I recognize and acknowledge that I have been at the forefront of wanting the Dodgers to acquire elite relievers I have also readily acknowledged that they do not need to make that trade at this time. Their competition in the NLWest is not stiff, but winning the NL pennant and WS could prove to be more difficult without that elite bullpen. Those names will become more clear as that July 31 deadline approaches.
Most acknowledge that the LAD starting pitching rivals any rotation in MLB. And while the offense may not be the best in MLB, they are certainly good enough to win all the way to a November LA downtown parade. That is why I was curious that when Corey Seager pulled a hammy, there were calls for the Dodgers to expand their desire for Brad Hand to also look into acquiring Francisco Lindor. Even if Corey was out for 6-8 weeks as was originally feared, the Dodgers would not need Francisco Lindor. Their 2019 situation is completely different than the 2018 situation whereby Seager was definitely out for the year, including the playoffs. This year, Seager would be expected to be fully healed by the playoffs at the latest. And with the team they have, getting to the playoffs should not be a concern. Why spend the prospect capital for a player that was not needed once Corey got back.
It is time for NEXT MAN UP. Nobody is going to feel sorry for the Dodgers. Especially two of the teams that would be expected to contend for the WS from the AL…Houston and NYY. The season for Houston started with the news that Lance McCullers was lost for the year due to TJ surgery. A very reliable reliever, Joe Smith was also on the IL to begin the season. But then May hit. On May 11, the Astros began the day 5.0 games up in the AL West. That was also the day that the former 3-time AL batting champ, and former AL MVP, Jose Altuve went onto the IL for a hamstring injury. He was rehabbing when he suffered a setback to his surgically repaired right leg.
Altuve was followed onto the IL by OF George Springer (May 25), inf utility Aledmys Diaz (May 26), and SS Carlos Correa (May 29). In addition, back up catcher, Max Stassi, was also placed on the IL, but he has started his rehab assignment and is due back shortly. Altuve will be the next one, but expected return dates for Springer, Diaz, and Correa are still out. Springer could be back at the end of June, Diaz has been shutdown, and Correa is out until the AS break.
Similar to the Dodgers, Houston’s record or division lead does not seem imperiled. However, the absence of Jose Altuve, George Springer and Carlos Correa is beginning to take its toll. The pitching staff is doing all it can. It has a 3.78 ERA during the last 13 games (from June 12). Take out the 14-run nightmare in Seattle on June 5 and that ERA drops to an even three. In addition to the pitching, the Astros are slashing .219/.298/.385 in their last 13 games. Again as of June 12, Josh Reddick was in an 0-for-11 slump. Alex Bregman is just 2 for his past 16. Tony Kemp moved from the OF back to 2B and was playing better than anyone thought.
When Correa went down, 28 -year-old SS/2B Jack Mayfield was recalled. For those who believe that it is easy to make the transition from MiLB to MLB and that Gavin Lux should be given the opportunity to make the lineup now, please consider that in AAA before his recall, Mayfield was slashing .283/.365/.572/.938 in 178 PA. In those 178 PA, Mayfield walked 20 times but struck out only 28 times (less than 16%). At the ML level, Mayfield is 2 for 33, and is batting .061/.088/.182/.270. Although Mayfield’s two hits were a double and HR. We Dodger fans like to think that our prospects can succeed at any level they are promoted, but it is easier said than done, and 21-year-old Gavin would be bypassing AAA. I do not believe for a minute that the Dodgers lead would suffer too much with Lux on the 25 man and playing. My concern is more for the confidence of the young SS.
The Astros are not alone with some key players suffering significant injuries before we hit June 15. NYY has suffered what many consider even more significant player losses than the Astros.
Players on the 60 Day IL:
Ace – Luis Severino, has not pitched all year with an inflamed right rotator cuff, and a grade 2 lat strain. There is no timetable for his return.
RHRP – Dellin Betances, has not pitched all year with a shoulder impingement – Out at least until end of July.
1B – Greg Bird – Went on IL with a plantar fascia tear. No timetable for return.
3B – Miguel Andujar went on the IL on 5/13 and is out for the year after should surgery due to a labrum tear.
RHP – Jonathan Loaisiga went on the IL in 5/13 with a rotator cuff injury. He is not expected back until at least late July.
LHP – Jordan Montgomery has not pitched all year due to prior year TJ surgery. He is expected back in August.
Players on the 10 Day IL:
OF – Giancarlo Stanton – went on IL on 4/1 with a left shoulder strain and left calf strain suffered in a rehab assignment. Due back soon.
OF – Aaron Judge – went on the IL on 4/21 with a strained left oblique. Due back soon.
RHSP – Domingo German – went on the IL on 6/9 with a left hip flexor injury. His return is unknown.
Houston has the 2nd best record in MLB, while NYY has the 4th. They each suffered significantly more injuries than did the Dodgers but are still playing at an elite level. Now it is the Dodgers turn. While CT3 and Kike’ may be able to play ML defense at SS, can they stay above the Mendoza line offensively?
I do not expect AF to panic and overreact no matter how inoffensive either or both CT3 and Kike’ get. It is NEXT MAN UP. The Dodgers have enough offensive ability to offset the decrease in production that both provide. If either player gets hot, that will bode well for the team once both AJ and Corey return right around the AS break.
It is also important to note that this Dodger team is extremely close with enormous chemistry. There is no reason to bring in any position player to disrupt that chemistry. I believe in this team, and I know that AF and Doc do as well. More importantly this team seemingly believes in themselves. They do not need an elite SS like Lindor, and I do not see the need for a mediocre RH bat when it is clear that there is not a RHH LF better than a Joc/Kike’ platoon, or a better RHH 1B than a David Freese/Matt Beaty platoon or Max Muncy. They are a team, just as are Houston and NYY. Each team picks themselves up.
Hopefully the Dodgers will have that elite high leverage late inning bridge to Jansen right around the same time AJ and Corey return. Will AF spend the prospect capital to get that elite help? Or will the recently signed Zac Rosscup be that pick? We will need to wait and see.
MINOR LEAGUE RECAP by AC
OKC Dodgers 5 – Albuquerque Isotopes 4 (Rockies)
The Dodgers jumped out to a 3-0 lead after they turned 2 singles, double play, and Rocky Gale triple (1) into one run. Then turned around and turned a walk, single, HBP, walk, and a fielder’s choice for two runs. Two singles and an Errol Robinson double (7) for an additional run in the 6th. After getting a double (7), Zach Reks scored on an Edwin Rios single for the 5th and final run.
Zach Reks went 3-5 while Cameron Perkins and Rocky Gale had 2 hits each.
Tony Gonsolin started and went a capable 4 innings (63 pitches). He surrendered 2 runs on 5 hits, with 1 walk, and 3 Ks. Gonsolin was followed by Justin Grimm, JT Chargois, and Kevin Quackenbush who pitched 4 shutout innings. Jaime Schultz came on in the 9th and surrendered 2 runs before Josh Sborz came in to strike out the only batter he faced to record his 1st save.
Tulsa Drillers 4 – Amarillo Sod Poodles 1 (Padres)
Amarillo outhit the Drillers 10 hits to 9. The Sod Poodles scored their sole run on a HR by Edward Olivares (9) to jump out to a 1-0 lead. The Drillers answered with single runs in the 3rd, 4th, 6th, and 8th. Two of those runs came a result of a Cody Thomas HR (11) and DJ Peters (9). Thomas also hit a double (9). Josh Thole had a three-hit game to go with Thomas’ 2 hit game.
Justin DeFratus started and went 7.0 efficient innings. After the HR, DeFratus allowed an additional unharmful 6 hits with 1 walk, and 1K. Shea Spitzbarth pitched the 8th allowing 2 hits with a K. Jordan Sheffield pitched a scoreless 9th for his 2nd save with the Drillers.
RC Quakes 3 – Lake Elsinore Storm 2 (Padres)
In what figured to be a classic pitching duel even in Class A+ baseball, the Quakes came away with a 3-2 victory in 10 innings. Josiah Gray started for the Quakes and pitched a very solid 7.0 innings in his 4th consecutive great start. In his 7.0 IP, he allowed 1 run on 4 hits, and impressive 0 walks, and 6 Ks. Josiah went up against MacKenzie Gore, who IMO will be the Padres Ace in no more than 3 years. Gray and Gore each allowed a run but left the game tied at 1.
Logan Salow pitched the 8th and 9th in scoreless fashion, surrendering 1 hit with 4 Ks. Max Gamboa pitched the 10th and allowed a run on a wild pitch. The Quakes countered with a run on a wild pitch of their own and scored the winning run on a Jeter Downs Sac Fly.
Great Lakes Loons 4 – Dayton Dragons 3
This was another strong pitching affair that went extra innings where Great Lakes scored 3 runs to win the game in 10 innings. Robinson Ortiz started and pitched a strong 5.0 innings for his third consecutive outstanding start. He allowed 1 run on 2 hits, 1 walk, and 8 K’s. He was on the losing end of a 1-0 game when Niko Hulsizer started the 9th inning with a game tieing HR.
With a runner starting on 2nd to begin the 10th, a sacrifice bunt and throwing error by pitcher Justin Hagenman scored one run. After a second sacrifice bunt and single, the Dragon had a 3-1 lead. The Loons countered with Leonel Valera starting at 2B to open their half of the 10th. Valera moved to 3rd on a single by Dan Robinson. Valera scored on a Miguel Vargas single. After a strike out, Robinson and Vargas scored on a Jacob Amaya walk off 2 run double for the victory.
Justin Hagenman relieved Ortiz and pitched the final 5.0 innings and the win. He surrendered the 2 runs on 2 hits, 0 walks, and 4 Ks.
DSL Dodgers Bautista 11 – DSL Astros 4
The Bautistas scored their 11 runs on 6 hits and 11 walks. 17-year-old 3B Ender Avendano went 2-4 with his first double. That was the only XBH for the Bautistas. 18-year CF Luis Morales went 3-5. 20-year old 1B Luis Yan had the only other hit. Yan is enjoying his second year with the DSL Dodgers and is now batting .345 on the season.
22-year-old LHP Igor Avila started and went 4.0 innings. He did allow 3 runs on 3 hits, 3 walks, with 4 Ks. 18-year-old LHP Christian Suarez followed with 4.0 IP on his own. He allowed 1 run on 2 hits, 1 walk, 3 Ks, and the win. 17-year-old RHP Hendrick Briones pitched the 9th to close out the win.
Suarez has appeared in 3 games with 10.0 IP. He has surrendered 1 run, 5 hits, 1 HBP, 2 BB, and 9 Ks. Teams are batting .152 against Suarez with a 0.90 ERA and a 0.70 WHIP. In addition, Suarez has won all three games he has pitched in.
Briones has also pitched in 3 games with 3.1 IP. He has not allowed any runs, on one hits, one walk, and 2 Ks. Teams are batting .091 against Briones, who has a 0.00 ERA and a 0.0 WHIP
DSL Dodgers Shoemakers 5 – DSL Indians/Brewers 6
The Shoemakers got 8 hits with 3 players getting 2 hits each. 18-year-old RF Rushenten Tomsjansen went 2-5 with his first triple. 19-year-old 2B Yohandry Sequera also went 2-5 with his 2nd double. 18-year-old 1B Jenderson Jardines went 2-4. 17-year-old 3B Luis Izturis and 17-year-old Alex DeJesus had the other two hits. DeJesus is now batting .366/.460/.488/.948 with 5 doubles. Alex just turned 17 in March. He was the third big international sign this past summer with Diego Cartaya and Jerming Rosario the other two.
17-year-old RHP Carlos Duran started and went 5.0 innings. He did not allow any hits or runs. He had 2 walks and 6 Ks. He left with the lead. 4 relievers allowed the 6 runs (3 earned) with Jose Mendez giving up the winning run to suffer the loss.
Discussion (94)
Disagree, not disagreeable
There will be games like this, my momma said………….
So here was the problem in 17. Darvish was just pitching against the wrong team!
Kiki getting picked off cost us a run. He and Kelly in a race to see who can have the crappier year!
The Dodgers reverted to their old ways of Striking Out 12 times tonight. Plus the BP blows yet another game and loses it. I think that Buehler could have thrown 25-30 more pitches and went on to win without the help of Kenley the blown save king.
Right now the Dodgers are far to dependent on the HR for their scoring opportunities. The hitting with RISP has been dreadful of late, but then again an offensive lineup with Barnes, Keekay and CT3 should not be expected to score many runs given their mendoza line BA’s.
Stryker deserved better.
Great. Kenley Saves the Day. Again 🙂
Bobby, you are a clodpole lol. I am a drongo.
MORON.
Let us look at what a true moron is by definition.
mo·ron
[ˈmôrˌän]
NOUN
informal
a stupid person.
“we can’t let these thoughtless morons get away with mindless vandalism every weekend”
synonyms:
idiot · ass · halfwit · nincompoop · blockhead · buffoon · dunce · dolt · ignoramus · cretin · imbecile · dullard · moron · simpleton · clod · dope · ninny · chump · dimwit · nitwit · goon · dumbo · dummy · dum-dum · dumbbell · loon · jackass · bonehead · fathead · numbskull · dunderhead · chucklehead · knucklehead · muttonhead · pudding-head · thickhead · wooden-head · airhead · pinhead · lamebrain · peabrain · birdbrain · zombie · jerk · nerd · dipstick · donkey · noodle · nit · numpty · twit · clot · goat · plonker · berk · prat · pillock · wally · git · wazzock · divvy · nerk · twerp · charlie · mug · muppet · nyaff · balloon · sumph · gowk · gobdaw · schmuck · bozo · boob · lamer · turkey · schlepper · chowderhead · dumbhead · goofball · goof · goofus · galoot · dork · lummox · klutz · putz · schlemiel · sap · meatball · gink · cluck · clunk · ding-dong · dingbat · wiener · weeny · dip · simp · spud · coot · palooka · poop · squarehead · yo-yo · dingleberry · wing nut · drongo · dill · alec · galah · nong · bogan · poon · boofhead · mompara · tomfool · noddy · clodpole · loggerhead · spoony · mooncalf
Blowpen again!
Man, this Darvish fella for the Cubs has some great stuff. If the Cubs fall out of the race maybe we can deal for him…….
Edwin Encarnacion to NYY. Obviously NYY wants even more offense and is not afraid to spend. This is why some teams shop early. They beat Houston to the 1B both teams wanted.
Well maybe if we played him in left with his back against the wall it would help his route! Wow! That was Conseco bad!
For those who wanted us to trade for Castellanos, this is why AF won’t be doing that deal.
https://twitter.com/i/status/1140040279971565574
Yes. Welcome to Los Angeles Anthony Davis!!!! Next up, Kyrie or Kemba.
After that, Brad Hand
Just heard about the Davis to Lakers deal. I had been too busy earlier today admiring my new Babe Ruth jersey.
For those who may believe that paperwork is overrated. On June 6, the RC Quakes placed Leo Crawford on the 7 day IL. However the intent was for that IL placement to be retro to June 2, but that paperwork never got in. Believing that they correctly back dated his IL status, Leo Crawford started for the Quakes on June 12, only 6 days from the actual placement on the IL of June 6. That meant that the Quakes used an ineligible player and had to forfeit the win on June 12. That was the first California League forfeit in 10 years.
For the Jacob Scavuzzo fans. Jacob was released by the Padres. A decent RH power bat. Could the Dodgers give him a call again. Zach Reks and Cameron Perkins are the only RHH OF at OKC.
OKC only has 24 players listed as active on their current roster. Only 11 position players.. Just an observation. I do not know if that means anything.
So what’s the general consensus here? If we were to only get one bullpen piece, would you rather trade fewer pieces and get Will Smith with only a half year of control or a boatload of pieces and get Hand with 2.5 years of control remaining?
Go all in on Hand. He’s the missing link for a WS title. AF has delivered the last 3 years at the trade deadline. I think he will again this year!
Cody Allen DFA’d.
He’d be an interesting arm to bring in, if he’d accept a minor league assignment.
I heard the other day on a radio interview with Stripling that the Dodgers overwhelmed Kelly with all the scouting reports, etc. He was trying to pitch to the scouting report (opposition’s weaknesses) instead of pitching to his strengths like he normally does. Stripling says he was trying to be coach-able, likable, and make everyone happy (It takes time to acclimate to the team you grew up dreaming of playing for, see Sergio Romo). I think he’ll turn things around once he gets comfortable balancing the proposed changes with past success.
For all the Kelly and Pollock haters. Give it a freaking rest. Give them a chance. The main need is a setup/guy second closer type. A clear weakness on this team. It’s amazing that people are hating on Pollock because of what amounts to a two week slump, while he was injured!!!! Go look at his game logs. He was pretty damn good for most of the first couple of weeks of the season when other weren’t so good. Stop hating on Kelly, the Dodgers are messing with him, making him worse short term in the process of making him better long term.
I’ll say it again. Good luck trying to find better pitchers than our top 4. Good luck trying to do better than our best 7 fielders. Good like trying to improve at catcher. Even our bench is awesome. Conversely, you can do better than Yimi, Alexander, Floro, Stripling in the pen. Go get pen pieces! Start with Hand and Greene, that’s gonna put us over the top. You can get both of them for less than Lindor and would have a better effect overall.
It’s not like any of us wouldn’t include Kelly for Hand in a trade so come on Friedman, get it done.
I tend to agree with the moronic views these days. We may be able to win the Division and get to the World Series with in house AAA arms but I would like to have the experience of a Brad Hand in the Fall Classic if we can again get there. Great piece by AC however.
Bluto, nice snippet on the last threat about Devin Mann. Good to know we have another good prospect.
Tonight Yu Darvish back on the mound at Dodger Stadium for the first time since 2017 Game 7. I expect a few people to politely boo him.
Ham, the reason Mark thinks everything I say is moronic is 1) he bought me a drink each time we met, and 2) most things I say are moronic.
However, the one thing I’ve said that isn’t moronic is our need for a stud reliever. Go get Brad Hand.
We don’t need lindor to win a division and we don’t need Hand to win a division. But I thought we were trying to win a World Series. Who would not want a great player like lindor. Chemistry is an excuse. Every year at the trade deadline teams bring in new players to try to win. We can get by with watching kike and Taylor strike out time after time flailing away. We can throw away 50-60 million on a guy who doesn’t even play. We can watch the Alexander’s, floros, Garcia’s give up homer after homer and say we can’t afford real upgrades. Then, when we get into the playoffs we will watch these guys fail and say what happened. I’m sure AF is daily if not hourly looking to upgrade this team but at what cost. Well we haven’t been able to spend the capitol to win a World Series yet whatever that is.
I submit we normally go after the cheapest version or short term overpay to get us through. Going back to when kershaw was an ace and Greinke was here we refused to acquire a quality pitcher. Instead we overused kershaw which is partly why he has a bad playoff experience. Overuse and no bullpen options is how we used kershaw. That’s why I don’t regret his contract after we have tried to win it all without the necessary support. Brett Anderson anyone?
We are paying 20 million a year for Kelly and pollock. How is that working out? It may change but at this moment an absolute disaster. No team was willing to give Kelly 3 years and nobody wanted to give injury prone pollock 4-5 years and lose a draft pick. We can say we don’t need to get certain players so what do we need? Oh, we will wait until there are no relief pitchers on the market and get Axford or call up Rosscup. Ok so we have a great team and the Dodgers franchise is thriving and we have a great organization led by AF and doc the great communicator. We are the envy of most franchises and it is a great time to be a dodger fan. What we don’t have is a World Series title while our neighbor giants have 3 in the not so distant past.
If we are to win a World Series we need to upgrade with real players who have a track record of success. Or, there’s always next year when turner will be another year older and maybe Baez will finally become that 8th inning guy.
Our injuries so far this year don’t even begin to compare with what the Astros and especially the Yankees have gone through. Let’s hope it stays that way. Considering the competition in our division we certainly seem to have enough of a lead to withstand Seager’s absence without bringing in reinforcements from the outside.
One question: The Amarillo Sod Poodles? Have we talked about this before and I just missed it? Did they pick two names out of a hat and combine them? How about doing a post on some of the other unusual team and/or player names throughout baseball AC? I know you have nothing better to do with your time. 🙂
Terrific minor league reports…best of any Dodger website! I left this website years ago because I thought Mr. Timmons was shutting down. Glad to see it’s doing well again!
If the Dodgers keep trending like this for a few more days, their bullpen will be TOP 8 or 10. They are currently up to 13th as other teams bullpens are sinking like rocks. There will be a lot of teams competing for bullpen parts.
The Ogden Raptors also started their season last night winning 12 – 0 over Grand Junction. Kevin Malisheski had a very nice outing, pitching 6 strong innings allowing only 2 hits, no walks and 3ks. He was supported offensively by Justin Yurchak who was 4-4, with 2 homeruns, 2 doubles and 5 rbis. Sam MacWilliams added 3 hits, including a hr. Pages, Lao and Littell had 2 hits a piece. Nice way to start the season.
AC – nice reminder of what it takes to get through a typical baseball season!
AC, an excellent analysis of the Astros! That must have taken some time to prepare all that. Keeps you busy, huh? As you know, I have been very vocal about this team not needing any outside help at this time. The BP will right itself over time. It is already in the midst of doing just that. No panic necessary.
The same applies to the Kike/Taylor platoon twins. No defensive worries and the possibility that their offense will once again ignite, although I am less optimistic about Taylor. However, seeing Kike at the plate is painful, swinging at pitches outside the zone like a fly fisherman. No doubt, as a fan, we are tired of the prolonged slumps of these players, but they still have value and every team needs guys like these to fill the roster. Wouldn’t it be wonderful if every 25 man roster player were hitting over .270 and pitching with an under .300 ERA! That’s what dreams are made of. This team is destined to win, as is.
Really nice post AC. I like your in depth takes on the Astros and Yankees injuries and how they are much worse than what the Dodgers have dealt with-no one will feel sorry for them! They also have a tough stretch of games ahead of them and will need everyone to step up.
Kudos to Matt Beaty with a damn fine game, and I will eat a little crow, well seasoned and washed down with a beer. I hope he keeps it up but tomorrow it will be someone else-next man up!