It should not be lost on anyone that the Dodgers brand of baseball is subject to peaks and valleys, and it should also not be lost on anyone that the Royals scored nine runs on the Dodgers yesterday WITHOUT a single home run! The Dodgers seem to only score on the long ball. When they don’t hit home runs, they don’t win. What do you do? Trade the team away? Trade the Farm away? Well, the Dodgers have five All-Stars which is more than all except three other teams, so they have stars. You can’t fire all the players, so what do you do? Here are some options:
- FIRE THE ENTIRE TEAM – That is very problematic, and I do not see it happening. However, I have been wrong before.
- FIRE ANDREW FRIEDMAN – Are you crazy? The only way he leaves is if he wants to. Guggs and Company are not going to show him the door.
- FIRE DAVE ROBERTS – That actually could help as a manager has a “shelf life,” and Docs’ may have expired. I am not a “Doc Basher,” but it could be time for a new voice. It worked with the Phillies last year. If you think the Dodgers have pitching problems… check out the Phils.
- FIRE ROBERT VAN SCOYOC – This is also a case where maybe RVS’s shelf life has also expired. JDM came to LA to resurrect his career, and RVS has helped him do so. The Dodgers were one of the pioneers into launch angle and all the rest of the science of hitting what chicks dig – the long ball! However, baseball continues to evolve – is RVS’s way a dinosaur?
- FIRE MARK PRIOR – You may disagree with me, but there is something to why suddenly the Dodgers pitcher ERA has jumped almost two points. I still think that a pattern of sorts has been figured out by some teams. I talked to someone from another organization about this, and they did not want to discuss it – that means that they found something! I do not know what it is, but it is real. You will read about it after the fact!
Most of those things will not happen. I would guess that firing Dave Roberts is a possibility… but not just yet. Would Andrew Friedman reach out to Joe Maddon? Maybe! I know Joe’s brother, and it does not appear there is any bad blood between them. One never can say “never!”
What I do find funny is that so many fans want to fire Doc or RVS, and yet they talk about how bad this team built by Andrew Friedman is. You can’t have it both ways. If this is a good team, then they may need to be fired. If not, then we got what we paid for. That’s the conundrum!
Rants & Raves
- Tony Gonsolin could hit 94 MPH when he wanted yesterday, although he stayed around 92 MPH. I have felt that it is his arm, but it could be mechanical. I guess we shall find out.
- Max Muncy and Julio Urias are in shape! Round is a shape! P.S. Go back and look at them in past years… they were around then too.
- Hyun-il Choi is back after being the Dodgers Minor League Pitcher of the Year in 2021 and then only pitching four innings in 2022. At the start of 2022, he was determined to add velocity to his fastball but missed almost the entire season. The Dodgers are close-lipped about him, but he is still only 23 years old. He allegedly missed most of the 2022 season with a “forearm injury.”
“All truth passes through three stages. First, it is ridiculed. Second, it is violently opposed. Third, it is accepted as being self-evident.” — Arthur Schopenhauer, Philosopher
* I posted before the Royals series how they drafted 4 college pitchers in the first round of the 2018 draft and how they have underachieved. That included Danial Lynch and Brady Singer……Nevermind.
* I think that we can all see Max Muncy’s struggles and feel for him. We would love to see him break out and hit. I have stated that I think he takes too many pitches and misses too many mistakes. I don’t think he’s been his old self since the elbow injury in early October of 2021. His numbers bear that out; Batting .189, OSP .774, 19% walk rate, 32% strike out rate. He has hit 39 home runs in 1.5 seasons since the injury. That and his walks keep him around with the hope that he will find it. We’ve kept .200 hitters around before, like Bellinger, hoping they break out. But Belli provided stellar defense.
So what’s the future for Muncy?
Due to the Dodger’s loyalty, the likely plan is he keeps playing and bats in the 3 or 4 hole. We wait and hope he gets hot. He gets unlimited rope for the remainder of the season. His $13.5 million contract will be up at the end of the season and a team option for 2024.
I’m going to throw out a completely off the wall idea.
With Max’s .189 average, he does have noticeable splits. He hits .139 versus LHP. But he hits a better .210 vs RHP. Maybe, just maybe, he could platoon and bat against RHP only and see if he improves. I generally dislike platooning but not as bad as I hate Max hitting .139 against lefties.
So, I started looking for who his righted hand hitting platoon partner might be and I came up with…………………… Nobody
CT3 is out, Vargas is at 2nd, Will Smith, not yet. Yonny Hernandez hits .182 v LHP. There’s nobody left. Mookie could do it I bet. He can do anything.
Okay, so who’s playing third in OKC? Turns out 3 guys have filled that role; Yonny Hernandez, who’s right on our bench. But, as mentioned, he’s hitting .182 v LHP. No help there.
The next guy Michael Busch who has many supporters here. The problem is Michael hits left handed and doesn’t face LHP. Again, no help.
The 3rd guy is Devin Mann. A guy who has gotten damn near no mention and is on no prospect lists. I saw him in spring training and noted
“Devin Mann – looks good at 1st. is another guy who can play all over the field and is starting to show his ability this Spring. He is on just about nobody’s radar.”
Turns out Devin has 20 more games at 3rd in OKC than either Hernandez or Busch. He’s hitting .317 / .997 in almost 250 at bats. As a RHB, He’s hitting .313 vs LHP. He does have a 30% K rate so maybe that’s the rub.
So why haven’t I heard of this kid and why haven’t we seen him get a shot like the 7 other rookies?
So…….. ready for this one? Bring Mann up to platoon with Muncy at third. Give him a try. Hernandez goes to OKC and we see how Mann does. If he can hit .189, he stays for a while.
Like I said, the chance of this happens is nada, but it’s an idea, as Muncy is killing us in the middle of the order and he’s not much of a defender.
So why is Mann so under the radar. I pose that question to Bear, and others here who keep track and are more familiar with the organization’s prospects than I am.
So what’s the book on Devin Mann?
Devin is 26 and a guy who has taken time to learn and develop. My feeling is that he is a AAAA player, but what could it hurt to try him? He is not on the 40 Man Roster, so a move would have to be made. He was not taken by the other 29 teams in the Rule 5 draft last year, but maybe he is finally ready. I love Devin Mann – he’s just not a huge talent… sort of like Zach McKinstry… only RH!
Thanks Mark. Enjoy Alaska.
McKinstry has done okay with a fresh start in Detroit, hitting .250 and playing all over the place. He may be a Big Leaguer after all.
Sometimes the difference between a AAAA player and a Major League player is the right opportunity.
sometimes!
Very true
Am I mistaken or can Rojas play third? Against LHP, Mookie can play short with Vargas at second.
Rojas is hitting .207 vs LHP. No help there,
The real problem we have two rookies that aren’t producing and alot of older guys passed there prime why other teams are younger and faster and I guess know how to hit in certain hitting situations. The Dodgers have always had a group of about five stars that Carry’s them an dthen the rest produce as well so we have Betts Freeman Smith JD Martinez and Kershaw all producing like they should but after that it’s off in on with players one sya there hot and the next three no show. That is not Dodgers baseball they usually have the same infield play or outfield but now each day different lineups. This is what happens when you count on rookies to produce and they don’t. And injuries happen to your starters so that’s where we are today. And those five players are your key Dodgers so help them add some more players when you have talent you go and get it.
Getting ready to leave for the airport in Anchorage..
Enjoy your day!
It would be nice of you to pass your unused mosquito repellant to an arrival. I imagine coming from Alaska one might get some serious jetlag. I’ve had it one time and found it rough to go outside for 3 days.
Have safe flight Mark.
To your options:
If I had my way I would probably fire Roberts and hire indeed Maddon if he is interested. OTOH I would be okay with Roberts finishing this season looking how it rides out. If the team disappoints I would fire him at the end of the season . looking for the best guy available then.
RVS I would fire immediately. TEams needs a shakeup and if it is between him and Pryor I fire RVS. Pryor IMHO has earned a very long leish and the opp to right the ship. I am confident he will just do that.
At the trade deadline I would try to aquire the closer of the Pirates. Shut down closer, relatively young and cheap.
I´d be willing to offer a package of 3-4 blue chippers not named Miller and Cartaya.
A bona fide closer would immediately upgrade the pen. Enables us to shorten the game considerably with him , Phillps, Ferguson, Graterol and Hudson as high leverage guys. That also helps the injuries in our rotation.
If May and/or Buehler can not return I try to sign an innings eater like old friend Hill to lighten the workload on the two rookies and Clayton for the postseason.
The Dodgers still have a shot at the postseason and maybe a title, but they will have to shake some things up to improve their chances. I do not believe that this roster as it is currently constructed has a legitimate shot at a title unless everything begins to click quickly , e.g. Vargas and Outman starting hitting, Muncy returning to his old self, Betts and Freeman keeping up their torrid paces, JD continuing to rake, starting pitchers returning and playing up to their level of play of former years (Urias, Gonsolin, May, Buehler). But how likely is that all or most of it to happen ?
Go Dodgers!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
The REAL problem. Barnes, Muncy, Rojas, Vargas, Outman, Taylor, Thompson, Busch, Urias, Gonsolin, Kindergardner, Stone, Miller, Grove, Vesia, Bickford, Almonte, Gonzalez, Ferguson. The solution. Be better, much better!
Miller? Shelby or Bobby? Bobby is 4=1 and learning. He controls his temper and he will be fine. Shelby has been out for a couple of weeks and is not expected back anytime soon. But at least he was decent while he was in there. Ferguson seems to have righted his ship and is pitching much better. Why pick on Thompson? He has been gone over a month. Your solution works but now there is another huge problem. Kersh is ailing and might be put on the IL today. Jamai Jones signed with the Brewers and was immediately placed on their 26 man roster.
Yep that’s our problem new guys all of them don’t help. And each nite position six thru nine dont produce hits or runs. Yet you watch Giants games or D-backs games even Rangers games the whole lineup hits. Why because when they being up rookies they are ready to hit. I don’t know why we struggle to hit lefties or righties and yet these other teams find guys that can. That’s the puzzle why dodgers rookies can’t hit in the show but can hit in AAA.
Bradley, with the exception of Outman and Vargas we really haven’t given that much of an opportunity to the rookie position players. Give them a chance before you conclude “all of them don’t help”. Thanks
Phil Giants brought up three guys from Sacramento all three are hitting there catcher looks like the next best catcher in the league in Bailey there centerfielder Manteo looks pretty good and the kid Schmidt looks like the next shortstop or third baseman of the future all started in Sacramento name a position player that has came up from Oklahoma and made that impression for the dodgers. They got two pitchers that started there no batters. yikes but the Giants find three guys. Hmmmmm
Yes Bradley and most of them like Bailey, are playing every day. Dodgers have veterans at every position except 2nd and center. Giants players are getting chances because of their injuries. None of those guys were starting coming out of spring training. Each organization has their own plan on how they bring along their prospects. The Dodgers prefer to do it slowly. Before you anoint Bailey as the next best catcher in the league, remember this kid has played exactly 35 games. If he has holes in his game, MLB staffs will find them. You cannot expect the Dodgers to do the same type of things with their prospects that other teams do. Giants have no where to go but up. Dodgers are still the better team.
Phil, did you happen to notice that the entire Royals lineup didn’t try to hit the ball?
They were just trying to make contact even on pitches out of the zone (which were “good” Dodger pitches). They knew how to direct the hits, circumventing the placement of the infield.
They killed us with light contact hits, so much so that the first in their batting order looked like “Pete Rose.”
Anyway, that was a mirage because if that team (Royals) had played half as much as they did against us, they would be the leaders of their division. What do you think Phil?
In addition to the rookies, let’s add Jahmai Jones to that list.
He opted out OKC deal and now he’s on the Brewers’ 26-man roster. Nice move!
I’m rooting for him and hoping the Dodgers failure to give him a shot bites them in the ass. When Jones signed a minor league deal with the Dodgers–after TJ surgery–he seemed like a good candidate to be the next great Dodger reclamation project, following in the footsteps of JT, Muncy and Chris Taylor. Those were three underachievers who became all-stars as Dodgers. This seemed to be a key element of the Dodgers’ winning DNA. Now they are leaning more on rookies and 30-something veterans.
Why not Jones? He was a second-round pick of the Angels out of high school, so his athletic ability was not in question. He made it briefly to the majors with the Angels and they swapped him (and more, I assume) to the O’s for Alex Cobb. He got called up by the O’s but did not play well, got hurt, needed surgery.
He was absolutely crushing it in OKC, with numbers similar to Busch. Plus, he bats righthanded–and don’t the Dodgers need that? My guess is that when Yonny Hernandez got called up, Jones decided to seek a better opportunity. And he obviously found it, joining a MAJOR LEAGUE roster that is very much in the hunt of the playoffs.
Bear made the good point that promoting Jones would have required some shuffle of the 40-man roster. I don’t pretend to understand the vagaries of the 40-man (which appears to include a lot of guys on the 60-man IL) except that it protects player (or rather, the team) from the Rule 5 draft. But I don’t really understand why a guy like Eddys Leonard is on the 40-man. He’s not really a top prospect, and nobody has billed him as the Dodgers’ “SS of the future.”
The fact that Jones quickly found a new home on a good team raises another question. Could the Dodgers have traded him instead of releasing him? Again, I don’t understand the ins and outs of minor league contracts, or Jones’ particular deal. If the Dodgers didn’t envision him on the ML roster, could they have dealt him for a prospect, or maybe packaged him with Andre Jackson or ??? After the DFA’d Jackson, they dealt him for cash to the Pirates. I don’t think the amount was disclosed.
Anyway, I’m rooting for Jones.
Lets not forget Peralta!! He has been contributing big time lately. Seems everyone left him off their comment stream
Yes, Peralta came up big again tonight.
He and Heyward have both exceeded expectations, I think. Both are having something of a rebirth. Tonight’s OF was all veteran–Peralta LF, Heyward CF, Mookie RF.
But the best news tonight was Max’s 19th HR followed by a single. Second two-hit night since he’s come back from injury. The start of a new hot streak? His BA still sucks but his OPS is up to .790, which isn’t bad at all.
1. I would not trade 3 or 4 prospects for David Bednar. In my opinion, this team is not a closer away from being on the Braves’ level. Even if they were, that is a lot to give up for any closer. Rangers just got Aroldis Chapman for a whole lot cheaper.
2. If Gonsolin is not injured, maybe he should be transitioned to the pen. He has performed much better in his first time through an order and has long been thought to be better used in the pen.
3. I think they will need another starter at the deadline, obviously. Friedman has said as much. Giolito or Flaherty would be my preferences due to their impending FA. Assuming Urias and Kershaw are healthy for the stretch run and Miller and Sheehan continue to grow (with Pepiot and Grove in reserve), I think they will be okay without dipping too deep into prospect pool.
3. I do think the Dodgers have done a better job of developing pitchers under AF than hitters. Seager, Will Smith, Bellinger (early on), Lux, Verdugo. Can’t think of another off the top of my head. Five in 7 years ? I would consider dealing from our starting pitcher depth in the minors to acquire a young hitter like Dylan Carlson, Lars Nootbaar from an organization that needs young starting pitching.
4. Yesterday, the Dodgers line up included Barnes (batting about .110), Muncy batting below .150 since May 1, and Vargas who under .100 in his last 45 at bats. Outman has improved his average and is not striking out as much but has not hit for any power to speak of since early May. They are overly reliant on Betts, Freeman, Smith, Martinez and, of late, Peralta. I would expect them to add a right handed bat on an expiring contract like Randall Grichuk, Tommy Pham, or Ahmed Rosario.
5. Were the Dodgers caught flat-footed by these rules changes? This is a very non-athletic team, relatively speaking, and it is very apparent when you watch younger teams like D-Backs, Reds, Pirates, etc. With the running game more important and defensive range more necessary with elimination of the shift, they look old and slow.
6. The Dodgers have not been able to make a dent in other teams running games. They will have a difficult time winning games in the post season if every single, walk, error, bloop, swinging bunt turns into a double. That is surprising that this organization seems helpless to improve this in the least.
All great points. Thank you for putting it so concisely.
The real problem is that:
1 – This is a transitional year. The Dodgers were always going to look at some of their prospects this year to see what they had and what they might need going forward.
2 – They have been hammered with injuries, especially in the rotation. No Gavin Lux was unexpected. Being without Urias, Gonsolin, and May for big chunks of the season was unexpected.
3 – The prospects that have played mostly haven’t played well.
Outman – .232/.314/.404/.718, .3 bWAR
Vargas – .199/.302/.374/.676, 0 bWAR
Busch – .200/.294/.267/.561, -.2 bWAR
DeLuca – .231/.310/.269/.580, -.1 bWAR
Pitchers
Miller – 4-1, 4.23 ERA, 1.252 WHIP .7 bWAR
Grove – 0-2, 7.54 ERA, 1.595 WHIP, -.8 bWAR
Sheehan – 2-0, 2.65 ERA, .824 WHIP, .6 bWAR
Stone – 0-0, 14.40 ERA, 3.00 WHIP, -.7 bWAR
Jackson – 0-0, 6.62 ERA, 1.415 WHIP, -.1 bWAR
Robertson – 0-0, 7.04 ERA, 2.087 WHIP, -.4 WHIP
The combination of rookies who have played are at -.7 bWAR for the season. Not even replacement level. Sheehan and Miller have been bright spots in small samples.
4 – This has nothing to do with Roberts, Prior or Von Scoyoc. It is a transitional year and they have been forced to rely on more untested rookies than anticipated and mostly they haven’t been very good yet.
What does this mean going forward? I wouldn’t think that the Dodgers make many deadline deals. Not only are fewer teams making players available, but what really is the point? I expect the braintrust to evaluate what they have and make decisions for 2024. They will probably need to replace Urias in the rotation. Maybe Buehler will be back, but it’s hard to say after a 2nd Tommy John. (Ask Daniel Hudson – he never returned to the rotation after his 2nd TJ.) Maybe May needs another one too? And who here is optimistic about Gonsolin’s effectiveness. And will Kershaw be back?
Hayward, Peralta, JD Martinez are all free agents next year too.
Next year’s Dodgers will look different from this year’s team.
In DeLuca’s defense, the kid has only had 26 at bats. Way too early to judge what he might be able to do.
Small ( microscopic) sample size.
Dylan Carlson Jack Flarethy and Nolan Arenaldo yep I would take that get younger and two better hitters then what we have in the minors. Thumbs up yes I would do it for cartaya Busch Vargas stone pepiot. Moves Muncy back to second base adds Arenaldo and Carlson to the lineup. And next year Lux comes back now that’s a major trade.
Bradley, I love your enthusiasm, but pretend you’re the Cardinals GM
For the last time, get it in your head that Nolan Arenado is not going to be traded to the Dodgers. His salary and the package the Cardinals would want make that impossible. Arenado is NOT BEING TRADED< He is not even on the market. Quit dreaming and get real. Dylan Carlson? Get real. The guy is hitting .245. Not much higher than Heyward, and he has 5 homers and 19 RBI's. Please. He is not better than anyone we already have.
Not one of Bradleys better takes.
He has had a good one? I love his enthusiasm. But I think his logic is terribly flawed.
I like his Brainstorming. Even when you guys pick it apart.
Yes he brainstorms a lot. But he never checks the stats. Carlson is hitting less than Peralta. Heyward is in the .240’s with 8 homers. Outman has 9 and is over .230 now. And he has cut down his K’s to boot. If they were to trade for a RH hitting outfielder, I prefer someone with some genuine pop in his bat. Say Mike Trout. Since that ain’t happening, Hunter Renfroe. That won’t happen either.
I think Bradley is a shill. His real identity is someone like Bullsdogs&Penquins just trying to make Bear and others crazy.
Phil. I am already crazy.
Not to nit pick but St Louis has said they’re not going to tear it down. So that would mean Arenado is off the table. They just signed Contreras and have Kniser and Herrera as catchers. Herrera is highly rated like Cartaya. They have infielders on the roster that are performing better than Vargas and Busch. Stone is a mess right now and Pepiot is hurt. Why would they trade anyone for who you listed. For Carlson and Flaherty St. Louis would probably want Knack, Ryan and someone like Williams. Don’t think AF makes that deal. If AF makes a move at all I think maybe Giolito and possibly Kelly or Hendricks from the Wite Sox.
Ron Mr. Bradley lives in another galaxy permanently suggesting “unrealizable” player trades something like mental masturbations. It’s been so insistently repetitive that it’s already boring.
Jose you know a better trade possibility for the Dodgers go right ahead big boy go for it see what you come up with. I was looking at teams that are out of it and that could help the Dodgers. True Anderson Grandal and Giotta make the most since a back up catcher better then Barnes a shortstop that would play better on a winning team and a new starting pitcher. Now watch bear and mark will say nope not going to happen. why we have the prospects to do so. Who else then.
Not going to say that Bradley. I will say this. A. To make a trade you need to want the player you are targeting. Anderson is not exactly tearing up the league. He could probably be had for some prospects. Just who, well that would depend on what the White Sox needed. Giolito would be a nice add. Since he would be a rental, the price would be lower than normal. Again, it depends on whether the Sox make him available or not. I would like to see LA get him. As for Grandal, been there and done that. He is having a bounce back season, He too would be a rental. But he would want to be the starter not a backup to Smith, and even with his salary halved, he costs more than Barnes does. When picking players you might want. You need to check their contract status. The Dodgers might take on some payroll, but they are not going to take on a huge deal. Grandal is 34 years old. Not exactly the perfect backup catcher.
You say you want to get younger.
Arenado is 32 years old. Doesn’t sound like a youngster to me. That said, I’d love to have him here.
Carlson is at best an average player. I can’t understand everyone’s infatuation with him.
Flaherty has had an up and down year so I’m not sure how much he’d add to the rotation and then he’s a free agent.
Bradley, you listed five prospects you’d put into the deal for those three Cardinals:
Cartaya has had a pretty miserable year.
Pepiot has been hurt all year.
Busch, Vargas and Stone haven’t performed at the MLB level.
What makes you think the Cards would be willing to trade Arenado plus two others for 5 prospects who haven’t proven anything?
I would love Nolan too, and I am sure he would love playing at home. That being said, they are not going to add that salary he has coming unless the Cardinals paid a huge chunk of it. You know Bobby Bonilla is still getting a million plus a year from the Mets?
Let’s just have the Mets pay a chunk to Arenado every year when they pay Bonilla. Steve Cohen will probably not even notice a few mil less in his bank account.
you know, the Orioles also pay Bonilla like $500,000 per year for the next 10 years or so as well.
Great life if you can get it!!
I had no idea.
Boy, Bonilla had himself one hell of an agent back in the day.
I love to make bear and marks world a nightmare when the Cardinals start selling off players watch I am going to be first in line to say see Bear and Mark told you we could have had him. But no you two guys squashed it now we’re stuck with muncy and Vargas great.
Bradley, you are delusional. No way you can make my life a nightmare. If, and it is a huge if, the Cardinals start selling off players, it would not bother me at all. I have nothing to do with who Andrew Freidman targets come the trade deadline. The packages you propose are ridiculous. You said Carlson was better than anything we have in the outfield, but the stats say no. We are stuck with Vargas and Muncy because the powers that be who run the Dodgers want those players on their team. Vargas is a rookie. Rookies struggle. Sometimes pretty badly. If the Oakland A’s back in the day used your way to measure a rookie, Mark McGwire would have been traded before he got a shot. He hit .189 his first cup of coffee with the A’s. Muncy is terrible, and I have not seen anything lately that says Max is going to turn it around anytime soon. He is hitting .187 over his last 200 games. His OPS over that time is .745.
Now, you come up with some trade scenarios that make sense and are possible, and maybe you would get some agreement here. But yesterday you suggested Goldschmidt. The Dodgers do not need a first Baseman. Especially one who is older than the one they have under contract for the next four years. As for Arenado, they have the prospect capital to get him if he is made available. But due to that contract, I do not believe AF would do it. A. It puts them in the penalty again, and B. the Cardinals have already said they are not tearing the team down. They might sell off a couple of fringe players, but none of the stars are leaving.
That was Goldschmidt to the Angels not the Dodgers duh. For two minor leagues that’s it why would we have to give up so much for an all-star when other teams don’t. That was a trade rumor on bleacher.com the Cardinals are going to sell players and they said Arenodo won’t want to be there and get out and waive his no trade clause. That’s where I got my info.
That was Goldschmidt to the Angels not the Dodgers duh. For two minor leagues that’s it why would we have to give up so much for an all-star when other teams don’t. That was a trade rumor on bleacher.com the Cardinals are going to sell players and they said Arenodo won’t want to be there and get out and waive his no trade clause. That’s where I got my info. So a third baseman better then Muncy and can hit consistent well let’s see Chapman Arenado Ramirez Congelosis and Sanez the mariners third baseman those are the possible ones which you could trade Muncy and two prospects and get one of those third baseman.
Well sorry, bleachers.com is not a viable source. There are tons of rumors out there. Arenado has four years left on his deal. He passed up his opt out chance. Limited no trade I think. And he is not coming to LA. The Dodgers are not going to absorb those 100 million dollars. Especially if they decide they want to take a run at Ohtani. Goldschmidt to the Angels makes sense but everything I have read says the Cardinals are going to try and extend him. He is one of the very few bright spots on the team. And I do not think any of those teams want Muncy. You are chucking shit at the wall and hoping something might stick so you can say, I told you so. There is not one stinking speck of logic in any of the trades you suggest.
Bradley, would you trade the entire Dodger team for Arizona’s?
I would take every d-back except give me Freeman at first mookie in right and Smith at catcher then take there players in the open positions left and have a very good team. That would give me Guerilla in left field Carroll in center mookie right Longoria third base whoever there shortstop is and Karta at second base and Freeman at first base and Smith at catcher. And I do believe right now there starters are better right then us.
Excuse me, Peralta is hitting better than any D-Back outfielder except Carroll. Who the hell is Guerilla? No such player. Do you mean Lourdes Gurriel? Their SS is Perdomo. Longoria is 37 years old. Not the player he once was and he has played only 43 games. They do not have a player named Karta. Ketel Marte maybe? He would be an improvement. He is having a decent year. Perdomo is hitting well too. Offensively and upgrade over Rojas, but defensively about the same. Their starting pitching is their strength.
What the Dodgers need is the fans to be patient and the pitching staff especially the starters to get healthy. A solid right handed hitting outfielder wouldn’t hurt. The outfielder needs to be a bat first outfielder. We will be fine and our young players will get better as they mature. Back in my coaching days the saying was “the best thing about a sophomore starter is he will be a junior next season.” Patients is a virtue. Sometimes it’s difficult but usually the best answer. We will be in the playoffs.
You are right John. But Dodger fans as a whole are not patient at all. They want that full season, no shortened season stigma championship. And with CK going on the IL today, that means all five opening day starters are spending time on the IL. Hard to be patient when your team loses a series like this to an inferior team.
Announce it, Kershaw to the DL, we are a lock for the postseason, no need to screw around here, see you after the break all timer.
Roberts, the pitching coach and the hitting coach has done so much for our organization it would be a shame to sack them in the middle of the season. If management thinks they need a new voice, and that could be the case, Roberts should get a job upstairs as an advisor to the GM Or President of the Dodgers. He’s earned that right.
Robert’s is not going anywhere, maybe after next season if they fail in the playoffs this year and next. All manager’s have shortcomings, he is an average in game manager but plus everywhere else.
Absolutely, Adam. It has been mentioned daily that this is a year of transition. AF knew this coming was into the season. He refrained from spending money in the off-season. He wanted to trim the payroll. He had Bauer’s dead money for one more year. He hired veteran projects. Some have worked out. Others not. Injuries rushed more rookies than anticipated but we needed to use our minor leaguers, most not getting any younger, to see what we have. Some will be keepers, others not. Some will be trade chips for other deals. But they couldn’t rot away buried in AAA. AA is loaded with pitching. Nobody, including AF knew how this would play out but I know that he knew this was going to be a different kind of year and 2024 will be very different.
That said, why would Doc’s job or the other coaches jobs be in jeopardy under these circumstances?
Agree completely Phil, solid post and sentiments.
Did you see the story Phil about Bauer blowing up at his Japanese teammates when they botched a double play? The next hitter hit one back to him but rather than throw it to his first baseman, he made the play himself.
Content Ideas:
1. Bradley’s Trip the the MLB. Once a week, Bradley picks an MLB team and writes up trade scenarios depending on that team.
2. Crossfire: Once a week. Bear and Bradley go through five players and the pros and cons of the Dodgers trading for them.
3. What I think about player X and what it means: Once a week Eric picks a Dodger minor-leaguer and just goes to town on him.
4. Bluto’s silliness: Once in a while, I post just amazing videos like this one:
https://www.newsflare.com/video/472915/penguin-wanders-off-from-the-pack-ice-breaks-and-it-narrowly-escapes-being-split-from-family
This is an all time great post Bluto, thx for the levity, but those battles weekly would take this great site to Hall of Fame level, Mark please facilitate these requests.
I think it would be a hard pill to swallow for Mark to have Bradley make weekly trade suggestions. And it would only work until the end of the month. God I miss the August 31 trade deadline to add players before the playoffs.
Belatedly, allow me to salute Phillip Raven for his commentary the other day.
Yep, Mark has created a really engaging Dodgers website. I’m not sure it’s “despite himself,” because it’s fun to critique his bluster and gratuitous insults.
That bluster included Mark’s declaration that Phillip had procliamed Catcher in the Rye to be Mark’s favorite novel. Actually, Phillip did nothing of the sort. What Phillip said was that he’d guess that Mark probably preferred Lord of the Flies.
And that is pretty damn funny.
So far, so good for Jahmai Jones with the Brewers!!!
https://www.mlb.com/news/jahmai-jones-hits-game-tying-three-run-double-in-win-over-cubs
He is a 25-year-old guy who plays 2B, LF and CF. Not sure if he can play third. At any rate, while Jones was crushing in it OKC, he had to watch Busch, DeLuca and Yonny get called to LA.
10:10 PM ET
Pirates (39-44)
Dodgers (46-37)
SP Mitch Keller R
9-3 3.34 ERA
SPMichael Grove R
0-2 7.54 ERA
Confirmed Lineup
RF Mookie Betts R
1B F. Freeman L
C Will Smith R
3B Max Muncy L
DH J. Martinez R
LF D. Peralta L
CF J. Heyward L
2B M. Vargas R
SS Miguel Rojas R
clear-day
73° Wind 8 mph Out
Dodgers place Clayton Kershaw on injured list with left shoulder inflammation
Michael Grove (starting Monday) and Gavin Stone recalled from Triple-A
They demoted Gonzalez too.
He keeps running Max out there in the four-hole hoping for a miracle. It is hard to watch Max at the plate anymore.
Was 2 for 4 tonight. Still, he’s got a long ways to go before he prove the naysayers wrong. And his defense at 3rd will remain subpar until he diets his weight down.
Max may be bouncing back right now. His 19th HR tonight, plus a single. OPS up to .790.
I think he’s the right choice for cleanup despite his lousy batting average.
In the cleanup spot, he’s a lefty separating the two righty bats in Smith and Martinez. Max’s BA is down at .195, but his OBP is .322, while JDM’s is .298. Getting walks has always been a big part of Max’s game, and he creates RBI opportunities for JDM.
In some ways, Max and JDM are remarkably similar. Both were on the IL for similar periods. Max has played in 67 games, JDM in 68. Add up their walks and hits: Max has 87, JDM has 85. Both now have 19 HRs. Add up their runs and RBIs: Max has 92, JDM has 95.
The impression, however, is that JDM–an all-star!–has been much more productive because of recent performance.
How many years has it been since Kersh avoided the IL?
Given the fragility of the Dodgers’ rotation, it wouldn’t surprise me if AF goes after a pair of SPs, not just one. Maybe a frontline like Giolito and a wily vet like Hill or Greinke.
Yes, he could call up other prospects like Knack and Hurt, but some proven high-quality SPs ??? could be in play.
Yes on Giolitto solid no on Greinke. He stinks this year.
Greinke is probably bored.
Sunday scores
Oklahoma City 8, Sugar Land 2
Tulsa at Amarillo, postponed
Great Lakes 4, Lansing 2
Visalia 3, Rancho Cucamonga 2
Monday schedule
10:05 a.m. PT: Great Lakes (Justin Wrobleski) vs. Lansing (Mitch Myers)
2:05 p.m.: Tulsa (River Ryan, Ben Casparius) at Amarillo (Chad Patrick, Deyni Olivero), doubleheader
4:35 p.m.: Oklahoma City (TBD) at Sugar Land (Kyle McGowin)
6:30 p.m.: Rancho Cucamonga (Jared Karros) vs. Visalia (Yoscar Pimentel)
answer me this: This season there have been more stolen bases than in previous years. The new rules played a part in this strategy. What I don’t understand it seems this season I’ve seen less pitchouts than any season that I can remember. Someone please solve this riddle.
I would guess it’s because you can’t afford to waste a pitch fishing for a free out on the basepaths.
I’m a Roberts basher. He is no better or worse than usual this year.
There has been so much player turnover that most players haven’t been around long enough to be tired of his act.
There were a couple of times earlier in his career where he made bad blunders in the playoffs. He didn’t get fired then. I don’t expect him to be fired anytime soon.
Don’t flame me out on this. Roberts babies his pitching staff. More than once he’s pulled guys in the middle of a no hitter because that’s not important. That arm needs to be saved for the playoffs. That’s not working.
I’m all for pulling a starter early if they are bombing. Would it be better to leave a guy in longer if he is having a good game ?
The way Roberts handles the pitching staff is not entirely his decision. The Dodgers brain trust, including AF, the pitching coaches, trainers, all have input. The Dodgers as a organization do not push their young pitchers. Haven’t done that in years and that was happening before Roberts became the manager.
Not pushing young pitchers a good plan? I guess that’s why they don’t get injured
Good or bad, that is what they do. Remember, Urias had been with the team almost four years before they let him loose. Part of that was his injuries, the other part was the way they bring their pitchers up.
DodgerDave. I have discussed the spiraling pitch counts many times in the last few years. I could go on and on whether it’s better to pitch more and build arm strength or less and “save” bullets. Growing up, starters pitched 9 innings, a 150 pitches common and on 3 days rest. But maybe 1 or 2 guys threw 100. Whether I agree or not, the reality is everybody babies the valuable arms. I wrote last week that the Dodger starters were averaging 83 pitches a game. Some guys pulled due to ineffectiveness. Others because they got close to 90 pitches when an inning ended and they weren’t going to send him back out. I think the league average start is less then 90 pitches. It’s a new day and Doc and the Dodger brass are no different than everybody else.
I doubt Kershaw will return on July 15th, the soonest he can, I would suprise if he is back before August. Unless we start to fall way behind this may be the most prudent move. I see us as a lock for the wildcard, despite the injuries, as our current talent is better than any other team in the National League besides the Braves. And we have enough minor league depth to make some key moves at the deadline.
Hey Mark, I know you are probably not home yet, but Ron Bohring on twitter posted that picture of you and Maddon’s brother there with a link to this post.
Bob Nightingale is writing that the Mets will not make Verlander or Scherzer available at the deadline, nor will Alonso be available. They will instead try to trade Pham, Canha, Carlos Carrasco, and relievers Robertson and Brooks Raley. Cardinals DFA Carlos Mercado an outfielder. Mercado is hitting .290 in very limited action. In the vein of perhaps we got rid of him too soon, Kimbrel was named the NL reliever of the month. In other news, the Lakers are making a ton of moves.
Well good for Kimbrel. But he was shitty for us. Same with Kenley. They needed a change of scenery
Same with Cody.
More inconsistent than shitty. He did save 22 games and his ERA was just a tad higher than it is right now.
Is it just me, or did it look like Max didn’t swing as hard on that home run.?
Damn. I’ve been in repentance for being so critical of Mark in my last post. It was just so easy. I’ve got another ten pages of negative notes about him that I’ve collected over the past few months that I’m going to have to discard. Ah, such guilt. And since we all love the dodgers (a tribal bond of blue unites us) I’ve decided to write about some of his positive characteristics. I promise not to mention his generally sour demeanor and assumption of male privilege; or the lack of vitality in his writing that resembles the fat and fluff posture of Yoda; or his fawning daisies and buttercups promotion of dodger brass and his militant glee at stepping on the neck of lower profile people. Or that his closet religion appears to be a pugnacious form Social Darwinism; or that he thinks “the sun never sets” on the Dodger Empire and that the “other” teams are really the “Other” and simply colonies and outposts for the Dodgers ultimate benefit. Or that the persona of his rhetoric is stained with Bad Faith, in the Sartrean sense. Or that he keeps a tinted photograph of King Leopoldo of Belgium in his wallet and claims they’re related. (OK, i think my barber made that one up). I absolutely refuse to bring those subjects up. This is a day for healing…and in the spirit of praising Mark Timmons here’s what I have to say: …. …
…. … …
Duke, thanks for the salute. Keep up with your objective and original insights into this year’s rather disappointing edition of the Dodgers. I enjoy reading your commentary; especially the veiled subtexts clever innuendoes.
Where is Badger? Did Little Leopold run him off?
Badger no longer posts here. He is a regular on Jeff’s site.
Rather pompous.
Follow up…Duke, I wonder if Mark has actually read “Catcher in Rye” or “Lord of the Flies.” Although they were required reading about the time he was in high school he seems have little interest in aesthetics or the humanities, perhaps considering them efffete compared to becoming a rabid capitalist. He may have passed on college too because the first day lecture in English 101 tells you to avoid cliches. All college professors tell you not to use cliches. They are a sign laziness and unoriginality and immediately identify the user as a weak writer. Or, to transfer TimmonsSpeak to academia, only “morons” use cliches. But Mark seems proud of his use of cliches and boldly states he will continue to use them. He’s pretty tone deaf and may not be capable of reflection or have the desire for improvement. He’s a little burned out and writing everyday is probably a burden, especially for a non serious writer like himself. The pictures from Alaska were a delight and depicted a more human side of Mark—having a good time in a beautiful setting. I’m thinking he could retire in Bali, or perhaps Bangkok, start to meditate and practice unconditional love. Yoga might help his back. *
I’m kidding of course. Those locations don’t have “open carry.”
Yawn
Pompous and pathetic
I did not read Catcher in the Rye, wasn’t required reading when I went to school. I was made to suffer through Two Years Before the Mast though. I read a lot. Usually books dealing with history, or historical novels. I like a really good mystery too. If the subject matter is not something I would enjoy, I just do not read that book. We all have different triggers. I know I have mine. If I think something has no chance of happening, I believe it won’t. Baseball is the one real enjoyment I have along with music. But I can’t play music every day since there just are no that many venues for live music anymore. So, I write for Jeff’s and Mark’s blogs, spend a lot of time on research, and then later on, sit down to enjoy the game. Lately the games have not been all that enjoyable. They did pull off a win tonight and Max got two hits, one of them a homer. As for open carry, only a couple states have that. I wish I lived in one of them. But I do live in a state where getting my concealed carry permit is relatively easy. Two days of class, One in a classroom and the other on the range. I think a vast majority of the posters who do contribute here genuinely love the game and the team and most are well informed and make very logical suggestions. We all have our opinions and that is all they are. I have zero inside information, any knowledge of the game I have has come from observing the team and the game for close to 70 years. I no longer have favorite players. Free agency killed that for me. Loyalty is something that is very foreign to baseball anymore. The game has changed so very much since I first picked up a ball and threw it. The rules have changed drastically. Hitting philosophy has changed. When I played, taking a third strike looking and not protecting the plate was a huge no no. They teach launch angle now. Get the ball in the air with power. I was a line drive hitter when I played. Softball, baseball, did not matter. All I wanted to do was hit the ball hard.
Bear, you’re a most sensitive human and a fine writer. Yes, you’re often too diplomatic (regarding Syndergaard’s “inconsistencies”) but you have an open and kind heart. I like how you “inform” Bradley of the ruptures in his enthusiasm with gentle persuasion. The world is better place having you in it.
By the way, although I grew up in Long Beach I’ve been in Colorado since 1981. I love Coors Field but it’s often painful watching the Rockies Baseball, as they always find a way to lose. And I prefer 2-1 games where every pitch or play is important. In 1962 I listened to or watched every dodger game. I think that was there strongest team since being in LA because of their remarkable starting pitchers. Losing in the playoffs after having the last game won crushed me hard…even up until today. Dodger Nation apparently crowned Kershaw as the greatest all time Dodger; I love him but that’s nonsense. As you pointed out recently, if you’re in Game 7 of the World Series who do you want on the mound. There was only one Sandy Koufax. Very few public figures have his kind of charisma. It was a spectacle whenever he pitched. High drama and Dodger fans loved him. We hung on every pitch. Yes, Kershaw is a first round Hall of Famer and throws maybe the best slider ever, but Verlander and Scherzer are first rounders too. The best if their era. None of the three have been as dominant as Koufax.
Thank you, Phillip. I appreciate it. Kersh is an excellent pitcher and deserves all the kudos he gets. But I guarantee you if Koufax had started game 7 of the 17 series, they would have won. In his three series losses, Koufax gave up a total of 3 earned runs. In World Series play no less. His ERA in 8 World Series games is 0.95. I think those who never saw him pitch in person, really missed a treat. The 62 team was one of the best ever fielded in LA. I still think they would have won had Koufax not gone down with his circulatory problem in July. The last three games he pitched; he was not the same pitcher as evidenced by his early exit in game one of that playoff. But to this day, I blame that loss on Alston. He was bullheaded and wanted to save Drysdale to open the World Series, but ya gotta get there first. Kersh has had a longer career and because of that, he will make the hall. But Koufax had more complete games, 27, in one season than Kershaw has in his career. 4 no-hitters, one of them a perfecto, struck out 18 in a game twice. Three straight ERA titles and three Cy Youngs. You knew every time Sandy went out there, you had a chance to see something special. I live about 35 miles west of Pueblo in Canon City. I have gone to some games in Denver but not in a few years. My son lives there, so sometimes we go together. But he works a lot and I really do not get to see him as much as I would like. Not a Rockies fan at all, so I only go when they are playing the Dodgers. Last game I went to, they had a 7-0 lead on the Rocks, but the Rocks scored 5 in the 8th to go up 10-7. LA scored 5 in the top of the 9th and won 12-10.
In case anyone wondered, Phillip Raven has identified as an Ass Hole We wondered. Now we know. And to top it off, you are a pompadour dumbass.
Additionally, he spends so much time thinking about me that it is really sinister. Stalker?
Pompadour dumbass??? I thought that was some kind of a bird.
Or maybe a hairy butt?
Phillip Raven, I wish I could buy you for what you are worth and sell you for what you think you are worth. I’d be right up there with Gates and Musk. You evidently think the overuse of words somehow makes you appear smarter. Perhaps you are compensating for something, but all I know is that I control you. How does that feel?
You are my puppet!