There are just five days until July 30th at 6 PM, which is the MLB Trade Deadline. Remember also that there is no “Waiver Deadline” this year. The trade deadline is the final opportunity to make a trade. For weeks, most Dodger fans have been playing GM and putting together all kinds of trades… most of which were of the “dope-fiend” variety. Since the All-Star Break, we have seen some bats start to wake up, namely Kike, and Gavin Lux, as well as Austin Barnes. However, Chris Taylor and Miguel Rojas just went on the IL, and Rojas’ “forearm tightness” has to be considered possibly “career-ending.” Miggy Ro is 35 and would be an unlikely candidate to have Tommy John Surgery at that age. If it is the UCL, then I would expect to see Miggy settle into a role with the Dodgers. That is going to happen.. whether it is next year or later.
I can see the Dodgers adding another infielder and maybe a CF like Bellinger, who will not cost much in prospect collateral. Still, I do not see them paying for another starter, especially after Clayton Kershaw showed that even the rust after missing the first half of the season does not dull his promise. Clayton will be fine. Walker Buehler will be back soon, and Bobby Miller will, too. River Ryan and Justin Wrobleski have shown they are ready. If we have learned anything this season, it is that you have better hoard young arms because, as of today, the Dodgers have the following pitchers out with Tommy John Surgery:
- Tony Gonsolin
- Dustin May
- Kyle Hurt
- Nick Frasso
- Emmet Sheehan
Possibly only May and Gonsolin will be back next year. Hurt, Frasso, and Sheehan could be back late in the 2025 season or 2026. To be successful in these high velocities, high spin rates killing of arms, you have to “buy them cheap and stack them deep!” Next season, Shohei Ohtani may be back on the mound and the rotation will have these options:
- Ohtani
- Yamamoto
- Glasnow
- May
- Gonsolin
- Miller
- Stone
- Knack
- Wrobleski
- Ryan
- Maybe Buehler
- Maybe Kershaw
Next year, some of those pitchers will have Tommy John and on-and-on it goes. I do not see an end to this for the immediate future. You can also add in some of the following pitchers who may “graduate out of the Farm System” in the next year or two:
- Jackson Ferris
- Ben Casparius
- Peyton Martin
- Maddux Bruns
- Hyun-Seok Jang
… and of course, there are Hurt, Frasso, and Sheehan, who should be back in 2026. Welcome to the “new way of pitching.” You don’t have to like it, but maximum effort, high spin rate, and blowing out arms are now the norm. Deal with it. Friedman is, and I do not think he will give up the requisite arms needed to acquire Crochet, Flaherty, or Skubal.
Miguel Vargas is better than Randy Arozarena! Kike, Barnsie, and Lux are looking better. James Outman is back and will be facing RHP only. Pages should only face LHP. I have to hope and pray that Max Muncy comes back in September and that Mookie will be back in two or three weeks. Sometimes, you just have to get lucky and have someone like Nick Amed play out of his mind. By all accounts, Cavan Biggio is working his ass off and is respected by his teammates. Results are not also immediate, but I guarantee that Friedman and Company know a hell of a lot more than us.
I am warming to the idea of Rich Hill. He could empty the tank the last two months of the season. He would make an impact on the youngsters as well. The Dodgers can sign bats over the winter, but I think it is imperative to keep the arms. They could trade for Shubal or Crochet only to see them undergo the knife as well.
Ok. I have made my mind up what is best for the Dodgers at the deadline:
Trade for Flaherty. He is on an expiring contract and should not cost the farm. I am fine with him being the Nr. 2 or 3 starter in a playoff series.
Trade for Tanner Scott and Chisholm with the Marlins. Scott is the bona fide closer who does not make you tremble every time he goes out . Yes, everyone blows a save now and then but he is reliable and as close to automatic as they come . Chisholm kills two birds with one stone. Can play CF and the infield. With Rojas there would be no clubhouse war .
This trade will not be cheap and will cost some prospect capital but the return is exactly what the Dodgers need.
I think a package of Rushing, Knack plus two lower level prospects coud do it. Looking at the Arozarena trade and what little the Rays got in return I am hopeful the Dodgers can make that happen .
Clayton was hit hard yesterday, 6 hits plus some loud outs too. The strikouts were encouraging but I do not think he would be a good option as a playoff starter if he does not improve in his next starts.
Hill as an innings eater to lessen the load on our starters is an intriguing option. Especially if the Dodgers would be able to lock up the division early.
Go Dodgers!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Ram you asked why I always use the no guarantees. Simple, some seem to think that one guy is going to guarantee a trip to the World Series. Rarely happens. And puzzle me this okay? How many high-pressure playoff games have Skubal and Crochet ever pitched in and won? The answer, none. Crochet has pitched in 4 post season games with a grand total of 3 innings. Skubal has never pitched in the playoffs period, and you want to gut the farm for him? Flaherty has pitched in 5 post season games. He has 1 win and 3 losses. He has pitched 25 innings. A decent ERA of 3.60 and 31 Ks in those innings. His win came in a NLDS win over Atlanta. I want the guy who has pitched in those big games, not some novice no matter how good he might be. The pressure in the playoffs is much higher. Eovaldi if he was available. Not that many of the pitchers who are at the present time. available, have that experience. My choice for a pitcher in a must win situation who is presently in the majors and available?? Buehler if he is healthy and ready to go. His post season ERA is 2.94. He has 101 Ks in 79.2 post season innings. He would be my go-to guy. And he won’t cost a thing. Nothing wrong with his velo. He was hitting 95-97 regularly. Just his mechanics and his control. Hill is over the hill. His stuff just does not play and hasn’t for a while. Last time the Dodgers faced him, they lit him up for 7 runs. I trust Kersh more than Hill. He at least as a lock down curve, enough fastball to keep hitters honest and enough speed separation to fool hitters. First double off of him would have been an out with Outman in center. Chisholm has a problem. He said some disparaging things about Miggy. He is a me first kind of guy. No thanks. I wanted Arozarena for his post-season work, but that won’t happen now. Chisholm also has little post-season experience.
Not a bad plan, assuming that Chisholm plays nice. The Dodgers rightfully care about team chemistry, and perhaps the Rojas-Chisholm tension is behind us.
Flaherty seems solid, though not an ace like Skubal, and I’d rate him below Crochet as well. To me, Tanner Scott is a no-brainer. Chisholm could solve the CF problem and add punch and speed to the bottom of the lineup.
Meanwhile, Mark is now asserting that the Dodgers won’t go after frontline starter…
Here’s how he put it: “I can see the Dodgers adding another infielder and maybe a CF like Bellinger, who will not cost much in prospect collateral. Still, I do not see them paying for another starter, especially after Clayton Kershaw showed that even the rust after missing the first half of the season does not dull his promise. ”
Pretty bold prediction in light of what Gomes has been saying on the record about seeking and “impact” SP. And has there really been much buzz about Belli returning to the Dodgers beyond the speculation on this blog?
As I read it, Mark is arguing that depth–quantity–may matter more than quality in the age of fragile elbows and shoulders. Fair enough. Kershaw had a nice return–but he is no longer an ace. Can we count on Buehler and Bobby Miller and Yamamoto to return with premium performances?
Seems unlikely to me.
Quanity is great for a six-man rotation… but doesn’t quality matter more in the playoffs? How will the Dodgers top three starters compare to the Phillies?
Some new developments may have altered the market a bit. The Orioles have landed Eflin for their rotation and reinforced their bullpen as well with Seranthony Dominguez. With three SPs out for the season, they are probably still in the mix for Crochet, but perhaps they’ll pivot.
Interesting times….
“Miguel Vargas is better than Randy Arozarena!”
This statement is 100% false come on Mark.
From MLBTR:
“In aggregate, Arozarena’s season numbers are pedestrian. He’s hitting .211/.318/.394 with 15 homers through 409 plate appearances. That’s only marginally better than average and would be the worst numbers of his career. “
Not my words.
Vargas is hitting .239 with a .316 OB% and a .749 OPS compared to Arozaenas’s OPS of .712. At 5 years younger, I will, take Vargas any day and predict he will have a better career.
Opinions are not true or false – they are opinions!
Since we are cherry picking stats since June 1, Arozarena is hitting .284 with a .397 on-base percentage and a .904 OPS.
Arozarena also has a track record and an OPS of over .1104 in 350 postseason AB. Miguel Vargas has 350 AB in his career.
Sure maybe he WILL be better time will tell but saying he IS better now not rooted in reality.
I would rather have Vargas for the totality of their stays.
No you wouldn’t your saying that only because he was traded elsewhere. If he was a dodger you’d be all in.
Arozarena is far, far, far more accomplished than Vargas.
I remember how Mark used to say he preferred career stats to last year’s stats.
But this is not true for Miguelito!
Let’s give Kersh a break. That was not a bad start for first time back from surgery. Compare to Miller and Buehler. If Kersh stays healthy, he’ll be a playoff starter. Can the Dodgers go into October with 4 healthy and reliable starters? We’ve got the horses if healthy.
Clayton will be a playoff starter. No question!
… unless he is injured.
Not so sure about that.
We will see soon enough.
Go Dodgers!!!!!!!!!
Way, way, way too early to make that call.
This is the problem with CK, not only with you, but with the Front Office, AF and Doc.
Just seeing his name makes you all go giddy. Already jumping to conclusions and assumptions about his ability based on 4 innings of work.
Why should he be an automatic Playoff Starter?
My eyes tell me that Glasnow, Yamamoto and Stone should be our Starters with Bobby Miller next in line assuming he gets his shit together before the end of the season.
That’s not including the potential “impact “ player we’re looking for, because if it’s a SP he’ll be getting the ball before CK surely.
Can’t we just see what Kershaw’s got before putting him in the Playoff Rotation??
I agree with that assessment. But I would not count CK out if he builds up innings and he has no pain in the shoulder. His experience alone makes him valuable.
Yeah, it was good return for Kershaw. Promising.
But predicting that he’ll start in the playoffs is jumping the gun. Certainly could happen, but a lot can happen between now and then.
Hope you are right, because that would mean Yamamoto comes back in good shape.
I listen to what they say and read what you say.
The Dodgers will do something, but I have no idea what that could be. Maybe a reliever. Mark is right, you could land a high profile starter and then they go down. Jack Flaherty may make more sense. He would provide quality depth in the rotation. I just don’t see Skubal being moved. Other teams probably need Crochet more, willing to pay a higher price. Hill is not a bad idea.
But the Dodgers do have pitchers returning. Good to have Kershaw back. I’m guessing Yamamoto returns. Walker Buehler? No idea. He’ll be back, but what can the Dodgers expect? Could come back and pitch well. But, again, who knows.
Good to have Glasnow back. Stone should be fine and the young pitchers are stepping up. Then there is Miller. Just a guess, but the Dodgers pursue depth . I just don’t see the Dodgers going all in, no matter what they say.
The Dodgers are in a good position moving forward. Maybe a tweak or two is better than landing one of the “prizes.”
Randy Arrozarena traded to Seattle, so there goes that idea.
I guess now we’ll know if Vargas is better come October, when Vargas sits on the bench.
If Outman is here to play against RHP, why was Pages in CF? I suspect he would have caught the ball that went over Pages head. The Dodgers need a CF and it doesn’t look like Outman is it.
First day back against a tough RHP in Webb. Got in late, who knows.
And yet Pages, who struggles against RHP was in the lineup. Like you said, who knows what’s going on.
Dylan Floro would be a good reunion.
Having a nice season with the Nats
If we go after a reliever go big. Go Tanner Scott.
Go Dodgers!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Friday schedule
4:05 p.m. PT: Great Lakes (Jackson Ferris) vs. Lake County (Dylan DeLucia)
5:05 p.m.: Oklahoma City (Walker Buehler) vs. Tacoma (Jhonathan Diaz)
5:05 p.m.: Tulsa (Carlos Duran) at Frisco (Kumar Rocker)
6:35 p.m.: Rancho Cucamonga (Luke Fox) at Inland Empire (Barrett Kent)
Paxton to the Red Sox
Dodgers get Moises Bolivar in this trade.
Bolivar, 17, was signed by the Red Sox in 2024. In 31 games with the Dominican Summer League Red Sox Blue this season, the right-handed hitter has batted .270 with a .787 OPS while making 23 starts at third base, three at first base, and five as the designated hitter.
Go Dodgers!!!!!!!!!!!!
The Bolivar Era has begun!
what’d we get? Jarran Duran? Kenley? Big Papi?
The Hit Dog
I never believe the rumors until I see a player’s name on the roster on the Dodger website. Until that happens, all of them are BS> Paxton traded to Boston for some infielder named Moises Bolivar.
Paxton really helped the Dodgers this season, but AF knew it was time to move on. …tough, tough business.
Brett Rooker Tommy Pham Issace Paredes Jack Flarethy Isu Kirkuchi Jessie Winker Lane Thomas Bellinger Hornier Tallion Mason Miller Paul DeJong any of these guys would help this team. Lane Thomas and Jessie Winker from Nats yes that would be fun to see with the lineup we have.
They could be but none of those guys are coming. AF going big game hunting. Crochet and Robert jr.
Since Paredes is an all-star, wouldn’t he be “big game” too?
Roll me another one just like the other one
Hey if Lane Thomas and Winker can be rumored ro go to the Braves why couldn’t the Dodgers get those two player Thomas can play centerfield and Winker LF that’s an upgrade in the outfield pal. Then having Pages Outman and Vargas all three should be in minors. Now you can roll a big one and smoke that buddy. Oh wait didnt you say there was no way Dodgers would sign Nick Ahmad. Well look who is at shortstop for the Dodgers tonite . Dam it feels good when I can say see I told you pal.
Great stuff!
8:10 PM ET
Dodgers (62-42)
Astros (53-49)
SP Gavin Stone R
9-3 3.19 ERA
SP Framber Valdez L
8-5 3.63 ERA
Confirmed Lineup
DH S. Ohtani L
C Will Smith R
1B F. Freeman L
RF T. Hernandez R
CF Andy Pages R
LF M. Vargas R
3B E. Hernandez R
2B Cavan Biggio L
SS Nick Ahmed R
In Domed Stadium
France started the Olympics on a gay note. F France
Ooh la la, porpoiseboy..
Why is Biggio in there instead of Gavin ? Come on you knuckleheads Biggio has no biz on this team.
OK, I will answer the question:
Biggio is hitting .227 against LHP this year!
Lux is hitting .148 against LHP this year!
Any Questions?
See what your saying Mark but who’s hot hitter now ?
Would someone tell me please if MLB.TV will air a replay of tonight’s game some time after it ends.
Apple TV buffers on my comp.
About 2 hours after the game ends they usually show it.
Thank you Michael.
Game on appletv
Red Sox Fan on Twitter:
Those pieces of shit dodgers had him beat us before cutting him.
This is a “flyer” by AF. The kid is 17 and 5 or 6 years away. Who knows? But you throw enough stuff against the wall and some of it sticks.
Apple TV has a Free 2-month trial.
Sign up and cancel in 55 days!
Does US Water Systems have any deals like that? Didn’t think anything could make Paris look boring, but opening ceremony did it. I was hoping the torch bearer would just slip on one of the roofs and just end it.
07/26/24
Los Angeles Dodgers sent RHP’s Walker Buehler and Ryan Brasier on a rehab assignment to Oklahoma City Baseball Club
Josue De Paula in the starting lineup for GL Loons tonight leading off at DH
Was pulled early yesturday.
Still with the team and hoping he stays.
There is a Dodgers group on Facebook where you can watch all the games, even when they are on Apple TV, I have been able to watch them all.
What is the group called? Is membership free?
Just read on DC that Freddie fly back LA be with son. biggio at 1b, Gavin at 2b
Is Freddie’s son OK?
Very ill and in the hospital. Freeman spent most of Saturday night at the hospital with him.
That’s really scary. They said he was getting a little better but if Freddie flew back to LA, that doesn’t sound good.
Jorge can you share Facebook link please
Thanks
https://www.facebook.com/share/wd4bAbj8satSyHiU/?mibextid=lOuIew
I hope you can see it in your country, it is in Spanish, but at least you can see the game, which is the important thing.
Thank you
https://www.twitch.tv/baseballtvsports
Works great, thanks Jorge.
If Clayton is a playoff starter, the Dodgers are not winning unless he’s #4. I also think our playoff stay will be short unless we secure a top tier starter and an experienced playoff bat. I don’t see Moto coming back which means we don’t have a solid #2. Instead we have a collection of Buehler, Miller, Kershaw, Stone who are all #3 playoff pitchers meaning they are likely to give up 4 runs over 6 innings if we’re lucky. Without an experienced bat, Robert’s will Platoon again which does not work.. last years platoon of Taylor, Kike, Peralta, Outman and J-Hey batted .125. The Dodgers don’t have the balls to play the best playoff players— lasted Taylor and Kike hit well in the PO’s but got limited at bats. All this to say, let’s get solid OF we can play every game.
High Comedy!
Teo in CF? Surely you jest!
It’s hard for me to focus on this game…
Praying for Freddie Freeman’s son!
Baseball is not life…
Agree! Lord, please heal young Maximus and bring peace and comfort to the Freeman family.
Amen
Amen to that
Buehler got knocked around at AAA. 4 runs, 8 hits in 4 innings. 75 pitches.
I don´t expect Buehler to be an asset for the Dodgers in the playoffs.
Same with Clayton. We will know about him next WED when he will face a potent SD lineup .
Go Dodgers!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!1
Let’s be honest, these rookies of ours ( Vargas, Pages, Outman) may be good or even all-stars in the future, but I cannot see them contributing to a Championship in a meaningful way. They have their moments but it’s clear they’re treading water. They look overmatched against half decent pitchers and will disappear in the playoffs. Bellinger, Seager, et al had the it factor, not these guys.
Not ready for prime time!
Unlike Pages and Outman, I see a sliver of hope for Vargas’ bat coming alive in the playoffs. But he’s still unplayable for the post-season because his defense in LF could detonate on the Dodgers at any time. Frankly, AF needs to find 2 veteran outfielders better than those 3 greenhorns. It’s doable with what’s still available on the market.
Walkers stuff and control was not great tonight. A bunch of hard hit balls over 100mph and he only touched 95 -2 or 3 x’s. Mostly sat around 93/94.
Hope he can figure it out in the next
2-3 weeks.
Stone and probably Glasnow (again) will need a break.
Stone sooner rather then later.
On the positive note Lefty Jackson Ferris pitched another gem for High A Great Lakes
Only 20 yrs old.
7 innings pitched
5 hits
1 run
2 BB
7 K
For the month of July
IP : 26
SO : 31
BB: 7
ERA: 1.04
Whip: 0.73
After Justin W our top lefty starter prospect.