Yesterday, I was supposed to have carpal tunnel and elbow surgery. The Doctor and the hospital showed such a high level of incompetence that I punted. I was all in… until I saw their lack of preparation and understanding, and I walked away. I did get my back procedure approved, and after that is my right shoulder surgery (labrum, rotator cuff, and maybe TJ). Then it’s the carpal tunnel. But that was not the biggest event of the day. Yesterday afternoon, I met with our US Water Systems Team and advised them that I would be transitioning to a new role, focusing on consulting and advising them. They are up 27% this year, and I am sure I could only screw that up, so I am focusing on my new job: author of The Mountainmover, which will finally (after 30 years) be released in May or June of 2026.
This is a book that has to be written… and I am finally going to write it. I have 100+ pages of outline and notes, and I just enlisted a Professor (“and recovering attorney”) at Georgetown University, who has produced 279 (and counting) national book award winners since 2020, to be my editor. I am going to be working on this for five to six hours a day and doing a little for US Water Systems, which means that this blog may get neglected. I am keeping it open, and you can do what you do. I just don’t have time for both, but we will see how this goes.
The White Sox are an embarrassment to all of baseball.
Down on the Farm
- Emil Morales remains Red Hot!
- DePaula’s BA has dropped to .268.
- Hope is at .299
- Sirota is still at .317 – he has walked 7 times in his last two games. They don’t want to pitch to him.
- Quintero is at .318 in RC.
- Hainline is back at RC.
- Sheehan was bombed in 2.1 innings last night.
- Tulsa is beyond bad!
Lots of interesting stuff here:
https://www.latimes.com/sports/dodgers/newsletter/2025-07-01/mookie-betts
Will be a very very special night at the Ravine tonight!
Phantom injury for Kopech?
Supposedly knee inflammation. He said he had no pain but the Dodgers were concerned he could develop some bad habits if he started to feel any pain.
speaking of embarrassment! how about the job clay m. is doing in miami? just a few weeks ago, we were talking about how embarrassing the marlins were. now they just passed the braves in the standings! great job! …. the sox are a AAAA team, no doubt. it’s going to be tough for the front office to get some good major league players to play in chicago. … in my opinion yamamoto was good last night, but not great. i know he went 7 solid innings last night, but he wasn’t facing the yankees either. but a win is a win. …. Freddie strikes out on 3 pitches? don’t see that very much!…….Watch mookie. he will hit! … There’s no doubt Andy Pages should be an all star! Playing all 3 outfield positions, all at a high level? He trails ohtani only in homers. he may be the dodgers mvp! …. 3 for history tonight! he may or may not be better than Koufax, does it matter? Congratulations Clayton Kershaw!
It doesnt matter, but yes, yes he is better.
Be cool to get it vs Brooks Baldwin, my son played with him at UNCW…..
Baldwin will have to count as any other player on the betting props since he’s not listed. Makes him +3500
Congrats on the book. Best advice ever given to me in a writing program about the secret to it: Ass in chair.
“Ohtani’s next start on the mound has been revealed. The National League’s home run king will make his fourth pitching appearance in a Dodgers uniform during the team’s next series against the Houston Astros on Saturday”.
Would love to see one or two of Sirota, DePaula or Hope get called up to Tulsa. That way Quintero could get called up to Great Lakes. Quintero seems ready. Hes been really good this year.
Sirota should for sure
Congrats Mark. Hope it is a best seller. Always here for you. Braves DFAd Alex Verdugo so they could activate Jurickson Profar off of the suspended list. Joe Jaques, who was with LA for a while, called up by the Mariners. Wonder how Arte Moreno feels now about nixing the trade for Pederson, Stripling and Pages. Colin Poche elected free agency. Trey Mancini opted out of his deal with the D-Backs. Giants extended Melvin for 2026. Manfred discussed revenue and the possibility of a work stoppage when the present CBA expires on January first. In a surprised move, the Milwaukee Bucks cut Damien Lillard loose.
How far has Verdugo fallen????
A long way for sure. His attitude got him out of both LA and Boston. Lack of production kept the Yankees from bringing him back.
I’m a bit puzzled that De Paula is now listed as the Dodgers’ No. 1 prospect on mlb.com. There’s always been a lot of hype about his offense–even comparisons to Juan Soto–but now he’s batting .268 in Great Lakes.
Instead of Soto, could he be the next Cartaya?
Certainly hope not. But it seems to me that there should be more buzz about Zyhir Hope and Sirota. And perhaps Quintero or Morales are true prodigies.
And I still think the Dodgers should give De Paula some training at first base…
de Paula at first.
Smith at third
Rushing in left.
So many uninformed opinions on where prospects should play and risk their careers.
Many guys change positions – Craig Biggio from C to 2B, Robin Yount from SS to CF. It doesn’t always work. Some guys are superior athletes. And some positions like 1B and LF have historically been places where teams stash players who can hit and need a place to play. Of course you already know this. You just enjoy being condescending.
Just because it’s been rarely done, doesn’t mean it:
A. Hasn’t worked more times than not
B, Is not a waste of time to speculate about.
You know this because you have a useful brain.
* A. Hasn’t worked more times than has
This type of grammar always befuddled me
These guys are professional athletes, right?
We see players shift positions all the time. More often than not, it enhances a career.
When he played for the Braves, Freddie played a few games at 3B to try to help the team win.
Doesn’t always work. We learned than Joc Pedersen really couldn’t play 1B…
But the Dodgers had him try it.
And if Joc had succeeded, he’d have commanded a higher salary as a free agent.
Another guy who should have learned to play 1B: JD Martinez.
He might have had another couple years in the majors–and pickleball would still be waiting.
DePaula – Many scouts thought his foot speed and footwork would not play in the outfield, but he has made great progress in that aspect of his game and may steal 25 bases this year. He could transition to 1B, but right now LF is his spot.
Smith at 3B – Says the guy who said Gavin Lux was not a SS and could play LF! BANG!
Rushing is too good of a catcher to play LF.
All of this started because Will Smith typically wears down every year. His bat is elite… moving him to 3B will maximize his offense.
3rd base would reduce the hard hits on his catcher’s mask as well.
Wittgenstein agrees
I like the idea of Smith ultimately moving to 3B, especially if Rushing can provide equal or superior defense at catcher.
But I like the fact that Smith takes a lot of pride in his catching. When he signed his extension, he said his plan was to play catcher.
If Rushing doesn’t measure up defensively at catcher, perhaps he’s the one who should shift to 3B.
I want Rushing to get more ABs too. When he isn’t catching, he could play some LF and 1B. (Why should Kike have all the fun?)
With more ABs, perhaps Rushing could reduce his strikeout rate. He’s had 28 in just 52 at bats.
This isn’t about what could happen! All three players may be best as DHs!
That’s the point. It’s about wasting time surmising what could happen.
Lux’s playing LF poorly for twenty odd games isn’t the best claim, although this is coming from the guy who said Keizer’s Ruiz was too valuable to trade? So maybe it is for him.
Bang?
So, speculating, spitballing and surmising about hypothetical roster moves is a waste of time and shouldn’t be done?
Kinda takes the fun out of commenting on baseball blogs, no?
wait. Seriously? Does anyone find any of that fun? Isn’t it fun just to watch a team do well? Wasting time coming up with stuff that will never happen is fun?
thinking you know better than people whose lives are predicated around making personal decisions is fun?
Yes.
LOL. That was actually a pretty impressive rant. Are you OK, Bluto? Need a tranquilizer or something? Wouldn’t want you to get an aneurysm or anything.
Curious, but we seem to have this strange connection to men trying to hit this leather wrapped cork ball with a wooden stick, just so they can ran back and forth between these arbitrarily delineated leather pillows. It’s weird. It’s not like we have any impact on the outcome, but we nevertheless obsess over statistical minutae and discuss endlessly both good and bad performances.
It’s all rather silly if you think about it.
I suppose playing baseball GM and imagining “what I would do if I were Friedman” takes away for a moment the prosaic monotony of our daily lives.
In other words, it’s fun.
Kaybear is still 26, but yes, I have been wrong about him (so far). There is still time since progress is not linear.
Rant?
What rant?
I’m sorry if this isn’t widespread, but I find none of that stuff fun. I find following the Dodgers enjoyable, I find figuring out their strategies and philosophies interesting. I find reading the comments of most (nearly all) of the people here thought provoking.
But making up personnel moves? Creating false realities, like Austin Barnes becoming a manager or the Dodgers issues can be ascertained by looking at body language (both actually happened!) to be inane and worthless.
If I want fun, I can play with my kids. Go to the beach. Take the dog to the dog park. Read a comic?
Good grief!
What you’re describing is Dodger fans just having dumb analysis.
It really shouldn’t cause you so much existential angst.
Mark has advocated for every popular veteran player since Chase Utley (probably before) to be a coach or in the front office. It never happens but he likes to dream. Just note and move on.
Existential angst?
Is that really the phrase you intended to use?
Do you know what it means?
What a stupid response.
10:10 PM ET
White Sox (28-57)
Dodgers (54-32)
SP Sean Burke R
4-7 4.22 ERA
SP Clayton Kershaw L
4-0 3.03 ERA
Confirmed Lineup
DH S. Ohtani L
SS Mookie Betts R
C Will Smith R
1B F. Freeman L
RF Andy Pages R
3B Max Muncy L
LF M. Conforto L
CF Tommy Edman S
2B Hyeseong Kim L
70° Wind 10 mph Out
Both Snell and Treinen are scheduled to throw to hitters today.
They pitched to Sirota tonight, and he was 2-4 with 3 RBI.
Surely, they will move him up after the All-Star Game.
Tulsa is in a pitchers’ league – that will be the test.
Oops
This is what I was talking about: Kershaw has little margin for error (sadly).
I find that he’s experimenting with a splitter, but no longer with a change somewhat interesting.
This real bad! (Muncy)
Get Will Smith a Third Baseman’s Glove!
Clayton Kershaw – the last in the 3,000 strikeout club!
I agree. The best they can hope for is sprain or hyperextension, but it looked worse. The last thing I want to see is Kike getting daily AB’s at 3rd. Max has had two of the flukiest injuries. They NEED his bat.
Freeland
Not a chance. Kid has played less than 35 games there his entire baseball life, and he wasn’t all that good. He is also slumping at the plate. Senzel has MLB experience there, over 100 games. If Max is indeed out for an extended period, I could see AF dealing for a solid third baseman.
Roberts optimistic it’s “just a sprain”.
Fingers crossed for Max.
Well done Clayton.
Such a nice comeback win on Kershaw’s big night… but Max’s injury is the pressing concern.
Freeland is a possibility to replace Max, but he is not on the 40-man roster. The brass might prefer to hold Freeland back just to delay his service time.
If the Dodgers prefer a veteran–as they had in the past by elevating Kolten Wong over some other options–they could opt for Nick Senzel.
Depending on the severity of Max’s injury, the Dodgers could look to the trade market. Possible target: The Angels’ Luis Rengifo, who they tried to get once before in that Joc-Stripling deal that Arte Moreno backed out of. For that matter, they could even bid for Arenado. Any other third basemen on the market?
The Dodgers also have the versatility to promote Outman, who is on the 40-man. Kike and Rojas have played 3B this season, and Edman and Kim are capable as well.
My no-Max, no-trade lineup….
Shohei DH
Mookie SS
Freddie 1B
Smith C
Pages LF
Teo RF
Outman CF
Kike/Edman 3B
Kim 2B
Perfect time to test Freeland at third. Pride is the only thing keeping Kim from playing SS and resting Mookie’s tired bones at 2nd. Two of Kim’s Golden Gloves are at SS. He probably could play third as good as Max. The way he is hitting and stealing bases, he needs to be in the lineup.
There are rumors that the Red Sox could trade Bregman.
Thanks but not thanks.
Why still got your panties in a bunch about 2017? I’d take Bregman in a heartbeat especially if it’s just for this year.
great post!
Any chance that Doc puts Ohtani in to pitch an inning in the AS game and piss off everybody but Dodger fans? In your face! Ant thoughts, good or bad.
One more WS title and Kershaw can hang em up.
No
Great win!!! Very emotional evening! So happy for Clayton and his family that he could celebrate 3000 in front of the greatest fans on earth. NO letdown tonight.
Wednesday scores
Oklahoma City 13, Las Vegas 7 (10 innings)
Tulsa 2, Wichita 1
Great Lakes 5, West Michigan 2
Visalia 9, Rancho Cucamonga 6
ACL Dodgers 2, ACL Giants 1
Thursday schedule
Great Lakes (Sean Linan) at West Michigan (Colin Fields), 4:05 PM PST
Wichita (Connor Prielipp) at Tulsa (Jackson Ferris), 4:30 PM PST
Visalia (Adonys Perez) at Rancho Cucamonga (Aidan Foeller), 5:45 PM PST
Oklahoma City (Tyler Glasnow) at Las Vegas (Ken Waldichuk), 6:05 PM PST
Closest active pitcher to 3000, Chris Sale, who is 472 away and is going to be 37 next season, which is an option year for him with Atlanta. Right now, though, Sale is on the IL with a couple of fractured ribs. He had 114 Ks in 89 innings before he went down.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IgbEbz4cjco
If we sign Bregman it will be a slap on the face to all our 2017 players and fans. I would lose a considerable amount of the great respect I have for our front office. Some things transcend standings.
I wonder if Max’s condition turns out to be season ending what our options are? There is a good 3rd baseman in Ari named Suarez but he is 33 and a pending FA. I am not sure who plays 3rd in AAA but I think it’s Hose. Any thoughts on what the Dodgers might do?
hell , why not trade for correa, altuve, springer, fire Doc and hire hinch? Bregman does not deserve to ever wear the same uniform as Clayton Kershaw! PERIOD!!!! leave him in red sox purgatory! …. Tip of the cap to Dave Roberts for letting Clayton go back out and get that K in front of the LA Faithful! …. Good for mookie and freddie for the ninth inning rbi’s!!! … Prayers for Max! hopefully just a sprain. He will be sorely missed if he can’t play. If he can’t play? Kike is not the answer. Rojas is a much better hitter right now than kike. i’m sure the Nolan Arenado rumors will start up again soon if Max is down for a while. will be interesting. … Was Vesia trying to throw it through the backstop last night? looked like a wild man last night on the mound!……. Kudos to Stephen Nelson for getting better in the booth! Still sounds like a little too rehearsed, but much better than before. Please, don’t pair him with Jessica M!!! …. Finish the job today! Aaaaaasstros coming to town! tough series i would imagine. Altuve the lone cheater left on the stros. wear the collar please. not the buzzer!
If I were Clayton Kershaw and the front office traded for Bergman, I would retire mid-season before I had to share a locker room with him.
I am waiting to see what happens to Max B4 I chime in.
No matter what, it is concerning. Even if just ‘minor’. Freddie, Mookie, Edman Kike, Ohtani BA at low point for season.
Yeah and they are 9 games up SUPER CONCERNED.
Agree. Seems somewhat too soon to speculate. Tomorrow? Sure.
Mark, my respect for you is great but this is not an “if/then” issue. No gray area here. Those guys stole from the Dodgers, the Yankees, from all of baseball. They crushed Kershaw ‘s spirit. He thought he failed his team in the post season again when in reality his demise was because the batters knew the pitches . NO BERGMAN! They all should have gotten lifetime bans.
OK guys it’s official they can’t sign any former Astro because John Ferguson would be offended.
I don’t know about lifetime bans but they certainly should have had their title stripped.
Ruiz called up
not any former aaaastro , just bregman, correa,altuve, and springer! kyle tucker is a former aaaaastro and i would love him on the dodgers! he didn’t lie,cheat, and smirk. Love the way you think John!
100% with John!! I believe in second chances that is why I don’t think they should get the death penalty.
Max Muncy MRI; While initial reports suggested a sprain, the MRI revealed a more significant injury, potentially impacting his availability for the team. Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said the team is awaiting official results before determining the extent of the injury and whether Muncy will be placed on the injured list.
Doesn’t sound encouraging.
Mookie 97 OPS+
10:10 PM ET
White Sox (28-58)
Dodgers (55-32)
SP Aaron Civale R
1-4 4.74 ERA
SP Dustin May R
4-5 4.68 ERA
Confirmed Lineup
DH S. Ohtani L
SS Mookie Betts R
1B F. Freeman L
RF T. Hernandez R
CF Andy Pages R
LF M. Conforto L
2B Tommy Edman S
C D. Rushing L
3B Miguel Rojas R
72° Wind 10 mph Out
The Los Angeles Dodgers have claimed infielder CJ Alexander from the New York Yankees, the team announced. To make room on the roster, outfielder Steward Berroa was designated for assignment.
Maybe they can Max Muncyize him.
07/03/25 Los Angeles Dodgers placed 3B Max Muncy on the 10-day injured list.
07/03/25 Los Angeles Dodgers recalled LF Esteury Ruiz from Oklahoma City Comets.
I will be shocked if Max plays again this year, but I would love to be proven wrong.
I do have an excellent alternative, but it will be costly!
But, I have and idea! I’ll wait until I find out for sure about Max.
P.S. It’s not Freaking Bregman… and Will Smith will never play 3B.
Spill the beans Mark!
Give us something to talk about 😉
So Max goes on the IL with a bone bruise–and it’s Esteury Ruiz who gets called up instead of Outman or Freeland.
Interesting decision.
Ruiz is certainly deserving. He’s hitting about .290 as a Comet with a .394 OBP. He’s stolen 38 bases in 44 tries. He is an ML veteran who stole 67 bases for the A’s in ’23.
While Outman would provide a lot more power and superior defense, Ruiz has better on-base skills and is much less likely to strike out. On defensive, he’s probably limited to LF. He profiles as a great “second lead-off option” and should be a quality pinch hitter and pinch runner.
I hope Ruiz gets a chance to prove that he might be better than Conforto. While the $17-million man has had some nice moments lately, Ruiz could provide a bigger spark. If he does, it would reduce whatever incentive the Dodgers have to shop for an outfielder.
Outman was never a consideration.
Freeland is simply not ready.
.290 at AAA = .240 at MLB. I would not hold my breath.
Hitting in the Show is Damn Hard!
Muncy is out for six weeks (at least), and then Max is always a slow starter, so can the Dodgers always count on him? I don’t think so.
Go big or go home: Atlanta has tanked their season. Marcel Ozuna is old and a free agent. Albies can also be a free agent. So is Iglesias.
The Braves are in a disarray, and AF has a relationship with AA. The Braves need to rebuild. Put together a package around DePaula, Hope, and others for Austin Riley!
BANG!
I love watching May pitch.
No matter what happens in the rest of the game, thanks May for not making me say “another’s May game again!”
I’ve always liked Riley, but I highly doubt they’ll let him go since there aren’t many third basemen of that caliber.
It will take an overpay, but Riley can be the 3B for the next 6 years.
Man, I love the idea but I also have a hard time seeing ATL trading away a young core guy of that caliber.
Riley would look amazing in Dodger blue nonetheless.
Riley is 29.
Braves are stinking this year, but Anthopoulus did a good job locking these guys up on team friendly deals.
Not sure the Braves are ready to be sellers. A healthy Ocuna and Strider next year, maybe another good year out of sale (and old friend, grant Holmes), and they’re in it again.
May needed a breather against an AAAA team.
I’m back on the Code Red bandwagon, at least for one more game.
Conforto delivers a HR. Each good play extends his runway.
Maybe it just took him half the season to warm up….