J. Hey and The Freight Train

Posted By on September 19, 2023

When the Dodgers signed David Peralta and Jason Heyward, Dodger fans were less than enthused. And I must admit, I was one of them. Heyward was coming off of a year where he was worse than horrendous. And the Cubs were willing to pay him for not playing.

Peralta was coming back after a season in which he had been traded at the deadline. He did not impress anyone with his play in Tampa. He was still a decent hitter and his track record as a very good defender was intact. He was signed to a one year 6.5-million-dollar deal in February.

Heyward was coming off of a terrible season with the Cubs. He played in 48 games, had one homer and hit just .204. It was an easy decision for the Cubs to just release him and eat his close to 22-million-dollar contract. He was for all practical purposes, out of baseball.

His best friend rode to his rescue. Freddie Freeman and Heyward had been close since they both were in the Braves system. Freddie went to bat with the Dodger front office telling them he still felt Heyward had a lot in his tank. All he really needed was some new input and a place to practice it. It worked, on the 8th of December, the Dodgers signed Heyward to a minor league contract with an invite to spring training.

To be honest, his chances of making the team were not all that good. The Dodgers were set to use Peralta and Taylor in left field, Trayce Thompson and James Outman, if he made the team, in center, and Mookie Betts as the primary RF. But there were several other outfielders in camp on minor league deals, most with major league experience and younger than Heyward.

There was Steven Duggar, Bradley Zimmer. Later they would be joined by David Dahl, Kole Calhoun, and Jake Marisnick, who has an outside chance at making the 26-man playoff roster. To be honest, neither Peralta or Heyward impressed much in spring. Heyward hit .200 with 2 homers and Peralta came in at .143 with 1 homer. But both made the roster. As did Trayce Thompson who had a horrible spring.

But the Dodgers were giving Thompson a long leash simply because of the way he played in 22. He rewarded them early with a three-homer game. But after that the wheels came off of the wagon and he nosed dived. He would eventually be part of the package sent to the White Sox for Lynn and Kelly.

Both players started off slow. But as each’s playing time became more consistent, so did their contributions. Both were providing solid defense, and when the Vargas at second base experiment was brought to a close, Heyward’s increased production allowed Mookie to move to second base against RHP. In the first half, Heyward hit a solid .254 with 8 homers and an OPS of .811.

In the last 43 games, he has been on fire, .325/7/18 with an OPS of .947. All this from a guy who hit .204 last year. He has totally revamped his swing. He chases a lot less than he did the last several years, and on top of his production, he has been a solid clubhouse guy and one of their leading teachers to the young guys.

Peralta had a solid first half, batting .265 with 6 homers and 26 driven in. He also had the first walk-off hit of the year. But he has sagged some in avg the second half, .260, his power has not been there as he has only 1 homer. And his OBP is only .297. He also is a huge clubhouse presence. And despite his lower bat production, his defense has been stellar. Just imagine where the Dodgers would be without these two guys.

Of the two, I would say Heyward has a better chance of being re-signed. I also believe he is very appreciative of the opportunity to resurrect his career that the Dodgers have given him. That and his long-standing friendship with Freeman, should be enough to get the Dodgers some sort of discount for his services. They are paying him the major league minimum of 720,000 dollars, and the Cubs are paying him 21.38 million to play for the Dodgers. Quite the bargain for LA.

This article has 66 Comments

  1. Peralta and Heyward are pros who have led the way for the Dodgers as role players. They have set the standard. I hope they both can come back, but it does not seem likely. Jason is the most likely as you stated.

    Also, we all know the Dodgers have had the best bullpen ERA in MLB since June 20th. Well, last night catapulted them to the #2 bullpen in baseball for the entire season as they passed Milwaukee. Only the Yankees are better, and they are going home, so barring a collapse, the Dodgers will go into the playoffs with the best bullpen.

    Starters? Well, that is another thing…

  2. Great bullpen game last night. 12 up and 12 down. Even Joe Kelly was flawless. Jessica Mendoza is so annoying. At times I have to hit the mute button.

  3. Anyone know if Dodger Arizona Fall League roster is out? I’ve seen other teams announce their participants.

  4. Being perfectly honest, I thought Peralta was a good signing. I thought he would contribute and be successful.

    But Heyward was a different story. He just hadn’t produced with the bat, although defensively he was still pretty good. I thought giving him a look in spring was no big deal, but I didn’t expect much. He’s had an amazing season and I’d love to see him back. Good for him.

    But I’ll disagree on Jessica, I enjoy listening to her, although for some, she is not their cup of tea. She is actually pretty sophisticated in her observations.

  5. Did you hear her and nerdy Nelson Sunday? It was enough to make one regurgitate! They act like two teenagers trying to make out. Totally terrible! Good win last night! Rodriguez looked awesome! (Lol)

  6. You guys should listen to the other teams announcers. On their worst day they are dramatically better.

    Get off my lawn!

  7. There are a few good announcers left in baseball. Most all sound alike and scream like idiots. Granted Nelson isn’t completely awful, just overdoes the nicknames and home run calls. Jess on the other hand is completely painful to listen to. Of course, Vin spoiled us over the years. Even Joe gets kind of annoying when paired with Mendoza. I guess the mute button isn’t so bad after all.

    1. I have never warmed to Davis. Of course, he had an impossible task taking over for Scully. But he does have a habit that really annoys me. When he is talking about the free jumbo jack, he finishes drink with a hard K. DrinkK Drives me batty.

      1. You really have a wonderful life, Bear, that you can afford to take time to get upset about Joe’s hard K’s. 🙂

        1. It is just something that drives me crazy. Almost Forrest Gump like with his running G. I am retired, I do what I want when I want, And I do not have to answer to anyone but me, so allow me my pet peeves.

  8. I like our squad too. The offense is really clicking with playoffs ahead.
    Over the last 30 days, the Dodgers have a team OPS of .845. During the period, Heyward, Betts and Martinez each have an OPS over 1.000; Freddie and Muncy over .900…. and Miguel Rojas (!) at .892 and Taylor at .871.
    The bullpen has also been terrific.
    While the starting rotation may be shaky, I think the team as a whole is in better shape heading toward the playoffs than the 111-win teams last season.

  9. My problem with the Dodgers TV team is that there are too many fingers in the pie. We get Mendoza, Nomar, Orel, Karros, D-Train as analysts. We have Kirsten on the field or David Vassagh. I have never been a fan of the on the field reporter. I think the in-game interviews distract from the game. Then there is either Neverette, who is spending more time on radio now, Davis or Nelson. Davis will be doing less now that the football season has started as he is Fox’s main football guy. But he also does baseball for Fox. If I had my druthers, and I do not, it would be Nomar and Davis in the TV booth. No more Mendoza, Karros or D-Train. Orel in small doses is ok. I just can’t handle him all the time. Nelson is somewhat entertaining; I do get a chuckle when an ump blows an obvious call, and he will react to it. But like Mark says, listen to some of the other team’s broadcasters and you appreciate what we have more. The Rockies team is the worst to me. I have to listen to them when the Dodgers play the Rockies. Drew Goodman has to be the biggest homer and worst play by play guy in the league. Even his Rockies home run calls are obnoxious. Take a good look at that one you won’t see it for long! I wish I didn’t have to see or hear him!!!

  10. I enjoy listening to Neverett and Monday.
    They mostly talk about baseball and the game that’s being played.

  12. I’m not a fan of Steven Nelson. Too much time being PC, and cringe-worthy on the nicknames.

    Joe Davis is growing on me, but sounds too much like a generic sports broadcaster. The thing about Vin, or many of the old-timers is that they were very individual voices. They had unique styles and voices. Now they all sound the same.

    I’m not a fan of most of the commentators. I like Karros the best. I can’t listen to Willis. If I hear him say “wooper dooper” one more time I’ll scream. Orel talks too much and talks about himself too much. Karros talks about the game.

    The so-called field reporters are a distraction, and Kirsten is awful.

    I do listen to the Giants and A’s teams. Krukow and Kuiper are a gas to listen to. I’m not a fan of Jon Miller. The A’s guys do the best with a bad situation.

    1. Karros is ok. I have heard some say they don’t like him, but he really tries to stick to the basics. I think Nomar is the best analyst they have.

  13. For those of you who subscribe to The Athletic, make sure to read Ken Rosenthal’s article today on the train wreck that is the San Diego Padres. A really in-depth article which basically concludes that Preller is a great talent evaluator and a horrible administrator. Also, there is now a major disconnect between him and Bob Melvin. Rosenthal interviewed a large number of players (current and former) as well as staff (current and former). It’s a very good read, and once again makes me happy to be a Dodger fan.

    1. they were saying on 710 yesterday that most reports are blaming Machado for a bad locker room.

      Barring a crazy playoff push this next 2 weeks, I”ll expect Juan Soto to be dealt and Hader and Snell to say HELL NO to returning to SD.

      1. Actually, I saw yesterday that Snell says he’d like to come back to SD next year, and…………………………I believe everything I read.

        I may not have gotten the entire quote. Maybe what he really said was “I’d really like to come back here next year if they offer me more money than anyone else.”

  14. I kinda have announcer fatigue in general. It’s a long season. I enjoy listening to our opponents broadcasts quite a bit, to get their perspective, and there are some excellent teams in the booth. I like Krukow and Kuiper and can’t stand Jon Miller. I think the best guy is Michael Kay with the Yankees especially with David Cone. I like Ben McDonald on Orioles games and the College World Series. Aaron Goldschmidt and Mike Blowers or Dan Wilson do a nice job with the Mariners.
    There are just some lousy pairings especially the Rockies and D-Backs. The ESPN booth leaves a lot to be desired. Eddie Perez is awful as is Rick Sutcliffe.
    Three person booths have one too many voices so someone is always talking. The biggest problem I have is with folks that can’t shut up. John Smoltz tops my list but Orel and Jess Mendoza are right up there. Don’t get me started on D-Train. Not a Steve Nelson fan. Odd sense of humor. I think Nomar is our best color guy with Joe Davis. Joe more and more is becoming Jim Nance. I actually think he would do a great solo act in the booth and get rid the extra chatterbox.
    I do think Kirsten has made great progress and is more comfortable now and doesn’t mumble down her shirt. I still miss Alana Rizzo.
    But it’s hard to broadcast a game every day without becoming irritating. I have a new plan to enjoy the rest of the regular season. First, I’m done analyzing the game like a coach for now. I’m watching as a casual fan just enjoying a game, good, bad or otherwise; second guessing nothing. It’s been an enjoyable season. I do this with ear buds tuned into some nice jazz and watch the play. Just like a fall-ball game. Trusting my eyes and not some voice telling me what’s going on.
    I’ll get my playoff Mojo going in due time.

    1. Do you remember that Mike Blowers was a Dodger for one season? 1996. Played in 93 games and hit .265. Was acquired for Miguel Cairo and Willis Otanez. Became a free agent after the season and went back to the Mariners, Wore Don Sutton’s #20.

  15. I like Mendoza, I also really like Joe Davis.

    More and more, however, I have to listen on the radio as I’m working during the game. (Damn APAC market!)

    Steiner is a load of fun, but he does miss calls quite a bit.

  16. Mendoza is a pleasant person. But her giggles and grins are hard to stomach! And as I said earlier, Nelson seems to call a scripted game with all his quirky quiches and overblown Nick names! I don’t mind seeing young blood in the booth, but cookie cutter broadcasters are awful. Take a couple minutes and listen to the Marlins. You won’t stay there long! The older guys could tell a story ! These guys today read biographies! Awful! Well at least we don’t have to listen to Assrod on Sunday night!

  17. To change the subject, It was distressing to see Eduardo Rodriquez leave the game last night. I hear it was a spasm of some kind and there will be further tests today. It sure didn’t look good as he was hesitant to even throw his first practice toss like he knew it wasn’t good. And it wasn’t, as the toss sailed to the backstop. I hope it’s not what it looked like.
    We have all kind of been desensitized to serious injuries. We feel for the guy for about as long as it takes to get a new guy warmed up. It’s the same in football. I didn’t see it last night but I hear Nick Chubb suffered a bad knee injury. The same knee that was reconstructed at Georgia. Every Saturday some college kid gets carted off the field with a season or career threatening injury and we all think too bad. Next man up. Like tossing a used toilet paper tube in the garbage.
    All of the hours of practice, workouts and optimism gone in a flash. Followed by pain and disability leading to months of rehab. The days and weeks of grueling rehab in PT and the gym. All the time wondering if you can return to the level of play required to play again. Once back, it’s training the mind to block out any thoughts of re-injury; of waiting for another shoe to drop. The uncertainty for Walker Buehler or Dustin May or Gavin Lux or Nick Chubb is something an ordinary fan has ever had to deal with and don’t understand.
    I hope Eddy Rodriquez is okay.

    1. MLBTR said it was a scapula spasm. Whatever that is. Never had one. Brutal hit in the Colorado-CSU game sent one of their players to the hospital. Travis Hunter suffered a lacerated liver. According to Deion Sanders, the Buffs head coach, he will be out for at least three weeks. Henry Blackburn allegedly hit him while he was out of bounds. Hunter is a two-way star for the Buffs.

    2. Agree, but thats part of what you sign up for, and they are paid handsomely for it. It still sux when someone gets injured…

      1. With all due respect Matt, that’s bullshit. You don’t sign up to get hurt. You sign up to play. Most put the injury potential in the back of their mind and play the game. You know it can happen but it’s like NASCAR drivers. Most think it won’t happen to them. Until it does. It’s mentally very difficult to deal with initially and is a painful process to come back from. Your cavalier comment leads me to belief you never rehabbed from a serious sports injury.
        Good for your son Mark, walking away. Many stay because they know they can’t do anything else. They didn’t prepare to do anything else.
        Sad but true. Baseball paid for my college. I once asked a scout if a player every held out for Master’s degree money as well. He sadly reported that less then 10% of guys who get that as part of their bonus ever use it to complete college.

        1. Did you even read what I wrote. Its a risk you take geezus man. Thats part of life….so “with all due respect of course”its NOT Bullshit.

    3. What you just wrote summarizes why my youngest son “Retired from Football” at the end of his Senior Year of High School. They won his second State Championship, and he walked away, refusing to talk to recruiters, and said he wanted “to walk when I’m your age, Dad!” He was All-City (Indpls), All-Conference, and All-State and was never injured… but he knew it was inevitable at the next levels.

      His last gameL
      Stephen-Flag

      1. My senior year, I was a left tackle at Narbonne High on the JV squad. It was the only year I ever played high school football. Baseball was my game. Anyway, we were playing Banning, and they had a 310-pound fullback. The guy was damn near impossible to bring down. Just a human tank. Anyway, I tried to arm tackle this dude and he about ripped my shoulder out of the socket. It has never been the same. It was compounded when I slipped on some ice in Korea and landed on it. Aches to this day.

  18. 10:10 PM ET

    Tigers (70-80)
    Dodgers (92-57)

    SP Alex Faedo R
    2-5 4.45 ERA PRIM
    SP Ryan Pepiot R
    2-1 2.00 ERA PRIM

    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

    68° Wind 7 mph Out

        1. False, because there is no single key.
          Mookie and Freddie are the biggest keys. Because of course.
          But Max is pretty prominent on the keychain.
          And I’m sure glad JDM is swinging the bat so well.

  19. David Vassegh
    @THEREAL_DV
    In case you’re keeping score at home…

    Lance Lynn has allowed 42 HR’s this season-tied for 9th most allowed in a season.

    14 HR’s of those allowed wearing #Dodgers uniform.

  20. Shohei Ohtani had elbow surgery this morning, per a statement from his agent disseminated by the Angels. Dr. ElAttrache said in the statement that he expects Ohtani to be ready to hit on Opening Day 2024 and pitch again in 2025.

      1. I wouldn’t read in to that too much. Dr ElAttrache performs lots of surgeries for non Dodger players.

  22. I don’t mind Davis and Hershiser except when they talk about things like candy or if Hershiser put goo in his hair when he pitched and got it on the baseball.
    I could probably learn something listening to Karros.

  23. Coming late to this discussion but I actually LIKE Dontrelle, Jessica, Orel, Karros and of course Nomar as color on broadcasts.

    Who I find annoying is Charley Steiner and especially Rick Monday. Yeah, I know it’s kinda heresy for a dodgers fan to say that but his “uh’s” added onto other words just annoys me. PS: I suppose I qualitfy as an old guy too @ age 68. I never expected anyone to come close to Vinny. I mean c’mon – he’s pretty much recognized as the greatest ever to do it. Davis, Neverette and Nelson are all better than any other team’s announcers I’ve ever heard.

    1. I like Steiner because he isn’t perfect. He mangles names, calls homers on fly outs, and generally messes up his info most of the time. As for Monday, he has always done that. There are a lot of guys who say uh after almost everything they say. Steiner reminds me a lot of Jerry Doggett. I qualify as older than you. And no, no-one could ever be as good as Vin. But you look back at the old guys. They had one thing in common. A. They all worked alone. No color guy in the booth. I prefer that approach. I think Davis could pull it off, but Sportsnet will never allow that.

  24. Can anybody explain why Hinch bunts with men on first and third and no outs? And then , after whoever it was miffs and lets everyone know , he has him do it again. I think he is a dumbass. Go Dodgers ALL THE WAY.

    1. I will explain the idea for the safety squeeze tomorrow. Great play to score a run. Bad execution.

  27. Chubb’s injury was so ugly that the network broadcasting the game decided not to show the replay. We probably all remember Theisman’s broken leg–but at least we knew it was just that
    My guess is that Chubb’s knee basically bent backwards, which is what happened to promising point guard Shaun Livingston in what I think was his rookie season. The video of that incident can be found on YouTube.
    Doctors rebuilt Livingston’s knee and he was able to return and have a successful career. Not sure if there is as much hope for Chubb. The players seemed mortified by what they saw

  28. I am glad there is not a video of Tommy Davis breaking his ankle on a slide into second base. Witnesses said his foot was turned completely around. Worse I ever saw was a football player get a compound fracture and his fibula was sticking out of his skin. Awful.

  29. We absolutely have to sign J D Martinez. He is a stud.I know he says ,he is only playing 1 year but he will probably play 1 or2 more years.Every one is saying move max to DH but that would hurt our offense.We need to sign another good hitter.

  30. Just for fun, I want to revisit Mark’s odd desire for AF to swing a deal for Alex Verdugo and then sign Verdugo to a $90 million, six-year contract.
    Mark wrote this: “A trade for Verdugo might look like this: Michael Busch or Miguel Vargas, along with Nick Frasso or Landon Knack (Boston’s choice) and Jorbit Vivas for Alex Verdugo.”
    Wow. That would be quite a package! That would rival the package that AF offered for Mookie Friggin’ Betts and David Price–Verdugo, Connor Wong and Jeter Downs
    I think it’s pretty clear that Verdugo, a solid player but not an all-star, is not worth such an offer, and I’m fairly shocked that Mark would give up on Miguelito. I also thinks it’s clear that we should be happy that AF is calling shots for the Dodgers, while Mark does a fine job running LADT.
    But it got me thinking…. who could the Dodgers land by offering three promising prospects with years of control? Could they get one budding star for three?
    One guy I really like is the Twins’ Royce Lewis, now having a great rookie season at 3B but capable of playing SS too.
    Would the Twins do it? Probably not. Perhaps they’d ask for Cartaya instead of Vivas. Or perhaps they’d ask for Max because they like the idea of 35 HRs and 100 RBI out of 3B. Would AF would make that deal? If so, it doesn’t hurt to ask.
    At any rate, I still think the Dodgers should try to deal Busch. Baseball America just named him Minor League Player of the Year. But at age 26 his trade value will not be rising –and he simply doesn’t have a good fit on the Dodgers’ ML roster. Right now, he is at OKC because the brass rightfully thinks Kolten Wong is a better option for immediate needs.

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