Those junkyard dogs were nowhere to be found yesterday!
The Dodgers front office under Andrew Friedman has been linked to numerous players over the time he has been in charge. Cole Hamels, David Price, Aroldis Chapman, Ryan Braun and others have all allegedly been the subject of trade talks with FAZ, but no one pulled the trigger, although Chapman almost happened. If we are to believe the Fish Hacks, Ryan Braun almost became a Dodger at last year’s trade deadline and there were also talks over the winter about it. It never happened.
Now we are again hearing rumblings that the Brewers and Dodgers are again discussing Ryan Braun. I have been around long enough to know not to believe half of what I see and none of what I read, but I do think there is merit to the position. Before, I go any further, let me say that it is too early to make any determination about this team… or others for that matter.
Baltimore is 6-2 and Minnesota is 6-3. They have the two best records in the American League. Cincinnati and Arizona are both 7-3 and have the best record in the National League. THERE IS A VERY GOOD CHANCE NONE OF THEM MAKE THE PLAYOFFS! How you start is not as important as how you finish. So, the fact that the Dodgers are not hitting is somewhat troubling. The fact that they are not hitting LH pitching is troubling… but they aren’t hitting RH pitching either. If a ball is thrown, bet against it being hit by them and you will be a Winner, Winner Chicken Dinner!
But it’s very early, except for the fact that other teams are struggling too. Shoot, Ryan Braun is struggling, but he is a .304 career hitter (who hit .305 last year) and his exit velocity is about 6.3 MPH over league average. He has not lost any bat speed. His career OPS is .910 – compare that to A-Gon at .853. Also, realize that A-Gon’s exit velocity is about 10 MPH less than that of Ryan Braun. Adrian’s exist velocity is actually 3.5 MPH BELOW League Average. But, he’s injured…. OK! Excuses…
I think some tough decisions are going to have to be made. A-Gon is in full decline and Cody Bellinger is knocking at the door. I think he is ready. Andre Ethier is likely done. Carl Crawfish was paid to just go away. That accounts for $60+ million in Dodger payroll and Braun would only add to that.
The jury is still out on Ryu. He is on a plateau – he has improved, but he has a ways to go and I am not sure he can get there. He has worked so hard to get here, but we have to realize that he may not be able to dial it up another 10%… and he has to in order to be effective. I do not see Wood or Stripling in the rotation, except for an occasional spot start. They are too effective in the pen. However, Julio Urias is likely less than two or three weeks away. I would say that is how much time Ryu will get.
I do not know how the Dodgers can get rid of A-Gon, Ethier and Kazmir, but there has to be a way. Between the three, they are owed $56 million a year. If they could dump them so that they only owed them $36 million, they could afford Ryan Braun. Get your geniuses to work, Andrew! Figure out how I can have this lineup:
- Forsythe 2B – R
- Seager SS – L
- Braun LF – R
- Pederson CF – L
- Turner 3B – R
- Bellinger 1B – L
- Puig RF – R
- Grandal C – L/R
At Cleanup, Joc would get to see more good pitches. That is a tough lineup… and young enough. The Dodgers system is full of Left-handed hitters and Milwaukee needs to rebuild. If the Dodgers overpaid with prospects, could they get the Brewers to take back some salary? Salary, like Scott Kazmir? Would a package of Kazmir, Calhoun, Verdugo and Stewart get it done?
Look, I have been an advocate of building the farm and FAZ has done exactly that. However, you cannot keep all the players. There are only 40 spots at a time, so you do have to trade some prospects. Calhoun and Verdugo are both very solid prospects and Stewart is a nice-middle-to-back-of-the -rotation guy. I am not saying I would definitely do a deal like that… but I would have to explore it and think about it.
Nobody knows for sure, but there are rumors the Giants are also interested. You usually make a trade for one reason: to help your team… and Ryan Braun would do that. But , there is also another reason and that is to prevent a team you will have to beat from getting better and Ryan Braun to the Dodgers would do that as well. I am generally not in favor of signing aging players to long-term deals and Ryan Braun would be owed less than $75 million through his age 37 year. He does not have a body-type like A-Gon or Crawfish. He’s more of an Andre Ethier-type body (well, that’s not working out so good is it?). He makes $20 million this year, followed by, $19 million next year, $17 million the year after and $19 million in his last year (that is, if the Dodgers buy that option out).
This all may be a dream, but you have to at least consider it. I think the team will hit regardless, but with Braun, they will hit better. Again, it’s just an idea that probably won’t happen… but could! However, just for the sake of clarification, I think the Dodgers will hit, and hit well this year. Someone said that Braun would fit right in with the Dodgers since he is hitting his weight. See, that’s really dumb! Lots of players are off to a slow start. I swear some people have no clue about baseball a game of peaks and valleys. Look at this after 10-12 games:
- Russ Martin – .042
- Carlos Gomez – .136
- Edwin Encarnacion – .156
- Dexter Fowler – .176
- Justin Upton -.182
- Nelson Cruz – .184
- Ben Zobrist – .185
- Ender Inciarte – .189
- Alex Gordon – .189
- Brandon Belt – .190
- Matt Carpenter – .192
- Neil Walker – .195
- Albert Pujols – .200
- Carlos Santana – .200
- Carlos Gonzalez – .205
- DJ LeMahieu – .212 (NL Batting Champ)
- Kyle Schwarber – .212
Get the picture? How many of those guys will stay there? Not many! Several will hit .290 or .300+. This is baseball and I would rather have a hot finish, instead of a hot start. One of the main things to know about baseball is it is a long season of peaks and valleys. Oh, and lest we forget, when healthy, Brett Anderson is a pretty good pitcher.
Other Stuff
- Dave Roberts says that this is the Dodger’s hitters problem: “I know it’s early, but it’s a little bit of guys wanting to do too much.”
- Actually, the way the Dodgers are hitting, I am somewhat surprised Brett Anderson didn’t pitch a no-hitter!
- There are signs of life: Kike is getting a few hits, The same with Toles and Forsythe. Seager is still slumping but is OPS’ing .871 (in a slump). Gonzo is getting hits but has no power. He’s dinking and dunking. Puig is erratic and SVS can’t jump out of a boat and hit water. Justin Turner seems to be the only hitter who has a clue and is ready for each and every at bat!
- As bad as the Dodgers are, they are still 16th in hitting, which simply means that half the teams in baseball are not hitting either. This too shall pass! The Blue Jays are hitting .190 as a team.
Minor League Report
- OKC BOX – Won 8-1 Justin Masterson pitched 5 innings of 2 hit ball with 5 K’s. Morrow closed out the game with 2 K’s in the 9th. Bellinger hit a HR and Verdugo was 3-5.
- TULSA BOX – Lost 7-5
- RC BOX – Won 6-3 Diaz was 3-4 (.333) and Ferguson and Spitzbarth pitched well as did Hermerling.
- GL BOX – Lost 6-3 Hanson played and went 0-5 and May pitched 4 strong innings
(UPDATE) PRESS RELEASE:
DODGERS REINSTATE PEDRO BÁEZ
LOS ANGELES – The Los Angeles Dodgers today reinstated right-handed pitcher Pedro Báez from the 10-day disabled list (right wrist contusion) and optioned right-hander Josh Fields to Triple-A Oklahoma City.
Báez, 29, made three rehab appearances with Triple-A Oklahoma City, allowing two runs in 3.0 innings, while allowing just one hit and collecting three strikeouts. Báez, who did not make a Spring Training appearance this year, went 3-2 with a 3.04 ERA in a career-high 73 appearances with Los Angeles in 2016. Last season, he ranked among National League relievers in holds (23, 9th), opponents’ batting average (.195, 12th) and WHIP (1.00, 12th).
Fields, 31, last pitched yesterday against the Cubs, allowing a hit in 0.2 scoreless innings of relief. Fields tossed 3.0 scoreless innings in four relief appearances with the Dodgers, while striking out six against only one walk.
TONIGHT’S GAME LINEUP
- Toles LF
- Seager SS
- Turner 3B
- Gonzalez 1B
- Forsythe 2B
- Grandal C
- Pederson CF
- Puig RF
- Kershaw P
GAME NOTES
Today’s Music
Discussion (50)
Disagree, not disagreeable
It’s early if this season is your perspective, but the Dodgers not hitting LH pitching, nor hitting with RISP has been a problem for a number of seasons. It has gone on way toooooo lonnnnnng, it’s begs to be fixed.
In addition Adrian G has been in decline, but still has value, value that is as long as he is not the #4 hitter.
Dennis Santana is an interesting prospect. Converted SS who was a Midwest League All-Star last year. He had a nice outing for Rancho.
$207 million doesn’t buy what it used to. Ask Dave Stewart!
I see Wilson is hitting .125 at AAA.
Forsythe hit a good pitch. Time to move Grandal to 8th in the order.
I can understand all the hand wringing over our slumbering bats, but over half of you guys always say ” Hey, it’s still early”, or “Too small of a sample size so far”. We were singing a different tune when they were taking the Pads to the woodshed on the opening series. Let’s just wait and see if a little home cooking against the D-Bags can get us going again. Also, we may be struggling, but nobody is running away with the division yet, or looks like they can. Everybody in our division has issues right now. I still believe in our young guys and the core of vets. Hate to see some of the nucleus get broken up just because we had a bad 3 weeks or so.
I’m ok with tonight’s line up. Wish they would run with this for the next couple weeks–rh or lh. If someone isn’t performing at that time then it’s time to sit
Thompson back up OF for 3 days of the week — rest each starter once.
Svs 1b twice/wk for Agon and pinch hits
Barnes catcher back up with 1-2 starts per week based as needed
Hernandez bu infield and ph — I don’t like to see him in CF.
Utley bu infield, ph and team dad
There are infielders and outfielders in OKC if current players aren’t cutting it.
Outside of our starting infield most of current players could go to OKC to get their stroke back if needed
Why don’t we offer the Halos the following deal?
Peterson, Calhoun, Dickson, Sborz, Oaks, Kazmir, Ethier and Gonzalez
for
Trout and the worst contract in major league baseball
I know it sounds crazy at first but wouldn’t it benefit both franchises.
Another Update
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STARTING LINEUP AND GAME NOTES!
Interview with Andrew Friedman with Mason & Ireland:
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http://www.espn.com/espnradio/losangeles/play?id=19159957
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VERY INTERESTING!
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This is must listening for any Dodger fan….
UPDATE ABOVE
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Press Release
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Baez back
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Fields gone…
Agree wholeheartedly with your post today Mark.
A batter must have 3.1 plate appearances per team game played to qualify for league leadership in AVG, OBP or SLG; a pitcher must have 1.0 innings pitched per team game (0.6 IP during spring training) to qualify for league leadership in ERA.
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The Dodgers have 6 hitters that are qualifiers. Missing are their CF and LF positions.
I would not have even picked this as a topic today except for two reasons:
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1. Most of the Giants outfielders suck; and
2. Braun would immensely help them.
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If I knew he would not go there, I would say forget it, but…
At this point, I’m not advocating going after Braun or not going after Braun, but I do believe a chunk of his money is deferred and I believe the Brewers were willing to eat the deferred portion. Urias is coming after someone’s spot and soon. Ryu or McCarthy will need to be moved.
Logan has only two more hits, then Joc and Toles, but he also has had, ten more, at bats.
Logan has also struck out 13 times, and that is the highest on the team.
He is hitting in the high 300s against lefties, but almost half of his 13 strikes outs, are against lefties.
And I believe he has had, only one extra base hit, which was a double.
And he has only hit in one run.
Is this a concern?
If you have the same hitters and same coaches, why expect a different result?
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After 10 games, Dodgers are 1-4 against lefty starters and 4-1 against righties.
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After 10 games Dodgers splits are as follows:
Lefties – .211/.293/.320/.612
Righties – .260/.374/.463/.838
Yeah, it’s early but this is just like last year (or worse)
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After 10 games Dodgers are hitting .200/.356/.338/.694 with RISP (they are 23rd in BA with RISP. Last year they finished 23rd with RISP.)
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In “late and close situations” (7th inning or later and within 1 run) Dodgers are hitting .132/.267/.132/.398.
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The Dodgers have played one series against what is arguably the best team (Cubs), one against maybe the worst (Pads) and one that is average (Rox), so this is a pretty even sample.
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Why would the Dodgers give up anything of consequence to improve against lefties? Because if they don’t, teams will continue to rearrange their rotations to insure that the Dodgers face lefties more often than league average and they will continue to stink against them.
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The Dodgers signed free agents to over $190MM in contracts during the off-season with the assumption that they would be in line to compete for a shot at the Series. Why would they do that if they didn’t intend to improve in areas where improvement is needed in order to compete for a shot at the Series?
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As to the starting pitching, again it’s early but the early returns show the Dodgers with a solid pen but iffy starting pitching. Hill and Kazmir already on DL; Ryu with already declining velocity, below average rotation and 2 starts of less than 5 innings, and 2 very good early starts from McCarthy. Ryu will have to come out of the rotation soon. Kazmir and Ethier may move to the 60 day DL soon as AC noted.
For the Mitch White fans: Dodgers Digest has a great story about him and the last game he pitched. 3 minutes of video from behind the plate. Pretty impressive. Pitches over the top with a downward angle. Slider to the back foot on left handed hitters. Curveball explodes. Lots of K’s and ground balls. Watch it.
Have there been any comments about the GM saying that starting pitching is “overvalued”? He should know. He’s been overvaluing it for years. He may be the biggest reason that it has become that way. I guess he wants a Kershaw and 4 .450 pitchers behind him with a lights out bullpen. Not my idea of a winning pitching staff.
It is way to early to do anything like that, and even Mark, made that point in his spiel.
Joc is not ready to hit clean up, he has hit fifth maybe once or twice,
but his results were not good.
And of course that is a very small sample size.
Joc has mostly hit sixth and eighth, and he isn’t hitting that well right now at the back of the line up, let alone, hitting fourth.
He is almost hitting defensively, to try to keep his average up.
He has only one extra base hit, and that was his HR, on opening day.
And to be fair about Joc, just like Mark made in his own argument, it is way to early to panic, and make any assumptions about Joc, or the team.
But Mark and all of us, haven’t said much about what, Logan is doing.
And he was suppose to be the bat, that got us over the mark, against leftie pitchers.
Logan is striking out way to much, and he is not hitting well, in key situations.
He has the most strike outs, on the entire team!
As I stated yesterday, I am not convinced that Ryan Braun is the answer to the Dodger hitting woes. I would definitely be in the no column if it cost Alex Verdugo. I know he is still a prospect, but he is only 20 and playing at a very high level at AAA. As Mark so often states, we need to find the Alex Verdugo’s before they become the Alex Verdugo’s.
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I cannot see FAZ standing still and letting the Giants get Braun. They have nothing to offer, unless they weaken their current 25 man, by including Panik, or Crawford, or Belt, and I cannot see that happening. They cannot include any pitching. Ty Blach will take over for Matt Cain soon enough, and there is no way they move Tyler Beede, their only true pitching prospect in their top prospects. Milwaukee does not need Christian Arroyo their one other minor leaguer that may be of some value to somebody. LF is a mess for the Giants, so Braun would absolutely help, but FAZ can outbid anything Evans and Sabean offer. Whether they will, might be another story. If something does happen I would expect it to happen in May because that is when Braun’s 10-5 rights vest. Braun says that he would not hold up a trade at the deadline because of how he feels about the Brewer’s executive team…yeah where have we heard that before, and how many trust what Braun says?
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There is no need to get desperate and overpay for something that may not work (as what happens with most desperate trades). Puig cannot continue to go 0’fer for the year against LHP… can he? SVS, Grandal, Kike’, and Barnes are a combined 5 for 37 against LHp for a sterling .135 BA. They cannot continue to be that anemic…can they? I am not sure that Thompson is the answer, but just keep throwing him out there and hopefully he rediscovers his swing and timing. If not, next RH bat up (Segedin or Dickson).
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Ethier will not get the Crawford treatment. He has been a very good Dodger for 11 years, and does not deserve to be DFA’d. It is entirely more likely that he will go on the 60 day DL opening up a 40 man spot. It will be interesting to see when Kazmir gets back, and how he does, because he is obviously another 60 day DL candidate.
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Stay the course and try to enjoy the ride. Things could be worse. You could be Giants fans.
The reason Braun’s name keeps coming up is that the Brewers keep bringing it up. He’s going to be a declining, overpaid 5&10 player for a team that’s rebuilding. Why not try to create a market for him.
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Let’s deconstruct together. If you are very bullish on this potential acquisition, then you probably have convinced yourself there was the “near miss” deal last August.
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Fine. BUT there are no indications that the talks got real serious over this past winter and nothing really in Morosi’s report intimates that there is a deal that’s anywhere close to being completed now. Nothing. It’s all spin (as I said, probably from Milwakee.)
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Despite the Dodgers LHP woes, why should the Dodgers want to give up anything of consequence? Braun controls where he goes. That said, if the Brewers weren’t backing off their asking price last season, why would they now?
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Old declining players have remarkably little value in the league. I think Braun, like Ethier, Kazmire and Gonzalez, stays a Brewer, and they stay Dodgers, through 2017 at least. It’s a good thing the Dodgers are a larger market team.
Solid analysis Mark. You’re right it is to early to panic. Our pitching should be outstanding and that is what wins championships.
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Hitting wise, I don’t know if Braun is the answer. I do know the price must be right for it to happen. Everyone in MLB knows the Dodgers are rich in money and prospects and they all want to charge “a rich man premium” in trade talks. In my opinion, that is why FAZ never pulled the trigger on those other trades.
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The reason Braun’s name keeps coming up is because everyone knows he is for sale at the RIGHT price. I agree a good reason to get Braun would be to keep SF from getting him. Your trade proposal should be more than enough for Braun. What does SF have to beat that offer?? I have NO problem with Kazmir (think he HAS to be included), Stewart, Calhoun and something else being included in a potential Braun deal, but Verdugo is looking VERY special. I believe 20 yr old Verdugo is one of the youngest players in AAA and he is ripping it up. I am beginning to think the Dodgers will soon HAVE to find a place for him.
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Yeah, Braun at the right price or stay the course FAZ, make internal moves around the edges. SVS, Kiki, Gutierrez even Utley can be jettisoned if they aren’t mashing. Do we have a 2017 version of 2016 Andrew Toles in the organization?
Good job of stirring the pot! The Braun debate has several parts as he would be an upgrade but has a bad contract. He is still productive now but may drop off in the latter years of his deal. Saying SVS, Kike, or Gutierrez are getting it done is a stretch. Thompson maybe but the jury is out on that one. Yes it’s early but Braun in left solves a lot of issues. The Brewers want prospects or cost controlled ML level players back, and the Dodgers want to offset salary. Faz will try to make the best deal possible or will pass altogether. I would not overpay but if the deal makes sense and the Brewers want to dump Braun why not?
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I agree the early leaders in MLB will not hold up, and the Snakes get a real test in the next 4 games. Minny swept a bad Royals team and the O’s have no starting pitching. It’s a long season, and good teams will find their form and flawed teams will fall back to the pack.
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The Dodger hitters are pressing and not doing the little things to score more. Hitting with RISP and with bases loaded are a problem. All of the platooning keeps some from finding a rhythm but LF has no front line options from the right side. I think Roberts will keep trotting out the same lineups for a couple more weeks with some minor tweaks here and there. If that is not working some moves will be made.
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The bullpen is nails but the rotation is still being stretched out. Ryu had a tough task with road games at Coors and Wrigley, let’s see how he does at home. The offense only needs about 4 runs per game to win most of the time, that is doable with the guys they have now. The arms appear to all be healthy, even Hill just has delicate fingers.
If Joc is put in the cleanup spot he needs to be allowed the time there to relax into that spot. It would take a week in that spot before he mentally is ready for it.
Ugh, I so glad I couldn’t watch this game. As I’ve said before, I don’t want Braun as I simply don’t like him and would rather try to get Khris Davis or even make a play for Stanton(won’t happen). That being said I didn’t necessarily like Kobe but the Lakers won titles with him. If trading for Braun is what we need to win a title then go for it. Also, the Lakers will win another title as soon as Paul George is in the purple and gold. Isn’t that right Mark? 🙂
If you can’t hit Anderson it is time to reevaluate everything!