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1. Mark,
   When you say JDM is ‘done’ do you also mean for this year? With this big lead he should go on IL to ‘rest’ for a while.

   1. No. Done as a Dodger after this year unless he wants to be a part time DH and split time with Max… at a lessor salary

      1. Will the Dodgers try to bring back Belli? It could make sense. But does Belli want to come back or move on?
         Good piece in The Athletic on Outman’s progress.
         https://theathletic.com/4764331/2023/08/10/james-outman-dodgers-rookie-season/
         I hope everybody noticed that much-maligned Max Muncy has now been chiefly responsible for the Doders’ offense in two tight games recently. First there was that two-HR game, and now a 2-1 victory in which Max homered and drove–er, walked in the ultimately decisive run by taking ball four.
         Max is on pace for yet another 35-HR season, but his BA is at .195. Seems that he has hovered under .200 since mid June or so. The complaint is he takes too many pitches he can hit, but plate discipline and working counts for advantage has always been part of his game. His OBP and OPS clock in at .336 and .819, both respectable numbers but a bit below what Max has produced in the past. His pronounced splits have resulted in some recent platooning.
         Anyway, a passage in TrueBlueLA caught my eye:
         “The home run by Muncy snapped an 0-for-17 skid against left-handed pitchers, during which he also walked seven times and was hit by a pitch, with five strikeouts. Muncy’s previous hit against a southpaw, before Thursday’s home run, was a grand slam off the Rangers’ Martín Pérez on July 23 in Texas.”
         It’s not fully clear if the 17 here represents At Bats or Plate Appearances. Given that there were seven walks and one HBP–neither of which would be scored as an AB–let’s assume there were 25 PAs. That seems most likely to me.
         If we accept the adage “a walk is as good as a hit,” the Max got on base 8 times in 25 plate appearance due this “0-17 skid against left-handed pitchers.” So while Max’s bat has slumped, his batting eye and his patient approach has enabled him to get on-base about one-third of the time. And remember: that’s against the southpaws that give him trouble.
         More recently, Max was faulted for not swinging at a pitch when he had a chance to drive in runs. Maybe he’d have hammered it and been a hero–or maybe he would have popped it up. At any rate, he eventually walked to fill the bases, and enabled Peralta to be the hero with a two-run single to beat the D’backs.
         Max’s latest walk brought in the game-winner. Do “game-winning hits” include game-winning walks? I’m not sure.
         No doubt a sharp single that drove in a single run would have been more emotionally and aesthetically pleasing for both Max and Dodger fans.
         But of course a line drive can find a glove and maybe turn into a double play too.
         My guess is that Roberts and Max’s teammates aren’t nearly as frustrated with Max as the fans are.
         I’m fine with Max getting platooned a bit with the current options, but there

         1. If Max was around his career BA, .226 I think there would be less grumbling. But 3 of the last four years, it has been under .200.

            1. Maybe he should sign with the Gubs!

         2. Duke I think you’ve overreacted to my criticism about Max taking a walk instead of swinging at a center cut fastball with 2 runners in scoring position. I know you are a big Max fan and will be in his corner through thick and thin. Good for you being so loyal.
            But I’m going to explain my criticism bearing in mind that you are completely correct that Max’s walk in the situation I mentioned passed the torch and wasn’t a BAD at bat. My criticism is more general than that one at bat by Max although I still contend he takes too maybe hittable pitches.
            It drives me crazy when hitters work to get into advantage counts and waste the opportunity. Against good pitching you hope to get one juicy, hittable mistake per at bat. Those can frequently be in hitter advantage counts. Stats support that. It’s like 150+ points difference in batting average between 1 & 2 versus 2&1.
            MLB hitters ahead 0 & 2 hit well over .300.
            So, depending on the pitcher, you’re sitting on his most reliable strike pitch. Usually a fastball, although that is dwindling. And you’re looking for a fat location. If you don’t get a cripple, you spit on it.
            My issue is when a hitter has an advantage count and gets a fastball down the middle and locks surprised, my question was “WTF are you lookin for. They take a fat one and swing at 2 chase pitches. Some guys seldom take advantage of that great opportunity that could fatten up their average and production.

2. Spending money wisely can help win championships. Spending money like a drunken sailor (Padres/Mets) does not.

   1. This is hindsight bias, loud and clear

      1. Those that don’t learn from the past are doomed to repeat it.

      2. What does foresight bias look like?

         1. LOL! I lot of people here were saying Preller was insane. I mean, gotta hand it to him for being gutsy and doubling down, but yeah.

            1. I said to never underestimate AJ Preller’s ability to screw something up. I stand by that!

3. I like that lineup Mark. Cody could be holding a grudge about being released or he just might want to come back home. I have no problem with Andrew giving Cody a big contract. He has proven to be winning player who is clutch on the big stage. He is healthy and is likely to be himself going forward.

   1. Someone can hold a grudge or be upset all they want. But it seems AF gave Cody plenty of time to work his problems out. And kept him in the lineup when he was pretty much the worst hitter in baseball for 2 years.

      1. Absolutely true David. How could Bellinger hold any with the Dodgers? His lack of hitting since mid-season of 2019, absolutely forced the Dodger’s hand. Was he pissed when he got benched in the playoffs with useless Gallo? He was probably more disappointed in himself than pissed at the Dodgers. He played he way out.
         Now the is a push to resign him. But we had no hand in his new improved swing. That was either the Cubs, a trusted outside instructor or Cody himself finally dedicating himself to change what ailed him. Certainly changes in latitudes and changes in attitudes played a role. He looks different. I don’t know why but I’m not sure you can ever go home again?

         1. Cody wants to be a Yankee like his Dad. If they want him, and they should, that is where he will be.

   2. I know for a fact that there was some bad blood. He thought he had earned his last arbitration year and that being DFAed was humiliating. Won’t say how I know. And I’m not sure how deep that went.

      But also consider the Cubs have been playing pretty good baseball recently. They are only 2.5 games behind the Brewers and 1/2 game out of the last wild card spot. A playoff appearance is very possible. That could change the dynamic for a return back to Chicago.

      That said his turnouts this season is incredible. He’s been on fire since coming off the DL. Back to MVP Cody.

      1. I had heard the same. I’m not so sure why everybody seems to want him back, we gave him a few years to fix his swing and got nothing out of it. He leaves and miraculously he is doing all the things he was asked but didn’t do. Personally I don’t like the guy for that alone and would never want him back…… I don’t even root for him like so many others do, just rubs me the wrong way.

4. Ohtani, just might be a different type of cat. He might not want to take an insane contract that would be almost impossible to live up to. Especially if it means playing for a team that wasn’t his first choice and living in an area he did not want to live in for six months of the year.
   If he really wanted to play for the Dodgers, he might not be the type of guy that would let the union influence his future for the next 10 years
   From what I understand He’s gonna make 35 million in 23 for endorsements alone a 66% increase over the year before, so no reason to believe that will continue to increase
   So no matter what contract excepts he’s set up his family for generations down the road .
   From what I understand he’s a religious man, and very humble. So he might just think his happiness is more important than bowing down to the union

   1. You are free to believe that, but there is no way that will happen.

      1. Not saying, I believe that. Just saying that things aren’t as automatic as you might think.

      2. Mark a question about a hypothetical case, just in order to understand this question that the union wants the players to accept a better paid contract. Assuming that Julio Urias is offered a 10-year contract by Toronto and 300 million US dollars, but he does not want to play there (despite what SB and the union want) and would like to stay with the LA Dodgers for 5 or 6 years with an AVV in the range of 25 to 28 million US dollars, wouldn’t they allow it?

         1. See my next answer.

      3. I have never read an article about how the player’s union influences an individual player’s negotiation.
         If anybody has some article that explains this, please share.
         What I have seen is the notion that the union might advise a player and the player is free to take that advice or not.
         Ohtani is making a bundle already in salary and endorsements and that amount will go up no matter where he signs or whether it’s a 12-deal or something shorter.
         I’ll say it again: He may prefer a bigger AAV over a five-year or six-year deal than a smaller AAV stretched over 10 or 12.
         Why not? He might want the flexibility. He might want an opt-out in his contract.
         I don’t see how the players’ union has any influence here. I

         1. I think it’s totally possible that he goes for higher yearly and shorter term. Him picking a team it’s kind of the same risk as a team paying a ton of money for him. You know what he wants most is to win a world series. If he picks a team that he thinks can win with him and then they don’t, he could very well want the option to getting out as soon as possible and going to someone who’s got a better chance of getting him a ring.
            Cheers

         2. Of course, there are no articles on this, and no baseball writer is going to write it because of the power of the union. I suppose that the Teamsters Union is going to have a blueprint of how they operate. You don’t talk about this stuff in Unions. Ask Jimmy Hoffa! Let me just put it this way: Even Ray Charles can see it!

            That said, if he wants to play until he is 40, then it would be felony stupid to take a five or six-year contract and then try and get another at age 35 or 36. Explain why you would even suggest that. Only a seriously dumb person would put themselves in such a position, and his agent and the Union would both have a cow!

            1. Thanks Mark, I understand (here we know them as “Values ​​understood”

            2. So what you are saying is that you don’t have any actual source for your information, but you surmise or speculate that this is how it happens.
               A friend of mine used to be president of the Baseball Writers Associaton. Maybe he can offer some insight about Things That We Dare Not Report.

5. Cody may be a Yankee next year, they will offer him a large contract. He might see NY as a bigger stage than LA.

   1. The Yankees are saddled with Stanton’s boat anchor contract. I am not sure how much payroll
      flexibility they have.

      1. How about the Mets then?
         They’ve jettisoned Scherzer and Verlander, even if they are still paying some of their salaries. Nobody spends like Cohen.
         If it’s about money–and if Ohtani says no to the Mets–maybe they’ll make a run at Belli. Nimmo can move to leftfield and Belli can hit in front of Alonso.

         1. I think it’s the Mets and the Giants.

            1. For Ohtani or Belli?
               Or either?

6. I would rather have Chapman to play 3b than Cody n CF. Outman will be just fine there for much less money.
   Great to see Clayton back and dealing.

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

   1. I like Chapman, but Ia m afraid someone will give him dope-fiend money.

      1. Chapman is good for 1 win more than Muncy at 3rd base. Chapman is getting 12.5 AAV now, and he’ll probably sign a contract for more than that. If the Dodgers exercise Muncy’s option they’ll pay him 10 mil.

         I’ve always liked Chapman’s defense, but signing him over Muncy doesn’t move the needle a ton.

7. Oh my gosh, I’m so tired of hearing about baseball and money.

   No Mark, if a player like Ohtani is getting $580 million and he could get another $20 mil somewhere else, it’s not “real” money. In what world would that matter? You can’t begin to spend $580 mil, what’s another $20 mil. It’s nothing really. Won’t make a difference in your life. Maybe you can hire a good therapist to try and figure out why you feel miserable even though you have “wrath of God” money.

   I would rather play here, but the union tells me to forget all that. It’s about every last dime. Yah, that works. Even Scott Boras admits that some of his clients choose to play for a team that offered less.

   But okay, we should consider why you would pay a player $50 to get $20 in new revenue streams? First of all, if the player is valued at $35 million, now you’re acquiring his skills and abilities for $5 million less. Hey, it’s a deal. That is, if any baseball player is actually worth $30 million or more. Or even $25 mil.

   Baseball players vs. what they can actually deliver are way overpaid. It takes at least 35 players or more to get through a season, injuries and all. Is any player worth more than Mookie Betts or Freddie Freeman?

   So cutting to the chase, Mark and Bear are correct. Shohei Ohtani is not worth $50 million or even $40 million, unless, of course, he generates a lot of additional revenue to the club that signs him. That’s the only way any of this works.

   As to Ohtani, he also makes a great deal of money from his endorsements. He’s a baseball version of Taylor Swift. He will probably make more playing in a big market and near the Pacific Ocean, the gateway to Asia.

   Then again, who created the $500 million value anyway? Somebody studying MLB economics? No, it’s the media, the pundits who stoke the flames to have something to talk about. They can’t wait to get to winter. Ohtani already dominated the trade deadline talk and he wasn’t on the market. Imagine this winter.

   Didn’t Friedman recently say it’s not really a transitional year? Whatever any of that means.

   Maybe all it means is we’ve got some pretty good prospects and we need to take a hard look to see who can make a difference. Then again, they apparently offered Verlander $40 mil a year for two years so there is that. How does Verlander fit into transition?

   Many people thought transition mean’t spending less and saving money with a full youth movement. Some may have thought the Dodgers were focused on ’24, yet here we are with Dodgers winning the NL West again.

8. Well this winter will be wait and see time. It is going to be one interesting winter.

   1. Yes, it will.

9. Muncy has 12 hits (8 HR’s) against left-handed pitching. I’d love to have Muncy back at about half the salary he’s getting now. I really hope the Dodgers give Busch and Vargas a legitimate shot next year to hold down third and second. Lux will be the comeback player of the year and Ohtani signs with Seattle. 🙂

   1. How many walks does Max have against lefties?
      OBP and OPS are more important than BA. Max is above average in both, and among the leaders in HRs.
      Plus, he’s actually getting paid about $3 million less than Taylor. Maybe Max is represented by his brother-in-law or something.
      If you want to start listing Dodgers who don’t deliver the bang for the buck, Max is not the place to start.

      1. Muncy has 17 walks and 25 strikeouts against lefties. His OBP is .277, OPS .648. I’m not a Muncy hater. But I believe strongly in production versus value. Muncy was slightly better last year .315 OBP and .679 OPS. As much as we like Muncy is that worth 10 million and a spot on the 26 man roster. Depends how one runs ones business.

         1. gracias

   2. The Dodgers have a $10 Million Option for Max in 2024.

10. I’m not a platoon fan for the most part. I think it can be overdone and frequently is. I like a predictable lineup where guys know their daily roll and routine. Often reverse splits are ignored in favor of a set, predictable, pattern, that becomes mundane. But I have grown to really like our lineups vs LHP and RHP.
    This Dodger team now has remarkable versatility. I know Kike played a so-so SS for the Red Sox but he now looks like a million bucks at 3rd base. Between Rosario, Rojas, CT3 and Mookie, the middle is solid with Outman in center. I was never much of a Heyward fan as I didn’t watch the Braves much. I’ve become a big fan. He’s been great on the field and maybe even better in the clubhouse. He put any ego aside and seems happy to be Dodger with any roll. I’d like to see him return. Same with Peralta who was I liked as a D-back. Even CT3 got a knock last night and I hope he gets it going but his value as a defender, anywhere. is important. (15 million important, could be debated). I love that Doc/the Wizard stuck with Outman and didn’t put him on the shuttle.
    This team is fun and they bring energy and spirit to yard. You hear it a lot but these guys really do play for each other, which is what the Padres lack. I think Freddie’s influence on this team is understated.
    I occasionally have my bitches with Doc and his in-game moves but not much this year. But managing the Clubhouse is his strength. Who knows how this season will turn out but I really enjoy this team and Doc deserves a lot of credit.
    * I know that Kershaw is ultra competitive and wants to pitch. But I can’t help believe he was agreeable to taking a mid-season “vacation” to resolve any physical stuff but mainly to reduce his innings and work-load. He was perhaps capable of coming back earlier but they extended his “vacation” to be fresh for the stretch and the playoffs. Our position leading the division and playing as well as we have made that possible. I might be full of poop on this one but the rest, stress-free work out time and bullpens kept him sharp while being off a big league mound, will pay dividends. Now just stay healthy, please.

11. Great for Cody, but he pisses me off, actually. We had to watch his ridiculous, disjointed, complicated and hapless swing for three years because he was too damn stubborn and uncoachable to make any meaningful adjustments. It took him being non-tendered to finally pull his head out of his ass and clean up his approach … and Dodgers are supposed to fall all over themselves trying to get him back because he’s turned it around – this year?

    Talk about a risk in signing someone to a long-term deal! You know he’s gonna ask for a 25+ AAV for multiple years, right? If the Dodgers give it to him who’s to say he doesn’t just revert back to swinging out of his shoes, with the elaborate series of hitches and timing movements, and his head swinging around on his shoulders like a bobblehead and him winding up halfway on his ass in the dirt? His swing before the ball reaches the plate is like watching an oil supertanker trying to parallel park. It was agonizing to watch.

    Let the Cubs and Yankees get in a bidding war for him.

    I keep in hearing that it’s a transition year. What does that even mean? A transition from what to what? Yeah, I think the Dodgers want to see what their vaunted farm system is producing and want to plan for success with cheap and controllable talent for the next several years, but there’s a difference between integrating young and cheap talent with core and veteran talent and going with a full youth movement.

    I read a post by Bear yesterday basically saying, “what the heck! Just play the kids! It worked out for the Braves.”

    That’s not a plan. That’s basically throwing your farm system up against the wall just to see what sticks – playing kids for the sake of just playing the kids irrespective of whether you have an actual competitive team.

    Remember, you have probably 2-3 more years of Mookie and Freddie at their primes before they start to decline. Do you want to squander that so you can play around with Sheehan, Pepiot and Grove as your starting rotation? The Dodgers gave Miguelito a long runway to see what their top prospect could produce at the MLB level. HE’S A BUST!

    Integrate rookies when you can, but this organization is too talented, with expectation too high not to compete for a WS every year.

    Get Ohtani! Do it! DO IT!!!

    My hunch is that Buehler’s a non-factor this year. If he’s reportedly throwing 92-94, that’s pretty far off the 98 MPH high spin FB that made him successful. He got by through throwing straight gas, which is probably the main contributing factor to his second TJ surgery. He’s gonna have to learn how to pitch. That’s going to be long-term process.

    I’m more hopeful about Treinen. If he’s at 97 in mid August, he’s looking good to regain his 98 MPH FB and his video game slider. Plug him into Almonte’s spot and the bullpen is looking pretty good for the playoffs.

    1. I was talking about young pitchers, not all of the kids Patch. Once again, you only see what you want to. A long runway for Vargas? What a ridiculous statement. The kid has played in 99 games total over his time in the majors. He broke his thumb in spring training and could not even swing a bat for a few weeks. He has better bat to ball skills than Joc Pederson, who got a very long runway. He is going to be back, and I am going to laugh my ass off when he makes your so-called analysis of his skills completely wrong.

       1. It’s nice that there is so much confidence placed in Vargas, but so far he looks like a really good minor leaguer who might not have what it takes to succeed at the ML level.
          Busch hasn’t had much of opportunity. If someone gets hurt and it’s a choice between the two, I’d rather see what Busch can do and let Vargas work on his game in OKC. (I suspect one of these guys might still be here because of the Rodriguez trade debacle.)

          1. Vargas is a 5th infielder 😉

             Eric would agree.

             1. 4th or 5th!

             2. Yep. All along.

             3. Eric hasn’t posted in a long time, so what he believes is irrelevant. Vargas was also learning a new position which he had never played before. For someone who never played the game beyond kindergarten, you are pretty critical of other peoples skills. I know I could not do what he does.

             4. irrelevant back at you.

       2. He’s gotten over 350 plate appearances at the MLB level. He’s gotten plenty of opportunity. What? He got a little boo boo on his wittle thumb and couldn’t swing for a couple of weeks in Spring Training? Boo Hoo! Joc hit 26 dingers in his first full season and played good outfield defense.

          You’ll be eating crow when the Dodgers sign Ohtani and they’re having a victory parade next year. I’ll be sure to point out how you were so adamant that he ain’t all that.

          1. Well, actually, he had two injuries. A broken finger and a mashed thumb, but he played so I don’t believe in excuses. What I do know is that lots of players do not make it on their first try… sometimes not even the second.

             I think that anyone with a modicum of baseball understanding can see what Vargas is about and by saying otherwise, they are just trying to get a rise out of me. I do not think you are that stupid!

             1. The Dodgers will give him another opportunity next year, so we’ll see, but he was never considered a can’t miss prospect by most prognosticators. Good bat to ball skills, hits the opposite way, good pitch recognition, power not there but might come later, no natural defensive position and generally subpar defense all around. Fangraphs gave him a 50 rating. For comparison, your whipping boy Gavin Lux got a 70, Wander Franco got an 80, Corbin Carrol got a 65.

                Yes, I’m trying to get a rise out of people.

          2. And what happened to Joc later? He had a horrible second half. 350 plate appearances is nothing. Most teams keep their prize prospects for at least a couple of years. It is way too early to judge what the kid might or might not do. As for Ohtani, if ownership is dumb enough to spend that kind of money on one guy, well so be it. I do not think I will be eating crow anytime soon. Also, Joc was not hurt at any time during his rookie season, but he played himself right out of ROY contention with that second half meltdown. I would love to see you try and hit MLB pitching with a bad hand. His biggest problem was he did not adjust to what they were doing to him. That comes with experience. Something he has yet to acquire.

             1. Joc only played himself into a long and successful career with 182 career home runs. Miguelito played himself, not only out of the ROY conversation, but right back down to the minor leagues. I’ll take Joc’s career over Miguelito’s any day of the week.

                Bad hand? Did Cal Ripken Jr. take himself out of the lineup because he had a little boo boo?

          3. Out of line with Eric Bear!

             1. Yeah, that was a little harsh.

          4. Have you ever taken a fast ball off your wrist? I believe Mark and bear are not talking about the injury as much as they are talking about the unaware changes in his swing as he was trying to recover. I don’t like to talk down on anyone but my bet is you haven’t had a serious sports injury that you had to come back and participate at a high level. Sorry in advance if you read this as an insult.

             1. Yeah, but there was a stretch there where Vargas started to hit. So I don’t think it was the injuries that sent him down a black hole. Pressure got to him when he went in a slump and he couldn’t come out of it. No big deal because he’s got skills. He’ll come back around.
                By the way, Eric never said Vargas didn’t have talent, he just said he thought he wasn’t as ready as Outman for the major leagues this year

             2. If Vargas was seriously injured, they could have held him out longer. Dodger management kept him in the lineup during Spring training with instructions not to swing.
                Why were they so intent that Vargas, banged up though he was, should be the starter at 2B? Why, after he had such a poor showing after he was called up late in 2022?
                Busch, Yonny, Jones and others really weren’t given a chance–even though Vargas was hurting. Management must have also known the risk that Vargas’s swing could be compromised through the recovery and he wouldn’t be the hit machine he was in the minors. All predictable, right?
                While we can plausibly blame injury for Vargas’ troubles in 2023, how do you explain his struggle in 2022? He was billed as the best pure hitter in arguably the best farm system in the majors—but when he was called up he didn’t hit much at all. In about 50 plate appearances, he batted .170 and had on-base % of only .200. He struck out 13 times and only walked twice. In the minors he had nearly as many walks as Ks. Not a big sample, but more than 3X what Outman had. Vargas was clearly overmatched.
                Mark wanted to blame some unspecified person–perhaps Von Scoyoc, perhaps JDM–for messing Vargas earlier this season. I would fault the brass for prematurely anointing Vargas as a starter instead of having a real competition.
                Here’s hoping that the return to the minors will help him find what’s been missing. But right now, how about a longer look at Busch?

    2. Buehler himself said that Sept.1st probably is too ambitious for a return.
       If he is only at 92-93 mph he will not be helpful. With his arsenal he needs that high 90 heater.

       Treinen would be huge. If he is good he is what Bednar could have been . A closer with shutdown ability.

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

    3. Yeah, they’ve never articulated what this “transition year” transitions too.
       One possibility is that it is a transition to the Ohtani Era, which would be an epic powerhouse with Mookie, Freddie and Ohtani all in their primes. Three future HOF in the lineup surrounded by an impressive supporting cast.
       Another possibility?
       The new Budget Era Why not get under the tax with a full-fledged youth movement? Dodgers would still have big stars under contract and be competitive without adding Ohtani or any pricy free agents.
       Mookie RF
       Freddie 1B
       Smith C
       Max 3B (Dodgers exercise $10m option, a bargain for a slugging third baseman)
       Vargas 2B (because he bats right and eventually hit ML pitching, right?)
       Outman CF
       Busch DH (platoons with Smith, also backs up 2B and 3B)
       DeLuca LF
       Lux SS (back in the “second leadoff role”

       Bench of Rojas, Barnes, maybe Feduccia…???
       And the rotation loses Kershaw, Urias, Lynn– too expensive!–but still under contract are Buhler, Miller, Gonsolin, May, Stone, Pepiot, Grove, other rookies… not sure about Yarborough, but he’s probably cheap enough.

       I have no doubt the bargain-basement Dodgers would be a very competitive team, even we’d be banking on Vargas, Busch and DeLuca to show they can succeed above AAA. (I’m still waiting for a Dodgers source to declare that Busch is actually a better third-baseman than Max. A lot of wishful thinking here.)
       So why not the Bargain Basement Bums? I might be grumpy about it, but I’d still root for them.
       Perhaps they could reduce ticket prices!
       Now that would be a transition…

    4. So you’re mad because Cody had to actually hit what was the bottom for him before he had his come to Jesus moment huh? Damn him, for being an average human!

       1. You talk like he was some full blown alcoholic who wound up on Skid Row before he was able to put his life back together.

          He was an MLB MVP winner/multi-millionaire who developed some bad habits and, in spite of the hitting coaches, video analysis, resources and professional advice afforded him, chose to stubbornly continue his bad habits and refused to listen.

          … and reading the comments by Jayne Cobb he was all butt hurt because the Dodgers didn’t give him 18+ million? He was TERRIBLE the last couple of years.

          1. Word

12. RIP Bobby Morgan. Backup infielder for the Dodgers in the late 40’s and early 50’s. He passed away at age 96. One of the last living Brooklyn Dodgers.

13. If the players union makes players take the biggest offer it seems simple, if we want Bellinger back just offer him the biggest contract. Personally I think money is very important but other factors come into play also.

    1. Cody is in a really good place right now. If he wants to, he can pretty much write his own ticket. He might want to play for the team he grew up watching because his dad played there. Then again, he might want to play in his home state, although I doubt AZ ponies up that big of a contract. And he might want to come back to the Dodgers. They will probably kick the tires on a return. Some players have returned after leaving. After all, they brought back Kike. Alex Verdugo will likely be on the market this winter. Red Sox do not really care for his attitude. Same thing that got him in the doghouse with the Dodgers. Lynn pitching tonight against Gomber who has been much better lately.

14. All five of the deadline acquisitions have made a significant contribution to wins.

    1. Yes, they have. I have been impressed with Yarbrough since I knew less about him than the others. That pickoff on the third try last night was awesome. Had he not picked the runner off, it would have been a balk under the new rules. Umpiring to me remains a huge problem. They need every ump to use a defined strike zone. Not one of their own making that is all over the place.

       1. I think there’s one waiting in the wings……..it’s called ABS (Hawkeye)

          1. Can’t be implemented soon enough.

15. I’m a bit over the Ohtani debate. What will happen will happen.

    That said, after watching the games since the trade deadline I had to go back and look at some of my comments when the Dodgers were knocked out of the playoffs last year. After I had a few days to cool off from the Padres simply humiliating then in 4 games.

    In essence, I said they played with no fire. No enthusiasm. No energy. I felt something needed to change. And I hadn’t a clue what had might be. I was even for potentially replacing Roberts if it fixed that problem.

    Well, AD did fix that problem. He brought in guys who have not only produced but have been important in the clubhouse. And he got them cheap. JDM and J Hayward. And then he brought back Kike and Joe Kelly. He saw something in Lynn that, so far, looks like it might work. This team is playing with more energy than I have seen in years. They are having fun. They just need to maintain this going into the playoffs. Walker coming back could help. He plays with that same fire in the belly that we were missing in the playoffs. Mookie and Freddie seem to feed off that. Or I should say…. Feast off of that.

    I don’t expect the Dodgers to play .900 baseball the rest of the year. I’m sure we will have another slump. And we have to end the season with a bunch of games against the Giants. They won’t go down easy. But keeping the motivation and energy high is what will give us a real shot in the post season.

    1. Jayne – I wholeheartedly agree with you,

       You may recall that he also let JT walk, much to everyone’s surprise. I said then that this wasn’t a surprise to me, as I felt the as the “Team Leader” JT had passed his Sell By date and another voice needed to be heard, and to challenge Roberts.
       As it turns out, there appears to be a number of leaders. JDM for sure but Rojas really appears at he heart of everything, and certainly Peralta and Heyward are to the fore in the Dugout, and if I’m being honest (having not always been Roberts biggest fan), I think he is having his best season to date, especially given the horrendous Starting Pitching availability we’ve had to endure.

       I really like the trajectory this team is on.

       Eric – hope you’re ok pal

       1. JT did not surprise me at all. Non tendering Bellinger did. I just had a feeling he was this close to getting back to what he was. It took a while, but he is raking in Chicago. Only Dodger player with a higher average is Freddie.

       2. I’m breathing. Thanks for asking Watford Dodger. Hope you’re doing good my friend.

          1. good to hear!

             1. Thank you Bobby.

          2. Glad you’re doing well, Eric.

16. I guess we can all talk about next year now that we have the Western division wrapped up! Where is everyone who had the Dodgers winning 85-89 games and the Padres running away with the division? What do they do this off season after this fiasco? Back to building a top farm system. AGAIN!

    1. Silent. Ohtani conversation is going to be there until he signs with a new team or returns to the Angels. I saw guys talking about next season during spring training, especially after Lux went down.

17. 10:10 PM ET

    Rockies (45-70)
    Dodgers (68-46)

    SP Austin Gomber L
    9-8 5.40 ERA
    SP Lance Lynn R
    8-9 6.11 ERA

    Confirmed Lineup
    RF Mookie Betts R
    1B F. Freeman L
    C Will Smith R
    2B Amed Rosario R
    3B E. Hernandez R
    CF James Outman L
    DH Chris Taylor R
    LF D. Peralta L
    SS Miguel Rojas R

    74° Wind 9 mph Out

18. Thursday scores
    Tacoma 4, Oklahoma City 3
    Amarillo 7, Tulsa 4
    West Michigan 6, Great Lakes 2
    Inland Empire 5, Rancho Cucamonga 3

    Friday schedule
    4:05 p.m. PT: Great Lakes (Peter Heubeck) vs. West Michigan (Garrett Burhenn)
    5:05 p.m.: Tulsa (Kendall Williams) vs. Amarillo (TBD)
    6:30 p.m.: Rancho Cucamonga (Jared Karros) vs. Inland Empire (Walbert Urena)
    7:05 p.m.: Oklahoma City (Gavin Stone) at Tacoma (Kyle Hart)

19. If only Busch was a RH hitter

    1. Or could play a major league defensive position besides 1B.

       I think he may be passable at 3b, considering we’ve gone with Muncy for so long; probably unplayable at 2b, which surprising but what do I know; and not even tried in LF.

       1. If Busch continues to rake at anywhere near what he’s doing now, he’s a likely guy to be promoted on September 1st when rosters expand. If we’re in good shape in the standings, I would guess he’ll get lots of playing time in order to rest some of the other guys.

          That will be his audition for the playoffs.

          1. Agreed

          2. He’s sure earned it.

    2. No, Busch is not a RH batter, but does he show severe splits either way?

20. Since July 14th, Vargas’s first game back at AAA, these are the BA / OBP / SLG for Vargas and Busch in the same time frame of 7/14 until today:

    Vargas – 282 / 387 / 495
    Busch – 355 / 434 / 710

    Make of it what you will.

21. Why is JDM day-to day? why not give him a rest and put him on IL?

    1. He got an epidural for the pain, though I suspect childbirth is more painful.
       The brass wants to avoid putting him on the IL.
       Don’t know why.

22. Seeing players play with a look of defeat and resignation all over their bodies — like those on the Rockies.
    Their body language says it all. ..Sad, a downer to watch.

    1. We need to remember that when we start complaining about Doc and AF.

       1. Point

    2. You love to see it.

23. I talked to someone who is a friend of a friend close to Cody and he believes there is too much water over the dam for Cody to come back to LA.

    OK.

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