RANDOM THOUGHTS ABOUT THE TRADE DEADLINE AND WEIRD THINGS IN BASEBALL:

I am not mad that AF did not make a major trade. I doubted he would. I liked Strip, but he was not going to get much better, he was actually getting worse. Now he goes where he will most likely be part of the rotation, even though the Jays now have 6 starters after picking up 3 in the last couple of days. As for the Dodgers cannot hit lefty starters, this may be very true, but the team record in games that left hander’s have started is 8-1. Joe was commenting on that the other day. Now, as long as Turner’s injury is not a lingering one, and Muncy, Bellinger, and Pederson keep getting a little better than they have been, the offense should be fine. They are far enough in front that they can afford to give Lux some playing time and see what he can do. Rios is supposed to be back tomorrow. When he is activated, I think they will send a pitcher down, either Santana, or one of the lefty’s in the pen, most likely Gonzalez. The Padres did get better. They added 2 new catchers who have 23 games after tonight to learn their staff. Clevinger has not pitched all that much against the NL, so he is going to have to rely on scouting reports for his game plans because neither of his catchers have played the NL that much either. I think between Castro and Nola, they caught 4 of the games the Dodgers played against the Angels and Mariners. So, there will be an adjustment period. Maybe they come in and are nails, but you never can tell. The worst thing about the expanded playoffs is a 3 game first round. The Dodgers, no matter who they play in that round are going to have to come out firing on all cylinders. 8 NL teams, to 4 NL teams to the NLCS. Dodgers will have to be sharp no matter who they play. Now someone mentioned that the Dodgers are 4-3 against the Padres. Only one of those losses were by more than one run, the 6-2 game on the 11th of August. But the Dodgers wins were all by more than one run except the game where Taylor threw out the tying run at the plate in the 9th. Their other 3 wins were by scores of 5-2, 6-0, and 11-2. The Giants play the Dodgers a lot tougher than that. And they do not have but one quality starter. Cueto. They scored 2 off of Lamet. in the 5-2 game late to knock him out, and then beat the bull pen, the 6-0 game they beat Davies. The 11-2 game, they beat Paddack and hit 3 homers off of him. That was by the way, Urias best start of the year. I do not fear the Padres. I fear a let down in a 3 game set, but the Dodgers have not lost a series all year.

Updated NL odds:

+380 Los Angeles Dodgers

+1400 Atlanta Braves

+1500 Chicago Cubs

+1600 San Diego Padres

+3300 Cincinnati Reds

+3800 Philadelphia Phillies

+3800 St. Louis Cardinals

+4100 Milwaukee Brewers

+4100 New York Mets

And if the Padres should overachieve? Good for them! They’ve sucked for a while and have rebuilt the way that works for them. They are an exciting young team that are fun to watch. They are on right now clobbering Colorado, with which I have no problem.

We’re still the team to beat. And if we don’t get it done? Shame on us.

Padres stole Clevinger, joke of a return, a bunch of 40 to 45’s headed to Cleveland, do not get it. I wonder if we were in at all?

I agree with Jeff, not thrilled we stood pat at the deadline. We had the ability to go get a Lynn or Hader and failed to do so, but Friedman rarely gives to get, if the deal is not one sided he backs off. Perhaps people are on to him and his ability to only serve up busted or once in awhile marginal players to other teams. Card Hustlers win in the moment but lose long term because no one will play with them.

Well now we have to rely on the kids and Dave Rock and Roll Roberts to manage the pen through 15 games.

This team looks a lot like the teams in past years except worse starting pitching and a better bullpen. We do not hit well in the clutch. We look for the homer. We do not move runners well and strikeout too much with runners in scoring position. We certainly have been through the playoff fire but experience has not been our friend. I just fear with a runner at third and less than 2 out we strikeout again. We have led the league in runs scored against a weak schedule and weak bullpens. Playoffs are a different animal.

Pitching wise we have the arms. We have got to have a better plan than in previous years and execute. History says buehler can do it and kershaw can’t. Kershaw seems to have better stuff this year and buehler just the opposite. The rest of our starting staff are ??? There are so many teams that can match up in a short series. I hope we don’t play the Giants because I’m not so sure we win.

Over the course of a season our depth and talent wins. In a short series many teams can matchup. Any team with major leaguers can get hot and take you out. The Dodgers could be the hot team this year….or not. With the rotation not going deep into games our bullpen could be the difference. The bullpen will have to be good.

The Dodgers are as good a bet as anybody to win it all. All teams have weaknesses and most if not all more than us. The rule change with relievers may help us as it takes some moves away from our manager. That has got to be a plus. Belli, muncy, etc are trending up but they could really get hot at the right time along with kike,joc etc. the odds are the ball has to bounce our way eventually. Doesn’t it? Our young pitching could put it all together. We could play over our head and even get lucky! Go Dodgers!!

Did Doc really say that Lux was going to start against right handed pitching?

sbuffalo – “Now that Dave Roberts has said Gavin Lux will start against right-handers, seems to indicate the Dodgers feel comfortable with second base moving forward. Still think Lux has huge upside.”

I don’t know if Lux right now is a huge upside. I think he will be in the future or be traded for value, but probably not right now. I hope I’m wrong and he runs with the opportunity.

I know that splits aren’t the only important thing to look at right now at 2nd base but here’s the issue:

* CT3 would be my pick versus right handers. He’s a premier defender and has reverse splits this year (not for his career) His .286 BA is by far the best at that position. Against lefties .176.

* Kike also has reverse splits. Versus righties .234. Versus lefties a CT3 like .172.

* Muncy, who isn’t my fav defensively at 2nd is hitting .193 versus righties and .220 versus lefties.

So, in this group you have CT3 the clear winner against right handed pitching.

And nobody who hits lefties.

If Doc thinks Lux can hit better than or close to .286, than that’s the move. If Lux can’t, I say start CT3.

So far with a very limited sample size, Lux can’t hit left-handers either (.083), Righties .257.

Maybe the answer, based on splits, is to start CT3 in left with Lux at 2nd versus righties.

Against lefties, I DON”T KNOW.

Muncy at 2nd and Pollock in left are the best numbers. (.220 and .333)

If Lux could hit both as I suspect he did in the minors…………problem solved.

I predicted the Dodgers would not make a trade, but I am not happy about it. No Clevinger. No Lynn. No Bundy. No Merrifield (why anyone believed that would happen I have no clue). No Hader (another no brainer that would not happen). No Rosenthal. No RH bat coming off the bench (like David Freese). They lose the potential of AJ Ramos. Their big change…Gavin Lux at 2B against RHP. Dodgers have not had a lot of problems hitting RHP, so they MAY have improved where they were strongest. What happens to Lux when Rios comes back?

The Dodgers have decided that it is best to have Dennis Santana as the long man reliever rather than Ross Stripling. Those 2 PTBNL are NOT going to help the Dodgers in 2020. But Oh Boy, those 2021 AZL Dodgers should be rockin’, (maybe). I hope it all works out, because a number of teams got better (especially the Padres) and the Dodgers did nothing. The Dodgers should enter the post season as the #1 seed. This year having the best overall record means nothing since there is no home field advantage.

What happens if Clevinger goes on one of those Justin Verlander 2017 late season runs for the Padres? What happens if Mitch Moreland looks more like Steve Pearce in the post season? It may have been several years ago, but Trevor Rosenthal has an outstanding post season resume. His pitching is getting closer to that pre injury status. Austin Adams could be a good addition to the bullpen when he gets back from his knee injury later this month. Late day addition, Taylor Williams, has a high ERA, but for the 14 games Williams has pitched, he has allowed a run in only three games…5 against the Pads, 3 against LAA and 1 against Houston. That is zero runs in 11 of his relief appearances. He was pretty effective against the Dodgers in two relief appearances.

For those of you who wanted the playoff rotation of Buehler, Kershaw, and two of May/Gonsolin/Urias…you get your wish. There are 24 games remaining. Assuming Wood will not be making any starts, all of the starters will get 5 or 4 starts. That is relying a lot of three unproven pitchers. I would have preferred that the Dodgers got Lance Lynn (or Clevinger or Bundy) and moved Gonsolin to closer. I do not know if Gonsolin can be a top starter THIS year, but his stuff more than plays up as a closer right now. With his fastball and change, he can be unhittable in high leverage situations. Right now May looks to be the #3, and the #4 will be between Urias and Gonsolin. The non-starter goes to the bullpen.

If the season were to end now, the Dodgers figure to face one of Colorado, Philadelphia, San Francisco, Mets, Brewers, Reds in best two of three with no home field advantage. Starting pitchers:

Cincinnati – Sonny Gray, Trevor Bauer, Luis Castillo

Mets – Jacob de Grom, Seth Lugo, David Peterson (LHP)

Phillies – Zach Wheeler, Aaron Nola, Zach Eflin or Spencer Howard once he gets more experience.

Colorado – Kyle Freeland (LHP), German Marquez, Antonio Senzatela

Giants – Johnny Cueto, Kevin Gausman, Logan Webb

Brewers – Brandon Woodruff, Corbin Burnes, Brett Anderson (LHP)

If I were facing the Dodgers, I would consider starting a LHP in Game 1.

The Giants have no LHSP, but they were in all 10 games against the Dodgers.

The Dodgers have owned the Rockies lately, but there are two series remaining for 2020. The Mets owned the Dodgers in 1988, and we know how that turned out.

If the Dodgers get thru the first series, they will probably play the Padres. If they get by the Pads, they will undoubtedly face the Cubs or Braves. The Cubs picked up two LHRP that they will get to use against the Dodgers.

The Dodgers currently have rookies RHP Dustin May and Tony Gonsolin in the rotation. Then 14 of the top 30 prospects happen to be RHP.

Josiah Gray

Brusdar Graterol

Bobby Miller

Clayton Beeter

Mitch White

Landon Knack

Gerardo Carrillo

Michael Grove

Edwin Uceta

Ryan Pepiot

Hyun-il Choi

Jimmy Lewis

Brett de Geus

Andre Jackson

Just how many of those RHP will the Dodgers be able to maintain? Or could it be that other team’s GMs are no longer going to take AF’s word on the quality of their farm hands. Previous farm hands of the Dodgers have not all panned out once traded. Frankie Montas is the one who has. There is time for others, but thus far none have taken that step.

I am as big of a fan of the MiLB players as anyone. The Dodgers could have used a SP. I have no clue as to what the asking price for Lance Lynn was. I do see what Clevinger’s price tag was. It may have been high, but if San Diego gets to the WS this year they will not think so. With the number of quality players still in control, the Pads will still be good in 2021 and for the next several years. If San Diego does get to the WS this year, at least LAD will be able to say they did not have to leverage the 2021-2024 teams. If not this year, when? For the last 31 years, the Dodgers’ continual response is next year.

Of course I am still all in on the Dodgers, but my confidence is not as strong as it was before yesterday.

I am hoping for a Dodgers/NYY (or Houston or anyone) WS, but I would not be surprised to see the Padres vs. the Blue Jays in the WS. The two teams that made the most significant changes.

Just as I thought. We don’t need anything to be considered the best because we already are and have done so with rookie pitching and a third of our lineup doing the Mendoza two step. All those Padres moves in effort to catch us. And you know they won’t.

I’m not worried going forward. We have a stacked system and will be going after Lindor this off season. Cleveland will be bounced early and be making more moves this winter.

Our young pitchers will be fine in the playoffs. It will be like it has been all year for them, pitching in an empty stadium against teams they already know the Dodgers can beat.

It’s a great time to be a Dodger fan.

So, the Rotation is:

1. Kershaw – 1.80 ERA

2. Buehler – 4.32 ERA

3. Gonsolin – 0.51 ERA

3. May – 2.83 ERA

3. Urias – 3.67 ERA

Let the youngsters battle it out. You are what your record says you are!

Price will be back next year and Gray is another year away.

San Diego’s starters (ALL RH- Yummm):

1) Mike Clevinger – 3.18 ERA

2) Dinelson Lamet – 2.35 ERA

3) Chris Paddack – 4.43 ERA

4) Zach Davies – 2.61 ERA

5) Garrett Richards – 5.17 ERA

On the one hand, the Dodgers have the best record in this very abbreviated baseball season, and a record over .700 is hard to criticize. They should get the home field, except that it does not look like there will be any home field.

However, the Dodgers did nothing at all to improve their pitching staff. I guess they are figuring that Price will return after missing the whole season, and having a mediocre season last year, and be really good? Because their starting pitching staff consists of: Buehler, who was excellent last year, and has Cy Young Award potential, but hasn’t pitched as well so far this year. Kershaw, who is favorably surprising me so far this season, but hasn’t really pitched against many good lineups yet, and simply is not reliable in postseason. Urias, still touted but still disappointing so far. May, who has lots of talent, but has a way to go before he is a top pitcher. Gonsolin, who also has a lot of upside, but has not had anything close to a full season to prove how good he might be. And that’s it, that’s whom we are relying on the rest of the way.

This pitching staff is the big question mark, going into short series playoffs against at least a few teams which may well be better 1 to 3 in starting pitching. We do seem to have an excellent bullpen. I do not like other teams picking up some very good pitchers in the last couple of years, when we have not. Will the Padres have a better starting staff than we do next year? Very possible. I’m not saying that we should have absolutely gone for Clevenger, but we have not gone out and gotten a top pitcher in many years, unless one wants to stretch it to include Price. There is a lot of confidence in this organization about the futures of Urias, May, now Gonsolin and Gray. I have not seen too many Dodgers pitchers in the last, say, six years, rise up from the minors to become stars. Buehler is the only one I can think of. If some team is dangling a highly regarded starter at the trade deadline, it would be nice to see us occasionally obtain him, rather than demur, and let a rival grab him.

Final thought: If we win the title in this aberrational season, but the Padres are better than we are for the next few seasons, would that be okay, because we won the title in the 60-game season? I hope not. Signing Mookie Betts was outstanding, and gratifying after years of watching the organization seemingly refusing to spend prospects or big money on top trade possibilities. But that one move might turn out to be the major exception, and the Dodgers are going to continue to rely on the farm system, and let other clubs pick up the bargains at the trade deadlines. Sometimes those pitchers are the ones who come up big in the playoffs and get a team over the hump to a championship.

I hope Strip has success in Toronto..err Buffalo. That park is a band box. But I will always remember Strip’s debut against the Giants and the 7 plus innings of no hit baseball, and when they needed him in 2018 he stepped up and became an all star. He may have faded, but he never let being pulled from the rotation bother him. He just went to the pen and did his job. Thanks for the good times Ross. You will be missed. Ya kind of knew this would happen after the failed trade to the Angels over the winter.

A sad goodbye to the Blue Bell PA born, Ross Stripling. I wish you only the best on the Jays but will miss your presence, spirit, intelligence and good teammanship on our team. I will always cheer you on except when you pitch against the Dodgers. So long Chicken Strips and say hello to Ryu.

Sorry to see Ross go but he definitely needs a change in scenery.

I have a personal note from Ross. When he was with the Lookouts I sent a card requesting an autograph, complete with a self addressed envelope and US stamp. He signed the card but slipped it back into the sleeve before the autograph was dry so it smudged. His hand written note was an apology for the smudged autograph and an offer to sign another if I would send one. I wrote back, thanking him and explaining I was as pleased with the hand written note as I was with the autograph.

I really hope things go well for him in Toronto. I think there is a role for him in MLB but it needs to be defined and not have him moving from one role to another.

The Padres have been here before. In 2014 they “won” the off-season with a myriad of trades. Preller was called the “rock-star” of trades, as he went all in to make the Padres a winning team in 2015. That didn’t work out very well; The Pedres’ record over the next 5 years were, respectively: 74-88; 68-94; 71-91; 66-96; and 70-92. Turns out Preller wasn’t the rock star everyone thought at the time. In hindsight, I’m sure that he would have loved to hold onto some of the players traded away. Admittedly, he has better players to build around this year. Still, I’m not ready to hand the Padres the championship. That said, they’ll definitely be a lot more fun to play.

Thanks for the memories Ross. We will miss Chicken Strip. Good guy, good teammate! Just didn’t come together this year!

Haven’t we seen this movie from the Pads before ? spend big only to be letdown. I work with few Pad fans, I’m happy for them – lord knows they’ve suffered long enough. I applaud them for at least going for it while they can. We will see if Marks right about Preller.

Seeing Stripling to the Blue Jays. I gotta asked a question does anybody know how long Giles is going to be out due to his elbow injury? Could Giles be a player to be named later?

1. MLB.Radio gave AF and A+ for “standing pat! “The Dodgers didn’t need to do anything.”

2. The bullpen will be stronger with Strip gone. I liked him but he did not seize the day. AF will build up the farm with the PTBNL.

3. Clevinger: He is brittle; and 2. He lied and then put all his teammates at risk by getting on a plane with them after sneaking out. Maybe he is not the kind of character you want!

4. Preller has a way of screwing things up!

5. May, Urias or Gonsolin (or maybe all 3) will step up.

6. Good Luck, Ross!

This comes from a stupid Padre fan…..

The Dodgers should be scared. The Padres lineup is one of the best two or three in baseball. And their starting rotation is looking pretty good. This is exciting.

Starting lineup by playoff time:

1) Trent Grisham, CF

2) Fernando Tatis Jr., SS

3) Manny Machado, 3B

4) Eric Hosmer, 1B

5) Tommy Pham, LF

6) Mitch Moreland, DH

7) Wil Myers, RF

8) Jake Cronenworth, 2B

9) Austin Nola, C

Starting rotation:

1) Mike Clevinger, RHP

2) Dinelson Lamet, RHP

3) Chris Paddack, RHP

4) Zach Davies, RHP

5) Garrett Richards, RHP

It is the relief pitching that needs to turn their ship around. If that happens, the Pads can beat the Dodgers.

Someone, likely AC, mentioned either above or yesterday that PTBNL means someone who isn’t on that travel/extra team (like what we have with our guys at USC).

So most likely it’s 2 A level guys who are lottery tickets. Ross likely gets a shot to start full time, and not be shuttled back and forth between starting and relieving like he was here.

To be honest, on this team he’s not one of the 5 best starters, and he’s probably not one of the 6-7 best relievers either. We’ll know in 2-3 years if this was a good deal or not.

Urias WILL step up!

I think Vlodomer maybe onto something. With the number of players moving around for Pads it is going to take some time for everyone to get on the same page. And there isn’t much time til the post season. Adding players to the Dodgers right now could have changed the chemistry. We got this thing rolling now. The bats have woken up. I think Lux will solidify 2nd base. After Kersh and Buehler we will see pitching by committee. As the season moves through September May, Goose, Urías, and White will be pitching longer into games.

If it ain’t broke….

I think standing pat ( less Strip) was the wise thing to do. Maybe there will be room for Gray to show his stuff.

Despite the fact he’s had a down year, the trade of Ross Stripling saddens me. He was a fine young man, who I enjoyed watching develop over the years.

Blue Jays To Acquire Ross Stripling

Stripling has been dealt to the Blue Jays. So, they did do something.

The Dodgers weren’t going to make a move unless it was for a substantial upgrade and they didn’t have to trade top talent for a 1 month rental. It sounds like they tried to pry Lance Lynn loose but the Rangers wanted too much.

I have been advocating for a solid #3 starter for the post-season and it didn’t work out. I get it.

Will one of the kids step up? Will they be able to throw more than 5 innings in a start? Right now, I’d say that May and Gonsolin have pitched the best to be #3 and #4 in a post-season rotation but we have another 25 games as an audition so I guess we will all find out who steps up.

Padres picked up another reliever. Cubs bragging about a 3 lefty pen.Ha, we have 5.

2D2, on this important trading day, your fine article gets a big thank you from me for compiling all that interesting information. By the way, loved your parody especially the chorus “ Lux you ain’t goin’ nowhere”

Mets acquire C Robinson Chirinos (Rangers), 3B Todd Frazier (Rangers), and RHRP Miguel Castro (Orioles).

Thinking about the Dodger’s need for a RH bat, I was thinking that it’s a real shame that David Freese decided to pack it in before it was announced that the DH would be employed in the NL this season. He would have been perfect in that role – saving his knees from too much strain.

That being said, maybe he didn’t fancy any more of Doc’s Playoff snubs either way?

Looks like we’ve stood pat.

Hope this doesn’t come back to bite us. Kersh back holds up ?, Buehler is Buehler, putting lot trust in May,Urias. Be curious to see what Texas wanted ? Lynn only making $8 mil next year

Well, well – “The deadline’s come and the deadline’s went; Pack up your bags and get on the bus

cause you ain’t goin’ nowhere”

Pretty much as I figured.

Lots of moves, none involving the Dodgers, and they cannot make any additions except from their 60 man pool, or a waiver wire pick up that is put on the 60 man. D-Backs went nuts at the deadline unloading Ray, Bradley, Chafin, and Marte. Rockies picked up Pillar. Giants and Dodgers stood pat.

Archie Bradley to Reds. Cameron Maybin to Cubs.

Word from Texas – Lynn is staying put.

Angels trade Brian Goodwin to Reds

Joel Sherman – just reported NO Lance Lynn

AC, on Lance Lynn, Joe Davis made an interesting remark about him last night during the game. Basically Joe said that Lynn sometimes wears his emotions on his sleeve and shows frustration to the umpires and his teammates. Did you heard that? And if you did, do you think that is a good thing. Thanks.

Cubs pick up another LHRP, Josh Osich, from Boston for PTBNL.

Rockies nab Kevin Pillar and cash from Red Sox for PTBNL and international slot $$$

According to MLB rumors, Dodgers Have “Stepped Up Efforts” To Acquire Lance Lynn

I still wait for news like JD Martinez, Whit Merrifield, Dylan Bundy or Lance Lynn to the Dodgers.

Another right handed batter and an established number 3 starter seems to be what is needed, just in case something is needed …

Next year they can worry about Gonsolin, Urias and May, but for now I don’t know if I could trust them for a third and decisive game

The DBacks just traded Starling Marte for LHSP Caleb Smith and RHSP Humberto Mejia and LHSP lottery pick Julio Frias.

Blue Jays picked up Robbie Ray (DBacks) and Jonathan Villar (Marlins)

Cubs get Andrew Chafin (DBacks)

Sometimes I think Dodgers fans look at things through their heart. Who cares about where the Padres farm system will be rated after the trades. The Pads are going for it this year and they do not need their farm system because the vast majority of their roster is chock full players with multiple years of control.

1B Eric Hosmer (30) – Controlled thru 2025

2B Jake Cronenworth (26) – Rookie

3B Manny Machado (28) – Controlled thru 2028

SS Fernando Tatis, Jr. (21) – Controlled thru 2024

C Austin Nola (30) – Controlled thru 2025

LF Tommy Pham (32) – Controlled thru 2021

CF Trent Grisham (23) – Controlled thru 2025

RF Wil Myers (29) – Controlled thru 2022

DH Mitch Moreland (34) – 2021 Team Option

SP Chris Paddack (24) – Controlled thru 2024

SP Mike Clevinger (29) – Controlled thru 2022

SP Dinelson Lamet (28) – Controlled thru 2023

SP Zach Davies (27) – Controlled thru 2021

SP Garrett Richards (32) – FA

SP MacKenzie Gore (21) – Still to make his debut

SP Luis Patino (20) – Rookie

RP Drew Pomeranz (31) – Controlled thru 2023

RP Trevor Rosenthal (30) – FA

RP Austin Adams (29) – Controlled thru 2024

RP Matt Straham (28) – Controlled thru 2022

RP Pierce Johnson (29) – Controlled thru 2025

RP Emilio Pagan (29) – Controlled thru 2023

They still have a top rated prospects in SS CJ Abrams (#7 rated SS), C Luis Campusano (#4 rated catcher), LHP MacKenzie Gore (#1 rated LHP), RHP Luis Patino (#7 rated RHP).

Preller realizes that the chances of catching LAD for the West Division are not very good. What he has done is set the Pads up to go deep into the playoffs, and challenge the Dodgers, probably in the NLCS. I do not care if Zach Davies is in the rotation not involving the Dodgers, because he will be one of the four going against LAD. He has been very good against LAD. In 7 starts (43.1IP), he has a 2.08 ERA and a batting against line of .217/.263/.350/.614.

The Pads already had a better offense than did the Dodgers before they upgraded the catcher with the addition of Austin Nola over Austin Hedges.

BA – Padres #3 (.266); LAD #12 (.251)

OBP – Padres #3 (.343); LAD #8 (.334)

SLG – Padres #1 (.493); LAD #3 (.471)

OPS – Padres #1 (.836); LAD #4 (.805)

Runs – Padres #1 (205); LAD #2 (204)

HR – LAD #1 (38); Padres #2 (66)

The Padres have more hits, more extra base hits, and more stolen bases. They have now upgraded their starting pitching and relief pitching.

Head to head, the Dodgers are 4-3 against the Pads, and the Pads have improved while the Dodgers have not (yet).

I only read that the Dodgers are interested in Hader, but they are just rumors, nothing about Nightingale, one more of the many false rumors

Wow. Lots of activity. No question, the Padres are a lot better. Guessing Andrew Friedman is hanging around the backboard to see what bounces off that might make sense.

The only thing that bothers me about Clevinger is that he broke health protocol, which created clubhouse issues in Cleveland. Now that Dave Roberts has said Gavin Lux will start against right-handers, seems to indicate the Dodgers feel comfortable with second base moving forward. Still think Lux has huge upside.

I think it was a dumb trade. Quantrill COULD outpitch Clevinger THIS year. Clevinger is rather brittle. I think it is a “dope-fiend” AJ Preller move that will cost him his job!

Pads now second best team in NL. Hopefully Machado plays like he did for us in the playoffs. It will be interesting how their clubhouse chemistry plays out.

Every season, in the trade deadline AF has done magic and has always surprised us, this year will it be the same? Let’s wait to see what happens, I personally trust him …

A couple of things we know. AF is not going to make a panic move just to counter the Pads getting Clevinger. Pads are 5 games back with 25 to play, and the Dodgers won’t see them in the first round, so Clevinger is a non factor except maybe the one 3 game series the Dodgers have left in SD. Padres have to get a new catcher up to speed with the pitching staff in a very short time. Nola showed his hitting wares against the Dodgers in the 3 game set in Seattle. But they have seen him now, and probably have a better idea how to pitch to him, and he is not Hedges defensively. Of greater concern is JT’s hammy strain. The lack of offense from the 2nd base position, and the starters, outside of May and Kersh, not giving the team much length in their starts. The # 8 seed right now is the Phillies or the Marlins. They are tied for 7th. 3 teams from the NL West would get in, LA, SD and Colo. Atl, Phi, and Miami in the east, and Chicago and St Louis in the central. LA would play the 8, SD the 7, Cubs the 6, and Colo would get the 5. So, at this point, who would you rather play? Mia, or Philly? Of course this will all probably change in the next couple of weeks. Mets are doing the slow slide south, D-Backs are looking to sell, Giants supposedly looking to buy. They are only a game behind the Rockies, and have played 2 less than the Rocks. And here is something to chew on, not official yet, but Nightingale says the Dodgers are getting Hader for a PTBNL. He said that 11 minutes ago on Twitter.

Thanks everyone. Just was a wee bit concerned. It seemed like a lot of movement.

Preller’s Trade History:

https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2020/04/gm-trade-history-padres-a-j-preller.html

Some of you are worried because Padres acquired Clevinger? That doesn’t make them better than the Dodgers, it just puts them one notch closer, but they’re still not on the same level … They are the ones who should be worried about the Dodgers !!

Wow. Seems like the Padres are loaded now. Did they have that much money to spend? How now do we compare to them?

I have to wonder about the wisdom of the Padres’ large-scale overhaul with just a few weeks to play. While they are mainly trading prospects, there still is an impact on the major league roster. An addition or two communicates that the front office acknowledges that the team has a chance for a successful playoff run and wants reinforcements. Do this many changes communicate the opposite, even if unintentionally?

Padres To Acquire Mike Clevinger

Daniel Bard I hear is a reliever the DODGERS are looking at for Cartaya, can someone tell us more on this.

Padres get Mike Cleavinger! Wow

Trade deadline is 2 pm?

AJ Ramos was apparently released by the Dodgers. He was just picked up by the Cubs.

I’m reading SD fans, they believe that they were fleeced with the trade, and although I personally don’t give a damn about them and the players involved, I found this comments funny…

Preller: Hey, Jerry, we’re looking at Nola and a couple of your relievers. We’d like to get a deal done.

DiPoto: Alright, A.J., what are you putting in the table?

Preller: How about Munoz, Torrens, France and Trammell for Nola, Adams, and Altavilla?

DiPoto: (stunned) Yeah, that sounds about right. Let’s get the framework down, I’ll call you back in a bit.

Preller: Thanks. (hangs up)

DiPoto: YYYYEEEESSS!

Phone hangs up.

-Preller: France is a platoon player. Torrens is a middling part-time starter at best. Munoz throws heat. We got more of that. Trammell isn’t living up to his potential. He’s Buxton-lite. Those Mariners are a bunch of suckers.

-Assistant: But sir, you got a 30-year-old catcher with less than 400 career bats. A pretty good reliever in Adams. And some guy named Altavilla. What was the purpose of the trade?

-Preller: I don’t know. I’m drunk.

Per MLB Trade Rumors

Padres/Mariners

“To summarize, the deal appears to be settled as Nola, Adams, and Altavilla to San Diego, and Trammell, France, Munoz, and Torrens going to the Mariners.“

I thought I would post this before Mike Clevinger became a Brave or a Padre (hottest rumor)