Reality Check

This article has 72 Comments

1. Why wait untill the trade deadline. Call up the Mets.

   1. Deals for major players are rarely done prior to the deadline. The last one I remember was when the Dodgers traded for Machado the day after the All-Star game.

2. Lindor, huh?

   Uh, no.

   Would Lindor make a difference when it comes to the playoffs? Or the World Series? How much payroll can the Dodgers absorb?

   No doubt they need a solution at shortstop. Maybe they should have signed Corey Seager when they had a chance . Or Trea Turner. But Lindor?

   Hasn’t Lindor been pretty much a below average hitter lately? You point that out. So this is all about his glove, right? Pretty expensive glove. If I’m the Mets, I’d love to make a deal with the Dodgers. The Mets are an expensive mess. Lindor is a part of the mess, bad contract and all. Let the Mets keep him.

   The Dodgers are a very good baseball team. Not a super team, but a good team. We’re on the edge of June. Maybe take a deep breath and see how things look in July. I’m sure the Dodgers will find ways to improve. Not sure shortstop will be at the top of Friedman’s list.

   Dalton Rushing is definitely one of the brightest prospects the Dodgers have in the minors.

   Good write-up today, Mark.

   1. I agree, a hard no. He is owed 239 million dollars. His glove is not worth that much. If he was hitting like he did when he was in Cleveland, or if he was at least at his career avg of .272, then maybe. He also averages 120 K’s a year. Way too many for the type of hitter he is. When he was with Cleveland, he only topped 100 K’s once.

3. A trade for Lindor?
   Now that’s probably the boldest idea I’ve seen you float, Mark. And it actually makes some sense, assuming that the Mets would consider it. If they want to fully rebuild, Lindor would certainly bring a big return. The Dodgers have the pieces to pull it off, though they might lack the will.
   Lindor would be expensive, of course, but he would provide the Dodgers with a proven SS, top-tier on both offense and defense, and enable Mookie to move back to 2B.
   What do the Mets need?
   Perhaps the better question is what don’t they need, especially if they deal their marquee shortstop.

   1. Better check his stats the last four years with New York. BA .230, .270, .254, .225. OPS .734 .788 .806 .687. His offense has not been the same since he left Cleveland. If I am going to deal all that talent, I go after someone a lot younger and less expensive. 239 million dollars left on his deal. No thanks.

4. I’ll give credit for the outside the box Lindor trade.

   But no way does he garner multiple elite prospects or even one.

   Salary dump

5. Wondering if anyone out there knows the logic…… And the question is about how the MLB does things, so there’s that… But living in Colorado I’m blacked out for tonight’s game, but the Rockies no longer have a local broadcast partner. So how does anyone in Colorado watch this game? Seems kind of weird to me. But this was their announcement back whenever.
   >>a result the Rockies have partnered with Major League Baseball to produce and distribute all Colorado Rockies games in 2024.<<
   It says the MLB is producing the games for the Rockies. This just seems stupid to me.

   1. Blackout rules are anachronistic, stupid and over-arching.

      I wish I could embed this image, so hopefully it works as a link:

      https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/eexJPdnlyFgqz11nBAYI4MtEsLQ=/0x0:2048×1583/920×0/filters:focal(0x0:2048×1583):format(webp):no_upscale()/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/24847402/MLB_Blackout_Areas.0.0.png

      1. Page won’t open. I have the same problem. The only station carrying Rockies games is AT&T Sportsnet.

6. I like your Lindor idea!!! Only one thing i would do different. i would keep Lux , dump Taylor, and use Gavin as utility player. With Lindor at shortstop it would make the left side of the infield better defensively. You would have Mookie at second with Lux and Rojas off the bench. Could even have Mookie play some outfield now and then. Even. Bichette would make a lot of sense! He’s going to get traded! But Lindor is under control so that’s probably the best move. …….. The Rockies been playing a lot better lately!! So don’t take them lightly this weekend!! ………. 3 game homestand and back on the road??? weird schedule! ……. Tommy Pham has always been marked as a discontent. But he’s wanted to be a Dodger for awhile. Wouldn’t hurt to take a flyer on him would it? …. The NBA finals are ready to start. Who gives a sh*t?? Know i don’t!! Good weekend everybody!! Go Barnes!!!

   1. Salary dump?
      Mets owner Steve Cohen is the biggest spender in baseball. Not really his style to dump salary.
      I think it doesn’t happen because Lindor is one of the game’s marquee shortstops, a cornerstone to build around. And to my knowledge the Mets don’t have a hot prospect ready to take over. I think it would take a serious offer to get Cohen thinking about a full rebuild is order.
      Reports suggest that Pete Alonso, in his contract year, is very likely to be dealt. He’d be a impact rental for a contender that needs someone at 1B or DH. Several other Mets are also in final year of their contracts.

   2. A. Mookie is not going to play the outfield. He is happy in the infield and does not want to move, not my words, his. He did not even bring his outfielders glove to spring training. Lindor is 30. He has only 2 less errors at SS than Mookie does, so tell me how he makes the defense better?? The guy is hitting .225. His OPS is below .700. He is owed 239 million dollars over the next 7 years. A hard pass on that clown.

7. Hey Bradley, you going to Santa Barbara this weekend to watch our Dogs baseball team??

   1. No not going to Santa Barbara to see the Dogs in the NCAA tournament against the Gouchos. Might go see Visalia Rawhide or Fresno Grizzlies play. There’s talk here in fresno when the A’s go to Sacramento the AAA team there will have to move and go some where so we might get the Rivercats the Giants AAA team here in Fresno and have AAA baseball again instead of single A ball. I’d rather the dodgers get Bichette then Lindore and move mookie to secund base. But if dodgers could getvtwo Mets Francisco Lindore and Sterling Marte would look good in Dodgers uniforms and in a better lineup with the dodgers

8. Seriously, Lindor over Bichete? Someone proposed a trade for Bichete and no one thought it was a good idea (I really liked it). But does a trade for Lindor seem like a good idea? Wow!
   If it were up to me, I would go for a starter and a power OF who can plays every day. Or in the last case, for a second baseman.

   1. Jorge, first off, Bichette is having a bad year so far, well below his standards. He would basically be a one-year rental. He has 3 less errors than Mookie but is hitting 90 points lower. If the Dodgers do decide to trade for a SS, I believe they will wait until the off-season and do it then. Moving Mookie around is not something he wants to do right now. He is concentrating on being the best SS he can be.

      1. Bichette might be having a bad year but he is trending up. As u often say “he has a track record” which is pretty darn good. It would basically be putting him in the lineup or Lux. Even as of right now he is better than that. He also puts the ball in play n can slug. He would be my top target. Who would strike fear in the opponent lux, pages, Heyward, Taylor, outman, Kiké, or Bichette? I rest my case.

   2. Both deals are unlikely, but Bichette seems more plausible.
      But if I had choice, I’d take Lindor. He is a far superior defender and, when right, a stronger hitter as well. (Both he and Bo are struggling now.) Lindor got the huge contract because of his years of success. Before he went to NY, his career seemed to be on a HOF trajectory.
      Something else about Lindor: He’s a leader. After the Dodgers swept the Mets and that petulant pitcher yelled at a teammate and threw his glove into the stands, Lindor called a players-only team meeting to try to right the ship. The next day, Lindor went 4 for 4 to lead the Mets to a 4-3 win over the D’backs.
      from the post-game coverage:
      “Not only [did] they get together and said a lot of things, they went out there today and showed it,” manager Carlos Mendoza said of the shortstop’s night, including a solo homer to score the Mets’ first run.

      The first-year skipper added later, “Pretty impressive. And it says a lot [about] who he is and how much he wants it for this team.”

      But it doesn’t take a veteran to realize the shortstop’s significance on the night.

      “Lindor does what leaders do. They come up when we need them,” rookie starter Christian Scott said. “It’s what great leaders do. That’s why he’s here, that’s why he’s our captain. Comes out here when we need him and comes here every day works really, really hard.
      “We need a performance like that out of him and we get it. Four hits for him, it’s huge today, it’s huge for us.”

      This is another big reason why the Mets are highly unlikely to deal Lindor.

      1. Dodgers would not trade for him because of that huge contract. They have needs other than SS that need to be addressed.

9. Mark,

   Now I have to ask what are u smoking? No way the Dodgers take on that contract. The Mets would have to absorb Taylor and pay half of the salary the rest of the contract for starters. Who knows they bought scherzer and verlander then paid part of their salary to get rid of them. I like Lindor as a player but he isn’t worth half what he is getting.

   1. I think the idea was to get us talking about something. I mean, it’s not like one of Bradley’s trade suggestions that makes you shake your head and then bang it against the wall.

      1. At least I give some good topics to write about right guys remember last year Amed Rosario I said get him as a shortstop the dodgers did and what did bear and Mark do the went oh crap they got Rosario he didnt help us last years but was a good bench player.

         1. I did not care that they got Rosario, but if you remember, they got him to be a backup, not to play SS like everyone was saying. He was not an upgrade over Rojas as a defender. He did ok, .256 with 3 homers and 18 driven in in 48 games. And I did not say oh crap, they got Rosario. He is having a pretty good season with Tampa but his WAR is barely above 0. Quit acting butt hurt because we disagreed with your trade scenario. Poor me, Mark and Bear are picking on me again.

            1. No u always disagree. And then when a trade does go threw. You go oh crap. When they get Bichette just wait. I can’t and you go oh wow what a great move.

         2. Thanks for the period at the end. It was very helpful.

10. Mookie is fine at SS. He is actually above avg defensively.

    We’ll make moves for sure, but I dont think we need a SS.

    Lets enjoy the ride….

11. Rojas is hitting .284 with a .790 OPS. He. Plays good defense. Why would I want Lindor?

    1. Rojas’ batting stats are based on only part-time play. They probably wouldn’t be that good if he played full-rime.

12. I thought these fantasy trade talks that will never happen is for the offseason when ran out of anything else to talk about

    1. Gets folks talking, I like it.

13. If you have yet to read Andy McCulloughs book yet on Kersh, do yourself a favor and read it this weekend.

    It was excellent. Took me 3 days to read it, gave it to my son and he never reads and he’s halfway thur.

    Its great….. but the final chapter aint written yet….Kersh gets the parade down Figueroa Street with the rest of the Dodgers!

    1. Oh, I hear that book is spectacular.

       Thanks, I’ll have to go get it!

14. Thursday scores
    Oklahoma City 11, Albuquerque 1
    Tulsa 15, Northwest Arkansas 3
    West Michigan 6, Great Lakes 5
    Lake Elsinore 4, Rancho Cucamonga 2

    Friday schedule
    3 p.m. PT (doubleheader): Tulsa (Orelando Ortiz-Mayr & TBA) vs. Northwest Arkansas (Mason Barnett & TBA)
    3:35 p.m.: Great Lakes (Jerming Rosario) at West Michigan (Colin Fields)
    5:35 p.m.: Rancho Cucamonga (Patrick Copen) at Lake Elsinore (Eric Yost)
    6:45 p.m.: Oklahoma City (Dinelson Lamet) at Albuquerque (Peyton Battenfield)
    The Drillers are playing a doubleheader, with the second game the makeup of a rainout on April 27.

15. Lindor once WAS one of the top ss in the game. Now his is an overpaid JAG on the wrong side of 30. No way I would make that deal you suggested.
    Lux plus Knack would be my ultimate offer. Take it or leave it if you want to dump his salary##

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

16. As usual, another thought provoking piece from Mark. My initial reaction to the proposed acquisition of Lindor, was NO WAY!

    However, I concede there may be something to the idea once I considered some of the known factors at hand:

    According to fangraphs, over the last 10 years Lindor possesses the highest WAR (48.4) and the best defensive rating (152.2) of all qualifying shortstops. While two former Dodgers rate as the top two offensive shortstops over the last 10 years, despite his disappointing performance with the NYM, Lindor came in 5th overall in offensive rating and ranks 7th in wRC+ (117).

    At 30 years old, is there enough in Lindor’s tank to turn things around? Is there enough bark in that dog? Unless, there is a decline in skills, Lindor has shown what he can do in the right environment. In their current state, the Mets are not an organization that is going to produce a winning product unless there is a complete overhaul of that team.

    Memories of Adrian Beltre came up when I read the proposed trade idea. While there is no guarantee that moving Lindor out of NY is going to produce an outcome similar to what Adrian Beltre experienced when he left Seattle, like Adrian Beltre prior to his time in Seattle, Lindor has shown an ability to perform at an elite level prior to his time in NY. However, from a pure talent perspective, can the LAD reasonably expect Lindor to turn the clock back to his days with Cleveland? Will LAD brass be willing to absorb that type of commitment in what would essentially be an experiment? I realize we have a good track record of turning careers around; i.e. Justin Turner and Max Muncy. But that is a huge risk, unless LAD brass can convince the Mets to take on dead salaries of our own (i.e. CT3) and offer higher end prospects to persuade the Mets to take on payroll, that type of commitment would be a tough pill to swallow.

    On the field, if LAD brass was able to workout a trade, there is a reasonable chance the LAD end up with one of the most athletic and dynamic middle infields in the game with Lindor and Betts up the middle. Wonder how our pitchers feel about that? (sarcasm)

    The idea is a long shot in my opinion but not as far fetched once you take a closer at some of the known factors.

17. I would take a wait and see attitude. There is no need to trade for any more players that can’t hit.
    I wouldn’t play our butter knives, Taylor and Kike. We know what they can do. Not much. I would give the playing time to Pages, Vargas, Oatman and anyone in the minors that can play 3B. Maybe those could make something happen to solve part of the problem. Maybe Lux and Heyward can return to form.
    The biggest weakness seems to be OF. That’s what I would be looking for at the trade deadline.

18. When we discuss trades, are we just assuming that AF has unlimited amounts of money to spend on payroll every year? Lindor is owed $34 mil per year for the next 7 years after this year. I think that money could be better spent elsewhere.

    If we’re going to make that kind of commitment, I’ll take Kyle Tucker who, when he reaches free agency after 2025 will probably get a contract of somewhere in the neighborhood of 10/350. I’d rather use the money on him but would only trade for him this year (assuming he would be available) if we were willing to commit to signing him in free agency.

    Although Lindor plays a more important defensive position, Tucker has a lifetime OPS+ of 137, 20 points higher than Lindor’s and 37% above league average. He’s also a better than average fielder.

    1. Kyle Tucker is a huge talent who will get a big contract, and maybe the Dodgers will go after him. But he obviously doesn’t address the SS issue.
       Mookie says he’s open to playing SS indefinitely, but Dodgers management clearly prefers that he play 2B–and perhaps he does too. I think the Mets will live and die with Lindor. Bo Bichette is more plausible, but his defense is spotty. If he’s not hitting, why not roll with Rojas?
       Look around the majors and you’ll see a lot of talented young shortstops in addition to Bichette who have been making a mark: Henderson, De La Cruz, Volpe, Macyn Winn, even the Angels’ Zach Neto. The Pirates’ Oneal Cruz is a freakishly athletic 6-7 SS who used to be in the Dodgers system. The Padres are playing their young stud SS Jackson Merrill in CF, while Tatis, who came up as a shortstop, is a now a gold-glove rightfielder. The Reds’ Matt McClain is hurt now, but he had a fine ’23 with the Reds, and was moved to 2B to make room for De La Cruz. Joey Ortiz was a SS blocked in Baltimore who the Brewers acquired in the Burns deal. He’s now starting at 3B, biding his time.
       Looking at all the young SS talent I’m struck by why the Dodgers have had nothing close to comparable. I assume there is regret over the Cruz deal, but it seems that the front office put much too much faith in Lux as a SS–even though questions have long persisted about his arm. (When Seager was hurt, did Lux as a rookie really impress at SS? My recollection is faint praise.)
       Prediction: The Dodgers will work through this season with a Betts/Rojas combo, but Miggy is not getting younger.
       Over the winter AF will seek to resolve the issue by acquiring Willy Adames, a player he has long admired. Adames is a top-shelf defender with a great arm and a dangerous bat. After a couple of seasons Adames could slide over to 3B if Jeondry Vargas or another young SS blossoms.
       A cheaper fallback option would be the O’s Jorge Mateo, a super-fast, glove-first SS who is now playing 2B because of Henderson. With Jackson Holliday in the wings, Mateo seems likely to move on. Think of a younger, more dynamic Rojas with upside. Just bat him 9th and have him work on his on-base skills. The new rules that encourage stealing enhance Mateo’s value.
       Hmm…. Maybe AF could sign both Tucker and Mateo.

       1. I’m not at all opposed to the front office finding a really good shortstop and moving Mookie back to second, but what makes you so sure they clearly prefer putting Mookie back there? What have they said or done that gives you that impression?

          With the exception of one time a couple of days ago, when Rojas and Mookie are the middle infielders, it’s Mookie who is playing shortstop.

19. I just checked the deadline this year is July 30th, not August 1st.

20. I get every MLB game. Here’s how I do it:

    1. Subscribe to MLB.com
    2. Buy Express VPN and set your location in Canada.

    https://www.expressvpn.com/order

    You can even download it on your TVs or smartphones.

    1. Ahh…..

       1. I am 80 miles from Cincinnati and (sad to say) I watched every damn game last week!

21. 10:10 PM ET

    Rockies (20-35)
    Dodgers (36-22)

    SPDakota Hudson R
    1-7 5.54 ERA
    SP Walker Buehler R
    1-2 4.26 ERA

    Confirmed Lineup
    SS Mookie Betts R
    DH S. Ohtani L
    1B F. Freeman L
    C Will Smith R
    LF T. Hernandez R
    RF J. Heyward L
    2B Gavin Lux L
    3B Miguel Rojas R
    CF Andy Pages R

    64° Wind 3 mph Out

    NO Vargas

22. We have our closer back:

    05/31/24 Los Angeles Dodgers activated RHP Evan Phillips from the 15-day injured list.
    05/31/24 Los Angeles Dodgers designated RHP Elieser Hernández for assignment.

    The 40 man roster is now at 39.

    1. Victor Robles anyone?

       1. Hope not!

       2. Oh hell no. He was hitting .120 when he was released.

23. The Diamondbacks placed Gallen on the 15-day injured list Friday due to a right hamstring strain.

24. Don’t the dodgers have enough .180 hitters?? Bring in someone who moves the meter!! If the pirates fall out could McCutchen be an option? haven’t looked but I’m pretty sure he’s hitting. over .250 with power. Although Pham would be a better option from a production standpoint. LM. probably better attitude wise. But hey ,if vargas hits problems solved!!

25. Robert Jr would be a bettee option with Heyward and Pages and Teo hernandez in the outffield those four can play any of the outfield positions tha be bettee then Tommy Pham.

26. This is a tough group, and you all lack vision.

    Lindor has a career OPS of .809. Batting average doesn’t mean as much as OPS. WAR also means more than BA.

    In Lindors’ first three years in NY he had OPS in the .700’s. Last year it was .806. He is not doing great this year, but he has 9 HR.

    RVS and company seem to click with talented players. Lindor is a talented player. In his best year, he put up a .871 OPS with 38 HR and 25 SBs.

    Don’t always look at what is or what was… sometimes you have to have the vision to see WHAT CAN BE!

    … and he is an IRON MAN. He plays every day.

    1. Watching the series in New York I think Lindor was really grinding. He also tried to pat his teammates when they messed up showing leadership. Apparently they had a team meeting after our series and he went 4-4 in the next game. I just like his attitude from a distance. I would like him on our team. But, he may have one of the worst contracts in mlb. No way AF takes that contract without a great reduction. He is probably only good for 3-4 years of upside. So, forget about it. Go get Bichette!

       1. Agree . Bichette,no Lindor!!!!!

    2. He is overpriced. Yes, he plays every day. Yes, his OPS last season was .806. His OPS this year is under .700. His OPS+ is 102, he is owed 239 million dollars over the next 7 years, and he is 30 years old. Unless the Mets ate a huge portion of that contract, I just cannot see the Dodgers even considering trading for him. One other thing, if LA does indeed trade for a SS, I don’t believe they will do it during this season. Mookie is comfortable, and he is performing at a high level. He is an above average defender at the position so far. Moving to another position mid-season seems unnecessary.

    3. I have no idea if AF has any interest in Lindor or Bichette. If he does I’m sure he’s already talked to Mookie about the possibility of trading for a shortstop, Mookie would not be caught off guard. Both Lindor and Bichette are all star level players that would thrive in the Dodger lineup. Both would go from the focus of the offense to just another bat in a good lineup.

       I’m pretty sure it would take virtually the same prospect package for either player. Bichette because he has another year of team control, Lindor because of trying to buy down his contract. The concern I would have with Bichette is AF doesn’t have a great track record of extending all star level shortstops.

       I think AF will do what he always does around the deadline. He will try to improve around the edges. I could see him get a relief pitcher like Chris Martin of Boston.

27. Ohtani in left and JDM at dh

    1. Not happening Cassidy. A. They are not going to stick a guy who just had surgery on his throwing arm in the outfield. He was signed to be a two-way player. They do not want to risk a setback which will keep him from joining the rotation next year. Besides, JD is getting a little long in the tooth. Trade for a third baseman, and move Max back to DH.

       1. I think we already have a pretty good DH!

       2. So are you advocating the Dodgers trade for a 3B guy THIS year?
          And who do you have in mind to trade for?

    2. Agree 100% !

28. Ridiculous to have a guy like this shut us down!

29. Once again, the Dodgers return to Dodger Stadium, the Dodgers offense takes another nosedive at home to another last place team, the Rockies. Am I the only one who notices the bad Dodger offense at Dodger stadium?

    1. Mickey

       You have my attention.

30. Relax everybody, Walker will be a beast come August, Miller will be back as well, and Kersh on the horizon. Bullpen still missing Kelly , Graduerol, who might be out for a minute,. Also Mad Max will be back, low batting average and all, but still a big time home run threat . And we all know that come July that Freidman is never afraid to make a move at the trade deadline. Not even stressing, WAY too early to get your panties in a bunch. What’s amazing me and also is embarrassing as hell is all these Dodger fans who are living their lives game by game at bat by at bat , pitch by pitch. Fred Roggin on AM 570 sports talk LA said it perfectly today. The season is a novel, with lots of twists and turns, you just have to read the story. It’s only June 1st for God s sake!!! Just chill the hell out everybody , and let things play out. CT3 will either turn it around or he won’t. The outfield will either start producing or Freidman will pull the trigger at the deadline, and he has never been afraid to do so. Crack a damn beer and loosen the top button, it’s all gonna work out.

31. Bichette or Lindor isn’t the point. The point is that the strain of playing SS is wearing down Mookie and already beginning to negatively affect his offense. Whether they do it with Rojas or a trade – the Dodgers need to play someone else at SS so they can move Betts permanently back to 2B this season. ..Or else he’ll be worn out before the summer ends and never be the superstar bat this team needs him to be.

    1. More theory posited as fact.

       1. No – It’s my projection based on what I see happening to Betts’ batting performance since he took over SS full-time. And others share this projection too.

32. CJ Abrams. Push the chips in, whatever it takes..

    We can always sign top end starting pitchers through Free Agency, and they always break anyway.

    Elite core pieces, when you’re continually selecting at the bottom of the draft are hard to find, so use our stock of middling prospect depth to go get another elite and cheap, pillar of the lineup for years to come. That would give us,

    Mookie
    Shoehei
    Freddie
    Will
    CJA

    We desperately need a premier SS
    Start the conversation with Bobby M, The Nats need some SP.

    Can extend him and Freddie at any time.

    1. You’re not getting Abrams in a trade. Bichette is a cheaper option( Lux and Knack for Bichette).

33. Eric be civil in your comments and not anything personal against Mark, or anyone on the site. State your opinion and reargue the point or points and leave alone after that. Too much drama from you in the past.

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