Now That the trade deadline is behind us...
The Dodgers must have figured that getting Tarik Skubal put them in the WS. Many fans felt so. The Dodgers optioned Emmet Sheehan and certainly knew that was coming yesterday.
With Sheehan being optioned, the Dodgers are down to 5 SP of their 6-man rotation: Justin Wrobleski, Tarik Skubal, Eric Lauer, Yoshinobu Yamamoto, and Roki Sasaki. Justin Wrobleski is looking more like the guy who has reached his limit in early August. He has pitched 118 innings so far in 2026, after 118.1 in all of 2025 (both MLB and MiLB) and 132.0 IP in all of 2024 (both MLB and MiLB). How much does he have left?
Wrobleski is the first Dodger ever to give up 4 HR in back-to-back games. How much better of a choice is he over Sheehan right now?
It would appear that the Dodgers are simply counting on the return to health from Blake Snell, Tyler Glasnow, and Shohei Ohtani. There is nobody else. Since the 2-way player is just a DH now, the team only has 13 pitchers available. The bullpen is a hot mess. And yet AF/BG chose not to address the bullpen. Instead, they chose to trade for LHP, Kris Bubic, who has been injured most of the year because of a left shoulder injury. The Dodgers have not been all that forthright with injury claims this year, so why should we be comfortable with the Dodgers saying they expect him back? Shoulder injuries are difficult to come back from. Ask Hyun-jin Ryu Julio Urías and Gavin Stone. I know, Bubic will be different.
Which LAD reliever does anyone have confidence in? Edwin Díaz, Jack Dreyer, Edgardo Henriquez, Jonathan Hernández, Kyle Hurt, Evan Phillips, Tanner Scott, and Alex Vesia. And yet Seth Halvorsen sits in OKC.
But no worries, the Dodgers now have 4 backup catchers, and have retained 65 of their 66 OF prospects. They did trade Jack Suwinski, but they still have Alex Call, Ryan Ward, Alek Thomas, and Ryan Fitzgerald. Will they bring up JDP to replace Suwinski? Will they bring up Charles Davalan to replace JDP in AA? If that happens, who might replace Davalan in Great Lakes?
How is this team going to get younger? Just how old is Mookie looking? Kiké? Miggy Ro? Will Max and Freddie continue to defy thier age, or will they too slow down? Will Tucker ever get hot? How will Smith come back? How hurt is Dalton Rushing? Should Wrobo be optioned to minimize his IP over the next several weeks?
The base running is absolutely atrocious, and it has cost multiple runs.
The team is not functioning like the best team in MLB right now, but as I said yesterday, they were not playing good baseball at the same time frame last year. Will it turn around like it did last year?
I choose to be an optimist. While I think the questions are fair, I choose not to dwell on the negatives. I believe that all three injured SP will come back and be productive. Yes, including Tyler Glasnow. I believe that Wrobo will get enough rest and re-find himself and become a major relief factor in the playoffs. I believe that Sheehan will find something in OKC that will turn his season around. I do not know if Doc will trust him in the playoffs, but I do think he will make a compelling argument. I believe that Halvorsen will make his way to LAD and prove to be another successful reclamation project.
While others have put too much emphasis on getting the best overall record and having home field advantage throughout, I remember last year. They were a WC team and did not have home field advantage in any of the NLDS, NLCS, and WS. Maybe it will take them a month to work it all out and get all of their players back healthy, but once everyone is back, the holes should be filled. Worry about getting the team healthy and ready for the playoffs. If they do, the talent will take over, like the last two years.
Regardless, the next several weeks are going to be inundated with frustrations. It is going to be a wild ride, so I am going to sit back and enjoy it. But I will also feel compelled to ask the questions.
Discussion (132)
Disagree, not disagreeable
Welcome to Gopherville Tarik.
Will the Dodgers sign Skubal after the season to a new contract
Some terrific thoughts from everyone on this post. Clearly, we are passionate Dodgers fans. We are getting old, obviously and that probably contributed to the losing streak. I don't see Tucker as a big problem as Mookie. Yes we paid a lot for an average OF, but money is not a factor on the playing field. Little guys (Mookie) wear down faster than big players (Freddie, Max). Teo can be traded if the Dodgers pay some salary and he should. His defense is not good.
Clubhouse value doesn't help the offense or defense. Bringing Kike back just added another old player. Kim is cheaper and could play all outfield and infield positions except 1B, had speed and was an average hitter. No, he doesn't hit home runs but he would be a hell of a substitute runner in the bottom of the ninth. So sit back, hopefully watch your Dodgers win another WS and see what next year brings. I think these old guys still have some good baseball in them.
"The Dodgers announced four moves involving backstops, as they have completely switched up their catching corps. They have selected the contract of catcher Ben Rortvedt and activated recent trade acquisition Hunter Feduccia. Eliezer Alfonzo has been optioned to Triple-A Oklahoma and Chuckie Robinson has been designated for assignment".
8:05 PM ET
Dodgers (69-44) Cubs (64-49)
SP Tarik Skubal L 7-5 2.79 ERA SP Javier Assad R 6-1 3.75 ERA
Confirmed Lineup DH S. Ohtani L CF Andy Pages R 1B F. Freeman L 3B Max Muncy L SS Mookie Betts R RF Kyle Tucker L LF T. Hernandez R 2B Tommy Edman S C Ben Rortvedt L
77° Wind 8 mph R-L LINE LAD -185
Now Andrew can focus solely on the 40 man. DFA , tweak, reassign etc. are his only job description. The players are in a tough spot. When you play on a dynasty with a huge lead, it's difficult to get the juices flowing and the adrenaline pumping. It's August after all. But they must hustle, play good defense, be a team player and stay focused. Games are somewhat difficult to watch under this scenario. But come September and especially October, this team will step up big time. They are veterans with massive amounts of playoff and world series experience. I am eternally grateful to be a fan of the first national league team in history to 3PEAT!! I Love L.A. By the way, the Madres owe it to their fans and AJ to step on the gas and make a huge run. IMO they are better than the Snakes, and only 1 game back of a WC. Look out. On the other hand they could fold like a cheap suit. LMAO. Book em
Mariners released OFs Mitch Garver and Rob Refsnyder.
NYY has promoted SS George Lombard Jr. to NYY. He should get a chance to win the SS job as Anthony Volpe has been optioned to AAA, and Jose Caballero has not taken the reins. We will see how thick Lombard’s skin is, as playing SS in NY is not easy. OF Jasson Dominguez has also been optioned to AAA to make room for OF Heliot Ramos who they got in a trade with SF.
3B/2B/SS Logan Wagner was promoted from Great Lakes to Tulsa and RHP Jacob Kmatz (now #27 on prospect list) also assigned to Tulsa.
UDFA LHP Ian May (UCLA) was assigned to Ontario.
7th round pick LHP Charlies West was assigned to Ontario.
Ben Rortvedt was assigned to OKC.
Kmatz came to LAD with Feduccia, in the Jack Suwinski trade (and IFA bonus $$$). Kmatz has a chance to be a good reliever to follow. This year at A+ and AA, 33 games, 53.0 IP, 10 BB, 74 K, 2.89 ERA, 0.92 WHIP, .200 BAA. He is a flyball pitcher, so he does allow HR (1.52 per 9 innings). This is his first full year as a reliever. He has made good strides and could be in a position to compete for a bullpen job at MLB level next season. Probably not out of camp, but at some point in the season.
Quick outing for Tyler Glasnow. 2 innings pitched 16 pitches 12 strikes 1 hit 1 strikeout. The Lake Elsinore players were aggressive and put the ball in play with most everything hit right at someone. Lindsay made a nice running sliding catch in foul ground for one of the outs
Some interesting moves today. Giants called up former Dodger prospect, Eddys Leonard. Royals DFAd relief pitcher Matt Strahm and infielder Andrew Velazquez. Angels are going to DFA Jorge Soler. Mets calling up OF Christian Pache and P Nate Lavender. Braves have released Andrew McCutcheon, P Austin Gomber and OF Ben Gamel. Marlins recalling Augustin Ramirez. The Mets backed out of a deal that would have sent Clay Holmes to the D-Backs. Yankees called up George Lombard Jr.
And right now we have 5 average bats in our lineup who have been all stars. We need a couple of Teo, Tucker, Pages, Mookie and Smith to step up and deliver .800+ OPS in the next 3 months. Will Edman continue on as a reliable bat? Will the ever streaky Muncy get hot in October? The only 2 we can count on right now are Shohei and Freddie. Otherwise we’re gonna struggle again to score runs in October and be super dependent on our star studded starting pitching. Bullpen seems to be as streaky as Muncy.
According to Skubal’s agent, Scott Boras, Scott Harris offered a four-year contract to [Tarik Skubal] for $75 million,” Boras told The Athletic. “I advised him that a great deal for the Tigers would be something with an eight-year length where he had two years to go until arbitration and another six (before) free agency.”
Now that the deadline has passed with all the distractions, with all the speculation about who now does what and when in October, it’s time for the Dodgers to start playing better baseball. The Dodger pitching has given up 11 home runs in the last 4 games; all losses. Boy are our starting pitching giving up too many gopher balls. Wrobleski has given up 8 in 10 innings, facing 44 at bats and Sheehan earned his demotion with 5 dingers in his last 13 innings. Brutal.
Did anybody else think that Boyd balked when he picked Ohtani off first? (Not that it inevitably mattered) I was watching the Cubs telecast, thanks to JM, and they never showed a good view. But he sure looked to have violated the 45 degrees. I would have hoped for a better look during the 5 minutes it seemed to take between Councell deciding to challenge and the replay review. We have way too many base running errors. Play better.
Like Jeff stated the other day, they did this last year, went into a July funk 10-14 and were barely a .500 team in August 15-13. They then went 15-10 in September, but they beat their closest pursuers when they had to. Last year they had 4 less wins than they do now. This season they were 13-11 in July. At this point, they are 22-11 against the West. They have 15 games remaining against the West, 3 with Az, 3 with Col, 7 with SF, and just 3 with SD. Pitching and timely offense is what they are going to need, better decisions on the bases, and for some guys in the pen to step up and pitch better. They also need the return of Will Smith.
Several weeks ago when we were all posting our thoughts on who might be some Dodger deadline targets. Of course, at the top of the list was Skubal. I wasn't in the camp of trading for Skubal and was surprised when it happened. With the prospects sent to the Tigers AF had to make that trade. This is why the Dodgers are the Dodgers and the Tigers are who they are. Thanks not only to Detroit, but to the Brewers, Rays, and any other team considering Skubal. Yeah, it's Dodgers ruining baseball....
I felt it was necessary to obtain some offense for this aging, somewhat under achieving, team. Who that might be I had no idea. Where they would play was another question. I feel it's the offensive that is the biggest issue in winning another WS championship, not the pitching. I read here more and more posters agreeing with that assessment.
The obvious abyss in the lineup is the unemotional loner, Kyle Tucker. Apparently, the front office is going to use the "Conforto" strategy. Which is watch him fail down to the last pitch he sees this season. Sixty, fricking, million dollars a year for four years. Nice!
Offensively, I don't think things are going to approve much as the season moves forward. Thank goodness for Freeman and Muncy. Edman has come off the IL and provided some pop. Pages seems to be returning to his beginning of the season form. Ohtani should remain as a DH for the rest of the season. They Dodgers will have plenty of pitching with the addition of Skubal and the return of Snell. And, even more if Glasnow returns.
How many will admit that the Dodgers had no business winning the WS against Toronto? That game 7 was the luckiest I've ever see a team be. Before that I thought that 5th inning implosion in 2024 by the Yankees was the luckiest the Dodgers had been. But, luck is an important part of playoff baseball. The Dodgers have been on the other side with luck prior to 2024 postseason play. It helps to make up for that Astros cheating in the 2017 WS. It was fun to have things go the Dodgers' way for a change in '24 - '25. Third time a charm? Let's hope so.
Carry on.
Offensively, the 13 are spoken for, while a slight chance of Freeland or Kim landing an extra postseason bench spot. Not much room for error here:
Ohtani Smith/Rushing Freeman Edman/Rojas Betts Muncy/Keekay Teo/Call Pages Tucker
(Obviously, spare catcher is an option; not sure if we have pure speed option available off bench)
On the pitching side, 13 sans Ohtani shakes out in multiple ways:
Yamamoto Skubal Snell Glasnow
Diaz Scott Vesia Phillips
Wrobleski Sasaki Sheehan Dreyer Henriguez
(Stewart, Klein, Hurt, Bubic, Treinen, Lauer, etc. also in mix)
There is NOTHING to worry about because the NL West is WEAK. Reinforcements are on the way. We will still finish with the BEST record in baseball .Bet it!! Also the Pades WILL NOT make the October tournament. Bet it!!
Rookie catcher Eliézer Alfonzo Jr. made his Major League debut with the Los Angeles Dodgers on July 5, 2026. Through early August 2026, the Dodgers have compiled a 1– 7 record in the 8 games he has started at catcher.
Breakdown of Catching Starts July 5 vs. SDP: Loss (2–5)
July 19 (Game 2) @ NYY: Loss (1–2)
July 20 @ PHI: Loss (7–10)
July 21 @ PHI: Win (2–1)
July 26 @ NYM: Loss (3–8)
July 31 vs. BOS: Loss (4–9)
August 2 vs. BOS: Loss (4–8)
August 3 vs ChiC: Loss (10-5)
Not totally blaming the rookie for the losses but the Dodgers need a more experienced catcher behind the plate for pitch calling and defensive purposes.He showed his defensive flaws in last Sunday night's game against Boston. Going forward.starting today either Feduccia,Robinson or Rortvedt will improve the situation and hopefully lead to more wins until Smith and Rushing return from the IL.
I agree with Lionel - it’s the Bats that are the concern. I think the Phillies signing of Arraez is a shrewd bit of business, and I concur with Jeff on the Relief Core. I’d have added another top end Reliever.
Where does Lauer fit in? Not sure his stuff plays outta the Pen. The Bubic signing is a head scratcher. It reminds me of Danny Duffy ( I think that was his name) from the Tigers a few years back.
I said before the season started that we’d trade for a top end starter at some point but I never envisioned it being Skubal!! There was too much speculation and still is, in the Dodgers Rotation. I also said that Tucker would be in the conversation for NL MVP so there is that!!
Presumably we got both Ben R and Hunter F just in case both Will and Dalton don’t make it.
Lots of time left to step on the gas.
Just to introduce myself. My name is mickeyw. And I've a dodger fan since the 1977 world series. Guess no one has ever became a fan of a team that had just lost a world series. That's me!
"How is this team going to get younger?" is an interesting question.