Elly De La Cruz has stolen 30 bases in 35 attempts, so it seems logical to keep him off the bases… right? Nah, that’s too easy – let’s have him get on base all five at-bats! Tyler Glasnow will have an occasional bad game. That was one last night. The hitters either show up en masse or they are no-shows. Chris Taylor got an “excuse me” hit on an 81 MPH screaming line drive (sarcasm alert). The whole lineup looked pathetic, but Taylor and Outman were patheticer. I just invented that word for this occasion.
Heyward will likely be activated tonight. Will this be a double-play? CT3 and Outman for Heyward and Vargas. Shake it up! Vargas is not getting many good pitches right about now. Again, last night, he had one at-bat and was 1-1 with three walks. His OPS is still around 1.100. Pages deserve to play, and Miggy deserves to play, too. Also, his enthusiasm won’t hurt a bit. Pages do not have the speed or range of Outman in CF, but he gets better jumps and reads, so let him play CF every day. From what I see, he can handle it. Heyward can also handle CF. Let’s see what we have before the trade deadline.
The Dodgers have the most at-bats in baseball. They have also scored the most runs, but they are eighth in strikeouts. They are first in walks and #1 in OPS by 22 points! They are also #1 in OB% and are 2nd (.01 point behind the Astros) in batting average. I see nothing that explains why everyone hits, or no one hits… except mindset! Change your thinking – change your life!
Down on the Farm
Spoiler Alert: Every team in the system lost last night!
X-RATED
The Athletic
There is a great article in The Athletic today by Fabian Ardaya on Dodgers prospect tiers: How Diego Cartaya, River Ryan, and Dalton Rushing are progressing.
Read it! Spoiler Alert: River Ryan is just about ready to return at OKC.
Taylor –Patheticist
In the 5th inning with De La Cruz on first, Glasnow threw over to first. De La Cruz ran on the next pitch. Given the Dodgers couldn’t stop him, a better approach would have been to throw over 3 times. If he goes on first movement you’ve picked him off. If he doesn’t get second on the failed third attempt. Since he was going to be on second anyway, three throws would have been a better way to control his running.
I hope doc reads your comments.
Five year deals to older utility players generally don’t generally work out. AF probably regrets the length of Taylor’s contract. Does AF eat the remainder of the contract and DFA him or does Taylor put on his big boy pants on and ask and accept an assignment to Oklahoma City and play every day and get himself right. Right now him and Outman are dead weight on the lineup and 26 man roster. Both are hurting the club.Both situations need to be addressed now!
Maddux Bruns is proof that progress is not linear. Where did the new found control come from? Now we’ll see what Outman is made of. Vargas responded well when sent down and now will get another chance, but are you bringing him up only to platoon with Hayward? I think you got to give him a full time job and Hayward subs in at all 3 outfield spots
Burns control comes from the same place as Landon Knack’s improved secondary pitches and Gavin Stone’s improved velocity
Why can’t the same place fix our young bats?
They do!
Outman, Vargas, Will Smith, Chris Taylor, Muncy, Seager, Bellinger…
Vargas playing full-time and Heyward subbing all three OF spots makes too much sense.
But the Dodgers prefer “seniority” so I doubt they’ll do it.
I don’t know the answer. Freddie freeman is hitting behind the 2 top if not the best on base guys in mlb. He has 24 rbi. Move Will Smith up mb. He fit better in the 2 spot but I realize he is not going to replace Ohtani.
I know the bottom 4 are killing us but we need another good hitter. Hayward is not the answer. It is either give Vargas a chance or make a trade when possible.
Glasnow looked disinterested last night. They kept throwing Benson fb when he ks on curveballs. The command is off. In their quest to keep them healthy the performance may take a hit. 2 throwaway games in a row.
Outman has got to go down. Mentally this has got to be taking a toll. I’m sure Friedman is trying to find a way to move Taylor.
The only way to move Taylor would be to pay his entire salary. Even then, why would anyone want him???
Friedman was able to move Syndergaard, so who knows.
Syndergaard wasn’t owed close to 24 million. Unless the Dodgers pay most of that, no way he gets traded. And don’t count on Vargas getting the call right now. Heyward will be activated sometime in the next 24 hours. His rehab at AAA is over. Heyward is a gold glove caliber defender. Outside of Mookie, the best outfielder on the roster. He will play against RHP. Mookie isn’t an outfielder anymore. He is the SS period. The bottom of the lineup needs to pick up their offense a bunch. Smith is not suited to be a two-hole hitter. I would rather see Freeman in the 2 slot like he was last season, stick Ohtani, since he is the big power hitter in the lineup in the 3 slot, and leave Smith where he is.
I thought too of switching Freeman and Ohtani in the batting order. Maybe it will help ignite Freddie’s bat this season.
Wayne, although Freeman has spent most of his career in the 3 hole, he has a .317 BA in the 2 slot. He also has a higher OPS there. Ohtani does have his highest BA in the 2 hole. But I still think with this particular lineup, you need your best power hitter batting third. When he was an Angel, he was the center of the offense. With this team, he is just an important part of the whole.
Wayne, although Freeman has spent most of his career in the 3 hole, he has a .317 BA in the 2 slot. He also has a higher OPS there. Ohtani does have his highest BA in the 2 hole. But I still think with this particular lineup, you need your best power hitter batting third. When he was an Angel, he was the center of the offense. With this team, he is just an important part of the whole.
I was not thinking of Smith in the 2 hole I was thinking in the 3 hole especially against lefties. Freeman is not getting it done there. He could have 35-40 rbi instead he has 24. Age mb taking its toll plus every pitcher throwing higher velocity.
If Hayward could replicate last year it would definitely be an upgrade. I have my doubts.
Bring Vargas up. If he can put the bat on the ball he would be an improvement.
In some cases, the Dodgers inflated offensive team stats have so far amounted to meaningless “empty calorie” runs in blow-out wins. A very realistic possibility still exists that containing the Dodgers top-4 hitters would effectuate a total shut-down of the offense in the playoffs.
I have no problem with Mark’s idea of Heyward/Vargas for CT3/Outman. ..however the Dodgers want to do it.
My issue is with RVS and his staff.
Maybe last night will finally force LA. to do something about the sooooo bad bench! Taylor needs a little nudge to help him move on. Great guy, but it’s time. Outman has to go back down! it’s time. Barnes? yeah i know he ain’t going anywhere! But shouldn’t he? I know , pitchers love throwing to him, but every thing else he does is way below average. Rojas has been the most reliable and productive bench player by far. Kiki has a moment now and then, but nothing to get all fuzzy about! I agree, it’s time to give Vargas another chance. what have they got to lose? And i’m not sure Heyward is going to change much of anything on offense. if he’s totally healthy he’s very good defensively. But right now the dodgers need some production at the bottom and from the bench!! Not panicking over one game, but how this team goes from an offensive juggernaut to a flat as hell dud like last night!! It happens way too often! The top 4-5 can’t do it every single game ! So give Vargas one more shot. If he doesn’t produce, go get a bat!!
Heyward hit .269 last year, had an OPS of .813, slugged 15 homers and drove in 40. He also does not strike out much. Don’t count the guy out yet. He is the best defensive outfielder on the team. Having Kike and Taylor on the team is redundant. And when the team is shut down by the opposition, give a little credit to the Reds scouting and to their pitchers. They kept the hitters off balance and off of the basepaths. You are also going to have stretches like this. The last two games, the offense has been stagnant. Credit the opponent’s pitchers, as much as blaming the Dodgers hitters. I have said it more than once, there is still way too much swing and miss on this team.
King completely shuts us down and next outing gives up 7 to the Rockies. Go figure
That is baseball for you. Glasnow pitches two great games in a row where he goes 14 innings and allows only 3 runs, and then last night gives up four. I could give examples like that all day long.
Not counting Heyward out Bear. I’m not sure with all the time he has missed he can live up to last year. Maybe like i was saying earlier, the bench is bad except for Rojas. Kiki ain’t awful, but he’s still a little light offensively. They may have better pinch hitter s in the bullpen!!
He has missed 42 games. He played in 4 before being injured. He is a veteran and usually vets can handle something like that. He has been hitting for a while. It might take a few games to get his timing back, but since the majority of the pitchers in the majors are right-handed, he is going to get plenty of AB’s. Kike is doing about what I expected. He has never really been a high BA player. But this season is starting out like last year did for him. Outside of Okey, they do not have another catcher in the system with MLB experience. And Okey has only played in 16 games. Feduccia is doing the bulk of the work at OKC. He is hitting .269 and Okey .246. Hunter has 2 homers and Okey none. Most of the pitchers in the pen have done very little hitting. So, I doubt that any of them can pinch hit. I believe they need at least one power bat off of the bench and that they do not have. In my eyes, and opinion, they are counting on the top 4, Betts, Freeman, Ohtani and Smith, to carry the load with occasional help from Muncy and Hernandez. They have to feel anything they get from Heyward, Outman, Pages, Lux, Rojas, Barnes and Kike a plus. I think Outman goes down, and some decision on Taylor is going to have to be made soon.
A quick question. Tommy Pham is hitting .319 for the white sox. Does anyone think RVS could take him and make him a .219 hitter? I believe in him! lol
We need another starting outfielder.Maybe we have him .But we are hurting.we can not afford to have 2 weak starter in the outfield.
Dodgers just acquired LHP Anthony Banda from the Guardians for cash. He was not on the 40-man roster, so no corresponding move needs to be made. I also think they need an outfielder. One who would fit the bill is Brent Rooker of the A’s. Plenty of power and he is hitting .289. Plays a corner position left or right. Rooker would not cost a boatload of talent.
Banda is a project.
Why would the As trade Rooker who hit 30 HR last year and has 10 this year for anything less than a “boatload of talent?” He’s controllable thru 2028.
In his five seasons in the minors, he hit .269 with a .909 OPS. He played 2 seasons in college before that. He is 29 years old.
Miguel Vargas is 24 years old, and in his six seasons in the minors (counting this one), he has a .309 BA and a .889 OPS. His power is coming as he is getting his man strength.
There is no reason to make a trade now, but there are a lot of reasons to see if Vargas can do it without broken fingers. I think he can.
I get it. I did not know Rooker was under control that long. Package him with Miller for a nice return. I know you believe in Vargas; you are one of the few. I am not from Missouri, but he needs to show me first. I still do not believe he can do it. If he can, great. If not, he is just another prospect who could not cut it in the majors.
I do not know how anyone who has watched his progress for five seasons can think he is suspect. While I fully admit that not all prospects pan out, I have seen very few with Vargas’s track record fail. His bat-to-ball skills are too good.
Mark, I think every player who does well at AAA is suspect until he proves it at the major league level. I have seen too many flash in the pan, AAAA players. I would like nothing better than for Vargas to succeed. According to Roberts, Taylor and Vargas will share left field starts against LHP and Heyward will go to the bench.
What’s with this fascination with Rooker? I’ve seen a number of people mention him (or maybe I’ve seen you mention him on a number of different sites), but he strikes out over 1/3 of the time.
You keep saying we need fewer strike out guys and more contact guys, an opinion I completely agree with. Rooker is having a decent year (if you ignore the strike outs) but it’s the first decent year he’s had. I say, no thank you.
I’d much rather go get Pham from the Sox, if we’re going to go that route. At least he brings some attitude to the clubhouse, something a lot of us feel has been sorely lacking on this team.
Rooker hit 30 bombs last year. Yeah, he struck out a lot, but he hit .246 last year and is hitting .281 this season. I will take those averages with a power hitter. Muncy hit .212 last year. I would love to see Muncy hit in the .240’s. He could probably hit 40 bombs if he did. In this lineup, Rooker would see a lot more good pitches.
Dodgers Acquire Anthony Banda From Guardians
By Darragh McDonald | May 17, 2024 at 2:00pm CDT
“The Guardians announced that they have traded left-hander Anthony Banda to the Dodgers in exchange for cash considerations. The southpaw was not on Cleveland’s 40-man and therefore won’t need to be added to the Dodgers’ roster.
Banda, 30, signed a minor league deal with the Guards in January. He has been pitching for their Triple-A club, throwing 17 innings over 12 appearances. He has a 2.12 earned run average in that time, striking out 37.9% of batters faced, giving out walks at a 9.1% rate and getting grounders on 67.9% of balls in play. It’s a small sample but it seems to have intrigued the Dodgers enough to put some cash on the barrel to get a deal done”.
Don´t know if already posted: Sheehan had season ending elbow surgery. ONe less option down the road.
Too many weak hitters at the bottom of the lineup and the bench. In the playoffs that is a dangerous way to construct your roster when relying on only -5-6 top hitters.
Go Dodgers!!!!!!!
From the Dodger’s Official Page:
City of Los Angeles officially names May 17 ‘Shohei Ohtani Day’
Dodger star honored at City Hall today
‘Los Angeles Dodger Shohei Ohtani was honored at Los Angeles City Hall on Friday morning by City Council and presented with a resolution declaring May 17 “Shohei Ohtani Day” in the city of Los Angeles for the duration of his Dodger career. Members of the Dodgers front office and Dodger manager Dave Roberts were in attendance as the council recognized Ohtani for his athletic achievements and historic impact as an Angeleno of Japanese descent.
“Thank you very much to the L.A. City Council,” said Ohtani. “I appreciate you recognizing me on this day. I want to thank the Dodger organization as well and all the fans.”
Wow after 46 games with Dodgers! Not sure if they also have done the same for Kershaw, Betts, Turner, Lasorda, Koufax, etc.
I believe that Miguel Vargas is a .270- .300 hitter who will hit 20-25 HR in LF. He will strike out in the low 20% of his ABs and OPS .800. He is Not a superstar, but he is solid. It’s time.
Eat CT3’s deal.
Finally, I have been advocating for this for several days. If he can put the bat on the ball the Dodgers have to try. If he fails after a good look they got to make a trade.
BANG
You beat me to it Therealten. My thoughts EXACTLY.
If Vargas can make it, great ..if not.. then trade for the solution.
So NOW is the time to see what Vargas offers this team.
Vargas is getting called up. Don’t know the corresponding move yet.
Here’s a great quote:
The news will come as little surprise to astute fans who have been tracking Vargas’ progress at Triple-A this season. It might come as a shock to a couple struggling Dodgers outfielders who might be on their way off the active roster before long.
i was just kidding about bullpen pinch hitting Bear. But if Grienke was still on the team, I’m just saying!!
Greinke was a very good hitter. What I wish they really had is someone who actually knows how to bunt. But you want a pinch-hitting pitcher, bring back Big D and Newcombe. They had a ton of power.
RP Ricky Vanasco is at Dodger Stadium. Is Nick Martinez being optioned to add another fresh bullpen arm? Looks like a busy transaction night.
Here’s one move for a roster spot:
Dodgers outfielder James Outman had his locker removed from Dodger Stadium. The Athletic’s Fabian Ardaya reported the news on Friday.
My opinion:
Heyward for Outman?
Vargas for Pages?
David Vassegh
@THEREAL_DV
#Dodgers Lineup vs #Reds RHP, Frankie Montas:
1.Betts SS
2.Ohtani DH
3.Freeman 1B
4.Smith C
5.T. Hernández LF
6.Lux 2B
7.Pages CF
8.Heyward RF
9.E. Hernández 3B
SP James Paxton
Fan Graphs reports Muncy to IL with right oblique strain.
..frees up the spot for Heyward.
Taylor hangs on ..for now.
05/17/24 Los Angeles Dodgers placed 1B Max Muncy on the 10-day injured list. Right oblique strain.
05/17/24 Los Angeles Dodgers activated RF Jason Heyward from the 10-day injured list.
05/17/24 Los Angeles Dodgers optioned OF James Outman to Oklahoma City Baseball Club.
05/17/24 Los Angeles Dodgers recalled RHP Ricky Vanasco from Oklahoma City Baseball Club.
05/17/24 Los Angeles Dodgers recalled 3B Miguel Vargas from Oklahoma City Baseball Club.
05/17/24 Los Angeles Dodgers sent RHP Nabil Crismatt outright to Oklahoma City Baseball Club.
05/17/24 Cleveland Guardians traded LHP Anthony Banda to Los Angeles Dodgers.
05/17/24 Los Angeles Dodgers optioned LHP Nick Ramirez to Oklahoma City Baseball Club.
Seems Vargas will be platooned with Heyward in the outfield.
But full-time PA’s is the only true test for Miguel’s bat in the majors.
What makes you think Vargas will be platooned with JHey?
More likely that Vargas and Pages (for now) start every day and JHey is platooned with CT3 or Kike, don’t you think?
YEP!
What aboutTeoscar? Wouldn’t he platoon with him?
NO
Not a thing, and Heyward can play all three outfield positions. Vargas is only a left fielder. And not very experienced out there either. I still think they need to trade for one more bat.
And what about Teo? Does he just disappear? He and Pages play every day in the outfield. So that leaves only ONE outfield position for JHey, CT3, Kiki, and Vargas to split time on. And since Vargas plays only LF, while Kiki & Taylor can play both IF/OF, that leaves Vargas splitting time with Heyward when a lefty pitches as his only chance to play.
The only real chance both Vargas and Pages play full-time is if Teo and JHey are platooned in RF, and I doubt that’s the plan.
So tell me what I’m missing? How does Vargas play every day, if Teo and JHey don’t platoon RF?
Btw – What I mean by Vargas splitting time with Heyward — is with lefty pitching, JHey sits, while Teo shifts to RF, and Vargas mans LF.
I’m the one who missed it. Totally forgot about Teo. After all, what’s he done except lead the team in RBI?
My bad. Teo plays every day. JHey plays only against righties.
Pages and Vargas move in and out depending on Doc’s mood.
And your scenario coming true would confirm my point that Vargas will not be seeing full-time PA’s at this time.
Teo will play RF against lefties with either Vargas or Taylor in left. He will move back to left when they face RHP. Heyward may get some time in center field when they rest Pages.
Yes, I already said Teo plays RF against lefties. And in your scenario, Heyward still gets the majority of time in RF, and Pages in CF. This makes it almost impossible for Vargas to be even a “mostly” full-time player, and would bolster my original point that Vargas will be denied full-time AB’s like Pages basically gets now.
Before starting the season I made a prediction: “Vargas will be promoted in June, he is going to OKC to learn to play LF, if the Dodgers see that he does well, he will be promoted in June and will take the place of Heyward who will not have the same year 2023”.
Well, in essence I was fine, Vargas was promoted, I was wrong in the month, it was not in June, it was in May and it was not because of Heyward, although the latter, for whatever reasons, is not the same as in 2023.
The fact is: Vargas has arrived!!!
BOO Yah!
Heyward has played four games, so no he has not been the same, but he has a good track record. He is one of the better defenders out there. Heyward won’t be platooned, but he will sit against LHP. He can play right, center or left. Vargas plays LF only. Hernandez can play left or right. Kike and Rojas will man third for now. Lee of the Giants lost for the season with a torn labrum. If Vargas can match his success at AAA in the majors, more power to him. But he is going to have to prove he is better than he was last season. Yes, he had an injured hand, so I hope he does well. But I am not going to hold my breath either. I still think they should just cut Taylor loose. He is not helping the team at all.
Your last point is so common sense, that it’s baffling why the Dodgers seem reluctant to do it.
Lux, Barnes, outman, knack, feduccia for Jansen and Bichette
That will never happen. Why would Toronto even consider trading Bichette? Mookie is the SS and will be going forward. He is hitting over 120 points higher than Bichette with a lot more power. Jansen would be a good backup catcher, but the Dodger pitchers love Barnes.
Terrible AB for Ohtani in the 4th inning with 2 out/2 on-base.
Montas never throws anything in the strike zone to Shohei, and just allows him to swing ‘n miss his way to a strike out.
It kills us because once u get past Ohtani and Betts n smith against lefties not much to look forward to.
Roberts was talking to him about it during the next inning.
The quality of posts here has really fallen.
U would know
The bottom of the line-up does damage and ices the game! Yayy!!!
I told you Heyward would help immediately.
Pages came through too before Heyward’s blast.
Yes you did Bear!! Good call! …. So, what happens now? Vargas is up, Outman down, Taylor, who knows. We know Kiki is at 3rd with Max out. Isn’t Vargas playing left today? Right or left handed pitcher for the Reds today? What happens when Max. returns?? …. Thought Paxton pitched ok last night except for a couple of mistakes. NO WALKS! Bullpen good again! … Big hit for Will ! …. Hopefully he catches today and tomorrow!! But a day game after a night game, Doc will roll Barnsie. out there im sure!