Dodgers and Top Prospects

21-8 is just not good enough for some. Why stop at Lindor and Clevinger? Ask for Bieber too. Trade for Realmuto. Trade for de Grom. Why move Seager to 2B? Check with Atlanta and see when Albies is coming back and trade for him. How about Chapman from the A’s for 3B? Yelich for LF? it is only a matter of time before Pollock goes into a slump and the haters will all come out against him again.

Bieber, de Grom, Albies, Chapman, Yelich are all just as possible as is Lindor and Clevinger. Meaning NOT.

LAD has scored more runs than any other team. They have the largest run differential with +71. Next closest is Minnesota +39. Lead MLB in ERA. If AF can get a #3 starting pitcher, okay. But they do not need to mess with the position players. Corey Seager is not a problem. If AF cannot get a true upgrade for a #3 SP, I am more than fine to watch the team go with what they have.

Verdugo maybe batting 12 points higher but the Red Sox are going no where this year. I think Mookie is driving this team now and I’m ok with that. Gotta like winning those 1 run games. So much better than the alternative! Seems like we were all worried about the Rockets a week ago. Not so much anymore.

I am glad we have Betts, BUT has anyone else noticed that as of tonight Verdugo is hitting 12 points higher than Betts?

Trade the bum!

Bellinger bomb to win the game.

There’s the Barnes we all know.

Austin Clutch!

May is doing really well this year. Averaging about 5 innings, 80 pitches, and giving up 1 run. Doc seems to be limiting him which is fine with me. Maybe by the time we get to the playoffs he will be at 7 innings and 90 pitches.

What if… the Dodgers traded for Clevinger and Lindor, but Lindor moved to 2B? Nobody’s feelings get hurt (unless Lindor is not in).

Clevinger is close to being an Ace, so there is that!

Look at this lineup:

1. Betts RF

2. Seager SS

3. Lindor 2B

4. Bellinger CF

5. Turner 3B

6. Muncy 1B

7. Rios/Pollock DH

8. Peterson/Taylor LF

9. Barnes C

Jim Bowden’s comment sure brought out a lot of opinion, much of it seemingly quite subjective. I don’t know him, I just know his baseball history and it’s impressive. I won’t comment on his moral character or the allegations made. It was a trade suggestion that I don’t believe would ever happen but I do believe if did happen would make us better. How does Lindor make us better? Duh. He and Betts on the same field would electrify. It’s my opinion that Cleveland would be wise to patch things up with Clevinger as they are still in the thick of it. As for Bauer, if he is available we will be outbid for obvious reasons.

I won’t be surprised by a trade but I will be surprised if we pick up a front line starter or a perennial All Star shortstop.

We need a right handed dh bat. Don’t like both Taylor and Kike in the lineup together

Today:

Mookie

Seager

JT (DH)

Pollock (CF)

Belly (1b)

CT3 (LF)

Muncy (3b)

Kike (2b)

Barnes

May

Edwin Uceta was sent home to the Dominican for breaking COVID protocols. It is doubtful he will be back at USC this year. It will be interesting to see if Uceta is moved in a deadline move or a Winter move.

Great job Jeff! I’ve never much cared for rankings whether in the draft or with prospects. The really good ones are easy to spot. It’s the development of those that re not selected in the top 5 picks that impresses me. I love to see, for example, the Caleb Ferguson type players get their opportunity to shine. In the past couple of years, it seams as if though the Dodgers have developed more of those players than during Colletti’s regime. Gone are the days when Jerry Sands (and I mean no disrespect to him, he was a fine player) was our top prospect.

As for a trade, I would not mind acquiring Trevor Bauer. Beyond that, I might just pass on this years trade deadline.

To me Gonsolin is underrated. I would go with Gonsolin in the playoffs if starting pitching is too costly via trade.

I’m fine with our offense, I’m patient with Bellinger, Muncy, Pederson, sooner or later they will wake up. The only gripe I have with the offense is more of a gripe about Doc overusing Hernandez. And we’ll see what Doc does with catching, I like Smith to do the catching about 80% of the time.

The bullpen has been good so far, but I look at the lopsided career splits and I get nervous. I hate the 3 batter minimum rule.

Overall I’m happy with the team.

There is a reason why Jim Bowden is no longer a GM, but it is not because he does not recognize talent. He actually is a good judge of talent. But he is no longer a GM because, allegedly “in February 2009, it was reported that Bowden along with former special assistant José Rijo were part of an FBI federal investigation into the skimming of signing bonus money from Latin American baseball players. He resigned from the Nationals on March 1, 2009.”

So while Bowden may know talent, he has no clue about character and morality. Why would the Dodgers with the best record in MLB, and still not playing their best baseball, disrupt their clubhouse and bring in Mike Clevinger who obviously does not care about his teammates and has no compunction about lieing about it and further exposing the team when he travels with them. LAD players have been very diligent in following the protocols and now they should disrupt that by trading for a player who did not give a rip about them? Clevinger thinks team first? I think not.

Bowden has been trying to persuade the Dodgers to trade for Lindor for some time now. But deadline trades are supposed to help the teams in the current year. So for 30 games, we are going to change the infield to bring in a player who is not having as good of an offensive year as are Seager, JT or CT3. I am not nearly convinced as some of you are that Lindor is an upgrade over Seager. In fact, I am not convinced at all. In addition, who says Seager wants to move from SS? Who says Seager can play 2B? Who says JT can play 2B? Who says either one wants to move? If they were in the middle of the pack maybe you make a move like that, but not when you are 4.0 games better than anyone else in the league. They do not need Francisco Lindor:

2020 stats:

Seager – .294/.341/.576/.917

JT – .275/.359/.412/.771

CT3 – .265/.378/.373/.751

Lindor – .234/.293/.393/.686

So how exactly is Lindor going to improve the 2020 team?

BTW, one year of Lindor and a disrupted LAD infield, and two years of Clevinger who cannot be trusted to follow protocols setup to protect teammates, and that would translate into a decade of dominance? Okay, but I do not see it.

I would not be opposed to moving Lux, or Gray or Rodriguez for the right package, or individually for the right return.

The two Dodger “apparent” weaknesses are hitting LHP and starting pitching. I am not convinced that either one is a weakness, but I do believe that there is room for improvement. My preference has been all season (and into next winter) that Trevor Bauer is someone to seriously consider. He would fill in nicely into the 2020 rotation giving a solid top three of Buehler/Kershaw/Bauer. Urias, May, and Gonsolin could compete for the #4 spot with the other two dropping into the bullpen, making a strength even stronger.

But I do not believe that the Reds will move Bauer without a significant overpay because they are still in contention, only being .5 GB for a WC. In fact every NL team still has a great shot for a WC except for Pittsburgh. Mets, Reds, and Brewers are .5 GB, while SF, Philadelphia, and Nationals are only 1.5 GB. Pittsburgh is 5.5 GB but has no pitching worth trading for.

Who are the other options? In the AL, Baltimore is the closest team to a WC and they are 2.0 GB. Texas, Seattle, LAA, KC, Detroit, and Boston are falling further behind. There are two pitchers that could be available that could help LAD this year. Texas’ Lance Lynn, and LAA’s Dylan Bundy. For 2020:

Lynn (33) – 6 GS, 39.1 IP (average > 6.0 innings/start), 1.37 ERA, 0.84 WHIP. Lynn is owed a more than reasonable $10MM for 2021, and that alone will drive the prospect cost up.

Bundy (27) – 5 GS, 32.2 IP (average > 6.0 innings/start), 2.48 ERA, 0.796 WHIP. Bundy was earning a full year of $5.0MM in 2020. He has one additional year of arbitration, and becomes a FA in 2022.

For a hitter who seemingly crushes LHP, why not look at Boston’s JDM. Bring him home to RVS and let RVS work with him. Even with a down year, JDM is slashing .294/.385/.559/.943 against LHP.

We are still 9 days away from the deadline, and the teams positions can change quite a bit in that time. But if the AF wants to make a change there will be players who could improve the starting rotation and/or improve the hitting against LHP. But I am not in favor of trading for Mike Clevinger or Francisco Lindor.

Wow AC. A cornucopia of information. Lots to digest. Thanks for the work on that.

Some thoughts from last night:

* Obviously we are all happy (and relieved) to see Buehler back in form. The Rockies have to feel they were hit by a train the last 2 days.

* This bullpen is awesome right now. Kolarek, Fergy and McGee sure make a nice set-up group of lefties. I’d take Fergy as an 8th inning guy any day. Another clean inning by KJ.

* Kolarek was a victim of a Self Fulfilling Prophesy. Everybody just assumed that he couldn’t get righties out; so he didn’t face them. With the 3 batter minimum rule he has gotten the opportunity, made some adjustments and pounds them low and away. The same thing happened to Bellinger in 2018. It was suddenly decided that he couldn’t hit left handed pitching; so he didn’t. He hit .218 against lefties in 1/2 the at bats he got against righties. Sometimes if you are told you can’t do something long enough and not given the opportunity, it becomes the truth.

* I’m going to nit-pick one thing from last night. Doc actually called on Barnes to sacrifice bunt Barnes in the 4th with 2 on and no outs. Something not uncommon from the 9 hole batter. A play that I absolutely agree with. I know Barnes is hot and it’s unpopular to give up an out but it is the perfect time for it in a close game. More importantly it is a play that needs to be executed in post season. That can be a critical play against a Dude in a playoff game. So work on it now. Barnes failed to get the bunt down and eventually popped up to the infield. A totally wasted AB. Joc then popped up too and a wasted opportunity looked probable. And it didn’t matter when Seager came through with a double. But my (unpopular) point is that these little things become magnified in the post season and I’d like to see the small ball play executed. Its winning baseball.

* Geez, I didn’t recognize Kemp when he came to the plate.

* Yesterday I said in jest:

“The latest Vegas over / under line on Muncy hitting a baseball to the left side of the infield is 2025. It’s always possible that one day he might be so ahead of a pitch that he cues one off the end of the bat that stays fair down the 3rd base line. Even with that possibility, I took the OVER.”

Well, my bet is still intact. Max hit 2 balls to the first baseman; one roll-over for a DP and one a seeing-eye single and 2 strikeouts. I’m still waiting for him to NOT pull a ball.

FOR MARK:

From yesterday’s lovely conversation:

So this limeblaster is much cheaper than the Heater Treater. Are they comprable in terms of performance and preventing scale/plate?

The 2016 draft is ridiculous.

I know Mark thinks Urias is going to be a stud, but I am not convinced. I also know that they will not use a 5 man rotation come playoff time. The first round is only a 3 game series. So their 1-2 will most likely be Kersh and Buehler. Who do you trust if they get to game 3? All the games in the first round will be at their home park most likely unless baseball decides to use the bubble idea that basketball is using. I still think they need a solid #3 with post season experience. That is why I believe they need to trade for one no matter how good one might think Gonsolin or May are. They have never pitched under that kind of pressure. Urias is way to erratic at this point. Of course he has about 5 or 6 more starts, which he will no doubt get, to turn that around. The offense is pitiful against lefty’s. They see one today who has given them trouble before. Kike is supposed to mash against LHP but he is not doing that this season so far. Betts also is not doing well against lefty’s That needs to improve.

Great write up on the farm Jeff. As you go down the list year to year you see who has risen to the Dodgers and the rest of the league through trades. Some guys seem to stall and others get blocked from above. Then you wonder which talented and lucky will be suiting up at Dodger Stadium in the next few years. Will a Michael Grove be pitching, Kody Hoese be at 3rd, or Andy Pages patrolling the outfield or will they stall out like a Jordan Sheffield or Jeren Kendall.

As far as the trade I would do it in a minute but Cleveland is still very much in playoff picture. And I think Gray is going to be an outstanding pitcher next year , not sure we will see him this year. In a couple of years it’s going to be Buehler May and Gray.

Excellent write-up, Jeff, very comprehensive. Lot of work went into that. Not sure the Dodgers should do anything. Jim Bowden is always wanting to wheel and deal, makes for a good column and generates discussion. With so many teams in the playoff hunt, it will be interesting to see who does what, but with CoVid out there, may be smart to just play with what you have, which is pretty good.

The Dodgers farm system is excellent and it is amazing that year after year they replenish it even without high draft picks. That’s a credit to Andrew Friedman and company. You also have to give a lot of credit to Ned Colletti and Logan White for not only developing a strong farm system, but retaining top prospects.

Smart folks: I know usually each team has a 26 man team. This weird year we’re allowed up to 30 on a team. But for the playoffs, will it remain at 30 or revert back to a 26 man team?

If our playoff rotation is Buehler (proven to step up in big games), and then:

Kershaw (proven to NOT step up in big games)

May (rookie)

Gonsolin (rookie)

Urias (talented and erratic and first year as a starter)

Wood/Strip (really??)

We NEED to get a game 3 starter. Obviously the respect will go to Kersh for Game 2, and only God knows which Kershaw shows up in October. Expecting for him to be our October ace is like Charlie Brown thinking “this time Lucy will hold the ball and I’ll kick it really far”

Now that we have a bullpen that looks playoff worthy, we can get by with a solid 5 inning start from someone. But nobody outside of Buehler gives me any confidence come October. To be fair, I personally feel that May has that “it” factor, and he might step up, but that’s a big if. It’s not a sure thing yet.

Excellent post! 2014 was a very good draft.

Buehler starting to round into form. I believe he will start the first game of the playoffs.

Kershaw seems to have better stuff this year. Hopefully, he can stay healthy. Mb this is his post season year but I wouldn’t count on it. He is worth at least a homerun per game and seemingly at crucial times. He is not going to shut anybody out but Buehler might. Anyway the 3-4 will be crucial and urias sure doesn’t look the part right now. How can you not go with Gonsolin? May has dominate stuff but gives up a lot of hits. Strip is a no and wood is probably a no. We definitely miss price. Right now I would go buehler, kershaw, Gonsolin, and May. At the outset I have felt our starting pitching is questionable as far as the playoffs.

Now I think our second area to be concerned about is our offense vs. lefties. We need pollock to help but that is certainly dicey at best. He is injury prone and a streak hitter. So, if he flames out we got Betts, turner, kike, smith. I would think AF is looking for a rh hitter at the trade deadline. Muncy has got to get on track. He is a disaster at this point with kkkkk…. bellinger will get it together but has been a no show in the playoffs. Seager has been the bright spot if he don’t get a hangnail while swinging at the first pitch. I still think with the game on the line turner gives us the best chance but mb Betts will be that guy.

Our bullpen continues to impress. Ferguson seems like he has figured it out. Kolarek has mb figured righties out. If so he is invaluable. Graterol has tremendous upside but needs more experience. Treinen has done his job.

I just don’t know if our rotation will be up to the task playoff time. Once again we are going to have to rely on kershaw and we know how that has turned out. Lefties can cause us fits. Our best players are going to have to play well for us to ever get over the hump. Our bullpen has always been a weak spot but we have the arms at this point they just have to perform.

Thanks for all that work AC. You mention Jimmy Lewis has been on the IL. Do you know what the problem is? I hadn’t heard anything about any injury. Hope it isn’t serious.

Considering how Lux was anointed the Golden Boy last year, it’s awfully strange that he can’t even make the roster this year, let alone be the starting second baseman that most figured he would be. I wonder what the back story is there.

The Indians feel they can win a World Series this year. Unlikely they would trade two of their very best players for three prospects who wouldn’t even see the majors this year, or if they did, would probably not contribute much to a playoff roster. I’m guessing there is no way Cleveland does that deal and probably no way AF does it either.

A lot of research went into your nice article, AC, so thank you. It is appreciated. I am really anxious and interested to see how Michael Grove, Ryan Pepiot, Josiah Gray, Clayton Beeter and Brett de Geus, to name just a few, do next year on their journey to the ML.

On last night’s game, Buehler was crazy good, and we actually played a game with no home runs but lots of good hits. The bullpen was excellent.

Mark, I would not do that deal with the Indians. Corey is just fine at short and do not need Lindor, or Clevinger right now and I keep Lux.

From The Athletic:

Jim Bowden says this is the trade the Dodgers should make:

Acquire right-handed pitcher Mike Clevinger and shortstop Francisco Lindor from the Cleveland Indians in exchange for right-handed pitcher Josiah Gray, shortstop Gavin Lux and outfielder Luis Rodriguez.

After the trade for Mookie Betts and the long-term contract they gave him, no one is expecting the Dodgers to make another blockbuster trade of this magnitude, but why not? They have the financial resources, the prospects to trade and we are talking about the Los Angeles Dodgers here — their only goal now is to win their first world championship since 1988. Clevinger is in the Indians’ doghouse after breaking curfew and safety and health protocols. A change of scenery probably makes sense for both parties at this point. Clevinger would fit nicely as the Dodgers’ third starter behind Clayton Kershaw and Walker Buehler and ahead of Julio Urías. Lindor would be controlled by the Dodgers for both this year and the next, giving them a two-year window to win the World Series. Can you imagine the billboard on the 405 of Betts, Lindor and Cody Bellinger all smiling together? Then Los Angeles can consider giving Lindor a long-term contract or possibly even consider trading him again this offseason. In this trade idea, they would hold on to their two best pitching prospects in Dustin May and Tony Gonsolin and top catching prospect Keibert Ruiz. Lindor would immediately play shortstop for the Dodgers, while Corey Seager would be moved to second base for the balance of the season. Next year, Seager would move to third base to replace Justin Turner, who’s a free agent at the end of the season. Go big or go home, Dodgers.

Then again, sometimes in baseball the best move is no move at all and quite frankly, that’s what I’m really expecting from them at this year’s trade deadline, which will probably be the right decision unless they can get an impact reliever. But where’s the fun in that?

Fun to speculate… and I would do that, but I can’t see it happening.

Phils got 2 relievers from the Red Sox, Hembree and Workman and another from the Yankees. Pre deadline strike to strengthen their pen.

Strasburg diagnosed with carpel tunnel syndrome. Looks like he will be out for the rest of the year. Wonder if DC is wishing they had not shelled out all of that money. Great column Jeff. Very informative.

Wow, Jeff – that took a lot of time to crank out that post. Kudos! Pretty dang comprehensive!

The Dodgers are the first team to 20 wins. The pitching remains outstanding. All of the starters have gone at least 6 innings or more at least once. Gonsolin and Wood are in the wings. I wonder if David Price is having second thoughts as Nick Markakis did?

Alex can be a big asset if he has the velocity he exhibited in early spring. He lost it the second spring training. If he fastball sits at 89-91, he’s not an asset, but if he can get it back to the 92-94 range, he is very effective.

Striker looked like he is almost back, but Clayton is not giving up that Ace role. I think he will dominate the second half and be in the TOP 5 in Cy Young Voting. Striker might too! He dropped his ERA a point last night to 4.32.

Bellinger is looking confident again. Muncy? Not so much. All-in-all, I like where the team is. I think Dustin May could pitch into the 7th inning tonight. Kaybear will likely catch him because he goes back to USC.

Very nice game by Buehler, 2 hits by Bellinger is encouraging.

Smith likely back on Sunday if all goes well after his hitting session on Friday.