It is both wonderful and sad to watch Clayton Kershaw pitch. It’s wonderful that the G.O.A.T. is still pitching, but it’s sad to see what he has become. Last night, he threw six pitches that were 90.0 – 9.5 MPH. If he had 2-3 more MPH on his fastball, his margin for error would be much greater, but there’s no more left in his tank. His UCL is likely hanging by a couple of strands, so when he does not have “pinpoint location” (like last night), he is very hittable. Typically, no pitcher has his best stuff every time they pitch (maybe it’s like 25% of the time that they do); however, with velocity and movement, they can compensate and mitigate the damage. Clayton is pitching with no margin for error… and last night is typical of what we will see going forward.
His ERA currently stands at 3.62 – I hope he can lower it, but it will be challenging. Blake Snell’s next start will likely be with the Dodgers. Glasnow, Yamamoto, Snell, and Sheehan make up the “Big Four.” Kershaw is #5 and May is #6. Dustin has some trade value and no future with the Dodgers. He is an innings eater, and some team will want that with the hope of “fixing him.” I think he gets traded. Justin Wrobleski is a LHP and slots nicely into the rotation.
I could see a couple of minor trades at the deadline…. including May, but the Dodgers have plenty to win and in fact, are much better than last year… even if Mookie doesn’t get fixed. Donovan makes some sense, but I will be surprised if the Dodgers gut the farm. I won’t post much during the week, but I do have some time on the weekend. I will be in Cincinnati on Wednesday evening for the game.
My Red Sox Fan Meathead son-in-law is coming over this afternoon to watch Buehler and May serve up HR balls. š He’s actually a great son-in-law, and he’s also going to the Dodgers-Reds game with me.
I will happily look forward to your weekend comments and appreciate the opportunity to read the posters who contribute here.
Of course nobody knows what Andrew may do this week, but if he does anything I know it will be to make the team better in the long term. The biggest need this team has is health. We have two months to get Max back and our front line starters ready for the playoffs. That includes stretching Shohei out which gives a a big 4 of Ohtani, Yamamoto, Glasnow and Snell. If we have them rolling by October I like our chances.
We have time to get over some nagging injuries to Kim and Tommy. Mookie is a puzzle but I wouldnāt bet against him finding his way back. Nor would I bet against Freddie getting himself straightened out.
I think one of Yates or Scott will come around and Sheehan and Wrobleski could bolster the pen.
We have gone through a rough time lately but we still have one of the best records in baseball. I look forward to another exciting postseason.
Would love to see an upgrade in left field.
The triple that Kershaw gave up had to do with the route that Pages took to the ball. Without that triple Kershawās line is pretty good.
That is true.
A lot of fans are losing their minds on that route by Pages, but overall, he has provided outstanding defense in CF. Outman is better – mostly because he has played there a lot more, but I like Pages in CF. Outman can’t hit as well as Conforto. Conforto is hitting .263 in his last 15 games. The Dodgers will likely have to overpay to improve there. Every trade is going to start with Rushing and/or DePaula.
If they can steal Dovovan, Edman can start in CF!
Conforto may well have saved his job with today’s performance.
Over the past 30 days, Conforto has hit to a .797 OPS. Among the regulars only Shohei and Smith have out-OPS’d him during that period. He has started to hit the way he was supposed to when he signed that $17m deal.
Dodgers could still swing a deal for Donovan or ??? and keep Conforto.
If you didnāt call him āmeatheadā how would we know how Archie Bunker-like you are?! lol
For some reason I have an idea the Dodgers WONāT give up on May yet. He even looks different today with the scraggly facial hair. Makes me wish heās decided to ābear downā and reach for something extra. Iām almost certainly wrong but I like the kid. Heās weird looking and I kinda like that too!!
If he had a crew cut, he would look bizarre.
4-3 Red Sox, sixth inning, Rojas leads off top of inning with a double.
Betts up.
You would think Robert’s would have Betts bunt first base line, but for a hit and move Rojas to third. Nope.
Betts flies out.
Next to hitters make outs.
Play small ball, sometimes.
not how they play. Also——-
Conforto now their top hitter
Latest dumb trade idea from a fan, Betts to Atlanta for Acuna. Salaries make that deal impossible. Acuna 5 years younger and 200 million dollars cheaper.
Bear,
Don’t fall into the trap of responding Bradley’s constant wacko trade ideas as if they ever make any sense.
I am certain that Bradley is an escapee from a mental institution.
David, he did make one suggestion that came true. In 23, they traded for Rosario, and they did it again last year. But the thing was, they did not get him to be the regular SS like Bradley suggested. He played just 16 games at short for LA, most of his reps came at second. My problem with his Betts thing is that he is under the impression that just any team can take on Mookie’s remaining contract, which is obviously not the case, and in reality, I was futile in my efforts as I tried to educate him on the intricacy’s’ of trades.
Bear,
This is my point. He makes a 1000 wild trade picks every year. Just like the stopped watch, he is going to hit something at random. So 2023 was the last time he was close.
Totally get it. Lately, I just say stuff to get him riled and he goes off on an even weirder rant. He for some reason has an irrational hate for Mookie. He claims Mookie is a cancer. Just strange stuff. I love pulling his chain. I need weird amusement.
Good News and Bad News:
Good: Conforto is now a star;
Bad: The rest of the team are fireflies.
“Glasnow, Yamamoto, Snell, and Sheehan make up the āBig Four.ā Kershaw is #5 and May is #6.”
Somebody has been overlooked here.
Throws right, bats left….
I didnāt know Sheehan bars left. Then again why would.
Superman-looking dude?
I have reservations about Ohtani as a starter.
Me too!
And really? Why risk losing him to injury while needing his offensive output for the post season run?
Does anyone know if teams do imaging on an ongoing basis to monitor changes to sensitive ligaments? I’ve wondered if it would be possible to “see” a UCL injury upcoming?
PS: I know nothing about MRI’s other than having had one. Does the process itself cause any concern like repeated X-rays would?
It’s something that a person should not be subjected to any more than necessary, but MRI (Magnetic Resonance Imaging) scans are generally very safe and can be performed multiple times, even over short intervals, without harmāunlike X-rays or CT scans, MRIs do not use ionizing radiation. However, there are a few important considerations: 1. No radiation exposure: Because MRIs use magnetic fields and radio waves, they donāt carry the risks of cumulative radiation, so there is no hard limit to how many MRIs a person can have. 2. Repeat MRIs: It is medically acceptable to get multiple MRIs in a year or even within a few days, if clinically needed.
I am surprised they do not make a “Pitchers MRI Machine” for just their arm.
Bobby Miller to the pen could be the solution. Just condition him to throw <20 Max Effort Pitches in triple digits. he might become Mason Miller.
If Miller thinks less he may get out of his own head and be much better. I can see him trying this out as a real solution.
May and Gonsolin don’t have a future as Dodgers after this year.
They have lots of young pitching talent that they have to make room for and neither guy can stay healthy and effective
Gonsolin has no value unless he can get healthy. He is under contract for another year, while May is a FA.
Clase placed on unpaid leave due to sports gambling investigation. Dumb ass chowderhead. They just never learn.
After seeing the Dodgers offense the past few days, I think they need someone who doesnāt strike out to much and can put the ball in play (like Kwan or Donovan).
Need Yama to shove tonight and our offense to show up.
These are the dog days…..
Yama, Glasnow, Shohei, thats pretty dang good.
Dang good if their arms don’t fall off between now and October!
Alex Freeland being promoted
BA’s July update to the Top 100
($$$$)
https://www.baseballamerica.com/rankings/2025-top-100-prospects/
Rushing and DePaula in top 20.
Hope, Sasaki and Sirota in top 50
Freeland and QUintero also land on the list
Two UDFA’s signed (posted elsewhere)
Dodgers signed RHP Cullen McKay as a UDFA. Two years at Virginia before transferring to Coastal. Only 12.1 IP last season, but allowed just two runs in three starts with 18/10 K/BB.
and
Nondrafted free agent Tommy Case signs wDodgers
for $422,500 ($272,500 counts vs bonus pool), largest UDFA bonus in 2025. New York prep RHP, fastball to 94 mph, good feel for spin. St. Johnās recruit.
From Bluto’s favorite, the trade value simulator:
Cardinals GET
River Ryan
Emmet Sheehan
Jackson Ferris
Total Value
49.60
Dodgers GET
Ryan Helsley
Brendan Donovan
Thomas Saggasse
Total Value
51
Dodgers Get:
Kyle Stowers
Anthony Bender
Total Value
29.5
Marlins get
Emmet Sheehan
29.4
Dodgers Digest on trade targets (alliteration!)
https://dodgersdigest.com/2025/07/28/2025-dodgers-trade-deadline-targets-position-players/
Eric Longenhagen chat:
https://blogs.fangraphs.com/eric-longenhagen-prospects-chat-7-25-25/
Dodgers: Chances Hope or De Paula get traded?
Eric A Longenhagen: Given what the market value of prospects seems to be right now, Iād say itās unlikely. Iām not sure thereās a big enough fish out there to merit eitherās inclusion unless itās a bold one-for-one deal, or if it turns out someone we didnāt know was available gets moved.
X look at how prospect reliever Jose Rodriguez unlocked more velocity:
https://x.com/ben_baggett/status/1948376622840868944
The almost as bad as Bob Nightengale, Jim Bowden, reviews user trade proposals ($$$)
https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/6518481/2025/07/28/mlb-trade-deadline-scenarios-teams-targets/
“3. Dodgers get: OF Jarren Duran
Red Sox get: C Dalton Rushing, RHP Dustin May and OF Kendall George ssubmitted by: Marco Esquadolas
The Dodgers say no.
16. Dodgers get: OF Steven Kwan and RHP Emmanuel Clase
Guardians get: RHP Dustin May, OF James Outman and OF Zyhir Hope submitted by: Andre M.
The Guardians say no.””
Mark Feinsand AMA
https://www.reddit.com/r/baseball/comments/1m8hsr8/trade_deadlinethemed_ama_with_mlbcom_national/
Q: Hey Mark,
If you had to guess, what do you think the highest-profile player will be traded is that will be a āsurprise?ā Ie not someone on a typical seller or just someone who is not being reported on as a likely candidate.
Thanks for your time!
A: I get this question every year, and every year I have the same answer: If we knew, it wouldn’t be a surprise! We’ve heard about some controllable players that could be available such as Emmanuel Clase, Joe Ryan and Steven Kwan, but if any of them get traded, I think that would qualify as a surprise.
Q: What is the relief pitcher market looking like?
A: Like most years, the relief market offers the widest variety of players available. The biggest difference this year is that most of the top relievers are controllable through at least 2026: David Bednar, Jhoan Duran, Griffin Jax, Emmanuel Clase and Pete Fairbanks, just to name a handful. There are also some rentals (Ryan Helsley, Kyle Finnegan) to be had, but the controllable guys are the most coveted. Then there are the “no-name” guys who won’t move any needles within a fan base, but could be impactful regardless. The Rockies have three you should watch: Victor Vodnik, Seth Halvorsen and Jake Bird, all of whom are generating plenty of interest from other teams.
Baseball America’s Hot Sheet top 20 for this week ($$$$)
https://www.baseballamerica.com/stories/ranking-the-20-hottest-mlb-prospects-hot-sheet-7-28-25/
Hope and Coppen.
FROM MLBTR:
Former Prospects Who Now Look Like Change-Of-Scenery Candidates:
James Outman
He certainly had enough chances here
R.I.P. Ryne Sandberg
Definitely. Ryno was a great player. Dodgers are calling up Freeland. They had an opening on the 40-man but will need to clear a spot on the active roster. Outman probably odd man out.
Unless Kim goes on the IL
Or Edman
Max Muncy is beginning his rehab assignment with Triple-A Oklahoma City today, where heās scheduled to play third base and get three at-bats, writes Sonja Chen at MLB.com. Itās unlikely that heāll return to the Dodgers before the team heads back to L.A., but his full rehab schedule hasnāt been solidified yet.
Good to have AVF back. Giants Sign Diego Cartaya To Minor League Deal.
Diego Cartaya signed a minor league contract with the Giants.
Freeland activated, Kim to the IL with bursitis in his shoulder.
7:10 PM ET
Dodgers (62-45)
Reds (56-51)
SP Tyler Glasnow R
1-1 2.75 ERA
SP Nick Lodolo L
8-6 3.08 ERA
Confirmed Lineup
SS Mookie Betts R
DH S. Ohtani L
C Will Smith R
1B F. Freeman L
RF T. Hernandez R
CF Andy Pages R
3B Tommy Edman S
2B Miguel Rojas R
LF Esteury Ruiz R
89Ā° Wind 5 mph L-R
“Roberts shared on SportsNet LA that Yamamoto likely could have continued pitching against the Reds but is going to next start on Sunday. That would suggest Snellās return is coming Saturday:
I thought there was still more in there if we needed, but I felt good going to Vesia right there. Heāll pitch on Sunday. Itāll be a day game, itāll be hot, so get him to the century mark tonight and heāll be ready to go again on Sunday.ā
Snellās start on Saturday is going to be his first for the Dodgers since April 2. He made just two starts before going on the injured list due to left shoulder inflammation”.
Sound off like last night if Jessica Mendoza does the game again tonight. I can’t stand that annoying laugh.
I listened to the Reds feed. Their color guy is Hall of Famer, Barry Larkin. Very knowledgeable. And what was cool, they pointed out how inconsistent the HPU was. Freeland with the team, activated and wearing uniform #76. Rich Hill DFAd by the Royals.
Amen AVF !!! she makes joe davis sound like a clown! Enough. ā¦. Dodgers need a series win in Cincinnati! And on the trade front, Duran would be a welcome addition to this lineup! Speed, fire, power, defense! probably wonāt happen, but i can dream. second choice? donavon from the cards. left or second. .. Good to see Max and Snell coming back this weekend! Rotation starting to look like it was intended to! Now the bullpen needs a facelift! Trienan struggled once he got 2 strikes. Vesia is a stud! sorry i ever doubted that guy! Might be the dodgers mvp so far!ā¦ Glasnow, 7 innings and the boys in blue win again!! .. thanks Mark! damn i missed this!
2 innings–6 strikeouts. But up 2-0!!