The talent in the Dodger’s bullpen has gone from being the best team in baseball to literally being the worst team in baseball (or very close to it). What is the solution to the bullpen dilution? I think I have it figured out, and it involves Mark Prior. Before you lose your mind and think, I want to fire Mark Prior… I don’t. Let’s establish that first, but when you cannot fire the whole pitching staff, you fire the Pitching Coach. That is not needed right at this moment. What is needed is change.
Before I go on, let me ask a question first: Does it seem odd that many of the pitchers are having bad years… especially in the bullpen?
- Last year, Julio Urias had a 2.16 ER – this year, it is 4.39
- Last year Michael Grove had a 4.60 ERA – this year, it sits at 8.28
- Last year Noah Syndergaard had a 3.94 ERA and came to LA for Mark Prior to “fix him.” His ERA is 7.16
- Phil Bickford had a 4.72 ERA last year – now it is 7.33
- Andre Jackson had a 1.86 ERA last year, and now it is 6.62
- Justin Bruihl went from 3.80 to 4.41
- Alex Vesia was at 2.15 last year -this year, he is helpless at 7.13
- Yency Almonte had a 1.02 ERA in 2022 and now is horrid at 6.52
Gonsolin, Kershaw, Miller & Miller, May, and even Graterol have different stuff and seem unaffected. Some are blaming Andrew Friedman, which is moronic. Who could anticipate that two-thirds of the Dodgers pitchers would regress? No one, that’s who? But things do not happen in a vacuum. There is “cause and effect.” Mark Prior is the “cause.” He has a plan for the pitchers. He has many of them start with a high fastball or a low slider; then, he likes to change the eye level of the batter. Some pitchers throw the “sweeper” to do that. The fact is that it usually involves throwing the pitches in certain areas.
I think the opposition has developed a highly predictive algorithm of the way each Dodger pitcher throws. The Dodgers are not the only team with a large analytics department. Every team does it, and these guys are smart! In 1988, Kirk Gibson knew that Dodger Scout Mel Didier told the team that EVERY TIME Dennis Eckersley had a 3-2 count on a LH batter, he threw a backdoor slider, and Gibby was ready for it.
If MLB hitters know what and even where a pitch will be, they can hit it probably over half of the time. That elevates a .250 hitter to a .500 hitter, and .500 hitters destroy a pitching staff! I believe that is what is happening to the Dodgers. It’s time for Mark Prior to throw the other team a curve – not literally! Baseball is a great game of adjustments. The opposition has adjusted – now it’s time for Mark Prior and Company to re-adjust. If that seems too simplistic, remember that sometimes the simplest methods work the best.
The entire pitching staff did not simply “lose it” this year. The competition just has a better idea of what is coming, and they are waiting for that. Change your pitching sequence, and you will change your results, Mark Prior. If it works, I’ll tell you where to send the checks! 😉
This needs to be done immediately… if not sooner!
Dodger News and Notes
- To say that Emmet Sheehan was good last night would be like saying that the Queen Mary was a boat. He did not get a ton of “swing and miss,” and luck was involved, but still… 6 hitless innings? He will stick around for another start or three.
- James Outman is showing signs of adjusting – he is not swinging out of his shoes at every pitch. I like the progress.
- OTOH, Miguel Vargas needs to sit a couple of games and clear his head. It will do no good for Vargas out Outman to go back to OKC at this moment!
- Gavin Stone got beaten like a rented mule last night – 3.1 IP/11 H/10 ER/2 BB/8 K – How on earth can you even do that?
- Andre Jackson followed up with 4.2 IP/5 H/4 ER/1 BB/8 K
- Zack Burdi struck out 2 in his 1 IP.
- Nick Frasso threw 4 IP at Tulsa with 0 Runs and 3 K’s
- Rooney and Leasure looked good.
- It is always darkest, just before dawn.
- Then there was this, and Jon Miller called it correctly:
Unfortuneatly, this is what Dodger Baseball is about
This is a huge double standard, and if you think it is not a part of Dodger Baseball, you would be wrong… and devoid of common sense! The Dodgers just ignored (selectively) their own code of conduct and caved to the Woke Mob! Shamefully! I do not ignore this bullshit! I call like I see it! It should not be lost on anyone that the Dodgers honored the anti-Catholic drag ‘nuns’ more than an hour before the first pitch inside a nearly empty stadium. They are a bunch of Chickenshit Cowards!
Why was Kolarek DFA and Vesia kept?
Kolarek is just a LH Specialist, and he is almost 35 years old. Alex Vesia just turned 27. Vesia had a 2.25 ERA in 2021 and 2.15 in 2022.
Kolarek had a 4.58 ERA last year nd 8.00 the year before and was sent to the minors.
Kolarek was not part of the Dodgers’ plans.
I boycotted watching the game last night and I’m pissed off that the Dodgers let this travesty happen. I don’t drink and haven’t for five years and took the remaining bottles I have for guests of Bud Light and poured them down the drain. My neighbor’s daughter is getting married and they told me that they pulled the wedding registry from Target. When will these woke companies learn to stop trying to shove this shit down our throats?. In the meantime they’re losing money and market share. I’m sure the Dodgers will lose some fans over last night but not enough to make a difference to their bottom line. As Mark stated this nonsense doesn’t belong in sports. Sports is suppose to be enjoyment and a release from the pressures we face on a daily basis. I hope more MLB players will speak out on this subject.
Trevor Williams articulated it very well.
Absolutely!
Go Dodgers!!!!!!!!!!
Excellent explanation. The guy has some smarts. I would guess he does not want to be a Dodger.
I know its just me, but as a beer drinker I can’t understand why anyone would be drinking Bud light anyway. Just sayin’
I know its just me, but pouring Bud Light down the drain only hurts you, not them. Its already paid for. You could serve it in Coors Light glasses
Bud Light is not beer, no lite beer is. They are all watered down piss.
Excellent point. I drank it one time…
This is actually a pretty insightful article. Essentially the Dodgers have the same personnel as they did last year, when their bullpen was generally excellent. The fastball velocity hasn’t dropped for each of these pitchers. I presume their command hasn’t declined so much that it would account for just how poor their performances have been. That they are as collectively bad as they are after being as good as they were is almost statistically impossible. It cannot be explained by just a decline in “stuff.” The stuff really hasn’t declined. So, why?
I noted once when watching Vesia getting beaten like a rented mule that his pitches actually weren’t bad. I saw one particular high fastball right on the upper end of the strike zone, if not slightly above it, get ripped for a hard line drive and it perplexed me. I was thinking, “that was actually a good pitch!” It seemed odd. This whole bullpen implosion seems odd.
Mark Prior is not a wizard. People were somehow expecting him to add 3 ticks to Syndergaard’s fastball. His talent was making minor tweaks to arm angles to get a little more command here, a little more rise there; but his real gift was sequencing. He developed a system that worked. The problem is, it’s a system, and as a system it can become predictable.
I dunno. Smarter more informed people than we fans probably have some more insight, but I think the possibility that other teams have cracked the Prior code and the book is out is as good a theory as any.
This was how the relief corps ranked last year. What is going on?
https://www.fangraphs.com/leaders.aspx?pos=all&stats=rel&lg=all&qual=0&type=8&season=2022&month=0&season1=2022&ind=0&team=0,ts&rost=0&age=0&filter=&players=0&startdate=2022-01-01&enddate=2022-12-31
comment in jail
Where most of yours belong Patch! LOL. Just kidding buddy. Ask Mark, him heap big bull in those matters.
Hi Old Bear, great article by Mark on the LA Dodgers Bullpen implosion, however I would like to share some completely amateur hypotheses with the group and his thoughts on it:
1.- I think these pitchers have not felt comfortable with the new rules, especially the one about the clock. To argue that the opposition has cracked Pryor’s pitching sequences would be tantamount to our pitchers having perfect control and command for the opponent to pummel them as they are doing.
I don’t think that is happening, the pitchers are simply NOT executing their sequence intelligently, I say this because I have seen our pitching take the lead on the 0 and 2 count, with everything in favor to hit the batter and then they pass the subsequent pitches up the center of the plate, obvious with the results we all know. Or in the same case, they simply cannot liquidate the batter and in the best of cases they end up walking after 8 to 10 pitches, that is, they simply do not have control of their things.
Blaming Pryor doesn’t make sense to me. I understand that many things have to be reviewed to improve the team. But to affirm that the rival has deciphered the pitching sequence of all the teams is equivalent to thinking that the group of pitching scholars of the Miami Marlins are geniuses, because Arraez is burning all the major leagues. What do you think?
I agree with that. I think one of the announcers said that Vesia had said he was not completely comfortable with the new rules. It is always easy to blame the coaches or the manager, but in the end, performance is always on the player.
Mark,
Your thesis about our relief pitching makes a lot of sense. We know these guys can alternate good years and bad-especially when 1 or 2 pitches in an inning are amplified by their short stints, but STILL-when it is EVERYONE you would think it is the PLAN that is going wrong.
Yet, it’s no one else’s fault but himself, when Graterol throws a nothing burger slider right down the middle of the plate! Not Prior sequencing his pitches or Robert’s not “putting him in a place where he can succeed!”
Graterol made one bad pitch and overall he and Phillipss are the only two lonely reliable arms in that pen.
Dodgers stil had the lead going to the 8th.
Everybody else in that pen at the moment stinks though Ferguson has given signs the last two days he will revert to his form he had in April threw May where he was really, really good.
Go Dodgers!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Graterol has been horrible in 3 bad losses in the last 10 games. Against Cincy he made a terrible throw and error to allow 3 unearned runs and lose a game. Against NYY he entered a tie game and made another terrible throw to allow an unearned run in another loss. And last night he entered a 4-0 game and gave up half the lead in one inning on a two strike hanging slider.
Mark and others are fooled by Graterol era which does not reflect the 4 unearned runs which were self inflicted but just as harmful as earned runs.
His ERA says he is one of the three best in the pen. He has had a really bad couple of weeks. But the talent is there, he just has a five cent brain.
Another contributing factor to Dodger ERAs being up this year is that they can no longer use the shift to their advantage. Last year the Dodgers higher use and were more more effective than most teams with the shift.
True again. So when will they be able to figure out the solution?
Personally I do not think that the current personell in the bullpen will bring different (better )results all of a sudden. Almonte, Vesia two of the center pieces of last years superb pen just having a horrible season. VGone hot and cold, same with Caleb.
Probably have to make a couple of deals. A bona fide closer and another reliable arm for the pen.
But to be honest: With the injuries now piling up in the lineup too I would not be surprised if the Dodgers fall out of contention come the trade deadline.
Not championship caliber roster IMHO.
Go Dodgers!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
If the Dodgers do fall out of contention, would they dare entertain becoming SELLERS by the deadline?
It would be a first. But how do you define out of contention? 5 games back? 10? I doubt they sell, I also doubt they trade for a major name. It will be the same as last year most likely. A Chris Martin type pitcher, maybe a backup infielder. But they won’t trade any of their stars.
And tell me oh swamy of the trades. Which bona fide closer is going to be available at the deadline? I have a solution, just use Phillips in that role period, and find another pitcher to use in the high leverage situations Doc has been using Phillips in. This roster as constructed is definitely not championship caliber. But stranger things have happened.
What a shame the Dodgers let that W for Emmett Sheehan get away like that. Once again a bullpen meltdown with that baserunning debacle ending it.
Kid deserved to win this game. One of the best Dodgers debuts for a rookie pitcher ever.
Speaking of letting one get away:
Once again it cost the Dodgers a win because they absolutely refuse to play small ball when small ball presents itself.
Bottom of the 10th, Caleb just stranded that ghost runner. Why on heavens earth do you not bunt that runner over to third base with a bunt by Outman ? The long fly ball by Bush wins you the game. Instead you let Outman swing away and he does not move the runner over.
Plus Roberts knew he was down to his last pitcher with Vesia already. IMHO yet another prove this guy is a bad ingame manager.
On Vargas: Agree with Mark. Kid needs a couple of games in the dugout. But with all the injureis he probably will be in the lineup due to default. So far Vargas is kind of a disappointment.
And what the he.ll happened to STone ? That is a stat lne from hell.
Go Dodgers!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
They DID try small ball in 9th inning Mookie thrown out trying to steal 3rd
Totally different scenarios.
Fact is the Dodgers have ONE (!!) attempted sac bunt all year.
If you do not use the sac bunt here with your bullpen already at the max and the game there for the taking… well, you deserve what you get. A big ugly L!
I said before the season we will find out a lot about Roberts this season. And so far he more and more proves what many Dodger fans say: a very average manager who greatly benefited from the deep pocket owners and some of the most talented rosters in the business.
But when it comes to game changing , series changing moves Roberts is average at very best.
Go Dodgers!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
The sac bunt isn’t really favored. I mean the team with the top # of SACRIFICES (flies, bunts) has 14.
Outs are just too precious.
Mookie did that on his own, that did not come from the manager. I will say one thing about Betts, he took total responsibility for that loss.
I also didn’t watch or listen to my beloved Dodgers because of the stupid decison to honor a hate group. I’m pissed off at the organization for allowing this and caving in. I hope it hits them in the pocket book they are smart enough to realize what they did and never do it again. There is enough crap going on in the world that we don’t need a distraction from watching a game that is suposed to take our minds off of the negative.
As a Christian, my response to last night should be that of Oswald Chambers.
“Criticism is one of the ordinary activities of people, but in the spiritual realm nothing is accomplished by it. Every time I judge, I condemn myself. (Rom 2:17-24)
Criticism serves to make you harsh, vindictive, and cruel, and leaves you with the soothing and flattering idea that you are somehow superior to others. Jesus says that as His disciple you should cultivate a temperament that is never critical. Yet, speaking the truth with kindness and gentleness.
The Holy Spirit is the only one in the proper position to criticize, and He alone is able to show what is wrong without hurting and wounding.” However, I am still a work in progress.
Me too AMEN!!
Mookie was a bonehead on the bases last night .
Are you sure it was Mookie’s fault for going to third? Why didn’t Busch score? He should have easily been past third as soon s the guy retrieved it. The guy who ended up retrieving it wasn’t even facing Busch and was probably not concerned with Busch’s run seeing they were up 7-5. I think he would be more concerned with Mookie, seeing he represents the tying run.
If the 3B coach held Busch back, I would put the blame on him. Betts going to 3rd was smart. Runner on 3rd with one out…better than being on 2B with one out.
good point.
agree 100%. thought so when I saw the play unfold and even more after seeing replays.
Go Dodgers!!!!!!!!!!!
Both are worse than a runner on 2nd and 3rd.
Ebel made the right choice. He stopped Busch, Busch listened to the coach, Betts never even looked at him when he rounded second. He had his head down and was running full steam. Ebel could see the whole play and the player already had the ball. He would have thrown Busch out easily.
Right on
The Dodgers should be ashamed of themselves for celebrating an anti-Christian hate group. I’ve been a fan all of my life, until last night.
Last night was KARMA for the Dodgers!
The Big Dodger in the Sky (Tommy was lobbying him) called BS!
For whatever one sows, that will he also reap.
My Sicilian Grandmother big Dodger from the twenties would not be happy .
Tip of the hat to Mark for getting as much mileage as he can.
2K people protesting in the lot before the game. That’s sizable and makes sense to me.
Funny how we’ve have decades of movies and TV shows that have made parodies of nuns and there was not a peep of protesting… Until the drag group does it. Let’s not pretend this is anything more than LGBTQ hate disguised as religious protesting. Stop giving in to the right wing hate mongers. They are playing you for suckers.
Funny how we’ve have decades of movies and TV shows that have made parodies of nuns and there was not a peep of protesting… Until the drag group does it. Let’s not pretend this is anything more than LGBTQ hate disguised as religious protesting. Stop giving in to the right wing hate mongers. They are playing you for suckers so that they can win an election.
No, it is just mental illness awareness!
Because every letter past the LGB is clinically mentally ill.
Thanks doc!
You can control what you watch at the movies or on TV. When you go to a baseball game, you cannot control who comes to the game, and when you invite a group of people who revel in mocking mostly one religion and make sexual gestures as part of their mocking, that is totally inappropriate behavior in front of kids. They have a right to mock, and they have a right to be gay. But that is where their rights stop.
Just curious, I don’t know anything about this “anti catholic/Christian” group so I haven’t made one comment, but this makes me wonder…..do you think the Dodgers would have allowed an “anti Muslim” group to be represented?
In this hypothetical, what is the upside for having the anti-Muslim group?
If they supported LB whatever? Would be a very interesting scenario!
As far as I know, there are no anti-muslimism gay groups. Muslim’s themselves are very anti-gay.
Forget it
I think my point is being missed. Maybe I wasn’t clearly making it. Let me try again.
If some group that offends Muhammad or Islam wished to be honored in Dodgers Stadium, would the Dodgers allow for that group to be honored, knowing that Muslims will probably be offended and create a backlash?
For example…a group that depicts Muhammad in a derogatory manner over a Pride issue. (Isn’t that what some Catholics/Christians are upset about regarding this Perpetual group? They mock Jesus on the cross with some pole dancer. So just make them anti-Muslim instead, and use Muhammad instead of Jesus to mock/poke fun at.)
Me personally….I don’t think the Dodgers would approve of this….I think they (Dodgers) would not want to offend any Muslim, thinking that could really open up a can of worms they would regret . But, apparently they weren’t concerned about offending Catholics.
And honestly, it does bother me to think there would be more concern toward offending Muhammad than to offending Jesus. That is the point I was exploring here with this hypothetical. I’m not asking for any to agree, but I would like to read your thinking on this, especially if you disagree. I apologize if this hypothetical offended you.
Remember Lars Vilks…..
The Swedish artist sketched the Prophet Muhammad’s head on a dog’s body. Published in 2007, the cartoon offended many Muslims.
He was the subject of death threats, and al-Qaeda in Iraq offered a $100,000 (£73,692) reward for his murder.
Vilks died, along with two police officers, when their car collided with a lorry. The Swedish police say there is nothing to suggest that anyone else was involved.
I do not think they would invite a group like that. But that would also have nothing to do with gay pride, which is what the Sisters profess to be. Listen to Williams interview, it will give you a better idea what they represent.
I think, TM, this group was invited because they do a lot of positive work (and fund-raising) for the community they represent.
So, to answer if a similar invitation were to be offered to a group that satirizes Allah, I think we’d have to ask why they would be invited.
That said, Islam is a religion much more about submission and acquiesence to religion. It also freely embraces Fawtas (or whatever is the religious doctrine that haunts Rushdie). Catholicism’s primary tenet (I think) is forgiveness (you are forgiven…)
Fatwas I think it is Bluto. Definition is a legal ruling point on Islamic law given by a qualified Islamic jurist or some such stuff.
As always, thanks Bear.
How was your birthday? What was it? #24?
I usually agree with Mark’s articles, but putting all of the blame on Prior for the bullpen problems is wrong.
Accountability starts with the players. These relievers with the exception of Phillips have underperformed this year. It is primarily bad execution by the relievers combined with lack of talent and experience. But the players have to perform when given a chance.
Secondly, Dave Roberts is the manager not Mark Prior. He is responsible for all of the coaches including the pitching coach. Roberts makes the pitching changes and he makes many questionable moves. This Tuesday he used Evan Phillips in the 8th inning of a 5-0 game after an off day. The next day Dodgers lost a 4-2 lead in the 8th inning when Dave pitched Almonte in the 8th inning instead of Phillips. Last night Phillips was unavailable again to help hold a 4-0 lead and instead Dave removed Sheehan after 6 no hit innings, knowing his bullpen was thin. Roberts is part of the bullpen problem also.
MT exempts Friedman from any criticism of the bullpen. AF put together a bullpen that pays Treinen, Hudson, Reyes, Nelson $25 million and none have pitched this year. He also paid Kimbrel $16 million last year and Treinen $10 million last year for minimal production. His bullpen roster decisions are part of the problem.
Maybe Prior and the catchers can improve their pitch sequencing, but to think that will solve all of the bullpen problems is silly. Start with the players, the GM and the manager before singling out the pitching coach.
Good points.
Especially for the point about taking Sheehan out. Was at 89 pitches, season high had been 94. You would think he had a couple bulltets left the way he was going.
Even more because Roberts knew that almonte, Miller and Philllips would not be available.
Go Dodgers!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I refused to watch the game so I am commenting solely based on the box scores and comments. But dodgerram your comment was exactly to the point that I made yesterday and supported with data. The Dodgers are at 83 pitches a game while their bullpen is over taxed and under performing. Part of that is ineffectiveness by the starters at times but often Doc just pulls the plug on guys. Sometimes it’s analytics but there are none in MLB on Sheehan. They just decided, I guess based on the assumption that he’s pitched enough despite the fact that he was still effective giving up no hits. It would seem he had at least another inning. But give the kid a short, soft landing for assumptions that have no merit.
One of the conversations yesterday was an idea to actually reduce the number of relief pitches from 13 to force longer outings by starters and relievers throwing more than 1 inning. It will never happen but the shit would hit the fan if the Dodgers had to extend the starters.
Arm health is always going to be at the forefront of pitch counts. We speculate that speed kills yet softer throwers break down too. We now think 85 pitches is enough and more kills. Yet the is zero scientific evidence to back that up. I’m not convinced that throwing less is the answer.
I am sure you meant pitchers Phil. But the rules say you have to carry 13. No more, no less. They want balanced rosters and no IL hanky panky. AF was a genius at manipulating the pitching staff when they would have phantom IF stints. As far as Sheehan being pulled, the most pitches he had thrown was 94. I think they should have let him go one more inning. At least send him back out and see what he has. They lost the game anyway because the pen is so bad. So they had nothing to lose. But they also have 6 starters and 5 relievers on the IL> they are not playing with a healthy team. And it is reflected by their record over the last month.
Not sure I agree with the premise that the Dodger relief corps has become too predictable in their pitch sequence and location. Relief pitching varies more from year to year than almost any other performance in baseball. It is why bullpen construction is such a hit or miss proposition. Throw in the new rules on defensive shifts and just the randomness of sampling variability and that seems to be a more logical explanation. Just off the top of my head, the Reds game that Caleb Ferguson gave away was a function of a lack of command, last night Victor Gonzalez could not throw a strike and gave up three soft hits that found a hole (random chance) , Brusdar has had two throwing errors that cost them games or leads. Plus, Graterol gives up a lot of soft contact hits because he can’t put hitters away. I think the Dodgers should look at some of these power arms in the minor leagues to fill in a hole or two in that pen. I know that these pitchers have more value when they are developed as starters but we can’t possibly use them all as starters. Rather than trade these young AA and AAA starters for relief pitching, use Grove, Pepiot, Frasso, and/or Ryan to shore up the pen. Mark has an interesting hypothesis but I trust that the Dodgers have studied the data and if it was as simple as pitch sequence they would have discovered it.
I agree with their approach to Vargas and Outman. This is part of that runway that young players need to develop and succeed at the Major League level. Anthony Volpe was under .200 for the Yankees as their starting shortstop two weeks ago and he was a top 10 prospect last year. Nolan Gorman was sent back to minors by Cardinals last year because he struggled hitting high fast balls and he is back this year with a bang. As fans, me definitely included, we are not the most patient when it comes to player development.
This had all the makings of a “gap year”, as someone called it, for the Dodgers. It sure looks that way. I would be much more frustrated as a Padres fan with the money they have spent and the star power on that roster. Dodgers are going through a difficult stretch with injuries and poor pitching but they have key pieces like Urias and Hudson set to return within two weeks, a deep farm system, and the trade deadline ahead. They are still as good a bet as Diamondbacks, Giants, or Padres to win this division, in my opinion.
It’s done all the time.
The idea often is to trade unproven talent like Verdugo, Wong, Downs for proven talent like Betts.
Similarly, Keibert and Gray for Scherzer and Trea. The odds of Gray having the career of Scherzer is slim, and will Keibert ever get a $300 million contract like Trea?
The calculus isn’t who is “better” now but what does the respective teams need going forward. One team has long term needs, the other near-term
A silver lining to all these injuries is that AF may have moved Sheehan into that damn-near-untouchable class of talent.
As for the bullpen, perhaps we should see what Knack, Hurt or River Ryan can do….
Meanwhile, the Angelic Shohei Ohtani continues to be a beast. He now leads the majors with 23 HRs–on pace to his 51 for the season– and a 1.017 OPS. He’s now hitting better than he’s pitching–but he’s still an ace-caliber arm.
I find it amusing that many here at folks in LADT recoil at the notion of Ohtani in Dodger Blue because he’d be so expensive.
Yes, he’d get top dollar as an SP and DH!
But if Kershaw goes home to Texas and Boras client Urias moves on, that would free up more than $50 million in AAV for the free agent market. The way JDM is hitting he’d want a significant raise–but should the Dodgers pay it? So let’s add a bigger DH salary to budget .
So many people say this is “a transition year,” but a transition to what? Perhaps the 2024 rotation could go something like Ohtani, Miller, Buhler, May, Sheehan, Gonsolin (though it would be nice to have a lefty). Theoretically, a six-man rotation would be able to pitch deeper into games, taking pressure off the bullpen.
The top of the lineup might read Mookie, Freddie, Smith, Ohtani….
What would the Dodgers be willing to pay for Ohtani?
Remember, AF was willing to pay Bauer $35 million per year and right now Mookie’s AAV is a north of $30 AAV and Freddie’s AAV is $27 million. I find it easy to imagine the Dodgers offering Ohtani getting $60 mill AAV–and the Mets Steve Cohen could offer a lot more. But the Mets are not playing well and maybe Ohtani would rather be a Dodger.
Sure, the Dodgers could pass. They could overpay Urias, perhaps, and I’d love for them to get Matt Chapman. But I don’t exactly see a big transition to a new era.
Why the Dodgers chose to inject themselves in to hot topic religion/politics by embracing an organization that claims to promote tolerance by mocking and disrespecting the religious belief/practices of others is puzzling to say the least.
Message to the LAD, stick to baseball! If I want to hear or witness divisiveness I can simply dial into CNN, Fox News, CNBC, etc.
I stopped watching football, in part because of politics getting dragged into game and will not hesitate to do the same to MLB if this persists.
My solution, stop all nights celebrating any group. Stick to baseball related themes. No more black pride nights, or Hispanic Heritage nights. Just celebrate baseball or the holidays.
The ultimate sign of equal inclusion. Stop segregating folks. Couldn’t agree more!
After all, we are all of ONE RACE….THE HUMAN RACE!
Yep at least we are supposed to be, but it has just not worked out that way.
Meanwhile on the baseball side of things. Our team has been able to carry on thanks to 4 or 5 guys hitting and NOT getting injured. So only a matter of time before that luck runs out on our 30+year old players. So now Muncy joined by Peralta and Taylor. What if Mookie or Freddie goes down next????
Even if Taylor and Peralta not ‘seriously’ injured and play—well we know how injured players somehow go into slumps
A couple of things to note and maybe consider. First, I think the pitch clock has gotten into some of the pitchers heads. And even though they have had plenty of time to adjust, some have not. Vesia is especially affected by it because it has thrown him completely off of his game. You watch the guy on the mound, he is like a nervous cat. Pacing all over the place. He had time to do that pre pitch clock, not now. Graterol has his moments, and he grooved one last night that cost them a couple of runs. But then Gonzalez, Vesia and Scott gave it all up. Gonzalez is clearly not the same guy, and he was not part of last years pen. Scott is a journeyman trying to hang on and Vesia is trying to re-discover his magic. But all the onus is not on the pen for last night. They had plenty of chances to win that game. Mookie made two bad decisions on the bases. One, he was already in scoring position, there was one out and no reason to try and steal third. Second, he never looked at Ebel when he rounded second on the error to see if he had stopped Busch. He had his head down and was running full steam. Busch did not try to score because the third base coach saw that they already had the ball. He would have been out at home. And they were two runs down, so scoring would not have tied the score. Finally, all the crying about bunting the guy over, this team has zero sacrifice bunts this season. Not one. None of these players except maybe Rojas, are very good at bunting.
That they have zero sacrifice bunts this season is prove that they are unwilling to use this weapon, not an excuse for Roberts and decision makers or the perceived disability of hte players to successfully lay one down.
I could understand it with Betts, Freeman, Smith and JDM coming up but not with struggling players like Outman, Vargas, Bush etc. That is just bad baseball managing right there.
Cost them yet another very winnable game .
Go Dodgers!!!!!!!!!!!!!
The bunt has not been part of the Dodger arsenal since the pitchers quit hitting. Their best bunter is Kershaw. They rarely practice it at all. Rojas made a half-hearted attempt to bunt last night. Managing has nothing to do with it.
Sure it has to do with managing.
The manager decides what kind of game he calls . And he has the players to be able to do it.
If management makes that decision to play only for the 3 run HR , fine. But then come out and clearly say so. In that case no manager is needed. Spare the money. Sit an AI robot in the dugout. Or have AF do double duty.
I am sick and tired of this one dimensional approach. Worst thing: This problem magnifies in the postseason, when runs are at a premium vs the best pitching. But hey, they won one WS with this approach and everything is fine with that.
Go Dodgers!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Outs are too precious in todays game to just give away. And that is not only the Dodgers mantra, it is the mantra of most teams in the MLB. Roberts is not the only manager who disdains the bunt. Unless a player practices this what used to be basic part of the game, bunting is just not that easy. Especially against a guy throwing 95 plus.
Hell, hanser Alberto better than 75% of this bullpen!
Jacob Amaya just promoted from AAA by the Marlins. He was hitting .278 with 9 bombs at AAA Jacksonville. Another problem the Dodgers have pitching wise. They have 6 starters and 5 relievers on the IL. Not many teams can take a hit like that and stay in contention. Somebody is going to have to step up. The bullpen needs to get better as a group. And the starters need to keep going deeper into games. Kersh is the only one who has made it to seven innings all year. This BP will be toast by the end of July.
As another poster mentioned: When you sign all those injured pitchers and reclamation projects HOPING they will produce you put yourself in a corner.
Go Dodgers!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
How long have you been watching Dodger baseball? Just wondering because ever since Freidman took over he has signed a bunch of reclamation projects. Some succeed some do not. But it is part of the way he builds the team. Low risk high reward is his middle name. And you check the track record and they have helped a lot of pitchers get back on track, including guys like Knebel and Kahnle. You can’t pick the right players every time, sometimes it just comes down to blind pure luck. And not all those pitchers on the IL are reclamation projects. May, Urias, Pepiot, Bickford, Buehler, Hudson, none of them are reclamation projects. Syndergaard, Reyes, Feyereisen are. There have also been more injuries this season than in quite some time. All of the teams are getting hit hard.
Following the Dodgers since 77. And now ? Makes me that less knowledgable than you who are around since forever ? I have never understood this stupid line “how long have you been watching this or that “?
Has no content and is ad hominem only.
Yes, that is the way AF tends to built his pitching staff. And yes, sometimes he is right and sometimes he is wrong.
All I said is by going that route you put your back against the wall. This year the wall has the upper hand. At least so far.
Maybe he went to the well too often and with too many players.
Go Dodgers!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I said that because you know that is how AF builds a team. Has nothing to do with me watching the game or how long I have been a fan. Bitching about it is not going to change AF, It is what it is. He will continue to build his pen this way until he is no longer running the team, or management says, hey, go out and get the 13 best pitchers in baseball and damn the cost. Isn’t happening. He probably did. They did little in the off-season to bolster the staff. The free agents they did sign were not all that great to begin with. But they were counting on Pepiot or Grove to step into the rotation, for Urias to be motivated to have a great year in his free agency season, for Gonsolin to be the same pitcher he was last year. None of that has come to pass so far.
I was always an Amaya fan. He will be a premier MLB shortstop defensively. The problem was the Dodgers apparently decided he would never hit. That assessment was shared many folks on this site who gave him no respect. They preferred an older and more expensive Rojas to back up Lux. I thought it was a mistake at the time and still do. He’s never going to hit like Seager or Trea Turner but with some patience and development, he could have been better then Rojas or CT3, long-term.
Bear, I disagree that bunting is that difficult. It takes a commitment and practice, just like hitting. It takes a separate bunting station with a machine throwing 95 and a coach instructing players on correct fundamentals. You’re not going to learn it my bunting the first 3 pitches in a session of BP, before you go to hitting. The fundamentals I see would make me never put on a bunt either. No clue how it’s properly done.
Critics distain giving away outs. It’s like some kind of rat poison mantra “don’t give up outs”. But it’s okay to pop up with a critical runner on 2nd instead of moving him over or allowing Barnes to strand runner or CT3 to take called 3rd strikes.
There are definitely situations in post season play where a bunt is in order. But you can’t ask a guy to bunt then if he’s never practiced it and you have zero sac bunts all year.
We’ve scraped the idea and we lose opportunities because of it.
I’ve had this argument for years.
That is my point as to why it is difficult. They do not practice, they do not teach, thus they do not……bunt.
Clown Show last night, both pregame and during the game. It was actually quite fitting to end the night with a “who’s on third” comedy routine. I’m sure the SF fans found it funny as hell, to F up that badly, only to be outdone by the Dodgers. Absolutely Humiliating.
At least Betts took responsibility for his gaffs.
Does anybody here have an actual number that attended last night’s game? It sure appears that there was quite a loss ticket wise. There could be a reduction of the cost of Dodgerdogs in the next couple games. I’m certain owners got the message.
It says the paid attendance was 49000 plus. But that includes those who paid for tickets but did not show. Actual looked to be maybe 30,000. Maybe less. They only count paid attendance anymore.
They’ll miss the hotdog money .
It never crossed my mind in 55 years of loyalty the day would come I’d be ashamed to be a dodger fan as I was yesterday
I felt the same way. But since I live over 1000 miles away, I did not have to be there to see it.
Friday scores
Salt Lake 14, Oklahoma City 2
Tulsa 3, Springfield 0
Wisconsin 8, Great Lakes 7 (10)
Rancho Cucamonga 2, San Jose 1
Saturday schedule
4:05 p.m. PT: Great Lakes (Kendall Williams) vs. Wisconsin (Tyler Woessner)
4:35 p.m.: Tulsa (Kyle Hurt) at Springfield (Edgar Escobar)
5:05 p.m.: Oklahoma City (Landon Knack) vs. Salt Lake (John Swanda)
6:00 p.m.: Rancho Cucamonga (Peter Heubeck) at San Jose (Nomar Medina)
Well I live 2000 miles away now amongst Asstro fans and up till yesterday wore my dodger gear proudly always defending the Dodgers and calling them out as cheater’s. I can’t defend the wrong and stupidity of honoring a hate group as it’s been rubbed in my face quite a bit. Not only did I put my dodger gear away probably for good, it’s hurts my heart
Okay, the relievers, as a group, are a disaster. But that tends to change from season to season. Is it pitch selection? Possibly. Maybe part of it is execution, missing location. Maybe it’s a little of both. But one way or the other the bullpen is a total mess.
It was certainly a mess both inside and outside the stadium. Thousands of protesters of all Faith’s.
The Dodgers should offer a public apology. Why would you want to alienate your fan base? No one protested previous pride events. This one was different because of the so-called Nun’s trying to offend people by making a mockery out of Christianity.
Sorry, but their act is disgusting.
Even Clayton Kershaw spoke out. The face of the Dodgers. How totally embarrassing.
It was an (expletive deletive) show.
No one should have to put up with this crap at a baseball game
That’s one of the reasons to go to baseball games is to get away from this nonsense.
Whoever thought the Nuns were a good idea should be fired.
Oh and you hear this often, but the Nuns of Perpetual use their stunts to raise money to help people.
I’m guessing Justin Turner raised more money to help people in LA than these painted faces ever will. I miss Turner.
But Emmett Sheehan was fun to watch. Beyond impressive debut.
True words
The curse of the Virgin Mary , I can’t believe it .
Penance not Pennant at this point.
Theres only five players to keep right now I would say Freeman Betts Smith JD Martinez and Kershaw every one else trade them. And get players that are better. Have you watched a Diamondbacks game there cheering hustling and I don’t know a dam player but they play together and hard. And it could be the number one batter one nite hitting a homee or the number nine batter. Baseball is a game that you when when your whole team plays together. And right now the Dodgers aren’t playing well. Shoot they lost two games to the Whitesoxs and now the Giants. What happens when they play the good teams well they get up for those games. But not for the bad teams. And it’s been that way for years just play okay ball. That comes all on the manager how a team plays just okay not great. Right now the manager of the year is the guy in Arizona not Roberts or Melvin or the Mets manager but the Diamondbacks manager. Because the team is young and they built it over the years an splayed together. The Dodgers okay like a company softball team great one nite then suck the other three nites because it’s all about the manager. Look at him during the games Roberts looks like he is sleeping in there. Then watch a Rangers game with Bochy and he is in to the game that’s why Bochy win close games. And his teams get in to the playoffs. Right now the Rays Diamondbacks Braves Orioles Brewers Rangers are all playing better then the Dodgers.
Nice to have you back, Bradley. I really missed your ideas.
Bradley, they beat the White Sox 2 of 3. They won Tuesday 5-1 then lost 8-4 and won Thursdays game in 11, 5-4. Last week they lost 2 of 3 to both the Phillies and the Reds. Your point on the teams playing better than the Dodgers is well taken, but, none of those teams are missing two of their best starting pitchers to injury. None of those teams have 6 starting pitchers on the IL, as well as 5 relievers, the player who was supposed to be their starting SS, their power hitting 3rd baseman, and various others. With two players injured last night, Taylor and Peralta, the offense could be tested even more. And at one point in the game last night there were 5 rookies on the field. Only Sheehan and Outman did anything of note. And by the way, I am sure you know this, trading 21 of 26 players and replacing them in season with better players is absolutely impossible and will never happen. But I admire your passion and commitment to doing so.
Yeah, let’s start by trading Bobby Miller and Sheehan.
Or we could trade Barnes, Rojas, Vesia and Scott for Ohtani.
Bradley, what do you expect to get back for the guys who are playing so badly that we don’t want them on our team?
Doc is far from the best manager in MLB but he’s not responsible for all the injuries we’ve had and the players who aren’t performing up to their capabilities.
If we could get Ohtani for those guys, that would be awesome, but the way, DFA’d means he could get traded during that time period.
Off season they didn’t do anything to improve the team the goal was to pay the guys in the minors and that’s what this year is being in the young guys. Roberts isn’t a manager for young guys he like veterans older guys. You want a manager that can manage these young guys that’s what I am saying. They need a better second baseman then Vargas it’s like how long of leash do they give a guy. And okay centerfield you tell me the Dodgers can’t get a good centerfielder or hey how about two good outfielders and a second baseman from any other team who wouldn’t want to play for the Dodgers. These other teams find talent guess I am tired if watch dodgers strikeout or homer that’s pretty much how the evening goes watching a dodger game. Oh am how is trace Thompson doing that’s my point they should have gotten better players in spring training an dthey didn’t and here we are young guys. Miller yes he looks good Sheenan looks great okay thats two but grove and stone what about them. And it is true to get players to be better you have to give players. That’s baseball ask the As. They develop players all the time they lose them because they can’t pay for them to stay. But the Dodgers can. I have just about given up on Muncy and think he is turning in to being an American league player that DH only. So why not treade for Arenodo from the Cardinals and Flarethy that would give Dodgers a third baseman and a starting pitcher and pretty sure you could sign both to stay along time in Dodger Blue.
Bradley, the reason they did not sign better players had nothing to do with paying the kids in the minors. You are totally wrong there. They did not go after high priced free agents for a couple of reasons. One. The Trevor Bauer contract. Until it was ruled that Bauer was immediately eligible to be reinstated, they did not know if that money he was due to be paid, and subsequently had to be paid, was going to be available for payroll purposes. Two. They wanted to reduce payroll considerably. They made offers to a couple of players that were rejected. One of them was Verlander. In order to trade for talent, you have to have a trade partner. If no one is willing to trade with you, it is not going to happen. Trayce Thompson had a decent season last year. He earned his one year deal. So, the team gave him a long leash to succeed. He did not. He got injured and most likely is out for the season, end of story. Roberts has no preference for vets over rookies. He plays with the deck he is given. He has given plenty of rookies shots in the past, he did so last year when Outman and Vargas came up. Bochy plays the deck he is given. And if it has rookies in it, well fine. I will say I think Bochy manages a bullpen and in game strategy much better than Roberts. The Dodgers have three very good defensive center fielders. You might see the position as a need. But I believe the front office does not agree with that assessment. And two of those centerfielders are kids. As for the strikeouts, I sympathize. Being old school, I totally dislike the three true outcome way of teaching hitting. Yes, there are players who would love to play in LA when they are free agents. But most are thinking about family and how much they will be paid. That dictates where they end up more than what they want. Remember, Rendon when he was a free agent passed up more money in LA to sign with the Angels because he did not want all the distractions that come with playing for the Dodgers. Aren’t we glad he did, The Cardinals are not going to trade Arenado and Flaherty to the Dodgers. That is wishful thinking.
JD Martinez getting his first start in LF!
We can credit the injuries to Taylor, Peralta and Trayce. Smith at DH and Barnes catching provides the righty bats, along with DeLuca in center. Busch at 3B.
It will be interesting to see how JDM handles left. If he is competent, perhaps we’ll see this more often.
Busch also gets another chance at 3B with Muncy still out.
The depth of the team is really tested. If Taylor is out for a while, perhaps Jahmai Jones will get a shot.
Ronny Hernandez is with the team. He is the emergency replacement.
Scott has been dfa’d and replaced on the roster by Bryan Hudson.
Infielder Yonny Hernandez is in the clubhouse but may only be here in case Taylor needs to go to the IL, so possibly taxi squad for now.
Beat me to it, but I would bet either Taylor or Peralta would be headed to the IL. But the Dodgers never announce that stuff until right before game time.
9:10 PM ET
Giants (37-32)
Dodgers (39-31)
SP Alex Wood L
1-1 4.80 ERA
SP Bobby Miller R
3-0 .78 ERA
Confirmed Lineup
RF Mookie Betts R
1B F. Freeman L
DH Will Smith R
LF J. Martinez R
CF Jonny DeLuca R
2B M. Vargas R
SS Miguel Rojas R
3B M. Busch L
C A. Barnes R
Clear-day
0% rain
71° Wind 9 mph Out
Wood coming off of the IL to start. Dodgers called up Bryan Hudson and DFA”D Scott. Hudson is a lefty.
Per Dave Roberts, Peralta is feeling better and could be used as a PH tonight but will probably not play the outfield for a few days, Taylor is getting a cortisone shot, and they will wait before making an IL decision. Urias threw a bullpen and threw 40 pitches. He will need at least to throw to hitters before a re-hab assignment.
Tonites lineup the first five batters yeah the last four batters yawn that’s when you go and make dinner because it will go like this.,strikeout or popup to the infield the 6,7,,8,9, batters tonite. Geezzzzzz. Yet it’s Dodgers vs Giants so you watch it and you root for the guys in Blue. And wonder why did we let Pederson go just being in the clubhouse him an kiki made games fun.
Rojas has been hitting of late. SO he might do something. Busch has barely had time to unpack his bags, you have no clue what he might do. He was tearing it up at AAA. They let Joc go simply because he was pretty much not that great of an outfielder anymore. Kike took his .220 lifetime BA to Boston for more money than he was worth. They are there to win games, not just have fun. Pederson was never that great during the season, but a beast in postseason. He was part of the reason they won in 2020. Kike was never more than a supersub.
David Vassegh
@THEREAL_DV
Chris Taylor received a cortisone injection to his right knee. Usually players are unable to play for at least 48 hours after injection. #Dodgers
Urías throwing his second bullpen session of this home stand. Dave Roberts one of the observers. #Dodgers
J.D. Martinez starting in LF for the first time in a regular season game since 2021. #Dodgers
David Peralta just went thru outfield drills and left hamstring appears to be ok. #Dodgers
Loving this season. Loving watching the Rookies play.
I’d be happy to give all these prospects a go and get some experience. Sheehan was great like all our debutants have been.
What a great job the player developing team do.
I would much rather watch a team
of homegrown players over the next few years, than a team of mercenaries just collecting a paycheque.
So far the arms are much more promising than the bats
I agree Watford, I enjoy seeing the kids get an opportunity. Hope Hudson has a good debut tonight.
Outman had a great April and is struggling right now if he figures his way out he could have a great second half. I’ve seen enough of Vargas that he has the ability to be a solid not spectacular second baseman. I also think he needs to go back to using the whole field instead of swinging for pull side power. If he uses the whole field he will be much more effective. Haven’t seen enough of DeLuca or Busch yet but their minor league pedigree suggests they are capable of swinging the bat and being productive.
Miller and Sheehan have been a breath of fresh air in the rotation and you would not really know they are rookies based on their composure and results on the mound. I hope Knack is the next call up to pitch Friday.
If the bullpen continues to struggle I would hope AF would try Stone, Grove, Frasso, Hurt, Nastrini or Pilarski opportunities to pitch out of the bullpen. How much worse could they be than the results they’ve received from the pen so far this year.
This year was supposed to be a transition year let’s go all in on the transition and see what the kids are capable of. If all the kids sink spend big in the offseason but the kids might suprise.
For all the hard to discern stuff in Bradley’s post, I really like this basic tenet:
Trade players for players who are better than those you trade.
Great idea if you can sucker the other GM into doing it.
Some guy on twitter posted a video of him burning his Dodger cap and jersey. I have 8 and about 12 caps, I am not burning any of them. Way to expensive. Some of those caps are 45 bucks each. Especially the ones for Memorial day, or to honor Vets. 4th of July. Crazy money. And my most expensive jersey is worth 300. Nope, not burning shit.
Gay day is over, I wish all this sisters of total lunacy shit would just go away.
Where is Rick Monday when we need him!
Joking. It’s been over for most of the public, Bear. We are just waiting for the outliers to recognize reality.
I get it but like you said, some just won’t let it go.
The Dodgers need the young bats to produce this season if they’re to be a legit contender. And there’s no better time to start than this game ..right NOW.
Somebody please teach Austin Barnes to bunt!
Busch had 2 impressive ab’s against tough-on-lefties Woods.
You could see Miller got flustered. I mean it was OBVIOUS he needed to regain focus, why didn’t they go out and calm him down??? Nope. Gives up a homer.
I like the youth movement but four rookies in the starting line-up is a recipe for a disaster, or just another L in the loss column.
Been saying it since the Winter Meetings but this is an organization wide strategy to get young and see if player development has done a good job. Sure they signed JD and Syndergaard as FAs but really not much else unless you consider a trade for Rojas to be a big move.
Hindsight is 20/20 but letting Seager go, a player drafted
and developed is still a head scratcher for me. Not offering Bellinger salary arbitration I get but Seager should have never been allowed to leave.
Team looks uninspired,
perhaps too young in too many positions.
I wish this board had a thumbs up counter. Your comment is a HUGE Thumbs UP.
Too early to think about selling at the trade deadline? AF’s plan to get under the luxury tax!
A diabolically genius plan. 🙂
“This is the best of all possible worlds…” – Dr. Pangloss
All is well. The Dodgers are the best team in baseball after all.
Enough to me of Vesia and Robert’s! Wake me up next April!
The Dodgers with 16 losses in their last 27 games. And now they’re in free-fall.
There is more plaguing this team than just the injury-bug, …MUCH more.
I miss Orel.
In the booth. AND on the mound.
Even Kapler and his Mini-Me had looks like, OK , enough already.
OUCH
Headline: DODGER DISARRAY DISASTER- Amateur Hour Continues in 15-0 Drubbing by Giants.
Well that’s what you get when you start a bunch of AAA players in a lineup against veterans you get a blowout. Things just keep getting worse and it’s like okay keep it close until the regulars come back. And then see what happens. If San Diego heats up we could be in trouble they have gone threw injury as well as not hitting the ball either. Right now Arizona looks like the team to beat and name a player on that team except Carroll or Walker.
Kelly, Chafin, Gallen, Davies, Nelson, those guys are pitchers, Kelly, C, Ahmed, Longoria, Marte. Perdomo, Walker, infielders, Smith, Gurriel Jr, Carroll, and McCarthy. Have heard of all of those guys.
Worst drubbing by the Giants in years. And it won’t get easier tomorrow with Webb pitching. They won’t win anything until Freddie starts to hit again. This has to be his worst homestand ever so far.
Worst home shutout loss in 125 years. How do lose 15-0 to Alex Wood and the Giants? Dodgers hit a new low this year. No one on the Giants team would hit in the top 5 of the Dodgers lineup. Their best hitter was allowed to walk away from the Dodgers for $7 million a year. The pitcher that shut out the Dodgers tonight was let go by the Dodgers and signed for $3 million by the Giants in 2021. The last two losses to the arch rival Giants illustrate the lack of focus and preparedness of the Dodger team. The Giants are only 1/2 game behind Dodgers and look like the superior team. The Giants seemed to tee off on off speed pitches against Miller the third time through the order.
Maybe Giants picked up something on Miller. But Miller has been great in the MLB so far.
Interesting that Roberts pulled Sheehan after 89 pitches in a no hit effort, but left Miller out there for 92 pitches behind 5-0.
Maybe the Karma from honoring the Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence is real.
Joc Pederson is not the Giants best hitter. He is hitting .280, which is the highest BA he has ever had in the majors. Will he sustain that? No way. Joc Pederson hit .190 his walk year, 2020. He had a great World Series, and helped the Dodgers win, but no way they were going to pay him 7 million. His career avg as a Dodger was .230. He signed with the Cubs and was hitting .230 when he was traded at the deadline to the Braves. He finished with a .238 avg. He then signed with the Giants. In Frisco, he is a much better hitter avg wise with a .275 mark over 2 years, but he still only plays against RHP. By the way, the Giants best hitter at this point in time, Austin Slater is hitting over .400. Patrick Bailey, the catcher is hitting over .300. Pederson just came off of the IL and only has 7 homers this season so far. That ties him for fourth on the team with Flores and Sabol. Conforto leads with 12. As for the blowout, that happens. They should have won the first game easily, but costly base running blunders and the gas can bullpen beat them.
Bobby Miller lost his composure after that soft hit that broke the scoreless tie. He is still leaning how to overcome situations like that . The pitch to Wade was the result of not being able to keep his concentration up and emotions down. He will learn from it.
Embarassing loss nonetheless. Lets see how the team responds. Will they roll over on Sunday and get swept by their archrivals at home or will they rebound ?
Veterans have to step up and take control. Betts, Freeman, JD. And Roberts too.
As things look at the moment I do not see this team making the playoffs this year. Too many holes, either injuries or players not producing . Vargas has been a big disappointment so far. Sooner or later they have to decide on Barnes.
He is a good teammate and all but hitting at .100 clip is hurting the team. He is an automatic out and rally killer.
Dodgers now sligthly above .500 which is what I expected so I can not say I am surprised.
If this continues they should think about being sellers come the trade deadline. Muncy. JDM. Julio. CT3. Some contenders might be very interested in those players, offering some nice prospects.
Clear some more payroll and gear up for 2024. Which might have been the plan anyway.
On a bright note: Josue dePaula doing better and better at RC. Another 2 hit game . Average still only at .234 but on a nice roll after a very slow start. IMHO the best OF prospect the Dodgers have had since Mondesi.
Go Dodgers!!!!!!!!!!!!
They won’t be sellers even if they are 5-7 games or more back. They have never been sellers in the AF era. They believe they will get better when the walking wounded come back. The reason they won’t sell, they do not want to take the attendance hit that would obviously come if they throw in the towel. They face Webb tomorrow. He is probably the Giants best pitcher.
An attendance hit would only be for 2 months . That is easily acceptable if you get some good prospects in return .
And just because they never have been sellers under AF means nothing. Last offseason they did something they had never done before AF took over too: Reduced payroll drastically.
Go Dodgers!!!!!!!!!!
I don’t mean to be overly religious but after the team I have followed for over sixty years picks demonic nuns to entertain their fans and kids, PAYBACK IS A BITCH! No more political stuff but you have to consider there is some kind of payback going on. I feel bad for the players, it was not their choice.
Well at least we can’t blame Robert’s and the bullpen for this loss
Can’t blame Roberts for this one! Look, we all can admit he’s not a tactical genius,. The 2020 World Series was by far his best managing job. We’re running out 4 major league hitters at the top of the lineup, and prospects and reclamation players 5-9. Love my dodgers , but so tired of platoons every damn game! Even if we had a constant lineup with good players, we won’t pay em and let them walk away. Bobby Miller didn’t look sharp from the start last night, but why let him continue after it was 5-0? Who cares if the bullpen’s taxed! Wouldn’t you rather save millers arm than 80% of that bullpen? There’s still plenty of time to win this division. But Friedman needs to be proactive right now! It’s going to be tough to pass 3 teams ahead of you in the standings! Aren’t we all tired of .200 hitters and pitchers with an earned run average north of6? Friedman will probably let Martinez walk next year and put muncy. At Dh. I would do just the opposite. All maxs home runs look nice, but that .190 and his godawful defense needs a new home! I know the state tax issue, but wouldn’t Corey seager look so good at shortstop right about now?