Austin Barnes is not the Problem

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1. Muncy has been limited in baseball related activities since last week. But yesterday he was seen taking ground balls at third. He is not however swinging a bat. Maybe a couple weeks away from that. Kershaw said yesterday he feels great, and even more, he feels good the day after he throws. He threw to live hitters the other day. The team flies to Pittsburgh today and will see Pirate phenom Paul Skenes on Wednesday. Mookie hit his 52nd career leadoff homer yesterday. He is now one behind Craig Biggio.

   1. I actually would’ve loved to see a Skenes/Bobby Miller matchup, just to compare their stuff.

      Oh well, maybe later in the year.

      1. Won’t happen this year unless Miller is back in the rotation by the 9th of August. Pirates come into Dodger Stadium for three that weekend. Even then, all of the stars have to align.

2. I think that Miggy Ro stat that you showed is a great indication that getting SOMETHING from the bottom of the order makes all the difference!

3. There is a reason Barnes caught most of the games in the 20 WS…..

   1. Barnes caught four of the six games. The split time in the wild card series with the Brewers 1-1, then Smith caught 2 of the 3 against the Padres. But in the NLCS, he caught 5 of the 7 games. Out of the 18 post season games, Barnes caught 8 and Smith 10.

4. Dodgers Minor League Standings 6/3/24

   OKC BASEBALL CLUB 2nd place 32-22 2.0 GB

   TULSA DRILLERS 3rd place 25-26 5.0 GB

   GREAT LAKES LOONS 2nd place 27-24 3.0 GB

   RANCHO CUCAMONGA QUAKES 2nd place 23-26 3.0 GB

   ARIZONA COMPLEX LEAGUE DODGERS 1st place14-7 2.5 GA

   DOMINICAN SUMMER LEAGUE DODGERS BAUTISTA Season Opener Today

   DOMINICAN SUMMER LEAGUE DODGERS MEGA Season Opener Today

   1. Both DSL games today postponed because of rain.

5. Barnes isolated is not the problem. But we have too many other “Barnes” on the roster. Too many easy outs in the lineup .
   Good to see Cartaya at least doing a little better than at the beginning of the season.
   Still only plays 3-4 games a week. Tough to get into a rythm . I heard he has back problems which is making it hard to catch every day but why they do not use him more at DH ?
   DePaula two more hits yesterday. Average is climbing slowly but steadily. Maybe he will get a call to GL later in the year.

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

6. The record with Barnes in the lineup has very little to do with Barnes. His stats are his stats. He can’t hit and can’t throw. Yesterday he was watchable as he contributed. He contributes in game calling, preparation, and giving Will Smith breaks. As backup catchers go he is probably average or better. The Dodgers have done a much better job against lefties this year.

   As far as Freeman obviously he has been an exceptional player over his career. He has gotten off to a slow start particularly against lefties(235). Idk where u got the bat speed number. Everything I can find he is at 22percent in bat speed, his hard hit and exit rate are below 50percent among all players. However u measure it Freddie is off to a slow start for him.

   Alex Vesia is looking like the Vesia of old. Since the grand slam he gave up in Cincy he has been lights out. When he gets ahead of the count… Banda has been awesome. So happy for Gavin Stone. After what he went through last year. This is one tough young man with great stuff. Michael Grove settling in nicely in his role. If used correctly(kudos doc) he is an asset.
   We are still struggling offensively. The top 3 have been in a funk. Yesterday was good for 2 of them. Heyward is starting to contribute. Rojas is having a fine year. I sill think the offense is the area to focus on. A big if (healthy)but with Treinen, Hudson, Phillips the pen and starters can matchup with any playoff team. About Vargas , I think they are nursing him along due to his defensive maturity.

7. From Dylan Hernandez.
   “Equally, if not more, troublesome is the bottom of the lineup, which has made the Dodgers overly reliant on the Big Four of Betts, Freeman, Shohei Ohtani and Will Smith.

   The combined batting averages of the Dodgers’ No. 6, 7, 8 and 9 hitters was a combined .204 entering the series finale against the Rockies, which ranked fourth-worst in baseball.

   Chris Taylor is batting .108, Kike Hernandez .198 and Gavin Lux .209.”
   He’s right. This is not an October formula for success.

   1. Its June…have you looked at the Yankees bottom 4?

      If/when we win the WS it wont be because of the bottom 4.

      Its going to be because Mookie, Freddie, Shohei, Glasnow, Yamamotto, Bullpen do there thing and put the team on their back.

      What did the Rangers bottom 4 do in the playoffs??? Nothing…

   2. Taylor is not a regular and has played in only 33 of their games and has only 74 at bats. He is basically a defensive replacement now. Anything you get from him is a plus. He has only started 21 games all year. Kike has not hit the way he or the team has hoped. The only reason he is playing almost every day now is because Muncy is out. When Max returns, it stretches the lineup. You cannot expect Lux to do much. It took Acuna over a year to fully recover from the same type of injury. His second season back, he was the MVP. Lux is a contact hitter. I still believe he can hit, but I do not think he has gained the confidence he needs yet, nor does he totally trust his body. But Lux has not let his lack of success at the plate affect his defense at second which so far has been excellent. If you honestly believe that this roster is the same roster they will go into September with, I think you are mistaken. They will make changes. They have 101 games to go. Wait until the deadline and see what they have heading into August. Most fans have zero patience and want changes now. AF does not work that way. Snell to the IL.

      1. You’re right, it probably takes until next year before we can expect much from Lux’s bat.
         ..which unfortunately IS a problem for THIS year.

      2. So you’re sure the Dodgers are going to make changes.
         So what changes are you expecting them to make?

         1. The changes are going to be within the team itself. Our starting rotation will get better and deeper when Kershaw and Miller are back. Our bullpen will be better when we get our injured players back. Pages, Vargas and Lux will continue to up their stats as they gain more experience. Getting Heyward back was big not only in the playing department but his influence with Pages and Vargas. Throughout these threads T. Hernandez isn’t mentioned much, he’s been a good contributor. Muncy will lengthen the lineup. If we need to bring in a player or two we have the players in the minors to get a great return. The old adages. good pitching will beat good hitting applies to the Dodgers. With the pitching staff that we have and it’s only going to get better, the Dodgers and us fans are in for a great ride. I can’t wait for October.

            1. I posed my question to Michael (Old Bear). Nonetheless, though I don’t share some of your beliefs and rosier expectations, I appreciate your optimistic views for the rest of this season.

         2. I really expect them to add at least one outfield bat. If they decide to cut bait with Taylor, then some sort of utility infielder. Another strong arm for late inning relief would help Hudson, Trienen and Phillips stay fresh and shorten post season games. Vesia is going to be really important. The arm might come from within as one of the starters gets moved to the pen when Kersh and Miller return to the rotation. They have never really had that in the post season. Closest was in 17 when they had Jansen, Morrow, Stripling, Watson and Maeda all pitch excellently in relief in the World Series.

8. Bill Plunkett mentions Bobby back up soon….
   Unless Bobby just kills it Friday in OKC, from what we saw Saturday, he may have a few more at that AAA level. Was rather surprised to hear he was pitching for the Quakes, so of course had to go and yes, playing in front of 47,000 is different than 2,600… but three innings and the placement of pitches seemed off. The energy should be better in OKC, and Outman seems to be on a tear wanting to get back on the team so something that Miller might be able to feed off of as well. That in combination with the fact that we really are not in a rush to bring anyone back at the moment leaves me to believe he’s got a little more time before he gets back into the rotation.
   I think management is working the plan that they put together last year after getting blown out by the Diamondbacks. The goal is not to win 100+ games, the goal is to do a deeeeeep run and I think they’re working the plan that they devised last year.

   1. Why not both?

9. Austin Barnes is good at what he does, and what he does is call a great game. He is also adept at framing. His offense is mediocre to bad. But he has had his days. Last year LA had two 1-0 wins, Barnes knocked in the winning run in both. One was an 8th inning homer. Barnes was the primary catcher in 2017 when Grandal faded so bad at the end. He hit .289 with 8 homers and 38 driven in, by far his best offensive season. He then played in 15 of the post season games, including all seven of the World Series. Where Will Smith has it all over him on defense, is Will’s newfound ability to throw out runners. Barnes has caught only 2 of 18 base stealers. Smith, who leads the league in caught stealing pct, has caught 15 out of 32. 47%. For comparison, Campanella caught 57% of runners in his career.

10. Watching Barnes receive the ball especially on pitches at the bottom of the zone then watching the opponent is night and day. Barnes catches the ball with his fingers up making it easy for the umpire to give the pitcher the low strike. The catcher for Colorado yesterday would catch the ball with his fingers down and the mitt would drop when would receive the pitch, often the mitt would be near the ground. This makes it difficult for the umpire to call that pitch a strike. Same with pitches near the plate on the sides or up, Barnes keeps as much of the glove in the strike zone as possible and still catches the ball. Will Smith is an all star, one of the top or close to the top catchers in MLB, but Barnes despite his shortcomings in part of his game is a valuable presence on the team. I appreciate Mark and getting the Dodgers record when Barnes is catching. makes a person wonder what the pitchers strikeouts to walks are when Barnes is catching versus the MLB average. If I were king for a day, I would have Smith grab a fielders glove and see if he can play third base in a couple of years. Joe Torre did it, Yogi went to left field, etc. We have some great catching prospects coming and Smith is a player with a long contract with the Dodgers. But I won’t ever be a king for the day.

    1. I would almost bet Will moves in a couple of years. He might even move to 1st after Freeman leaves. Freddie is in his third year already. 3 more, I doubt they extend him beyond that. Max has two years left on his deal. Will has actually played one game at first, and one at third in his MLB career.

11. I have always felt Will Smith would move to 3B at some point and have said that for years.

    1. I was going to ask where Smith would play when/if Rushing or Cartaya were ready. 3B makes sense.

    2. Will Smith’s bat is too important to this team. A move to another position is going to be necessary to maximize his offensive output in the latter part of the season and in the playoffs. Third base seems to be a logical location.

       In addition, a move like this would allow the Dodgers to add an impact player (salary) at another position of need; I.e. Francisco Lindor, as Mark proposed a couple threads back, as it would allow the LAD to use Muncy’s salary among any other salary we can trade away in any given acquisition.

12. 2027

    1B – Liranzo
    2B – Betts
    SS – Freeland
    3B – Smith
    LF – Vargas
    CF – Ohtani
    RF – Pages
    C – Cartaya/Rushing
    DH – Freeman

    1. Unless he “wows” at the plate real soon, Vargas will either be sent back to OKC or traded before the deadline. If he goes back to OKC, the Dodgers will wait to trade him this off-season.
       He’ll be playing for another team in ’27.

       1. Why do you think that? Do you know something I don’t?

          1. It’s what I believe will happen to Vargas based on present circumstances and how the Dodgers have used him since he’s been called up from OKC. If you haven’t already read them, my views on Vargas’ future are clarified by myself and “Duke Not Snider” in the comment section from yesterday’s ..Rant & Rave Sunday.. article.

             Bottom Line: Whether you agree with me or not — Time will tell whether I’m right ..or wrong.

          2. And FYI, I agree with both “Cassidy” and “Duke Not Snider” in that thread.

       2. The moment-of-truth has arrived for determining Vargas’ future with the Dodgers. His ML batting skills are now beyond-ready to be tested with regular every-game PA’s. And the Dodgers could easily facilitate this by letting him play LF full-time so he could get those necessary every-game PA’s.. ..but they’re not doing this.

          So unless or until they decide between now and early August to play him full-time (no platoons) at (whatever) position, I predict the Dodgers will package him in a trade by either July 31, or during the next off-season.

          And I just don’t think the Dodgers will give Vargas a position to play full-time by early August.

          And that’s why I think he’ll be traded.

    2. You honestly think Ohtani is going to play CF when he isn’t pitching instead of DH? 27 is Freeman’s last contract year and he will be 37 years old. What are the chances they give him a two-year extension? JT is still playing, and he isn’t half the hitter Freeman is. Dodgers seem to prefer vets to rookies. Liranzo is hitting what? .225 at high A with 5 homers, 18 driven in and strikes out 33& of the time? Seems a longshot to me. Chris Newell on the other hand is crushing the ball when he doesn’t strikeout. 15 homers in 49 games with 41 driven in. He too K’s too much.

    3. Glad to see you remain bullish on Miguelito!
       Does this mean that the Dodgers will deal De Paula the way they dealt Yonder Alonzo and Oneal Crus? Won’t he be ready by ’27?
       This is a fun and provocative WAG–Ohtani at CF!– but pretty bonkers. Deliberately so, I suspect.

       1. Yonder Alonso never played for the Dodgers, either in the minors or majors. He was originally signed by the Reds. Perhaps you are thinking of Yordan Alvarez? The guy they traded to the Astros. He also never played a game in the Dodger system; he was traded a little over a month after he signed. As for Cruz, he was 18 years old and playing at Great Lakes hitting .240. He struck out almost 30 percent of the time, and was one of two players sent to the Pirates for Tony Watson. He is a career .240 hitter who still strikes out too much, and he is a worse SS than Mookie. He has 10 errors already.

13. It isn’t always the superstars that can win a WS. Pena, Soler, Pierce and Zobrist are MVP examples. We need some help from the bottom as well. Otherwise we’re playing six innings verses 9

    1. If your superstars dont play well chances are you wont win.

       We need Mookie, Freddie and Shohei to show up when it matters most.

       I beleive they will.

    2. That is assuming the other teams 7 through 9 are better than ours.

    3. In 78 the World Series MVP was Bucky Dent. In 1956, Don Larsen won the MVP on the strength of one game pitched. His perfect game. Yogi Berra should have won it. He hit .360 for the series with 3 homers and 10 runs driven in. 10 of the first 11 series MVPs were pitchers. You would be hard pressed to name the first position player to win the award. Bobby Richardson in 1960. Darrell Porter in 82. Didn’t even hit .300 for the series. Scott Brosius won it in 98. Dye, Eckstein, Freese, Zobrist, none of those guys were stars.

14. it was nice to see Austin Barnes get a couple of knock yesterday. Good for him he needed that and the Dodgers needed that. …. Gavin Stone looks sharp yesterday! Some big decisions coming soon to a dodger stadium near you! With Clayton coming back, Miller coming back, what the heck do you do with James Paxton ? Just can’t sling him to the side, and I don’t think he’s a bullpen piece. On to pittsburgh!! Tough pitching first two games for the pirates. I still don’t like Vargas starting a game and not getting to finish it!! I get defensive change, but let him finish what he started!! After all, every body says it’s early!!

15. When Miguel Vargas came up in 2023 and exceeded his Rookie Status while hitting below .200, no ranking services even discussed him for 2024. “He’s no longer a rookie; we don’t cover that!”

    Gavin Stone tanked in 2023 as well and while I was always high on Gavin Stone, even I faltered and said that maybe he was more suited for the bullpen. Well, I was wrong! Gavin Stone adapted and came back with a Vengeance! I believe he could be in the Rookie-of-the-Year discussion.

    Could James Paxton be flipped at the trade deadline?

    I still believe that Miguel Vargas has elite bat-to-ball skills, and I have not faltered in believing he will be a star (not a superstar). No one really understands why the Dodgers are slow-playing him, and that really does not help his trade value. Maybe they believe slow and deliberate is best for him, but I have no clue.

    1. And May will be back sometime this summer. And since White Sox are so bad, maybe Robert Jr is in play. They need numbers

       1. And with Muncy out for longer than expected, how bad can Vargas be at third base. Kike is no long term solution.

          1. I would not put Vargas back in the infield. He is too long. His legs and arms are immense. His torso is short. He is built for LF. Leave him there.

             However, Robert, Jr. May be worth a flier… if he can stay healthy. Vargas, Outman and Knack should get it done. Maybe add in another prospect and get them to take CT3 back too.

             Outman, Vargas, Knack, CT3 and Casparius for Robert, Jr.

             1. Others would offer more for him, but if somehow the W/Sox accepted your Dodgers proposal for Robert, Jr, ..then the Dodgers will have hit the jackpot.

             2. Why the fuck would Chicago be interested in Outman and Vargas given their performances this year?

                They can basically name their price for Robert, and you have them desiring two underperforming players already on the arb clock and Landon Knack?!?!?!

             3. You would have to talk to MLB scouts, but Vargas and Outman are viewed as having a great upside.

             4. Any preferences regarding an OF bat?
                Even if Pages, Vargas and Outman all hit in the next few weeks, I think AF will go after a proven veteran, just to be safe. Several could be on the market. While it’s fun to fantasize about Kyle Tucker and Luis Robert, but more realistic targets could be the Angels’ Taylor Ward and Kevin Pillar, or the A’s Brent Rooker. (I used to like Pham, but his most recent antics have pushed him off my wish list. Wrong kind of drama.) So much depends on which teams are selling.
                FWIW, Ken Rosenthal had this in The Athletic a few days back:
                “As for relievers, Friedman routinely has added under-the-radar types — Tony Watson, Dylan Floro, Adam Kolarek, Chris Martin — who delivered excellent performances as Dodgers. Yes, the price for Watson included Oneil Cruz, but few in the game thought a 6-foot-7 shortstop could succeed, and Watson was brilliant in the 2017 postseason, with a combined six scoreless innings in the NLCS and World Series.
                “The odds of Friedman meeting the A’s price for Mason Miller, who missed nearly four months last season with a UCL sprain in his right elbow, would appear slim. But the Dodgers will get someone. They always do. And if starting pitchers Bobby Miller, Clayton Kershaw and Dustin May return from injuries, it will give the team more options.”
                He is not under the radar, but the Marlins’ Tanner Scott could be a good lefty fit. But if the A’s are considering offers for Miller, I’d hate to see the Yankees or Phillies wind up with him.

                I too don’t really understand the complaints about Austin Barnes. He’s a good backup catcher who is well-regarded by the pitchers. That’s not to say I don’t hope Barnes strains an oblique so the long-suffering Hunter Feduccia gets called up. But Barnes is a valuable reserve.
                The No. 1 problem on the roster is, of course, Chris Taylor. Something’s gotta give, right? (Can’t he strain an oblique too so we can see what Andre Lipcius can do before Max gets well?)
                At No. 2, I reluctantly name Lux. If he wants to be more than a platoon second baseman, he really needs to outhit a glove-first back-up SS in his mid 30s. And even if hits, the brass could still prefer to find a permanent SS and move Mookie to 2B.
                It’s still mindboggling to recall that , heading into ’22, the Dodgers brass saw Lux-Vargas as a winning keystone combo. Now Lux is limited to 2B, and Vargas has been fully evicted from the infield.
                BTW, it’s pretty funny that Mark is now saying that Vargas is “too long” to play infield. Did he have a recent growth spurt? Was Corey Seager too long? Perhaps the two most exciting young shortstops in the game now are the Reds’ Elly De La Cruz, who is 6-5, and the Pirates’ Oneal Cruz, who is 6-7.
                In the Disappointments Department, I put Lux ahead of Outman because so much more was expected from Lux. Hell, he was supposed to be the starting SS! Outman was an over-achiever in ’23. Now he’s dealing with the sophomore slump but appears to be making progress in OKC.
                When Outman returns to LA as the fourth outfielder, Mark will say, “See! Toldja!”

       2. Yes ,we have a lot of very good starting pitchers.We have 3 with long term contracts and are about to recruit another long term one in Japan.2025 we have Ohtani,Yamamoto,6_7 flame thrower,stone,miller,big red ,.Buehler if he wants,and I think kershaw will come back if healthy.we also have a few more good young starters.I wander what how it will all turn.

16. The great Keith Law had a chat:
    Punk in Drublic: any updates to the profiles of Owen Cassie, Thayron Liranzo, or Cam Collier based on their 2024 season?

    Keith Law: I think all 3 have been pretty much as expected so far, other than Liranzo hitting a little worse on BIP. Was hoping Caissie would cut down on the K’s with the benefit of ABS in AAA.

    Chris: What kind of trade package would you be comfortable sending over for Luis Robert? Vs what would you be asking for if you were the white Sox?

    Keith Law: They should ask for the Juan Soto deal (the first one, with Wood and Gore and Abrams). He’s got three years left after this one, including two club options, and that is worth a TON – he’s under control but you have the choice to walk away if something goes wrong.

    Dr. Bob: People complain about the Dodgers pricing other teams out of competition. I understand that contracts like they gave to Ohtani and Yamamoto might not fit their budgets, but they could spend much less money to build scouting and player development systems like L.A. has. That’s how they get players like Andy Pages and Teoscar Hernandez.

    Keith Law: That so few teams have maintained scouting, development, and R&D staffs like the Dodgers is baffling to me. We can all joke about Dodgers Devil Magic, but jesus it’s right there in front of you. They employ more people in those departments, and they have those departments working together as well as any organization in baseball. It’s not a secret. If you made me a GM or President of BB Ops, I would copy them. Like, print the org chart, change the names, rock and roll.

    Justin: If you’re the White Sox, do you trade Robert, Fedde, Crochet, etc?

    Keith Law: Yes. Anything that’s not nailed down.

    Baseball America looks at the top DSL prospects ($$$):
    https://www.baseballamerica.com/stories/15-mlb-prospects-to-watch-in-the-dominican-summer-league/

    Emil Morales, SS, Dodgers

    Morales signed primarily because of his offensive upside and he has backed up the Dodgers’ belief in his bat so far with the way he has hit and hit for power in preseason games.
    Video here:
    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T-by0mMaTC8

    Keith Law also released his “in season” Top 50 prospects @TheAthletic ($$$$)
    https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/5530418/2024/06/03/mlb-top-50-prospects-in-season-holliday/

    DePaula #16
    Ryan #45
    Rushing #50

    old beat reporter Bill Plunkett takes a look at Maddux Bruns for BA ($$$$)
    https://www.baseballamerica.com/stories/simple-adjustment-has-dodgers-maddux-bruns-on-track/

    “It’s allowed him to access the zone with more consistency. So his pitches are presenting as strikes way more than they used to,” Brandon Gomes said. “His delivery is in a much better place.

    “It’s never been a question of stuff. It’s always been about throwing the ball over the plate. He’s just in a really good place right now. I think he’s starting to understand how all of those things work together—that he doesn’t have to make things over-nasty, for lack of a better phrase.”

    Since the Dodgers acquired Left handed reliever, Anthony Banda from #Guardians Banda hasn’t allowed a run in 6.2 IP.

    Banda recently creditedConnor McGuiness as having a huge impact on him: “He really knows how to communicate, he understands the craft…He’s a definitely the most incredible pitching coaches I’ve been around.”

    Jim Bowden, turning in Bob Nightengale on a daily basis predicts (heh) some needs that will drive trades:
    https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/5532397/2024/06/03/mlb-trade-deadline-tiers-buyers-sellers-needs/

    This nonsensical take is:
    Early trade deadline needs: The Dodgers will focus on upgrading the depth and quality of their bullpen while also looking to improve in the outfield.

    Ben Clemens chat:
    bringbackpologrounds: Dodgers shifting Betts to SS and the Yankees shifting Judge to CF reminds me of the Tigers shifting Cabrera to 3B in 2012. Do you think that experiment worked for the Tigers? How do you see it working for the Dodgers and Yankees down the road?

    Ben Clemens: I do not think that one worked out for the Tigers, though I completely understand why they tried it. I think that these two are a bit different in that both Betts and Judge were plus defenders in right field, so it’s a matter of trying to move your good defender up to a tougher spot and see how they stick. Obviously RF->SS is wild, but the idea is just categorically different than taking a guy everyone thought was 1b only and throwing him at third. I think that for the Dodgers, they’ll slide Betts back to either second or right when their team construction ends up a bit more normal in a year or so and I think that the Yankees are going to end up parking Judge in a corner as he ages, it’s just easier on his body

    SandyIsTheGreatest: Should the Dodgers trade Clayton Kershaw is he comes back and is healthy? They have enough pitching and Robert’s is doing his best work as manager.

    Ben Clemens: Haha, this is a funny question but no…Like, in the real world they obviously aren’t, but in a perfect world where you can ignore that he’s Clayton Kershaw and the Dodgers, well, then you can ignore that Dave Roberts has a mental block around managing Kershaw. They have enough pitching for now, but they easily might not in a month

    Mock Drafts:

    Baseball America Mock Draft ($$)
    https://www.baseballamerica.com/stories/2024-mlb-mock-draft-3-0-updated-first-round-ahead-of-ncaa-tournament/

    23. Dodgers — William Schmidt, RHP, Catholic HS, Baton Rouge, La.

    ESPN Mock Draft ($$$$)
    https://www.espn.com/mlb/insider/story/_/id/40233926/2024-mlb-mock-draft-kiley-mcdaniel-first-pick-projection-guardians

    Jurrangelo Cijntje, RHP/LHP, Mississippi State

    Mayfield is tied here, as is Brecht, but Cijntje has been the college pitcher with the most helium over the past month…

    Over at The Athletic the ludicrously fun Eno Sarris looks at 5 pitchers who have benefitted from a change in pitching arsenals:
    ($$$$)
    https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/5530261/2024/05/31/fantasy-baseball-pitchers-changing-arsenals/

    HINT: It’s about vertical movement:
    his five best games by fastball ride have come in the past 30 days, and that hitters are only slugging .282 on the pitch this month.

    Jaffe Chat
    WinTwin0410: Jay, I usually ask about the Hall of Fame, but I’d like to shake it up a bit here and ask you who in baseball history have been your favorite bit player or playersIE, a guy who did something unusual (hero in one game or for a short time, for example, or perhaps got started super late) but otherwise was not at all distinguished? (Random examples: Mickey Hatcher, Tom Lawless, Jim Morris, Billy Taylor, Rudy Pemberton, Todd Haney, John Paciorek, etc.)

    Jay Jaffe: Oh, Mickey Hatcher is a favorite on that level. My first time listening to Vin Scully coincided with Hatcher’s first major league home run on Agusust 10, 1979, which helped to back Don Sutton’s 50th career shutout, and then of course he came up huge in the 1988 World Series for the Dodgers as well.
    As the name of my original blog (b. 2001) attests, I have a soft spot for futility infielders, with Luis Sojo, Lenn Sakata, and Melvin Mora coming to mind. Also the truly craptacular catcher, Tony Suck. I could go on…

    Smiling Politely: Jay, after seeing Buehler start twice, I’m puzzled why he isn’t still in AAA if he’s openly admitting he’s forgotten how to do things like cover 1st on a ground ball and clearly does not have consistency with his mechanics. Any thoughts?

    Jay Jaffe: His rehab stint ran the maximum amount of time required without another IL placement, and since it’s hard to simulate the extra adrenaline that comes with being in the majors the Dodgers are giving him a look. Beyond that I believe he has enough service time that he can’t be optioned without his consent, and I don’t think the Dodgers are to that level of concern yet.

    Baseball America looks at the Dodgers INTL class ($$$)
    https://www.baseballamerica.com/stories/los-angeles-dodgers-2024-international-review/

    This year’s big-ticket signing for the Dodgers was Emil Morales, a 17-year-old Dominican shortstop who got $1,897,500. He’s one of the most dangerous offensive threats in the 2024 international class. He continues to grow, now 6-foot-3, 190 pounds with a mix of contact and impact from the right side of the plate.

    Sleeper Watch: Venezuelan center fielder Erny Orellana.

    1. Thank You, Bluto!

       This is great stuff!

    2. 1. Yes. Good insight

17. The most interesting question in among that excellent post from Bluto was the Ben Clemens chat regarding Kershaw’s return, and I have to say that I 100% agree with the underlying premise, namely that Roberts does not know how to manage CK, and goes all weak at the knees like a love sick teenager every time his name enters the conversation.

    He suggests trading him (obviously well aware the Dodgers will never do that) but the point is that in Clemens opinion., it would be prudent to remove Kershaw’s name from conversation completely , especially as we have a plethora of Starters pitching well, to avoid Roberts once again over estimating CK’s pitching now versus 5 or 6 years ago.

    I’ve been saying it for a number of years now, having Kershaw available for the Post Season only clouds the issue, especially with Roberts.

    I know everyone loves him, as I do, but unfortunately he is not what he was and Roberts seems scared to have to offend him in any way.

    Sorry to be brutally honest but it’s nice to see someone finally calling it like it is, albeit quite subtly.

    1. Roberts did not throw a pitch, so to blame a manager for the lack of success in the playoffs by the greatest pitcher of this generation is like blaming the weatherman for bad weather. This is all on Clayton, and his greatest strength is also his greatest weakness: First and second-pitch strikes! Hitters are sitting on the first or second pitch, and Clayton was/is too stubborn to change. From 2008 to 2015, Clayton’s results in the playoffs were about the same as they have been since Doc arrived in 2016. It’s not on the manager – it’s all on Clayton!

       Even in 2019 against the Nats when Kershaw gave up 2 HR’s back-to-back in relief, everyone blamed it on Roberts and said it was the wrong move. Well, it was the wrong move after the fact, but it was the right move in my eyes. It just didn’t work because Cayton did not execute. Last year doesn’t count because he was injured and still wanted to pitch. Any manager in MLB would have let him.

       So, what do you do if Clayton comes back and is lights out the second half of the season? If he shouldn’t pitch in the playoffs, then AF should not have him on the roster! Do you think that will happen? It is what it is, but let’s put the blame where it belongs: Squarely on Clayton! I love Clayton Kershaw, but this is all of his making. Maybe this is the year he fixes it!

       1. You have perfectly illustrated the point being made in your penultimate paragraph …

          Last year doesn’t count because he was injured and still wanted to pitch. Any manager in MLB would have let him.

          lol / this is why it’s better that he isn’t an option for Roberts at all.
          It is ridiculous to suggest that 29 other Mamagers would have done the same because they would have been bold enough to grow a pair and say No – you’re injured and no good to the team throwing 88mph batting practice. That’s what a good manager would have done.

          You talk about Roberts putting players in a position to succeed, well he put him in a position to fail. He, like many times previously in the Post Season, did Kershaw no favours at all.

          I’m not a Roberts hater, in fact I’ve come to appreciate what he brings to the team, but his unwillingness to see Kershaw for who is in the post season is a big reason we only have one WS in the past 12 years.

       2. Sure Kershaw threw the two home run pitches to Rendon and Soto in 2019, and he is responsible. But Roberts left Kershaw in for the 8th inning unnecessarily. Kenta Maeda had an era of 0.00 in that series and was rested and ready in the bullpen. Maeda threw 4.2 innings in the series allowing zero runs, one hit, and 0 BB. It was an obvious move too bring in Maeda and Roberts made the wrong call. He also had Kenley Jansen and Adam Kolarek who had handled Soto in the playoffs. It was a terrible decision by Roberts. I was at the game, and I said it at the time. Roberts is a good manager overall, but he has poor judgement handling pitching in the playoffs, especially in that game.

          1. 100% agree.
             And just like you there are many, many other Dodgers fans you are thinking the exact same thing since CK came into the game. Not everything is hindsight though some Doc-he -has-the -best -winning percentage-of all-time fans will try to portray as that.

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

18. Last year doesn’t count because Kersh was injured and we had no other good options. But you’re right, Kersh just hasn’t performed anywhere near his regular season self in October. But how often have we had 4 reliable starters in October. He has had to pitch on short rest in many series in October. What really irks me is that he was brilliant in game 1 against Houston in 17 and if not for the trash cans in game 5, he probably would have been MVP of the series. And true to who he is, Kersh has always owned up to his October failures. No excuses. And I’m rooting for him to have a final, successful October send off!

    1. In 2017, Kershaw was 3-0 in post season play. In 2020, he was 4-1. Over half of his post season wins came in those two post seasons. Most of Kershaw’s losses came before 2016. He has had some bad games it is true. But he hasn’t been awful. I do not count his second start in the 2017 series because Houston knew what was coming. Those were the only runs he gave up in the series, and the bullpen lost that game. He was awful against Boston in 18. But since then, except for his blowout by Arizona last season, he has been very good.

19. When Kershaw was in his prime the Dodgers tried to win the playoffs with 1 pitcher. Him and Grienke were together to make 2. Generally, he was over used as ownership went the cheap route using guys like Anderson, McCarthy etc last year we had no pitching and Kersh shouldn’t have been out there but really no good options.

    This year should be different with much better options. My concern would be their love affair with Buehler. When Scherzer came over Buehler was game but had lost his best stuff. He was pitched in the biggest games but just didn’t have it. To me, it was obvious he wasn’t right then but the chess players saw different. Buehler wants the ball but he should not get it based on reputation. If he deserves it sure but right now he doesn’t. Thankfully Urias is not here to over pitch like they did in the Atlanta debacle.

    Right now if the playoffs started today:
    Glasnow
    Yamamoto
    Stone
    Buehler

    But I bet Stone and buehler would be switched. Kershaw coming back will provide an option. If he is healthy I could c them starting him in the playoffs deserving or not. Miller, idk to me he has the best stuff but his lack of swing and miss is puzzling.

    1. Ten – there you have it.

       You can already see the issue “Start him deserving or not” – it’s obvious.

       We’d all love to see CK throw the winning pitch in game 7 but it’s just not the logical way to think about it.

       Sentiment has no place in those moments.

       And you’re right about Walker – you can already see the same sentiment occurring.
       It’s Roberts’s way.

       1. I think both Buehler and Kersh will be given every opportunity to work through their rehabs during the regular season and they should. Then reevaluate come the end of the season. Also May could be in the discussion come October. I have every confidence that Dodgers will put out the four best starters even if Kersh isn’t one of them.

       2. OK, I’ll bite. In the World Series, Bruce Bochy used pitchers who had ERA’s north of 5.00 and they delivered.

          Explain that!

20. Watford,

    What manager would not have allowed Clayton to start in light of the fact that since he was re-activated on August 10th, he pitched 37 innings and allowed 9 Earned Runs. That’s a 2.18 ERA? 6 of them were solo HRs.

    If Roberts hadn’t pitched him, and the Dodgers lost, he would have been crucified and because he pitched him, he is crucified. I know you are not Roberts Basher, but see how easy it is to criticize any move?

    I think, given all the circumstances, every manager in baseball would have had to start Clayton.

    Now, I thought he might only make it two or three innings…

    1. No one expected him to get lit up like that by the Diamondbacks. The only person who should have kept Kersh off of the mound was Kersh. He knew he was not 100%. But LA was between a rock and a hard place pitching wise. The team was not healthy. Same thing happened in 21. But they managed to get by the Cardinals and Giants. They were then exposed by the Braves. There isn’t a pitcher alive or dead who hasn’t had a bad game. The manager has to play the players he is given and hope he gets the best from his stars and his role players. It just is not that easy to win in the post-season. Things happen. You can look back on the Dodgers win in 1955. How much do you think the Yankees missed Mickey Mantle? He had 10 at bats in the series, played in only 3 of the games and had one homer and one RBI. Except for Byrne and Ford, the Dodgers lit up the Yankee pitching staff. The Yankees lit up Newcombe, Loes, Erskine and Spooner.

       1. Hi Michael, and Mark

          I’m not so sure every manager would have gone with Kershaw in game one. Miller should have been given the ball. He was pitching better than him at that time, and for you to think that, you are missing the point that Clemens was making and that I agree with, you’d have been better off not having Kershaw as an option at all.

          CK had come back strong after injury but everyone could see he was struggling and his velocity was down below 90mph by the season’s end.
          A good, strong manager would not have started him in game one, much like he should not have started him in game 2 of the NLDS against SD in 22 having won the first game at Dodger Stadium and having SD on the rack.
          He chose to start him ahead of Tyler Anderson who had been better than Kershaw all season and we inevitably lost when we could have been going there a 2-0 lead.

          BTW, Anderson was lights out in game 3 allowing only 2 hits before Roberts did a Rich Hill on him and pulled him too early resulting in the BP coughing up the game. Starting Anderson in game 2 would have also lined him up for a potential game 5 start if needed, but again Roberts was scared to do the right thing and pitch Anderson ahead of Kershaw even though he deserved it.

          He was obviously the wrong option because he got lit up like a Christmas Tree in one inning and the game and momentum had completely gone.

          You want to blame Kershaw. You applauded Gonsolin for stepping up
          to the plate when his arm was hanging off, saying what’s great teammate he was, but Kershaw being Kershaw obviously wanted to pitch and help the team, you feel he is to blame!
          No he’s not. Roberts is to blame. He is the manager and is paid to make tough decisions especially in key moments, and unfortunately he failed Kershaw badly. In fact much of Kershaw’s legacy will be tarnished by Robert’s over reliance and miss use of him over the course of his post season career.

          You can’t get away from it, having Kershaw as an option has held the Dodgers back in the playoffs and the point being made is that it might be better if he wasn’t an option at all.

          Ps – most Dodger fans were screaming at the TV when Kershaw came out for another inning against the Nats. We could all see it was the wrong call, just like taking Hill out the year before was the wrong decision.

          1. On the Hill decision, I have said this before, but there were a couple of things going on:

             1. According to the Medical Staff, Hill was developing a “hot spot” on his finger (he has a blister history) and;

             2. The previous inning, Doc and Rich talked, and Rich told Doc to “keep a close eye on me.”

             Doc went out with the intent of not taking him out, but Rich thought Doc was coming to take him out, so he just handed Doc the ball. Doc assumed that meant Rich was done and took it.

             I just don’t see it the way you do, but we will have to agree to disagree.

21. MLB banned Padre’s infielder, Tucupita Marcano for life for betting on baseball. While a member of the Pirates, he placed over 380 bets on baseball. 25 of those on the Pirates while he was a member of the organization. Four other players received one-year bans. Andrew Saalfrank of the D-Backs is probably the only name you would recognize,

22. 6:40 PM ET

    Dodgers (38-23)
    Pirates (27-32)

    SP Tyler Glasnow R
    6-3 3.04 ERA
    SP Jared Jones R
    3-5 3.55 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 Chris Taylor R

    84° Wind 6 mph In

    1. How can they play Taylor over Vargas? Makes no sense to keep him on the 26 man roster. Wasting him not getting at bats being here. AF must have a plan. We will soon find out.

       1. Assuming no new major developments (like no more injuries, and Taylor’s bat remains underwater) ..and the Dodgers STILL keep Taylor on this roster after July 31.. then AF’s “plan” includes driving the fandom away.

          1. Wayne,

             I don’t think fandom means what you think it does.

             1. Dodgers fans

    2. No Pages either. Maybe they plan to insert him as a late-inning pinch-hitter.

23. Good News:
    Just checked the box score from the ACL from last night where the Dodgers won 9-5 and River Ryan is back rehabbing there. His line 2IP 0R 0ER 1BB 5K Also possible shortstop of the future Joendry Vargas number one signing in the 2023 International Draft hit his second homerun.

24. The way they’re treating Vargas is just plain wrong and pisses me off honestly. My eyes tell me the kid can hit better than the most of bottom of lineup yet they won’t give him a chance

    1. My question is, why did they bring him up to play sparingly and be a cheerleader on the bench? AF generally does not treat young position players right, Play him or trade him which will give a chance to prove himself. Right now his player value is lower than it could be. . Veteran players are not always the answer. Chris Taylor,being a prime example.This is
       exactly what AF did with Busch who eventually got traded.

       1. It’s beyond my comprehension!

25. Patience my brothers!!! Nobody knows what the hell is going on!! There must be a higher power guiding Doc’s decisions. We will know the answer soon enough! Although i am completely bumfuzzled as to why Taylor is starting!! But he’ll probably go 2 for 4 and make a couple outstanding catches!! Patience!!!

    1. Please God, give me patience and give it to me immediately!

26. I hope Taylor does go 2-4. Mb he is trying to get Taylor set up for a trade.

    I would really love to c Vargas get an extended chance. His plate discipline, speed , and bat to ball skills look good. The mental side? I keep reading how it really hurt him mentally in his struggles last year. He doesn’t look smooth in the outfield. I am wondering out loud why he is not getting a long runway.

    Kiké would be the easiest to trade. Low salary, had interest from other teams earlier. Can’t hit righties. He is helpful defensively but so is Taylor. Both can get the big hit in a big moment or not.

    If we get on a win streak and the bottom of the lineup trends up I hope AF doesn’t think all is solved. This is not a playoff offense. Best lineup: vs righty
    Betts
    Ohtani
    Freeman
    Smith
    Muncy
    Teo
    Heyword
    Vargas
    Lux
    Against lefties
    Betts
    Ohtani
    Smith
    Freeman
    Teo
    Muncy
    Pages
    Vargas
    Rojas

    1. Vargas is gangly and lanky and will never be smooth. That is why LF or maybe 1B are his best spots. He is only smooth in the betters box.

    2. Go look at the two teams ahead of the Dodgers in the Power Rankings (Yankees and Phillies) and tell me that their
       The last 4 hitters offense is any better!

27. Dodgers 7 thru 9 hitters are 29th in OPS so not only are Phillies and Yanks better so are 27 other teams

    1. I think you are cherry-picking your stats. Do I have to jump in here and show this is Bullshit because I will!

28. i’m sorry, but does anyone get that warm and fuzzy feeling hitters 6-9? Glasnow. has to pitch a perfect game to have a chance to get a win!! Sorry, not being negative, just honest!

    1. My point is that you have to look at other teams as well.

       Several posters posted and then deleted what they wrote because it was Bullshit.

       This is a year where weak hitters are really weak.

29. You’re an expert and one might think it’s your job at making everything seem rosy with this team and nothing wrong with that. Myself I wouldn’t bet a nickel on this team if playoffs started today but I sure hope that changes

    1. I am not an expert!

30. A .180 hitter called up today batting 9th hits a homer.

    Our 700 million dollar man is turning into Mr. K. That is why we have to have somebody to put it in play. Wouldn’t u know Freeman is looking better and Ohtani and Betts awful.

    This offense is hard to watch. 1 run looks like 20. Kkkkk and kkk…this game is so hard. Betts usually gives u a good at bat. He swings at strikes and lays off bad pitches. Ohtani can’t do that . As an investment I c the money. As a player he needs to be pitching for the Dodgers to get their money’s worth.

31. Taylor needs to go!!!!! Why is pages or vargas not playing???? this is like being constipated!! can’t do sh*t!!!!!!!

32. Dodger offense is utterly pathetic right now. Hitting with RISP is non existent, when Freddie gets hot Mookie and Ohtani go ice cold.

    I’ve not agreed when others have posted that CT3 should be DFA’d but it’s time.

    Something needs to happen to send a message to the sleep walking hitters whether that’s RVS being let go, DFA for CT3, more playing time for Vargas. I have no idea but to see this team struggle offensively is mind boggling.

33. Pages over Vargas. Interesting. Fail!

34. 60yr dodger fan. 1st time poster long time follower

    I deleted my post because it’s the first time I have ever posted and inadvertently put my name in.

    So cut the bullshit on “Several posters posted and then deleted what they wrote because it was Bullshit.” I’m the several. (1post/1 delete

    What I wrote wasn’t bullshit “ look at tonight’s current box scores for tonight’s games and you will see the bottom 4 hitters for the Yankees and the Phillies are both CURRENTLY doing better then the bottom 4 current dodger hitters.

    Of course that can and probably will change

    But I digress,
    Lived in NJ all my life

    Have had the ability to watch many of the Phillies and Yankee games throughout the season.

    Here is the problem the Yankees and Phillies have heart/life, they are aggressive and they are as you would call it “junk yard dogs”
    And they do not let up.

    The Dodgers, especially the leaders , Mookie , Freddy and Othani are nice guys.

    Watch the Yankee/ Dodger games this weekend. Tell me who you would want in a foxhole with you when the shit hits the fan or who you want up with runners in scoring positon.

    Love my Dodgers but don’t love the make-up of this team. They really do not know how to develop young offensive talent. On the other hand they do a tremendous job on developing pitchers.

    Go Dodgers

    1. Thank you!

    2. OMG.

       The return of Junkyard Dogs.

       This has to be Timmons posting under a fake name.

       1. Nope

    3. Everything you wrote is why I’m still bearish on this team’s fate in the playoffs.
       Too many losses where the offense totally shuts down is a bad sign ..no matter what their team offensive stats are.
       Whatever intangibles are missing on this team is above my pay grade to know …but SOMETHING is missing.

       1. Of course there’s still time to right the ship, ..but simply relying on “talent needs to do better” won’t be enough to get it done come playoff time.

35. 1. The decision to play Taylor and not Vargas is collaborative. If AF thought it was important for Vargas to get these at bats, Vargas would be playing. I share the frustration. The so-called runway for these “talented young guys in our system” as Brandon Gomes said last year is now about a foot long. Really hard to explain. Certainly, the Dodgers have their reasons but difficult to discern.
    2. For those who watched Ohtani with the Angels, has his swing always been this rotational? Seems to be swinging with a lot of body turn. Plus, he appears to be chasing out of the zone frequently.
    3. In support of what Mark said about batting averages around baseball, I was looking at outfielders that might be potential trade targets and there were several names I looked up and the averages were .180 to .225 for almost all of them. A lot of teams are playing guys who don’t hit particularly well. Which makes the Vargas decision even more puzzling.
    4. I disagree that Kershaw coming in to face Soto in Nats series up a run was wrong only after the fact. It was the wrong move before he threw a pitch. Told my son before the Soto home run that Adam Kolarek made more sense given his success against Soto.
    5. Can somebody tell me what the professional comps are for Rushing? Be the first to admit I am not a scout or talent evaluator but just curious what his ceiling is since he is at AA already and does not seem to be putting up numbers any better than Vargas and Pages did at his age.

36. $320 million doesn’t buy what it use to in this present day economy. Pathetic and inexcusable.

    100% agree with NJ Dodger. This team goes through the motions with no emotion. Freaking throw a bat, get thrown out for arguing after a rookie HP umpire calls strike three to an established big league star like Freddie Freeman on a pitch clearly out of the zone.

    0-12 RISP. Why did CT3 get a start?

    Great question by NH Dodger about Ohtani. He does seem to be anrms only on swings as his lower half timing is way off. His ass and front leg are not in sync.

37. Will the dodgers score a run this series?
    Skeenes tomorrow/will the Dodgers get a hit?
    How many times can we get a runner on second with nobody out and can’t score?

38. And it just gets more pathetic’er for our offense. Highlight was the first inning. AF, you cheaped us out at 1.3 bil!

39. The comments get SO fucking stupid after losses.

    It’s mind-boggling.

    1. Those comments are coming up more after a game like that but the overall pictures says the Dodgers have too many weak bats on the team. There is just no denying it is a big problem and it gets exemplified vs good pitching (which you will see in every game in the postseason).
       So no, the comments are not stupid though overblown.

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

       1. I agree that this team’s constructed lineup today will make a short appearance in the playoffs., We can beat team’s 3,4 or 5 starters in our weak Western Division, but things will be different in October where you face number 1 and 2 starters or team’s that have excellent number 3’s. Why don’t people on this site see this reality? AF and BG have a lot of work to do to turn things around and make this a championship roster. Those who are content and say everything is fine by just winning the division is OK will be upset at our bitching and say no change is necessary.They’re wrong and I will call them out for it.

40. My God, now idiot posters are calling him Notani because he’s not hitting .800. Where in the HELL did all these Dodger poser smiling bitch face fans come from, it’s like overnight , like cockroaches. Dude has been dealing with a bad hammy going on two weeks , he’ll be just fine. As will the rest of the team, not even close to full strength with injuries, not hitting all that well , but still ok first place by 5 or 6 games! My biggest problem this season is not the team, it’s the new generation of Dodger fans with all the social media bullshit that live game by game and just criticize the hell out of Doc or any player who fell short that day. Not the fan base I’m used to, not even close. If you’re going to spew your 5 second toxic snapshot on how the Dodgers are so terrible in so many ways, buy a damn Giants hat and start hanging with Farhan. Damn…..

41. Upon further review., Dodgers lose tonight yet they are 7, 7!!! Games up with a team not even close to full strength and all I’m seeing is a bunch of arm chair managers wanting to make moves in June. JUNE!!! Good God, adjust your way too tight tighty wighties and just relax!! Feel like Mark is spending WAY too much time defending himself and talking half you cats off the ledge. Celebrate where we are at right now, best is yet to come, lose the negative vibe, damn we are so spoiled!!

    1. I am not sure I can write anything as the level of stupid is soo high.

42. Holy He!! you would think this team is 23-40 and 12.5 games back in the division.

    I get it man it sucks to lose and no one likes losing 1-0.

    But cmon this is a 162 marathon and then a 5 week sprint.

    Settle down, have a beer and relax.

    This team WILL be in the playoffs and the team you see on 6.5.24 will NOT be the team that starts game 1 of the NLDS at Dodger Stadium.

    Stick with these guys they are good and they are going to be damn good come October.

    Mookie has won 2 WS, Freddie has won 1 WS… let me ask you a question, how many WS titles does Harper have, have many does Judge have, how many does Stanton have, how many does Cole and Nola have???

    Ill take Mookie and Freddie over those guys anyday…..

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