Cody Bellinger and the Next Wave

I am going to complain about FAZ. I like most of what they do. However, they sign guys that are old and just hanging on. Utley and Romo. They think they can get one more year out of them and it does not work. If the team they played for last year has given up on them, what makes FAZ think they can get another year out of them.

Taylor is going to be another Justin Turner. He has changed his hitting. He has added weight and strength. He has pop in his bat. There is no position in the infield for him. Maybe left field. How about first base. Did you hear what the announcers had to say about Taylor. Agon looks to me like he is losing it due to age.

Maybe lead off is where Joc belongs. He certainly looked good last night. Seager is playing like Seager.

SVS, Romo and Utley do not belong on this team. You can almost add Agon to that list. Kike was on a short leash, but the leash just got a little longer.

When ball players reach the age of 35, their skills start to diminish. Yes, there are a few who go beyond and do well, but not many.

I think FAZ has to go a little longer with the team they have, but if it does not get better, changes need to be made. I am not talking about a trade. The parts are within the system.

WTF

When I went to bed we were winning

Damn , that turned into a dumpster fire. Anybody got a hose? Holy Shitaki.

Bluto, I saw your post above about Verdugo and Bellinger.

From my research, eyes, and expertise (consisting of 3 years of little league 1983-1985), I think overall, Bellinger is a bit below Seager, but much above Joc, as far as talent/prospect go. I also think Verdugo is the real deal, and he should replace Joc in CF. We get as good defense, plus a fantastic hitter.

I would trade Joc for an impact need (Archer?). I think the lefties Seager, Bellinger, Verdugo are our future big 3

Ugly, nasty, pretty bad, deplorable game.

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It wasn’t even good!

Only so many 4 inning starts you can get away with.

This game will go down as one of those where it’s a great team win, or a tough loss

Happens all the time during the year. Regardless of what happens, I like how we went to Strip to start the 8th. I want to see if he can do it and become that guy

Chris Freaking Taylor!

Wood seems to pitch better out of the ‘pen. I would love to see Urias come up. But Ryu, Maeda and Wood (or Hill) are all weak spots in the rotation thus far.

Lux and Alexy help lead the Loons.

http://www.mlive.com/loons/index.ssf/2017/04/dodgers_prospect_gavin_lux_hel.html#incart_river_index

Walker Buehler has 3 IP so far with 1 Hit and 3 K’s.

In what I believe is likely Julio Urias’ last appearance in AAA, he pitched 5-2/3 innings of two-hit, No Run Ball with 6 strikeouts. His next start will be in Alex Wood’s spot.

Joc Pederson is not unlike Carlos Santana who often leads off for the Indians. I think they do pretty good…

It’s not like I think Joc is a good lead off hitter but that he may be the best the Dodgers have right now given that everybody here seems to keep identifying about 4 players that should hit down in the lineup. Guess what, if the pitcher hits 9th and there are 5 players that are said should hit 7th or 8th, the guy that was in the 8th spot moves up to lead off.

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The Dodgers can’t have 5 players in the #8 spot.

I thought I saw that Joc is batting leadoff for today’s game.

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I thought we laid that idea to rest on this blog – LOL. The comments here should be mandatory reading for the Dodgers coaching staff… :-p

Bumgrabber do the DL after a dirt bike accident. Couldn’t happen to a better redneck.. I guess I shouldn’t say that and since it isn’t too serious. I find it amusing.

Everybody would love a 2nd ace. Every fan in America wants that 2nd ace for their favorite team. Unfortunately, Friedman told it like it is, starting pitching is overvalued. The price that must be paid in dollar and PROSPECTS make it prohibitive to acquire an Ace in most circumstances, better to grow your own. I saw Chris Archer’s name thrown out there above, look what was rumored the Rays turned down for him, and I am not even sure he qualifies as an “Ace”.

http://www.draysbay.com/2017/1/5/14177084/mlb-trade-rumors-rays-chris-archer-houston-astros

The Dodgers’ decision to sign Gutierrez was to have him as a bench option or platoon LF given his history hitting lefties. We don’t know yet whether it will work, but I understand the plan.

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What is the plan behind Utley? He bats lefty and can’t hit lefties any more. He doesn’t play SS so the Dodgers need a 2nd utility IF. Yeah, he’s another coach on the field and all of that but I don’t see how he really fits on the Dodgers’ bench.

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Van Slyke made it as a reserve OF and he can play 1B and spell Gonzalez against a tough lefty. There have been several here who have noted that he hasn’t had a good season in a while and he has gotten off to a slow start. Should the Dodgers have Segedin as their OF/IB to spell Gonzalez and platoon in an OF corner if needed?

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I agree with Bobbie that it seems like April is taking the place of Spring Training – what, the starting pitchers are just now getting stretched out and aren’t able to go more than 5 innings yet? That’s what the Spring is supposed to be for.

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I agree with Grinch that I would love a 2nd “ace”. Hill was supposed to be that. Some here thought that he would be but in limited innings, others doubted that he would be, given his history and his likely unavailability. You can’t be an ace if you can’t pitch. Will Urias be the 2nd ace? Maybe – it’s hard to tell given that the Dodgers DON’T LET HIM PITCH.

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The ‘pen has been very good in early going but has pitched too many innings as Dodger starters struggle to even pitch 5. Stripling and Hatcher are both on pace to pitch nearly 100 innings in relief. Maeda is on pace to pitch 140 innings as a starter. (Hill is on pace to pitch 80 but he has already been on the DL twice. He made it to 110 last year – will he do it again?)

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The run differential numbers obscure the truth about the offense. The Dodgers are 3 – 0 in blowouts but 3 – 6 in runs decided by 2 runs or less. The reason for this is the Dodgers’ inability to hit with RISP or in games that are “late and close”. They lack the ability to manufacture a run if they need it – too much concern with walks and a 3 run HR and not enough guys who can simply make contact. They will struggle all year long in close games unless they change their approach late in close games.

We are less than 20 games into the season. Manny Machado is hitting .170. That’s where he will be all year, right?

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Darrin O’Day (whom lost of people pined for) has a 7.94 ERA. Jose Quintana. Joe Blanton, Trevor Bauer, Jeff Samardzija, Jordan Zimmerman, Justin Verlander, Jherel Cotton, Hisashi Iwakuma, Rick Porcello and Drew Pomeranz all have ERA’s between 5.30 and 6.90. Does that mean all of them will end up there?

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It’s absurd! It is what it is… for now! But, it will change and dramatically for some. I don;t get hung up on the averages as much as I do what I see. Joc Pederson worries me with his approach. So does Toles. I have a lot more confidence in Kike than some of you because of what I see. I think Gutierrez and Utley will be fine – in their respective roles. I like Puig’s approach a lot – he is much more patient and looking for better pitches, but does not hit as well in the top-of-the-order. I would let him hit at 6,7 or 9.

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I do believe that Toles should go down and they should let Bellinger play everyday in LF. So, start his clock early. I knew Seager was ready even when they brought in Rollins and so is Cody. Cody is a can’t miss. Just like Corey, he will play up to his competition. Let’s see how well he can hit LH pitching. He will 22 in 2 months and I think our hitting solution might be in our organization.

Urias and Buehler go tonight.

I don’t believe any of the rumors of trades. The team is set, with subs coming from the minors. Braun is too expensive and would cause other roster problems. I disagree that the division is weak. The Rockies can hit with anyone, and it looks like the D’backs can too, if they stay healthy. The pitching of both is probably good enough to make a run at the playoffs, if the offense continues to score runs. Dodger starters are not what they expected. It’s almost like spring training never happened, and the first month is being used to get the knots out of the underwear. I’m not sure the team takes spring training seriously enough. I like seeing prospects, but the primary purpose should be to get into shape for the regular season. Hill’s blister should have happened in early March, not April. Too much “kid gloving” for me.

Bums, I would agree with your take on AGon if he were not so good defensively and there was actually an option besides SVS to platoon with. He also clogs up the bases big time whoever he hits in front of. If they won’t move Seager and Turner to the 3 and 4 spots they might as well bat AGon 4th, he still gets hits there to drive in runs. Puig seems to hit better lower in the lineup but his speed plays in the 2 hole as well and he is taking his walks. I love Archer but I think they would want a lot more than Grandal and I don’t think they would move Yasmani anyway with his production, age and salary. He is not bad defensively but really needs to work on blocking balls in the dirt. I think Barnes is no more than a backup catcher and I don’t see anyone else close in their system being a starter.

The Dodger brass have to be/ better be concerned with the starting pitching. After Clayton it’s all question marks. Certainly there is no intimidation factor for other teams playing us. We need two more top-line pitchers if we want a title.

I agree with AC who said a few posts back that Bellinger will not start his arbitration clock this year. After something like June 10 he might be brought up and take a starting lineup spot for whomever is weakest in the outfield or first base.

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If Gonzales cannot be traded without the Dodgers paying most of his salary then it doesn’t make a difference cost wise if he is used as a pinch hitter or a regular. He could be used to pinch hit at critical RISP spots and still wind up with a good RBI total at the end of the season. Pederson right now might be the worst pinch hitter on the team and Gonzales the best.

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Utley is going to get a chance to turn around his 2017 while Forsythe is on the DL. Utley may or may not be on the team depending on what he does in the next 3 weeks.

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The Dodgers could have two good pinch hitters in Gonzales and Gutierez.

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The Rays still have a big need for a catcher. I know the Dodgers are not scoring as well as they need to but unless a catcher is a super offensive catcher, I prefer a nimble defensive catcher. I would trade Grandal and a controllable pitcher(s) to the Rays for Archer.

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Pederson

Puig

Seager

Turner

Left Fielder

Bellinger

Forsythe

Barnes

Mark, first of all let me say how much your generous spirit in giving us this forum to comment in is appreciated! I look forward to reading it first each day and you always keep it fresh! It is bigger and better and so are you. I also read all of the comments and enjoy the insights of your regular posters and encourage more to chime in. The knowledge and tone are refreshing and while sometimes critical it’s from a good place-wanting the Dodgers to win.

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The style from management is to let things play out, not panic, tinker around the edges and replenish from within. I see a bigger sense of urgency this year, as if they know this team can win it without big moves but will make one if it makes sense both for now and in the future. It is rare to see big trades before the deadline and this year the Dodgers have a lot of capital to spend if they choose to.

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McCarthy and Ryu pitched their way into the rotation and Kazmir pitched himself out of it for now. The conundrum of Hill’s blisters, Maeda’s slow start, Wood’s value in the BP and Urias being held back will sort itself out soon enough. There is depth at OKC to draw from if needed so it seems the rotation is in good shape.

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The injury bug has bitten and Utley is the guy I think steps up while Forsythe heals, 2 weeks seems optimistic. Joc and Grandal are about to go on hot streaks, hopefully together. AGon is streaky too and hopefully his power returns. Those 3 helping out the core of Turner, Seager and Puig are all they need to hit consistently with a long and deep lineup. I can handle a platoon in LF and 2B right now but just stop it in CF and C please!

Sometimes what seems like our best writing disappears the most. It might be in your computer somewhere. I have worked on a file that was zipped to me and I didn’t change the extension and it was lost. Sucks, I know.

The Dodgers lead baseball in team ERA, and are among the leaders in pitching WAR

The Dodgers are ranked 7th in batting WAR and are 8th in wRC+

The Dodgers are second in all of baseball in run differential (the Yanks are #1)

The Yankees are back. They’re second to the Dodgers in team pitching and are near the top in hitting and currently have the best run differential. I predict them as the American League favorites for the pennant. That was a quick rebuild for them.

Eric Thames will win comeback player of the year. If he keeps up his current output, he could win the MVP. Who is he? I don’t know, either. He played one season for the Mariners in 2011 and then languished in the minor leagues until this year. He already has 8 home runs. He’s a lefty but is hitting .545 against lefties with 2 home runs. Maybe the Dodgers should go after him instead of Braun.

The Dodgers are better than their pedestrian record so far, but not as good as they have been hyped to be.

The issues:

Hitting LH pitching – a problem going back too long, and presently no improvement

Hitting with RISP – same as above. The bandaid approach has not worked

An outfield without a discerning difference – this collective group is as average as their record.

Puig is showing signs of turning the corner

Joc is still trying to figure his swing out, will he ever get there?

LF – a game by game experiment or pick between less than stellar options

AG – a man in decline in a young mans game, who has to be the slowest runner in baseball. When he is on base hope for a HR

SP – seems like the Dodgers are reluctant to go with the youth to fill the holes.

CK – happy he is a Dodger

McCarthy – has looked good, he will get better

Maeda – a big question mark based on his outings this year. What’s wrong?

Ryu – a bigger question mark, how long does this go on?

Wood & Stripling – both should be starting

The Dodgers need a #2 SP, and that guy may be in the organization but presently he has not stepped forward, or has not been given the opportunity.

The bench – past time to say adios to S V – is there a baseball pulse there,

The LH pitching killer sits on the DL – didn’t do much when he wasn’t there either. Is he really the answer to a multiple season malady?

Kiki – starting to look better but consistency would be great. At least the bananna is gone

After reading the title Mark, Now I am pissed off. Bet it was a good read.

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Well “Cody Bellinger and the Next Wave”, I am EXCITED. Bellinger, Verdugo, Bueller, White, Dough Boy Alzarez and Urias (does he count). Signal good days ahead for Dodger fans.

Open with a clean slate…Wow…

Great takes Watford my man…

NLW is extremely weak at this time, but we shall not be denied… I like the Rockies team alot but believe the launching pad they live in 81 games a year will take it’s toll…

After all the dust settles I see a three horse race (LAD-AZ-SF) with the Blue pulling away in the final stretch…

Sorry meant Relief Pitching

Then there’s this about Ziegler

https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2017/04/heymans-latest-slow-starters-dodgers-braun-os-tigers.html?fv-home=true&post-id=90504

Interesting that we were keen to add more Starting Pitching.

The NL West looks wide open.

AZ & Colorado have started well, the Dodgers & the Giants haven’t, and SD are there to beat up on. Or are they?

After what I’ve seen im quietly optimistic.

When we start collectively hitting we will be fine. The rotation is deep, even without Hill, the Pen is strong, with good arms waiting in the wings, and the other teams don’t scare me.

In fact I think it will be the Rockies who are our biggest challengers.

The big question is whether to see if the LH problem sorts itself out, or whether surgery is needed.

I’m guessing at the later.