Muncy-itis & Other Diseases

Posted By on May 29, 2025

To those of you who want washed-up Nolan Arenado:

  • He’s hitting about the same as Muncy: .239 with a .702 OPS, and Muncy makes $10 Mil while Nolan makes $30 Mil.
  • Arenado has committed fewer errors, BUT he has also DH’ed eight games.
  • Arenado is also older.
  • Hell, if you want a change, put Kim there.

Doc on Muncy:

“I feel that he has an accurate throwing arm – but at times it’s inaccurate. I feel that he catches the ball cleanly – but at times he doesn’t. I think he can get to his arm and get the ball out of his glove – but at times it doesn’t.

Boy, ain’t that the truth. I believe Muncy’s bat will play up fine against RHP, but his defense could cause him to be traded. He has trade value. Several teams could use a 1B or DH. It’s just that the Dodgers need to get younger. Maybe the solution is at OKC (Freeland or Senzel). There’s also a 3B on the White Sox who is hitting .245 with a .767 OPS and 8 HR. He only has seven errors! 😉

Seriously, in a year where the Dodgers have jettisoned Chris Taylor and Austin Barnes, both long-time clubhouse icons, losing Max Muncy could be a death-blow to this team’s psyche. We are stuck with Max… for better or for worse. I think he will get it fixed. If Conforto ends up righting his ship (and he has been doing that, no one will have anything to complain about… except the pitching. I think Scott will figure it out (he is just leaving too many pitches over the plate), but Alex Vesia may be toast!

They are building Clayton Kershaw up slowly. He did have a few fastballs at 90 MPH yesterday. That was the first time he hit 90. He is building up his arm. There may be another MPH or two in it, and that makes all his other pitches more effective.

Down on the Farm

OKC COMETS

  • Michael Kopech pitched one inning and will likely get called up this weekend.
  • Alex Freeland (.276/.829) was 2-4.

Tulsa Drillers

  • Yeiner Hernandez, who has played a lot of 2B as well, is back catching and was 3-6 (.267/.741)
  • Sean McLain, who started at the Complex and has been off to a slow start, was 2-4 (.180/.560)
  • Peter Heubeck was smoked for 5 ER.

Great Lakes Loons

  • Josue DePaula was 1-2 with 3 BB.
  • Zyhir Hope was 3-5
  • Joe Vrtrano was 4-4 (.260/.807)
  • LHP Wyatt Crowell went 4.1 innings, allowing 0 Hits and 0 Runs and 0 BB while striking out seven. Keep an eye on this guy!

Rancho Cucamonga Quakes

  • Joendry Vargas was 2-5 with two RBI

Arizona Complex Dodgers

  • No Games

X-CITES

https://twitter.com/rbhockey6/status/1927788684394275180
https://twitter.com/DodgersNation/status/1927786319914098741

This article has 48 Comments

  1. It aint even June yet.

    Last year at this time there was:
    –no Kopech
    –didn’t know if Yama was ever gonna come back in 24
    –No Edman
    –Betts would miss significant time
    –Im sure im missing many others….

    and yet we won the friggin WS.

    Enjoy the ride…..the team you see today WONT be the one you see in October….

  2. Im about ready to commit to Kim fulltme at 2b. At least he brings energy & speed to lineup.

      1. Last time I checked, Kim had had zero ABs against lefties.
        How can he be more than a platoon player if he doesn’t get the opportunity? Why should Conforto get more runway than Kim? Certainly Kim’s speed brings an extra spark to the lineup.
        Edman’s swoon, I think, should be viewed as a regression to his mean. He was spectacular when he first joined the Dodgers and early this season–but his career numbers were closer to average.
        Meanwhile, Pages’s defense is improving–all over the outfield. Here’s a lineup against RHP I’d like to see, with their respective OPSes against northpaws:

        Shohei DH 1.113 OPS
        Mookie SS .779
        Freddie 1B 1.139
        Smith C .818
        Max 3B .805
        Teo RF .735
        Pages CF .799
        Rushing LF .690 (only 14 ABs)
        Kim 2B .858 (41 ABs)

        I initially had Teo and his power in the cleanup spot, but both Smith and Max are much better at getting on base. Smith’s OBP is .412 and Max’s is .381 , while Teo is at .286.

        BTW, Teo and Will have been CRUSHING lefties, each with an OPS over 1.400, followed by Shohei at .900, Kike at .820 and Freddie at .790.

        1. Against lefties, maybe this:

          Shohei DH .900
          Mookie SS .641
          Smith C 1.470
          Teo RF 1.474
          Freddie 1B .790
          Kike 3B .820
          Pages CF .687
          Rushing LF .334 (in 6 ABs)
          Kim 2B .000 (in 1 plate appearance)

          So this lineup may be unfair to Conforto (.712) and Edman (.630) but I think the Dodgers should give Rushing and Kim more opportunity. Just found a record that Kim has exactly 1 AB against a lefty. Kim got on base–perhaps on an error–stole a base and scored.
          Should Mookie be moved down in the lineup? Nope. His track record is strong. Management should not doubt him, and my unscientific impression is that Mookie has remained clutch.

  3. I am not worried about Max. He is what he is. He has his good days and his bad. Yesterday he got a really bad hop and then he gets blamed, not the real culprits, the pitchers. LA’s pen is stressed out and overworked. Get some starters who can pitch into the 6th at least and shorten the game.

  4. the bullpen looks good until it doesn’t! sometimes the pitchers they grab off the waivers pitch well at first, then they get back to what got them released in the first place. Treveno will do until the calvary arrives! Garcia? he does take the ball every time Doc calls his number. they are what they are. Vesia? now here’s a potential big problem! With the 3 batter minimum, he’s in trouble. Grooved one yesterday. he can’t get righty hitters out at this particular time! And Scott, probably figures it out, but yesterday was painful. (. would easily have the best record in baseball without all the bullpen problems). Clayton is still working it out on the mound. Signs look encouraging. Keep seeing the Sandy A . rumors. i’m not sure that’s true, but i would be hesitant to give up any top prospects for him. (see ERA). i’m not saying he’s done, but he hasn’t been good at all! …. Max yesterday? i say even with the hop, he should have gotten one out. But. not ragging on him. but he has to get one there. but you’re right bear, bullpen lost that game, not Max. But i also agree with Mark, why bring him in late in the game? Question. was max announced as a pinch hitter before or after the left handed pitcher was brought in? i think it was after, but i could be wrong. If so, why?

  5. Help is on way !
    Alexis Diaz trade
    w Reds
    Hopefully Dodgers
    work their magic.
    Worth the gamble

    1. He is going to OKC first. Phillips transferred to the 60-day IL. LA sent minor leaguer Mike Villani to the Reds in exchange for Diaz. He is Edwin Diaz, the Mets closers, brother. LA paid a hefty price in salary, his 2.95 mil, plus 110% luxury tax for a total of 6.2 mil. He is 28, LA has 2.5 years of control over him.

  6. Alexis Diaz is known for his unusual low-slot release point and effective two-pitch mix, featuring a mid-to-upper 90s fastball and a plus slider in the upper 80s. While he was once an elite closer, recent struggles with fastball velocity and the effectiveness of his slider have led to a demotion to the minors. Unless he is injured, this is a guy whom Prior & Company could rehabilitate and add a sweeper. You never know…

  9. Bobby Miller pitched 5.2 innings tonight, allowed no runs, a couple of hits, one walk and struck out 4. ERA drops to 3.98. Kopech pitched 1/3rd of an inning striking out 1 and allowing 1 hit. Ryan Ward had 3 homers, now has 12, and Outman hit his 10th. Outman, Freeland and Ward scored 3 runs each, and Ward drove in 6. Outman also hit a double.

    1. Bummer about Sirota…
      My latest trade proposal: Outman or Kendall George + Peter Huebeck for Cedric Mullens. He plays a quality CF and is now hitting to a .772 with 10 HRs. He’s due for free agency at the end of the season, so he’s be rental.
      I want Outman to get a fresh start, and the O’s might see him as a good fit..
      But if they prefer a younger prospect, I’d offer George (who is kind of a faster version of Mullens) and certainly keep Sirota, Hope and de Paula. None are “untouchable,” but the get would have to be bigger. (Could any break through in ’26? Maybe. But ’27, definitely.) I’m suggesting Huebeck because he is a former Maryland prep star. If he’s not good enough, maybe Wrobleski? (Orioles, given their needs, might prefer Miller + Wrobleski.)
      The Orioles’ season is lost and the franchise soon be in sell mode. Mullens and Mountcastle could help them reload.
      Also offer Ryan Ward, who deserves his freedom from OKC.

      1. Huebeck is struggling mightily, with a 6.44 ERA at Tulsa.

        George is struggling to hit ,240 at High A.

        Outman is striking out at a 42% rate at AAA.

        Also, everyone knows Ryan Ward’s story: He will be Rule 5 eligible in the offseason, and if the Dodgers could trade him, they would.

        OTOH, Mullins is no jewel. He has struggled against LHP, but this year has extreme reverse splits. He’s only hitting .212 against RHP. I doubt the Orioles would do it,but it’s not an upgrade.

      2. Mullins was just placed on the IL with a strained hammy. How about Ryan O’Hearn instead. He is hitting over .300.

  10. Lots of choices out there, orioles at the top. Mountcastle would cost a lot.

    Agree, give Kim a bigger role, maybe even SS. Love Mookie, but little guys wear out faster than big guys (Freddie) and Mook has a ton of games under him. He could be slowing down like Max
    .but would still be a very good 2B.

    Right now, no room on the roster for Freeland, Ward and others unless you let go Conforto and Rojas, one of my favorite Clubhouse guys.

    1. Mookie is playing an elite SS this year. He is not moving this year… He wants to be there, and the Dodgers are fine with him as SS. I asked AI how he was doing and this was the answer:

      Mookie Betts has significantly improved as a shortstop in 2025, exceeding initial expectations and even putting himself in Gold Glove contention. He’s shown above-average defense, with strong metrics in Defensive Runs Saved, Total Zone Rating, and Outs Above Average. While there were initial concerns about his transition, he’s now considered a major league shortstop by some baseball analysts.

      He will stay there as long as he wants. He wants to be challenged. He wants to prove everybody wrong. He wants to bolster his legacy. “Mookie wants to be the best player in baseball, and I don’t see why he wouldn’t want that,” Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said. “I think if you play shortstop, with his bat, that gives him a better chance.”

      SS is likely Kim’s worst defensive Position. He has his lowest fielding average there.

        1. I stand corrected. I watch most games and attend some in NYC and Philly and maybe I’m too critical of him in the toughest position in baseball.

  11. Last ten games we have BEST record in division. 5-5. Imagine the panic posts if one of the others had got hot and we 3 games behind!!

  12. Reinforcements are on the way:

    “Both Edgardo Henriquez and Emmet Sheehan are heading over to the Oklahoma City Comets, the Triple-A affiliate of the Dodgers, according to Alex Freedman, who covers the team. Henriquez suffered a fracture in his left foot during spring training while Sheehan is on his way back from Tommy John surgery”.

  13. Thursday scores
    Oklahoma City 9, Las Vegas 3
    Tulsa 4, Wichita 3
    Fort Wayne 7, Great Lakes 5
    Rancho Cucamonga 8, Modesto 4
    ACL Mariners 6, ACL Dodgers 4

    Friday schedule
    Fort Wayne (Miguel Mendez) at Great Lakes (Luke Fox), 3:05 PM PST
    Tulsa (Chris Campos) at Wichita (Christian MacLeod), 5:05 PM PST
    Rancho Cucamonga (Christian Zazueta) at Modesto (Walter Ford), 6:40 PM PST
    Oklahoma City (Justin Jarvis) at Las Vegas (Jack Perkins), 7:05 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.

  14. the diaz trade makes sense for the dodgers. if he can get back to his earlier form he could be a steal! Lord knows they need help in the bullpen! Emmit coming back could be huge! But coming off injury, is he another 5 inning pitcher? they need some length out of the starters. they need a closer! ( Ben?) they need to reset Scott. Maybe bring him in in the 6th or 7th inning with less stress a couple of games. Is Kopech actually ready? will he be able to throw strikes consistently? Will Treinan make it back? Not sure he can. Yates? probably, but how effective will he be? Phillips hurts! Vesia? not real excited for him to pitch anymore. Banda? (see vesia) . … Big series begins tonight. i’m not sure if the dodgers can handle Fried or not. left handed pitchers cause plenty of issues for them. And this guy is a very good pitcher! But you never know. Gonsolin? hope his split is on ! 2 out of 3? that’s a good deal!

  16. Fried is having a great year and has had an excellent career, but even the best of pitchers has a clunker every so often.

    I predict we score at least 6 runs tonight. Whether that will be enough to win the game is another question.

  17. I just gotta say……
    Arenado for B.Miller+ please tell me that was in jest. Right? If not ,whatever.
    The reinforcements will always be coming. Thanks to the Dodgers being the deepest, by a large margin, organization in baseball. Andrew is not dumping Muncy, Conforto or the new whipping boy Edmans. There is absolutely no panic in the clubhouse or front office. Their grand design does not peak in June or July. It will be a ‘Comet’
    blazing past all comers in Oct. Therefore there will be no need to gut the farm for rentals .
    You gotta believe baby!
    Book em

    1. The point is not to peak in July–but the trade deadline will impose some urgency on ways to improve the team.
      Yes, the brass could just sit on its hands and hope that a Comet rises to save the day. But what fun is that?
      My guess is that AF’s operation is actively trying to identify ML talent that will help the Dodgers peak in October and beyond. There is no panic in due diligence. The trade market is simply an opportunity to upgrade the roster.
      Arenado, Robert Jr., Cedric Mullins are a few possible fits. The A’s Miguel Andujar has also been suggested as a fit for both 3B and LF. No doubt there are others.
      It was good to see the brass aggressively add Diaz as an option for the bullpen, in part because Tanner Scott is struggling. But Conforto has struggled far more than Scott.
      The season is now more than 1/3 over, and Conforto’s $17 million deal looks like a mistake. It’s a sunk cost.
      If he suddenly gets hot, great. If not, then what? Down in OKC, both Ryan Ward and Outman are playing well. Guys like Hope, Sirota and de Paula aren’t expected to ready until 2027.
      Last season, the deal for Edman and Kopech worked out well. I assume that AF and BG are making a shopping list.

      1. AF is on record that he does not want to be in a position to have to make trades at the deadline again.

        I am not even going to worry about Conforto until it’s time… which will be the end of June. A lot can change for every team between now and then.

        I think Scott will fix it. He is just too predictable. In 28 IP, he has only walked 3. He is always in the zone. He needs to get batters to chase more by making it look like it is in the zone… when it isn’t. That is easier said than done.

        The A’s Miguel Andujar has struggled defensively at third base. In his 2018 rookie season with the New York Yankees, he posted a Defensive Runs Saved (DRS) rating of -25, one of the worst single-season marks at third base since the metric’s inception in 2002. Scouting reports highlighted his strong arm but also noted issues with footwork and overall defensive consistency. In other words, he is a worse defensive 3B than Muncy. His best position is DH, but I thing the Dodgers have that covered!

  18. 10:10 PM ET APPLE TV

    Yankees (35-20)
    Dodgers (34-22)

    SP Max Fried L
    7-0 1.29 ERA
    SPTony Gonsolin R
    2-1 4.68 ERA

    Confirmed Lineup
    DH S. Ohtani L
    SS Mookie Betts R
    C Will Smith R
    1B F. Freeman L
    RF T. Hernandez R
    LF Andy Pages R
    CF Tommy Edman S
    3B E. Hernandez R
    2B Miguel Rojas R

    76° Wind 10 mph Out

    1. REVISED STARTING LINEUP:

      Shohei Ohtani, DH
      Teoscar Hernandez, RF
      Will Smith, C
      Freddie Freeman, 1B
      Andy Pages, CF
      Tommy Edman, 2B
      Kike Hernández, 3B
      Michael Conforto, LF
      Miguel Rojas, SS

      NO MOOKIE

  19. Dodgers reliever Evan Phillips will undergo Tommy John surgery, manager Dave Roberts told reporters (including Fabian Ardaya of The Athletic). He’ll miss the remainder of this season and most or all of 2026 as well.

  20. Mark was right Tommy John surgery for Evan Phillips. Mookie is out with a stubbed toe

    1. I wish I were wrong, but I have seen this pattern too many times and I have developed a “nose” for it.

  21. BTW, I have since seen a stat suggesting that Kim has had one AB against a lefty.
    Looks like he got on base on error, stole a base and scored a run.
    Interesting posted lineup today, with Teo batting second and Mookie sitting. Smith batting 3rd and Freddie 4th.
    I assume this is one of those “scheduled day-offs” for Mookie. Better that than an injury or illness. But it I had tickets, I’d want to see Mookie out there.
    I trust Mookie will be summoned if the game is close.
    But where have you gone, Cal Ripken?

  23. Betts stubbed his toe and is getting X-Rays. You can’t make this crap up.

  25. Betts told Dylan Hernandez of the Los Angeles Times on Friday that he has a fractured toe but expects to miss just “a couple of days.”

  26. Fractured a toe after stubbing it? The words coming out of my esophagus are at a loss.
    Book em

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