I was tied up at the Craft Beer Conference all day yesterday. The 2025 Craft Brewers Conference & BrewExpo America was held in Indianapolis, Indiana, from April 28 to May 1, 2025. This is the premier gathering for beverage alcohol producers in the US, featuring educational seminars, exhibitors, and the awards ceremony for the World Beer Cup. We sponsored a night of music, food, and beer at Half Liter BBQ. US Water Systems is the premier provider of water treatment equipment to breweries, so I usually work the show each year, even though I am semi-retired.
Therefore, I missed the game (it really wasn’t a game), but I speed-watched it last night. It was good to see Tong G, Max, Mookie, Kike, and Barnsie have some good games. Conforto is still looking for his swing, but he gets plenty of rope. Gonsolin was in the 93 MPH range, which was fine. I think he will be a massive asset to the rotation.
I have read several comments on Gavin Lux, and I think we need to understand a few things:
- Gavin Lux is a platoon 2B (or LF as I suggested long ago). He cannot hit LHP.
- He is average as a 2B defensively, but the Dodgers knew that Tommy Edman was Gold at 2B and that Mookie would likely move back there in the future.
- The Dodgers signed Hyeseong Kim for $12 million over 3 Years, so they obviously did not have the high expectations many fans did.
- Evidently, the Reds wanted Lux in order to trade Sirota. The Dodgers have liked him since the time he was drafted. He was near the top of their draft list.
- Andrew Friedman has demonstrated that he understands how to build a team. Andy Pages is growing defensively, but is not a classic Centerfielder. However, he is improving and is solid. The plan is to move him to a corner spot when Sirota arrives, and he is on a fast track. I think 2027 is his arrival date.
- I was never “all in” on Lux. I didn’t like the draft pick, I knew he could not play SS and felt he was best in LF. I think I was right about all of it. I wish him good luck, and I watch him on occasion. He played a role for the Boys in Blue, and I am grateful to him. He also got the Dodgers Mike Sirota, which may be his greatest feat!
In 2027, the team could look like this:
C – Smith/Rushing
1B – DePaula
2B – Betts
SS – Freeland
3B – ?
LF – Hernandez
CF – Sirota
RF – Pages
DH – Ohtani
I don’t think the Dodgers have the 3B in the system… but you never know… Edman and Kim are the Utilitymen.
Great to see Kopech throwing.
Treinen, Snell, Glasnow . . .
Just be back by October, two out of three.
Mark’s ’27 lineup seems plausible to me.
But I’m still hoping to read reports about the Dodgers training De Paula to play 1B. If not, 1B could be Rushing’s full-time job, and perhaps Feduccia could be Smith’s backup.
Who’s on third?
Maybe it’s Freeland, with Edman at SS. The Dodgers love having Edman in the starting lineup every day, as they should. (Of course, this assumes that Mookie will be ready to move to 2B by ’27.)
Will Sirota succeed make it to the majors at CF? Maybe. But I think Hope is ahead of him on the futures depth chart. Hope may not be a classic centerfielder, but the Dodgers would give him a chance, just as they are giving Pages the chance.
Feduccia can become a free agent this winter.
In retrospect we probably should’ve turned Lux in a LF and platooned him with Keekay.
after watching yesterday‘s game, it’s a shame how embarrassing the Miami Marlins are! People complain about the Dodgers spending too much money, but where are all the complainers concerning the Marlins? The commissioner should be more concerned about smaller market teams not spending and putting a non-competitive team on the field! The fans in the cities should raise holy hell….. Tony Gonsolin looked great yesterday except for maybe a couple of pitches he’d like to have back! So nice to have him back in the rotation…. Really good to see Max finally get a hold of one now. Conforto needs to get on track not just for the Dodgers lineup, but for his own confidence. He’s been a good hitter over the course of his career and I believe he will snap out of this…. Now I’ve been critical of Andy Pages playing centerfield. But I don’t think we should worry about his defense, because it seems his offense has helped his defense. The confidence he’s showing right now is very inspiring. And let’s not forget want an impact Teo has had on the young man! Teo is in line for a monster season right now he might be the heart of the Dodgers! And after watching the Marlin centerfielder yesterday, I’ll shut my mouth about our centerfielder!… it looks like Austin Barnes has had a rebirth. That’s very good for Will Smith and the Dodgers team. It’s very nice to know that when Will needs rest, Barnes is capable of getting a base hit or two. We haven’t played well for a couple of weeks, and the record speaks for itself. The ability to win it all still depends on Snell , Glasnow, Yamamoto,Sasaki,Gonsolin, and possibly Clayton. We need more innings from our starters so as not to kill the bullpen. Speaking of the bullpen, can’t wait for Kopech and bazooka to get back! The young man who closed it out yesterday is not for long on this roster. Doc made me a little nervous yesterday, leaving him in as long as he did! But once again, I am not the manager, thank goodness, and dave Roberts is.. now hopefully we can take two out of three at least in Atlanta. Everything’s looking up in dodger land!
Kershaw’s line at Oklahoma City last night:
5IP 4H 3R 3ER 1BB 4K 2HR 3.38ERA 66 pitches 44 strikes
Would rather have Teo as a person than Soto. Teo brings energy to the Dodgers and is a clutch player. The Soto deal will prove not to be a good deal for the Mets and will NOT end well.Watching recent Mets games,Soto is a horrible defensive outfielder. Glad we didn’t sign him.
100% agree
Teo is OUT STAND ING
He’s essential to our success.
Soto got that insane contract for two important reasons:
#1. He has a career 159 wRC+, which puts him #22 on the all time list, and exactly the same number as Stan Musial.
#2. He’s only 26
Nevertheless, I’m glad the Dodgers didn’t pay him.
I like Teoscar. The fans like Teoscar. Teoscar seems genuinely happy to be playing for the Dodgers, and he’s a good clubhouse presence.
I don’t think he’s a better player than Soto, especially given the small sample size, bit he’s an important cog.
And yeah, Soto might have to be a DH at some point. Terrible defensive player, although Teoscar ain’t a GGer, either.
…
And if I could take every blog post where Mark bashed Lux in any and every way possible and wrote some variation of “I told ya so,” I could probably publish an encyclopedia … at least War and Peace.
Good grief!
At least we don’t have to constantly read about Miguel Vargas.
Having a “platoon” guy who absolutely rakes against right handers, who comprise the majority of MLB pitchers, isn’t the worst thing in the world, especially if you consider the guy the Dodgers are paying A LOT to be a left handed bat who plays left – same as Lux – is doing absolutely nothing.
Sirota seems like a nice prospect, but realistically he’s going to be nothing more than a defensive first fourth outfielder at the MLB level. Anointing him a starting position in 2027 is hope (or cope).
If Kim can hit .275 with a decent OBP and play GG 2nd base, sure I can live with that, but the fact that Lux is actually playing LF for the Reds, while the Dodgers spent $$$ for Conflunko bothers me a little.
And yeah, I read the rumors about Lux’s character, and I participated, but Watford correctly called that out the other day. There’s no evidence. Smearing his character is just a way to rationalize the trade.
Long term, I don’t know if this trade will be considered a success or not, but I always was enamored of Lux’s potential as a “perpetual All-Star.” If he he winds up realizing that potential, I don’t think Sirota’s worth it.
I have never smeared his character because it’s not true. Lux is no choirboy, but he was well-liked by most of his peers. He was not a problem for players. The staff was not in love with him, but that is true with many players who just want to play. I do not believe he had character problems. Trading him was a business decision. I am very high on Sirota, but he needs to move up and play well at GL… soon!
BTW, Vargas just hit a 3-Run HR and is up to .222! 😉
No more Miguelito!! Noooo!!
By the end of the year Conforto will have better #’s than Lux…..
I’ll bet that
Your on…..
Don’t know what your smoking or popping but I want some.
It’s called copium. It’s highly addictive.
Wednesday scores
El Paso 13, Oklahoma City 4
Tulsa 12, Arkansas 10
Great Lakes 6, Quad Cities 5
Rancho Cucamonga 3, Stockton 2
Thursday schedule
Game 1: El Paso (Austin Krob) at Oklahoma City (Landon Knack), 9:05 AM PST
Game 2: El Paso (Wes Benjamin) at Oklahoma City (Bobby Miller)
Game 1: Arkansas (Adam Seminaris) at Tulsa (Jared Karros), 3:00 PM PST
Game 2: Arkansas (Garret Hill) at Tulsa (Jerming Rosario)
Quad Cities (Logan Martin) at Great Lakes (Brooks Auger), 3:05 PM PST
Stockton (Sam Stuhr) at Rancho Cucamonga (Christian Zazueta), 6:30 PM PST
Sean Linan of the 45-to-6 strikeout/walk ratio (in 26 innings) started for the RC Quakes and pitched five innings, giving up two runs on five hits, striking out five and walking two.
For more detailed recaps,stats,schedules, standings and box scores for Dodger minor league teams go to the top of this page and cIick on MINOR LEAGUE AFFLIATES.
Still NOT ready for Primetime:
Bobby Miller’s line at AAA Oklahoma City this afternoon:
4IP 3H 4R 4ER 6BB 1K 92 pitches only 49 strikes
Man, he’s cooked
The Dodgers just acquired Ryan Loutos from the Cardinals for cash, and they also claimed, JP Feyereisen off waivers from the D-Backs. Blake Treinen and Michael Kopech were moved to the 60-day IL to make room on the 40-man roster. Loutos is 26 and had made three appearances for the Cardinals and not allowed a run.
I think we all had a feeling that Treinen and Kopech were hurt more than anyone let on.
JP is good when healthy, but has not been for a while.
Ryan Loutos is a typical Friedman reclamation project. 6-5 RH with a big fastball but has underperformed in the minors.
Kopech just threw a 30 pitch BP session the other day. Was there a setback?
Even if they’re not that seriously injured or are not that far off in their rehab, I have no problem keeping them on ice.
Pitch the Feyerheisens now. Save the Kopechs, Treinens and Graterols for September.
I believe May 17th is the earliest Kopech can return so he wasn’t going to beat that regardless.
I forgot to mention another BIG reason why the Dodgers traded Lux:
He will be a free agent in 2027… about the time Sirota hits the Bigs.
That seems like a justification for not trading him.
In case you don’t know, that means he had two years of control left. How is that any justification when everyone knows Mookie is going to 2B in the next year or two?
Well, his trade value is going up based on his hitting so far.
Sirota is playing well…..at Rancho Cucamonga.
Jose Ramos is playing well at Tulsa. He’s 24 now… so perhaps a slightly late bloomer?
Hope is outplaying both of them, so I’d place him higher on the OF depth chart.
And Outman is playing well enough in OKC for a return engagement in the bigs–if somebody gets a boo-boo.
PS–Remember that the Dodgers also picked up a draft pick from the Reds in the Lux trade. The PTBNL could be the best one in the deal.
The Los Angeles Dodgers are the deepest and best run organization in professional sports! From the complex league and every aspect of Camelback Ranch all the way to the bigs, the Blue is unrivaled. The only thing important is eating precious and valuable innings. The names of the Starters and the Bullpen are unimportant right now. As for hitting we are in a really good spot. They are giving the fans a great product. I’m impressed.
Book em
In the postseason it changes from eating innings to getting outs.
Buehler (shoulder) did not bounce back well from his start Saturday and is back in Boston for testing while the team is in Toronto, Christopher Smith of MassLive.com reports.
“Buehler is dealing with shoulder soreness as Boston is unsure if a trip to the injured list will be needed. The right-hander was expected to start Friday, but Brayan Bello is now set to take the mound instead, Jen McCaffrey of The Athletic reports. Saturday will now be open for a pitcher to be named later with Garret Crochet remaining set to pitch Sunday”.
Shit
Lots of cardinals fans up in arms over Loutos trade. Screaming the cards just gave him to the dodgers! Looks as if AF may have fleeced another GM again!
Really?
Haven’t seen anything on the webz like this. I dont Twitter. Is it there?
The fact of the matter is that Loutos has been horrible in the minors. Most baseball people are genuinely “good” people and realize that sometimes a player needs a change of scenery and a different voice. This was a case like that.
So maybe Bobby Miller just needs a change of scenery and a different voice…
Miller + Taylor for …. Arenado?
Two chances that Nolan is ever a Dodger:
1. Slim
2. None
But, I agree that Miller might benefit from a change.
Taylor and Muncy would better match Arenado’s salary this year but then the Dodgers would be stuck with Arenado for a few more years. I’d rather put Freeland at third and Max on the bench.
Speaking of crazy but not any crazier than trading for Arenado, well maybe a little bit, how about Pages, Taylor, Muncy, and Glasnow for Trout?
LF Trout, CF Outman, RF Hernandez
I hear Mitch Haniger is available.
no twitter. just saw it on some web sites. he is or has been highly touted. cash considerations are the reason some are upset. Cardinal fans don’t have much to root for these days.
Thursday scores:
Oklahoma City 4, El Paso 3, game 1
Oklahoma City 12, El Paso 5, game 2
Tulsa 6, Arkansas 5, game 1
Arkansas 7, Tulsa 2, game 2
Quad Cities at Great Lakes, postponed due to rain
Rancho Cucamonga 14, Stockton 2
Friday schedule
Quad Cities (Frank Mozzicato) at Great Lakes (Wyatt Crowell), 8:05 AM PST
Arkansas (Adam Seminaris) at Tulsa (Jacob Meador), 3:00 PM PST
El Paso (Omar Cruz) at Oklahoma City (Nick Frasso), 5:05 PM PST
Stockton (Donny Troconis) at Rancho Cucamonga (Samuel Sanchez), 6:30 PM PST
For more detailed recaps,stats,schedules, standings and box scores for Dodger minor league teams go to the top of this page and cIick on MINOR LEAGUE AFFLIATES.
” Landan Knack was the first Dodgers minor league pitcher this season to complete seven innings yesterday. Knack got the win, giving up just two earned runs on four hits and one walk, while retiring the last 15 batters in order. Knack has split time between Triple-A and the major league club, carrying a 3.38 ERA in 16 innings for Oklahoma City and a 7.27 ERA in 8⅔ innings for the Dodgers. Last season, Knack made 12 starts for the Dodgers and was 3-5 with a 3.65 ERA”.
Landon Knack is no joke. He could be in the Dodgers rotation this season or he could be traded.
But not the postseason rotation
Lux was hitting .352 a few days ago, now he’s at .317.
Lets see if he can keep up this pace. My guess is he regresses to the mean, same as Conforto….
Mark, if you would be so kind to add to the MINOR LEAGUE AFFLIATES, the Dodger’s Arizona Complex League team which starts tomorrow May 3rd so that these fine lady and gentlemen participants can follow.
Thank you Mark for your quick response.
Houston Mitchell wrote this about the Dodgers:
If there’s one thing we’ve learned so far, it’s that this team’s floor seems incredibly high. That’s one of the luxuries a $400 million roster buys you.
The question, of course, is how long it will take for them to hit their ceiling.
He also wrote this:
Q. I get more email about Max Muncy than any other Dodger. Some saying the Dodgers should remain patient, some saying they should bench him. What are your thoughts and how long a runway does a guy like Muncy get?
Jack Harris: Put it this way: Part of the reason the Dodgers made no serious pursuit for Nolan Arenado this offseason was because of the trust they had in Max Muncy as their everyday third baseman.
Thus, it will take a lot more than one bad month to erode that faith in any meaningful way.
That’s why, for now, the Dodgers are going to give Muncy ample opportunities to figure things out. As Dave Roberts noted, Muncy’s worst career splits are almost always in March/April. And he’s bounced back from slow starts before, having finished every full season of his Dodgers tenure with above-league-average production at the plate.
BTW, after a hot start, Arenado is now hitting .245.
Also, Lux has DH’ed 5 games.
Ohtani (elbow) will continue throwing off a mound twice per week going forward, per MLB.com.
“Ohtani took a brief pause in his throwing program upon going on the paternity list April 18, but he returned to bullpen work April 26 and is expected to resume his previous throwing schedule, which included twice-per-week bullpens, moving forward. The two-way star continues to feature as the Dodgers’ leadoff hitter and primary DH, but it remains uncertain when he’ll make his debut as a pitcher for Los Angeles”.
Good. Id like to request a three innings save this postseason.
Interesting article on the Dodgers new Pitchers:
https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2025/05/dodgers-acquire-ryan-loutos.html
… and an old one:
https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2025/05/mariners-outright-sauryn-lao.html
7:15 PM ET
Dodgers (21-10)
Braves (14-16)
SP Y. Yamamoto R
3-2 1.06 ERA
SP Grant Holmes R
2-1 4.50 ERA
Confirmed Lineup
DH S. Ohtani L
SS Mookie Betts R
1B F. Freeman L
RF T. Hernandez R
C Will Smith R
3B Max Muncy L
CF Andy Pages R
LF M. Conforto L
2B Miguel Rojas R
79° Wind 7 mph Out
NO Edman
Would the Dodgers have any interest in Kenta Maeda who was DFA by the Detroit Tigers?
You nver know.
You know?
Dodgers manager Dave Roberts told reporters Friday that Snell (shoulder) is expected to restart playing catch next week, Fabian Ardaya of The Athletic reports.
“Snell had his throwing program shut down after experiencing a setback with his left shoulder injury that caused him to be placed on the 15-day injured list April 6. He received a cortisone injection for his left shoulder this past Monday and will travel with the team to Miami next week to resume his throwing program”.
NL Pitcher of the Month: Yoshinobu Yamamoto, Dodgers
“In his second season with L.A., he’s pitched to an MLB-best 1.06 ERA through six starts and has dominated hitters with an 11.4 K/9 ratio”.
Max = Rally Killer.
It’s hard to watch.
That he didn’t do damage against crappy Rocky and Marlin pitching tells me he is not close.
?