Over the years, I have made plenty of blunders with predictions. I once predicted that Andy LaRoche would be a superstar, and that never came close to working out. I plead insanity on that one. I also predicted great things for Frank McCourt as the owner of the Dodgers – I was looking at it as a small business owner, and I felt that he was in a position where if he was patient, he could build an empire. Well, he built an empire – one that went bankrupt and crashed and burned as he and the witch he was married to plundered the team. But that scumbag collected billions, and he is still reaping the benefits… but I digress!
Some players that I felt would be good weren’t, and some that I felt would not be worth a darn were great. I would rate my record as “above average,” but by no means am I right 100% of the time! However, I am not wrong about Miguel Vargas. Time will tell who the moron is. Walker Buehler said that Vargy “would win some MVP’s” – I don’t know if I will go that far, but he is not far off. Most baseball people and baseball fans that I know also believe the same thing… especially if they have seen his swing and watched him play. However, there are a couple of commenters who simply live to ridicule me in their comments. I am Pavlov, and they are the dog!
I ring a bell, and they salivate so much that they have to replace their keyboards every three weeks. They are conditioned to react whenever I mention Miguel Vargas and cannot help themselves. Actually, their ridicule is a backhanded compliment in that I seem to have complete control over them. They live to mock the fact that Vargas was called up last year and hit .170, and this year is below the Mendoza line. That he was sent back to AAA was almost orgasmic for them.
They are certain that I am just making excuses to cover up my prediction. Well, I am going to double down and once again say that Miguel Vargas will be a very, very good player. Maybe a superstar… maybe not – but a very, very good player! It was pointed out that the Dodgers re-made Will Smith’s and James Outman’s swings. The Dodgers have remade the swings of a number of players. Let’s not forget why the Dodgers acquire a hitter:
#1. He is established as a very good hitter: Think: Betts, Freeman, Peralta; or
#2. He is struggling, and they think they may have a “fix.” Think: Gallo, Muncy, Heyward, J-Turner, JDM, Outman, Smith
It doesn’t always work – that we know! But, it does work some of the time. Jake Marisnick was clearly acquired for the #2 reason. He may go the path of Gallo or Heyward. I have no clue, but past performance may not be indicative of future results. I have no clue how it will work, but you have to understand the “context” in which Marisnick was acquired! The Dodgers evidently think they can “fix him.” They couldn’t fix Gallo, but let me explain why the Dodgers took the risk and traded Clayton Beeter (a solid arm) for Gallo: It’s the 100 Strikeout/100 Walk Syndrome. Players who walk at least 100 times and strike out at least 100 times are a rare breed and usually are pretty good. This 100/100 Club includes Joey Gallo, Joey Votto, Mike Trout, and Aaron Judge. Max Muncy has been close and several others have done it… but not many! Joey Gallo had an OPS+ of 85 for the Dodgers (it was 78 for the Yankees before he was traded). His OPS+ is 108 for the Twins this season. That’s why the Dodgers took him, but maybe he’s a guy who does not flourish in a big market. It was a low-risk – high-reward move that failed, but a thinking person could understand why the move was made.
Back to Vargas: He did not need his swing “re-made.” I am frequently called a “Dodger Homer” but then when I criticize the Dodgers (like in the case of re-making Vqrgas’ swing), things like this are said: “Mark obviously needs someone to blame for Miguelito’s failure to progress. He desperately wants Vargas to have an excuse.” So, I am a “Homer” if I agree and am “just looking for an excuse” if I don’t! Ha, Ha! It sucks to be me. NOT! I am OK with it. It comes with the territory. Well, Miguel did not need his swing re-made. The Dodgers did not re-make Freddies or Mookies swings. In fact, Mookie said that he does not know how to pull a ball! Once again, only a moron would think that trying to re-make Miguel’s swing was not a factor in his lack of success. I wonder when it was suggested that he try and pull the ball more? Was it last year? Last winter? Spring Training or the start of the season? I don’t know when, but we do know it was offered! The Dodgers remade James Outman’s and Will Smith’s swings because they were not hitters before the rebuilds, but Miguel Vargas did not need his swing remade. NO WAY! NO HOW!
It was an obvious mistake by the Dodgers to try and get Vargas to become pull-happy. Baseball is changing, and speed and hitting to all fields is coming back into vogue. I agree with Phil Jones that the Dodgers are trying to head in that direction as well. Their first draft pick exemplifies that. Hopefully, they do not try to convert him to a power hitter as they did Jeren Kendall and Jake Vogel. Both were resounding failures. Miguel Vargas is a player that I believe will hit .300+ with 15 to 20 HR (maybe as he matures, he will hit more… naturally) and be a top-to-middle-of-the-order hitter. I have no problem with the Max Muncys, but for every Max Muncy, you need a Freddie Freeman, and for every JD Martinez, you need a Miguel Vargas.
The Trade Deadline
Most Dodger fans want to make a trade or multiple trades. They want Ohtani, Gilito, Anderson, Robert, Adames, Burnes, and Yelich immediately. The thing is: hardly any of that will happen. After nine long years, Andrew Friedman has gotten the Dodgers’ Farm System to where it is one of the best in baseball… if not THE BEST! If you spent nine years building up something, would you want to gut it? I think not! If you think Michael Busch is just trade bait, you are a ___________ (you fill in the blank!) I am not saying that Michael Busch might not get traded, but it will not be on just a whim.
Michael Busch is a solid everyday player, and while not spectacular, players like him do not grow on trees. He can play 2B, 3B, and LF, or DH. I did not think he had the arm for 3B, but it turns out he does. Ray Charles saw it and told me! I am not saying that the Dodgers will not make any trades, but the Farm System is about to start producing. Now is not the time to trade it away. Many of you do not know that but thank goodness Andrew Friedman does. Most of you were soooooo jealous of what AJ Preller did last winter, and you wanted the Dodgers to do the same.
The Village Idiot Preller signed Xander Bogarts for $280 Million to play SS. He is the worst fielding SS in the NL and has an OPS+ of 106 – barely above average. I never knew average players cost $280 Million. AJ Preller is a card-carrying moron of the Certified Moron Club. Wanna join? It’s Free! Now, the Padres are on the verge of a fire sale. As I told you long ago: “Never underestimate the ability of AJ Preller to screw things up.” Additionally, Peter Seidler is a novice… a boy among men!
Lucas Giolito is the target of many Dodger fans. He is not the Dodger’s savior, but the Dodgers could be his. Some idiots will overpay for him, but understand this: Lucas Giloito is a 29-year-old underperforming, in the process of a divorce, below-average MLB pitcher… who could resurrect his career with the help of Mark Prior (ala Tyler Anderson). The ChiSox are not trading Robert, and Tim Anderson could wreck the Dodgers’ culture, but Giolito could become the Ace everyone thought he would be under Mark Prior.
Here’s the deal: Andy Pages, Yenier Fernandez, Eddys Leonard, Nick Nastrini, or Maddux Bruns for Lucas Giolito! The Dodgers do not need Tim Anderson, and Luis Robert is not going anywhere! Giolito has a career 4.22 ERA, and he is in the midst of a divorce (as if any divorce is not nasty). Lucas and his wife, Debuelko were high school sweethearts, and it’s hard to say where his head is. However, it’s a risk and one that I would take… especially if he would consider a two-year extension!
If the Dodgers could get a right fielder to platoon with Heyward, then I would be all in for that, and it should not cost an arm and a leg. Stay the course. Don’t trade Vargas, Cartaya, Miller, Stone, Frasso, Ryan, Rushing, and Busch. Play Mookie at 2B or SS… depending on what happens with Vargas!
The Dodgers need one more stud starter, and platoon partner with Jason Heyward in RF. THe bullpen will solve itself. There are too many arms. We have closer options.
Paul Harvey’s Last Interview
Since I mentioned him a couple of days ago, I found this. Paul Harvey is an American Icon! This was recorded shortly before his death.
Um, Duke you’re up.
Ding!
Mark likes his trade proposal with the Chisox, while acknowledging that it can be risky (who doesn’t take risks, doesn’t get anywhere), I would pull the trigger if they manage to convince Giolito to sign a contract extension (2 years ?), because the package seems very generous to me for a rental of 2 or 3 months.
Yes, Mark, you are clearly embarrassed by Miguel’s failures. You take great pride in your opinions and predictions. Anyone who visits LADT–an excellent and entertaining and engaging site, so kudos for that!–can quickly assess your sizeable and prickly ego.
You have been a Vargas fanboy for a long time–and you are by no means alone. You have constantly insisted he is rare talent destined for stardom. Make that SUPERstardom, because you wanted to relegate Mookie to mere “star” status before his recent success. You had predicted that Vargas would win Rookie of the Year while insisting that fellow rookie James Outman really wasn’t special at all, just a lucky player who was no better than a 4th or 5th outfielder. Once you even butchered baseball math to make Outman’s bad strikeout rate seem even worse than it was. (Let’s note that Outman actually leads the OF in starts, and today he got two hits and two walks and two runs. So much luck!)
Let’s all recall how, when Vargas’s stats were improving and Outman was slumping, you likened Outman to Aesop’s hare (a loser) and Vargas to the tortoise. But of course they are teammates and not in competition with each other. The funniest thing about that post was that Mark appeared to think that Vargas’s progress, like the tortoise’s, would be linear. When Eric suggested that maybe Vargas needed time in OKC, you forcefully insisted that Outman would be sent to the minors first. And when you belittles some folks here, I think it’s fair that you get a taste of his own medicine.
I could go on, but…. oh, what the hell–just one more thing.
You also claimed that Vargas had become a “stellar” defender at 2B at a time when Roberts was described his performance as “OK” but in need of improvement. To be fair, his defense improved–but his offense went into the toilet.
Something that puzzles me in Mark’s screed is the assertion that the Dodgers attempted to rebuild Vargas’s swing, to make him pull the ball more.
That’s a good inside baseball story! Who ruined Miguel Vargas?
But I’ve never seen any actual journalism by actual baseball writers that have delved into this matter, and I don’t know who Mark’s sources are. It’s true that the Dodgers rebuilt the swings of Will Smith and Outman–when they were in the minors. I’ve read actual articles about that. As for Vargas, everybody seemed very happy with his swing in the minors. And if it ain’t broke….
Perhaps I missed it. Perhaps I missed the article about how Von Scoyoc or whomever decided to rebuild Vargas’s swing. Please provide a link.
I’m glad Mark remains confident that Vargas will be, at the very least, “a very, very good player.”
I see no reason why Vargas can’t be. The Dodgers obviously love his talent and some time in OKC may be all that’s needed. I hope they play him at 3B more, because I sure like Mookie at 2B.
Maybe Miguelito just needs more time to get ready.
And there ya go
Never let the facts stand in the way of a good story.
This is too easy!
I for one do not make predictions simply because I suck at it! I liked what I saw of Vargas last year, even though he did not have that much success. But I remember his homer as being a line drive to left center field. He hit it against St. Louis during a series in September. He was playing first base that game. As for pulling the ball, JD Martinez told Mookie during the Home Run Derby to pull the ball. Mookie’s reply was, I don’t know how to pull the ball. Classic and probably very true since if you watch Mookie hit a lot, he takes the ball where it is pitched. I think the Dodgers will trade for a starting pitcher and maybe a back of the pen type of arm. They can get both from the White Sox as it seems they are going to make Mark Leiter available.
100 percent agree on Vargas. Kid will be a stud not far down the line.
Disagree on the Giolito trade. Way too much we would give up in the proposed trade.
Bruns is a guy I would not give up. I see some Kersh in his left arm.
Grove or Nastrini, Ramos (Pages is on the IL and probably can not be traded) , Fernandez, Leonhard for Giolito and I do it.
Go Dodgers!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I don’t know how the White Sox value our prospects, and maybe that is not what it would take… but it will take a lot because many teams will be bidding on him.
Yeah, I agree that would be an overpay for Giolito, who is just a rental.
On the other hand, Giolito will be in demand, so an overpay may be required.
“Adversity causes some men to break and others to break records.” Now we’ll see what Vargas is made of. I think he’s the latter.
They need to let him alone and hit!
Excuse my interruption of this back and forth with Duke, but this entire article was written around the notion that the Dodgers ruined Vargas by trying to remake his swing and turn him into a pull hitter. Paragraphs were devoted to expanding on this idea.
Uhhh. Is this actually true? I skimmed through a couple of times to find the part where Mark talks about the article that references an insider talking about it, or Dave Roberts mentioning it.
Nothing.
I think this is an example of assuming facts not in evidence (or pulling something out of one’s **s).
No matter. It sounds good. Makes for good debate fodder, but just thought I’d mention it’s a fever dream.
I’d almost rather wait for Pepiot than spend prospect capital on Giolito. Hard no on any package that includes both Pages and Bruns. Bruns is probably my favorite prospect. His stuff is electric-fastball that touches 98 and a hammer curve. Sometimes he struggles to hit the side of a barn with it, but he was drafted out of high school. He’s young, and there’s still a lot of years for the Dodgers to teach him how to throw strikes. Giolito is on an expiring contract anyway. The package the Dodgers put together to get Machado – who was a stud – was way less than this. NO!
Interesting stat about Xander. Preller is sort of a bone head. I would have fired him after trading for Kemp. But, he has created a buzz in Diego for the Padres. They’re popular finally. I would have to think, though, that if they flounder again next year than the experiment might come to an end and they blow it up. The Padres aren’t Cohen and can’t light money on fire in perpetuity.
The two prospects besides Cartaya I am keeping a close eye on are Bruns and de Paula.
IMHO the two kids with the most upside in our organization. So much talent.
Right behind them is 17 year old ss Joendry Vargas who is tearing it up in the DSL. I think he will be in RC next season if he continues to hit like he does at the moment.
All four guys (Cartaya, dePaula, Bruns and Vargas) along with Bobby Miller would be my untouchables in any trade.
Go Dodgers!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Patch,
Well, it has been talked about a lot by people close to the team. I heard it on Dodger Radio and MLB as well. This article gives some insight:
https://ladodgerchronicles.com/has-the-nl-torch-been-passed/
For some reason, he has never looked like the player we see in this video:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3BTSQ8ZYQzs
Was it the injuries? Was it watching pitches and not swinging? Was it being told to pull the ball more?
Maybe all of the above.
Thank you, Patch.
Glad you noticed what I noticed.
Verlander vs Urias tonight. No listed starters for tomorrow, but we get old friend Scherzer on Sunday and again, no starter listed for LA for that game. Have coaches tinkered with Vargas’s swing? I absolutely believe they have. How much, I do not know, but I know by just watching replays of last year’s games that this is the case. Swing looks much different coming out of spring training than it did last season.
If they did a very bad idea.
Why would you tinker with the swing of a kid who had success on every level he played.
Go Dodgers!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Just the team philosophy on hitting I guess. They would have definitely screwed my swing up. I was always a line drive hitter. Marisnick signing still not official.
Here’s a recent article on Vargas:
The Dodgers still believe in Vargas long-term, and they have every reason to not lose faith in his ability. But his batted ball profile is concerning with an average exit velocity in the 12th percentile of MLB players and a hard hit rate in the 11th percentile.
Roberts also sees an issue with Vargas’ ability to hit pitches inside the zone. “I think the biggest surprise is he’s missing a lot of pitches that are in the strike zone,” Roberts noted.
“I think that’s the biggest thing. No one is trying to miss or foul balls off, but at this level, if you get pitches in the hitting zone and you miss them, or foul them off or pop them up, that’s a hard way for live. That’s the most telling thing for me.”
While the Dodgers are still trying to figure out the exact issue, there may be a change Vargas needs to make with his swing.
“There’s some mechanical, there’s a little late in getting ready, there’s a little trying to do too much with potential of pulling the baseball versus trying to just log some hits,” Roberts said.
Although Vargas began the year with a bone fracture in his right hand, Roberts doesn’t believe that is a contributing issue.
2023 Baseball America Scouting Report:
Vargas is as complete a hitter as any player his age. He has outstanding control of the strike zone, an innate sense for which pitches to attack and an elite feel for the barrel. He squares up all types of pitches with a direct, inside-out swing that stays in the zone for a long time and covers the entire plate, giving pitchers few holes to attack. He naturally drives the ball the opposite way to right-center field and has begun turning on pitches on the inner half. Vargas doesn’t have huge raw power, but he’s a borderline plus-plus hitter who makes so much quality contact he should reach 20-plus home runs as he gets stronger. Vargas has remade his body to become sleeker and faster and is now a plus runner who posted the second-fastest sprint speed on the Dodgers in 2022. The improved agility has helped his range at third base, but he’s still a below-average defender whose actions, footwork, throwing accuracy and focus need improvement. He is raw and inexperienced at first base, second base and left field.
The Future: Vargas earns frequent comparisons to countryman Yuli Gurriel and has similar potential to be a premier hitter who contends for batting titles. The Dodgers will try to find Vargas’ best position to get him in the lineup every day in 2023.
Scouting Grades: Hitting: 65. Power: 50. Speed: 60. Fielding: 40. Arm: 55
Will be old fashioned listening to the game tonight. Im not paying Apple $7.00. And if I fall asleep I can catch the game tomorrow morning on MLB.TV.
Hope we start on the good note.
I went ahead and did it. simply because I enjoy Ted Lasso. One of the funnier shows on TV. Besides, 7 bucks a month is not going to kill me.
Cant blame ya. Im going to be out for the first 4 innings or else I probably would have.
Love Ted Lasso!
It’s a show that just makes you feel good. The characters are likable.
Tried watching Yellowstone and Succession. The characters are just horrible people. I don’t want to watch that.
1883 and 1923 were great spinoffs of Yellowstone. I have Paramount plus so I get those. Unfortunately, nothing is going to get done while the SAG strike is on. I am interested in seeing Oppenheimer when it comes here. Opened in London today.
Apple also has Silo, Drops of God (based on a great Anime) and the ridiculously great Severance.
… and Mosquito Coast!
I think Vargas will figure it out. He is young and it is a big jump from AAA to the MLB for most players. Plus he had to learn a new position and battle hand injuries. He seems to have a great work ethic, super attitude, and baseball is in his family. I like the move to AAA now to give him consistent ABs and build back his confidence.
In the middle of a season no player ever says I am doing poorly because of injuries. But two hand injuries in one season has to affect your swing
Bleacher Report has their UPDATED Farm System Rankings out:
https://bleacherreport.com/articles/10082392-updated-mlb-farm-system-rankings-after-2023-mlb-draft
The ASStros are last, #30! Good!
They have the Dodgers at #2, just behind Baltimore.
Top 10 Prospects
1. C Diego Cartaya (Tier 1)
2. 2B Michael Busch (Tier 1)
3. RHP Emmet Sheehan (Tier 1)
4. C Dalton Rushing (Tier 1)
5. RHP Nick Frasso (Tier 1)
6. OF Andy Pages (Tier 1)
7. RHP Gavin Stone (Tier 2)
8. C Thayron Liranzo (Tier 2)
9. OF Josue De Paula (Tier 2)
10. 3B Jake Gelof (Tier 3)
Thanks for this. Lots if hype around Liranzo. I believe he’s a switch-hitter with power.
https://twitter.com/jokeylocomotive/status/1660370480673755136?s=20
Thru 31 games with Rancho Cucamonga, two catchers in their age-19 season
Diego Cartaya: .298/.409/.614, 10 HR, 13.1 BB%
Thayron Liranzo: .287/.406/.617, 11 HR, 16.7 BB%
Wow!
Nice!
I like that Bleacher Report Top Ten. But it also suggests that the Dodgers are weak in the middle infield. Pretty sure the Orioles and Reds are strong in those positions.
Would it make sense to trade for a prospect? That’s how the Dodgers got Ethier, right?
Bleacher Report also suggests this trade:
Proposed Trade: Dodgers get DH/RHP Shohei Ohtani, Angels get INF Michael Busch, RHP Nick Frasso, OF Andy Pages, RHP Nick Nastrini and OF Josue De Paula
If the Angels are going to trade Ohtani to the Dodgers, one would think that they’d only double down on a desire to extract all they can. In this case, they’d get the No. 32 (Busch), No. 63 (Frasso) and No. 68 (Frasso) prospects in our rankings, not to mention two others who rank within the Dodgers’ top 10 at MLB.com.
They have several other proposals. https://bleacherreport.com/articles/10082614-shohei-ohtani-trade-packages-for-the-yankees-dodgers-and-more
I would think that the Reds could also be a landing spot.
Sure, I’d do it.
Might as well toss in JD Martinez, since Ohtani would be the new DH.
Gilotto and Roberts from the Whitesoxs if they can make that happen for the the boys in blue. Yes trade for those two. Roberts in LF with a big 88 on his jersey would be like when Manny came to us from the Red Sox. Gilotto yes. Because we need starting pitching. But they still need another starting pitcher at deadline so either Stroman or Montgomery one of those guys.
Roberts’ peripherals aren’t really aligned with what the Dodgers look for. Just look at K%, swing% and walk% , how often does a 5.5% BB rate fly in the Dodgers lineup?
He’s also an elite CF, so perhaps the play would be to keep him there?
But when he makes contact, he crushes the thing.
Roberts according to all reports is one of four White Sox who will definitely not be traded.
Roberts will not be Traded unless you want to send Cartaya, Miller, Stone, Pages, Busch an Vargas to the Sox. That should get it done.
NOT!
Well would any of those players mention ever make it to the big leagues and start or would you rather have the all star from them that has been pretty good outfielder. I would say all those players yes but not Miller. Roberts and Giollito Cesse for those mentioned players but not Miller. And I said LF because the dodgers need an every day player in LF just like Freeman at 1b and mookie some where on the field. You do that trade outfield pretty good and Betts at second base all year Taylor and Rojas at shortstop Muncy and Taylor at 3b outfield would have Peralta outman heyward Roberts pick where you want them to play based on what pitcher is pitching. So whits soxs get Vargas thank God Busch won’t make it to the big leagues with dodgers so he needs to go some where else cartaya give him to white Sox we still have rushing then to back up smith next year. Vargas had his chance. Hr can’t hit and if Busch could hit he would be the second baseman replacement and they didn’t bring him up.
Doesn’t matter. He is not going to be traded. Was named the other day on MLBTR as one of four members of the Sox the GM said were untouchable. Vaughn, Cease, and Eloy Jimenez are the other three. Forget Robert. He is not being traded. Period.
Mark “They need to let him alone and hit!” Bingo
And he needs far less scrutiny. He is far from the first rookie to struggle, get sent down and work things out. He won’t be the last. Leave the kid alone to work out his hitting. Bring in is dad and stop trying to fix what certainly wasn’t broken in AAA.
As Bear points out, Organizational philosophies dictate how coaches coach. As an organization, the Dodgers like to hit home runs. We’re good at it. I suspect we wanted to see Vargas hit with more power. The Dodgers have a reputation for “fixing shit”. So why are we be surprised they screwed with Vargas’ swing? It didn’t work.
Somebody please tell me why we need a SS? Especially Tim Anderson who is overpaid as it is, while (not)hitting .223 / .521. Rojas is better than that with better defense. But Rojas keeps getting the Rodney Dangerfield treatment from too many Dodger fans. That’s without considering Anderson has never been a winner.
Giolito is interesting to some, simply because the pickins are so slim. He’s not that special. I’m with Patch. I rather see Pepiot.
Both are free agents at season’s end. So do we either have to plan to extend both at prices that will be unreasonable for their production level or be “rentals” down the stretch and considerable expense. You may recall. we are in a Transition Year and not adding “dope fiend” payroll.
No to both these guys.
I was suffering baseball withdrawal so I watched a replay of the Future Game. Once again, I’m blown away at the size and athleticism of these prospects.
I had not seen Dalton Rushing. I really like what I saw.
They keep running these 97+ guys out to the bump like they grow on trees. Jacob Misorowski a Brewers prospect is a RHP and didn’t bother throwing anything under a 100 (hitting 102) with run until he snapped off a yakker from hell.
Just an example of seeing 102. a 102 fastball gets to home plate almost 4 feet sooner than the average MLB fastball of 94.1. 4 FEET! Good luck!
I re-watched the game from last season where he hit his first homer. It was a line shot to Left center field. He also hit a single in that game right back up the middle. And his swing was level. No uppercut at all. That homer came the day after Pujols hit numbers 699 and 700.
Should they bring in Vargas’s dad?
Couldn’t hurt.
But I do recall an interview in which he said that his dad was a free swinger, while he tries to be more disciplined.
His minor league stats show a pretty good walk-to-K ratio, much better than what he’s delivered in the majors. In his first stint, in 2022, he walked only twice in about 50 ABs. To me, that showed he was pressing, too eager to show off his hitting skills.
I miss Silver Fox. My dawg.
Bury the Mets this weekend!
https://www.tiktok.com/t/ZT8dTjCb7/
They could use a guy like Chase in the clubhouse and on the bench.
Jonathan Schoop released by Tigers today. Any thoughts on pulling him scrap heap to play INF. Hit .278 22 hr 84 rbi a few years ago. Might be worth a shot – platoon with CT or MM . One or both might get hurt again before end of season.
Pass. That was two years ago. Age and regression of his skills makes me think no, plus with Marisnick coming aboard, they have enough retreads already.
Saw a graph on Twitter about the last 10 drafts and how many players from each team have come to the majors. Of the 329 players drafted by the Dodgers, 67 have made it to the majors at some point. 20%. Astros have the most at 77. 23%, Mets are last at 30 of 328. 9%. That is the reason I have no problem trading prospects for MLB ready players. Prospects are suspects until they prove other wise.
Did you misplace some decimal points there, Bear?
Are you saying that 77% of the players the Astros drafted in the last 10 drafts made it to the majors? Sounds way too high.
And what is that 328% number for the Mets? 328% of what?
Are those 77% and 328% numbers supposed to be actual numbers and not percentages?
No 77 of the 329 they drafted. No misplaced decimal points. 67 of the 329 the Dodgers drafted, 77 of the 329 the Astros drafted and 30 of the 328 that the Mets drafted. Not difficult at all. Look closely Blue, the percentage mark is behind the percentage of players who made it. There is no % sign behind 328 or 77. You dyslexic????????
Got it. How could I have ever doubted you. 🙂
That would not be wise Grasshopper.
7:10 PM ET
Dodgers (51-38)
Mets (42-48)
SP Julio Urias L
6-5 4.76 ERA
SP Justin Verlander R
3-4 3.60 ERA
Confirmed Lineup
2B Mookie Betts R
1B F. Freeman L
C Will Smith R
3B Max Muncy L
DH J. Martinez R
LF D. Peralta L
RF J. Heyward L
CF James Outman L
SS Miguel Rojas R
62% Rain
80° Wind 10 mph R-L
Roberts now stating it is the Dodgers hope to get Kershaw back in early August. So, after being led to believe he might/could pitch before the ASB they were going to be safe and get the rest so he would be ready for the second half. Being available in early August puts Kershaw’s IL stint at five weeks.
Dave Roberts was on MLB radio Loud Outs today.
He said he “hopes to get Kershaw back by the beginning of August”. He didn’t sound too sure about even then. He said rotation is Urias, Gonsolin, Miller, Sheehan, and Grove.
If Dodgers can somehow win the division with that rotation that would be amazing. Especially with Julio and Tony looking shaky physically. The starter ERAs are currently 4.67, 3.86, 4.50, 4.35 and 6.89 with three rookies.
Roberts made Kershaw comment unsolicited so local reporters will probably have more insight. MLB radio did not even ask to clarify on Kershaw status.
I will say Roberts as usual was extremely positive and optimistic. One of his best traits is his sunny outlook.
Where’s the moron who used to debate me about whether Betts was a superstar?
Must be gone. I’ll check on LA Dodger Chronicles.
Not a moron, but I question whether a guy making 30 mil plus and is only a .260 hitter deserves to be called a superstar. His numbers with LA other than his homer totals no where near what they were with the Sox.
I would debate that the Mookie of last year was a Superstar. There is no debate this year!
I agree. And I think he gets somewhat of a pass for 21 since he was injured and having problems with his legs.
I just saw the Dodgers selected a kid named Spencer Green, a 6’4″ pitcher from my old high school in Wa. One slot above the ex-Clemson QB. He would be an interesting sign as he didn’t graduated from high school with his class. He had about 10 credits total and never attended much. I’m not sure the Dodgers would like that make-up but I don’t know the rules on signing high school kids who don’t graduate. I guess they are just 18 year old free agents? He could attend a community college as you don’t need a diploma to attend a CC but you might need one for sports eligibility. I don’t know. This kid probably needs to sign for nothing and try to pitch and see what happens. He has zero bargaining power.
We had another odd situation years ago in a surrounding town. A good pitcher, and a special needs kid, was a junior in high school but was a senior in age. As an 18 year old, he passed his GED, then attended high school as a junior in the spring. After the June draft, he wasn’t drafted as the scouts thought he just completed his junior year. He then declared because of his GED, he was an undrafted free agent and open to sign with anybody for whatever. It worked and he signed for good money and made the big leagues as a 20 year old. MLB got wind of that one and made a rule that GED kids had to report they were draft eligible prior to the draft.
None of the draft picks have signed yet. Marisnick and Taylor activated. Miller transferred to the 60 day IL and DeLuca optioned back to AAA. Fletcher outrighted off of the Angel roster. Bieber sidelined with forearm problems.
One thing we have learned is that no matter what Roberts says about injuries, mostly it turns out to be untrue. Kershaw, May, Muncy, Taylor………They all stay out longer than first announced. Although I did read someone initially saying , when they said Kershaw might not even miss ONE start, that chances are he will be back in August
I wonder in the future how many more games the MLB will allow other streaming services to steal away from me. There is nothing I would ever watch on Apple TV except for a dodger game and I’m surely not paying $7 a month just to watch a game every couple months. Stupid MLB.
I agree. I pay for the games on MLB.TV. Since I pay for the service, none of those games should be moved to another service or blacked out. Just pure BS on the part of MLB. The nationally televised games like ESPN and Fox are not that hard to get. But having another streaming service like You Tube, which is terrible to watch a game on or Apple, is just another way to fleece the fans.
No way will Ohtani go to the Dodgers. Arte Moreno does not want Ohtani to go to the Dodgers.
Vargas will be back. He has too much talent to fail.
I would not move Busch. Maybe one of the catcher prospects, and go for Cease, not Giolito. Just my opinion.
I may be wrong, however, I thought Dave Roberts said Mookie is not a base stealer, or that’s not part of his game. Why not? Mookie could be a 40HR, 40 SB’s player. C’mon Dodgers, let’s steal a few this second half. Drop a few bunts.
Big series with Mets. Hope Urias is on his game and has a great second half. Kersh being out will hurt. Verlander and Scherzer….it might just be my cynicism, but how can they have this great stuff at their age?? Go Dodgers.
Cease is one of four untouchables according to the GM of the Sox. Robert, Vaughn and Jimenez are the others.
Kershaw had an MRI this week and Doctor Neal ElAttrache suggested that he rest a couple more weeks. Roberts relayed the news – don’t shoot the messenger!
Sounds really convoluted.
I wouldn’t be surprised if they just want to manage the inning load
I think Julio is going to make himself a whole lot of money this 2nd half of the year (and into October)
Julio is “ace” back! Tough news about Kersh. He was having a Cy Young type season through first half.
Dodgers win and Arizona loses. We have 1st place all to ourselves and Freddie Mookie and JD are tied for the lead in RBI’s with 63.
Nick Nastrini threw very well tonight, and way, way better than the 3 runs he gave up would show. It came all on soft contact and plain tough luck. Beyond that he had 8 Ks in 6 innings, walked none and gave up 3 hits total. Well done
Great win to start the second half. Trade deadline will be interesting. Last year the team didn’t need much and didn’t add much other than Gallo. AF needs to add SP big time this year and while I love the youth movement this team is in need of some veteran SP if they expect to do well in the post season or keep the D-Backs and Giants from overtaking them.
As the game was ending Dan Plesac said the team would need additional SP and even mentioned Scherzer. No thanks…dude couldn’t take the ball in a must win game in the 2022 post season and makes $ 43 million per year. I would like Giolitto, Flaherty or Stroman but take a hard pass on Scherzer or Verlander.
Yes, a great win.
The opening double (near HR) by Nimmo and then not a single other hit. Urias outpitched Verlander and bullpen was nails. Mookie and Freddie showed why they are the best 1-2 punch in the game, and Outman came up big too–two runs on two hits and two walks.
But the best thing was Julio.
Dodgers Nations suggests that the Cards really might be willing to trade Arenado.
I doubt it.
But he’d be a great fit. And very expensive.
Really take care of that need for a righty bat, even if he doesn’t play OF.
Just occurred to me that the Cards’ top prospect, Jordan Walker, is a third baseman by trade who was moved to OF because of Arenado.
IF the Cards are really into a tear-down mode, moving Arenado would replace about $130 million in contract commitments and add a few quality prospects.
Cards will need a catcher, so the offer could start with Cartaya or Rushing….
Can someone give me a reason why the Dodgers would consider adding Arenado at least until they know they aren’t getting Ohtani.
Simple, not a snowball’s chance in hell Moreno trades Ohtani to the Dodgers if he gets traded at all. Second, Ohtani is going to cost whoever trades for him at least 5 top prospects. Maybe more.
I’d take Arenado and Giolitto any day! Good point Earlier what do you do with JD? Sign Ohtani in offseason. Arenado? Yes yes and yes! Leave JD alone ,
Nice win, great way to start the so called second half. 72 games left. The Giants are creeping up on the D-Backs, so don’t sleep on SF. They also have the prospect power to make good deals at the deadline.
I think it’s time to go fishing for big bat and big arm! We have plenty of bait!
True, but do the other teams like worms??????