In a 401K portfolio, maybe you have only sufficient funds to NOT LOSE, but do not have that little bit extra to think about…what if. Or maybe you can invest your max in your 401K and want to keep that safe but have a little extra that you want to invest for something that may prove to be a very good return on your investment. Some of those investments will provide immediate short-term gains that may continue to grow and become a long term asset, or may start to dwindle and you need to think of an exit strategy. And sometimes they are losses from the get-go.
I think baseball is a lot like that. Sometimes your portfolio is maxed out at 25 and you have to compete with what you have. If all of the assets are working together, there are no outside interferences (injuries), and one or two or three of those assets are performing above expectations, you will succeed. Minnesota Twins come to mind. Sometimes your assets do not work well together, and your losses continue to mount. Phillies, Mets, Nationals? But sometimes you have the luxury of additional assets that you can exploit and maybe continue to separate yourself from the pack. Sometimes those player experiments fail. The most successful baseball executives know when to change that strategy or get out. I think the Dodgers are that team.
So was the Wednesday day game in Arizona a throw away game or an investment? At first blush, it sure looked like a throw away game, but I do not believe that AF or Doc believe in such a strategy but look at moves in longer terms. I know MT likes to use playing chess while everyone else is playing checkers analogy, and I believe that is exactly true. Tony Gonsolin needs to learn to pitch at the ML level. He has proven he can dominate in MiLB, so the team needs to invest some time for him at the ML level and get him to where he is comfortable on the big stage. Is the one game exposure right now all that is needed…just a taste of what is yet to come? Will that one game investment generate positive returns down the road? Regardless of the game outcome, he knows he can get ML hitters out. Now he just needs to command his pitches consistently. He and Caleb can work on that command down in AAA until they are back up again. Because those investments will be paying dividends, if not this year, certainly in the future.
Some are not convinced that Julio Urias is a top of the rotation starter, and others think he will be a CYA candidate with Walker Buehler in 2020 and beyond. Most of us remember his not so great May 27, 2016 debut against NYM in NY. 2.2 IP, 3 runs, 5 hits, 4 walks, and 3 strikeouts. His next start was June 2, and it may have been worse. 5.0 IP, 6 runs (5 earned), 8 hits, 1 walk, 4 strikeouts, and 3 HRs allowed. But his next start on June 7 at home against the Rockies went well. Everything started to click, and except for his July 4 start against Baltimore, his 2016 season was pretty good.
Urias’ shoulder surgery put that investment on hold, and it is back in ramp up mode, and we will soon see whether the Dodgers investment in Urias will generate a serious return (like a WS ring).
Most remember that Clayton’s initial foray into MLB did not portend of the multiple CY Awards and HOF career he eventually unleashed. In 2008, Clayton 5-5 with a rather pedestrian 4.26 ERA and 1.495 WHIP. He had two more good years before he began to showcase the Clayton Kershaw we have all come to enjoy. The Dodgers were in pennant races both 2008 & 2009. So the games were meaningful, and they stuck with him.
Last year’s phenom was Tampa Bay’s Blake Snell. He was always considered a top prospect, and last year he finally put it all together with a season worthy of a CYA. 21-5, 1.89 ERA, and 0.974 WHIP. This year he has been horrible. The Rays are hoping that the investment they showed in Blake Snell prior to last year will come back as they look to contend in the NL East and for a WC berth. They are going to need the 2018 version of Blake Snell.
This year’s phenom is Chicago White Sox Lucas Giolito. It took Giolito a while to meet his expectations, but this year that investment is paying off. He is tied for the MLB lead in wins (10) and complete games (2). Will Lucas provide plus benefits when the ChiSox become relevant again, presumably next season?
The other investment seems to be Joc at first. MT had nice post on the subject, and many were not shy from blasting the Joc 1B experiment. Until Wednesday, the Dodgers had not lost with Joc at 1B, and nobody being honest can lay Wednesday’s loss on Joc. He played poorly and cost a couple of runs, but certainly not the game. Does anyone believe that the Dodgers would have won with Joc on the bench and Belli at 1B? We all know that Joc is about as streaky of a hitter as there is in MLB. Just when everybody wants to dump Joc, he rolls out one of his patented streaks. Will he again, I have no idea. All of the negative comments were certainly warranted, but maybe the patience in that investment will start to flourish later this summer when he can certainly carry a team, or in a trade. Will he get better at 1B? Well he cannot get much worse, but he is certainly not the worst defensive player in MLB. If the Dodgers can win 3 out of 4 with Joc at 1B, I am okay being a little more patient. What did you expect? To go 162-0?
It seemed like a great game to put Tony on the bump for his ML debut and keep Joc at 1B. After all the Dodgers had just split with Greinke and Ray, and now were about to face RHSP Taylor Clarke who has been hit often and hard. Including Wednesday’s game, Clarke has a 7.29 ERA, 1.71 WHIP, and a .310 BAA for the month of June. For the year, he has a 6.10 ERA, 1.51 WHIP, and a .289BAA. How can you not believe that your bats are going to light this guy up. They didn’t.
I read all of the comments about the game and agree that games count the same in June as they do in September. I agree that to experiment with a position change in the middle of the season does not make a lot of sense. But again, thinking long term investment (chess vs checkers), and knowing that this front office does not do anything that is expected, nobody knows what the thinking is with Joc at 1B, or whether the Dodgers would have been better starting Buehler on regular rest. Or will the investment of one extra day rest pay dividends until the AS Break? How many honestly believed that the RVS experiment would work? I know many if not most on this site were giving the RVS experiment a chance to succeed or fail. So far this is a different offensive team than last year. Would they have been better without RVS, we will never know, but the evidence suggests that RVS has been a positive influence on the offense.
AF and Doc were not thinking about June 26, but were thinking of July/August/September. Some remembered that the Dodgers were so hot in 2017, and then suffered an 11-game losing streak. Many said that it was not the time to take the foot off the gas, just as it is not this year. Beat them all into submission. That 11-game losing streak in 2017 had absolutely zero impact on the playoffs. They beat the hottest team at the time, AZ DBacks 3 games to 0, and the Cubs 4 games to 1. That 11-game losing streak played no part in the WS loss. Just like the one game played on June 26, 2019 game will have no bearing on the playoffs this year.
Some are saying that the Dodgers have to continue to win to get home field advantage in the playoffs. The Brewers had home field advantage in 2018 NLCS and the Dodgers won. The Dodgers had the home field advantage in 2017 WS and lost. I understand that the Dodgers are a much better team at home, especially with Ryu on the hill. But one game played on June 26 is not going to decide if the Dodgers win the 2019 WS.
I am more interested for AF to concede that his investment in relief pitchers have not provided the necessary return far more than Tony Gonsolin starting a game and Joc playing 1B.
DC’s Minor League Lowdown
DSL Dodgers Shoemaker 4 – DSL Rays (2) 9
Pitching did not rule the day for the Shoes. Yamil Castillo (2 IP), Eli Moron (3 IP) and Jose Mendez (1.1 IP) all gave up three runs. Juan De la Cruz stranded 2 runners in his 0.2 innings pitched .
The offense with only 6 hits collected one run in the first inning on a Marlon Cairo home run and another in the 4th inning on a Juan Diaz single. Two runs came home in the 7th inning, both on Rays error.
DSL Dodgers Bautista 8 – DSL Athletics 2
The Bautistians’ pitching did rule the day. Starter Abel Moya gave up the only 2 runs in 4 innings on 4 hits and 4 strikeouts. Denverick Martines pitched 2 scores innings with no hits and three strikeouts. In his 8 innings pitched in 2019 he has allowed no earned runs and only 4 hits. He has struck out 7 and walked 3. Carlos De Avila finished up with 2.2 scoreless innings of his own with just one hit and 3 strikeouts. The trio allowed only 2 walks.
At the plate they had only 7 hits but scored 8 runs. One came in the first inning on a throwing error. Seven came in the 7th inning with a little bit of everything except an extra base hit. Eleven Dodgers went to the plate in the innings with the game log showing 4 singles, 2 walks, a HBP, a SF, a stolen base and a wild pitch.
AZL Dodgers Mota 8 – AZL Dodgers Lasorda 2
The Dodgers played the Dodgers and won and lost. Mota’s team got the pitching and hitting.
Hyun-il Choi started for the Motans and gave up one run in 5.1 innings one 2 hits with no walks and 7 strikeouts. Daniel Cruz continued to pitch scoreless ball with 2.2 innings pitched and 8 on the season with 12 strikeouts. It is time for the 21-year-old to move on up. Yasiel Sierra gave up a run in his inning.
They scored 2 in the 2nd on Romer Cuadrado’s home run and 6 in the 5th innings on a combination of an Omar Estevez double, an Alex De Jesus single, a Luis Yaniel Diaz triple and an Albert Suarez double.
Tommy’s boys scored one in the 6th on a ground out and one in the 9th on a wild pitch.
On the mound Israiky Berroa did not have a fun time. He gave up 6 runs in 4.1 innings on 9 hits. Orlandy Navarro surrendered 2 runs in his 2.2 innings while Reinaldo De Paula pitched a perfect 9th inning.
Ogden Raptors – Grand Junction Rockies (Colorado)
Game postponed – make up game Friday, June 28 as part of a double header.
Great Lakes Loons 3 – Bowling Green Hot Rods (Tampa Bay) 4
The Loons game on Wednesday was suspended due to rain with the score tied 2-2 after 5 inning. Jon Rooney and former Dodger minor leaguer Caleb Sampen were duking it out with a variety of pitches and both giving up 2 runs. Long man Justin Hagenman came on and pitched 4 inning unfortunately giving up what appeared to be the winning run in the bottom of the 7th inning. A Bowling Green error in the top of the 9th allowed the Loons to tie it up at 3. That error was changed to a hit for Miguel Vargas. Brett de Geus could not strand the runner starting at second in the bottom of the 10th inning although he induced a ground ball and fly out.
The Loons first 2 runs came in the 4th inning on a Luke Heyer sacrifice fly and a James Outman single. The tying run in the top of the 9th came in courtesy of Miguel Vargas. The Loons had two runners thrown out at home in the top of the 8th inning, one on a single and one on a double.
Great Lakes Loons – Bowling Green Hot Rods (Tampa Bay)
The regularly scheduled game was suspended due to rain to be played as part of a double header on Friday, June 28.
Ranch Cucamonga Quakes 10 – Lancaster JetHawks (Colorado) 2
Josiah Gray continues to make the so-called blockbuster trade look like a great one for the Dodgers He tossed 7 innings with 4 hits, one solo home run, no walks and 8 strikeouts. Gray’s stat line for the season stands at a 2.57 ERA over 70 innings pitched with 16 walks and 86 strikeouts along with a 1.07 WHIP. Austin Drury followed Gray and gave up a run while Connor Strain finished up with a scoreless 9th inning.
The Quakes had 13 hits with every player including a DH having at least one hit. The big inning was the 3rd as the Quakes put on a sound and light show for JetHawk starter Garrett Schilling. Devin Mann , Jeren Kendall and Jordan Procyshen all homered and Niko Hulsizer chipped in with a double. Kendall had a second home run the 8th inning while Hulsizer and Deacon Liput had 3 hits.
Tulsa Drillers 2 – Arkansas Travelers (Seattle) 3
Justin De Fratus started for the Drillers and gave up the 3 Traveler runs in 6 innings while Andre Scrubb gave up only one hit in his 2 innings.
Tulsa had but 2 hits, one a 2-run homer by Jared walker in the 2nd inning. The three hits on the night matched a season-low for Tulsa.
OKC Dodgers 6 – New Orleans Baby Cakes (Miami) 5
Rob Zastryzny pitched 5.2 innings giving up 4 earned runs while striking out 4. Justin Grimm pitched to one hitter stranding 2 runners. Adam McCreery allowed one more run in his inning while Shea Spitzbarth and Kevin Quackenbush tossed a combined 2.1 innings of scoreless relief.
The Dodgers scored one run in the 5th inning on a Gavin Lux double and a Cameron Perkins single. In the 6th inning they scored four times with all the runs being driven in by doubles – Angelo Mora, Errol Robinson pinch hit, Connor Joe. The walk-off run came in the bottom of the 9th on a DJ Peters walk and a Jon Kemmer double.
It was Kemmer’s first game with the OKC Dodgers after signing out of the Mexican League where he was hitting .355 with 21 home runs, 16 doubles and 49 RBI in 58 games. He was a former 21st round selection by the Astros in 2013.
Interesting article about the Mets Diaz/Cano trade:
https://www.forbes.com/sites/jerrybeach/2019/06/28/the-edwin-diazrobinson-cano-trade-is-not-working-out-like-everyone-except-the-new-york-mets-figured/#4f136247f742
Two points made in the article are of some interest
Only one closer, the Dodgers’ Kenley Jansen, is closing for the same team now as he was in 2016.
The quintet of Luke Jackson, Roenis Elias, Ian Kennedy, Taylor Rogers and Hansel Robles entered this season with a combined six saves. They have 53 saves this season.
Highlights why AF hesitates to take on big contracts for bullpen help. It’s also why I think Will Smith fits best in AF thinking of who to get by the trade deadline.
It was obvious to me that the humidity was very low in Denver yesterday. I checked and it was in the 20% range. Tuesday and Wednesday it was in the 50% to 65% range. When the humidity is like yesterday, the ball has very little “bite” and lacks movement, making it easier to hit AND when hit , due to the lack of “drag”, the ball flies out. Right now the humidity is 56% in Denver. Check it at game time and you will have a clue as to how many HR there might be.
Kike and CT3 haters: How do you like them now?
Great article AC. Agree 100%…. maybe 98.4%!
Do people actually hate those two? I’d say they are both excellent utility players. If Kike could consistently not pull off the ball(see his swing on strike 1) and use the entire field he would be the force that Mark believes in. However, I prefer to see him starting a couple of days a week not daily.
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CT3 is on another hot streak. I remember last season someone put up a month by month look at his numbers the last couple of years. There should have been little doubt he would have a hot streak. The numbers show he will have a cold streak too. I’m hoping this version of CT3 sticks around and wins the 2B job. I like having his speed on the diamond.
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What many aren’t fans of is when Doc lines up Taylor, Hernandez, Barnes, and then the pitcher.
DC’s Minor League Lowdown (Above)
Of course, Cody Bellinger (All-Star RF’er) lead the Dodgers with 64 RBI.
Second is Max Muncy with 52.
Third is the irrationally hated Kike Hernandez with 41.
Her has more RBI than Seager, Taylor, Pederson, Verdugo and Turner!
Smoke that!
Might be because a .693 OPS, 287 OBP and .215 AVG and 65 ks even after last night game the reason for that hatred and dislike??? All of the other players you mention have better overall numbers apart from HR’s and RBI. I say trade him along with prospects and get With Merrefield or someone that has consistent contact and good AVG and on base skills. Also trade little toy soldier Barnes and his mediocre .658 OPS and let Will Smith Catch !!!
Mark, you irrationally cherry pick one stat to make a case for a player. Of all stats, RBI has probably the least to do with a player’s production and more to do with the production of the players directly in front of him in the batting order. Kike also inexplicably has more ABs than ALL of those players sans Turner and his OPS is over 100 points lower than ALL of them. My question is, with that OPS, what the hell is he doing with more ABs than the others? Just another case for Doc’s less than optimal management of the team.
I would agree with the gist of Carlos’ post. But, I don’t think teams are lining up to trade for Kike and Barnes. I also see value in Barnes being Smith’s battery mate next year. Barnes is a very good BACKUP catcher. Besides, if you trade for Whit Merrifield, Joc is out of a job. So, trading Joc for Merrifield would be a better scenerio, not that KC would go for any of it without including additional prospects.
Great trades that won’t happen…
Joc and Estevez for Merrifield
K Bear for Vazquez and Liriano
Beside the phenomenal season Bellinger is having, nothing has turned my head around more than Taylor’s 2nd coming. I have not seen a turnaround like this with the onslaught of offensive production from a slumping player (going on the 2nd year!), as I’ve seen with Taylor. Every time he walks up to the plate, he’s threatening to blow the game wide open! Talk about a reference for Van Scoyoc, how could anyone not believe in this. It really does look like he’s figured it out. With this kind of clutch hitting, only the pitching will get us in trouble and Doc’s endlessly strange choices.
Being a board for nostalgic old men who are Dodger fans, really gets a lot of laughs. It covers the range from ridiculous to insightful. But what else could come from the minds of nostalgic old men? It’s only baseball, a game. It is not a way of life unless you’re playing it. Most of us just have some screws loose or an awful lot of time on their hands.
Get off my lawn!!
I work from home, no water cooler to stand around. This is my interpersonal communication because Facebook is too political and littered with Fake News!
Regarding Kike and CT3. I love Kike off the bench, keep him there. CT3 really stepped up with Corey down, what a Godsend. I prefer CT3 if I had to choose between the two.
Promotions! Gonsolin pitched well in my opinion, but he wasn’t ready to defend his position and neither was Joc. Next time he will be, not so sure about Joc. I think he showed he’s the next man up the next time a starting pitcher goes down. Lux and May to AAA! More studs are getting closer. Rios got a soft landing as a pinch hitter and got his feet wet.
It seems to me that the Dodgers are showcasing possible trade pieces while evaluating who they would rather keep. Joc, Rios, Beaty, Garlick or some combination may be donning new colors in the next month. Who would you keep? I like Beaty a lot. I just love his bat to ball skills as a fourth outfielder and first base option. I haven’t seen enough of Rios who’s also a machine with a bat. Garlick is a nice righty power bat with a good glove and no position in a crowded outfield. Can we fleece someone by sending Joc out of town?
Speaking of new colors…
K-Bear should be able to bring in a haul and Filipe Vazquez is a dominant, left handed closer with a very team friendly contract with 4 additional years of control via contract and options through 2023! Maybe we can get Vazquez AND Liriano for KBear? With the emergence of Smith and so many other catchers in the system, I would not hesitate to make that deal.
What to do about the Smith, Barnes, Martin dilemma? Smith is surely the best of the bunch. He was ready defensively last year and he’s got a hot bat. Barnes has the trust of the pitching staff and Marin is a great mentor for a young catcher and a capable backup. Would you use Barnes’ last option and bury him in the minors and let Martin work with Smith and pairing Smith with Barnes next year? That’s my plan!
I like both Hernandez and Taylor, more so Taylor.
Vasquez and Liriano for Ruiz only. Gonna take way more than that.
I hope the Dodgers are showcasing Rios for a trade. I wouldn’t mind losing Garlick (and I like him) in a trade.
Keep Joc and try to keep Beaty.
As I just posted about a new rule starting next year making lefty and righty specialists not worth keeping on a roster. Include righty specialist Floro in a trade if he has any value. Same goes for lefty specialist Alexander if he comes back in time for a trade if he has any value.
If Barnes has an option left that might be a good idea to send him down to work on hitting. I would NOT trade him because having 3 catchers is a good thing.
If Barnes doesn’t “turn the corner offensively” like CT3 has we’ll see less of him and more of Smith in the second half. I remember when Seager was brought up for a struggling Jimmy Rollins he basically took over the starting SS job late into the season and the entire post season. I think we’ll see the same scenario for Will Smith. The offensive futility that is Austin Barnes cannot continue. He’s a good back-up, spot starter and perhaps late-inning replacement but he gives away too many non-competitive AB’s.
Great write up AC. It reminded me of the lottery. You can not win if you do not buy a ticket. How do you know who will work out for your team if they are not given a chance? And sometimes more than one chance. Patience. It will pay off if it is meant to be.
Gavin Lux sure looks overmatched at AAA. Nah!!! 3-5 with a double in his OKC debut. He also played SS.
DO NOT BE SURPRISED to see Kevin Quackenbush make it back to the Show. He is not only on the AAA All Star squad, but in his last 16 games (16.2 IP) he has allowed 2 runs on 13 hits and 3 walks, with 27 strikeouts. Maybe just maybe something clicked and AF found another to somehow fight his way back up. I for one am rooting for him to get the call. He can take Brock Stewart’s spot on the 40 man.
Great news regarding Quakenbush. Is he throwing gas? Overpowering? New offspead?
Lux is a stud. Corey might just be the 3rd baseman of the future with his injury concerns. Lux and Downs the new Trammel and Whitaker?
The infield part 2 Muncy, Seager, Lux and Downs!
Very good time to be a Dodgers fan.
Quackenbush does not throw hard (never has). He has to rely on his command. He does throw more offspeed/breaking balls and he is getting a lot of swing and miss. Someone who relies on command better have it. For the last 16 games, he has had it. How will that translate at the MLB level? He is not Vazquez, Hand, Smith, Giles, or anybody that hopefully AF is scouting, but maybe he has another run in him. I just like the second chances and hope he makes it back. If he does not succeed, at least he got his second chance.
Love the sound of our future infield.
I don’t remember who but somebody posted here that when Taylor starts playing full time for Seager that he’ll begin to hit more consistently. Was that spot to n! I’d love to see his numbers since then! And the winning lotto numbers for this weekend!
Shucks Cassidy. I’m blushing. It was me.
With regard to your question, this was posted on twitter last night during the game:
With that go-ahead single, Chris Taylor is 18 for his last 34 (.529), with 4 doubles, 3 HR & 14 RBI
Rest assured that I won’t be quite so quick to point out the next time I’m totally wrong about one of my predictions.
And I say whatever it takes to get Vazquez make it happen including Kbear. He puts us over the top!
Question..Mark or AC or DC. I read recently that minor league players get paid $3000 a month and when they get called up to the big team get paid $3000 a day. Is that true? If so, what a difference in salary! I think it was on an article about Kyle Garlick. Maybe they need to pay the minor leaguers more?
Minor league player compensation is a disgrace and an under-reported disgrace at that.
Not just dollars, but benefits.
DBM, Bluto is kind when he says that MiLB salary and benefits is a disgrace. Most MiLB teams have a first year scale roughly as follows:
A – $1,538 per month
AA – $1,700 per month
AAA- $2,178 per month
They are paid only for April – September. They pay all of the travel costs to and from the ST facilities and back home. If they fly, they have to ship their cars. They do not get paid during ST. They do get a per diem (I forget how small it is). Most have to pay for their living arrangements during the season. They also have to pay their clubhouse dues out of their salaries. There are no medical benefits, no pension.
This year Toronto increased the MiLB salaries for all of their minor leaguers:
A – Increase 56% to about $2,400 per month ($12,000 per season)
AA – Increase 50% to $2,550 per month ($12,750 per season)
AAA – Increase 40% to $3,050 per month ($15,250 per season)
When they get to MLB, they get a pro-rata share of $555,000/year (about $3,425 per game).
The MLB Players Association does not give a rip about the minor leaguers. Tony Clarke is a disgrace. He says how wonderful Toronto was in giving the MiLB players the raise, but he will not concede one thing so that the MiLB players can get anything resembling a livelihood.
They minor league players just lost a lawsuit guaranteeing them minimum wage.
Wow. I had no idea how little the minor league players get in salary, benefits, living costs etc. What a shame. Hope things turn around and get better for them. How do the Dodgers compare to the other teams? Why are the standards for salary set by MLB and not the individual teams? Thanks AC.
This is, DodgerBlueMom, the ugly side of business/media consolidation, capitalism and the lure of opportunity.
Why are the benefits so bad? Why are the rates determined by a single body? Because they can be.
Alas the moral side of the market. Where have you gone regulatory boards and oversight?
But let us save further discussion for the Adam Smith board.
I like Joc’s power, but he’s not a first baseman. Doing a mid-season experiment is kinda weird. They’ve been working with him for awhile to make the switch. But does he look comfortable at that position? He does not. Can he learn the position? Probably. As to Chris Taylor, they’ve been working with him on his swing/pitch recognition and it’s working. Before he was giving away too many at bats in key moments by swinging at pitches off the plate and taking called third strikes. Hernandez has power and off the chart defensive skills. But he’s also a victim of swinging at balls off the plate, many not even close to being strikes. If he could overcome that, he could be a really good hitter. Still, he has a knack of coming up big in key moments, such as last night. Lux could be the starting second baseman next year. Don’t see the Dodgers moving Seager off short.
Josiah Gray has to be in the Dodgers top ten when mid season prospect lists come out. And DC is absolutely correct in that Logan Salow deserves to be promoted to AA (as does Josiah Gray).
From your post to AF’s ear/eyes.
Future Dodgers just tweeted Salow promoted to Tulsa.
He certainly deserves to be, as per these stats from RC this year:
27 G, 43 IP
71 K, 22 BB, 17 H, .118 BAA
1.43 ERA, 2.68 FIP, 0.91 WHIP
41.5 K%, 12.9 BB%
Gray has to be considered to take May’s spot in Tulsa.
If we do indeed have the 2017 version of Chris Taylor back the regular line up becomes a no brainer.
Infield
Muncy
Taylor
Seager
Turner
Outfield
Alex
AJ
Belli
Sorry Joc
Joc and AJ can platoon in LF as far as I’m concerned. The other guys will need some days off too which allow you to get AJ AB’s against righties so it isn’t a straight platoon.
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How much will Ryu’s ERA go up after tonight? He hasn’t pitched well in this park and it’s pretty common to see ERA’s jump a half a run or more after an outing at Coors field.
This is by far the best defensive alignment and most balanced lineup. Don’t forget Smith at C. I also like the version with Joc instead of CT3 with Belli at 1B and Muncy at 2nd. But, the former finally gets rid of all the PLATOONS!!!!
AJ and Joc will NOT be platooned. When AJ is healthy, he’s a full-time player and has more center field experience than all the others put together. Just yesterday Alex misplayed 2 balls in CF. That won’t happen once Pollock settles in.
Mis-played balls in CF in Colorado do not count!
So Baseball finally comes home to England tomorrow.
There’s lots of interest here, with the media all over it.
The one intangible has come good as well, as it’s gonna touch 90 degrees in London tomorrow, which for us is incredibly hot.
Tickets for both games sold out very quickly, but were eye wateringly expensive.
Next year is the Cubs v Cards.
I’m hoping for Dodgers/ Giants in 2021.
Hope this start in Coors, and the AS Game doesn’t throw Ryu out of sync.
I read that a new rule starting next year will require pitchers to pitch to a minimum of 3 batters. That will make lefty and righty specialists not worth it on the roster. Floro and Alexander fit that description and may be others that emerge to fit that description.
Anyone knowledgeable about the Blue Jays? Does anyone know what the Blue Jays will be asking for in a trade for Ken Giles? Or what they need?
I don’t know what they need but we need Vazquez and I’m willing to spend big to get him. Ruiz is on the table! Let’s get it done AF. This not only sets us up this year but years to come! Prospects never are a sure thing and Vazquez is!
Longenhagen chat:
Brandon J: What do you make of Josiah Gray? Could you see him surpassing Jeter Downs as the better prospect of the Dodgers/Reds trade?
Eric A Longenhagen: Sure he can. Athletic conversion arm might just be scratching the surface.
IsIt2020Yet?: Think the Dodgers would overpay for an elite are like Felipe Vazquez? Maybe a Lux and Smith for Vazquez and Kevin Kramer framework?
Eric A Longenhagen: The Chapman deal as a framework for Mazquez (SIC) probably means just one guy like that, not two
Sickels updated 100 list has:
25) Gavin Lux, SS
32) Keibert Ruiz, C,
76) Dustin May, RHP
88) Will Smith, C
Ruiz would get Vasquez. I am certain of that.
I am not certain I would do it!
I would try for Wong, Beaty and White.
Nice try Mark, but both teams have to agree to a deal. Pirates don’t do that in a million years. Keep in mind every contending team that needs relievers (that’s most of them) will be calling the Bucs.
You’re dreaming bf with that group Mark! Vazquez is the best young reliever in game. And controllable with a deal of a contract. It’s gonna hurt and gonna start with Ruiz and there’s not a guy like n that clubhouse who doesn’t want AF to get it done. I don’t think it will take May, Lutz or Gonzo also to get it done
Brett de Geus promoted to Quakes from Loons to take Logan Salow’s place.
That makes me happy.
Ryu should just walk Arenado next time. Nolan just owns him. I think he’s 9 of his last 13
Valaika! My word a guy hitting .073 coors strikes again.
They need to do something with that stadium in Colorado. Move the outfield walls back or make it a roof stadium.
Did the Dodgers know how bad of a fielder Kelly is when they signed him? I’ve seen 2 poor plays this week from him, tonight’s bad throw to 1B and a dropped foul pop-up he insisted on fielding.
Rockies pounding the hell out of us. 2 E’s, 6 run 5th inning, 3 HR, chased Ryu, and are about to scandalize Kelly. What a crazy park it is to play in.
Joc has to catch the throw from Taylor. That’s terrible.
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Dahl can thank Diaz for his homer.
Once again and I will holler from the rooftop! Mark needs to throw down a declaration until Sunday afternoon a “No Bitchin’ about Dodger pitchin’! Coors field is a friggin joke. As I’m watching Ryu struggling(besides getting squeezed big time in about 3 or 4 crucial counts by the homeplate ump), and watching two Rockie home runs that would be routine fly balls in most ballparks, even Orel is getting disgusted by the balls flying everywhere tonight., it’s like a video game. After watching Striker and Ryu strugglebussing I have zero respect for any numbers the Rockies hitters have at home. Total BS.
I’m not going to bitch about any pitching or outfield play in that place. It might be a beautiful park but it’s a joke.
Totally agree Hawkeye, this weekend is all about survival and a split.
Now the 1st base play of both teams is another story.
I can’t imagine having to play 81 games there every year.
Edwin Uceta has started five games in Double-A:
First three starts:
7.1 IP, 14 ER, 17 H, 6 BB, 6 K
Last two starts:
13 IP, 1 ER, 6 H, 1 BB, 15 K
Jeff, maybe they’ll try Kelly at first next!
Ha! He just might be worse than Joc anywhere they put him. When I watch Kelly, I always feel that he is uncomfortable and never sure of himself. He looks tentative at everything he does.
The only reason that Joc is on the team is for his power. There is no way he should be starting on this team because he has no real skill other than the HR which he does very well. He has never hit for average and has left more players stranded than I care to remember. Has he ever thrown anyone out at home from LF?
I don’t underestimate defense. We can see the Dodgers falling apart defensively since Corey got hurt. This will cost us games.
Either way, it makes for an exciting game.
10-9 bottom of the 8th.
Muncy absolutely crushed his HR.
I hate this park. I feel sick what the runs did to Buehler and Ryu’s era. I do not like what the park did to Kenley’s heart problems last year. Our fielders crashed into the fences trying to catch all the balls hit out there. Our pitchers balls do not move when thrown and our infielders can not pick up the ball or throw one accurately or catch one. The Rockies are used to the air in this park. Sorry I can not wait for this series to be over. Blaming the park. Silly me.
Floro 15 runs in last 9 innings.
I’m hoping Edwin is gonna be a Star.
Is there any room for Edwin on this club?
Floro should not be pitching in the late innings. He is not considered a ‘bridge’ pitcher and is out of place there. He is good for 1 inning or less earlier in games and even then, he seems to be losing his command.
I am actually in favor of shortening the season. 162 games is too long to waste so much time watching the tube. Fans could actually get a lot more done throughout the year instead of being glued to the tube for 3-4 hours a day watching their eyesight deteriorate yearly and their waistlines expanding. And, that’s only baseball. Then there is football, basketball, and soccer/hockey. Lots of money would be saved, wives would be happier. More health, money, sex, and time for real conversations with real, in the flesh, people. They used to be called ‘friends’. lol
Sorry Mark. I was venting and lost my usual reasonable outlook. I just felt like the team, especially the pitchers, were sacrifical lambs put on the altar for slaughter. I have regained my sanity this morning but still feel this ballpark does not belong in an MLB environment.