Many people have scoffed at the idea that Kike Hernandez might return to the Dodgers. He will be 32 next month and is in the midst of what may be his worst season. He has a -0.6 WAR and is OPS’ing .599. However, if you look beyond the obvious, maybe he makes too much sense to ignore.
First of all, we know that Kike was beloved by his teammates. He did keep them loose, and his charisma was contagious. So, would his personality be a fit on the team? Absolutely! He is also an extremely versatile player, meaning that he can play all over the diamond if needed. However, I think Andrew Friedman wants to acquire him to platoon in RF with Jason Heyward, so that Mookie can move to the infield, namely 2B or SS.
This could be a great solution: Heyward hits RHP to the tune of a .360 OB% and s .846 OPS. His OPS+ is 132. For his career, Kike Hernandez has struggled against RHP (.660 OPS), but he has a .811 OPS against LHP. Also, Robert Van Socyoc knows Kiki and could possibly believe that he can help Kike improve against LHP. Kike can play a fine RF, and he has a very good arm. This would strengthen the lineup against LHP, and Kike would serve as Heyward’s platoon partner.
I like the sound of it. Kike is not getting much PT of late. The Red Sox have too many RH infielders. Including Hernandez, the Sox have JT, Yu Chang, Christian Arroyo, Trevor Story, and Pablo Reyes. Kike is owed about $4 Million and is a free agent after the season. The Red Sox could use a LH 2B, and Jorbit Vivas is just that, although he is not really MLB-Ready! Yonny Hernandez is also a possibility!
I also think Andrew Friedman may be ready to move on from Austin Barnes, although I think they should promote Hunter Feduccia – he can’t be any worse. Austin is not even hitting his IQ! Emmet Sheehan needs to go back to AAA – he has a bright future, but that’s not today.
Clayton Kershaw and Chris Young
A few days ago, The Athletic reported that the Dodgers’ Clayton Kershaw, and Rangers GM Chris Young share a bond that goes beyond baseball. Chris Young lives two blocks away from Kershaw in a Dallas suburb. Their children are in the same Dallas-area school system and cross paths often, particularly when Young walks his kids past Kershaw’s house on their way to school. Ellen Kershaw and Youngs’ wife, Elizabeth, are friends. They’ll run into each other at dinner. Some family fate ties them: Young played high school basketball at Highland Park with Kershaw’s brother-in-law.
I get the feeling that Clayton could go home in 2024.
Phil Bickford
His teammates love him, but he is not getting the job done. This may be the last we see of the Bick!
Nah, Kersh either plays for the Dodgers or hangs it up. How bit he wins the 23 WS and goes out on a high note. Im ok with that.
Austin should retire and the dodgers should make him a coaching position at double AA or triple AA! Nice guy but wouldn’t be on any or very few roster in baseball! Tough loss last night. Need to win next 2, don’t waste that excellent road trip! I know it can’t happen, but wouldn’t it be nice to have Justin back? Like the Thomas kid in Washington, Kiki? Who knows. Might be worth a shot. Just don’t want another .220 hitter!
So Austin should retire and just walk away from a guaranteed $3.5 million next year? Would you do that?
Mark, a question at the risk of sounding silly (I don’t have any information), could our dear Bamsy take extra batting practice time on a daily basis to arrive in rhythm, timing or whatever is needed when his batting services are required? They have an excellent bateadores
repairman at RVS.
Never heard any complaints about Barnes’s work ethic.
It could be that he’s just getting old and the aches and pains are taking its toll. He’s 33 but some players age faster than others.
He can be a $3.5 million catchers’ coach next season, working with Cartaya, Rushing and the rest. I wonder if player-coach is an option–that he’d be activated in an emergency. Could be wrong, but I thinkJunior Gilliam became a coach and then returned to playing because the team needed him.
Kike has been horrible on the infield this season. 15 errors. His outfield play has been stellar. I still think his time has passed, but I am not running the team. Max showed some life last night. If he can get one or two hits a night, then I will believe he is coming around. We all know he can get hot. I don’t blame last night on Bickford. I blame an offense that left the bases loaded when they had a chance to win. Rather than pinch=hitting Rojas, I would have sent JD up there for one swing. I also put some of the blame on Taylor who added to the pressure on the pitcher with one of the worst throws I have seen all year. Only saved a run because Freeman caught the ball. I agree about another .220 bat. Get someone who can actually hit the ball. I thought a couple of years ago that they should have traded for Whit Merrifield. His play last night did nothing to change that. Urias tonight, and Tony G. tomorrow afternoon.
Yea, Kike as an infielder is done. His throw accuracy is atrocious. Pitiful.
In the outfield he has looked ok to me. His reads in CF are still good – way better than Outman.
I like Kike’s vibe. Welcome back bro.
JDM for one swing would have been a great idea.
I was puzzled when Rojas came in to pinch hit and wondered about the options. Forgot that Martinez was nursing what sounds like a minor strain.
and I blame last nights loss on typical bad Roberts baseball strategy.
Dodgers unwillingness to bunt and play small cost that game in the 10th.
Muncy not being able to move the runner over to third and striking out. Yes, I know, home run hitter not used to bunting , rah,rah,rah. I call BS on that. Don´t tell me a professional hitter like Muncy , who happens to have an awful BA anyway, can not take a little time of his batting practice to work on bunting.
All you need is one measly run.
If he moves the runner over that long fly ball by Heywards wins you the game.
Imagine this being the rubber game of a playoff series. You just HAVE to bring in that runner from 2nd with no outs.
I don´t care who is at bat, the runner HAS to be moved over to third at any cost.
Go Dodgers!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I totally agree, the ghost runner on second base with no outs in extra innings and the scored tied as the home team has to be advanced to third,. Muncy then strikes out for the first out of the inning. Poor basic baseball.
Not sure why you think it’s more likely Muncy would have successfully bunted versus gotten a hit
Then at least hit the ball to the right side and advance the runner to third, not strike out.
Max knocks in two runs on two hits, including his 25th HR to tie the game. There is no 10th inning without Max.
But this loss is on him?
You may be overestimating the ease of bunting or advancing the runner with a grounder, particularly for a batter like Muncy. He’s a slugger who also picks up a lot of walks–and the only guy hitting HRs at a faster clip this year is Ohtani. (My son found that stat today.)
My guess is Roberts figured that with Max up, the best strategy would be to let Max be Max, not a bunter playing small ball. Sure, it would be great if Max had Freddie’s bat control, but he never has.
If Max gets a hit–and, obviously, he’s been swinging a hot bat–the game is probably over. If he makes contact–either a fly or a grounder–maybe the runner advances, and maybe he doesn’t. (Max might line into a double play, too.)
Roberts probably figured that, with a runner at 2nd, he had three guys who could drive him in: Max, Peralta, Heyward. None of them did.
But the loss is on Max?
Percentages.
You really think a below Mendoza line, three true outcome hitter has a better shot at a hit than a sac bunt ?
Problem is the Dodgers just refuse to play small ball in general. The few times they did the entire season you can count on one hand. As AVF wrote. As the home team in that situation the bunt is a MUST. Use some practice time on it, especially with hitters who sport such atrocious BA as Muncy.
Go Dodgers!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Yes. Without a doubt. I have zero faith in Muncy’s ability to lay down a bunt.
Then roberts should make him learn it. 10 minutes a day learning to lay down a damn sac bunt is not too much to ask, is it ?
Go Dodgers!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Yes it’s too much to ask.
How often will he need to bunt? Once a year?
That’s not what he’s paid for.
And even good bunters aren’t automatic. Even good bunters lay down bad bunts or pop it up.
I
Well, all the Clayton Kershaw ties to Texas and what not, he made a point of saying he really likes being a Dodger.
It’s possible he will retire. That wouldn’t surprise me. Not sure what is even wrong with him, lot of confusion surrounding his return date and what is actually the issue.
Good three part story in the LA Times about the Dodgers farm system, how LA keeps producing talent even without high draft choices. It started Sunday and wrapped up today.
One of the questions regarding the future is whether LA should just ride out the trade deadline without sacrificing any top prospects, then land Shohei Ohtani this winter. But that would mean the Dodgers would have around $100 million tied up in three players (Including Betts and Freeman).
The Dodgers have approximately $95 million coming off the books. Of course the Dodgers won’t just stand pat (what type of message would that send?) They need a starting pitcher, maybe a reliever and possibly a right hand bat. If it’s Kike Hernandez, probably wouldn’t cost much, but he hasn’t exactly been on fire.
At the very least Andrew Friedman will acquire a starting pitcher, maybe from the White Sox or the Cardinals.
But whoever the Dodgers part with out of the farm system may come at a price, the trade for Max Scherzer and Trea Turner cost Josiah Grey, an all star pitcher, and catcher Keibert Ruiz, another player the team could use since Austin Barnes has struggled with the bat. Bottom line Scherzer and Turner failed to deliver a World Series title, but watching Turner play sure was fun.
People inside the organization indicate the Dodgers pursuit of Ohtani will be serious and for that to work, the Dodgers need the young players to produce to hold down costs.
Now Friedman indicated the Dodgers have done a great job replenishing the farm system, but do you want to part with major league ready talent that the Dodgers need to replace costly veterans? Low cost options and all.
That will be the question. How far are the Dodgers willing to go at the deadline to secure another NL West and make a World Series run?
It’s often said that fortune favors the bold.
Getting Scherzer and Trea in one deal was pretty damn bold.
Last season, it was the Padres who were bold in midseason and the Dodgers who weren’t. And of course the Pads knocked off “the team to beat” in just four games.
So I’m rooting for bold moves. A lot of teams need SPs and bats. It’s a sellers’ market. But what’s the point of having a deep system if you’re not willing to use it?
Of course Kershaw could leave.
That stupid Sisters of Mercy thing has scarred him and every pious Christian in the LA County area!
NEVER FORGET what the Dodgers did.
What do you thinkg matters more?
The Sisters of Mercy stuff….or the fact that Rangers are now winners?
I don’t think Kershaw would want to play on a loser. The Rangers are now one of the top teams in the game, and should stay that way for a while.
If Kershaw is offended by the Sisters…doesn’t the Good Book advise turning the other cheek?
Twas a joke at an overblown thing.
I should have let it rest
Your timing is getting worse there Bluto
It’s never been good, Bear.
I have a better chance of getting pregnant than the dodgers trading for ohtani! Friedman should concentrate on this season and worry about ohtani during the offseason! Thanks for the support Bear! Kiki just brings more swing and miss to a lineup with plenty of that . We need a good, not .200 hitting right handed bat! Look att what we traded for Machado. Only 1 is in the league. We all know that all of our prospects aren’t going to make it to the show. Package a couple and get a good bat. I think we all can agree Max ain’t going to keep hitting like this forever. Why not make the Nationals an offer ? Why not make the Angels an offer for Renfro? Please not another .200 hitter.
At least Kike can bunt.Lol.
Go Dodgers!!!!!!!!!!!
You are ignoring what I said. You are free to do that, but I am going to remind you of what I said.
Kike does not hit RHP. The Dodgers need a RH hitter who can hit lefties.
Kike (for his career) hits .259 against LHP with a .346 OB% and an .811 OPS.
Against LHP, he is NOT a .200 hitter…. he is a .811 OPS hitter and those are hard to find.
Geeezzz!
Against lefties this year, Kike is at .652.
I am enjoying the speculation about Arenado, however. …
Radio yakkers today reminded listnerers that AF said the Dodgers would be “aggressive” and target “impactful” players.
We’ll see.
Kike only has a 652 OPS this year against LHP. And 14 errors at SS. It sounds like Trevor Story is coming back for Red Sox soon which will make Kike even more likely to be traded. Probably a salary dump by Sox for a low value prospect. Maybe if other RH bats are too expensive this is a last resort.
Tough loss against a good team last night. Only 2–13 with RISP.
Also almost all bullpen arms used. And Roberts insists on using Phillips with 4 run deficit Sunday. At least third time recently that Roberts has wasted Phillips. Now he is unavailable tonight or tomorrow.
Yes, he wasted Phillips, but the reason is that Phillips had not pitched in 8 days and needed work. They said he had to pitch before the game. If Doc hadn’t used him Sunday and he got bombed last night, you would have also blamed Doc for that.
Global Warming is Doc’s fault.
Cancer is Doc’s fault.
Every damn thing is Doc’s fault!
Why don’t the Dodgers bunt more?
Because statistically speaking, the odds are better that you swing away. It’s a fact you cannot dispute. That’s why! Now, bunting does not always work. There are lots of bad outcomes, like popping up a ball and doubling the runner. Statistics and Probability says that bunting is not as successful as swinging over the course of a season, but the Dodgers lost last night because the swing did not work, so in a circular thinking world, Blame Roberts!
WOW! JUST WOW! Forget the damn bunt forever! If you want to read about it, start here:
https://blogs.fangraphs.com/the-truth-about-bunting/
GEEEEZZZZ!
That article does not make your argument fly, Mark.
To begin the article is about bunting vs the shift.
Lower in the article it says that the sac bunt is easier to accomplish than bunting for hits.
I have no problem letting a player like Mookie, Freddie or Will swing with nobody out and runner on second than I have with CT3, Max, Barnes or the other guys with very low averages.
You always have to take the personal batting average of the certain batter into consideration when opting for or against the bunt.
Go Dodgers!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Strikeouts at any time are not good. With the rule allowing the phantom runner on in extra innings, failure to move the runner over with no outs kills you. Now the good news is that will not be the case in the playoffs. But you need to get that runner to third. With one out his chances of scoring from third increase. Last night though, the failure came from not capitalizing in the 9th inning when they loaded the bases.
Didn´t we have 2 outs already when we loaded the bases in the 9th ?
BTW, the same situation could face you in the playoffs too even without a ghost runner when the leadoff guy reaches 2nd with no outs.
Go Dodgers!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Yes, there were two outs, but this is the best two out scoring team in the majors. They have scored well over 200 runs with two outs. You get hits in the clutch, you win, you do not, you lose.
Microsoft news had a story this morning about a trade between the Dodgers and the Cardinals for Arenado. This as rumors that the Cardinals have softened on trading their star have heated up in the last 36 hours or so. The cost? 5 of the Dodgers top 30 prospects. Stone, Vivas, Pepiot, Heubeck and Knack. Arenado would most likely waive his no-trade to come home to LA. At the same time, the rumors about Ohtani are quieting down. Ohtani crushed his 36th homer last night in the Angels win over the Pirates. Of course, all the news is simply rumor driven. No one has any concrete evidence anybody will be traded. As for Kike, his career numbers against LHP are good. He is having a bad year. I personally like the guy, but I am not trading for another weak stick in the lineup. Maybe coming back to LA inspires the guy, and maybe it doesn’t But he is not a player of NEED.
I guess they could move Muncy back to 2B if Arenado came to LA.
If that story is accurate (BIG IF), then I would do that trade… in a heartbeat!
Muncy is above average at 2B and would gladly play it to accommodate a Gold Glover.
Vargas and Busch stay at AAA the rest of the year.
Lineup:
1. Betts RF
2. Freeman 1B
3. Smith C
4. Arenado 3B
5. Muncy 2B
6. JDM DH
7. Peralta/Taylor LF
8. Outman CF
9. Rojas SS
Or you could put Mookie at SS and have Heyward platoon with Kike in RF!
That would be a bona fide championship caliber lineup.
Add two power arms to the pen and we are ready to battle the best. Bickford and Bruehl and Vesia should not be on a postseason roster.
Go Dodgers!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Bruihl and Bickford maybe, but Vesia has been nails for a while. Last night was not all on Bickford. Taylor’s bad throw put him in a bad spot. Different situation if the runner is on second with one out, than first and third, no outs.
Disagree on Vesia. He is on hot streak now. But of course 2 months to go on making those decisions.
Works for me.
Did you get Bradley’s approval.
I’d believe in that report more if if included Cartaya or Rushing to the Cards. If I was the Cards GM, I’d insist on one of those guys.
Since we’re all speculating, my gut tells me AF is feverishly working to get Arenado in Dodgers blue thru a 3-way deal.
Absolutely make the deal for Arenado! Maybe include Montgomery? Try and resign JD for next year. Walker back next year, Miller,maybe Julio, with Gonsolin, Stone, Clayton (hopefully). No need for ohtani.
Okay, Ohtani is not going to be traded. The Angels hope to keep him. We’ll see how the free agency plays out this winter.
The point that Friedman was making in the Times series is you have to deal with not only the present, but the future when making deals. It’s that way every trade deadline.
It’s the reason the Dodgers avoid the roller coaster rides that most organizations go through. The ability to maintain a strong farm system and sustain success at the major league level is what separates the Dodgers from other teams.
Shout to Jason Hayward. He’s been miles better than advertised.
He seems to put together decent ABs nearly every time he’s up.
I would do that proposed trade (above) for Nolan. He is a Stud and we would have the solution to the 3rd Base problem we have had for a while, and would lock it down for the next 4 and a bit years.
Mookie
Freddie
Will
Nolan
Is a pretty good staring point for anyone.
I’m still kicking the tires on Blake Snell regardless of whether SD really wants to trade with us.
Agree on Snell. Having a very good year and has proven to pitch big in the postseason.
top 3 in ERA so far.
Go Dodgers!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Man, he’d be a season altering acquisition.
However, I still can’t see San Diego sending him to us to help us win a ring unless they’re blown away with Bobby Miller AND Dalton Rushing (and maybe sending the Chargers back to SD as well)
They can have the CHargers…..Miller, no chance.
Miller should be one of our untouchables .
And isn´t Snell a free agent after this season ? So this would be a two month rental.
Not worth Miller and Rushing. No way in he.ll.
Rushing plus Grove or Pepiot, maybe.
Go Dodgers!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I agree with you on what SHOULD be the cost for Snell.
But the Dodgers’ price tag for Snell will be higher than anyone else’s. SD has zero desire to ship him to LA unless they get blown away is my humble opinion.
Two chances SD trades Snell to the Dodgers, slim and non-existent. Not a snowballs chance in hell.
Roberts gets credit for the loss or at least honorable mention. Ray Charles could see Grove was done. Roberts should have pulled him after there were two on. Even the double play ball was hit pretty hard. It’s possible that game could have been won in regulation if Grove was pulled and the reliever gave up just one run.
Let me rephrase something. I said earlier! The dodgers should RETIRE Austin! Pay him and make him a coach. Sorry Mark. And on Bickford, every team has one or two pitchers who are not high leverage relievers. Bickford is that for the dodgers. But I like the guy! I don’t get anxious when he comes in because he has about a 60-40 chance for a clean inning. Graterol scares the crap out of me! I know his. Numbers, but still scary! Really love being on this forum! Mark had really good posts and I agree with most of his thoughts. Not on Kiki though. Like to remember his 3 homer playoff game from time to time. But try like hell to forget the bump with Cody. Love reading Bradley’s trade ideas! Won’t work but love the enthusiasm! Especially love the stuff you post Bear! Sound like the perfect guy to have a beer with and watch a game! Last thing, I still get sticker shock when I look at the Braves and the contracts they gave Acunia, Albies and others. And we might spend 600 million on ohtani! No thanks
They lost because Graterol hung a fastball right in the middle of the plate to a fastball hitting power hitter. I would enjoy that Dodger dad. I love going to games. I have met Mark, Watford, Jayne Cobb, Bullpen & Penguins, and Patch. Three of us met up out in Rancho for a Quakes game once. Four of us met up at a Sports bar to watch a Dodger game on the tube when they were in Chicago, I think. Bradley has a ton of passion, but half of his trade ideas have absolutely no chance of ever happening. The other day he did make a suggestion that made sense. It was for an outfielder they might have some interest in, Lane Thomas from the Nats.
I nominate Taylor’s throw as the prime reason the Dodgers lost.
Defense is paramount in extra innings these days.
I agree with Bradley on that one also. But Arenado is my biggest wish!
I would love to see the guy as a Dodger. He would cost an awful lot in players and in cash. He is owed 105 million. Rockies paying some of that. But still a big tab.
From the rumors I hear that Friedman sounds like making a major trade shakeup. He knows he needs pitching starters and relief a right-handed hitter and the backup catcher can’t hit. So in order to get those needs you have eto trade for them. I say it right now ARENADO! Let’s see a right handed bat that plays a better thirdbase and Stlouis having a down year the only chance to get him and how about go get Flarethy and Montgomery. Then to improve outfield you go look at the nationals or the As and get Thomas or Rooker. One of those would help the ball club an shows teams want prospects. Problem is we still need a backup catcher so trade Barnes to a team that is out of it. How about the As for there catcher. Hear me. Barnes could teach these youngsters a thing or to be perfect for Barnes.
Bradley, what part don’t you understand that Barnes lacks commercial value or interest from any MLB team?
Who is interested in a guy who is owed 3.5 Million Dollars Guaranteed.
Your delirious passion for the team misplaces reality. Your proposals seem more like wishes. Ha, don’t suggest that I make predictions or proposals because I don’t smoke weed.
Jose Barnes bat stinks right. But he is a good catcher so why not trade him to a team with young pitchers so he teaches them how to pitch apparently he is going to be a coach some day because pitchers listen to him. That’s his his value as a player coach to a team that has young pitching. Not for a team in a playoff chase and wants a world series. And this is the only time we could get Arenaldo to LA before usually there in the playoffs race so my projections you go get the best third baseman where we are week at right Jose. That’s my projections and to improve the team just trying to improve the team to beat the Braves Jose.
Oh the growing pains of watching Grove pitch. He sails along through 3 and then the wheels come flying off. One location mistake after another, especially when he gets ahead in counts.
Successful veteran pitchers learn how to minimize the casualties. How to work out of tight spots. Grove can’t make that big pitch when he’s in trouble. He’ll learn from the School of Hard Knocks eventually but it’s tough to watch now.
* There is a good articles by Patrick Mooney for The Athletic on Bellinger. “Don’t overthink it when it appears to be this simple: Bellinger will not be traded as long as the Cubs keep winning. And Bellinger will sign back here as a free agent if the Cubs offer him the most money.” And the Cubs have money.
Bellinger is hitting .452 (33-for-73) in July with seven home runs, a 1.270 OPS, 18 runs scored and 22 RBIs in 19 games.
Discussing changes he’s made with the Cubs, “He can get down 0-1 and take a big swing, and then you’ll see the next swing cut down a little bit. Some guys just have a driver and a 3-wood, right? Belli’s got the driver. He’s got the pitching wedge.” For whatever reason, we never saw that in LA.
Changes in Latitudes, changes in Attitudes.
Good call, MT
Dodgers acquire Kike Hernandez
Let the good times roll!!!
The Sox are expected to receive two upper levels minor league relievers
They got Robertson and Hagenmann.
So Kike is indeed returning. Just heard the report on the radio. There’s a rumor that turned out to be true.
Loved Kike with the Dodgers, but he’s been pretty awful this year, and a chance of scenery can’t hurt. Or at least it can’t hurt Kike… but it could hurt the Dodgers. Not exactly the bold move I’ve been hoping for.
As I write this, I haven’t heard what the Dodgers are giving up. Can’t be much. Sounds like the Red Sox wanted to move on. Maybe the proverbial PTBNL.
Just a little chess move to set up something else? Perhaps the brass wants another veteran UT guy for the postseason. A little cushion for after Busch or Vargas get traded.
Kike’s OPS this season is .599. He’s been terrible at SS, especially his throw. He’s been a bit better against southpaws, at .652.
Right now I’d classify this under WTF?
But after another move or two it could make sense.
The Sox are receiving Nick Robertson and Justin Hagenman, tweets Jeff Passan of ESPN.
We’ll be fine.
The players named later–pretty quickly.
I”m guessing our minor league rankings won’t drop too much.
Happy to have Kike back in LA where he is happy and has been productive. I will take his .811 OPS against LHP to the bank. As I recall, I think he does well in the playoffs too. I will have to check on that….this just coming off the top of my head.
Kike is a .269 hitter in the playoffs. This might surprise you, he has as many playoff homers as Corey Seager and Justin Turner, 13, Granted 5 of those came with Boston in 2021 ALDS and ALCS. As a Dodger he ran hot and cold in the playoffs. His best of course was against the Cubs in 17. In 2020, he had a very good series against the Braves in the NLCS, but his World Series numbers were not that good. Overall, in 3 World Series he hit .179 with 1 homer and 5 RBI’s. The homer was in 2018 against the Red Sox. His numbers in the NLCS .205/5/9. NLDS .250/2/4. Not that great.
Thanks Bear….not too shabby. Just keep him on the bench in the WS, but let him loose in the playoffs before the WS.
Evidently the umpires had Michael Grove change his pants between innings. After the change was when he gave up 2 runs and the conspiracy begins.
https://www.si.com/extra-mustard/2023/07/25/dodgers-michael-grove-forced-to-change-pants-by-umps-fans-react
So, the umpires had a hand in the game. At the very least, they should have confiscated them and had them tested. If they didn’t, they’re dumbasses!
I had to change my pants too. Right after I heard we got Kike.
10:10 PM ET
Blue Jays (56-45)
Dodgers (57-42)
SP Chris Bassitt R
10-5 3.92 ERA
SP Julio Urias L
7-6 5.02 ERA
Confirmed Lineup
2B Mookie Betts R
1B F. Freeman L
C Will Smith R
3B Max Muncy L
DH J. Martinez R
LF D. Peralta L
RF J. Heyward L
CF James Outman L
SS Miguel Rojas R
81° Wind 9 mph Out
Robertson and Hagenman could both be solid pitchers. They are very good at AAA, but lack “overpowering” or unique stuff. Maybe one or both will learn another pitch.
That neither was a Top 30 Prospect is a testament to how deep the Dodgers system is. It will be interesting to see if one or both breaks Boston’s Top 30.
LHP Javen Coleman is returning to LSU.
He was taken in Rd. 16 (490) by the Dodgers but the sides were far apart in the negotiations.
I just read a piece by Juan Toribio who wrote the following:
Noah Syndergaard was at Dodger Stadium on Monday, but that has been a failed experiment since he landed on the IL in June, and it’s very unlikely that he pitches again for Los Angeles this season.
I think he knows something we don’t.
Probably does. He made 2 re-hab starts and neither was encouraging. Kike coming back will be fun for his friends in the dugout and clubhouse. He is if nothing else, enthusiastic. But it is like putting a band-aid on a gunshot wound. He still strikes out way to much for the kind of hitter he is.
You’re judging him by what he did against RHP and LHP. If he just hits against LHP,
I think he will be very, very good. He will cost DeLuca his spot on the 26-man.
Mark, his numbers against lefties this season suck. He has one homer off of left-handed pitching and 5 off of righties. Overall his average against lefties is .260 with a .658 OPS. Not great. But what is disturbing to me is his numbers against left-handed starters. His BA against lefty starters is .188. His OPS against left-handed starters is .465. He has struck out 18 times against LH starting pitching in 92 at bats. By comparison, Chris Taylor, who plays many of the same positions Kike does, has a BA of only .203 against LHP, but his OPS is .818. He hits leftie starters at .211 with 6 homers and his OPS against leftie starters is .863, Sorry, I do not see any upgrade anywhere. Other than the energy he brings on the bench and in the clubhouse, he is just a bad version of Chris Taylor.
He might cost Yonny his spot and JDL might stick around for awhile until they decide what to do with Trayce.
Thank you
Well one thing we know, Kike will NOT be wearing # 14. It is now retired for Gil Hodges.
Oh good point; I totally forgot about that
he’ll be #8
I don’t see the Kike trade as a big gamble one way or another. So he has 2 months to see what he can do. If he is crap they can just leave him off the playoff roster. He didn’t cost much.
Nope, not a gamble at all, but certainly not a great move either. Just a sidestep. Dodgers also signed LH reliever, Ryan Sheriff to a minor league contract.
for now I would say, Dodgers get Kike back’. YAWN
PRESS RELEASE
DODGERS ACQUIRE KIKÉ HERNÁNDEZ
LOS ANGELES – The Los Angeles Dodgers acquired infielder/outfielder Kiké Hernández and cash from the Boston Red Sox in exchange for right-handed pitchers Nick Robertson and Justin Hagenman.
Hernández, 31, returns to the Dodgers for his second stint with the club after helping the 2020 team capture their 7th World Series Championship in franchise history. The Puerto Rican native is batting .222 (66-for-297) with 11 doubles, six homers and 31 RBI in 76 games with the Red Sox. He has been with Boston parts of three seasons, slashing .234/.308/.382 with 32 homers and 136 RBI. Prior to joining Boston, he spent six seasons with the Dodgers, hitting .240 (400-for-1670) with 68 homers and 213 RBI in 648 games. During his career, he has been in the postseason seven seasons, clubbing 13 homers and driving in 27 and posting a .900 career OPS in 69 postseason games. He was originally drafted by the Houston Astros in the sixth round of the 2009 First Year Player Draft out of the American Military Academy out of Toa Baja, Puerto Rico.
Robertson, 24, appeared in nine games for the Dodgers, allowing 10 runs (seven earned) in 10.1 innings with 13 strikeouts. With Oklahoma City, he was 2-0 with a 2.54 ERA (8 ER/28.1 IP) and 42 strikeouts. He is in his fourth minor league season with the Dodgers, and he is a combined 5-7 with a 3.54 ERA (67 ER/170.1 IP) and 215 strikeouts in 135 games. He was originally a seventh-round selection in the 2019 First Year Player Draft out of James Madison University.
Hagenman, 26, appeared in 25 games (five starts) for Triple-A Oklahoma City, going 4-0 with a 2.78 ERA (17 ER/55.0 IP) with 60 strikeouts. In five minor league seasons with the Dodgers, he was a combined 26-9 with a 3.61 ERA (115 ER/287.0 IP) and 295 strikeouts in 156 games (10 starts). He was originally drafted by the Dodgers in the 23rd round of the 2018 First Year Player Draft out of Penn State University.
We’re good now. Hope Kike can at least pitch into the sixth inning.
I said a few days ago that if Andrew Friedman and Company brought Thor back, I was down with it because I trust them, Evidently (according to Juan Toribio, they are not) and I am down with that too.
I am not saying that Kiki is the Dodgers’ Savior, but he is intriguing. It’s true that he is not doing great against LHP this year, but it’s a small sampling as he has only 86 PA against LHP. He did hit .260, and he struck out 10 times. That’s one out of 8 times. Against RHP, he struck out 1one out of 4 times.
This is a low cost move that could pay BIG dividends.
Potentially, the acquisition of Kike gives the Dodgers the option of moving Mookie to the infield. I know many are skeptical of Kike, but he should be in a different role as I think he will only play against LHP.
Against LHP:
1. Betts 2B (R)
2. Freeman 1B (L)
3. Smith C (R)
4. Muncy 3B (L)
5. JDM DH (R)
6. Kike RF (R)
7. CT3 LF (R)
8. DeLuca CF (R)
9. Rojas (R)
The Dodgers are averaging .227 against LHP this year, so at .260, Kike is an upgrade! In the past three years, the Dodgers have a losing record against LHP. They are trying to remedy that. Over his career, Lane Thomas BA against RHP is worse than Kike’s and his OPS is just a few points better.
I am a Big Kike Supporter. I like this deal.
Not every transaction has to be a ‘blockbuster.’
Exactly!
Most deals aren’t. Maybe Kike works out. We’ll see.
The Dodgers have hit righties just fine. That’s when Heyward and Peralta play, and Mookie moves to the middle infield.
Against northpaws, the Dodgers are second to the mighty Braves in OPS.
Against southpaws, the Dodgers are 7th–not bad, but not great. And the Braves are Numero Uno against lefties too .
Mark, I think you need to double-check your stats comparing Kike and Lane Thomas.
According to MLB.com , against lefties this season, Lane Thomas has hit to a 1.061 OPS. That compares to Kike’s .652 against southpaws.
Against righties, Thomas is at .719, which is close to league average, while Kike is down at .580.
To me, career stats are a secondary consideration this far into the season. I follow the spirit of “what have you done for us lately? ”
Also, it’s apparent that Thomas, at 27, is having a breakout season, while Kike, at age 31, seems to be slipping on both offense and defense.
Now if only Barnes could get back to his career averages…
Yeah, my last sentence was wrong. That’s what I get for talking on the phone, watching the game and posting. I deleted the wrong part.
Mark, his numbers against LH starting pitchers is not even close to .260. He is hitting .188 when the starting pitcher is left-handed. Definitely not an upgrade. His OPS against LH starting pitchers is .468. Horrible. He has one homer against lefties and 6 against righty’s I do not see how that helps LA against LH pitching. Kike is not the same player he was even a couple of years ago. He did not cost much, a couple of AAA pitchers, but he is worse than Chris Taylor right now. Taylor is hitting lefties better than Kike at least power wise. And he is hitting left handed starters at .211. Well over Kike’s .188. The numbers do not lie. This does not improve the team.
Of more concern that getting a mediocre hitter like Kike is the regression and continued demise of Julio Urias. Supposedly he is the team’s ace. He is not pitching like it. he keeps putting the team in an early hole.
Just my speculation, but I’m guessing the Kiki acquisition is AF’s attempt to “posture” with other GM’s in talks to acquire certain players.
What does this mean?
No podemos batear con hombres en posición de anotar Betts frío frio
Ugh.
Wow… Helluva comeback….
Just a little more, please.
bunt failed but we still won
Great win!!!!!! Outman!!!! He’s earning his own place on the team!! His new surname si Hitman ha ha ha
Would it be insensitive to point out that Mark just proposed a righty-heavy lineup that included Kike but left Outman on the pine?
Pretty good night for the guy who did not get sent down to OKC before Vargas…. and who, by the way, doesn’t seem to care if the pitcher’s paw is from the south or north. (You can look it up.)
Not only did Outman get the game-winning hit, but he sparked that huge ninth-inning rally with a single.
Amazing game.
Wow. Just wow
WHAT A WIN!
Definitely the best win of the season.
Isn’t it lovely watching Springer struggle so badly and look so unhappy about it !!!