Rant & Rave Monday

Posted By on August 14, 2023

  • 12-1 in August – I’ll take it, but be prepared for the next losing streak… and there will be one.
  • Miguel Rojas – You cannot stop this beast! 4 RBI! Wow! 😉
  • The starting pitching looks much better right about now than it did in July. Urias is starting to pitch like an Ace and Kershaw is back, Miller has had his best game and then there is Lance Lynn to go with a resurgent Tony Gonsolin.
  • Ryan Pepiot pitched 6.2 innings (90 pitches) and allowed 1 hit yesterday. No runs and 11 K’s to go with Zero walks. Sounds like he is ready!
  • Miguel Vargas is 0-19 in his last 5 games with 12 strikeouts. Something is going on. I heard they were working on his swing, but… his swing is unrecognizeable to me. Hopefully they know what they are doing (they do).
  • This is just Michael Busch’s third full season in the minors. Don’t forget that he played 4 years at North Carolina. He will be 26 in November and many baseball types believe he can be a solid 3B. I think he will be just that next year in LA.
  • MLBTR had this to say about Joe Kelly’s IL Trip: “This is Kelly’s eighth IL trip since the start of the 2020 campaign, and the third of this season —he previously had minimal 15-day absences with a groin strain and elbow inflammation while with the White Sox.  Any forearm or elbow injury will be treated with particular caution, though if it is just inflammation rather than anything more serious (and Kelly and the Dodgers have had a few days to evaluate the issue), it is possible Kelly might again only miss a minimal amount of time.” Translation: Who knows? It could be serious… or not. Blake Treinen suddenly looks more important!
  • Oevr the winter, I said to “Never underestimate AJ Preller’s ability to screw something up.” Why are the Padres so bad? They have a fractured lockerroom. Character matters. The Padres are a dysfunctional family. You should be happy that character matters with Andrew Friedman.
  • It’s possible that the Dodgers could have four players with 30+ HR and 100 +RBI’s. When did that last happen?
  • MLB.com says this about the Dodgers: “The Dodgers continue to combine winning and developing prospects better than anyone, graduating Bobby Miller, Miguel Vargas, James Outman and Emmet Sheehan to Los Angeles this season and still maintaining a deep system. Their top three prospects currently are hitters (Dalton Rushing, Michael Busch, Diego Cartaya) but they have a wave of pitching in the upper levels (led by Nick Frasso, Gavin Stone and River Ryan) as well.”
  • Two fast risers: Peyton Martin and Wilman Diaz!
  • Watch out for Joe Vetrano – he may be Freddies Replacement at 1B!
  • Later this week,I will have a column on the Dodger Prospects.
  • Gavin Stone could see time in the Dodgers bullpen!
  • Greg Spruill nailed it: “Over the last 3 seasons I’ve noticed a trend in the comments. When the Dodgers play well AF and the players get the credit. When they play poorly Roberts gets the blame.” Totally irrational and totally true!

This article has 78 Comments

  1. Watched the post game interview with Doc and he downplayed the IL stint for Joe Kelly mentioning (paraphrased) it has been a season long issue for Joe and the IL stint is a pain management stint and a time to settle the elbow down. He didn’t make it sound like he was alarmed or too concerned and I was left with the feeling it will be just the 15 days and then brining him back for the remainder of the season and getting him right for the post season.

    Gonna need Joe for some big outs in the post season.

  2. I dont want to think about Freddies replacement until 2033 at the earliest….he will retire a Dodger and go in the hall with a Blue Cap.

    Great weekend, great team. Don’t look now but we are sneaking up on the mighty ATL bravos.

  3. Roberts best managing job yet. I guess sometimes he gets overlooked because of the fact other managers don’t have to deal with platoons every day. Braves trot out pretty much same lineup every day. Roberts has a different lineup almost daily. I get the left -right matchups, my only issue is why pinch hit so early in games when a pitching change happens? Usually if an early pitching change is happening, that means we’re scoring runs! Just my thoughts. Nice to see Rojas contribute yesterday! That’s a big bonus’ now if. They could get even a small contribution from Barnes! Not good news on Kelly. But as you commented, if Treinen can get back we’re ok. So, Mark, if Pepiot is throwing the hell out of the ball what do you do with him? Do you put him in the rotation or bullpen? I’m not completely convinced on Catman! But I don’t think Tony is effective out of the bullpen. 6-man rotation? Pitching as he did yesterday, just can’t leave him down in AAA! Getting back to Roberts, if Dodgers keep winning, he should be given serious consideration for manager of the year! But he won’t get it because of the payroll. Right now, I think it would be between Ross (Cubs) and Councill(Brewers)

  4. Totally agree about Peyton Martin. He’s a monster. Will have to google Joe Vetrano now. Looking forward to the prospect content. Cheers!

  5. No question August has been fair sailing for the Dodgers, the starting pitching seems to be better and the bullpen good at times. Clutch hitting and power making a difference.

    I definitely expect Michael Busch to be given a full shot to be the starting third baseman next year.

    Looking forward to your prospects column.

    Good to see Pepiot back.

    Yes the Dodgers are generating tremendous buzz for the development system, the envy of the rest of baseball. You go back to what Stan Kasten said when the new ownership took over, it’s about the farm system and player development. Andrew Friedman and company have made that happen.

    No question, the Padres are a mess. Too many superstars not focused on team goals, but on individual play. Oh, they’ve got talent, but chemistry is lacking.

    The best free agent signing is Freeman.

  6. And speaking of MVP, yesterday someone mentioned something about the MVP, about Mookie, Acuña and Freeman, before the comments were closed, I read something about it a couple of days ago, and it seems that until then, Freeman was on top various statistics:

    fWAR….. Acuna Jr
    AVG…….Freeman
    OBP……..Freeman
    SLG……..Freeman
    OPS…….Freeman
    OPS+….Freeman
    wRC+….Freeman
    wOBA….Freeman
    Hits…….Freeman
    2B………Freeman
    HR……..Acuna Jr
    RBI…….Freemans
    Runs….Tied
    TB……..Freeman
    SB……..Acuna Jr

    So, if there is justice, Freeman should be the next MVP

  7. And this is how it starts…Better to wait a year and try to sign Soto

    Shohei Ohtani will skip his next scheduled start due to arm fatigue, Angels manager Phil Nevin told the Associated Press and other media. Ohtani was initially slated to face the Rangers on Wednesday, but due to what Nevin described as “some normal arm fatigue that happens at times,” the Halos will now hold Ohtani’s next start back until a series with the Reds that begins on August 21. The arm issue won’t prevent Ohtani from his usual regular DH duty, and the two-way superstar underlined that point by hitting a home run (his 41st of the season) in the Angels’ 2-1 victory over the Astros today.

    2. This is WHY Ohtani is such a strong fit.

      The Dodgers are notorious for limiting innings and arm wear.

          1. If Ohtani is on the Dodgers, he’ll be in a six-man rotation, just like he is with the Angels. Theoretically, a six-man rotation would benefit the whole group and perhaps put less strain on the bullpen.
            On offense, Ohtani would be rested against some lefties to allow Will Smith to DH and get some rest from catching. Other righty bats could also spell him Ohtani as need be. This extra rest should help him keep him fresh for pitching throughout the long season, and especially fresh for the playoffs. (The Angels don’t have the luxury of resting Ohtani. Look how the Dodgers have been slow-playing Kershaw with the playoffs in mind.)
            So maybe once a week Ohtani pitches, and once a week he rests. But even if it’s off day, can you imagine a better pinch hitter? He is a threat to homer in every at bat, and his OBP is about .400–and he’s damn fast, too.

          2. If Ohtani is on the Dodgers, he’ll be in a six-man rotation, just like he is with the Angels. Theoretically, a six-man rotation would benefit the whole group and perhaps put less strain on the bullpen.
            On offense, Ohtani would be rested against some lefties to allow Will Smith to DH and get some rest from catching. Other righty bats could also spell him Ohtani as need be. This extra rest should help him keep him fresh for pitching throughout the long season, and especially fresh for the playoffs. (The Angels don’t have the luxury of resting Ohtani. Look how the Dodgers have been slow-playing Kershaw with the playoffs in mind.)
            So maybe once a week Ohtani pitches, and once a week he rests. But even if it’s off day, can you imagine a better pinch hitter? He is a threat to homer in every at bat, and his OBP is about .400–and he’s damn fast, too.

  9. If Walker is healthy and the Dodgers could either convince cardinals to trade Nolan or sign Chapman George next year, forget Ohtani and Soto! I’m convinced the big 3 in San Diego are all clubhouse cancers! So No to Soto! Chemistry matters! If pads don’t sign him, him or Tatis ends up in pinstripes! Let Boonie deal with em! Speaking of the friars, hopefully they eliminate themselves from the wildcard. As bad as things are that pitching staff could do damage in playoffs. Think Bob Melvin misses Oakland? No pressure there! Still miss Justin Turner! Verdugo probably is bound for other grass after this season. If trash can Cora don’t like you, you in deep doodoo. Still amazed Justin signed there. Wish it was Baltimore instead.

  10. Very happy for Rojas. I’ve gone on record here saying that I am happy enough with his bat and do not want him replaced in the field at SS except an occasional rest day off. He is just too good in the field
I’m sure our pitchers love him and I completely trust him, unlike some other guys I won’t name who play in the infield.

    I also seriously believe Busch at age 25 needs to be given his chance OVER VARGAS. Please give him his chance to play 3B.

  11. I think that Soto would be better than Ohtani, because he is much younger, and by the way, there has been a lot of discussion about whether it would be ideal or prudent to sign Ohtani, some say that he is no longer at the ideal age, others say that a talent like his is unique and generational, I think any team would love to have an Ohtani, but I don’t know if all teams want to have that 30-year-old Ohtani, and paying all the money he asks for, I prefer to sign 2 or 3 players who are part of the team, or another younger player who is worth 10 years, like Soto, only in case it is not possible to make a trade for Arenado or sign Chapman.
    I know Soto is a jerk, but I also recognize the talent he has, and in LA he won’t have those clowns that he has in SD

    1. My point exactly and why I think that much money can be better spent on some starting pitching, because they have so many free agent pitchers and fill the holes.

    1. Barnes will not be replaced this season. He recently caught a shutout and was praised by the manager.

      2024 trade is a possibility as Feduccia is ready.

      This late in the year you don’t mess with the foundation

    1. What’s coming next is the family pushback?

      They (agents/ fam) are pushing entrapment – ‘she looks older, he ended the relationship , mother got riled’ and then started the shitstorm.

      I get the ‘cultural differences’ angle but, how do young stars get into these messes? Thinking with the wrong head. Simple.

      2. The one similarity (at least thus far) with the Bauer debacle is that Wander is also university disliked. He was suspended earlier this year for “being a bad teammate”. I have no clue if the allegations are true and none of us know the full circumstances. But even if he was tricked, nobody is going to come to his defense. I read weeks ago that many of his teammates can’t stand him.

  15. Signing Mookie Betts was an absolute dope fiend move. 12/365. He’s under contract until age 40. That contract is not going to give value starting in about 2-5 years, depending on how quickly he declines with age – especially if he keeps up that bowling hobby. That contract will be an albatross.

    Would you have rather kept Alex Verdugo?

    https://dodgersway.com/posts/alex-verdugo-immaturity-update-makes-dodgers-mookie-betts-trade-look-even-better-01h7dbnrf5rj

    Apparently, the makeup issues that were a part of his scouting dossier when he was prospect are still an issue. He might be in a different uniform next year.

    Soto’s going to command a 450 mil contract at least. You’re talking like he’s some sort of big discount/better value over Ohtani. If having an expensive Ohtani in his declining last five years as a DH only means the Dodgers absolutely run the table and win 2-3 WS in his prime first five years, then I’ll take that in a heartbeat. Ohtani is absolutely talented enough to help a team like the Dodgers do that. Soto is not.

    If your complaint about the 1927 Yankees lineup is that the team will have financial obligations to Babe Ruth when he’s older and his skills are declining, then I have to question your baseball priorities.

    1. On Mookie: The last 4 or 5 years of his contract will be tricky! He will certainly have to move to 2B by then… hopefully much sooner than that!

      On Verdugo: We knew that he had had some character issues. He did not like Boston, but then, so did Adrian Gonzalez and Mookie Betts.

      On Soto: He is part of the clubhouse problem. No thank you!

      1. The last 4-5 years are tricky with any long term contract. Most don’t provide value. You’re buying his productive years. If he gives you something at the end of the contract, that’s a bonus. That’s the risk you take when signing a player long term, and that risk assessment was factored in to AF’s decision to sign Mookie. AF usually doesn’t make these kinds of deals – unless that player is truly special.

  16. I wonder if Wander Franco would want to bring his 17 year old girl friend with him to LA?

    1. The rumor on X is that she was 14!

      The Rays have put him on the Restricted List and MLB has launched an investigation.

      This is not good!

    1. This guy is a defensive wizard.

      Had we had him instead of Trea do we beat SD last year……..maybe….

    2. Most of these interviews are pretty much boiler plate stuff, but I liked what he said at about the 1:25 minute mark. He gives some insight into the effectiveness of the organizational culture.

  18. You all should look back over Dodger history. Guys with bad attitudes or problems do not last long with the team. Frank Robinson, and Dick Allen spent exactly one year in Dodger blue. If you take Manny Ramirez’s total time with LA it amounted to little over one season, 223 games. Verdugo’s problems with the Dodgers at the major league level started with his rehab during the 2019 season. He only played 20 games in the second half. I forget what the injury was, but LA was pretty upset he did not come back from the injury before the playoffs. He missed the entire post-season. As for Robinson and Allen, both were not well liked by Alston. His moves were often questioned by Robinson. Allen got on the wrong side of Walter O’Malley because he did not like doing the PR stuff Walter wanted all of the players to do. He felt the focus should be on winning ballgames and anything else was a waste of time. The Dodgers for many years strive to avoid players with baggage. I was surprised they put up with Puig for so long, but he finally got shipped out. Chapman’s problems kept them from trading for him.

    1. I guess you can add Gary Sheffield to that list. Although he lasted 4 years. I was sorry to see him go. One of the few sluggers with more walks than Ks. Although he didn’t get along with management, he was a positive in the clubhouse and well liked by players

    2. .And yet AF signed Bauer, already a notorious asshole, for more than $100 million for three years.
      That one kind of blew up on them.
      And if Frank Robinson questioned Alston’s, I suspect that Robinson had good reasons.
      Was his attitude the problem? Or was it Alston’s attitude?

  19. Dodgers will be adding reliever Gus Varland to the roster for tomorrow’s game.

    That will necessitate taking someone off the 40-man or moving someone to the 60-day IL. Prime candidate would be Marisnick.

    We originally got Varland along with Sheldon Neuse from the A’s for Kolarek and Cody Thomas. Varland was then taken by the Brewers in the Rule 5 and ultimately returned to us. He’s been pretty spectacular since coming back to OKC so hopefully we’ll have a good result from this promotion.

      1. But aren’t there already 40 on the 40-man?
        Varland has to be added there before they can put him on the 26-man.

        1. Kelly going on the 15-day IL opens up a spot. Giants are DFAing Luis Rodriguez and Rockies doing the same with Cole Tucker who had two hits the other night.

  21. Power Rankings Top 5:

    1) Braves 75-42 (last week: 1)
    The Braves briefly looked a little wobbly coming out of the Deadline, losing three straight to the NL Central’s Cubs and Pirates. Fortunately for them, they had an ace in the hole: A series against the flailing Mets. Their doubleheader sweep on Saturday capped a particularly gruesome 34-3 drubbing over the first three games, which feels like the score of a dull Super Bowl. The only real trick for the Braves the rest of the way is remaining motivated and healthy heading into the postseason.

    2) Dodgers 71-46 (last week: 6)
    Well, well, look who’s back. The Dodgers have been the best team in baseball since the break, going 11-1 and laying waste to competitors. The Dodgers weren’t thought of as one of the most aggressive teams at the Deadline, but their additions have been uniformly excellent, particularly Lance Lynn, who is 3-0 with a 2.00 ERA in his three starts with the Dodgers. Don’t look now, but another week like the one they just had and they’ll be within striking distance of the best-in-the-Majors Braves.

  22. The Athletic has the Dodgers at #4:

    4. Los Angeles Dodgers
    Record: 71-46
    Last Power Ranking: 5

    Player having a sneaky-good season: Jason Heyward

    Lance Lynn is doing wonders for the Dodgers’ reputation as master tinkerers, but the re-weaponization of Heyward is arguably more impressive. He currently has the highest home-run rate of his career (4.2 percent), and he’s still playing outstanding defense. He’s even played a few games at first base, just to mess with you.

    An honorable mention goes to David Peralta, who entered June with a .595 OPS and a first-class ticket on the DFA Express, but has hit .321/.351/.484 since then. It’s probably time to get a warrant and raid the Dodger Stadium offices. Whatever secrets they’re holding are too important to hoard. They need to be distributed to the masses for the good of the sport. — GB

  25. 2024 dodgers okay I go with this they sign free agents Josh Hader Matt Chapman bring back Rosorio and Lynn and Hernandez and I am sure a outfielder a veteran one so here is my roster for 2024 and Urias goes to Giants and Kershaw to the Rangers and Muncy signs with Seattle to be there first baseman or DH theu so sign J.D Martinez back edging out the Angels who lost Ohtani to the Mets but here is 2024 Dodgers
    1B Freeman
    2B. Rosario
    SS. Lux
    3B. Chapman
    LF. Busch
    CF. Outman
    RF. Betts
    C. Smith
    DH J.D Martinez

    Bench
    Rojas. Infield
    Hernandez utility
    Feduccia. C
    Heyward. Of
    Deluca. Of

    Starting pitching
    Buehler
    Lynn. Signed free agent
    Flarethy. Signed free agent
    Miller
    Sheehan
    Pepiot

    Closer josh Hader signed free agent
    See what they all got instead of getting one player in Ohtani they get players that fit in place rather then one player. Now just see how close I get to this 2024.

    1. Like your squad. Mine is similar. I have Vargas at 2nd and Busch at third. Since Taylor is already signed I have him where you Hernandez. Curious what Heyward will make next season, he’s getting over 20 million this season with the Cubs picking up all but the minimum 750,000. I’m torn between Peralta and Heyward. Perhaps the front office picks up another veteran to platoon with Deluca. I like Feduccia as the backup having been the catcher for the youngsters coming up. Buehler, Miller, Sheehan, Pepiot, Stone, Yarbrough plus we need to go and find a left handed starter. Hoping it’s Kershaw. Urias made himself a lot of money last night. I hope we re-sign him. I like Evans or May as a closer (if May is ready.) Whatever the front office comes up with I’m good with their judgement. As stated yesterday I really hope we build within our organization.

    2. Quite a crystal ball!
      You should save this. If you bat .300, you’re an all-star.

    3. I like your roster.
      Allegedly Dodgers will be 137 million dollars under the luxury tax when this season is in the books. Plus if MM is let go that is 10 million more.
      that is a lot of money to work with and still be able to reset the cap, getting under the luxury tax.

      Bringing in Chapman will cost about 15-18 million/year.
      Hader probably in that range too.
      Bringing back JDM about 12-15 million/year.

      That is around 50 million used.
      Leaves us with almost 90 million.

      I would like to keep both Julio and Clayton instead of Lynn and Flaherty.
      Julio probably will ask for 10 year/30 and Clayton 20 for another1year contract.
      Leaves us still with 40 million.
      Should be enough to bring back Kike, Rosario and Heyward.

      I would play Vargas at 2b if he gets his stroke back.

      So then look at the roster:
      Betts, rf
      Freddie, 1b
      Smith, c
      JDM, DH
      Chapman, 3b
      Lux, ss
      Vargas, 2b
      Outman, cf
      Busch, lf

      Bench: Kike, Rosario, Feduccia, Heyward, Rojas (that is 14 players but due to injuries you need a little waggle room, if it comes down to Rosario or Kike I would keep Rosario due to speed and age).

      Rotation; Julio. Clayton. Walker, Miller.Catman (with the kids Stone, Pepiot,Sheehan providing insurance). Should we not be able to keep Julio or Clayton I would go after Snell in free agency.
      Pen: Hader. Phillpps. Graterol.Ferguson. Vesia. Almonte. Hudson,Treinen.
      Wildcard: May. I do not think you can use him as a fulltime starter any longer due to his multiple arm injuries. Make him a reliever. Would give us a triple headed monster to use in high leverage situations and closer.

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

  28. No game today, Bear. They have until tomorrow.

    And Kelly’s going on the 15-day IL doesn’t create a spot on the 40-man roster. They still have to dump somebody from that to add Varland. I’m guessing it will be Marisnick, either dfa or 60-day IL.

  29. About Kike, I read that many Dodgers fans, Latinos more than anything, are upset because Kike did not show respect to Fernando when he was walking to the field, I saw that Kike did not even get up and continued on the ground warming up while that all the other players were applauding, I personally do not give importance to the matter.

    And about Wander, it seems that he promised to give the 14-year-old girl money in exchange for keeping the relationship a secret, but she got angry because Wander never gave her the promised money.

    There is nothing more dangerous than an angry woman!

      2. True, but quite a few 14 year old women are old enough to play their game with any man.
        Found that out a long time ago first hand. A very tough lesson I learned back then.

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

  30. If political humor is too close to political talk, please delete:

    How bad has this season been for the White Sox? Their 1-2 hitters in the order, Tim Anderson and Andrew Benintendi, have fewer homers (3) this season than Trump has indictments (4).

      1. Hey Ram, a lot of people are saying that Jared Kushner will be bidding for the Dodgers with all that Saudi money….

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