres job will be open in the next year or two as AJ Preller attempts to save his ass.

    2. Excellent. Then the Dodgers won’t need to worry about the Giants. Roberts the Clown can only win with great teams that can win without him — because he’s really not “there”.

      2. I have to agree with those who feel Dave Roberts is not a good manager. What MLB manager in his right mind would put CT3 in the clean up spot in the batting order? We all know CT3 is a constant strike out guy. Dodgers need managerial change with out a doubt.

      3. I have to agree with those who feel Dave Roberts is not a good manager. What MLB manager in his right mind would put CT3 in the clean up spot in the batting order? We all know CT3 is a constant strike out guy. Dodgers need managerial change with out a doubt.

  2. I saw the game two days ago with all those horrible called strikes. But I blame Roberts for that loss because he should have told Freddy et al not to strike out with RISP. I am sure another manager would have made hitters come through

    1. He could have actually made his presence felt after his players were DISRESPECTED by those insulting strike calls by breathing some profanities in the Umps face , like a “Real Manager”.

  3. I have never felt that Roberts was a great in game strategist. But he excels at being a player’s manager. His strength is in his communication skills. And that he does better than most any manager in the majors. He has made mistakes, which manager hasn’t? His players love the guy, fans, not so much. There is no denying his teams success on the field in the regular season. He has taken the team to three World Series.
    Some will argue, and logically so, that he has had extremely talented teams all of those years. But as we have seen time and time again, the best team does not win all the time. The Giants won two World Series as the Wild Card. In 21 they were the best team in the majors and did not make it out of the NLDS. The Dodgers were far and away the best team in 22. Same outcome. It is as Mark said, not that easy.
    It is very easy to look back and nitpick times when Roberts made a decision that seemingly cost the team the game, and ultimately, the Series. Pulling Hill when he was totally dominating the Red Sox was one. But there were conflicting reports that Hill had indicated he had nothing left in the tank. Makes no difference, the bullpen did not do the job and they lost the game. I never blame Roberts for the players lack of performance. I might blame him for using that particular guy. But he has information I am not privy to.
    Last night, in my humble opinion, he left Vesia in one batter too many and put Bickford into a bad situation which immediately paid dividends to the Mets when Bickford balked home the tying run. Vesia also in my opinion, should have never been sent back out to pitch after he got the last out the inning before. Especially with a RH bat coming up.
    But I have seen that from all managers. Alston to me, cost the Dodgers a World Series appearance. In the 62 playoffs he sent Ed Roebuck, who was obviously out of gas, back out for a third inning of relief work with a 2 run lead in the 9th. The Giants scored four and won. Lasorda pitched to Jack Clark, and got burned. He also got pretty much torched by the fans for it. Fans are going to always blame the manager. Especially when a team starts like this or loses close games the fans think they should have won. But in the final analysis,, it is always on the players to get the job done.

    1. If you look at the Dodgers current roster there players who over the hill, players given jobs when they should be in the minors. Some fans are concerned about Freemans RBI numbers but you can’t drive in runs if no one is on base. Dodgers had Seager and Turner at SS now they have Rojas and Taylor what a drop off. Just my opinion these players are not and I don’t think will be productive, Barnes, Rojas, Vergas, Heyward, JD Martinez, Peralta and Thompson. Betts is also dropping off. Go Dodgers get some productive players.

    2. If you look at the Dodgers current roster there players who over the hill, players given jobs when they should be in the minors. Some fans are concerned about Freemans RBI numbers but you can’t drive in runs if no one is on base. Dodgers had Seager and Turner at SS now they have Rojas and Taylor what a drop off. Just my opinion these players are not and I don’t think will be productive, Barnes, Rojas, Vergas, Heyward, JD Martinez, Peralta and Thompson. Betts is also dropping off. Go Dodgers get some productive players.

    3. If you look at the Dodgers current roster there players who over the hill, players given jobs when they should be in the minors. Some fans are concerned about Freemans RBI numbers but you can’t drive in runs if no one is on base. Dodgers had Seager and Turner at SS now they have Rojas and Taylor what a drop off. Just my opinion these players are not and I don’t think will be productive, Barnes, Rojas, Vergas, Heyward, JD Martinez, Peralta and Thompson. Betts is also dropping off. Go Dodgers get some productive players.

  4. For all those guys who wanted the Dodgers to go all in on Soto last year, the guy is hitting under .200 so far. Pads can’t wait to get Tatis back. Gabe Kapler has lost some of his mojo. He was terrible when he managed the Phillies and last year’s Giants and this year’s bunch look pretty bad.

    1. Soto will be fine. No way he continues to hit around .200. Too good a baseball player for that to happen if he is not injured.
      TAtis is tearing it up in AAA . Padres will be that much stronger with him in the lineup.
      If I was a betting man my money still would be on the Padres to win the West.

      Go Dodgers!!!!!!!!!!!!!!1

    2. Soto has said that his problem is that he’s pulling the ball too much. It’s something he started doing last year and has been having issues getting back to his old approach.

      1. So if the Dodgers could trade for him now and had RVS work with him some would he try to pull even more and not hit .100?

  5. I said it before the season and I say it today: This season we will find out a lot about DR managing skills.
    This years team is far from the loaded rosters of past years. The division is stronger too with the up and coming D-Backs and a loaded Padres club.
    This Dodgers roster is no juggernaut. Not on offense and so far even the pitching which I thought would be our ticket to the postseason looks vulnerable. Lets see how Roberts does when he doesn´t have an All star at just about every position and a pitching staff not as dominant as usual .

    Having said this I find it an interesting question if I would judge DR differently had the Astros not stolen that 2017 title. Will have to think about it .

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

  6. This is my subject. Dave is the problem. 1. He will not adjust. HR or go home. CT3 in the 4 hole last night. 2. He cannot manage a pitching staff. He takes pitchers out too early or too late. 3. Given equal talent he will lose. Given better talent he will win regular season games in spite of him. 4. He does not know how to manage play off games. He makes dumb decisions. Dumb decisions during regular season, he gets away with it. Dumb decisions in play off games he gets beat. Cannot get a team ready. Last year against San Diego. He is a good guy, but that is as far as it goes.

    1. … yet he has the best winning percentage in the HISTORY of BASEBALL?

      That is an amazing stroke of luck for someone so incompetent!

      So, who do you put in his place?

      1. Stop with this “best winning percentage in the HISTORY of BASEBALL” CRAP!
        As I said, and you quoted “The great teams he has had won despite his meddling. Anyone could have managed these Dodgers teams to the same records and a real manager would have won more games.”
        You need to look deeper into the numbers and stop taking them at face value when they fit your narrative.
        Roberts being a “Players Manager” and best buddy is why there is no fire in the Dodgers. We need a Lasorda type — no bullshit and a motivator. Roberts is incompetent and incapable of forming any strategic thought.

        1. Please enlighten me about your special powers which enable you to see that a stat is “crap.”

          When is a stat not crap?

          I loved Lasorda, but if Lasorda managed today, they would kick him out of baseball. This is a different era.

          1. Hey, easy on Tommy. He entertained us when Dodgers sucked.

            Or should I say – he was on a ‘nother level?

        2. “Roberts is incompetent and incapable of forming any strategic thought”

          You just described yourself!

      2. I will think about it Mark. But allow me a question myself:
        Do you think Roberts would have won the 88 WS title or the 81 title ?

        Personally I think no way he would have won those two titles. No freaking chance.

        And that is what makes this year so interesting for me. Seeing Roberts work with less talent.

        Go Dodgers!!!!!!!!!!!!!!1

        1. Let’s try this: Do you think Dave Roberts would have won any of the other 46 World Series titles between 1966 and 2013?

          Lasorda’s a hero for 1988 (I’m not sure what makes 1981 a unique managerial achievement — he was guaranteed a playoff spot in the middle of the summer), but he lost with great teams time after time and had some terrible seasons. Give Roberts the 2017 title as he should have had, and we’re not having this conversation.

          Lasorda would have been hammered on social media for losing in the playoffs most of his career. That’s not to say he wasn’t a great manager. It’s just all about perspective.

          1. Well, ask Mark. Cause he thinks Roberts would have won the 2017 title without the Astros cheating.
            My question only raises the question if Roberts with teams of lesser talent than the opponent could have done the same as Lasorda.

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

    2. The Dodgers again have a hard time against lefties but CT3 has been hitting lefties (OPS+ 264). His last 10 games he is slugging .567. That might help explain hitting him 3rd but Doc should not have been surprised that Taylor would still K a lot regardless of where he hit.

  7. Roberts is not the problem with the 2023 Dodgers. Injuries to Lux ,Gonsolin and Pepiot caused the lack of depth to the present roster. If everyone was healthy, Taylor and Rojas would be utility players against lefthanders . Peralta would not have been signed for 6.5 million which is a redundant player to Heyward. AF has to perform some magic to acquire a player from within or outside the organization to replace Taylor. My guess is Williams at Oklahoma City which will require a 40 man roster move. As it stands today ,this team will not win more than 90 to 93 wins and finish second in the division. I believe this is a transition year for the Dodgers.

  8. 10% is always a good measure in statistics. At this point in time nothing shows this team can compete. I will watch some games as usual, but it is obviously a 500 team. See you all in 2024, God willing, with a better team.

      1. Of course, I will keep reading you Mark, and the other fellows as well. Read this blog has become part of my day, as the Dodgers are part of my life. As painful as it is. Go Dodgers.

  9. What David said.

    It’s the players. Win or lose, it’s the players.

    Replacing a manager that has the best winning record in the history of the franchise is knee jerk and not how the Dodgers organization operates. Arm chair Monday morning quarterbacks always have better ideas but obviously nobody’s listening to them so complain all you want, but you might want to consider how silly you often sound. I include myself in that group. Looking back I’ve said some stupid sh*t over the years. But I think I’m right about this.

    This Dodgers squad, as it is currently constructed, is not as good as last year’s team. It just isn’t. But the teams of the recent past have started slowly before and finished well.

    So what, if anything, should the Dodgers do? The bullpen, last year with a collective ERA under 3, currently has an ERA close to 5. I think all we can do is keep throwing them out there and hope they get it together. The starting rotation, minus who we lost to FA and who is injured, is just not what it usta was. I don’t know what the fix is, but I’m sure it’s being worked on. The offense, now minus who we lost and now another starter in CT3, has been sketchy so far, but look like they can score enough if pitching gets their sh*t together.

    I suggest we have patience and stop asking to fire Roberts, that just ain’t gonna happen.

    I wonder what Feduccia is thinking? We need a catcher, he did well in Spring Training and is currently OPSn over 1.000 at AAA and we drag the bottom for a guy named Wynns.

    1. That is the bottom line, the players. So sick of the DR talk. Roberts doesn’t take the spark out of this team and is not responsible for the poor hitting and pitching the team is going through. I blame the FO for not having the balls to replace players that are simply not performing and promoting the minor leaguers who are deserving of cracking the lineup. When I saw Outman play last season, there left no doubt in my mind he was going to help this team but I didn’t realize all the tools that he’s got in his kit. He at least approaches a complete player profile with his ability to do just about everything in both hitting and fielding. When you have a catcher who can’t hit or throw base stealers out, why not bring up someone we just saw who had a great Spring Training. As for Rojas, the difference is night and day between ST and the actual MLB season games. What happened to this guy?

      Our pitching has been dreadful. Both the starters and BP are not able to retire players very easily. We have less K’s than the opposing team too often. Even Kershaw is not able to find his old game and he was always reliable when it came to producing K’s. This team is stumbling and I don’t blame DR. JD is KT3 this season. Max will always be a contender for the K crown. Maybe we can win the Triple Derby for K’s this year and for the least stolen bases in the league. Very unenjoyable watching this team.

          1. It’s not that I don’t agree with you. Someone said something like reading all the comments was half the fun in coming here as long as you had a bag of popcorn.

      2. It’s Barnes I’m worrying about plus Vargas, Peralta, Rojas, and KT3. It’s also not personal.

    3. He’s probably thinking he needs some MLB experience and needs to improve his game calling and defense before the big club gives him a call up when Will Smith gets injured.

      That’s what he should be thinking.

      If he’s getting bitter and disgruntled, then he doesn’t have the right makeup.

  10. No, it shouldn’t be just the players. A good strong, experienced, strategic manager should be sought. And you think we have that with Roberts the Clown?!?!?!?!?!? Who in their right mind would hire a guy to manage with no experience? (And boy, does it show). Oh, of course, Friedbrain! Who would not spend any money during the off season and acted like the owners were paupers? Friedbrain!

    1. It’s now 2023. Roberts has eight years of experience. He would be a prime candidate for any team in baseball.

      Like him or not, to give Roberts none of the credit for managing teams with great talent and all of the blame for managing a team with lesser talent makes zero sense.

      Also, it’s April 18, folks.

          1. Look up who Jon is. He is not an ass-kisser, but that might be the best description that fits you… minus the word “kisser.”

    2. Who is this good, strong, experienced and strategic manager you want to replace Roberts with. If you don’t have a solution you’re part of the problem.

  11. Alston and Lasorda were not GIFTED the most talented team in the league for all of his 8 years (except this one) Lasorda in his 90’s would have gotten more championships than Roberts. Now that he has to do more than watch they are below 500! Time to go!!!

    1. Tommy Lasorda, who won two titles in 21 years and none after age 60?

      Tommy Lasorda, whom I guarantee you would have wanted fired after Jack Clark’s home run, and whom I doubly guarantee you would have fired after losing 89 games in 1986 and 1987?

      Tommy Lasorda, who didn’t win a single playoff game after Orel Hershiser’s Cy Young season?

      That Tommy Lasorda?

    2. Alston didn’t have a talented teams. I guess you are forgetting about Reese, Robinson, Hodges, Snider and Campanella. All Hall of Famers.

  12. Yes Lux’s injury has hurt the Dodgers. Ironically, that injury opened up a spot for Outman. So it was not a complete loss for the Dodgers.

    “Roberts either keeps his pitchers in too long or pulls them too soon”. That’s classic 20-20 hind sight. Bullpen screws up, well Roberts should have kept the other pitcher in; starting pitcher screws up, well Roberts should have taken him out. Classic 20-20.

    Is Roberts the best overall manager of all time. Probably not. But his record speaks for itself.

  13. Players win games and championships and managers lose them. Same ole same ole. Always need someone to blame. Dodger record isn’t good because most of the players aren’t playing well.

  14. I am no fan of Roberts but he has been handed a pretty weak roster at many positions. My criticism of him is, he has too much blind loyalty to most of his players. I think in many cases he sticks with someone in game situations and in continual lineup spots too long. I think he does not manage a pitching staff very well, especially a bullpen. Ultimately it is the players that are underperforming but he does make quite a few mistakes in their lineup/ usage positions.

  15. So far, I have not heard anyone articulate what makes Roberst bad… except that he’s a clown. So far, I see no substance. Give me a logical argument, not an emotional and hysterical opinion. By dictionary: (n.) a view or judgment formed about something, not necessarily based on fact or knowledge; and as the famous quote goes: “Opinions are like assholes. Everyone has one and most of them stink!”

    1. How about sitting Muncy in SF, how about batting a .180 hitter (KT3) cleanup, how about pulling Hill in the Series, how about leaving our 6-9 hitters in lineup thru almost entire end of last season, or leaving relievers in for hit after hit or walk after walk at end of games when it nearly always is crucial. I get it, he feels we can always come back but I see way too many k’s and he is the one leaving the player in.

          1. Not due to management genius. Due to the play of his players.

            Payers. Always. You have the best players doing what they are paid to do, you will win more games than the other teams.

            It’s not that complicated people.

  16. I will try, but will fail, to ask this question at every 10% interval of the season leading to trade deadline. Or this will become irrelevant if the team’s play changes significantly.

    Hypothetical:

    IF the Dodgers suffer more injuries and inconsistencies.

    AND IF the Dodgers are at or around .500

    Do they Dodgers SELL instead of buy to get under the Threshold?

    1. If that happens, I would… but I do not think it will happen.

      This team is better than most fans think.

      It’s not one thing. It’s a hundred little things, and right about now, some players are pressing.

      Remember in 2017, when the Dodgers were 91-36 and then lost 16 in a row? Same team! Different results. That’s baseball. No other explanation – and they would have won the WS but for the Cheating Asstericks.

      So, everybody needs to get a little perspective!

    1. That’s how everyone jumps in. No invite needed. Happy to hear from you again Jon. Your kids must be full size by now.

  23. Not this year. Our luck with picking up older declining players- hoping they can find the fountain of youth in LA -has been all used up.

    All these everyday players we picked up won’t help us much…maybe a little. You know who I’m talking about too- Perralta, Hayward, Rojas, JD Martinez, and i might as well throw in a pitcher too-Thor…..we would have been better off using their money to pay for one solid “younger” stud. Fill in the roster with youth and watch them grow before our eyes instead of playing the above named Fear-Not Foursome + One. They couldn’t do any worse.

    Have I given up on this year? Hardly….they haven’t even played 20 games. Baseball is a marathon not a sprint. Lots could happen. A healthy Gonsolin sure would help too.

  24. Cody Bellinger went 5 for 5 against the A’s last night. Now hitting .310 .395 in last 11 games
    What’s your opinion? Cody needed a change of scenery? Cody’s shoulder is completely healed? Our hitting coaches SUCK and the Cubs’ hitting coaches figured out what was wrong with his swing and corrected it?

          2. I think it’s his shoulder. And change of scenery, which increases getting away from Skyhack. Mostly his shoulder is healed.

    2. I was thinking about this last night. The guy was just pitiful for basically 2 full seasons, but it appeared to me at least that the team had more confidence in our hitting coach than a 25 year old who won rookie of the year and a MVP. I probably would have let go of our whole hitting dept. and their all or nothing game plans than the guy with all the talent that with his age might be fixable

        1. I, too, have questioned the effectiveness of the Dodger hitting coaches for the past couple of years. But, what do I know about hitting in the major leagues; so, I will see how it plays out this season. However, if the Bellinger regains some of his offensive prowess in Chicago, I think that is a legitimate question to ask. On the other hand, I do not have the same questions about the effectiveness of Dodger pitching coaches because of their track record.

  25. Bill Nelson: I will only give you 1 example of how ridiculous your “anyone could have won with this team” comment is. The Big Red machine was managed by Sparky Anderson, a Hall of Fame manager. That team had 4 Hall of Fame players (and 5 if you include Pete Rose). Pretty damn strong roster. And yet, his winning percentage was .597, considerably less than Doc’s.

    In a previous post, I also included the the same data for other Managers who had great rosters again all with lower winning percentages than Doc. The facts speak loud and clear, but people like you don’t want to be influenced by facts.

    I get so sick and tired of the emotional outbreaks by people on this site against both Doc and AF, who have done nothing but given us an incredible winning record. Unfortunately I know nothing will change with anyone who has an attitude like yours.

    Oh well????????

    1. Reds lacked a strong rotation otherwise their offense would have produced a higher winning percentage.

      1. I can’t delineate rotation stats from overall pitching stats but during Sparky’s 9 years managing the Reds, the team ERA was in the 3’s in all but 1 of those years and 6 of those years it was lower than 3.51.

        He also had Hall of Famer Tom Seaver for the last 2 years. Doc’s teams ERA were very similar for the 1st 4 years and have been about a third of a run better than Sparky’s over the last 3 years.

        My overall point is that there have been lots of great Managers with great rosters who have not achieved what Doc has. B&P used to give me the argument that winning percentage was not the be all end all but quite frankly, it is really the only metric that matters in professional sports.

      2. And don’t forget a WS win with the Tigers in 84. Three for Sparky, one
        * for Roberts.

    2. How many titles did Anderson win with the Reds ?
      Some are made for the big games when everything is on the line.

      And there can be made a case that the Dodgers roster over the last 8 years have been even better than the Big Red machine.
      Roberts is not a bad manager but he is not elite. He never made the team better than its parts.
      Too many bad decisions in the biggest moments .

      And speaking of Lasorda: IMHO Lasorda had good teams too, no doubt about it. But never as good as Roberts.

      Go Dodgers11111111111111

      1. Are you serious Dodgerram that an argument can be made that Doc’s teams were better than the Big Red Machine?

        I might concede that Doc has had better pitching but the stats for doc’s 1st 4 years say his pitching staff was about equal to Sparky’s. Last 3 years, Doc has had the pitching advantage. On the offense side, it baffles me if you think Doc’s teams were better than Pete Rose, Joe Morgan, Johnny Bench, & Tony Perez.

        Sparky won 2 WS in 9 years with the Reds and an argument (2017) could be made that Doc has won the same number in 7 years. Also during Sparky’s years you only had to win 1 series to get to the WS, not the 2 series (and maybe 3) it takes today. Additionally you only had to win 7 games to win the WS then and 11 (or more) today.

  26. I don’t blame Roberts for theDodgers failing, but perhaps it’s time to discuss AF and his shortcomings in the current development of the 2023 Dodgers roster. Without a lot of research and just based on memory lets talk about some of the questionable acquisitions by AF that put the Dodgers in an apparent salary crunch . After all, we are the freaking Dodgers and we’re supposed to be “pigs” when it comes to spending money and acquiring talent. I think he said that, or something damn near.

    In no particular order…..

    1. Offering Brett Anderson a QO that saddled the team with a nearly $16 million one year salary. Questionable move.
    2. Signing Tommy Kahnle for nearly $5 million for 12 innings of work. WTH?
    3. Traded Yordan Alveraz for Josh Fields. What was he thinking?
    4. Actually traded for Logan Forsyth who couldn’t hit water if he fell out of a boat.
    5. Traded Oneal Cruz for 2 1/2 months of Tony Watson.
    6. Acquired Curtis Granderson for a playoff push and gave him a starting OF gig for the post season.
    7. Acquired Brain Dozier who did nothing for the Dodgers.
    8. Let Dodger signed and developed Corey Seager walk in FA, but signed CT3 to a 4-year $ 60 million contract
    9. Acquired Danny Duffy and extended him for 2022 for $3 million with zero innings pitched.
    10. Paid Jimmy Nelson $2.7 million for 29 innings pitched in 2020-2021 and a mind-boggling $700,000 guaranteed even when he couldn’t pitch in 2022. Signed him to a one year 2023 contract for $1.1 Million and is not on the active roster.
    11. Signed Blake Treinen for 2023 at $8 million after needing major shoulder surgery and his future as a RP is highly suspect.
    12. Signed David Peralta for one year at $6.5 coming off back surgery and seemingly being the same player as Jason Heyward.
    13. Acquired Joey Gallo who was a mirror image of Bellinger.
    14. One player that is highly touted by some as an OF savior for us is Andy Pages. Don’t forget AF offered him up in a trade with Joc Pederson to the Angels for Luis Rengifo. The deal fell through because of an impatient Arte Moreno but the guy who is touted as a can’t miss minor leaguer was nearly an Angel for Rengifo. WTH?

    I’m not saying he hasn’t done some good things with minor league development etc. and some decent trades at the deadline (Machado, Darvish, and TT and Scherzer) but some of the poorly managed salary allocation, coupled with the CBT tax implications, has forced the Dodgers into what appears to be small market mode. Yes, we have a large salary team driven mostly by the big contracts for Mookie, FF, Kershaw and Bauer. Perhaps the margins could have been better spent without the large contracts to those listed above who have played little and perhaps some I have forgotten about.

    With all the “hand-wringing” over Doc, perhaps the next post should be a discussion about AF with a critical discussion about whether or not he’s all that great as many at LADT think he is. Just saying.

    1. Agreed! Not that I dislike him, but we seem to live on the “we can fix this guy” thing and rarely sign any of our own free agents. I’m probably just forgetting , but do we ever extend guys that are homegrown before their contacts expire?? or do we just wait for their contracts to be up and just sign someone to fix to replace them. Will Smith needs an extension right now.

    2. Is AF perfect? Of course not. As for the items you sight;

      #3, as I recall Alveraz had played zero games with the Dodgers. It was a lottery pick that Houston won big. But nobody new how good or bad Alveraz would be.

      #8, Seager got 325 million. More than the Dodgers were willing to pay plus they had Trea Turner to slot over to SS. Lux was to take over this year but got hurt. I think this was always AF’s plan. 60 million for Taylor? As for right now it’s a bad signing. If he’s still bad after 60 games, then it’s probably a bad move.

      #12, signing Peralta; the front office did not expect Outman to be on the roster to start the season. He played his way on. Signing Peralta was insurance if Heyward was a complete bust.

      As out right now, as you say, it’s redundant. But it was a move made before spring training which gave the Dodgers a backup plan if Heyward was a complete bust. A couple of weeks ago I was reading articles saying the Dodgers fixed Heyward. Since then he’s cooled off. If Heyward continues to struggle, it’s possible Peralta could take away some of his playing time.

      1. …..but isn’t one of the roles of a GM and player development coaches is to project talent. Letting Alveraz and go and very nearly trading Pages makes my point that one of AF’s shortcomings might be his inability to read and project who is a bona fide MLB talent and who is not.

        1. Yes that is their role. But it’s my understanding that he didn’t play a game for the Dodgers. So they didn’t have anything to go on. Clearly it was a bad trade but one made with an unknown quantity.

  27. THIS team will go on a winning run streak before the ASG, Haven’t you seen it many times before? At this moment the Dodgers are not playing up to their potentials. Last night Mookie was on base for Freeman’s HR which is a sign of change for the better and it will click. There’s been spells when Dodgers suck every season and sure that makes for discomfort but what you see will be different from what you get. These guys are better will soon feed off one another. What kind of a streak will it take feel not all is lost? because that’s coming.

  28. We’ve seen the story of us dominating the division and league from beginning to end and we’ve seen that gets us nowhere come October.

    So may as well make it more interesting now in 2023.

    But, in the meantime, Go Lakers and Go Kings Go!

  29. Kershaw day.

    Lets get a W.

    Oh, and 2020, I think Doc did a masterful job that season, which culminated in a wire to wire World Series Championship…..

  30. Someone brought up the bullpen. The thing with the bullpen is that Doc doesn’t know how to use it early in the season, but as time goes on, he starts to learn things that were obvious all along and then the bullpen finishes strong. This isn’t to say he doesn’t make mistakes late in the season and the playoffs because he sure does.

    This isn’t a Doc hater post by the way. I gave him credit for learning as time goes on and the bullpen finishing strong.

  31. Well Mark, great click bait Post today. My hat’s off to you.

    How have you been feeling lately? Managing a business, dealing with back issues, and maybe having some subconscious worry about A-Fib is exhausting.

    May your day be bright,
    Your mood be light,
    And your heart be filled with delight.

    1. Still working on the A-Fib, which has driven my BP up, so I am on medication. Have a stress test on Friday – they are trying to get the A-Fib and BP under control so they can do the surgery. If I still have it after the surgery, I am going to Cleveland Clinic (the best heart hospital in the US… allegedly) and have an ablation done.

      I feel fine. My son is our COO and we have a lot of good managers, so they are doing well. Sales have been up at least 31% every month this year. I have a home office and work there most of the time… at my pace!

      Thanks for asking!

      1. Hang in there Mark. Hope you feel better soon.
        I have two herniated disks in my back and know how bad back pain can get. Some days it drives me up the wall without meds.

        Last night was especially bad but I have not decided for surgery yet. Nobody can guarantee it will get better with it.

        Go Dodgers!!!!!!!!

      2. Mark, Sending good vibes your way and hoping all goes well this Friday. Hoping for a blowout for the Good Guys against the Metropolitans tonight.

  32. Heyward was the one auditioning for a spot on the team in spring training not Outman. I’ve seen it many times in spring training. When there is a non roster player that the Dodgers are considering for a spot on the roster, that guy gets a lot of at bats leading off in spring training, so the powers that be can take a good look at that guy. Take a look at who hit leadoff the most in spring training, it was none other than Heyward by far.

    And don’t come back at me with the Freddie Freeman pulled strings for Heyward crap and so Heyward was always going to get a spot on the team. When Lux went down to injury the door opened for Heyward not Outman to make the team. Peralta was signed to be the LF against RHP and Thompson or Taylor the LF against LHP with the other one as plan B. Outman was always going to get his shot on the team.

    Before Lux went down to injury Thompson was on the bubble and Heyward was breathing down his back.

  33. Good candidates to be the Dodgers Manager one they know the game pretty well and could motivate a clubhouse and the guys play hard for there manager. 1). Chase Utley long time player knows the game the players would play for him. 2) Justin Turner I know he’s not done playing but as soon as he retires I wouldn’t mind seeing him run the clubhouse. 3) Will Clark hitting coach of the Giants he tells his players to run to first base and if they don’t guess what they sit on the bench. Who he is and in charge. He would a manager the guys play for and respect the guys play tough for him and know he knows his stuff. There’s some names. But we all know Roberts is fine. He won’t be let go because he just does what the computer tells him to do from up above and relayed down to the dugout. That’s why these older managers like Melvin Showalter Baker Bochy are still around. There teams win because of baseball IQ and not listening to the people upstairs.

  34. I am as skeptical as anyone but can’t believe the splenic comments over the past few days. Mark has come close to shutting this place down several times but has kept it up as a service to Dodger fans. He engages in name calling or put downs once in a while, but doesn’t deserve the vitriol that he has received over the past few days.

    The Dodgers have gotten off to a slow start this year, so everyone wants to fire Andrew Friedman or Dave Roberts. We shouldn’t forget that the Dodgers have won more games in the last 3 full seasons than any team in major league history – so they didn’t win the Series. There are more rounds of playoffs making it a bit more random to win than it used to be. Dusty Baker’s Astros won it last year – and Dusty had never won the Series before. Was he a bad manager before? Is he a good one now?

    I agree that Roberts is not the best game strategist, but that’s not what he’s called upon to do now. He does what the front office wants him to do and does it well from all accounts.

    The Dodgers can’t sign every big star free agent, nor do they want to. They have to grow their own and give them a chance to see if they can do the job. This will sometimes lead to a down year once in a while. In the long run though it leads to long term success. The Dodgers have won and grown their own for several seasons now. How many other teams can say the same?

    I have looked at this year as transitional. I don’t expect them to win the division. I do expect them to play better than they have played. I am not satisfied with the old vets that they have signed as gap fillers (Peralta, Heyward, Rojas) and the lineup that they run out is not always competitive. I was certain before the season that infield defense and outfield offense would be issues and I am not surprised that they are now.

    I am surprised that the starting pitching is not better and the bullpen is a disaster right now. I have heard of bullpen volatility but am surprised that 5 of 9 relievers have ERAs over 4, and 3 of 9 have ERAs 6 or higher. Some of this will sort itself out as the season goes on – guys will improve over the season, and other will be replaced. I expect that the pitching will improve but that infield defense and the length of the lineup will continue to be issues.

    Many of these things will likely be corrected before next season – I don’t know about this year.

    The Dodgers won the Series in ’55, returned (to lose) in ’56, and were bad in ’57 and ’58 – would you have fired Walter Alston then? He got them to the Series 4 more times in 8 years and won it three times. A bad start to ’23 and we are already calling for Roberts’ head after winning 111 games last year?

    Everyone calm down. Stop the name calling. We are all Dodger fans here. We should be on the same side. We can disagree without being A**holes.

  35. It’s that time of the year again, apparently. Dodgers have a bad couple weeks (doesn’t matter if it’s the beginning of the season or middle) and fans come out of the woodwork to dust off the guillotine and demand we all storm the Bastille.

    This is silliness. I’m not a huge fan of Roberts. Never have been. But I’d not know of anybody available who could do better.

    Let’s fire the most successful manager of the last decade, whom the players love… that’s the ticket.

    Send the clubhouse into turmoil, insert some rando into the manager jobs to learn everything about the players, understand how the organization works, grasp the philosophy and strategy that AF requires be implemented and do all that in a matter of days.

    That’s the ticket. Dodgers have a chest cold. So let’s kick them in the nuts and smash em over the head with a frying pan. That will fix everything.

    That’s all I have to say about that.

    1. How about hire Ron Ronickie he be a great dodger manager he has managed in the majors before he was also a Dodger knows how Dodger baseball is played. He has been roving instructor for the minor league teams. He played on the Lasorda teams might as well give Mike Scoscia a call it’s worked for other teams bringing good managers back where they played.

      2. Bradley, do you actually read quality posts like Jayne Cobb’s above yours before you spit out nonsense?

        1. Why Phil who do you think would be a great manager of the Dodgers and do a better job then Roberts since you are smarter then everyone else.

      3. Bradley,

        “Roving Instructor” in the minor leagues. He is so brilliant, respected and capable that he can’t even get a job coaching 3b in MLB today. And that’s your choice to replace Doc? Really?

        A guy who was a place holder for another former Dodger who the Red Sox really wanted (Alex Cora) while he was suspended for cheating. And obviously MLB teams were fighting over him to be a coach. Thus, the “roaming” minor league… bla bla bla.

        Did the Frosted Flakes you ate for breakfast as a kid consist of lead paint flakes that fell off the wall? With a dash of milk?

        I don’t intend to be mean.

        But shit.

        1. You said give you names that could replace Roberts that could do a better job and I did. And Ron Roneickie has coached in the minors roving instructor in the minors to see the talent in the system and beeen a third base coach in the majors too. I noticed you didn’t mention any names so why slam mine Fruit Loops.

  37. Andy Pages, Ben Casparius, Kyle Nevin win minor league player of the week honors

  38. Anyone else concerned that we will get swept this series?

    Megill has been great and Mad Max will definitely want to show us what we are missing. I’m definitely closing my eyes these next two games. I hate to be so negative but I just don’t think our team is THAT good any longer.

    Losing Buehler, Gonsolin, Bauer, Tre, and Lux is a lot to lose, especially seeing we haven’t replaced them with anywhere near their talent level. I know some would say Cody too, but I’m optimistic Eric’s guy- Outman-can adequately replace him.

  39. Juan Toribio wrote this as to why Hunter Feduccia was not called uP:

    “The Dodgers could’ve also opted to go with Hunter Feduccia, who is off to a strong start in Triple-A, but adding him to the 40-man roster could’ve been risky once the Dodgers start to get healthier on the pitching side and need to clear spots.”

    1. @Badger.

      As per the other conversation, roster spots are valuable.

      I hope that didn’t sound catty.

  40. I have a question for all of you. Every time I try to visit the Dodgers Digest website it gets blocked. I get a statement saying it is a Phishing website. Is there a problem with the site, or is my computer wacky?

    2. What browser you use probably has an impact on such a thing.

      And the browser security settings.

    3. Whenever I’ve gone on it I’ve gotten that warning symbol that it’s not secure. I use Chrome.

      Another thing. For their comments section they use a third party platform called Disqus. The moderators there will have access to your personal information from your Disqus account. They can also search through all of your comments you’ve ever made on any site that uses Disqus as a comment platform. I had a moderator there gain access to my personal information, including my real name, searched through all comments I’d made on other sites, and, not liking what I said, disseminated my name out into to real world.

      The place is toxic.

  41. 10:10 PM ET

    Mets (11-6)
    Dodgers (8-9)

    SP Tylor Megill R
    3-0 2.25 ERA16K 13K
    SP Clayton Kershaw L
    2-1 3.50 ERA 18IP 17K

    Confirmed Lineup
    CF James Outman L
    1B F. Freeman L
    DH J. Martinez R
    3B Max Muncy L
    RF J. Heyward L
    2B M. Vargas R
    LF D. Peralta L
    SS Miguel Rojas R
    C A. Barnes R

    Partly-cloudy-day
    1% Precipitation
    61° Wind 9 mph Out

    Clayton goes for his 200th win tonight

    Dodgers catcher Will Smith won’t play during the three-game series against the Mets at Dodger Stadium, but the team is eying Thursday’s series opener at Wrigley Field in Chicago for Smith’s return, the earliest day he’s eligible to be activated off the seven-day concussion injured list.

    “The hope is to activate him [Thursday], but it’s all contingent on how he’s feeling,” manager Dave Roberts said.

  42. Tuesday schedule
    11 a.m. PT: Rancho Cucamonga (Payton Martin) vs. Fresno [Rockies] (Caleb Franzen)
    3:05 p.m.: Great Lakes (TBD) vs. South Bend [Cubs] (TBD)
    4:05 p.m.: Tulsa (Nick Frasso) vs. Wichita [Twins] (Blayne Enlow)
    5:35 p.m.: Oklahoma City (Matt Andriese) at Albuquerque [Rockies] (Karl Kauffmann)

  43. Dodgers News: Mookie Betts Placed on Paternity Leave, Luke Williams Added to Active Roster
    The Dodgers made a roster move on Tuesday and it wasn’t the move we expected after Chris Taylor suffered an injury last night. Instead, Mookie Betts is heading out on paternity leave as he and his wife Brianna welcome their second child. Taking Mookie’s spot on the active roster is infielder Luke Williams, who spent time with the club during spring training.
    The Dodgers haven’t announced a corresponding roster move to get Williams on the 40-man.
    Fabian Ardaya of The Athletic was the first to report the news.

    1. The Dodgers could move Nelson or Pepiot to the 60 day IL and make room for Williams.

  44. Dodgers Press Release

    DODGERS SELECT LUKE WILLIAMS

    LOS ANGELES – The Los Angeles Dodgers selected the contract of infielder Luke Williams and placed Mookie Betts on the paternity list. In order to make room for Williams on the 40-man roster, the Dodgers placed right-handed pitcher Daniel Hudson on the 60-day injured list.

    Williams, 26, appeared in 14 games for Triple-A Oklahoma City, batting .375 (21-for-56) with eight doubles, two homers and 13 RBI. In 500 career minor league games, he has amassed 26 homers and 187 RBI while hitting .245. He made his Major League debut in 2021 with the Philadelphia Phillies and has appeared in 137 games between Philadelphia (2021), San Francisco (2022) and Miami (2022), hitting .240 (54-for-225) with two homers and 12 RBI. He signed with the Dodgers on February 3, 2023.

    Betts, 30, has appeared in all 17 games for the Dodgers this season, hitting .266 (17-for-64) with two homers and six RBI. He is in his fourth season with the Dodgers and he has slashed .271/.356/.518 with 76 homers and 185 RBI in 336 games with the Boys in Blue. He is in his 10th Major League season, and he has amassed 215 homers and 655 RBI while hitting .292 (1323-for-4524) in 1,130 games. The 2018 American League MVP was originally drafted by the Boston Red Sox in the fourth round of the 2011 Draft out of Overton High School (Nashville, TN).

    1. Being specific about yesterday, did it work? Did the Dodgers win ? Please stop trying to justify the unjustifiable. As Freud supposedly said , ” sometimes a cigar is just a cigar*. And slumping strike out machine Taylor batting fourth is stupid, even if the computer says different . And even better, will he bat 4th again ??

      1. He will not bat 4th again because he is injured.

        I get that people disagree about that, but is it stupid?

        No! It’s a matter of opinion and perspective. It’s a move Joe Maddon and other managers have made. It’s unorthodox, but it could help in the long run.

        What IS stupid is calling things stupid that are just a matter of opinion. That’s REAL STUPID!

  46. Dave Roberts said very early in spring training Heyward would be on the roster. I doubt Outman would have made it if not for the Lux injury.

    1. Outman was the last man to make the roster, no matter what someone else says.

      I am glad to see him leading off – that will likely give him an extra AB tonight. He seems to thrive in the limelight.

    2. Doc says a lot of shit and a large portion is exactly that, shit. Doc loves vets and he has his opinion that he gives to AF, but AF is the final decision maker. AF is a smart man. The baseball people AF surounds himself with know these players like the back of their hands.

      1. Even Joe Davis and Orel have talked about the fact Outman was the last one to make the team last night. Give it a rest you’re so hung up on being right about Outman it’s really becoming annoying. Friedman also said Heyward was going to make the team out of spring training.

        1. Ron Fairly fan Believe what you want but I have 2 questions for you. Do you believe everything you hear and do you believe the broadcasters are part of the people AF surounds himself with?

          “Friedman also said Heyward was going to make the team out of spring training.”

          What does out of spring training have to do with what I said.

          1. I’ll answer for him.

            Are you suffering from Alzheimer’s? You said:

            “Heyward was the one auditioning for a spot on the team in spring training not Outman.

            That is demonstratably wrong! End of story.

          2. I believe it when I saw the interview with Friedman where he said Heyward would make the team. Again give it a rest and trying going a day without posting about Outman, I bet you can’t.

          1. Eric,

            I have had it with your combative attitude. You are about a half millimeter away from going away for good!

  47. I figured once the season actually started people would have something to comment on other than whether the Dodgers would’ve won as many games with Roberts as the manager.

    I think every angle of this has been discussed ad nauseam (emphasis on the nauseam part) for literally years now. The site blew up. People were banned. People left in a huff, never to return. … and we’re at it again? What more needs to be said?

    – Roberts is not the best in-game tactician. (check)
    – Roberts is probably pretty good at managing an organization, including both players and interacting with the front office and stats division (check)
    – The Dodgers have had a historic run with him at the helm (check)
    – There is absolutely no possible way to determine whether another warm body in the manager’s position would have done better or worse. That is an impossible question to answer. (check)

    The only way to know if Sparky Anderson would have done better than Roberts is to take out the custom DeLorean and go back to 1975, kidnap Sparky Anderson, transplant 1975 Sparky into the managerial position at Dodgers Stadium in 2015 and see what happens from then until now.

    Good grief! Don’t you people get tired of arguing the same stuff over and over again?

    2. I am absolutely tired of hearing people argue about this BS.

      But now you brought out the DeLorean!

      Watch the avalanche of Flux Capacitor hypotheticals.

      John McGraw would have left in Dick Mountain!!!

      Leo Durocher wouldn’t have bated CT3 4th.

      Arg!!

  48. Questioning the manager? Lasorda would have told us all where to go in a 15 minute f laced tirade! Like he did to poor Doug Rau!

  49. According to MLB.com, Mookie might play some at shortstop upon his return. If he’s as adept as he is as second base, it could be worth considering. According to the article, he’d rather play there than right field.

    1. I think Mookie could pull that off! He has a high baseball IQ, a canon arm and is very athletic. Yes, he could do it in the middle of the season. Most players could not. Mookie could.

  50. I’m curious why Dave Roberts leaves pitchers in for a prolonged drubbing like 9 runs or 4 HR’s. It seems counterproductive. Also, why set Thompson up for failure by platooning him and having him hit lefties when he has reverse splits ?
    I thought this team would have a team BA almost as good as last year and could be competitive even with a lower BA because there would not be the dead zone at the bottom of the order. So far it is not working out that way and there is a bigger dead zone.
    As for Roberts this year he puts a horrible lineup out there because his roster is not performing. His bench is worse so there is no good move coming out of that dugout or bullpen. I expected 95 wins but maybe that’s too high. Hopefully, the players start to perform. If not let’s see what some of the prospects can do. I’d rather see them than retreads. Then there is always the trade deadline.

    1. I’ll answer that:

      Well, they have to face at least three batters, and if they are getting smoked, sometimes you just let it happen and save the arms for another game.

      why set Thompson up for failure by platooning him and having him hit lefties when he has reverse splits ?

      Thompson, over his career, has a .205 BA against LHP and .233 against RHP. Neither one inspires you, but he has been better against RHP. Last year, he hit .308 against RHP and .174 against LHP. Trayce worked on it over the winter but in a small sampling this year it is even more pronounced (.417 vs. .118).

      Trayce does not fit in a platoon, but Outman, Heyward and Taylor do. If Trayce can keep that up, it will work itself out. Someone will have to go.

  51. Things are suddenly a bit intriguing with Mookie’s daddy break and Taylor’s apparently minor injury.
    When the Dodgers first picked up Luke Williams last season, I joked that the “Luke Williams Era” had begun, because there was little reason to think the new UT option would make a big impact.
    Then again, Williams sort of fit the profile of the marginal big leaguer in their 20s that Justin Turner, Chris Taylor and Muncy all had been before they got into the Dodgers brought them in and helped them morph i nto stars.
    Could Williams raise his game? So far, he’s been a beast at OKC, mostly playing SS. Rojas is starting today, but I hope Williams gets a chance to show what he can do before he’s shipped back to OKC. The roster needs another quality UT instead of an OF surplus. (Williams can play OF too.)
    This early part of the season should be a talent assessment. The rookies are doing well, and the vets are mostly performing as expected, which includes Rojas’s weak offense. Within a few days, Mookie, Taylor and Smith should all be back.
    Roberts should make sure that Williams gets to show his abilities. Both Rojas and Taylor are struggling. What if Williams turns out to be the better option?

  53. Mark

    My email ericsweetness@gmail.com talk to me. I’m opening myself up to email attacks but I can just delete them. I’m not a guy that takes punches and just stands there and I’m not a guy that takes punches and stands there and rides off into the sunset never to be seen again.

    1. Are you to brothers? Feels like a sibling rivalry. Younger brother Eric trying to upstage older brother Mark.
      Get together for a beer.

      2. It was funny for a minute, but I am growing very weary of it, and no, we are not brothers.

  54. Well Eric, I don’t think Roberts finds you very sweet! And I’m pretty sure Mark has all of our emails.

  57. When the pain of staying the same becomes greater than the pain of change… you change!

    The clock is ticking, Eric.

  58. Hopefully the season doesn’t look so already lost as some seemed to express above before tonight’s game. Dodgers will get hot before the weather does.

  59. I just looked at the box score as the game ended and noted the following:
    5 – 192
    6 – 186
    7 – 171
    8 – 125
    9 – 045

    While I agree with Mark the sample size is still small this far into the season but WTF, while I am not necessarily a Dave Robert’s fan as a manager – who in hell can expect to usually win with those types of numbers.
    I am hoping if nothing changes in another 10 or so games that they start giving the players in the minors a chance as they cannot do any worse!
    Outside of the 6 hitter everyone is on the back side of their career.

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