Dodgers acquire CF Luis Robert Jr., LHP Garrett Crochet and RHP Michael Kopech from White Sox for RHP Nick Frasso, LHP Justin Wrobleski, RHP Kyle Hurt, RHP Payton Martin, C Dalton Rushing, OF Andy Pages and SS Emil Morales
That’s a headline in The Athletic today. It was written by Crazy Jim Bowden, so there is that.
Would you do that? I would not say no.
I WOULD SAY HELL NO!
This is why he is no longer a GM.
You should be thanking Jim Bowden. Gave you something to write and talk about today.
It’s odd that Bowden didn’t include DeJong in this deal. With Mookie out, he makes more sense than Kopech.
I would not be quick to dismiss any deal that involved Robert and Crochet. Both are big-impact type talents who have proven themselves in the majors.
You never know which prospects might hit. A lot of “sure things” fall short. The player with the most ML experience on Bowden’s list is Pages. So far, he’s been pretty good, but he still hasn’t shown as much ashan what Outman showed in ’23–and Outman is now back in OKC.
All Roberts did inin ’23 was hit to an OPS of .857 with 38 HRs and 36 doubles while playing top-tier defense in centerfield. And he’s got a team-friendly contract for another 3.5 years.
Why would the Dodgers want a guy like that?
As for Crochet, the lefty now has a 6-5 record for a terrible team, with an ERA of 3.16, a WHIP of 0.90 and a BAA of .182.
Again, why would the Dodgers want a guy like that?
We don’t need Crochet and Kopeck. Just Robert Jr. Rushing, Pages and one of those pitchers and another younger player.
Pages is outplaying Robert at this point. He went 0-5 tonight with another strikeout. He is now hitting .176. No way he is worth that package. Gomes said today, there will be no immediate changes. The team will evaluate the trade market when the time comes. So, forget some blockbuster deal happening anytime soon.
A hard NO!!!
NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!
I would not trade Pages straight up for Robert jun. as of today.
Pages is the better player today.
Excellent game by Paxton yesterday. Exactly what the Dodgers needed from their starter.
Feyereisen is toast. Ticket straight back to OKC.
Go Dodgers!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Ram, you have a pretty high opinion of a rookie who is now hitting to a .724 OPS, with seven HRs and sometimes erratic defense. Pages has certainly been more encouraging than a lot of teammates.
But is Pages better than Outman? Last season, Outman hit to a .790 OPS and played superior defenses in centerfield, finishing 3rd in ROY balloting. Now he’s playing great in OKC and should get back to the majors at some point.
But Luis Robert Jr. is much more accomplished than either of these guys on both offense and defense, and he’s under a team-friendly contract for 3.5 years.
If the Sox are dealing, one of the contenders will get Robert. Perhaps it will be the Braves, who can use a big bat to replace Acuna. Or maybe the Phils, who could slot him right behind Bryce Harper. He’d be an upgrade to an already formidable lineup.
It’s not hard to imagine the Dodgers facing the Braves or Phils and wishing they had Roberts in their lineup.
The way Robert is playing, no thanks. The guy is a shell of the player he was. Now if he was healthy maybe, but not the player I see right now. He struck out again tonight and is hitting .176 with 7 bombs.
There are a lot of good players who put up poor stats in small samples. Just as there are a lot of mediocre players who put up strong stats in small samples.
And there are also some very talented players having down years.
If, say, the Mariners’ Julio Rodriguez was put on the market, would you ignore him because his OPS is only .669? How about ROY Corbin Carroll and his .631 OPS?
Coming back from injury, Robert has only had 70 ABs and is hitting to a .733 OPS….following his .857 OPS in ’23 with 38 HRs and 36 doubles. His 7 bombs this season translate to 1 HR every 10 ABs. Yes, he is a slugger.
If the Dodgers don’t want him, I’m sure the Phils and Braves would be happy to provide him a home. Robert would improve a lot of teams angling for the playoffs.
I have been as guilty as anyone in the criticism of AF, Roberts, the inconsistent offense by the top of the order, and the non-existent offense from the bottom of the order. Over the past few weeks many have wanted to trade for this player or that player to fill the dark hole that is the bottom 3 (4 with Muncy out and now 5 with Mookie sidelined) in the order. Yep, it’s not the three superstars and three stars that fill the top six spots. It’s the bottom three that are making the difference in whether the Dodgers win or lose..
Recently, there has been improvement from that dark void. Andy Pages settling in and Lux showing signs of hitting improvement there leaves only one true weakness in the lineup. That is currently being filled by Kiki, CT3, or Biggio (again, why?). Miguel Rojas has turned things around so far this season and in just in time with Mookie’s injury. Heyward is continuing to get better after his injury.
In the past when there have been criticisms of Roberts’ sometimes questionable moves, Mark and others have reminded us that it is the players that have failed to produce when called upon. Yes, maybe Roberts’s decisions have put players in a spot to fail. But, bottom line, it’s the player that needs to do what he is paid to do. I mean consider this lineup for October:
Betts
Ohtani
Freeman
Smith
Muncy
T Hernandez
Pages
Heyward
Lux
A starting staff that may be available::
Glasnow
Yamamoto
Stone
Kershaw
Buehler
Miller
Paxton
Knack
And a BP of:that could include:
Vesia
Phillips
Treinen
Banda
Grove
Hudson
Yarbrough
And maybe returning from injury:
Graterol
Braiser
Kelly
Hurt
Talk about position talent and pitching depth! If the Dodgers can’t win a World Series with these players then I certainly don’t know what the Dodgers front office can do to make that happen. It’s up to the players to take advantage of the talented roster they have. A true superstar excels at the biggest moments. The past couple of years they have failed to do so. Will the addition of Ohtani and Teoscar help provide a different outcome?
The 1988 World Series Champion Dodgers had this game 1 lineup:
Sax 2B, Stubbs 1B, Hatcher LF, Marshall RF, Shelby CF, Scioscia C, Hamilton, 3B, Griffin SS
Yes, the group above beat a team that would go on to three straight World Series (1988-1990) Talk about over achieving!!
So, even with the recent injuries, I don’t think we need Robert Jr, Adames, Lindor, JDM, Tucker, Bichette or anyone else right now. We need the players that are here to produce when called upon and to do so in the biggest moments. That’s what a World Champion does!!
Carry on
absolutely NOT
I’m assuming this was to be a response to Bluto’s post and question? If so, very funny…..and sarcastic!
Can you explain what data or analysis led you to this conclusion:
Yep, it’s not the three superstars and three stars that fill the top six spots. It’s the bottom three that are making the difference in whether the Dodgers win or lose..
Bluto, that was said in sarcasm. The data shows that the top six hitters, when healthy, are better than the bottom three when it comes to hitting a baseball. Analysis not required! Again, sarcasm. I appreciate your interest.
Some posters continue to direct blame the bottom three or four hitters for not pulling their weight if the Dodgers lose. With the talent in the top 5-6 in the Dodger lineup should be enough to overcome any temporary lapses by the bottom three or four. And the bottom of the order is improving.
Baseball is hard. It’s a long season. Offensive results are constantly changing along with availability.
We need. Sarcasm emoji!
Indeed
Certainly an oversight.: You left Rojas out of your lineup, and he is outperforming Lux by a wide margin.
The Dodgers have an abundance of talent, but the team has some obvious flaws. Taylor certainly stands out, but Kike has not performed well either. Neither has Lux. While he is showing signs of improvement, won’t Mookie’s return push him to the bench?
Looking ahead to the playoffs, I’m concerned with how the Dodgers pitching matches up to the Philliies and Yankees, especially the starters.
Overall, the Dodgers are 4th in the ML in ERA, so that’s fine. But the Phillies can roll out aces veteran Wheeler and Nola–and now Cy candidate Ranger Suarez, with a 1.77 ERA and a 10-1 record. The Yankees will soon welcome the return of Garret Cole to join the surprising rookie Luis Gil (9-1, with a 2.03 ERA) with a rejuvenated Rodon and solid Stroman.
Glasnow and Yamamoto (if healthy) is a good 1-2 punch. Right now, Stone or Paxton is no. 3. Will that be strong enough? Can the Dodgers count on Kershaw, Miller or Buehler to step forward?
Ted –
Great post! The only comment I have is that Kirk Gibson’s famous home run was a major factor in the outcome of 1988 World Series; but he was the team leader all year. The only question I have this year is who is the team’s leader who will make the difference in the 2024 playoffs? While there are 4-5 current players with the talent to deliver big performances that can carry a team, I am not sure I see a Kirk Gibson-type team leader. I would be interested in poster opinions on this question…
Freeman can be that guy so can Shohei or Will or Teo.
I think we’ll look back and this injury to Mookie will be a blessing in disguise. He will be a beast in the Post Season this year. If we get the pitching, I like our chances vs anyone.
Kirk Gibson’s fiery personality was what that Dodgers team needed. The Phillies have fiery types like Harper and Realmuto. Judge is the Yankee’s captain, and Soto plays with swagger.
While Gibson was vital to the Dodgers championship, his performance in the WS began and ended with that magnificent homer.
Do these Dodgers need a Gibsoneque leader? Not so sure. Just as Roberts doesn’t have to be like Lasorda.
This team is different–and much more talented. Mookie has been a leader since he arrived. He leads by example more than words, demonstrating an impressive work ethic and a willingness to play wherever the team needs him. Before he joined the Dodgers, Shohei said that Mookie is the player that he most admired in the game. Kershaw has long been perceived as a leader. Guys like Heyward, Rojas and Barnes are credited for their roles in the clubhouse
God no.
Hard no to that trade. If they could get Robert Jr. for a lesser package, one that did not include Pages, I might do it. But he is hitting .186 at this point. But he also only has 70 at bats. He now has 7 homers and 10 driven in which means he is doing most of his damage without runners on base. DeJong has 14 homers. My concern with Robert Jr. is that he has 31 Ks in those 70 at bats. On a team like this, which already has some whiff artists, that is just way too high of a percentage. Let’s see what his stats look like when he gets to 150 at bats. DeJong is hitting .240 with 29 RBIs. I would trade no more than one top 10 prospect for Robert Jr.
Yes, a small sample size for a player coming off an injury…. and playing on a crappy team without much protection in the lineup.
Robert’s talent was on display in ’23. Yes, injury is a risk. But when he’s healthy, he’s a major force.
Would you think the Dodgers lucked out if the Braves or Phillies land Robert and his team-friendly contract for the next 3.5 years?
He is injury prone. Last year was the only season in his career that he has played more than 100 games. Sorry, I can’t see giving up Pages for a guy who is an accident waiting to happen. Robert might have more talent, but he can’t stay on the field. I had the same reservations about Seager, who also has trouble staying healthy. And I remember all the disdain for Matt Kemp when he was injured most of 2012 and 13. Crappy team or no, I would rather have Arozarena than Robert. At least he has a post season track record of being very good. Let the Phillies or the Braves have the headache.
If you include DeJong and Chris Taylor… YES!
The future does not matter as much as the present, tomorrow we worry about tomorrow, today we must worry about today. Maybe that’s what this team is missing, starting to focus on this season before worrying about the next one.
I had suggested over the winter that we trade for Robert, Jr. but again, injuries have dramatically impacted his playing time in four of his five years. He has had one good year and now is struggling mightily. I would not consider trading for him unless he shows a great deal of progress at bat.
DeJong also strikes out a lot and as long as Miggy Ro is healthy, he is better!
With Teoscar, we already strike out in epic proportions. It seems to me that the Dodgers need Miguel Vargas in LF. Let Pages and J-Hey split time in CF.
Do you play Vargas full-time in LF?
Why haven’t the Dodgers given him more of that “runway” this season?
For most of this season, Roberts has been playing Teoscar and Pages full-time, while Heyward gets starts against righthanded pitching. Mookie’s absence should provide more ABs for Lux, but I’m not sure Vargas will get that kind of opportunity.
A lot of us wish the Dodgers had more high-contact, high on-base, low-K hitters, but the front office often just seems to value slug much more highly.
Vargas will only play against left handed pitchers in LF.
But why?
Mark says he’s an equal-opportunity hit machine, adept against paws both south and north.
I’d be happy to see Vargas get this kind of opportunity for at least a couple of weeks.
If Vargas comes on strong, perhaps he’s a keeper. But if not, why would the Dodgers keep a young player they simply see as a platoon option against lefties? Especially one who is not perceived as an option in CF or RF.
If Vargas succeeds, AF could decide to platoon Pages and Outman in center, or include one in a package for Luis Robert. Or whatever.
Agree to Marks post
As of now, no to that trade scenario. But in 6 weeks? ..maybe… with a tweak or 2.
A lot can change between now and July 30.
Amen!
Bruce Kuntz in Dodger Digest has a very encouraging look at some of prospects who are still a few years away from the majors.
The abundance of talent is one reason I am less inclined to hug prospects than some folks here. Most prospects will never enjoy the kind of success that both Robert and Crochet have demonstrated at the highest level. IF you can trade unproven prospects for proven impact players…. well, is that such a terrible idea?
I really like Rushing, but if he gets dealt the Dodgers still have Cartaya and Liranzo as future catching options–and of course Will Smith is under contract for a decade! I really like Hurt too, but there are guys like Wrobleski, Dreyer, Henriquez, Gamboa, Kopp and others coming up. And that late-bloomer Peterson too…
And if the Dodgers are dealing with teams like the Sox, Marlins and A’s, why not include the “4A” types like Ryan Ward who are crushing in OKC but are routinely passed over by the big club? It would be great if some of these aging prospects get a chance on teams that need help.
Please, Cartaya barely hitting .200 at AA. He is only 22, but his bat to ball skills have deteriorated, not improved. Liranzo is hitting in the .230’s at high A. Rushing is closer and has better bat to ball skills than either of those guys. And the way Robert is playing, no thanks.
AF is going to make a big move. This team is in a win NOW WS mode. We have a great depth of moderate-good young talent to get something big done. A lot of these young guys are blocked by excess numbers, especially pitching. All chips into the pot! Thats my call. We’ll see at the deadline.
100% on every thought you expressed. And I’m betting Lux will be moved by the deadline
8:40 PM ET
Dodgers (45-29)
Rockies (25-47)
SP Walker Buehler R
1-4 4.64 ERA
SP Austin Gomber L
1-4 4.26 ERA
Confirmed Lineup
DH S. Ohtani L
C Will Smith R
1B F. Freeman L
RF T. Hernandez R
CF Andy Pages R
SS Miguel Rojas R
3B E. Hernandez R
LF M. Vargas R
2B Chris Taylor R
73° Wind 10 mph R-L
7 RH hitters.
Are they?
Hoping to see Walker take a step forward in a tough pitching environment tonight.
Need him and Miller to step-up over the next 4 -6 weeks and show they can be a factor down the stretch and in the playoffs , preferably as starters.
Although only 1 could potentially be needed.
And if not, strong reliable bullpen arms.
They have time, just stay healthy and improve week to week.
Go Dodgers!!
Dodgers AAA going up against Colorado’s Kyle Freeland tonight in a rehab start.
Let’s see if they can get some good AB’s against him.
First inning would be a no.
Outman against a crafty lefty= Strike 3
Go Dodgers !!
That has to be a blow to your ego to be platooned with Chris Taylor
And also he should see it as an ominous sign for his future with this team.
Baseball great Willie Mays has died
That was an ugly slider to Montaro. Buehler is just lost in space right now. He is the pitching version of Taylor. His 4 seamer is just getting pounded even tho it’s registering 95. Will miss the Say Hey kid
Thank you CT3
Comment that I can’t understand but have heard in the past and especially this year “the Dodgers are in World Series mode” or it’s World Series or bust. I’m in my sixth decade of life. Have been a Dodger fan for all the years that I understood what a fan entailed. I cannot recall a year that the Dodgers were not in World Series mode. Admitingly some years were a pipe dream but in most years the Dodgers had as good of a chance of anyone to win the World Series. Hence the Dodgers are in World Series mode at least for the next ten years minimum because of the contracts tho Betts and Ohtani, Freeman, etc. I understand that it is fun to speculate on changes the Dodgers need to make in order to be in a position to win the World Series. It’s hard to fandom that we have the talent, it’s a matter of coming together at the right time. Of course a tweak here and there is okay but not necessary. The Dodgers are dealing in the position of strength. Other teams covert our prospects, we don’t have to overpay at any position. We have not good but great pitching coming off the DL in both starters and in the bullpen. Some coming sooner than later. Of. Course we are down the best lead off hitter in baseball right now but replaced him with now the best lead off hitter in baseball. Rojas is better than adequate as a backup at shortstop, he’s a proven veteran. Will he continue to hit .280? Probably not but his bat and glove will suffice until we get Mookie back. Muncy will be back in the near future. We have several players at triple A that are knocking on the door like Feduccia, Lipcius, Outman, Hoese aand Owings. If need be give Alex Freeman a shot at shortstop, Adrian Beltran came from double A at 19 years old and he carved out a pretty good career. Taylor and Hernandez are a mystery as to why they are stil on the 26 man roster but in Andrew I trust. We all need to take a deep breath and say everything is going to be okay. If we jell in late September we bring home the gold. If another team gets red hot at this time we could see another team win the World Series. The new playoff system is great for revenue but it isn’t great for teams peaking in June, July, August and three weeks of September. If people on the blog don’t think the Dodgers will reach the playoffs I feel sorry for their children.
No way I trade those players for Robert, Crochet, and Kopech. Even with the injuries to Muncy, Betts, Yamamoto. They are all expected back well before the end of August. Rojas gives the Dodgers better defense at short and will be fine as a primary shortstop for a six week period of time. I like giving Vargas the platoon role opposite Heyward with a chance to earn a bigger role (two hits tonight!), continuing to start Pages every day in center, etc. Give Miller a chance to get his footing replacing Yamamoto. Definitely let this play out for the next six weeks. They have a comfortable lead in the West which allows them a degree of patience with Buehler and these internal options to replace Muncy, Betts, and Yamamoto.
It’s a shame Buehler doesn’t get the win.
TIC
Are there any Rockies fans in the stadium?
Are there any fans here? Coors special! Incredible win!
What a great comeback! Down 5 runs in the ninth, the Dodgers score 7 runs and win the game. I’m sure glad I hung in there and saw that Fantastic 9th inning.
Heading into the last inning, one broadcast showed that crazy stat about how the Dodgers were 20-0 when Miguel Rojas gets a hit.
Then Rojas got a single. And the Dodgers pulled off the ridiculous comeback.
So 21-0 when Rojas gets a hit….
Other good news: two hits from Vargas and a triple from Taylor. Roberts had Taylor play 2B for the first time this season, which enabled the righty-loaded lineup.
As for the not-good news, another rough outing for Buehler–and now reports that he may be shut down for a “reset.” Seems like a good idea. Miller will be back soon, and perhaps Kershaw sooner than we expected….
Willie Mays Dead at 93!
Best baseball player I have ever seen in person! More importantly, a class humean being. God rest his soul….
RIP Willie Mays. I have seen a lot of Hall of Famers. The two best center fielders I have ever seen were Willie Mays and Ken Griffey Jr. Mays made it look so easy. He is the one Giant I had absolute admiration and respect for. Him and Willie McCovey. I remember how Mays tried to calm Roseboro down when Marichal went after him with a bat. He kept telling Rosey, John, your hurt, you need to go to the hospital. Willie and that high pitched voice of his. Running the bases and his hat flying off of his head when he would head for third. His stats are legit. He did not need to use anything to be a better player. He just worked really hard at the game he loved. Would have had 3 MVP awards, but Wills beat him out in 62.
Willie was absolutely the best. A lot of Dodger fans hated the Giants, of course…. but did any Dodger fan hate Willie?
I think of Mookie as a kind of Willie Mays Lite–and I mean that as high praise for Mookie.
Looking like losing Betts and Yamamoto finally lite that fire that they had in the Yankee series. And for all you Fire Roberts hating armchair managing sons of bitches, and we all know who you are loss after loss going toxic, going to get my video clip of Doc pinch hitting J/Hey going yard with the slam, pin it to your damn foreheads! Bury the guy all you want when they lose, which is still total shortsighted BS, but suck it up buttercup when he makes the right move. If your going to trash , gotta praise too.
Yee-Haw!! Great comeback by the Dodgers! But man-o-man, the Rockies just showed why they are who they are.
With 2-strikes against him, the only pitch that should have been thrown Heyward was a breaking ball IN THE DIRT.
But instead he gets a knee-high hanging slider. What??! So of course, Heyward says thank you and hits his slam.
Then Teo is reeling against that flame-thrower, and no way he hits any fastball that’s NOT center-cut.
So what does he get? – a FB right down the middle to tee up!!! ..hahahahaha .. And the rest is history.
The Rocks truly are an embarrassment.
Watch the Rockies CF as Teo’s Exocet scorches over his head. He doesn’t look happy!
I love Baseball
Instead of directing temper-tantrums at the umps, he should have done it at his own pitchers for their insanely idiotic choice of pitches when JHey and Teo were down to their last strikes. But that’s why the Rockies are who they are.
Nah…. the umps are there to get yelled at.
Yelling at your own pitcher would not be cool at all.
For the Rockies, it was just brutal loss, in front of a home crowd… with a lot of happy Dodgers fans too.
Both Teo and Roberts said the call on Teo’s check swing could have gone either way.
Sometimes you get the calls, and sometimes you don’t.
But it’s pretty rare when a near-K turns into a 3-run HR.