Here were, about 25% of the season gone the Dodgers still are the Class of MLB with the best record in baseball. They have problems… juts like every other MLB team, but they are pretty dad gum good. Let me rant and rave about a few things:
- It turns out that Scott Alexander was missing his targets and was high in the zone because he has a hip problem and is likely to go on the IL to make room for Tony Cingrani… Tony could be back as soon as today or tomorrow.
- The next one back is Caleb Ferguson and I hear it from a pretty good source that the Dodgers do not plan to send him back to OKC. They want him with the big club. We shall see how that plays out.
- Kenley Jansen hit 95 MPH as he slammed to door on the Nats Sunday night.
- WAR: Cody Bellinger leads all of MLB in Wins Above Replacement, including Mike Trout, but there are also several other Dodgers in the Top 50.
- Cody Bellinger – 3.9
- Alex Verdugo – 2.0
- Max Muncy – 1.4
- Kike Hernandez – 1.0
- Joc Pederson – 1.0
- Justin Turner – 1.0
- As a point of reference, Paul Goldschmidt, JT Realmuto, Marcell Ozuna, Buster Posey, Yadier Molina, and Jean Segura (among others) all have a WAR lower than any of the above Dodgers.
- The Dodgers are now tied for 4th in team ERA. WOW! The starters are still #1 in MLB in total innings pitched.
- The Dodgers are 6th in team BA, but second in Runs, and 4th in HR. They are near the top in all offensive categories, except strikeouts – they have dropped to 20th.20th! Not much has been said about Robert Van Socyoc, but right about now, I’d say that was a great move by Andrew Friedman. I have a sneaking suspicion that the best is yet to come as Corey and CT3 get fully untracked.
- The Dodgers are still the best team in baseball in taking walks. Last year, they were first in taking walks, but #8 in strikeouts. They have exceeded my expectations so far, by dropping to #20.
- Hyun-Jin Ryu: 5-1/1.72 ERA/0.73 WHIP with just 3 BB in 52 innings. He should be an All-Star.
- Hopefully, the Grand Slam will help Corey Seager get back in sync.
- Some fans wonder why players who are struggling are not sent down and that’s a fair question. The thing is: if they are a proven major league player and are struggling, it’s generally something small that is causing their struggles. Sending them down to face AAA pitching really helps them to hit AAA pitching but when they face live Major League pitching, the same old problem appears. CT3, Joe Kelly or Corey Seager may dominate at AAA, but they generally need to work out the small mechanical stuff on the big league level… and slumps are generally “small mechanical stuff.”
- There’s still improvement to be made and things to fix, but all in all, we should be pretty happy with the Dodger’s start as they sit at #1 in baseball with a 27-16 record. On this day last year, they were 16-24.
Minor League Report by DC
Great Lakes Loons
The Loons had Sunday off following three days off when games with Quad Cities were canceled. They are presently tied for first place in their division with the Bowling Green Hot Rods.
Rancho Cucamonga Quakes 7 – Visalia Rawhide 11 (Arizona)
The Quakes came into their game on Sunday with a one game lead over the Lancaster JetHawks.
Bryan Warzek started for the Quakes and probably thought the plate did move. He gave up two runs in 3.1 innings pitched on one hit, a single , but walked five. Justin Bruihl allowed both runners he inherited to score and gave up two additional runs on three hits putting the Quakes in a 4-0 deficit in the top of the fourth inning. None of the Quakes five pitchers escaped without giving up at least one run. Connor Strain gave up two runs while recording only one out while Ryan Moseley gave up one run in his 1.2 innings pitched. Max Gamboa let the game get away with four runs also in 1.2 innings pitched.
Offensively the Quakes scored their first run in the fifth inning on a Brayan Morales sacrifice fly and rallied to actually go ahead 7-6 in the seventh inning. In that inning they scored six runs while hitting for the cycle on a Brayan Moraes double,a Jeter Downs single, a Donovan Casey triple and a Jordan Procyshen home run. Marcus Chiu chipped in with a sacrifice fly. That ended the Quakes scoring. On the night they had ten hits but struck out 17 times. Downs, Avans, Casey and Procyshen each had two hits.
Tulsa Drillers 6 – Arkansas Travelers 7 (Seattle)
The Drillers entered play on Sunday 1.5 games back of the Travelers having taken two-out-of-three from the Travelers in the first three games of the series. The loss was a 1-0 ten-inning loss.
Mitchell White started for the Drillers and gave up back-to-back home runs in the bottom of the first inning. He settled down after that and went 5.2 innings giving up one more run, unearned on a Christian Santana error. The Drillers battled back and going into the bottom of the seventh inning held a 6-3 lead. Adam McCreery and Michael Boyle could not hold the lead. McCreery had two runs credited to him and Boyle the tying run.
In the top of the fifth inning, catcher Steve Berman drove in two runs with a single and in the sixth inning Zach McKinstry plated another with a sacrifice fly. Tulsa scored three runs in their half of the seventh inning compliments of the Arkansas pitching staff. Two runs were walked home while another scored on a wild pitch.
The game went into extra innings and in the bottom of the tenth inning Marshall Kasowski was called in with two outs and runners on first and third. He finished off the inning with a strikeout. The Drillers in top of the eleventh inning had runners on first and third with none out and failed to score. Kasowski could not pull it out in the bottom of the eleventh inning. With a runner starting on second base and sacrificed to third, Kasowski recorded a strikeout for the second out. However, he did give up a single allowing the Travelers to take a hard fought 7-6 win.
Omar Estevez, Angelo Mora and Cody Thomas had two hits while Steve Berman had three.
OKC Dodgers 2 – Round Rock Express 4 (Houston)
They were dead last in the Pacific Coast League American Southern Division of the league, 10.5 games behind the Round Rock Express, heading into Sunday’s game. They are now 11.5 games back.
Things did not start well as Dennis Santana served up a three-run home run in the bottom of the first inning to DH Yordan Alvarez. Remember him? Following Santana’s four innings, Tony Cingrani had another clean inning with one strikeout. Josh Sborz gave up an additional run in his two innings, unfortunately on a wild pitch and JT Chargois struck out the side in the bottom of the eighth inning.
The Dodgers tried to get back into it and missed opportunities with the bases full. In the top of the sixth the managed to score a run when Will Smith was hit by a pitch bringing Connor Joe home. Catcher Josh Thole hit a solo home run in the top of the seventh inning but the Dodgers didn’t score again leaving the bases full in the top of the eighth inning.
I’m shocked that we lead MLB in SP IP. Guess Robert’s doesn’t have a fast hook after all.
Or we just lack any super-short outings.
Well, truth be told, we played more games, therefore more IP. We also do not have the best record, but we have the most wins. Maybe the reason why bullpens are struggling around the league is due to starters not pitching deeper into games. Also, some teams use openers and bullpen games are more prevalent than ever.
Will be in TB next week for the 2 game series. Any Dodger fans going to be there?
I know its a crappy park but I’ve never been.
Looks Like Kersh game 1 and now Maeda game #2 unless they shuffle things around, and they could, with 4 off days coming up.
You might be visiting TB just in time before they move to Portland.
I suspect the Alexander hip issue is being overstated because of the eventual need for a 25 roster spot for Caleb and Cingrani. Lets hope Cingrani grabs that LOOGY LHP role and doesn’t relinquish it. As for Caleb not sure who they will send out or IL for his placement on the 25.
If Caleb were to come back today, Floro would be sent down due to his option remaining.
Jansen – King of pen and closer isn’t going anywhere
Baez – I think he still has an option, but I don’t see him going anywhere
Garcia – Has probably been our best reliever after a slow start
Kelly – Would require an “injury” and is probably getting the CT3 treatment – As in, better work it out with the pro coaches
Urias – This phenom isn’t going anywhere.
Stripling – He’s the main long man / swing man spot starter
These are the main buss riders that will be shuffled in and out of the bullpen barring “injury” to someone else.
Cingrani
Ferguson
Alexander
Floro
Chargois
See, Friedman knows how to make his players shaddup about fake injuries, unlike Farhan.
I’ll take 5-2 thus far on the homestand… The Warrior Ryu was spot on… A day off, some home cooking and lets put a little hurt on the Madres…
I must admit watching Ryu walk from the mound to the dugout hurts a little, but Jeff suggesting he lose 10 to 15 KG (must be from across the pond)… Oh yeah, thats 22 to 33 lbs… Ryu uses the same conditioning coach and dietary plan Fernando used to have that svelte figure… We must never forget the dog days are not too far away…
Last but not least, someone posted naming Orel pitching coach or manager (might was well go for a duel role)… Thats bad in so many ways, but it would alleviate me from having to hear him in the booth…
Since moving to 8-8 after their 6th consecutive loss on April 13, the team has gone 19-8. That is a pretty impressive .704 clip. Over that time starting pitchers went at least 6.0 IP in 18 of them. Starters were 11-0 while relievers were 4-3. Starters have gone 7.0 IP in 9 of those games. Starters were 6-0 while the relievers were 1-2. Is it really that surprising that Doc is letting the starters go deeper? The starters are capable, and the bullpen is questionable (at best). Is it Doc making bad decisions or is it he does not have the strongest options? I reiterate, to Mark’s dismay, that a bullpen is not a priority for AF. I will go away from saying he does not value relief pitching to say it is not a priority. Right now it is working because the starters are going deeper, and the hitters are clutching up in the late innings.
I have confidence in all five starting pitchers. How many relievers can we say that about? How many relievers are you comfortable with in the 8th inning in a high leverage situation. Garcia has been great lately, but none of his outings are stress related. All mop up. Up until Saturday, Baez has been very good in the 8th. His control/command may have been off a bit on Saturday since he had not pitched in 4 days, his longest days rested all year. Baez has come into the 8th or 9th nine times this year and has been scored on only twice. Once when he left runners on for Jansen who gave up the 3 run jack to Thames, and then last Saturday when better defense and better follow up relief pitching would have got him out unscathed. You do not like Baez in the 8th, then who? The team is tied for 2nd with 8 blown saves. Only 6 teams have a worse save percentage than the Dodgers. It’s not on Doc if he does not have the bullpen many of us have been wanting.
I agree with Mark that the relief pitching in all of MLB is approaching abysmal. Only five teams in all of MLB have bullpen ERA’s less than 3.50. Why is it so poor? I have my thoughts, but I think this is going to take some research to really look at. But at first blush, the bullpen is a landing spot for the very young, and not so very good journeyman pitchers, because this is an area where a team may be able to cut back on payroll. That is not true for all teams. NYY pays a lot for relief and it is not better than the Dodgers this year as I expected. A lot of that is because Betances has been out and Chad Green has fallen off the map. This may have had a domino effect where everyone else may have been asked to assume a higher leverage situation than would have been expected. I do not like excuses, so I would not go with that if I were a NYY fan. Colorado has paid a lot for relievers and that experiment has backfired.
Bottom line, the Dodgers bullpen has not been very good, but it has not hurt the team that much. The Dodgers are 4.0 games up in the NL West, and I do not believe that the DBacks or Pads can hang there all year. The Pads are already showing signs of distress. My hope is that as we get closer to the trade deadline, we look at the best relievers in 2019 who are attainable and vigorously pursue them. No Axford’s, Rosscup’s, or Madson’s. I would rather go with what we have and bring up a Gonsolin (if healthy). I feel the same about a RH bat. I would not be in favor of getting an average bat just because he is RH. He needs to be a difference maker (as was JDM in 2017). Without anyone else, AJ Pollock could serve as a big deadline addition when he gets back.
Hasn’t this been true for a while? That a good bullpen arm one year, goes to pot the next?
Brandon Morrow? Jeurys Familia? Kelvin Herrera? Zach Britton?
Brandon Morrow I agree with.
Familia from 2014-2016 was tremendous with 43 and 51 saves in 2015 & 2016. Jennry Mejia was the NYM closer in 2014. In 2017 he was very good up to his DL date (May 10) and his first game back (Aug 26). Take out those games and he had an excellent 2017. In 2018 he was great with the Mets with 17 saves until he was traded to Oakland where he was not as good. He has not pitched well in 2019.
Britton – I think it would be hard to find more than a handful of pitchers better than Britton from 2014-2017 until he was hurt. I do not know how a reliever could have had a better year than he had in 2016. He has been okay since he returned from injury and traded to NYY (simply okay per his standards). In 2019 he has appeared in 18 games. In 14 games he allowed no runs. He inherited runners on 2nd and 3rd with one out and only allowed 1 run to score of a sac fly. That was the only situation where he inherited runners.
Herrera – One of the best relievers in MLB from 2012-2016. KC had Greg Holland and Wade Davis closing before Herrera assumed that role in 2017. New role and not a good year, although he did have 26 saves. In 2018 before traded to Nationals he was outstanding. Has not been much since.
Not Trevor Hoffman or Mariano Rivera, but they all had more than 1 year where they were very good relievers.
Thanks AC,
I wasn’t fixated on the 1 year of success, more about great relievers falling off. Great variance in bullpen arms.
I remember, and I may be dating myself, when the Padres used to develop these bullpen arms (taking advantage of the stadium’s size) then trading them and the acquiring club not seeing dividends.
Anyway, staffing a bullpen does seem to be a league-wide issue. The Nats are really struggling with theirs outside of Doolittle.
Agreed, outside of Doolittle the Nats’ bullpen is horrendous. Even with Doolittle, they have the worst bullpen in MLB. If the Nats keep falling, I would hope that AF would talk a long time with Mike Rizzo to get Doolittle. Doolittle has a club option of $6.5MM for 2020.
I also hope that the A’s keep falling and Blake Treinen becomes available. He also is team controlled for 2020 (arbitration).
What the heck, go for them both.
Two ERA questions: why wasn’t Floro charged with an ER when he gave up the homer? In the Minors, when a runner starts at 2b in extra innings, if he scores does the pitcher get charged with an earned run?
There were two outs when Floro gave up the HR, and if an out had been recorded on JT’s throw, the inning would have been over without giving up the HR. None of the four runs on the HR were considered earned, since all four scored with 2 outs with an error allowing the inning to continue.
In your 2nd scenario, I am fairly certain that the runner starting on 2nd in an extra innings game is not an earned run if he scores. I have seen it scored as unearned, but I am not 100% positive that it was considered unearned for other reasons. I do recall Jordan Sheffield being charged a run (unearned) for the runner starting on 2nd and scoring without the aid of an error or passed ball. Maybe DC (or someone else) knows for certain.
I’m feeling a rematch with Houston for all the marbles this year. My beginning of the year pick was the Yankees but they have a lot of issues already this season.
Coming soon: Catharsis.
As a lifelong Dodger fan I hate the Yankees but what they have done this year is incredible. As of today, they have the following players (among others) on the IL: Judge, Stanton, Hicks, Gregorius, Severino, Paxton, Betances, arguably 7 of their 10 best players and a number of them have barely played any games this year.
With all of those injuries they are 24-16 and only half a game out of first. If I’m in Vegas today I’m putting my money on NY to be the AL representative in the World Series.
Good news is that Jansen’s stuff looked better yesterday and he’s mixing his pithes better. We just cant overuse him like in the past. Only 3 out saves and no more than back to back days. And do situational 8th innings. In the long run I think we have a good bullpen especially if Kelly gets it together
I have been saying since before the season started that the strength of the Dodgers is the rotation. I am really pleased to see Roberts let them go longer this season. Is this due to Zaidi moving to SF? Is it due to the weakness of the ‘pen? I don’t know, but to see Ryu, for example pitch 25 innings in his last 3 starts has been great to see. After Buehler’s wasted gem on Saturday, you have to be a little fearful every time the ‘pen comes in to hold a small lead in a close game.
Dodger starters are 17 – 7, 3.24, 1.052 WHIP, 3.84 K/W.
Dodger relievers are 10 – 9, 4.30, 1.196 WHIP, 3.23 K/W.
The team still has platoon splits and is better against RHP, but the splits are narrowing. Having Joc and Muncy in the lineup is better than Freese and Taylor. I get the Joc has never hit LHP. Muncy actually has reverse splits so far this year and is OPSing .970 vs LHP vs .751 vs RHP. He didn’t have splits last season. Muncy should be playing every day and Freese should pinch hit and start once per week.
Turner has caught fire! Taylor is looking better. Verdugo looks to be a guy who shouldn’t sit (so far anyway). Dodger catchers can’t hit (big surprise) and are hitting .217/.329/.364/.693. (Dodger SS and CF are hitting even worse, believe it or not – the Seager/Taylor tandem at SS haven’t hit, either have Pollock/Taylor in CF.) The Dodgers do seem to be able to score without hitting a HR and are hitting better RISP – .266/.369/.465/.834. I love watching them work pitchers.
Things are looking up. I don’t trust the bullpen though
Friedman was seen at the Coroner’s Office this AM trying to determine if any bodies were those of aging relievers who might be resuscitated!
Nicholas Castellanos is on their radar. His defense is fixable. Look for the Dodgers to ask for a 48 hours window to negotiate.
Mark, you mention a 48 hour negotiating window. Would that be to extend him? If so, would you be counting on Castellanos to be an every day player or just against lefties? If every day, what does your starting outfield look like when Pollock returns. At this point Bellinger and Verdugo should be in every day. If you want to play Castellanos every day that leaves no room for Pollock or Joc. Just wondering how you see that scenario playing out.
Yes I am talking about extending him. I would put him in LF and give him a lot of coaching. He has played on the left side of the diamond most of his career at 3B so I think RF has been difficult for him. I think he can be an above average LF-er. I think a 5 year/$60 million deal would be about right and I also believe he would blossom under RVS. I have heard others use JD Martinez as a comparison and of course, I have said that Kike could be the next JD, so there is that.
I think Nick would blossom in LF and in the Dodgers LH Heavy lineup. I would trade Joc Pederson, Will Smith and a pitching prospect for him (3-way deal).
1. Verdugo CF
2. Bellinger RF
3. Turner 3B
4. Muncy 1B
5. Casty LF
6. Seager SS
7. Hernandez 2B
8. Catcher
I really don’t get your fascination with Castellanos.
Here are his numbers in 2019:
.278/.331/.465/.796
Here are his career numbers:
.274/.323/.469/.783
Nothing to write home about.
He averages about 150 Ks per season.
He is a negative defender at 3 positions (3B, LF, RF). You haven’t said why this is “fixable”. If it were, I would think that the Tigers would have “fixed” him by now.
He is a mediocre player on a bad team. I don’t see how he makes the Dodgers better. I would rather have a healthy AJ Pollock. At least he can catch the ball.
I look for players who are not yet the player I think they will be. So does AF.
Muncy, Taylor, Kike, Grandal, Barnes, all fall into that category. Some success was realized there.
I think Casty is a 30+ HR guy who will it .300 in the right situation. Just my opinion.
I you buy the guy after he becomes the guy, you have to overpay.
As much as I agree with you on his stats and defense. Casty was once a top prospect. He just never really realized that potential. Mark might be right on this one, time will tell. It’s a brilliant time to sell high on Joc as it doesn’t seem there’s room for him with the emergence of Verdugo.
It seems like Abreu would be a better fit, but he’s also defensively challenged. I think if you wait until the deadline for the best player for a playoff push, Abreu is the man because he’s been a better hitter more consistently. If you’re thinking long term, Casty would be a better investment because he’s younger and you might be able to squeeze more out of him.
Speaking of relievers, I just stopped by a SD Padres blog and they were looking at FA reliever fixes for their bull pen.
Names mentioned as available were:
Kimbrel
Madson
Norris
Ramos
They asked readers for other suggestions
Kimbrel to SD makes a lot of sense. Why not? Once they ponied up for Machado they signalled they were in. That move would get my attention.
I agree that Kenley looked better yesterday, and was mixing his pitches. But I wonder if he would have pitched the same way if he didn’t come in with a 6-0 lead. Maybe, maybe not. And perhaps it’s just semantics, but given the situation, I can’t go along with Mark’s characterization of Kenley’s performance as slamming the door. But, hopefully pitching in that low leverage situation allowed Kenley to experiment a little, and maybe set the stage for long term success.
And let’s hope that Seager’s HR is a harbinger of things to come. No guarantee, but a nice sign nevertheless.
This year is the time for AF to go for broke and bring in 2nd closer. Cubs brought in Chapman and won a title. That could make the difference for Dodgers and a title. As Epstein said at the time. “If not now then when”
I think you are right. Don’t fall in love with Keibert Ruiz, everybody! Can’t operate out of fear.
We could also just sign Kimbrel.
The Dodgers could sign Kimbrel IF (BIG IF) Kimbrel wanted to sign with the Dodgers. It is not like Chapman being traded where he had no say. Kimbrel probably does not want to co-close with Jansen, and I do not see Jansen wanting to go to setup role. Big money goes to closers, not 8th inning guys. I still think he ends up in Atlanta. He is a southern boy drafted twice by the Braves.
Mark I think that’s overpaying for Castellanos. He’s on an expiring contract. Adding Smithns too much. Everyone is always giving up on JOC and his 900 OPS this year. I’d put Verdugo leadingnoff and drop JOC down where those hr’s translate into more runs!
CF Verdugo
RF Bellinger
3B Turner
SS Seager
LF Pederson
1B Muncy
2B Taylor
C Will Smith (coming soon in theaters near you)
Gale, Rios, Golf balls, bag of tees for Casty
Joc is doing better… on paper, but he has more HR than singles and he cannot hit LHP. On average, he looks good, but if you put one foot in icewater and the other one in boiling, the average says you are fine… except you are not! Plus, the Dodgers need a RH Power hitter.
So if you get Castellanos, trade Joc, and your everyday outfield is Casty, Verdugo, Belli, do you also trade Pollock? If so, for what?
You will never have everyone healthy all the time.
How about this for an outside-the-box idea?
Trade for a RH thumper who plays 1B, move Muncy to 2B, and make Hernandez the LF platoon partner.
Or just keep with the talent that is about to run away with the division.
Sorry, Mark, but trading for Casty, requesting a window, and negotiating a long-term deal just might be a dope fiend move 🙂
As it looks now when Pollock comes back if Verdugo continues to rake you have to bring Belly back to first and Muncy to second. Can’t justify playing Kiki or Taylor over Verdugo
Let me give my take on Castellanos.
I am not a huge advocate primarily because he is a poor defender. Maybe he can be fixed, but like Dodgerrick said, if he could be “fixed” why can’t the Tigers’ coaches do that? I do not think they are ignoring his defensive deficiencies. Some guys are good defenders, some are not.
He is not going to sign an extension even for fair market. He is a Scott Boras client, and he is not going to let Castellanos sign before FA. I just cannot see that happening. Castellanos is a DH and belongs in the AL and Boras knows that is where his biggest value will come from.
Castellanos is a tremendous hitter against LHP. Career – .298/.352/.509/.861. 2018 – .381/.432/.571/1.004
2019 – .381/.480/.714/1.194. He and Joc would be a very formidable platoon duo, but I am not so sure that it would be that much better than Kike’ or CT3 and then have to give up their defense. I can see a potential platoon if Joc and Castellanos with Kike’ or CT3 being the super utility player (late inning defensive sub) and the other one being included in the trade. But again, how much better would the team be? Consider offense and defense.
As I wrote above, if the RH bat is not a true difference maker, I do not see an advantage of trading prospects for a small benefit for a rental. I would not trade Joc, Will Smith, and a pitching prospect for Castellanos, and I know Mark would not make that trade if Castellanos was simply a rental.
Getting either Casty for LF or Abreu at 1B would signal the end for Joc and reduced roles for Taylor, Muncy and Kike making one of them also expendable.
Getting Casty would put him in LF, Pollock CF, Verdugo RF, Belli 1B, Kike/Muncy/Taylor 2B
Getty Abreu would put Verdugo in LF, Pollock CF, Belli RF, Abreu 1B, Kike/Muncy/Taylor 2B
Joc/Kike in LF outproduces both of them.
Joc’s time with the team is coming to a close. You better make sure you’re getting the right RH bat if you’re going to move on from Joc.
Getting either one will also likely make the defense a little worse, make you better against lefties and worse against righties.
LH Bats – Belli, Seager, Verdugo, Muncy
RH Bats – Abreu, Turner, Pollock, Kike, CT3
C – Marnes
A short ways back the whole of Dodgers couldn’t hit LH pitching and the team didn’t need gutting. I think Joc has a very fair chance to get past his obstacles. At least he’s been heading that direction and shows signs he may become ‘that guy’. Left field is a pretty busy position and it really isn’t broke with the current platoons. Seems more of doing something just for the sake of doing something. But then I’ve never had an eye on Castellanos, so who am I to voice my two cents? Gotta look the horse in the mouth.
I am ecstatic about the Dodgers quick start! With a better bullpen performance the race would be over. At this point our glaring weaknesses appear to be the bullpen duh and at catcher. At least at catcher doc bats marnes in the 8th spot or near the bottom where they belong. He tried to bat grandal 3-5 where he didn’t belong. If healthy our offense is good enough without an upgrade. If pollock doesn’t come back then maybe Castellanos should be in play. I would trade Jansen to the cubs for Contreras and sign Kimbrel. There would be other players involved which might include Heyward if the money could be worked out. Maybe Chatwood. While I wouldn’t want either I would want Contreras. I agree with ac about Doolittle. The nationals are one starting pitcher injury away from folding. So get doolittle. I realize all parties have to be motivated you can’t make unilateral moves.
A couple of things.
Rick said “Dodger catchers can’t hit (big surprise) and are hitting .217/.329/.364/.693.
Seager, Pollock and Kike are not hitting right now either. I would not automatically assume they will continue down that path.
However, even if they were to do so, I would remind you that the Red Sox won a World Series last year and their catchers hit much, much worse than that.
Kike was the Dodgers best hitter after the All-Star game last year, hitting .294 with a .371 OB%.
On Craig Kimbrell:
Boston did not want him back. They, along with other teams are concerned with his ability to close. Trading Kenley away and bringing on Kimbrel would wreck team chemistry and you could end up much worse than with Kenley.
I don’t think trading Jansen is remotely possible. Adding a co-closer would be tough but not impossible.
Mark you have said multiple times you were not in agreement to resign Kenley. Trading Kenley would wreck team chemistry? Are you saying team chemistry is more important than performance? Kimbrel may not be the answer and I trust that AF knows best about Kimbrel. I figured Boston didn’t want to pay what Kimbrel wanted and nobody else did either. Just throwing out a way to get Contreras and improve the Dodgers catching, hitting and maybe pitching. My observation is that Kenley is a question mark for several reasons but giving up the homerun ball is at the top.
Part of the reason I want Castellanos is to put together a package with Shane Greene and use him as the 8th inning guy and occasional closer.
He has another year of control before he is a FA. The real trade is Joc, Will Smith, Edwin Rios, Omar Estevez, and Geraldo Carrillo for Greene and Casty. It’s an overpay, but the Tigers have to be motivated. Joc would go somewhere else in a 3-way deal.
One thing I am grateful for is that none of the posters on this blog have anything to do with front office decisions!
I will never understand Mark’s fascination with Castellanos and please don’t give me 7 reasons why it’s a great move. Let’s agree to disagree on that one.
The team is doing fantastic so far but have a few issues like every other team and it’s time to break up the band. If we fanatics can see some things that could be improved rest assured the front office does too.
I can’t give you seven reasons, but history might. I don’t expect most fans to see it. That’s OK.
The best comment of the year and by far, I think the same, good that these do not occupy a place in the office, every player who enters depression want to change it. The dodgers are a tremendous team, if we have 3 or 4 problems, you Do you imagine how many others have?
I love the moniker!
I am holding my breath that Barnes can make it through the season because if he don’t we are in deep trouble. Martin can’t hold up physically playing halftime much less full time. Then what rocky gale? That is the position we are most vulnerable. As Vegas stated the front office is well aware of this. I’m enjoying our great start and with reasonably good health this team is certainly amongst the World Series favorites. Improve the bullpen and keep a close eye on the catcher position.
I am not sure his bat plays yet, but Will Smith can catch and throw,
Bingo! He has always hit in the minors, plays ML defense right now and has some power and speed plus can play other positions. He has to be protected next year anyway and swapping him with Gale on the 40 man could happen at any time. At this point all he has to do is hit about .230 and field the position to replace either one of the Marnes duo if they go down for an extended period.
Will Smith is the man, sooner or later this season he will arrive, it is inevitable. With the change of focus, from the Dodgers, to the offense you do not need a great catcher hitter, Smith can now equal Barnes & Martin batting, for which you really do not need much, the real important thing that will bring the team it is his defense, which becomes very important in playoff games. Barnes can not get anyone out in the robberies and it seems that Martin can not play every day for his health, Smith will solve the position and something else, he has his power, a HR here another one will come in very well, Smith is the man.
AC,
I have to disagree with your comment that the FO is not committed to or values the BP. The signing of Kelly dispels that point of view. If Kelly did what he was hired to do, we wouldn’t be discussing the breakdown of the BP.
Before the last game where the Dodgers imploded against Washington, both Alexander and Floro were very decent, especially Floro who had no ER’s. Yimi and Baez have both improved, but Kelly has not. Urias pitched 3 shutout innings the other night. Kenley has 12 saves. Surely, this BP is better than how it is perceived. Kelly is the guy that has lost us more games than anyone else. Normally, a team would do something, like remove the guy from playing and send him to re-hab. He has a history of poor performance, yet they signed him to a hefty contract.
The Dodger catchers remain a weakness. Our prospects are not quite ready to take over and our incumbents are merely holding the position together by bandaids. Barnes will probably be healthy enough to last the season, or should be. Martin is questionable, healthwise, but probably a better catcher than Barnes. I wonder if there is an analysis on pitch calling between the two. It seems little attention is called to how the catcher is calling the pitches which often end up as HR’s. The catcher would seem to share some of that responsibility that we automatically give to the pitchers. Anyone care to comment on this?
I don’t see the Dodgers signing someone like Castellanos. It goes against their DNA. There is also the saying, ‘if it’s not broken, don’t fix it’. The Dodgers are not broken in any stretch. Why should they trade Joc? He’s probably won them a few games with his HR’s and they seem to have confidence in him. A guy like Verdugo, who can do it all, is the most likely way of replacing Joc if they want to replace Joc. If anyone needs some replacement consideration, it is Taylor, but he is a utility guy and serves a very good defensive purpose. The Dodgers need to continue doing what they are doing and tightening up their edges. They need to win on the road and continue to have their starters pitch deep into games and NOT give up so many HR’s!!
4 games up. We’re not perfect but why the gloom?
BM, not sure if your comment was directed at me. No gloom here. Maybe a few criticisms but those are meant to be constructive.
Can one of the prospect guys do something on Andre Jackson? Thanks