If the Dodgers had beat the Padres on Sunday, that would have likely crushed the Padres… maybe even ruined their season…and the win was within reach until Kenley Jansen snatched defeat from the jaws of victory. If you are a Padre fan, it was like Kirk Gibson hitting the home run in the 1988 World Series, but if you are a Dodger fan it was worse than death itself! That was a particularly bitter loss.
Let me remind you that I have recently told you a couple if things:
- That Chris Taylor needed to keep playing to break out of his slump and it would seem that is the case. I am not going to say everything is hunky-dory right now, but he is trending that way. I am not going to rub it in too much, but I should, because some of you were very vociferous in your rants about him. I’ll just say “I hope you learned a lesson.” This is a damn hard game to play and even the good ones can fall flat on their faces… you have to give them time. TIME!
- I also said that the Dodgers needed to start looking for another closer. Let me clarify: I don’t think that Kenley Jansen should be removed from the closer’s role, but he can no longer close out game-after-game-after-game. I think AF signed Joe Kelly thinking that he could be that guy, but he isn’t even close right now. Pedro Baez is close, but who else do you have to take his place?
I was (WAS) happy with the job Andrew Friedman did with the bullpen in the off-season. While not a huge Joe Kelly fan, I thought he might put up a 3.50 or 4.00 ERA and be a nice piece in the bullpen. I would kill if he could even have a 5.00 ERA now. I also knew that Urias and Stripling would likely be in the pen… at least for a time. Dylan Floro has been solid. I expected more from Scott Alexander and maybe they will get it. Caleb Ferguson will be back at some point and Tony Cingrani is close to a rehab assignment. I also see a lot of ability to grow for Yimi Garcia, but he needs to do it LIKE NOW!
The Dodgers need another bullpen piece who can also close. It’s easy to say “Craig Kimbrel” but it really is not that simple. During the month of May last year, Craig Kimbrel was as bad as Joe Kelly was in April. Alex Cora had a short leash on him the rest of the way. Then, there’s also the contract. On MLB.Radio yesterday the host had talked to Kimbrel’s agent and he is looking for 3 years/$46 million (or thereabouts). I am not sure that is wise on any planet. They flat out said that Kimbrel will not take a half-year deal.
It is also purported by Ken Rosenthal that after the draft, Kimbrel will sign with the Braves, as they are evidently willing to meet his demands. So, it would seem that Kimbrel is unlikely. The Dodgers could do worse than Kenley who has converted 12 of 14 saves and whose ERA sits at 4.67, but they might do better too.
I would have never re-signed Jansen and I was surprised that Andrew Friedman did. He generally doesn’t do that with bullpen assets. Where he has deviated from that plan has been where he has stumbled: Kelly and Jansen. Maybe Kenley should not be used back-to-back-to-back. Maybe it was a simple as having Strip pitch two and end with Baez. I don’t second guess because it’s after the fact and it’s a “guess” but maybe Doc will do that next time.
It wasn’t velocity, Kenley hit 94 MPH multiple times. It was “movement” or control… most likely both. Kenley has never been over 95 MPH since he signed his new deal. Again, he’s still valuable, but he needs a help… preferably a lefty. I think that his ERA will be below 3.00 but he can’t be overworked. His workload will have to diminish. The fact of the matter is that while the Dodgers lead MLB with 22 wins, they should have about 28… if they had a good bullpen.
Andrew is going to have to pull the trigger and get a couple of arms. I still say Joc Pederson will be traded as the Dodgers have plenty of LH candidates for LF: Beaty, Rios, Toles, Verdugo, et al. It makes the most sense and he could bring back a TOP arm. Who that might be, I’ll leave to AC to make the decision. He’s the bullpen master! You have to give up something to get value back. Shane Greene anyone? I doubt the Tigers would want Pederson in that deal… probably prospects.
Minor League Report by Dodger Chatter
Great Lakes Loons 4- Wisconsin Timber Rattlers 1 (Milwaukee)
The Loons came away with a 4-1 win on Sunday afternoon and a three-game sweep of the Timber Rattlers on the heels of their previous three-game sweep of the Beloit Snappers. They have now reeled off a nine-game winning streak, the longest in the Midwest League this season and one of the longest in the country. Good pitching and some power fueled the win.
Zach Willeman made his season debut with the Loons and pitched as expected. He toiled for four innings giving up four hits and no runs while walking two and striking out two. Drew Finley, in his season debut, followed Willeman picking up the win and tossing two innings of shutout ball on two hits while walking two and striking out one. Jasiel Alvino also pitched two innings and made things a bit interesting in the seventh inning but shut the Timber Rattlers down on one run. Nathan Witt earned the save pitching a clean ninth inning with one strikeout.
The power came from Niko Hulsizer and Dan Robinson who both had two hits and a solo home run. James Outman also had two hits, one of them a double.
Following the game the Loons hit the road for a six-game road trip starting against the Kane County Captains on Monday.
Rancho Cucamonga Quakes 2 – San Jose Giants 4
Victor Gonzalez started for the Quakes and had another good outing. He pitched 4.1 innings giving up a single run on five hits. He walked one and struck out five. Ryan Mosely followed Gonzalez and had an uncharacteristic outing in two-thirds of an inning allowing an unearned run on one hit, three walks, a wild pitch and a Jeter Downs fielding error. Max Gamboa came on in the sixth inning and gave up a solo home run to the Giants second baseman, Kyle MacPherson. Gamboa pitched two innings with all six Giant outs coming as strikeouts, five of them swinging. Jordan Sheffield finished up with one inning in which he allowed one hit, one walk and struck out two.
The Quakes were held to five hits. The only extra-base hits were a double by Devin Mann and a home run by Brandon Montgomery.
Tulsa Drillers 9 – Corpus Christi Hooks 8 (Houston)
The Drillers played the game as Los Petroleros and the Hooks as Los Raspas. Both teams take part in Minor League Baseball’s Copa de la Diversion which aims to celebrate the local Hispanic communities. Los Petroleros will return to ONEOK Field on August 1-2.
Tulsa had one of those games. They scored nine runs in the first three innings only to hang on for a 9-8 win. Yordy Cabrera went 2.2 innings and gave up five runs on seven hits. He walked one and struck out two. Relievers Shea Spitzbarth with 2.1 innings pitched and Michael Boyle with three held the Hooks scoreless on one hit. The interesting part came in the top of the ninth inning when Layne Somsen gave up three runs but did get the final out for the 9-8 win.
On offense the Drillers struck quickly when shortstop Gavin Lux led off with a home run in the bottom of the first inning. Tulsa did get some easy runs after a single and four consecutive walks brought in two more runs while a Jared Walker single plated runs four and five.
In the bottom of the third inning lightening struck again. DJ Peters hit a lead off home run on the first pitch of the inning. Two more runs scored courtesy of a Hooks error and one more on a Gavin Lux sacrifice fly.
OKC Dodgers 11 – New Orleans Baby Cakes (Marlins) 9
The Dodgers had one of those games too where they went into the tenth inning after having had a five-run lead. Daniel Corcino started and did not pitch badly. He gave up two runs in 4.2 innings pitched and was followed by Joe Broussard who pitched a solid 1.1 innings without giving up a run. Jaime Shultz had a second consecutive difficult outing giving up three runs without recording an out. Josh Smoker inherited two runners, both of whom scored in addition to one counted to him. Kevin Quackenbush pitched two innings on one hit. Josh Sborz pitched the tenth and eleventh innings giving up a tying run in the ninth and two in the tenth that did not totally erase the four run lead the Dodgers had built up in the top of the tenth inning.
Offensively the Dodgers had 11 hits, seven of them by Kyle Garlick and Cameron Perkins. Garlick had three two-run home runs among hits four hits while Perkins had two home runs among his three hits. Each had a home run in the top of the eleventh inning.
Discussion (76)
Disagree, not disagreeable
When are we going to see our new hero, D’Artignan, in the lineup? I guess it will be facing a LHP. Watch out, this guy’s got POWER!
Julio time! I think he can be our Hader in the playoffs! Nice bounce back win after a tough loss. Shows some mental toughness!
It’s Julio tiempo… Might be the future (2019) closer with Jansen…
Let us not forget Baez…
P.S. Acuna is being a pest… 1-2-3 just go back to your hotel Braves!!!
C U Tommorow…
Buehler just seems to run out of gas after 5 innings. Hopefully he can build up some endurance soon!
I love when we play small ball! Great start to today.
Latest (Shameless) Video:
https://vimeo.com/334498623
What about Floro? 0.00 ERA in what, 14 Games
I’m beginning to lose my patience with this team. By no means am I a Friedman basher. I generally think this team is headed in the right direction with smart and prudent and sustainable stewardship. However:
Kenley is not longer an elite closer. He’s not. Just accept it. He is not longer the closer he was up through 2017. It started in the playoffs in 2017 and continued all last year, and has continued for the first month of this year. You can either accept that he’s no longer the player he was and make changes to address the bullpen issue, or this front office and manager continue to deny what over a year’s worth of history and sample sizes have told us. Can the Dodgers be successful with a decent but no longer top 3 closer? Yes. Does he create a liability in key moments in key games in the playoffs and hopefully the WS? That answer should be obvious, and if this team has a real ruthless ambition to win the WS and not be just sustainably good, then Kenley is not going to cut it. The Dodgers would be 2017 WS champions without a key blown save by Kenley.
CT3 is the player he was last year. He is not the player he was in 2017, and at this point, I’ve seen no indication that he is going to catch that lightning in a bottle again. I understand the reasoning in putting him in key situations to build his confidence, but – same thing. – he is who he is and he’s not going to be any different. We have over a full season of sample sizes. This is the player he is – valuable defense in multiple positions, occasional pop when he ‘s not striking out at a league leading rate. I’ve seen enough, and I think it’s criminally stupid to pinch hit him for Verdugo, who all he’s done is hit the cover off the ball. Lost games mean just as much now as they do in September, and when the Dodgers are in a one game playoff to determine who moves on to the postseason, these games tossed away because Roberts wants to be too cute with his moves will illustrate that point.
And this is where it is stupid to trade prospects for relief pitchers instead of getting the right people from day 1 signing free agents.
I just heard that his elbow was bothering him all spring. I talked to an orthopedic surgeon friend who says that some people’s bodies just “reject” plates and screws. He told me a month to six weeks was about what to expect. He can still be a RH bat “force” for the team.
Pollock says he expects to miss about 6 weeks. That’s fine; take your time and get healthy!
Damn, I will take that lineup tonight. Let’s do it!
Just out:
Power Rankings top 5:
1) Dodgers (1 last week)
Their stunning loss to the Padres on Sunday aside, it’s hard to unseat the Dodgers as the most complete team in baseball at this point. It’s also hard to talk about the Dodgers without talking about the run Cody Bellinger has put together — entering Sunday’s game, he was leading the Majors with a .466 batting average (34-for-73) vs. right-handers, 66 points higher than the next player, the Brewers’ Christian Yelich. Bellinger has good numbers against lefties, too, with a .333 average (15-for-45).
The only thing I disagree with is about Kenley needing less work. When he throws less the cutter moves less. It has always been the case with him.
1. Ozzie Albies (S) 2B
2. Josh Donaldson (R) 3B
3. Freddie Freeman (L) 1B
4. Ronald Acuna Jr. (R) LF
5. Nick Markakis (L) RF
6. Dansby Swanson (R) SS
7. Brian McCann (L) C
8. Ender Inciarte (L) CF
9. Kevin Gausman (L) P
1. Joc Pederson (L) LF
2. Cody Bellinger (L) RF
3. Justin Turner (R) 3B
4. Corey Seager (L) SS
5. Max Muncy (L) 1B
6. Chris Taylor (R) 2B
7. Alex Verdugo (L) CF
8. Austin Barnes (R) C
9. Walker Buehler (R) P
Is the only thing keeping Gonsolin from the Dodgers bullpen his control? Kenley better start locating pitches better otherwise Gonsolin could match his control and have better stuff. Same with White unless the Dodgers want to keep Gonsolin and White as starters.
I watched Mitch White today and he was outstanding with his fastball (98 MPH) and control.
Some of you are again throwing the baby out with the bathwater. You have to give it time. It would be absurd to remove Kenley from the closer role right now. I simply stated that the Dodgers should be looking. Sometimes, it’s just a small mechanical glitch. Don’t lose your mind over this. It’s not a big deal…. YET!
Mitch White pitching very well today.
BTW, I’m seriously underselling Floro here. He’s unscored upon in 14 appearances. I guess I just don’t want to jinx him.
The Bullpen. Here’s what we pretty much know at this point in the season:
1. Kelly looks like a bust. He may turn it around but right now he’s fighting to be one of our 8 best relievers, let alone a shut-down, set-up, or lights-out power arm.
2. Jansen is no longer elite. He still could be very good, but he is no longer a feared weapon.
3. The LHPs have shown promise: Urias, Alexander, Ferguson have all had their moments and Cingrani is returning.
4. Floro & Baez have been solid while Garcia & Stripling have been inconsistent. Really nothing major learned here.
5. It feels hard to complain about a top team having a problem, but it should be crystal clear to management that the bullpen is our Achilles’ Heel. We are unlikely to reach our goal if this continues to plague us.
(I like our rotation depth but I also think all the moving parts might inhibit certain guys from performing their best.)
During the winter, both AC and I were in favor of signing Greg Holland. Unfortunately the Dbacks listened to us and not Andrew.
Current ERA = 0.75
Current WHIP = 0.833
Current K/9 = 12.8
That would make him our best reliever at this point.
He may blow up at any moment, but it would have been nice to have him until that happens.
Man, the Reds are hitting some homers against the Giants this series. Every time I look up someone in red is circling the bases.
Going into yesterday, Renfroe was 0-6 with 5k against Kenley.
I’m not as upset about yesterday’s loss as AC. To me it wasn’t crushing, only because we came back and “stole” Friday’s game, we came back and “stole” Saturday’s game, and we almost came back and “stole” Sunday’s game. To me, we were this close to BEING SWEPT in San Diego, so I”m ecstatic that we actually won the series!
Now we come home for a while. Let’s have a nice home stand and build up our NL West lead. Buehler needs to finally wake up!
No Jansen 3 days in a row and let Floro close those games out. Jansen surely shouldn’t pitch tonight
I was disappointed by the bunt coverage in the 9th last night. Wondering whose play it was. If Kenley’s, is he known to be a good fielding pitcher? Also, Mark, I love the titles and icons you use on your articles. Go Dodgers.
There’s got to be a reason Kimbrel hasn’t signed yet !!!
I like the NYY thoughts by AC… Why not now??
I like(d) the Bison, but it’s over…
I’m liking 22-14 at this point… Let’s have a good home stand and start with jumping on the ATL…
SCD – not sure if you mean Garrett Richards who was mooted as joining the Dodgers in the off season.
He had TJ Surgery at the back end of last year. He was seen as a low risk, high ceiling option (AFs favourite type).
I think we were in the mix, but unfortunately he signed a 2 year deal with the Padres in December,but won’t pitch this season.
You are probably thinking of someone else anyway LOL.
Wasn’t there a reliever that was out with surgery last year who was signed to a two year contract and expected to pitch sometime this year? I can’t remember the name. It started with a T (I think). What is his situation now?
It’s great to see CT3 come around. I think he played too much while he was sucking, but at least he looks like he starting to get back to his old self. Speaking of old self, it looks like Kike is back to being a platoon player. I would rather see CT3 every day at 2B, batting leadoff, with Kike being Joc’s other half while also doing his super utility thing.
I’m not sure where a right handed bat would play with this team. You’re going to give up something in order to get that bat in the lineup. Abreu at 1B would be a nice fit, but one of Joc or Muncy would have to go, likely both when Pollock comes back.
Taylor 2B
Seager SS
Turner 3B
Bellinger RF
Abreu 1B
Verdugo LF
Pollock RF
Marnes C
d’Arnaurd is a bad move! This is just going to give Roberts more opportunities to screw up the lineup with more 200 hitters. Either that or you can kiss Martin goodbye.
Jansen needs help. We need another guy that can close out a game. Are we really saying that a closer can’t pitch three games in a row? Is something wrong, or is he just trying something new that isn’t working? He mentioned that he’s focusing on spin rate instead of velocity. Is this effecting his control?
Same thing for Kelly. Is he trying something new and just hasn’t adjusted yet? Did he go back to the curve instead of the slurve that was working so well last year? Is he pitching lower in the zone? Did he stop eating dairy to fit in with the other guys? You can’t have too many good bullpen arms, so I think the number one priority to add another guy that can get a save.
Sign Kimbrel !!!! If AF was willing to sign Harper and i am glad he did not accepted , use that money to get Kimbrel who can setup and share closer duties with Jansen. We can see Jansen cannot get it done 3 games in a row and gets tired in playoffs and is great pitcher and competitor but also because of his health issues he is not as dominant or automatic as before. Jansen needs help. He did great first 2 games but yesterday was a mess. He will give up the homer now more frequently. Kelly is a mess and not trusted for now . Bullpen needs help. Do something AF. Also give Bison a shot . Talk to him and he can be a Utley type role and help the boys with morale and maybe can hit some before Pollock comes back.
To repeat what I stated after yesterday’s loss, this one hurt. Every year there are 1 or 2 or 3 really really tough losses that make you just want to hide from the world, and yesterday’s game was one of those. The Dodgers were 3 outs away from winning 3 consecutive come from behind victories from the Pads, two off of Kirby Yates and instead limp home because their closer not only could not finish, but looked bad doing so. He will have games where he is dominant because he is a quality pitcher, but he just is not a lock-down closer anymore. He is what he is, a good but no longer elite pitcher.
There are no closers available right now. We are going to have to wait until closer to the deadline so that more teams drop from contention. My hopes of the Twins Taylor Rogers are fleeting as they continue to stay in contention this year, and figure to continue with Kluber out with a non-displaced fractured ulna. This on top of Mike Clevinger also on the IL. This is where the genius of AF shines. The Indians lose 2 of their 5 starters and they are in a world of hurt. The Dodgers lose Kershaw, Hill, and Ryu for multiple starts with Buehler still not untracked and they can weather the IL because of their depth.
Teams with legit late inning relievers are going to wait until the ASG before they start to move. The cost for such relief will continue to grow as contenders will fight for these assets. That is why I have been a huge advocate for getting the team build in the off-season. If the A’s continue to flounder, Blake Treinen could be available, but he will cost. Frankie Montas???? I am still a fan of Jose Leclerc and he could become available. Shane Greene WILL get moved by the deadline. I am guessing that Will Smith, Tony Watson, will become available from the Giants. They will try instead to move Melancon.
I agree with Watford that Felipe Vazquez would be a HUGE get. I am just not sure that Pittsburgh really wants to move him unless for a massive overpay. Like Miami, Pittsburgh is going to want to make up for bad trades for Chris Archer from Tampa Bay and Gerrit Cole to Houston. Instead they will push Francisco Liriano and Keone Kela.
The Royals seem ready to move Scott Barlow into a closer role and will want very much to move Ian Kennedy who has done extremely well in the current closer role. If he were a rental, Kennedy is someone that AF would absolutely go for. Unfortunately, he still has one more year on his 5 year $70MM contract. Kelly for Kennedy? I am always a sucker for a Trojan.
Others to be watching between now and July –
Nationals – Sean Doolittle (Please!), Kyle Barraclough (I think he gets moved again this year), and I am still a fan.
Angels – Ty Buttrey and Luis Garcia
White Sox – Alex Colome’ (Yes he will be available again). Why can’t he go to a perennial contender for once?
Blue Jays – Ken Giles (Showing signs of returning to that lockdown closer). But my dark horse candidate would be Aaron Sanchez and moving him to the closer role. I think that Rich Hill can provide needed advise as to how to mitigate finger issues (AKA blisters). If he can, and stick with his 4-seamer and slider and rely less on the change he could be awesome.
I am also with Bums and have always been a fan of Chad Green.
I do not beleive that Joc will be moved, but if he were, I could see him going to NYY in move for a reliever or two.
Hopefully tonight is the night that Buehler re-finds that dominant pitcher hiding inside.
I disagree that we have the outfield depth to afford trading Joc. Beaty, Rios, & Toles still all qualify as long shots.
My hope for Jansen is that he will adjust to and further recover from his post surgery lighter weight and related reduced workouts that will result in more consistent control and velocity.
Kelly has a troubling history of mediocrity that has had moments of greatness. He was a mistake and if he can be traded, he should be traded. Maeda should replace him in the bullpen unless the trade brings back a reliever.
Kelly and Alexander for the Yankees’ Betances and Green? Cashman said Betances could be back “sometime in June,” which would deepen a relief corps that also has been without Chad Green, who was sent down to Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre after a horrid start. Green has shown significant improvement after altering his mechanics in the minors and could return in a multi-inning role out of the pen shortly.
Ferguson should be coming off the IL soon. If he joins the team who goes down? Does Kelly go on the IL? I”d rather have Ferguson and Garcia then Kelly.
Location is Jansen’s problem. Even in Saturday’s game he missed Barnes target on the game ending strikeout.
I agree with you about needing some BP help, and certainly someone who could close if necessary.
For fear of repeating myself, the player we should target is Felipe Marquez (Rivero) from Pittsburgh.
He is an absolute stud, and could be used in a set up or closing role.
The Pirates will be done for the season soon, and will not contend in that difficult division for some time without some decent young talent, as they will not be in on any of the big FA signings with their budget.
I know he would cost a lot in prospects, but like others have mentioned, although this team looks very promising, I can’t see a WS with this Pen.
We have some good looking prospects, but I think it’s time to push some chips in, much like the Cubs did with the Aroldis Chapman signing.
We have been so close twice, but this period of domination will not last for ever. I think we need to really make a statement of intent.