I am a fan of MLB Trade Rumors. I generally read them daily. For instance, if I go there today, I will read this:
“The Braves have acquired infielder Cavan Biggio from the Giants, as noted by Gabe Burns of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution. Per Alex Pavlovic of NBC Sports Bay Area, the Giants are receiving cash considerations in return for Biggio’s services. Biggio is on a minor league deal and as such was eligible to be traded despite the trade deadline having passed. As he was acquired after the calendar flipped to September, Biggio will not be eligible to participate in the postseason with the Braves.”
–-Nick Deeds
MLBTR also has a premium feature whereby they give you some more inside stuff called “GM Tools” or something like that. It’s like $29 a year, and they send you e-mails with more (allegedly) “inside stuff.” I’ll let you know later if it’s worth it. However, I digress. What I wanted to discuss is, though, is what you should believe and not believe. We all saw Teoscar Hernandez get hit on the foot Friday night, and it looked bad! However, this is what MLBTR said yesterday:
“More will be known about Hernandez’s status later today, yet since it seems like he’ll certainly be going on the IL, the question is now whether or not we’ll see Hernandez on the field again in 2024. Beyond just the regular season, the Dodgers certainly hope to be playing deep into the playoffs, yet such an extended run would obviously be a lot more difficult if Hernandez isn’t available. Winning the NL West is also not a foregone conclusion, as the Dodgers hold a four-game lead on the Padres and a 5.5-game lead on the Diamondbacks.”
— Mark Polishuk
Talk about jumping to conclusions! Mark Polishuk is a Gold Medalist in that sport! He went from Hernandez being hit on the foot to certainly going on the IL to “will he play for the Dodgers again… ever?” Believe half of what you see and none of what you read. The media gets it wrong as much as they get it right unless you are talking about the mainstream media in an election year and then you most certainly have to use discernment! The media has a job to do and it is not always about truth. I saw what happened to Teoscar and frankly, I had no opinion. I wrote this: “I suppose that Teoscar Hernandez will get X-Rays or a MRI today and we shall see what happens to him.” It turns out we will see him sooner than later!
Also, don’t believe the rumors about Tyler Glasnow:
Also, the Dodgers will decide in the next few days whether to bring back Tony Gonsolin this season as a reliever or wait until 2025. He might look pretty good out of the pen… Believe it or not! 😉
Last night’s game was a satisfying win, as the bottom of the order did some damage. Wrobleski has awesome stuff… if he could only control it. The Dodgers had three pitchers pitch last night who will probably not be on the playoff roster, namely: Grove, Wrobleski, and Honeywell. Honeywell has been a Godsend, but he won’t make it either.
Minor League Notes
I thought I would briefly cover three prospects that you may not know a lot about, but who should be on your radar. I’ll cover three more next week.
Alexander Albertus – Don’t believe this – He was traded! 😉
Alexander Christopher Albertus was born on 10/27/2004 in Oranjestad, Aruba. The SS/3B/2B is an RH Hitter, and the thrower is 6′ 1″ tall and weighs in at 176 pounds (that is soaking wet). According to Kyle Glaser, “Albertus hit .307/.469/.420 in the complex leagues after signing out of Aruba and is a frequent target of opposing teams in trade discussions. He has a good understanding of the strike zone, advanced contact skills for his age and is a smart, cerebral player who gets the most out of his ability. His future defensive home is in question, but his promising offensive skill set makes for a strong foundation.”
Emil Morales – #8 on Dodgers.com/#14 on BA
Morales is a 6′ 3″, 191-pound SS who was born on 09/22/2006 in Las Palmas De Gran Canaria, Spain. He consistently puts together strong at-bats, showcasing a mature offensive approach and excellent pitch recognition. He has thrived against live pitching, and his swing is advanced for his age. As he’s gained strength in his lower half, his power has been on the rise, with more growth expected in the coming years. Offensively focused, Morales plays shortstop but has the frame of a third baseman, with many scouts projecting a move to that position soon. Although he’s a below-average runner, he’s reliable on the balls he reaches at shortstop, with a solid-average arm. However, his defensive actions and mobility seem better suited for third base. In 152 ABs’ for DSL Mega, he put up a .342 BA/.478 OB% and .691 SLG while hitting 14 HR.
Eriq Swan – #22 on BA
Eqiq is an RHP who was born on 10/31/2001 in Marietta, GA, and is 6′ 6″ and 240 pounds. His calling card is a 102 MPH Fastball that has little life. Also, he has very little control. So, there is that! Still, MLB values guys who can pitch in triple digits. He has a long way to go.
X-CITES
To all the morons who the CT3:
Albertus was traded.
(You can delete this afterwards if you want, Mark)
Thank you! I had forgotten about that. I wrote this several days ago before BA took him off the Dodgers site. They have him on the White Sox site now. The Dodgers traded 3B Miguel Vargas, SS Alexander Albertus, SS Jeral Perez and a player to be named later or cash considerations to the Chicago White Sox for RHP Michael Kopech; Chicago White Sox traded RHP Erick Fedde, OF Tommy Pham and cash considerations to the St. Louis Cardinals; St. Louis Cardinals traded SS Tommy Edman and RHP Oliver Gonzalez to the Los Angeles Dodgers.
All three of those players have great potential… I’ll leave it up as proof that I mess up too!
I think Morales will be in our top #5 next year.
For what it’s worth and I’m not a scout but I saw Albertuss and Swan earlier this year at Rancho Cucamonga. Albertuss looked good at short defensively he was struggling with the bat when I saw him but he didn’t seem to be over matched. His floor is probably a utility player with a good glove and weak bat. Best case probably a 2B starter with good defensive skills and a decent bat. Swan sat at 94-95 the 4 innings he pitched secondary pitches need some work. He most likely is a 5 starter or solid bullpen arm at the back end . Albertus should not be missed as there are several options with the same outlook.
Some people like Swan a lot
I hope this deal pays off for the struggling White Sox in the long run, because it’s already paying off for Dodgers with Kopech and Edman as key pieces for the pennant run.
Kudos to AF and Gomes for moves that have already proven far superior to recent years, when they brought in the disappointing Gallo and Lance Lynn. And who knows how good young Oliver Gonzalez might turn out to be?
Another strong performance by Flaherty today. I hope that deal works out, eventually, for the Tigers too.
Win-win deals are good for business.
There is no need to force Gonsolin onto the staff. We have enough arms. Set sights on breaking camp as a member of the 2025 rotation. That alone would be a huge win.
That is the best outcome, but it may hinge on the health of others.
We have enough arms?
Not sure I agree with that statement.
It’s not the number of arms I’m concerned about, it’s the number of healthy arms.
If we can do it without sacrificing his health I would definitely have Catman ready to go if we need him……………………………..and we may very well need him.
Just feels like getting to nine in bullpen will easy.
Kopech
Phillips
Hudson
Treinen
Brasier
Vesia
Banda
Graterol
Miller/Buehler/Kershaw
Grove
Honeywell
Henriquez?
Kelly??
The rotation next year could include these 10 pitchers:
Ohtani
Glasnow
Yamamoto
Gonsolin
May
Kershaw
Stone
Knack
Wrobleski
Miller
… and then Buehler and Flaherty are the Free Agents.
River Ryan and Emmet Sheehan will likely miss all of 2025.
Sheehan should be back. He missed all of this year.
And perhaps Nick Frasso too?
I think Hurt will be out for all of ’25, or perhaps be back late.
I forgot about May.
Interest case
4:10 PM ET
Guardians (81-61)
Dodgers (85-57)
SP Tanner Bibee R
11-6 3.56 ERA
SP Jack Flaherty R
11-6 3.01 ERA
Confirmed Lineup
DH S. Ohtani L
RF Mookie Betts R
1B F. Freeman L
3B Max Muncy L
C Will Smith R
SS Tommy Edman S
2B Gavin Lux L
LF Andy Pages R
CF K. Kiermaier L
101° Wind 5 mph Out
09/08/24 Los Angeles Dodgers designated RHP Michael Petersen for assignment.
09/08/24 Los Angeles Dodgers selected the contract of LHP Nick Ramirez from Oklahoma City Baseball Club.
09/08/24 Los Angeles Dodgers optioned LHP Justin Wrobleski to Oklahoma City Baseball Club.
Let me throw something at the wall.
Playoff Rotation
1. Flaherty
2. Yamamoto
3. Knack
4. Glasnow
Give Flaherty two starts.
Yamamoto starts the NLCS
Glasnow gets extra rest
But if your down 0-2 Glasgow then Knack.
Unless Striker, Miller, or Kershaw ? Steps up before Oct.
Book em
Knack before Glasnow makes no sense
It does make sense. I’ll explain why and you can explain why it doesn’t.
Knack is healthy . Glasnow not so much. Save him for the NLCS.
Sheehan had surgery on May 15 and it s not clear if he had Full Blown TJ or the Internal Brace Procedure. We could see hm by the AllStar Break.
I think too many guys are members of the ‘He Man woman haters club’ (You can look up the reference) But anyway I like Mendoza. I don’t think she talks too much and is very knowledgeable
I am not a hater. I do not prefer to listen to Mendoza and I am not a big fan of Nelson, but while I would rather listen to Joe, I am OK listening to them.
Whatever. I do think she laughs too much, but W-H-A-T-E-V-E-R!
Nomar, Orel, or EK? I enjoy them all. They all offer something different. No biggie to me.
I believe in blooming where you are planted!
Nice win, Flaherty saved the pen. Ohtani’s homer was impressive. But I loved Max going the other way to homer off of a lefty. Taylor made up for his strikeout with a run scoring hit. We are getting hit by a thunderstorm here in Colorado. Lightning struck really close to my building. Startled me!! But at least it did not knock out the electricity. SF dropped SD, 7-6, Dodgers lead up to six over the Padres who only have 17 games left to the Dodgers 19. LA finishes the season with a 30-16 mark against the AL this year.
whew david! respect your opinion, but she is soooo annoying! don’t hate her, just don’t want to hear her! Nelson? puke ! listened to neverett and monday on the way home from my grandson’s baseball tournament. i thoroughly enjoyed them both. baseball talk , no silly crap. just my opinion! p.s. my brother’s name is David, so you are probably a great guy!
My son is named David , great guy.