SS Looks Good on Mookie

Posted By on April 24, 2023

Or… maybe it’s more like, “Mookie looks good on SS.” Either way, I think this is one of those situations whereby Mookie could transition to SS seamlessly. The Dodgers play injuries very close to the vest, but I have to believe that there is talk within the Dodge Front Office of Will Smith changing positions (call it Joe Mauer Syndrome). The most logical place right about now is LF. He could take a crash course in playing LF this year and transition to 3B next year, with Max Muncy going to DH.

Of course, as I mentioned yesterday, this involves a new catcher. With the veteran Austin Barnes and his new apprentice Hunter Feduccia, the Dodgers could have a R-L Tandem that could do above average… depending upon how Hunter Feduccia takes to the bigs. Hunter will be 26 years old in June, and if he is not ready now… he’ll never be ready. Pitchers like throwing to him, and Baseball America’s 2018 pre-draft scouting report said this: “Feduccia has a good chance of being a well-rounded catching prospect, a solid batting eye, gap-to-gap power, with an average arm.” He has a quick release which compensates somewhat for his average arm and solid footwork behind the plate. He’s also a very “low-key guy.”

Video Interviews with Hunter Feduccia

From Summer 2022
2023 (last week)

Of course, none of this is official, but if Mookie goes to SS, and Smith goes to LF, that means Hunter has to get the call. Dalton Rushing has been playing more 1B than C at GL, so he is not even in the conversation.

The Dodgers need to improve at the bottom of the order, so I would not shake up the top of the lineup, but here is what the lineup would look like:

  1. Betts SS
  2. Freeman 1B
  3. Smith LF
  4. Muncy 3B
  5. Martinez DH
  6. Outman CF
  7. Vargas 2B
  8. Peralta/Taylor RF
  9. Barnes/Feduccia C

Subs: Thompson, Heyward

That’s a much stronger lineup. Heyward can be the late-inning defensive sub in RF, and wherever Feduccia generates is gravy. Speaking of Jason Heyward, he has been somewhat unlucky, as his hitting Exit Velocity is 95.4 MPH, which is good for #15 in all of baseball. Statcast defines a “hard-hit ball” as one hit with an exit velocity of 95 mph or higher. Trayce Thompson is #25 at 94.7 MPH. Max Muncy is #35 at 93.9 MPH, and James Outman is #137 at 90.3 MPH. Cody Bellinger is #299 at 86.7 MPH!

A day of rest today, and then tomorrow, we play the First Place Pirates, who are 16-7 and will probably will stomp us. Nah!

Shohei Ohtani is Coming to the Dodgers Rebuttal

That’s what everyone wants, right? Well, a number of things have to happen first.

#1. The Angels have to be willing to trade him by the Deadline, but the Angels have the makings of a decent team; why would they trade their best player, if they intend to try and re-sign him?

#2. If Moreno is not selling the team, why would he not try and re-sign Shohei? He has shown he is not afraid of big contracts.

#3. Ohtani will be a free agent after this season, and there is no way he will sign an extension right now (for anyone).

#4. OK, let’s say the Dodgers trade for Ohtani at the Deadline. What would it take? Miller or Stone, Busch, Pages, Sheehan, Cartaya, and Vivas… at a minimum!

#5. That would mean that the Dodgers would have to sign Shohei… no matter the cost, because otherwise, the Dodgers gutted the Farm for nothing… even if they win the World Series in 2023.

#6. Andrew Friedman is not that stupid. He will bid for Ohtani… how high he does is anyone’s guess, but he won’t trade all of that prospect collateral for a chance to sign Ohtani later. Steve Cohen will give Ohtani a blank check.

#7. Moreno says he is not selling the Angels. So who knows? This was written March 11, 2023 and Arte tells his story: https://www.latimes.com/sports/angels/story/2023-03-11/arte-moreno-angels-sale I can only go on what he said, and he says he turned down about $2.5 Billion and is not selling and wants to sign Shohei!

Our thoughts and Prayers are with Even Phillips and Family.

This article has 68 Comments

  1. 04/23/23 Los Angeles Dodgers placed RHP Evan Phillips on the bereavement list.
    Praying for Evan and his wife.

    Potentially devastating news involving RHP Evan Phillips surfaced on Twitter late on Sunday night following an update on the MLB transactions page. The reliever was placed on the paternity leave list on Thursday as he and wife Elizabeth were reportedly welcoming their first child. Notably, he flew out from LA to Chicago with the team but immediately flew back. Now a report showing he’s been placed on the bereavement list has fans very concerned.

  3. We owe the Pirates a little payback as they beat us 5 out of 6 games last year.

  4. Mark, the lineup you have above does not include Rojas. If Rojas is included, Thompson should be the odd man out.

  6. A strong argument could be made that it is time for the Angels to go a different direction. The stock they could receive by trading both Trout and Ohtani could start a long term successful run. Not sure how fans would respond. A genius team of public, media relations and communications would be needed.

    Good lineup Mark. I think I’ve seen it before, if not on the pages here then in my head. Feduccia should have been here days ago. But I regurgitate, which means to repeat, I want a real ML shortstop. You know, like the ones we’ve had in this incredible 10 year run.

    1. Angels pulling Ohtani trade off and majorly improving? 50/50 chance they blow this. They’re snakebit. No other way to explain last 20+ seasons. Who’s worse at developing young pitching talent?

  7. Jack Harris is convincing this morning.

    Attractive targets should be available by the deadline, including Tim Anderson. And if the Dodgers feel a need for any impact hitter, offensive minded corner outfielders are more available and would could keep Betts at short. Ideally the team would prefer to get enough from Rojas and Taylor to leave Betts in right.

    Yep, getting production from Rojas and Taylor would be preferable. I’d add Thompson, Peralta and Heyward to that list too. I still believe that is possible. Likely? Can’t go there yet.

    We could use Busch and Pages in trade, or if necessary bring them up. Hopefully we won’t be forced to consider either of those options.

  8. Catcher to left field for Will? I remember Yogi out there in Yankee Stadium. He was a good athlete with great hands . Made the plays.

    If he could do it, Will’s a lock.

  9. Bringing up Feduccia and putting Smith in LF begs for the trade of an outfielder. If not then I would platoon Heyward and Thompson in RF, keep Outman in CF, and use Peralta for late inning defense in LF. Unfortunately IMO Roberts will keep moving OUtman around in the outfield and favor Heyward/Thompson in CF and Outman in RF.

    1. This is literally the stupidest idea I’ve ever heard. Smith may move for Cartaya someday but not Feduccia.

      That is Assistant-to-the-Dope-Friend level thought.

      1. He would be moving to preserve/protect his health. Not to accommodate Feduccia. Good grief.

      2. Easy Perk. There are no stupid ideas, just stupid people.

        Wait, that didn’t sound right. Forget I said that.

        To the point, it’s a great idea for the time being. We need Smith’s bat, he needs to not get hit in the head anymore. It’s doubtful that will happen in left field. Feduccia has got to be able to hit better than Barnes.

        I give this move my official okey dokey. And that’s a powerful, newsworthy endorsement.

      3. Thanks for bringing this up. I too thought Cartaya was next up in line to replace Smith….but up until your post, I’ve not seen his name even mentioned. Apparently many think this Feduccia kid has passed him. Not sure why….maybe somebody can enlighten me.

        1. I don’t think he’s passed Cartaya. He’s hitting well at AAA while Cartaya is not exactly tearing up AA. Feduccia is more major league ready right now than Cartaya.

          1. Cartaya is 21 and at AA. His ETA is ‘24. That’s an estimate. Feduuccia is obviously next up. He’s several years older and clobbering AAA. Who cares how long he stays on the big club, he’s needed now!

          2. Thanks Ron and Badger….wow, I didn’t even know who this Feduccia kid was until recently. But Cartaya’s name came up extensively just before last year’s trade deadline, so I figured he was the next man up. Thought wrong I see….

            Well, if Feduccia is next man up, I hope he is up real soon, like many others here hope for too. I’m disappointed in Barnes’ bat this year, but he could turn it around.

      4. Really? The dude got a concussion which clearly isn’t healing as fast as they thought it would and it’s only a matter of time before he takes another foul ball to the dome. What is your preference…..Smith on the IL throughout the year or move him to LF where his bat will clearly play? You don’t mess with head injuries.

        1. FYI, I read it Mark….good Word! I wonder if our smart people are thinking the same thoughts.

        1. This is a tip off that Brian is under 40 (or just very immature).

          The misuse/overuse of that word is one my biggest linguistic pet peeves.

  10. I think Thompson is going to end up being odd man out. Hasn’t killed a bug since 3 homer game! If Will does go to left 1 less outfield spot available. Heyward is playing outstanding defense, and his at bats are much better than Thompson or Taylor. Tim Anderson allows the dodger s to keep Mookie in right, he’s as good as it gets there. Clayton was so nice in his post game interview. Muncy and Barnes catch the ball, Clayton probably goes 7 scoreless!

  11. While I believe the Dodgers will pursue Ohtani as a free agent, I don’t think Moreno would trade him and if he did the price would be way too high in terms of prospect cost, it wouldn’t make sense. Plus, if he did opt for a trade, it wouldn’t be to the Dodgers.

    Interesting interview today with Stan Kasten in the LA Times. They will pursue free agents if they make sense, not concerned with what the Padres and the Mets are doing. Obviously, trading for and signing Betts made sense as did Freddie Freeman. A case by case approach.

    Yes, Mookie can play pretty much anywhere. Does a good job at shortstop. No question, the most talented all around player in MLB.

    1. I still think losing Ohtani for nothing is bad business.

      The Angels will have a pretty good idea if they are playoff worthy by July. And it’s possible for Ohtani to go to a contender for a few months, then re-sign in Anaheim, with better prospects in the system, if he chooses too. Somebody will overpay to have Ohtani for a playoff run. I doubt it’s the Dodgers.

      1. If the Angels have a good chance at a wildcard entry into the playoffs and want to stay competitive and get something for Ohtani, then maybe there is a trade that doesn’t include a dozen prospects/arb eligible players. Muncy replaces Ohtani’s bat, Urias replaces Ohtani’s arm, Busch and another player gives the Angels depth and the Angels still get to bid for Urias and Ohtani as free agents. Just saying and I have already have been associated with Dope-Friend level thought so there’s that.

        1. I think if the Angels believe they have a chance at the playoffs they will likely keep him. A deadline trade? He’s a rental, 2 months maybe, 3 if it works out well. Price goes down some, but if a team smells a championship by getting him, who knows? And what do the Angels know about what it will take to keep him? There just has to be some communication.

          We could use him, that’s for sure. We have a DH, but not one like him. His arm is front rotation.

          I have no idea what might happen here, but whatever it might be, I doubt it’s happening soon.

      2. My hope is that the Angels catch fire, keep Ohtani and make the playoffs–and eventually face the Dodgers in an October Freeway Series.
        That’s the best-case scenario.
        Worst-case?
        How about the Padres outbidding the Dodgers at midseason–and then Ohtani shutting down the Dodgers for another early exit.
        Sad to say, but this scenario is much more likely than the October Freeway Series.
        It’s early, of course, but right now Ohtani is on a dominant Cy Young pace. He’s never been better. Moreno may shoot himself in the foot (again) and lose him for absolutely nothing. Moreno could offer the biggest contract, but he can’t promise a winner–and the Dodgers can.
        Ohtani is certain to get big bucks wherever he signs. My guess is that his off-the-field income would be enhanced most by marrying his brand to the Dodgers’.
        Mark keeps insisting that AF and the Dodgers brain trust are just too smart to pay the kind of money that Ohtani would command.
        Hmm…
        Well, they were willing to pay Trevor Bauer about $35 million per year–which seemed stupid to me long before it all turned to crap. And the AAV on Freddie’s contract is getting $27 per year. So that’s $62 million for two players. (Mookie’s contract, by the way, has an AAV of about $30 million.)
        Ohtani is a better pitcher than Bauer–but the Dodgers would likely use the six-man rotation he is accustomed to. Of course some of Freddie’s value comes from his defense. So this isn’t apples to apples….well, maybe MacIntosh to Fuji. And let’s deduct a bit because the risk of injury affects two positions, not one. (Insurance can help mitigate the cost in case of injury.) Let’s also remember that salaries have inflated since the Bauer and Freeman contracts were signed.
        At any rate, I think Ohtani getting a contract with a $60 million AAV seems well within reason.
        We’ll see….

        As for Smith, I hope he’s cleared to get back behind the plate, but a move to LF could be the best course of action. So yeah, a move to LF this year and 3B next year could be the solution.
        Great news that Busch will get a chance while Max is on daddy leave. Hope he gets plenty of action.

        1. Because Anderson is black?

          Nah. That would be fascist behavior. You know I’m an all inclusive socialist.

          It’s because it’s been suggested Anderson can be difficult.

          1. You’re a lefty anachronism – peace, love, free expression, free speech, racial harmony and integration.

            A lot has changed in 50 years.

          2. It’s been my experience that every decade is like moving your life from one state to another. You find yourself starting over, getting comfortable with your surroundings, getting used to how things are done, then, you have another birthday with a zero in it.

            50 years? 5 decades? Yeah, things have changed.

  13. Sunday scores
    Oklahoma City 11, Albuquerque 1
    Tulsa 4, Wichita 3
    Great Lakes 10, South Bend 8
    Rancho Cucamonga 5, Fresno 3

    Tuesday schedule
    9:05 a.m. PT: Tulsa (Nick Frasso) at Arkansas [Mariners] (Bryce Miller)
    11:05 a.m.: Rancho Cucamonga (Maddux Bruns) at Inland Empire [Angels] (Jorge Marcheco)
    3:35 p.m.: Great Lakes (TBD) at Fort Wayne [Padres] (TBD)
    4:05 p.m.: Oklahoma City (TBD) vs. Sacramento [Giants] (TBD)

  14. At his best Mookie Betts is one of the best players in the game. He does the intangibles that don’t show up in the box score.
    We are only seeing short glimpses of excellence for some time.
    I thought putting him at 2B occasionally was unnecessary and diminished the team by taking his glove out of RF. After seeing him play SS it seems likely he would be more than adequate fielding the position.
    I’m not a believer in constantly moving people around and think most perform better if given consistent playing time at the same position.
    Moving Betts permanently to SS may be the spark he needs to bring his play up to his full potential on a consistent basis.

    1. Yep. The intangibles show up in his baserunning and defense. Great instincts.
      The new challenge could give Mookie extra spark. And Mookie would spark the Dodgers.

    1. I just hope they let him play and see what he can do. Play him at third and see if he can hit big league pitching. We know Taylor can strike out most of the time. Just give Busch a little runway.

  17. 4 guys to the paternity list in the matter of days. Weird.

    We are getting to see our young guys early in the year. The rest of baseball sees them too.

  18. Has Smith even played a single rep in the outfield, ever?

    It’s an attractive option, I suppose, but you can’t just throw a guy out in the outfield who’s never played in the outfield. Getting good at reads and lines takes a long time to master.

    Feduccia is hitting well, but it’s in about 50 plate activities. He’s never shown that he’s a major league prospect in several minor league seasons. Maybe he’s a late bloomer, but let’s not get carried away.

  19. FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE – April 24, 2023

    MAX MUNCY OF THE LOS ANGELES DODGERS NAMED NATIONAL LEAGUE
    PLAYER OF THE WEEK PRESENTED BY CHEVROLET

    ADOLIS GARCÍA OF THE TEXAS RANGERS NAMED AMERICAN LEAGUE
    PLAYER OF THE WEEK PRESENTED BY CHEVROLET

    Matt Vierling of the Tigers Earns Play of the Week with Spectacular Catch in Right Field

    Los Angeles Dodgers infielder Max Muncy has been selected the National League Player of the Week presented by Chevrolet, and Texas Rangers outfielder Adolis García has been named the American League Player of the Week presented by Chevrolet. The announcements were made earlier today on MLB Network.

    Muncy, currently in his eighth Major League season, takes home his first career Player of the Week Award and the first by a Dodgers player since Freddie Freeman last September. García claims his second career Player of the Week honor after winning in April 2021 en route to a fourth place finish in AL Rookie of the Year voting. García is the first Rangers player to earn the weekly award since Nathaniel Lowe last August.
    Max Muncy, Los Angeles Dodgers (@maxmuncy)

    • The 32-year-old hit .389 (7-for-18) on the week with five home runs, seven RBI, nine walks, one stolen base and five runs scored to go along with a 1.222 slugging percentage and a .593 on-base percentage.
    • The Texas native led NL hitters last week in homers, slugging percentage and on-base percentage, tied for first in walks and was tied for second in total bases (22).
    • The two-time All-Star registered his 12th career multi-homer contest on Saturday against the Chicago Cubs at Wrigley Field, and followed with another homer on Sunday to lead the Dodgers to a series victory on the North Side.
    • Muncy reached base safely at least twice in five of his seven games played during the week, raising his on-base percentage from .343 to .411 on the season.
    • The Baylor University product enters play today with a Major League-best 11 home runs on the season, including 10 over his last 13 games. In addition, his 21 RBI rank third among NL hitters.
    Adolis García, Texas Rangers (@joseadolis)
    • The 30-year-old hit .400 (8-for-20) with four home runs, two doubles, 14 RBI and eight runs scored while posting a 1.100 slugging percentage and a .458 on-base percentage.
    • The Cuba native, who enters play today leading the Majors with 28 RBI on the season, led AL hitters last week in home runs, RBI, slugging percentage and total bases (22), and was tied for second in runs.
    • On Saturday against the visiting Oakland Athletics, García delivered three home runs, two doubles and eight RBI as Texas won for the fifth time in six games. He became just the second player in Major League history with five extra-base hits and eight RBI in a single game, joining another Rangers hitter – Josh Hamilton on May 8, 2012 at Baltimore.
    • The 2021 All-Star became the first player in AL history with three homers and two doubles in a game, and just the fourth player overall in the modern era, joining San Francisco’s Alex Dickerson (September 1, 2020); St. Louis’ Matt Carpenter (July 20, 2018); and Chicago’s Kris Bryant (June 27, 2016).
    • Finally, the contest marked just the third since 1901 in which a player recorded at least three homers, eight RBI, five runs scored and 16 total bases along with Brooklyn’s Gil Hodges (August 31, 1950) and Washington’s Anthony Rendon (April 30, 2017).

    Other noteworthy NL performances last week included Muncy’s teammates Clayton Kershaw (2-0, 0.69 ERA, 2 GS, 13.0 IP, 6 H, 1 BB, 15 SO), who registered his 200th career victory on Tuesday, and James Outman (.393, 2 2B, 4 HR, 9 RBI, 5 R, .893 SLG); outfielder Brandon Nimmo (.452, 2 2B, 2 HR, 5 RBI, 5 R, .438 OBP), pitcher Joey Lucchesi (1-0, 0.00 ERA, 7.0 IP, 4 H, 2 BB, 9 SO) and second baseman Jeff McNeil (.462, 2 2B, 1 HR, 3 RBI, 6 R, .533 OBP) of the New York Mets; outfielder Cody Bellinger (.407, 3 2B, 2 HR, 5 RBI, 8 R, 1 SB, .500 OBP), second baseman Nico Hoerner (.394, 2 2B, 2 HR, 8 RBI, 7 R, 1 SB, .429 OBP) and third baseman Patrick Wisdom (.258, 2 2B, 1 3B, 3 HR, 9 RBI, 6 R) of the Cubs; outfielder Jack Suwinski (.353, 2 2B, 4 HR, 8 RBI, 5 R, 2 SB, 1.176 SLG), reliever David Bednar (0.00 ERA, 4 G, 4 SV, 4.0 IP, 2 H, 0 BB, 5 SO) and starting pitchers Vince Velasquez (2-0, 2.08 ERA, 2 GS, 13.0 IP, 7 H, 5 BB, 17 SO) and Rich Hill (2-0, 1.64 ERA, 2 GS, 11.0 IP, 12 H, 5 BB, 14 SO) of the Pittsburgh Pirates;
    infielder/outfielder Matt Carpenter (.417, 3 2B, 2 HR, 7 RBI, 3 R, 1.167 SLG) and reliever Josh Hader (0.00 ERA, 4 G, 4 SV, 4.0 IP, 0 H, 1 BB, 3 SO) of the San Diego Padres; catcher Willson Contreras (.421, 4 2B, 2 HR, 6 RBI, 6 R, 1 SB, .947 SLG) of the St. Louis Cardinals; and starting pitcher Max Fried (1-0, 0.00 ERA, 2 GS, 11.2 IP, 7 H, 3 BB, 9 SO) of the Atlanta Braves.

    Other noteworthy AL performances for the week included starting pitcher Eduardo Rodriguez (1-0, 0.00 ERA, 2 GS, 15.0 IP, 5 H, 0 BB, 16 SO) of the Detroit Tigers; outfielder Randy Arozarena (.458, 2 HR, 5 RBI, 1 SB, 5 R, .519 OBP) and infielder Yandy Díaz (.417, 1 2B, 2 HR, 6 RBI, 4 R, .462 OBP) of the Tampa Bay Rays; outfielder Mike Trout (.455, 3 2B, 2 HR, 4 RBI, 3 R, .864 SLG) of the Los Angeles Angels; second baseman Marcus Semien (.450, 2 HR, 8 RBI, 9 R, 2 S, .593 SLG) of the Texas Rangers; reliever Kutter Crawford (0.00 ERA, 2 G, 8.1 IP, 2 H, 0 BB, 7 SO) of the Boston Red Sox; reliever Emmanuel Clase (0.00 ERA, 3 G, 2 SV, 3.0 IP, 2 H, 0 BB) of the Cleveland Guardians; and starting pitcher Kyle Bradish (1-0, 0.00 ERA, 6.0 IP, 5 H, 1 BB, 6 SO) of the Baltimore Orioles.

  23. For all the morons who don’t comprehend English, I have not suggested moving Will Smith to LF to make room for Hunter Feduccia; I have done it to ensure that Will Smith has a career!

    Stupid(1)

          2. Not anymore, ey? I’m being reduced as well. Not necessarily in length, but in other ways.

            Does Feduccia start right away?

  25. For anyone who cares.
    04/24/23 Los Angeles Dodgers sent RHP Jake Reed outright to Oklahoma City Dodgers.

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