Some blogs like the shock value of a headline like: “What is wrong with Gavin Lux?” or “When will the Dodgers trade for a real closer?” I prefer to stick to the facts. Just the facts…
There is little doubt that this team will be special. The only question is: How Special? It has a chance to be very special and while I do not think the Dodgers need a closer, I have always been worried about Gavin Lux. Oh, he is going to hit – I am just not sure that he is a shortstop. The fact that he has not played SS in a game this Spring does not worry me – what worries me is his arm. I could say “yippee ki yay” but the YIPS aren’t funny and I hope they are in the past for Young Mr. Lux.
The Dodgers are making sure that Gavin is healthy, wealthy and wise… OK, maybe just healthy. That is the right move – don’t force it. Let the game come to him. He will play SS soon enough and we will see what happens. I hope it is all good!
A few takes from Spring Training Game 3:
- I am really impressed with Andy Pages conditioning and commitment to his weight loss.
- Andy Pages arm looks just fine after shoulder surgery.
- Mookie Betts is a weapon at 2B. What a play to double off the runner in the first inning!
- Daniel Hudson could really be a weapon out of the bullpen if his injury problems are behind him.
- Jose Ramos can crush fastballs. He has trouble with the curve.
- Ryan Ward has no shot at making the team, but his hit was impressive.
- A lot of Dodger fans are really excited about Trey Sweeney. I remain unconvinced. Not a hater – Just not a shill. The dude hit .174 against LHP in the minors last year. I need to see something more. Let’s not get carried away… It’s early. He just has to prove himself. He’s still 23 years-old! I was a dumbass at that age. Still am!
- Austin Barnes is 0-5 this Spring. Forgetaboutit! Nothing to see here folks… move along!
DODGER DASHBOARD UPDATE
I have updated the Dodger Dashboard. The top one now goes to Dodgers.com, not MLB. I have also deleted a few inactive or bad sites. If you have any favorites that you think need to be there, let me know. I missed this as much as anything as this is where a fan can navigate anything “Dodgers.”
— This has been a Public Service Announcement!
Great to have the best Dodger site back! Really missed it.
For June the LF will be Miguel and the RF will be Teoscar. About 40-50 games in LF, in AAA, will do wonders for Miguel’s game, this prediction will be recorded here.
Pagés this year will be a bigleaguer but in 2025 he will be the RF.
I certainly see Pages in RF and Vargas in LF in 2025, but Vargas could hit his way onto this team out of Spring Training. Other players will have a say in that too. Margot, Lux, Rojas, and Heyward are all part of the equation. It shall be fun to see this play out.
Good luck on this, Mark …. I had a feeling you couldn’t just walk away for good…. not yet, anyway.
When the Dodgers face the Yankees this coming October, hanging on to a one-run lead in the ninth inning of Game Seven with Soto and Judge coming up, I want to see the best RP possible coming in to close it out.
And Devin Williams also be available for October ’25….
Hell, if I don’t walk away now, they will eventually have to pry my cold, dead fingers off the keyboard! 😉
Thanks everyone. Updates above.
Gavin Lux will officially make his season debut for the Dodgers at shortstop on Sunday. This will be his first time playing shortstop since tearing his ACL.
Welcome back . I missed reading your posts.
Nice to have LADT back. Thanks Mark
Always enjoy and learn.
3:05 PM ET
Athletics (0-1)
Dodgers (2-0-1)
SP Kyle Muller L
0-0 .00 ERA
SP Kyle Hurt R
0-0 .00 ERA
Confirmed Lineup
DH M. Margot R
1B F. Freeman L
C Will Smith R
2B Chris Taylor R
3B Max Muncy L
RF J. Heyward L
SS Miguel Rojas R
CF James Outman L
LF M. Vargas R
77° Wind 5 mph R-L
I guess Lux is not starting at SS.
According to multiple reports, former Los Angeles Dodgers outfielder Kyle Garlick has inked a minor league deal with the Arizona Diamondbacks.
There really is a different “vibe” between this site and the LA Chronicles site. Nothing wrong with that and the LA Chronicles site is interesting but does not provide the same tone as here. I really prefer this site.
One thing that has bothered me is the calling certain commentators “Moron.” I have never like the word and find in very demeaning.
Prior to your temporary “shutdown” there were a few comments by posters that were uncalled for and just nasty. I couldn’t understand how anyone would put up with them.
Next time, consider just deleting them and closing their accounts instead of making others pay for their lack of consideration.
Glad you are back – when should I expect the return of my $20,000 check?
I have a new policy:
Attack a person’s argument… not their character, or you will be branded a MORON!
The only person who will be called a Moron and be kicked out are those who attack a person.
Anyone can disagree, but they can’t be disagreeable.
BTW: The check was NSF.
Glad your site is back.
I really missed it!
Look forward to it every morning
Happy you’re back
Happy to have 2 great blogs to read every day and enhance our enjoyment of what could be a historic season.
I read that Lux will make his first start at SS on Monday. It’s early so a lot of players are getting long looks. By the end of the week, you should start seeing the regular’s get most of the work with replacements not coming in until after they have had 3 trips to the plate. Kike will likely sign by tomorrow. Four teams supposedly in on him, Padres, Giants, Angels and Twins. I do not think Vargas is going to hit his way onto this team unless someone is hurt. The outfield is full, Heyward, Hernandez and Outman will start most days with Margot and Taylor as the backups. Unless something really strange happens, Barnes is going to be Smith’s caddy again.
I’m glad to see you back Mark. It’s easier to navigate this website vs the other one. Everytime I refreshed the page at the other website it made me click on the comments button again and there was always that little strip at the bottom of the page that said “Josue De Paula – The Next Potential Dodger Superstar???” and “Dodger International Free Agents”. It made it a smaller screen for me to read. Maybe it’s the browser I use, I don’t know. Other than that I like Dodger Chronicles and I’ll visit there from time to time. Oh, I loved that I could use the thumbs up symbol on the other website. Please consider adding that here. It’s easier to do that instead of writing “I agree” and writing more.
To add to your bulletpoints.
* Along with what you said about Daniel Hudson, I’ll add Treinen and Feyereisen too.
* I agree with you about Trey Sweeney. What’s the hype about?
Concerning Teo Hernandez. I don’t know if it was you or that guy on twitter/X who predicted Hernandez as the established cleanup hitter. I’ve thought that already, but against LHP only.
I still don’t know why Joe Kelly was signed, considering all of the young pitchers the Dodgers have that need to be given a shot, even if it’s a temporary shot due to injuries. Joe Kelly puts those young guys one spot further away.
Anyways I’m glad you’re back Mark.
One word; experience.
Matt Kemp to be hired in an advisory position. Second former player hired in that role this off season. Nelson Cruz is the other.
Outman and Muncy both homer off of left-handed pitchers, and Outman also singled off of a lefty.
Yep. I’m glad to see both, especially Outman.
Can I keep saying and expressing my love and admiration for the fucking faggots of SD without being kicked out of here?
If you can avoid the 14th word, I’d be happier.
I am not kicking you out, but I would appreciate it if you would delete: “fucking faggots” in the future. Anybody who hates the Padres can’t be all bad! 🙂