The next few hours are going to be crazier than Jack Nicholson in The Shining and none of us have any clue what will go down. Yesterday, I said that I doubted that Andrew Friedman will trade any of the Top 10 prospects, to which AC said he was OK with #10 (Mitchell White). I’d agree with that. Other than DJ Peters (#13), I would trade any other prospects after #9.
Will Smith was doing well at AAA, but remember, he is about 3 years older than Keibert Ruiz, whose upside is massive. At 21 years-old he has amassed more walks than strikeouts this year. How often do you see 21 year-olds do that? The last one I could find was 21 year-old Tony Gwynn who had 28 strikeouts and 28 BB at A and AA, not ever AAA. I called Alex Verdugo Tony Gwynn-esque and you can see how well he has done (forget his current slump – it happens to everyone). Kaybear has elite bat-to-ball skills. I would not trade him or any of the TOP NINE, and I do not think Friedman will either.
Many were quick to trade Ruiz and Gonsolin, but you also saw Tony’s potential last night at Coors Field. He has great command of his fastball and slider and while he has a curve, he doesn’t control it as well. He also has a change, but in the bullpen, all he needs is that fastball and slider. He can be elite THIS YEAR in the pen. I could also see Dustin May in the bullpen THIS YEAR. He has excellent control at age 21 and only needs to use two pitches.
If Friedman swings a deal for a Daniel Hudson or Shane Greene or Amir Garrett, for lessor prospects, then I am fine. There is no guarantee that a Felipe Vasquez will get us a Championship. I have said it all year and will continue to say it.
I still think something strange will happen to, like Joc traded and Castellanos and Greene coming to the Dodgers…. Who knows?
By the way, Negron and White played a nice role last night. Can Ryu handle Coors? No, not the beer… the Stadium!
It would not surprise me to see Joc and Stripling traded today or this winter. Both need a reset. Stripling is a starter and will help another club. Joc needs a reset and Doc criticism did not help. He is not a first baseman. He belongs in the outfield.
I am with you guys that Mitchell White can be traded. Keep DJ Peters.
Gosolin and Sadler looked good last night. They had good command of the strike zone. Giving up a few runs at Coors Field is not a knock on any pitcher. Our bull pen is well rested for today’s game. I would certainly keep Gosolin and Sadler and let them pitch themselves on or off the team. Garcia and others have had all year to prove themselves and have not proven to be good.
I will agree that Ruiz could be something really great and a player that could haunt us for years if traded. On the other hand if the Dodgers need Vasquez for the next 4 years then obviously we have to give quality to get quality. Tough decision for Friedman.
For some reason I am anxious to add Ian Kennedy to the bullpen. Jansen, Baez, Maeda, Kennedy would be a good core four. Hill is on his way. Ferguson may still make a big contribution this year.
A rotation of Kershaw, Ryu, Buehler, Urias, Gonsolin to get the Dodgers to the postseason could be fun to witness. It would also be fun if May got a few starts to delay Urias entry into the rotation.
Maybe Kennedy could be substituted for Floro, Garcia, Chargois if Kennedy’s host team eats some of his salary.
We all now Joc got off to a hot start and has cooled. But this is Verdugo’s line for July: 208 .262 .351 .613
We don’t need to delay Urias. He needs to build up his innings now.
Not only has Verdugo cooled off with the bat, he misplayed 2 balls last night. Why wasn’t everyone on him like Pollock?
I’m not down on Verdugo. Guys slump and he’s done just this every year in the minors. He has insane numbers, cools off, then is better than fine down the road. Verdugo will be fine down the road. Not sure about Rookies and the Post-season.
I’m totally down with Kennedy as a fallback option. All he’s gonna cost is Money and a flier on a lesser prospect. I still want a lefty. I still want Abreu.
I say no Ryu cannot. He relies on pinpoint control of breaking stuff which sometime impossible up there. Same problem with Bueler not getting any break on curveball
Ruiz could be great. He could be good. Maybe he just becomes a really solid catcher for 15 years, which is still awesome.
Felipe Vazquez is great now. In fact, he might be the best late inning option in baseball. And he’s cheap. And he’s young. And he’s controllable for 4 years. And he fills a much bigger need on the 2019 Dodgers, who need to win the World Series or it’s a failure of a year, than Keibert Ruiz.
In my mind, it’s a no brainer. Elite talent will cost you. Elite talent that’s elite MLB talent NOW vs. elite talent that may become elite MLB talent in 2022 is more important to the 2019 Dodgers.
Sorry Keibert, I wish you well, but you might need to be sacrificed for a World Series title. As Kobe said “ship his ass out!” Bring us a ring AF!!
Bobby, they are not just askkking for Ruiz. That would be a no-brainer.
I agree with you Bobby. Will Smith seems to have anchored the catching position for now and Ruiz is still learning in AAA. He may or may not turn into the guy Mark says he will be. We have the team to win now and if not now WHEN?
Gonsolin just pitched his way out of getting traded. Just one game, I’m not ready to call him the solution to our crappy bullpen. We still need a closer and a lefty and Abreu, unless Casty wants to play 1B.
A agree that we’ll probably see a trade that no one expected. I’ve been saying that for some time now. Unfortunately, White and Negron fit that description.
Very sad to be a Rockies pitcher. Last year Freeland was the Ace, the year before that Gray was. Then Gray sucked, now he’s the Ace again and Freeland sucks. Hopefully they continue this trend.
Today should be a busy day now that some big names have been traded, there should be some more.
The Giants lost last night and they’re one game over 500. Farhan’s got to be pretty pissed off right now because he know that his team has no chance to compete in the post-season and now he’s being handcuffed trying to restock the cupboard.
You say Gonsolin just pitched his way out of being traded. He may have just pitched his way INTO being traded. His only other appearance was a mediocre one. Last night showed what he can be and he did it at Coors. If I’m him, I hold my breath until the deadline.
Still think there is a chance that a player or two in the top 10 get traded, but can’t see Ruiz getting moved unless it’s for Vasquez. Gonsolin looked really good last night. Not sure we should even pursue Vasquez if there is no clear indication that the Pirates would actually move him. By now Friedman pretty much should know where the Dodgers stand. Greene and a good lefty, maybe a Garrett, who throws a pretty mean left hook, would be fine. Not sure the Reds really want to part with him. But there a couple of other lefties out there who would fit. Wouldn’t be surprised to see Joc move, probably would be best for him. Just doesn’t have a position. The rise of Matt Beatty may play into that too.
How can you even suggest Garrett after what he did last night on that brawl. He will get suspended like 10 games at least for his stupidity last night. Dodgers they way this FO thinks wont even ask for him now. If they did not liked Puig , garret is 10 times more stupid.
Yeah, we have 2 catchers, 3 starting pitchers, and 3 middle infielders in our top 10. We need one of those SPs to join Urias in the rotation next year and Lux at 2B. So 5 guys in our top 10 are expendable. Maybe you say May and Gonsolin are both keepers last night because Gonsolin can help out in the pen. That still makes White, Busch, Downs, Gray and Ruiz expendable.
Let’s make a deal!
Busch is in a cast and I don’t think you can trade the players you just drafted yet.
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I respect Garrett more after that brawl. Who cares if he’s suspended for 10 games. Clint Hurdle is a head hunter. Amir stood up for his teammates and did it without chucking a baseball at someone’s melon
I suspect by the close of the trading deadline the Dodgers will have acquired one of Greene, Iglesias, Kela or Vasquez. I would also not be surprised to see Joc included in a deal as well. I wonder if we’ll see a blockbuster involving Syndergard or Bumgarner.
I just hope we can get better without having to give up Ruiz, May, Peters, Lux or Gonsolin, but to get Vasquez one of the five may have to go.
Why worry about Vazquez? We’ve got Kenley who is thrilling to watch and has got better career numbers than Vazquez. Lower ERA and WHIP. Granted, Vazquez is having a great year. Don’t throw Kenley under the bus, now. We should have done it when his contract came up. Stick with him.
Kenley the rollercoaster Jansen. I dont recall the last time i watched him get a clean inning. Always runners on base and home runs. Hope he returns to form. He is not fun to watch anymore even with a 5 run lead.
Kela is a punk. I’m not so sure I want him in our locker room.
No thank you on Kela. He’s already been suspended twice by the Pirates and last night he threw at a guy’s head. There are enough other possibilities out there without adding him.
Amir Garrett is one crazy dude. Did anyone see him charge into that group of Reds without any thought for his own safety? He is the answer for anyone who throws pitches at Turner. This guy will have your back come hell or high water. Puig is a choir boy next to him. A lost boy.
Great deal Cleveland got in spite of Puig.
Again, no reason to wait till next year to bring Gonsolin, May, and Lux into eye of the storm. We got needs, they got the goods. Prove me wrong. Strap ’em on, FO and let’s get this party started.
Rancho’s Andre Jackson, potential trade chip, has 103.2 IP of 2.95 ERA, 1.23 WHIP, and 123 K l. His repertoire showcases a FB that touches 98 and put away CB and
Developing change.
Another potential name for today from RC is SP Gerardo Carrillo, Dodgers #23 prospect, headlines his arsenal with a 92-96 FB that touches 98. He is also working up a CB, SL, and CH.
What Bobby said.
It’s so hard to evaluate players who have just come up from the minors. I can’t say that I know what Gonsolin or Sadler, or certainly any of the ones who have not yet come up, would do in a career. I do know that Dodgers ans are apt to overreact on the positive side to a very new player. Maybe fans of all clubs do that, but I know it has happened here for decades. Somebody comes up, pitches well for a game or two, or gets a few hits, and people are thrilled. We cannot trade them! Mostly, we do not, and mostly these players either fizzle out, or regress to a more ordinary level. How many relief pitchers have we tried in the last three seasons or so, who ended up becoming almost useless? Put another way, which relievers have we brought up in that period who became valuable additions? I could say none, or maybe Baez, if we stretch it. Which starters have recently come up from our minors to star here? Buehler, that’s it. So maybe we are overrating our minor league pitching talent?
At this point, I am about ready to shrug and say, just keep all the prospects, see how it turns out. The Dodgers seem so risk-averse, or maybe it is spending-averse, that why urge them to go against their grain? I would love to get Vazquez, but as usual, they seem to be finding reasons not to do it, because maybe they would trade away someone who will turn out to be good! So shuffle around with some more minor league trades, hope that none of our main rivals obtain any really good players, and see what happens in the playoffs. And if we lose again, at least we will have all the prospects to look forward to? Now, the way I see it, we do not need two starting catchers, so pick the best one, and trade the other one. As to Gavin Lux, I will defer to the experts on talent, but I hope he has the makings of a perennial All-Star, for us to absolutely refuse to consider him in a trade. I would take an experienced and star reliever for a few years, over a second baseman, unless the latter were an almost can’t-miss player, who could hit at least .290 with power, and field very well. Anything less, well, you can obtain that in the free agent market, unless of course you are averse to looking there.
Prediction: Vazquez to Dodgers for Ruiz and Gray, but look for this trade to expand to include additional pieces going each way.
I think you’re on target. Ruiz, Gray, Garlick and another player who will he Rule 5 eligible.
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If he didn’t get injured in last night’s brawl I would be happy getting Garrett. The Dodgers have a big enough lead to absorb his suspension. Clint Hurdle has been throwing at players heads for years. Especially Reds players. Garrett had to quickly enter a game after Hughes got ejected. After giving up a dinger, Trevor Williams ,who had just been ejected, and the bench started chirping at Garrett. Unlike Kela, Garrett went after Williams man to man rather than throwing a ball at someone’s head. Despite their shortcomings the Reds have been a tight locker room.
Lot’s of good stuff on MLB.com right now. Thor is off the block. They’re really high on Lux. “if you watch him play, the way he looks and the way he moves you can tell he’s going to be a star for the next 10 years, no way you trade him for a bullpen piece.”
Coming up, Gammons says help to the Dodgers pen is on the way.
I would take Amir Garrett as well. If he’s suspended 10 games, who cares. If we can play Joc at 1b because of our huge lead, we can let Garrett rest his arm for a week or 2.
I suggested Garrett yesterday and days back but after this forget it. Dodgers dont like fighting and Roberts had never responds to throwing at hitters even do they have thrown at Turner many times. Also team did not liked when Puig fought with Hundley last year so it would not think they will be into Garrett now. Also Reds plan to compete now with Bauer and they want pitching.
Roberts isn’t in the same division with Clint Hurdle throwing bean balls at his players every time they play. Sometimes players have to say enough is enough.
I really do not think Vazquez is coming. I think putting two closers in the bull pen is not going to work. Jansen will be pissed off and players will choose sides. We may get someone less than Vazquez and that will be fine with me.
I am not worried about Verdugo. He has hit some pretty good balls right at people. He is a rookie, and Joc is not. Joc throughout his history has been hot and cold. To often after the all star game he cools off.
Rosenthal says Vazquez in play.
Gammons says Lux will be the captain some day, he’s not going anywhere.
Dodgers are focused on Vazquez.
Don’t hold your breath, 59. The cards are stacked against the FO unless they give away too much. If Vazquez is such a prize, why would Pittsburgh do it? A great closer is part of every good team’s makeup. You just don’t get rid of one like Vazquez.
Having a top closer does not do much good if you don’t have the ability to take leads into the ninth inning. And that is Pittsburgh’s situation. And if it takes them two or three years to get enough starting pitching and bats to be able to do that, Vazquez is not too essential for them now. Who else to they have that anyone wants? I think he’ll be traded either now or in the offseason.
My thoughts are that Pittsburgh, in last place and 13 games below 500 needs a closer like I need more free time on my hands to comment on baseball blogs. A great closer is part of every good team’s makeup, agreed. Pittsburgh in NOT a good team. If they want an every day catcher that will help the team on a regular basis when they’re ready to complete in a couple of years, they shouldn’t worry about a closer.
This is the perfect storm for Pitt. They aren’t going to see another trade deadline like this one where a closer can attract a top catching prospect, plus more. For the sake of comparison, Filipe has 2.0 WAR as a closer with an ERA+ of 233 (133% better than league average) while JT Realmuto has a 2.8 WAR with an OPS+ of 95 (5% worse than league average)
Closers are not nearly as valuable as catchers.
Let’s see, how much is Kenley making? Chapman? Wade Davis?
Now look up Realmuto and see what the best catcher is making.
How many catchers changed teams vs top closers?
Pittsburgh already has a piece of their puzzle in Vazquez and at a very team friendly price. You don’t give that up. If they do, they should begin looking for another GM.
OTOH, they could use a better catcher and a better rotation. That is exactly what they are asking for, Ruiz and May, and possibly more. Our FO will have to be out of their minds to give up both as our team needs another starter and May is the likely candidate.
Cey, Russell, Lopes, Garvey to Hoase, Seager, Lux, Bellinger
Peters will join that infield in the outfield.
Smith and one of the 4 other awesome catching prospects joins that team at catcher.
Just need two outfielders to round out that future team and I am not sure Verdugo is one of them. And, no, Joc isn’t either.
Verdugo is. He will hit .300 this year. He’s just hit the wall.
I think Bellinger stays in RF. He prefers that and any team who has a choice of a MVP Type Gold Glove Right Fielder or MVP Type Gold Glove First Baseman will always take the RF’er. It’s easier to fin a 1B and Muncy is here.
Hate to disagree kind sir but, I’d rather have Belly at 1st and Verdugo in right.
Bums, they had to get a good catcher for all those years of missed opportunities. Along comes Scioscia, replaces Yaeger, and they win the WS. This year may be a repeat with adding Smith.
Wasn’t that also the first year of Fernandomania, 1981?
How much does the fact that Dodgers currently have a good young catcher in Smith and the 17 year old Diego Cartaya in their future pipeline, influence their decision on whether or not to include Ruiz in a deal?
A lot.
I saw a video yesterday of Cartaya hitting a 421 foot HR with a big bat flip. I don’t want to deal Ruiz, but it is from a position of strength. I found a site on twitter called future Dodgers. They had a great video of all Ruiz can do but you have to give to get. I find myself really not wanting to deal Peters now. I never really though of him as real prospect. Too many K’s. Even after his hot start at OKC I wasn’t buying in. However, he may have turned a corner and what really has me concerned is that he’s the only true outfilld prospect that they got coming up the pipeline. I know there are good players like Beatty, but you know what I mean. I see Pollock as someone is who is aging quickly. He’s lost a step, injuries take a toll, he’s on the wrong side of 30 and has no business in CF. I hope he catches lightning in a bottle because I think they are going to be regretting that contract for 5 years.
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As for Vasquez, he could be Diaz next year and the Pirates know it. They are in the worst position of any team in that division next year too. They would be stupid to pass up a Ruiz/Gray/+ deal
I absolutely agree with you on Peters. His strikeouts were a major problem for me. I do not mind 20% K rate, and will tolerate a 25% K rate for power hitters, but Peters was getting out of control. As I wrote yesterday, and as you just wrote, there is nobody else in the pipeline who has DJ’s skill set and is an OF. He is a good defensive OF. I just saw a video of him going Lorenzo Cain on a ball hit over the CF wall. His arm is not at the Puig or Verdugo level, but it is good. MLB Pipeline grades him with a 60 arm (plus arm). Comparatively, Verdugo had a 70 arm. I know they were hoping that Jeren Kendall (even though LH hitter) would clear that hurdle this year, but he has gone backwards if that was even possible. Carlos Rincon, Starling Heredia, Kyle Garlick, Connor Joe, Cameron Perkins, Logan Landon, Zach Reks (LH), Cody Thomas (LH), Drew Avans (LH)…All capable, but none are considered every day players at the ML level.
I think the next hopeful will be Niko Hulsizer.
I’d do Ruiz and Gray and some other pieces for Vazquez in a heartbeat. It’s never gonna be more favorable for Dodgers to get to WS than this year and he gives us a great chance to finish the job against Astros or Yanks!
DODGERS ACTIVATE RHP DYLAN FLORO
RHP TONY GONSOLIN OPTIONED TO TRIPLE-A OKLAHOMA CITY
LOS ANGELES – The Los Angeles Dodgers announced that they have activated right-handed pitcher Dylan Floro from the 10-day injured list and optioned right-handed pitcher Tony Gonsolin to Triple-A Oklahoma City.
Floro, 28, returns from the injured list after missing 10 games with neck inflammation. The former Cal State Fullerton Titan is 4-3 with a 4.11 ERA (16 ER/35.0 IP) and 30 strikeouts in 37 games this season. The righty made one rehab appearance with High-A Rancho Cucamonga, tossing 1.0 inning with two hits and one strikeout on Friday night. In 66 games since joining the Dodgers, Floro is 7-4 with a 3.02 ERA (21 ER/62.2 IP) and 61 strikeouts.
Gonsolin, 25, has appeared in two games in two stints for the Dodgers, recording his first career save last night after tossing 4.0 innings of one-run baseball with three strikeouts against the Colorado Rockies. He has accumulated 8.0 innings, allowing seven runs (five earned) with six strikeouts for the Dodgers. With Triple-A Oklahoma City, he has made 12 starts, posting a 1-4 record with a 4.95 ERA (20 ER/36.1 IP) and 41 strikeouts.
Floro is not our future. Gonsolin better get a haircut and shave pretty quick. My opinion of him changed a lot, all for the better. He’s not perfect, but he’s got a future on this team. Showed more than Ferguson has all year.
I don’t want to admit it to myself but I too want Gonsolin to cut his hair. May as well.
Don’t see Gonsolin in this years rotation so he can probably pull off the retro-reliever look this year
Gonsolin did yesterday, what Ferguson did all last year after he went to the pen. Ferguson just shut down a bases loaded no-out situation with no runs against Colorado. Ferguson’s last three appearances – 3.0 IP, no runs, no hits, 2 walks (1 IBB). Very much what he did all last year. Maybe he is just now getting healthy. Gonsolin is two years older. Sometimes I think people’s memories and patience run in nano-seconds.
As long as Verdugo is around, the Dodgers have a ready made replacement for Bellinger in RF. And they have multiple candidates (both minor and major league) for LF.
I actually don’t agree that RF is more important than 1B. I have always considered 1B to be the anchor of the infield. A gold glove caliber first baseman is an invaluable asset. Yes, you can always find someone to plug in at 1B, but as we’ve seen with Joc, that’s not always a no brainer. Muncy is at the very least, adequate at 1B. But there are things that Belly can do that Muncy could never dream of doing.
Don’t care what anyone says about Belli in right our overall team defense is best when he’s at first and Verdugo in center!
3 more hours, when’s the $hit gonna start flying?
isn’t that all we’ve had, so far? When is it going to stop is a better question?
lol YES! YOU’RE RIGHT
Joc LF
Muncy 3B
Beaty 1B
Belli RF
Seager SS
Smith C
Verdugo CF
Negron 2B
Ryu P
The worst position for Muncy. He and Joc will have to power the team to a win. Can they do it?
“If the Dodgers win the division for the 7th straight time and lose the WS again, Great, they’re the Buffalo Bills! – Harold Reynolds.
How many division titles and World Series appearances does Harold Reynolds have?
Reynolds is an idiot. Thought Joe Morgan was the worst, MLB Networks says “Hold my beer”.
But, even a broken clock is right twice a day.
LA Thinking Men posted the Dodgers are still talking with Tigers and Mets about their relievers. The only formal offer was made to the Pirates who haven’t spoken since. They’re expected to talk at 10:15 LA time.
LA Thinking Men?
This sounds like that bozo with the initials C.C. who everyone claimed had inside information. IMHO, some people just guess and when they get one guess right then everyone thinks they know stuff.
I could definitely be wrong.
LA Thinking Men, isn’t that an oxymoron?
That’s what she said.
CC broke the JT and Kenley signings almost to the dollar two days before Rosenthal and Company. LA Thinking Men broke the Machado and Dozier trades first last year as well as the Harper signing. I understand your pessimism. They’re reporting the Dodgers and Braves are in a bit of a bidding war over Greene. Yesterday, they reported that the Rays were in on Puig only to have Heyman then steal it less than an hour later.
The Pirates are playing this perfectly. First the announce they aren’t trading Vazquez. Then, as the deadline gets closer (last couple of days) they start listening to offers still indicating they would have to be totally overwhelmed. As others have mentioned above, they have no need for a premier reliever until they have a better team so now they need to turn Vazquez into some very good players/prospects.
They’ll now hem and haw for the next little bit and then take the best offer, having known all along that they would ultimately trade him. They need to thread the needle carefully here because at some point one or more of the teams with better offers may have to jump off and deal their prospects for an offer they know will be accepted.
Lots of cat and mouse here. I’m guessing we’ll know where Vazquez is going by 11:30 Pacific time.
I think you hit the nail on the head. I think we’ll be hearing something very soon. Vazquez is the top choice, but there’s a line in the sand, then it’s time for plan B.
I love how Puig, always in the middle of a brawl, controversy and Bauer, throw the ball over center field, twitter troll, were traded for each other.
A couple of pre-seasons ago I saw Peters go back on a fly ball in right field and was convinced he was a very good outfielder. The other day he made a Mike Trout type catch above the center field fence. He is supposed to have a strong arm but I saw a lot of tail on one of his throws that i didn’t like. He could very well be a Dale Murphy type center fielder.
I’d gladly take that.
Everything I’ve ever heard about Peters was that management loved his attitude and work ethic. Exactly the type of player that AF and Doc love to have in the clubhouse. If he’s solved his strikeout problem, he’ll be a great asset going forward..…………………………………………or part of a trade in the next couple of hours.
Well I guess JOC isn’t getting traded. He’s batting leadoff today
Puig was thinking that yesterday.
Hugwatch in full effect.
Just watched Daniel Hudson walk out of the Toronto dugout to go pack his bags for DC.
I don’t expect Joc to get traded with Dugo’s tailspin in full effect.
Daniel Hudson from Toronto to Nats for MiLB 23-year-old RHP Kyle Johnston (Nats #27 prospect). Think Gerardo Carrillo or Andre Jackson.
Albeit that Jackson and Carillo are having stronger years this year than Johnston.
Damn, Nats got Elias. There’s a lefty off the table.
A definitive “eh” move, IMO.
Rosscup we hardly knew ya.
I am not sure I understand the fascination with Elias, other than he is LH. Against lefties .353/.441/.549/.990. Overall in 2019 – 4.40 ERA, 8.6 K/9, 3.3 BB/9, 1.53 HR/9. Walks too many, gives up too many HRs, and does not K enough. Baez, a RHP, gets lefties out much better than that (.146/.195/.183/.378). Hudson is a much better pickup for the Nats than Elias.
Loudmouth Russo just joined the set on MLB Network. Time for ESPN.
I’ve ben watching videos of DJ Peters and wow I like what I see. Lots of power and good defense. I can see him replacing Pollock in the near future, an upgrade and a money saver.
Well whatever happens today I just DON’T want to see Lux, May, Ruiz, Smith, Gonsolin, Hoese, Peters, Kasowski traded as far as the MLB prospect list is concerned. As I see all of them as future Dodgers, Smith of course a current Dodger.
And I also DON’T want to see any important current 25 man roster position players traded and that includes Joc Peterson.
Well bad news for my hopes for the trade deadline. Report that Ken Giles is still dealing with an injury to his arm and a report that the Mets intend to keep Syndergaard. Those 2 guys are all I wanted from the trade deadline. But we’ll see.
They will trade one of them. FO has pressure to win now and need bullpen as Jansen has been terrible along with others.
Why does anyone/everyone think this Front Office feels any pressure whatsoever?
The team just earned the All-Star game, the franchise value is through the roof, the team has made it to back-to-back WSes, has a top rated farm system and its Front Office is admired and constantly hired from.
Well Maybe because Dodgers have not won the World Series yet and that is the ultimate goal and bullpen is terrible!!!
So, by that logic every front office but the Astros and Red Sox are feeling pressure to win now?
Define terrible. 25 saves, 4 blown saves and a WHIP of 1.056. It is not who he was two years ago, but it is hardly terrible.
Pollock not in lineup. Guess he’s being traded.
That would be awesome haha
Yeah, that’ll be awesome when we have an all lefty lineup.
We can replace Turner with Rios and Smith with Ruiz.
That’ll be great!
Meanwhile Pollock’s OPS is over 800 for the last 15 games and Verdugo, who misplayed 2 balls last night, is OPSing 555 over the same span.
Oh yeah, this would be the perfect time to sell high on Pollock
What about his defense ?? He does not look at CF
Verdugo misplayed 2 balls last night, what about his defense?
Give it a little time. Two weeks since he came off the DL.
One of those balls took an odd richochet off the wall. Not really his fault on the 2nd one. He gets significantly better reads and covers more ground than Pollock
There’s nothing like the countdown on Trade Deadline day to boost the comments and speculation!! I love it. I wish I could find time to do my work, but I’m just so busy. 🙂
So BB you want Thor and Giles but don’t want to trade any of our top 10 prospects. Are you planning on kidnapping them?
I’m eilling to give up Ruiz, Gray, Rios and another low level prospect for Vazquez. Are you?
Cassidy
There are top 10 that I would trade. By the way check before saying something that is not true.
Josiah Gray a starting point for Syndergaard.
Edwin Rios a starting point for Giles.
Tanner Roark to A’s and Hunter Strickland to the Nats (3rd Relief pitcher within the hour).
Why do Dodgers always for the last minute . Nats already made 3 trades. Trade Joc at least !!!!
Giants just made a good deal. Drew Pomerantz and Ray Black to Milwaukee for Brewers #3 prospect 25-year-old Mauricio Dubon. Kind of like a better bat to ball skills with much less power Kike’ Hernandez. He will play all over the SFG.
YES. Like that trade, find it interesting too.
Rosenthal:
With the deadline an hour away, the Pirates have not moved off their ask of Gavin Lux OR Dustin May plus Keibert Ruiz from the #Dodgers for Felipe Vázquez, source tells The Athletic. Dodgers currently focused on lesser relievers. Situation remains fluid, subject to change.
Heyman :
Dodgers and Braves working on Greene
1 freaking hour left. Greene, Vazquez, Diaz et al still not traded. Dodgers holding up everything? Better not get caught without a chair when the music stops.
Braves on verge of acquiring Shane Greene. Haha, they likely consummated that deal as their bullpen was blowing a 4-2 lead in the bottom of 9 in Wash DC
Braves need to get Greene
Friedman and Pirates playing the ultimate game of chicken.
Pirates can live with not trading Vazquez.
If we don’t get him, we may, as 59 says, be left without a chair when the music stops.
Lots of other names now off the board.
That’s alright because we can always put Joc back at 1B.
I think Friedman is gonna get a deal done.
Dodgers trade for Jeb Jyorko (however you spell it)
Holy crap. We just got Gyorko.
We get Gyorko!!
Who among us saw that one coming?
Utility guy sucking this year coming off injury, depth piece. I’m not really excited. Looks like Kike/CT3/Freese injuries are gonna take some time.
He hits lefties.
Just like I said, something no one thought of! lol
Another Fat guy but can hit some. Good trade. I think he is better than Kike and good pop.
Greene to the Braves
Stomach ache.
Still gonna get 2 impact relievers, but what do I know? I thought they were gonna get Bryce on an overpay short term deal.
I like Gyorko when he was on the Padres. He’ll be coming off the DL before Kike/Taylor/Freese, so I guess he’s at least an insurance policy. I guess they weren’t fooled by Negron’s HR last night?
White, Gyorko, CT3, Kike, Negron, Freese. There’s gonna be a tryout for the post-season RH bench pieces.
If no BP acquisition is completed we’ll need to see Gonsolin, May and possibly others step up and contribute in the post season. May to the BP as our 8th inning guy along with Gonsolin and our BP just got better. 24 minutes to go!
Giants will send Mark Melancon to Atlanta
WE GOT VAZQUEZ!
LA Thinking Men says they got him
~
Stewart claimed off waiver by Toronto
Good for Brock. I am happy for him. I hope he does well.
Giants trading a bunch of relievers who aren’t Smith or Dyson is weird
Belli has to stay in RF. What a throw. I cannot believe they sent Wolters on a hard hit ball right at Belli.
Dodgers got Giles too according to LA Thinking Men
Belli is great in RF, but Verdugo could have made that throw. Both have powerful arms.
Exactly
How does LA Thinking Men have the scoop, but I’m not seeing it anywhere else?
Vazquez, Giles and Gyorko. Not bad, eh?
Because LA Thinking Men are about as informed as everyone on this board.
Passan reporting Vasquez was not dealt. Conflicting reports.
Rosenthal reporting Vasquez will not be dealt. Very disappointing the FO didn’t address the weakest part of the team which is the BP. If there are no “after the deadline” deals announced, I assume we’ll see more of Gonsolin and May will be brought up.
It appears Molly Knight put a tweet initially that they got Vasquez then deleted it.
Morosi says Vazquez not dealt.
They Shifted to Giles announcement should be soon. Medical records holding deal
Hearing Dodgers working on Giles and Sanchez Deal.
Mets righty Zack Wheeler is staying put, per Joel Sherman of the New York Post (via Twitter).
The same is true of Pirates closer Felipe Vazquez, according to MLB.com’s Jon Morosi (Twitter link).
There was no last-minute deal for Giants hurler Madison Bumgarner, The Athletic’s Ken Rosenthal tweets.
Mike Minor is staying in Texas, Jeff Wilson of the Fort Worth Star-Telegram tweets.
Astros got sanchez. MLBTV talking about it now.
Greinke to Stros
Casty to Cubs
How are we gonna feel when Greene closes out game 7 at Dodger stadium and Braves go to WS?!!!!!
Greinke to the Stros…and Aaron Sanchez
Astros are the WS favorites. Yankees lost out on this deadline. the Dodgers don’t have enough to win the WS. A big whiff on this trade deadline.
Tons of moves – Greinke to Houston, Castellanos to Cubs, Dyson to Twins . Just Jed Gyrko to the Dodgers?
Niko Hulsizer traded to Tampa
For freaking Kolarek?
There’s our LOOGY, 59. A very shrewd move if you ask me.
Kolarek isn’t awful. October bullpen will be:
Him, Maeda, Stripling, Kelly, Baez, Jansen and Floro.
With Gonsolin, Urias and Sadler rounding out?
Astros show they really want a ws ring not only a Division championship
I would not have traded any of the TOP 9 Prospects and I believed that Andrew Friedman also would not. It appears to be so.
WTF????????????????????????????????????
Try to rationalize this shit. What a disappointment.
LOL.
HA.
Go take a walk 59. Enjoy the sunshine.
Dodgers get nothing and nothing is what they’ll get in October!
Kolarek isn’t good
This season – 54 appearances
43 innings (apparently a LOOGY)
4 – 3, 3.95 1 SV,
4.54 FIP, 1.223 WHIP,
36 K, vs. 14 BB in 43 IP
28 Inherited runners
7 scored (25%)
6 HR allowed
No one said he was good. “Isn’t Awful” sums it up nicely.
What the hell did the Giants just do? Are they trying to get mediocre?
Yes. He’s a LOOGY. That was a need.
You’re absolutely right. We did need a LOOGY. And he isn’t awful either. 😉 Well, he is against righties and he’s going to test Doc.
But lefties are hitting .187 against him.
Good thing we picked up a lefty who “Isn’t Awful”.
Remember when were we disappointed with Madson and Axeford?
Don’t forget Rosscup
He’ll be back as soon as he’s DFA’s again.
AF better hope May, Gonsolin, Lux, Ruiz et al contribute now and into the future. I did not want to see May or Lux moved but to see the Astro’s go all in and we get Kolarek as our only BP acquisition is woeful. As Rosenthal just mentioned on MLBtv the FO failed to get any protection for KJ.
Rosenthal ended his segment by saying WOW when talking about the moves the Dodgers didn’t make. I agree!
No shit. What a failure.
Maybe we’re gonna get a Manny type announcement that comes in late. Otherwise, this is a total failure.
IT’s only a failure in your eyes, 59. You’re hoping for something that was never really in the cards. The Dodgers build from within. It’s what I’ve been saying all along about this trade deadline and this season. They will promote from within. May is coming, Smith is here. We will probably see more Gonsolin.
So far, Negron, whom I never heard of and couldn’t understand the trade, has delivered a HR in each game against Colorado and helped us win both! Luck? Even if it is pure luck, it’s results. AF has the genius for these kinds of moves and this is how they operate. Believe it or not, we got better.
Bottom line is the front office didn’t get it done. Now let’s see if that hurts us in October or not.
It takes both teams to agree. If the other team demands are ridiculously high then walking away is the right thing to do. Some of the best trades are those not made.
Hoornstra:
Internally, the Dodgers were expecting to do more today. “Shocked” is one word I heard to describe the final outcome. Ultimately it’s a big wager on the organization’s internal talent. Time will tell if it pays off.
Well Bobby you don’t need to wait until October! This hurt! And maybe Greene closes out our loss to Atlanta and sends them to the WS!
We will find out in October whether or not AF can play with the likes of Jeff Luhnow. Do the kids show up and get a WS or do we fail again in the Fall Classic. Gyorko and Kolarek is very underwhelming to say the least.
I suppose some apologists will say we have the best record in baseball and we didn’t need much, but the Astros have the second best record in baseball and they went all in. The Braves are in first place and got two BP pieces while we decided to stand pat (w/ the exception of Kolarek..zzzzzzzzzzzzz)
It just seems AF went small when he had a chance to go big. Was it him or was it Guggenheim not allowing him to add $$? I’m glad we kept Lux and May but almost anyone else in the ML should have been in play.
The Yankees also did nothing. Will the Dodgers and Yankees be on the outside looking in at the WS while the Astros and Braves play in the Fall Classic.
Adam Kolarek………WTH? (just another LOOGY not named Alexnader, Rosscup etc).
I’m disappointed that Vasquez wasn’t added but I wouldn’t deal Lux or May. Especially Lux. I’m not disappointed that Ruiz is still a Dodger but if they don’t win it all they’re deserving of criticism. If this is their approach they best have the best lineup on the field and not worry about service time. If Lux is the best option at 2B then he should be playing. If Gonsolin and May are the best options to improve the pen then they should be up pitching down the stretch.
Joc is an all star quality hitter (vs. righties.)
We just picked up an all star quality pitcher (Kolarek vs. lefties)
We kept our best prospects. Not a bad day.
I like Joc but you’re overstating Joc’s ability. Dodgers fans are rightfully upset but we don’t know for sure what offers we’re on the table. However 34 relievers were moved and they didn’t do better.
Did not get a decent bullpen arm. FO Terribly understimates the bullpen !! Kenley has been terrible and there is no true setup man on the team.
Very disappointing to me. But I do realize that the ownership, and by extension the front office of the Dodgers, is not that of the Astros, Cubs, Braves, even Yankees, though they did nothing, either. These teams want to win titles. The Dodgers want to be good, and make the playoffs, and make lots and lots of money.
I’m not saying that I really wanted Greinke, but I know that some Dodgers writers did. There was no way the Dodgers were going to pick up that contract, but the Astros did. Anthropolous picked up two pretty decent bullpen pieces for the Braves; we picked up none, unless you count Kolerko. Why didn’t we? Probably because we have a distinct propensity not to pick up any longer-term deals, nor to give up top prospects. The top franchises are willing to do that, to win now. We are not. We are looking to win at some point in the future, or maybe not even then, as long as we sell out the stadium.
As of this morning, the Dodgers were the favorites to win the title, mostly because the AL is tougher to get through. Tomorrow, the Astros will be the favorites to win their second title in three years. The Dodgers have little chance to get past them in the World Series, and I think that the Yankees are also better than we are, even with their starting pitching problems. And I would not at all be surprised if the Braves beat us in the playoffs, or even the Cubs. All we had to do to be the clear favorite was to pick up Vazquez, and we did not do it, because we valued the prospects more. Why was there no backup plan? Other teams wanted too many prospects? The player in question was more than a rental? I guess that the bottom line is that a few franchises are determined to give themselves every reasonable chance to win a title, and we are not. If we do not win the title once again, there will be a reason for it, as there usually is. We are what we are, under this ownership.
None of us know what other teams were asking for. I think the asking price for Vazquez was high. No one else bit either. Grienke and his high salary was never coming back. The pitching of Gosolin, Urias and Sadler last night made this a little easier to accept. We have 4 good starters in Kershaw, Ryu, Beuhler, and Urias. I think Hill, Maeda, and Stripling will go to the pen. We have internal options.
Good starters, yes. But not as good as Verlander, Cole, Greinke, and Miley.
Everyone can look on the bright side and spin this however they want, but this is a complete failure. All we can do is hope…
Kenley gets his mojo back
Kelly turns into Kelly from last year’s World Series
Baez can finally handle setup duties (pitching in the 7th today)
Ferguson is better than last year
Maeda is the 2017 version vs the 2018 version
Gonsolin and May are shut down guys out of the pen down the stretch run
All that can happen!?!?
Then everything will be fine. **sigh**
The “failure” is your opinion. I am frankly elated! I guess it depends upon your perspective.
I’ll tell you why tomorrow.
LA Thinking Men should close their twitter account.
Uh, sorry guys, we got it wrong. I blame them for everything.
No, they should keep their account.
We shouldn’t be so gullible.
They’re definitely getting lambasted over there.
Verdugo loves Coors Field. Except on defense.
Difference in philosophy. Astros give up Seth Beer (#3 ), J. B. Bukauskas (#4), and Corbin Martin (#5) for 2+ years for Greinke. Greinke now takes the spot of Brad Peacock in the Astros top 4 SP. Braves give up 21-year-old LHP Joey Wentz (#7 prospect) already in AA, for Shane Greene. And get Mark Melancon for RHP Tristan Beck (#17 prospect) and Dan Winkler RHRP. Dodgers give up Niko Hulsizer for Loogy Adam Kolarek. Dodgers are going with the philosophy that just get to the playoffs and hope everything goes right. Astros (and Braves) are going with “If not now, when?” Verlander/Cole/Greinke/Miley. Only Miley with a 3.05 ERA has an ERA north of 3.00. Their bullpen is better, and their offense is better. But the Dodgers will still be relevant in 2021. May not be good enough to win it all, but they will be relevant. They will eventually have to DFA a bunch of guys that will never play for LAD but had to have as “just in case”. They will also have 23 utility players because they love that versatility and depth. Gyorko and Kolarek. I feel better now. Even the Giants got better.
What is the difference in philosophy?
Every team in MLB knows starters are much more valuable than relievers. The Dodgers proved that too with the Hill and Darvish trades.
The go for it all philosophy. The Astros are not afraid of giving up top prospects to better their team this year, and they certainly did. The Dodgers want to stay relevant for 16 straight years like the 90s and early 00s Braves. The Braves got two decent relievers. The Dodgers got yet another utility infielder and a loogy. I guess you are satisfied that the Braves improved their weakest spot and the Astros solidified the best 4 man rotation going into the playoffs while the Dodgers got Kolarek and Gyorko. My office is right next door to an Astros fan, and he is ecstatic. Didn’t care about losing #3, #4, #5. Astros have to now be favored now.
Please don’t surmise how I feel. I never said I was satisfied with how the training deadline went.
The Braves’ moves are not very consequential IMO. But since you brought up the Braves, I should note that their Front Office could be said to be one from the Dodger’s tree.
My point, which I guess I didn’t make clearly enough, is that you have to contort yourself quite a bit to not see the Machado and Darvish moves as the same process as the Verlander/Greinke moves. The results were different, but as we all know process results.
Bluto, if the Machado/Darvish moves were so vital, why didn’t the Dodgers retain those players? They had every opportunity to sign them, but didn’t. Are you sorry about that? I’m not. I’m not sorry they didn’t sign Bryce Harper, too.
The only thing I’m sorry about is the refusal of the FO to promote their stellar prospects and rid the 25 man roster of some unproductive players. Other than that, the FO is still exceptional. Not perfect, though.
I think what makes the Dodgers situation so tough this year, is their top end prospects — the real juicy trade bait – line up perfectly with our bigger needs. Houston, doesn’t really have any imminent needs other then maybe a young catcher and a left handed starter, and they didn’t trade away from those positions. Would be interesting to see if they would have if their prospects lined up that way. Under a similar hypothetical, if our top 4 prospects played RF and SS, would we have been more willing to play?
Still, I can’t say it was a completely risk free trade from Houston’s end, but Friedman’s Machado trade wasn’t risk free either, since he was relinquishing 5 prospects for a 3 month rental. I think the Grienke and Machado trades are actually pretty similar from a risk/reward analysis. Houston, gave up more prized prospects, but they’re getting Grienke for 2 years more years, too. I don’t think either GM had/will have trouble sleeping at night with what they gave up.
Brock Stewart was claimed off waivers by the Blue Jays. Rocky Gale was also dealt to TB for some pine tar.
So now that we know who we’re going to October with, please correct me if I”m wrong:
Gavin Lux is way too good to trade for Felipe Vazquez, but not so good where he can’t be on the big league club and playing every day at 2b over Kristopher Negron. That tells me this Negron dude must be a stud!
Yes, you are wrong. On a number of levels.
I am not upset they did not trade Lux, but I am disappointed they could not pull the trigger on Shane Greene or end up with anyone better than Yimi Garcia, Dylan Floro, or JT Chargois.
For whomever asked it above, that disappointment is how I feel as well.
PRESS RELEASES:
DODGERS ACQUIRE IF JEDD GYORKO
LHP TONY CINGRANI & RHP JEFFRY ABREU TRADED TO ST. LOUIS
LOS ANGELES – The Los Angeles Dodgers announced that they have acquired infielder Jedd Gyorko, international cap space and cash considerations from the St. Louis Cardinals in exchange for left-handed pitcher Tony Cingrani and right-handed pitcher Jeffry Abreu.
Gyorko, 30, appeared in 38 games for the Cardinals, batting .198 (11-for-56) with two homers and seven RBI. He has spent parts of seven Major League seasons with the San Diego Padres and Cardinals, compiling a .246 (625-for-2540) batting average with 112 homers and 351 RBI. In his career, he is a .271 (185-for-683) hitter with 32 homers and 85 RBI against left-handed pitchers while amassing 80 round trippers against right-handers. The infielder was originally drafted in the second round by the San Diego Padres of the 2010 First Year Player Draft out of West Virginia University.
Cingrani, 29, was acquired at the trade deadline from the Cincinnati Reds on July 31, 2017 and went 1-2 with a 3.86 ERA (18 ER/42.0 IP) and 64 strikeouts in 52 games for Los Angeles. Cingrani has been in the Major Leagues for seven seasons, recording a 12-22 record with a 4.01 ERA (149 ER/334.2 IP) and 366 strikeouts in 216 appearances. The lefty underwent successful left shoulder surgery on June 5 and will miss the remainder of the 2019 season.
Abreu, 19, is 2-0 with a 4.66 ERA (10 ER/19.1 IP) and 24 strikeouts in six games (two starts) for the Arizona League Dodgers. The Dominican Republic native is in his second season with the organization and is a combined 2-2 with a 4.30 ERA (21 ER/44.0 IP) and 42 strikeouts.
DODGERS ACQUIRE LHP ADAM KOLAREK
OF NICO HULSIZER TRADED TO TAMPA BAY
LOS ANGELES – The Los Angeles Dodgers announced that they have acquired left-handed pitcher Adam Kolarek from the Tampa Bay Rays in exchange for minor league outfielder Niko Hulsizer.
Kolarek, 30, has appeared in 54 games for the Rays, recording a 5-4 record with a 3.95 ERA (19 ER/43.1 IP) and 36 strikeouts. In parts of three Major League seasons, he is a combined 6-3 with a 4.19 ERA (40 ER/86.0 IP) and 59 strikeouts, while limiting left-handed batters to a .209 (29-for-139) batting average. The southpaw was originally drafted by the New York Mets in 11th round of the 2010 First Year Player Draft out of the University of Maryland.
Hulsizer, 22, has split the season between Single-A Great Lakes and High-A Rancho Cucamonga, batting a combined .265 (78-for-294) with 20 homers and 67 RBI. He is in his second season with the organization, compiling 29 homers and 99 RBI in 131 minor league games. The Morehead State product was drafted in the 18th round of the 2018 First Year Player Draft by Los Angeles.
Kolarek is a lesser version of Scott Alexander. Again I feel better.
They will get to the playoffs, and then 1988 can happen all over again.
I was disappointed to see Hulsizer go. Hopefully it leaks out what was on the table for Greene and Vasquez.
At least we didn’t trade Will Smith!
I hereby borrow a moniker (long-gone) from someone else. He is now Will “The Thrill” Smith!
Who was the Bum raggin’ on Verdugo? His brother reads here. He’s going to get you sucka!
I’m moving. He will not find me. Besides, I’m a motivator.
Bluto, maybe I was right after all; this Negron guy is a stud!
Forget Will the Thrill. Who is this Kris Negron guy?
Our pen is fine. What me worry?
AC-I do not think Chargois, Floro and Garcia will be in the bull pen come play off time. I do not think there is much difference between the four Dodgers starters and the four Astro starters. In fact, I will take the Dodger starters. Just my opinion.
I don’t know how much he will hit, but Negron is definitely a defensive upgrade. In addition to the DP to end the game, Negron made a nice play earlier in the game.
I haven’t thought this through, but I’m wondering if there will be room on the team for Negron after Kike’ and CT3 return.
Depends on return dates for Taylor, Hernandez, Freese, and Gyorko. Also, how well White is playing, and does team bring Lux up in August, or September. This season the rosters still expand to 40 in September, so possible, but not likely.
Definitely smoother on the pivot. Outside of Coors field I wouldn’t expect much offense.
The Braves today designated LHP Luiz Gohara for assignment. Could be an interesting target.
My thoughts exactly. Hope we get him and roll the dice. He was a highly regarded prospect before injuries got the best of him. AF loves to rehabilitate injured players, for example Thornburg a few days ago.
Lux starting at 2B tonight for OKC. Barnes catching after his 0-5 with 3 K’s the other night DHing.
What’s up with all of you? Everyone is talking as if the other teams have just won the world series this year and Dodgers have just lost it, why don’t we wait 2 more months and see what happens …
I know it’s not a popular opinion but I’m actually glad we didn’t trade Lux, Ruiz, or May. I’ve seen them play live several times and I believe they will all be difference makers at the MLB level. AF has had several opportunities to trade Bellinger, Buehler, Urias, Seager & Verdugo and I’m glad he didn’t because they are a big part of the reason we are the best team in baseball. It’s pretty hard to argue with success.
Its a lot more fun to be a part of a team that is contending every year than one that occasionally makes a good showing. We’ve had the horses to win the race – they just didn’t perform. None of today’s trades are game changers. I still think we win it all this year.
I’m with you Jorge
We have a bright future.
There’s no right answer here.
Let’s play the cards
Personally, I am not afraid of Houston, Yankees or Boston, nor Verlander, Greinke, Price, Sale, Tanaka or Sabathia …. No one is invincible!
So says the 2017 Dodgers.
These ain’t your 2017 Dodgers.
RVS is here!
Also Buehler, a better Bellinger and healty Seager & Ryu….
I know I am one of the guys that wanted the knockout bullpen piece, but we move on. The bullpen is only part of the puzzle. The BiG Elephant in the room that nobody really talks about is our offense, or lack of during the past two World Series. In 2017 our batting average was .205. In 2018 is was .180. I don’t care if we have Vasquez, Diaz, or the second coming of Mariano Rivera, if you don’t hit in the Series, you go home, which is what we did. That to me is a way bigger issue than shoring up the bullpen, plus we all know that when the offense doesn’t produce, it’s creates a tremendous amount of pressure on the starters and the bullpen. We need to do what the Red Sox did last year, station to station, great situational hitting, getting key hits with 2 outs. THAT is what will get us a parade, not two flamethrowers that throw 100 mph. I’m just going to shut my pie hole about the bullpen and hope we can hit when October comes. The pitching will be there.
Totally agree!!
Agree totally
Jeff Passan says that Will Smith was the player most teams were after. Sounds like the Pirates wouldn’t budge of off Ruiz with either Lux or May to do the deal. Let’s hope the big red head proves he was worth the stance by AF.
let’s get him up there then to be a bullpen piece
I heard the Pirates asked for Lux and May and Smith. Just grapevine scout talk. The Pirates did not want Ruiz who is a year or two away. They wanted a MLB-Ready Catcher.
I had wondered if they wanted Smith do to Cervelli’s issues. Rosenthal was the one who said Ruiz and either Lux or May. A year from now the Dodgers will be contending with Lux, Smith, and May while the Pirates are still in last place with a closer they should trade. I would have been good with Ruiz, Gray, and a little more
Guys – have faith
This is our year
AF safe guarding all of our futures
And I wanted Vasquez
we always think alike you bloke!
https://twitter.com/Think_BlueLA
Dustin May has been called up.
Nice! That’s a good way to gin up some post deadline excitement. Best hair in baseball. I hope Lux isn’t too far behind.
The Dodgers came very close to getting Greinke when they got Gyorko.
how close
All they needed were two E’s, an I, and an N .
I know Plashke of the L.A. Times is gonna have Freidmans ass for breakfast tomorrow morning, but you know what? Every MLB and ESPN baseball writer was tweeting and writing that Friedman was one of the most aggressive guys the last few days trying to get a few lockdown relievers. Call me crazy, but I think he just ran into too many brick walls in this sellers market. The asking price for the relievers were just way high, and NOT ONE elite reliever, Vasquez, Hand, DIaz, was moved. Greene from the Tigers doesn’t really move the needle for me. Too many teams wanted one or all of our top prospects, and I think Freidman just had to back away from the table. I truly truly believe that he gave it his best shot, he knows damn well how special this team is. Don’t count him out yet, he might not be done. I bet he was real frustrated today.
you’re likely 100% accurate on all this
From Jeff Passan
The Dodgers didn’t make a big move at the trade deadline, but they’ve got reinforcements coming: Dustin May, their top pitching prospect, will make his major league debut Friday, sources tell ESPN. May, 21, is nicknamed Gingergaard: his long hair is red, his stuff is like Thor’s.
Another thing, I wish I could download our old buddy Uncle Ned on Roggin and Rodney Sportstalk LA a few days ago. He had a great take on what it’s like being in the Big Chair during deadline day. He mentioned that as a GM, how much do you trust a guy you are trading for to perform come play-off time? Had a great point, he said throwing lights out for a .500 ballclub in front of 15,000 fans is nothing compared to pitching in Dodger Stadium come play-off time in front of 55,000 people. How will your new pitcher handle the hot lights of October? He said he used to study the facial expressions of the pitchers on the mound, and after so many years watching ballgames, could tell if they had the killer instinct or were hoping someone would catch the ball because they couldn’t put the ball away. October just cranks it up several notches.
He was fantastic today on the post game show too. Really breaks it down.
And in addition to May, I have to believe that Gonsolin will also be back relatively soon. I don’t know if this is the case, but I suspect that AF decided that instead of over-paying at the trade deadline he was going to put to use the Dodgers’ greatest asset, it’s in-house store of talent.
I
Maybe Dustin May will take a spot in the rotation, but there is also nothing stopping the Dodgers from using him in the pen as well. And Since the Dodgers are making this move (and maybe others) in early August, that should give them plenty of time to define the roles of the players they bring up in advance of the play-offs..
Dustin May being called up to pitch Friday
Mark,
Scrolling the comment box is not always easy on a phone, which is the place from which I now do most of my posting.
Would it be possible to place scroll arrows for the comment box? Is there a way to copy and paste links into the comment box. For example, is it possible to paste a link to a players page on baseball-reference.com in a post. I do that easily on a computer with Ctrl-C and Ctrl-V, but haven’t found a way to do it on my phone.
IDK, I’ll look into it!
Mark, is this a record for most posts in one day?
Probably… at least in the past 2 years.
Maybe, just maybe, we have our Roy Campanella catcher in Will Smith.
I think we saw today the way the back end of the bull pen will play out. Baez for the 7th, Kelly for the 8th, and Jansen for the 9th.
I think Roy is Kaybear!
Baez was brought in to face to heart of the order so we’ll see.
I wouldn’t be surprised to see Gray moved up to OKC pretty soon, especially if Gonsolin comes back in a couple of weeks. But the way Gray has been performing at Tulsa, they just might move him up now to take May’s spot.
Why do we need a trade deadline anyway?
MT – Roy is Kaybear?
I’ll add nothing more…
Idahoal, you know…
Yeah,
I said it
I meant it
and.. I’m here to represent it!
Like Grandad was MVP…
That’sthe ticket.. Get Grandad to mentor Ruiz.
I have a tendency to hide my disappointment in sarcasm and hyperbole. Was I disappointed that the Dodgers did not improve for the 2019 season after the trade deadline? YES. Do I think the sky is falling? NO!!! Are the Dodgers the presumptive favorites to win the WS? Not anymore. Let me preface this by saying there is no way I would even consider matching what Houston did for Zack Greinke. But I do believe they operate on a different philosophy than AF. If Houston wins it all this year, I would find it disingenuous for anyone to argue that the Dodger philosophy was better, if they value winning championships more than being relevant.
I have said it since AF arrived, that nobody is better at building the best 40 man for a 162-game season. What he has not proven is whether he can build the best 25-man team for the playoffs. It is hard to criticize AF for deals that were never made. We have no idea what was asked for. None of Vazquez, Hand, Yates, or Diaz were moved, or Thor/Wheeler/MadBum/Minor. But it is fair to look at other trades and ask if the Dodgers could have done better. Many have already said that the Dodgers could have beaten the Mets offer for Stroman. I brought up Stroman 3-4 weeks back, and the general consensus was the team did not need Marcus Stroman. I was not overly infatuated with the thought of trading for Stroman, although I would not have objected. Stroman as a #4 in a playoff series would have been a nice option.
I never believed that AF would trade any of their top 7 prospects, especially for a reliever. He could not trade #8 or #9 as they were 2019 draft picks. To trade any of those for a reliever would go against two of his principals – not trading any top prospects who he sees making the LAD ML team, and not overpay for a reliever when there are Adam Kolarek’s available. I also stated that I did not believe the Dodgers needed a closer. KJ is not the 2017 and prior KJ, but he is still a good closer, just not elite. What the Dodgers needed was a late inning high leverage reliever. They needed an 8th inning setup guy. Some say that Greene did not move their needle. That is fair, but name one Dodger reliever THIS YEAR who is having a better year. The Braves traded a #7 LHP prospect. Would the Tigers have taken Dennis Santana or Mitchell White and Gerardo Carrillo? IMO that would have been a better offer, and would not have hurt the organization. Would Greene continue his dominance with LAD? We will never know. We do potentially get to see him August 16-18 in Atlanta. Did AF inquire about Aaron Bummer, Alex Colome’, Michael Lorenzen, Raisel Iglesias, Mychal Givens, Amir Garrett? I am assuming that Seth Lugo was an absolute NO. Did they make an offer for Daniel Hudson? Paul Fry? All of them are better options than Adam Kolarek, but admittedly would have cost more than Niko Hulsizer.
While some will argue that the bullpen will be better with Gonsolin and May out there, that is what was said back in 2017 about Walker Buehler, and we all remember how that worked out. I would prefer proven late inning high leverage relievers over talented rookies who were not even supposed to be on the 40 man until September at the earliest. At the same time, I am hopeful that Gonsolin and May will prove to be a better option than was Buehler two years ago. At least Gonsolin was a college reliever.
It was discussed that it wasn’t the bullpen that faltered as much as the offense in the last two WS. We can debate that, as well as is this team any better offensively than those teams. Sure as long as someone gets hot. The Cubs picked up the best RH bat (Castellanos) that was traded, and did not pay a huge price. Would he have been a better option than Gyorko? I would think so.
Bottom line…Are the Dodgers better after the trade deadline? I do not think so. Are the Dodgers still good enough to win it all? Absolutely.
I agree AC. It seems to me that we could have been in on both Greene and Vazquez. If we could have got Greene with one of those three you mentioned then that’s a miss by AF. That’s not a steep price to pay for a good playoff bullpen arm. We’ll see how he does against us in the playoffs!
I think the Dodgers are better after the trade deadline. We got our LOOGY who may surprise some of the posters who were hoping for a top name. We got better defensively. White, Negron, and Gyorko. We may have even gotten better hitting wise as Gyorko has had a decent career and Negron is surprising everyone. 2B and 1B have been fortified. When Gyorko returns, he is our backup for JT, not Muncy. He can also play SS. He can even hit. Kike will be fighting for a job, no doubt. LF will still be a platoon, and we still haven’t addressed Joc’s shortcomings batting against LHP.
As for the BP, if May sticks as a starter, Maeda moves to the BP immediately. For the post season, we’ve got our rotation, and the BP gets Strip, Maeda, the LOOGY, and a choice of Hill, May, and Urias who can all bounce from BP to starter and vice versa. Heck, if that is not a strong army of relievers, I don’t know what is. Add Kelly and Jansen for some excitement, along with Baez, and you have a very nice evening’s entertainment with plenty of thrills. I don’t know why some fans think the Dodgers have weakened.
The biggest question in my mind is will they promote Lux now? If Negron continues to play like he has, they may not. It’s just a question of time. If the Dodgers play like they did in the first half of the season, the WS is theirs. They are the strongest team in the league without a doubt in my mind. Promoting Smith was a huge move. We’ll see who else steps up. I’m very pleased they didn’t do a dope fiend move, but I never thought they would.
Negron is a defensive player holding down a spot for Taylor and Kike. Don’t expect him to be on the post-season roster. Any offense we get out of him will be a pleasant surprise. White and Gyrko aren’t exactly great defenders unless you compare them to Joc playing 1st. If healthy Gyrko is decent insurance for Kike and Taylor. He’s got some pop.
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I listened to Friedman on Petros and Money. He said they expect big things for Lux next season and there’s a chance we might see him this year. He said they’ve been discussing May for awhile and since he’s made the jump successfully to AAA against AAA players and the juiced balls at AAA he deserved a shot. I found it interesting that he flat out said the balls were juiced at AAA and MLB levels.
The only way the Dodgers improved is if Negron is better than Kike’ AND CT3, Tyler White is better than Freese, and Kolarek will be good enough to beat out any current reliever or projected reliever. Negron is a career .215/.290/.335/.625 hitter. He is 33 with all of 367 PA. I do not see him beating out CT3 or Kike’. Considering 13 position players on the playoff roster:
1B – Muncy
2B – CT3 or Negron
SS – Seager
3B – JT
LF – Verdugo
CF – Pollock
RF – Belli
C – Smith
Bench:
C – Martin
RH Bat – Kike’ (best utility player on this team)
RH Bat – Freese or White or Gyorko
LH Bat – Joc
LH Bat – Beaty
I do not see Negron beating out CT3 and Kike’ or White beating out Freese and Gyorko. If you see it different, then I understand why you think they are better.
When I say better, I mean better NOW. We have 3 infield guys hurt, Freese, Kike, & Taylor. Our defense has been awful. Muncy & Joc are liabilities, defensively. The Dodgers brought in Negron, White, & Gyorko to fortify the infield. The only way any of them stick is to make a showing like Negron has, sort of a 2018 Muncy rise. I’m not saying that is going to happen, but these guys can sub and step in in an emergency. You saw what Muncy & Joc did in this circumstance. They are better now.
Kike is officially on my shit list as well as Joc. Those two are holding the Dodgers back from filling 2B with Lux and getting another OF bat like Peters or someone else in LF. I have no problem with Taylor as a utility guy, but Kike lost his job at 2B. The Dodgers should and will fill these holes from within. The sooner they move on from Joc and Kike, the sooner the team will have a tight and oiled machine, once again.
Like the 1981 Dodgers changed catchers from Yaeger to Scioscia, they won the WS. They had a great team for years with Cey, Lopes, Russell, and Garvey. Is/was there a better infield? They brought on Scioscia and boom.
Smith was the first real positive move they’ve made in a long time regarding positional players. Like Seager and Belli, they promoted from within. Lux and May are pieces to our puzzle. Without them being promoted and succeeding, luck will still be a big factor for the Dodgers winning the WS.
Mark-
When can we expect to see Lux brought up? I believe you said soon and we were told to “book it.” When do you think that will happen?
Totally agree AC… Nobody had a clue.. This Dodger team could win it all . So many players with new contracts staring at them and a ring could make it easier for their agents.
To win a WS Jansen and Kelly will have to be better!
Or Offense will have to better because in tight games it will be hard. Need also to score more runs and also pitch well but hopefully someone will step up and Jansen at least would be decent. I think Jansen in playoffs has been good but on both WS he has been horribly bad. Lets hope first to reach the WS Again !! Also if Maeda goes to bullpen lets hope he is the 2017 version and not 2018. Do you think Lux, Peters will also be called up eventually ?? And please no more JOC at 1b !!!
Mark, 254 comments on this blog. Is that a record? If so, congrats.
It’s possible the reluctance to make a major move today, may have cost a championship this year. At the time it may have preserved our ability to contend for championships 3 or more years from now. Polarizing topic, but sign me up for the long game.