The Will Smith era has officially begun. In his first game as the primary catcher for the LAD, he caught Clayton Kershaw. There were no noticeable miscommunications between the two. Kersh got off to a rough start, but settled in nicely for still another QS. Offensively, you could not ask for a better game. 3-3 with 2 doubles, a HR, sac fly, and 6 RBIs. This new offensive threat for the Fresh Prince has never before been displayed. In three years of college he had 1 good year and a total of 9 HRs in 3 years. The power did not seem to come until Tulsa in 2018. Hitting 11 in the California League is nothing special, but 19 in the Texas League is an accomplishment. But those offensive talents did not continue on to OKC in 2018. Then in 2019, Smith has taken off. He has been an incredible offensive threat all year. Is it sustainable? I don’t know. I do not know what has changed…his approach, his mechanics, his recognition???
Every observation says that Smith is a tremendous teammate, and does not take himself too seriously. He does not come across as entitled. I do not think everything has come natural to him, but more importantly he has worked his tail off to get better. Again, will the learning curve slow down, and the pitchers catch up? Inevitably, sure. Will he be able to make adjustments? Maybe not in season (he did not in 2018), but in the off season, YES.
Does this change my impressions of Austin Barnes? Not in the least. IMO Austin was always a backup catcher, and he excelled in that role in 2017. Did he deserve the demotion? Absolutely. The disrespect? NO. He has been a good teammate that has busted his butt at every opportunity. He had an exemplary work ethic who communicated very well with the pitchers. He never made excuses. He was just in over his head as a LAD primary catcher. No shame in that. What do I hope for Barnes? I hope he is traded because I do not think he will ever get a fair shake with too many fans. I still believe that Detroit would be a good place for him to land.
What do I expect? I see Barnes as the LAD backup catcher to Smith. If K-Bear is not traded, he will be going back to OKC next year to play the role Will Smith has done this year. As many have said, it is not a good use of team assets to have both Smith and Ruiz on the 25-man at the same time. They both look to be primary catchers, and there is room for only one on a team.
On 7/23, Cassidy asked the following:
For AC. It would be interesting to see how many relievers who had good Seasons last year also having good seasons this year vs how many who are having bad years. It would speak to the unpredictability? of relievers. Make for an interesting write up before trade deadline.
This was a challenge. Who are the best relievers? Closers? Setup? Specialty multi-inning (Andrew Miller). I went ahead and looked at all of the relievers who registered 20 or more saves, and setup/middle relief with holds of 23 or more, and used that as my standard.
Based on saves the top 20 are as follows:
Edwin Diaz – 57 saves – 4 blown saves , 1.96 ERA, 5 inherited runners and 3 scored
Wade Davis – 43 saves – 6 blown saves, 4.13 ERA, 8 inherited runners and 1 scored
Craig Kimbrel – 42 saves – 5 blown saves, 2.74 ERA, 16 inherited runners and 5 scored
Kenley Jansen – 38 saves – 4 blown saves, 3.01 ERA, 12 inherited runners and 3 scored
Blake Treinen – 38 saves – 5 blown saves, 0.78 ERA, 19 inherited runners and 6 scored
Felipe Vazquez – 37 saves – 5 blown saves, 2.70 ERA, 24 inherited runners and 12 scored
Brad Boxberger – 32 saves – 8 blown saves, 4.39 ERA, 9 inherited runners and 1 scored
Aroldis Chapman – 32 saves – 2 blown saves, 2.45 ERA, 6 inherited runners and 0 scored
Shane Greene – 32 saves – 6 blown saves, 5.12 ERA, 5 inherited runners and 2 scored
Brad Hand – 32 saves – 7 blown saves, 2.75 ERA, 23 inherited runners and 2 scored
Raisel Iglesias – 30 saves – 4 blown saves, 2.38 ERA, 24 inherited runners and 8 scored
Bud Norris – 28 saves – 5 blown saves, 3.59 ERA, 23 inherited runners and 4 scored
Cody Allen – 27 saves – 5 blown saves, 4.70 ERA, 24 inherited runners and 7 scored
Ken Giles – 26 Saves – 0 blown saves, 4.65 ERA, 6 inherited runners and 1 scored
Sean Doolittle -25 saves- 1 blown save, 1.60 ERA, 9 inherited runners and 1 scored
Fernando Rodney – 25 saves – 7 blown saves, 3.36 ERA, 13 inherited runners and 1 scored
Sergio Romo – 25 saves – 8 blown saves, 3.88 ERA, 36 inherited runners and 16 scored
Keone Kela – 24 saves – 2 blown saves, 3.29 ERA, 10 inherited runners and 4 scored
Brandon Morrow – 22 saves – 2 blown saves, 1.47 ERA, 12 inherited runners and 3 scored
Roberto Osuna – 21 saves – 1 blown save, 2.37 ERA, 5 inherited runners and 2 scored
Based on holds, the top 16 holds are as follows:
Adam Ottavino – 34 holds, 2.43 ERA, 18 inherited runners and 3 scored
Archie Bradley – 34 holds, 3.64 ERA, 32 inherited runners and 8 scored
Tony Watson – 32 holds, 2.59 ERA, 26 inherited runners and 8 scored
Yoshihisa Hirano – 32 holds, 2.44 ERA, 30 inherited runners and 5 scored
Chaz Roe – 31 holds, 3.58 ERA, 28 inherited runners and 6 scored
Jose Alvarado – 31 holds, 2.39 ERA, 50 inherited runners and 12 scored
Alex Colome – 30 holds, 2.53 ERA, 16 inherited runners and 7 scored – 12 saves and 5 blown saves
Tommy Hunter – 25 holds, 3.80 ERA, 22 inherited runners and 4 scored
Steve Cishek – 25 holds, 2.18 ERA, 60 inherited runners and 17 scored
Matt Barnes – 25 holds, 3.65 ERA, 14 inherited runners and 1 scored
Jordan Hicks – 24 holds, 3.59 ERA, 34 inherited runners and 9 scored
Craig Stammen – 23 holds, 2.73 ERA, 33 inherited runners and 12 scored
Carl Edwards – 23 holds, 2.60 ERA, 21 inherited runners and 8 scored
Dan Winkler – 23 holds, 3.43 ERA, 24 inherited runners and 10scored
Joe Jimenez – 23 holds, 4.31 ERA, 16 inherited runners and 6 scored
Lou Trevino – 23 holds, 2.92 ERA, 38 inherited runners and 13 scored
Current Year Save Stats:
Kirby Yates (SD) – 31 saves – 2 blown saves, 1.02 ERA
Brad Hand (CLE) – 27 saves – 2 blown saves , 2.47 ERA
Aroldis Chapman (NYY) – 26 saves – 5 blown saves, 2.50 ERA
Kenley Jansen (LAD) – 25 saves – 4 blown saves, 3.67 ERA
Will Smith (SF) – 25 saves – 2 blown saves, 2.38 ERA
Sean Doolittle (WSN) – 23 saves – 4 blown saves, 2.72 ERA
Josh Hader (MIL) – 23 saves – 2 blown saves, 2.13 ERA
Roberto Osuna (Hou) – 23 saves – 2 blown saves, 2.68 ERA
Edwin Diaz (NYM) – 22 saves – 4 blown saves, 4.81 ERA
Shane Greene (Det) – 22 saves – 3 blown saves, 1.22 ERA
Alex Colome’ (ChiSox) – 21 saves – 1 blown save, 2.33 ERA
Felipe Vazquez (Pitts) – 21 saves – 1 blown save, 1.87 ERA
Ian Kennedy (KC) – 19 saves – 3 blown saves, 3.40 ERA
Hector Neris – 18 saves – 4 blown saves, 3.92 ERA
Greg Holland – 17 saves – 5 blown saves, 3.51 ERA
Raisel Iglesias – 17 saves – 3 blown saves, 4.60 ERA
Luke Jackson – 17 saves – 7 blown saves, 3.12 ERA
Sergio Romo – 17 saves – 1 blown save, 3.58
Current Year Holds Leaders:
Adam Ottavino (NYY) – 24 holds, 1.59 ERA, 31 inherited runners and 8 scored
Ryan Pressly (Hou) – 23 holds, 2.03 ERA, 17 inherited runners and 4 scored
Craig Stammen (SD) – 21 holds, 3.54 ERA, 23 inherited runners and 8 scored
Tony Watson (SF) – 21 holds, 2.68 ERA, 12 inherited runners and 5 scored
Zack Britton (NYY) – 19 holds, 2.57 ERA, 13 inherited runners and 4 scored
Tommy Kahnle (NYY) – 19 holds, 2.66 ERA, 22 inherited runners and 5 scored
Jake Diekman (A’s) – 18 holds, 4.75 ERA, 22 inherited runners and 5 scored
Ty Buttrey (LAA) – 18 holds, 2.77 ERA, 27 inherited runners and 8 scored
Adam Morgan (Phi) – 18 holds, 3.21 ERA, 17 inherited runners and 4 scored
Pedro Baez (LAD) – 17 holds, 3.26 ERA, 25 inherited runners and 9 scored
Matt Barnes (Bos) – 17 holds, 4.24 ERA, 19 inherited runners and 6 scored
Sam Dyson (SF) – 16 holds, 2.52 ERA, 14 inherited runners and 6 scored
Will Harris (Hou) – 16 holds, 1.82 ERA, 18 inherited runners and 5 scored
Andrew Miller (StL) – 16 holds, 3.57 ERA, 26 inherited runners and 5 scored
Alex Claudio (Mil) – 16 holds, 4.15 ERA, 25 inherited runners and 8 scored
Notes:
Pitchers who were save leaders last year and also this year:
Edwin Diaz (nowhere near as dominant as last year, but still a leader)
Felipe Vazquez
Kenley Jansen
Aroldis Chapman
Brad Hand
Shane Greene
Sean Doolittle
Raisel Iglesias
Sergio Romo
Roberto Osuna
Those having good years but not quite at the leader level:
Ken Giles (14 saves – 1 blown save, 1.59 ERA, 4 inherited runners and 2 scored)
Blake Treinen (16 saves – 1 blown save, 4.29 ERA, 8 inherited runners and 2 scored)
Wade Davis (15 saves – 2 blown saves, 5.64 ERA, 9 inherited runners and 1 scored)
Others:
Fernando Rodney – having a very down year with the Nats. 29 games, 25.0 IP, 7.20 ERA, 2 saves, 2 blown saves, and 6 holds
Craig Kimbrel – signed FA contract late with Cubs. Off to a very slow start.
Keone Kela – has been injured and after being reinstated was suspended after he got into an altercation with Hector Morales, their director of cultural readiness and peak performance coach
Brad Boxberger – released by KC and signed minor league deal with Nationals
Cody Allen – Released by LAA and signed minor league deal with Twins
Bud Norris – Signed minor league contract with Toronto at beginning of year, and released.
Brandon Morrow – On IL all year
Pitchers who were holds leaders last year and also this year:
Adam Ottavino
Tony Watson
Alex Colome’ ( Part if saves leaders in 2019)
Matt Barnes
Craig Stammen
Pitchers with close results:
Joe Jimenez – 3 blown saves, 15 holds
Chaz Roe – 4 blown saves, 15 holds
Lou Trevino – 4 blown saves, 14 holds
Steve Cishek – 7 saves – 3 blown saves, 10 holds
Jose Alvarado – 5 saves – 2 blown saves, 6 holds
Yoshihisa Hirano – 1 save – 2 blown saves, 10 holds
Not as close:
Archie Bradley – 2 blown saves, 7 holds
Tommy Hunter – Out most of year on IL – 5 games pitched in 2019
Others:
Jordan Hicks – Out with TJ Surgery on June 26, 2019
Carl Edwards Jr. – Optioned to AAA
Dan Winkler – Optioned to AAA
How well relievers are doing between years is very subjective. There are a number of relievers who have had back to back decent years, and some who have improved this year after a good 2018. We can all draw our own conclusions.
AC’s MINOR LEAGUE LOWDOWN
OKC Dodgers 4 – Memphis Redbirds 9 (Cardinals)
Dennis Santana was hit around again. He surrendered 8 runs (7 earned) on 7 hits including 3 HRs. Edwin Rios continued to hit with a 2-3 night including his 21st HR and 18th double. Connor Joe went 2-5 with his 21st double. Kyle Garlick (18) and Zach Reks (16) also hit doubles. Gavin Lux had the night off, while DJ Peters went 1-4.
Tulsa 9 – Midland RockHounds 0 (A’s)
Rob Zastryzny pitched a masterful 7.0 shutout innings on 3 hits. Michael Boyle and Ryan Moseley completed the shutout victory with an inning each. The Drillers jumped out to a 2-0 lead in the 1st, and broke it open with a 6 run 4th. They added a run in the 6th for their 9 runs. Omar Estevez and Zach McKinstry led the offense with 2 hits and 3 RBIs. Omar’s hits were doubles (14). I would like to have seen what Omar might have done had he not been injured early on.
RC Quakes 3 – Stockton Ports 7 (A’s)
The Quakes jumped out to a quick 1-0 lead in the 2nd, only to have the Ports score 7 unanswered runs until Jeter Downs had a 2 out 2-RBI double in the 9th. Gerardo Carrillo started for the Quakes and lasted 3.0 innings. He allowed 3 runs on 4 hits. Austin Drury and Sven Schueller restored order for 3 scoreless innings, but then second baseman Brandon Montgomery took the bump and gave up 3 runs and 4 hits in .1 inning. This was Brandon’s 3rd appearance as a pitcher, and this was the first game he has allowed a run or hit. Dillon Paulson and Deacon Liput each had 2 hits with Paulson hitting his 1st Quakes double.
Great Lakes 6 – West Michigan Whitecaps 2 (Tigers)
20-year-old RHP from Caracas, Venezuela went the first 6.2 innings, surrendering the 2 runs on 5 hits. While Justin Hagenman pitched the final 2.0 innings for his 5th save. Martinez took his record to 8-1 in the Midwest League. The offense was supplied by Jacob Amaya and Romer Cuadrado who each had 3 hits nights. Amaya (24) and Cuadrado (11) each had doubles. Chris Roller had a 2-hit night including his 7th triple.
Ogden Raptors 14 – Orem Owlz 1 (LAA)
Ogden continues to put up runs in bunches. But last night also saw some outstanding pitching. 19-year-old LHP Antonio Hernandez from Guadalajara, Jalisco, Mexico, started and went 5.0 scoreless innings. Drew Finley, Mark Mixon, and Yeison Cespedes pitched 3 shutout innings. Hunter Speer allowed the sole run in the 9th to spoil the shutout. Offensively, Ryan Ward had 3 hits including 2 doubles (8) and 2 RBI’s, Andy Pages had 2 hits including his 10th double and 3 RBI’s, and Sam McWilliams had 2 hits including his 11th HR and 2 RBI’s. Brandon Wulff chipped in with his 2nd triple.
AZL Dodgers 26 – AZL Padres (2) 17
In this pitcher’s duel, the two teams scored 43 runs on 43 hits. The Lasordas took a 7-0 lead after 2 ½, only for the Pads to score 4 in the 3rd and 4 more in the 4th to take an 8-7 lead. The Lasordas scored two in the 5th to take back the lead 9-8. Not to be outdone, the Pads scored 5 in the 5th. The Lasordas tied it up with 4 more in the 7th. The Lasordas scored 2 in the 9th and 10th only to be caught both times by the Pads. After a scoreless 11th to catch a breather), the Lasordas got serious and scored 9 in the 12th, and the Pads could not answer. There were plenty of offensive stars for the Lasordas. CF Rolando Lebron was a single shy of hitting for the cycle. He had three hits; double (6), triple (2), and a 3-run HR to break the game open in the 12th. Jorbit Vivas, 18-year-old 2B from , Puerto Cabello, Venezuela, went 4-7 with a triple (2), and is now batting .376 after 85 ABs. Another 2B find? The Dodgers seem to have a bundle. Aldo Espinoza also went 4-7 with a double (7). Yhostin Chirinos had three hits, while both Yunior Garcia and Aldrich De Jongh each had a pair. Besides Lebron’s HR, both Edwin Mateo (2), and Garrett Hope (1) hit HRs. Andres Noriega hit his 1st double. We can miss the pitching discussion for this game. Okay except 2 hitless and scoreless innings with 3 Ks for Riley Ottesen.
AZL Dodgers Mota 2 – AZL Indians Red 5
The Indians broke a 2-2 tie with 1 in the 8th and 2 in the 9th. Zach Plunkett allowed an unearned run in the 8th to suffer the loss, while Carlos De Los Santos allowed a 2-run HR in the 9th to conclude the scoring. 18-year-old RHP, Jose Rodulfo (Anaco, Venezuela) started and pitched well for 5.0 innings allowing 2 runs. Cyrillo Watson (one of 261 relief pitchers drafted this year), pitched a hitless and scoreless inning. Watson has not yet been scored upon this year (very small sample size). Imanol Vargas had two hits. Kenneth Betancourt (3), Albert Suarez (8), and Daniel Castro (1) on a rehab assignment each had doubles.
DSL Dodgers Bautista 4 – DSL Royals (1) 6
Amin Valdez hit a 3-run HR (1) giving the Bautistas the 3-0 lead after 3. The score remained the same until the 5th when 18-year-old Dominican RHP, Axel Acevedo allowed an unearned run. Jose Mendez came in and shut down any further threat. Albert Moya surrendered 5 runs in his 1.1 IP, before Carlos de Avila (.2) and Denis Portes (1.0) closed out the game. Jose Ramos and Joel Ibarra each had 2 hits, with Ibarra collecting his 5th double. Darwin Arainamo hit his 1st double.
DSL Dodgers Shoemaker 5 – DSL Indians 1
Three Shoemaker pitchers scattered 3 hits for the p. Eli Moron pitched 4.0 scoreless, 1-hit, innings for his 4th victory without a defeat. Moron is a 17-year-old pitcher from Cartagena, Columbia. Marion Cairo had 2 hits including his 7th HR, while Hector Martinez (6), Vladimir Perez (8), and Julio Enrique (9) each had doubles.
Discussion (139)
Disagree, not disagreeable
For me, the Negron trade is really not understandable. If the Dodgers need a utility man and not a hitter, Castro was already there and would cost them nothing. Both are RHH. Both can play multiple positions. Negron has slightly more mlb games, 118 to 89, but Castro only made 1 error, and Negron, 6. Both are mendoza line hitters and going nowhere in the big leaugues. Negron makes .5M. Castro makes next to nothing. Anyone care to explain the logic behind this one?
I doubt if the acquisition of Negron is anything more than a temporary move to provide a player with MLB experience who can play short, given the unavailability of Kike’ and CT3. In no way do I consider this move any indication that the Dodgers are going to go cheap.
Bo Bichette is in the Blue Jays system, which is a lot different than being in the Dodgers system. The Blue Jays are not a contender for a post-season berth, and are not thrusting Bichette into a pressure packed pennant race. Maybe Lux is ready, and maybe not. Case in point was Cory Seager in 2015, who did not perform well in the NLDS against the Mets. And it’s also possible that the Dodgers are considering Lux for a call-up, but want to wait as long as possible before doing so.
Wanted to ask you guys……whose decision is it to put someone on the IL? Can the player refuse to go? Thanks.
Here’s the stats for Negron and Castro. I doubt if Negron is anything more than a temporary fill-in, if even that. AF probably wants to have a warm body with MLB experience around to be a backup at short with both Kike’ and CK3 on the IL, and the reluctance to bring up Lux at this time.
https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/n/negrokr01.shtml
https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/c/castrda01.shtml
The Dodgers have announced the acquisition of utilityman Kristopher Negron from the Mariners in exchange for minor league infielder Daniel Castro.
Tonight at OKC . May another fantastic start. 6.0 IP, 1 run on 3 hits. Also Rios hit his 22nd HR and DJ Peters his 11th (with zero K).
The market for Thor is getting more into focus. Marcus Stroman with one year less of control, cost the Mets two highly regarded pitching prospects. 24 year old LHP, former 2016 1st round draft choice , Anthony Kay, and 18 year old RHP, former 2018 2nd round draft pick, Simeon Woods- Richardson. These pitchers are the #5 and #7 prospects in a top farm system.
Thor will probably cost more, and Wheeler considerably less with respect to what NYM will require. If the Pads are willing to include Luis Urias for Thor, AF will not match it. I know Wheeler is not having a good year, but he may be worth the risk if the price is right.
We are now within 66 hours of the deadline, so things should start to pick up on Monday, or maybe not.
Why the negative thoughts? I see Gonsolin turning in the game of his life. Let’s at least let him pitch before we skewer him. Actually I am more concerned about Ryu again at Coors.
With Gonsolin being called up to pitch in Colorado, it kinda seems to me that management has lost interest in Gonsolin or never had interest in him. Great way to reduce his prospect status.
Gonsolin called up. Coors Field sacrificial Lamb.
Now that Bellinger has come back down to Earth, bring him down to first and put Verdugo where he belongs.
Just a thought here. There been a lot of buzz around the Dodgers and the Mets. The Pirates want May and Ruiz for Vazquez. Could it be that the Mets are saying “Screw the Pirates, we’ll give you Diaz and Wheeler”. The Dodgers probably want Diaz and Thor and AF is playing both sides trying to get one to blink. Did the Stroman trade make Thor available?
Has anyone here ever looked at Vasquez stats vs left handed hitting this season? And you want to trade the farm for him? Not litterally the farm but 2 top 4 Dodger prospects plus others.
Before you tell me it won’t cost that much, yes it will. The pirate don’t at all NEED to trade him. You’re going to have to pony up a great package to get him.
I could make up the lineup but my dart board is broken.
If Hernandez goes on IL why wouldn’t they bring up Lux? If he can play 2nd, he would not have to sit on the bench and would be a good backup for Seager. Just my opinion.
Nobody but me brings this up. Pollock vs right handers this season .193/.252/.360/.612
Now do you get where Joc should be playing vs right handers? For the record I have no problem with Joc playing 1B. But if you don’t like his defense at 1B then look at that stat above.
Beaty at 1B.
Please Santa, leave a top notch reliever or two under the tree. I’ve been a good boy this year so far. Ha ha! Great Christmas slant, Singing!
Mets getting Stroman almost assures they trade Thor. Be interesting who pays for him now!
Just saw the video of Bauer’s throw over the centerfield fence. I”ll take that guy any day!
Is anyone worried about the post-season? No one’s run differential is anywhere close to ours and we have the best record in the league while throwing away handfuls of games by playing people out of position and poor bullpen performance.
Stroman to the Mets is great! One less pitcher for the Yankees / Astros to fortify their rotation.
Of course it makes sense to play Joc at first base and to give him time to see what happens. But, how many games is enough to trust him in the post season? 17 games in and this game was as bad any any. Do you think he’s gonna have it conquered in 30 games? 40? The worst thing that can happen is that he starts to look comfortable and then choke in the post-season when the pressure is on.
Where are these damn relievers? Do we really need to wait until Wednesday to get a deal done?
Stras was on his game today and Bueller wasn’t. Maybe it’ll be the other way around next time. 2 of 3 against a playoff team in their yard is always a good thing. Off to the Devil’s Playground. I hope I don’t have to watch a bullpen game.
Don’t look now, but the Giants are in second place. Not that it matters much because they are still 15 games back, but they are only 3 out of the WC.
Mets get Stroman pending medicals.
Strasburg is an elite pitcher and he was on his game .
Buehler had awesome stuff but was wild.
Dodgers got thumped.
A high pop up directly behind a first or third baseman is a difficult catch, no angle, and those balls are always caught by the second baseman or the shortstop. The shift prevented the second baseman from helping.
Joc made a good catch on a hard hit two hopper, he knew what to do and did it without hesitation. Unfortunately he threw a short hop to the catcher. The day before he failed to scoop up a one hop wide throw from Turner and it looked like he tried to just reach for the ball instead of scooping it. He is also getting used to a first baseman’s glove.
These are the dog days of summer. Humidity is high in DC and the Dodgers are cruising to another Division title. It isn’t as bad as it looked today.
Two out of three on the road against a pretty good team which is fighting for the playoffs, is commendable. However, we didn’t face Scherzer, and Strasberg pretty much dominated today. If we face the Nats in the playoffs, we will see both of those. I know it is completely obvious, but playoffs are different than regular season; you don’t get to face #5 starters, and you often see your opponent’s top starters pitching an inning or two in late relief, as with Boston in the Series last year. Anyone want to see Scherzer coming in with a one-run lead in the eighth inning? We do not have a starter of that caliber who can do that.
The Dodgers are so well set up for the regular season. They have depth and versatility, and their starting five pitchers, if healthy, are probably the best in the game. But in the playoffs, you would rather have three top starters, than five good ones. Versatility becomes less important. The bullpen, particularly the back end, is crucial. If the Dodgers take this trade deadline casually, just pick up a couple of average arms for the bullpen, while Vazquez and other high-end relievers go to contenders, it could be determinative, whether we win 103 games or not. And while I want us to win all of our games, sometimes I think that every time we win a few right before the deadline, the cheerleaders in the media minimize the necessity of major acquisitions.
I really want us to get Vazquez. If that is impossible, then get the second best closer who is available, not the sixth best. Remember that when Roberts gets a new pitcher to play with, he uses him a lot, and if the pitcher has couple of scoreless outings, he and everyone else get all excited, as if we’ve solved out problems, when we haven’t. Put in that context, this weekend’s results are more problematical, since we lost handily to the one top pitcher we faced.
I agree with Mark, I will take two out of three on the road with a red hot National team any day. Like Uncle Ned always says, “Hey, the other team gets paid too”, meaning we just can’t show up and win everyday. Nats are a good club, we may see them in October. I thought we had a great series against them. Turn the page on today and get ready for the House Of Horrors in Colorado.
That was one of the ugliest games I have seen in awhile and turned it off at the end. It was ugly on almost every level a game can be ugly and all the lipstick in the world can’t even make it a good looking pig. I though Farhan was to blame for some of the mad scientist experiments but it was AF all along. Someone earlier said if Beaty and Joc are both in the game for their bats why not Beaty at 1B and Joc in LF? Neither are great but both looked out of position today. Joc back to LF and split with AJ, with AJ getting some of Dugie’s AB’s in CF. Muncy to 1B, call up Lux to play 2B and I don’t care what happens to White. Or Muncy at 2B and White and Beaty divvy up 1B and Corey never gets a day off until they shake up the 40 man to call up Jackson, or trade for some journeyman. Call up the kid and let’s see what he’s got until CT3 or Kike are healthy again and play Lux every day. In the meantime some bullpen help please! One last thing: Buehler loses it sometimes like Billingsley used to, cruising along then the wheels come off. He let the umpire get in his head and then the defense let him down. Watch how Ryu slows the game down and limits the damage and rarely gets rattled. Pitchers earn their money by pitching out of trouble or at least the best ones do.
Mark, AC, I also don’t see the problem with the Joc experiment at 1B. If it works it’s a definite asset, and if not, they have the option of abandoning it in the post season. Nothing ventured, nothing gained.
It may not make much of a difference in this game, but it’s nice to see Cory hit one out. When his bat comes alive the Dodgers lineup will become a lot more formidable.
We’ve discussed a number of potential bullpen acquisitions and I know his name came up once or twice, but I hadn’t realized how really good Seth Lugo has been for the Mets.
In his last ten appearances over 11 innings he hasn’t given up any runs, only 3 hits, hasn’t walked anyone and has struck out 16 batters. He has quietly been really excellent over the past two years and is controllable through 2022.
For those that want Baur on the Dodgers
https://twitter.com/ZackMeisel/status/1155569730264195072?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1155569730264195072&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fdisqus.com%2Fembed%2Fcomments%2F%3Fbase%3Ddefault%26f%3Delysian%26t_i%3D5737%2520http%253A%252F%252Flinkmeister.com%252Fdodgers%252F%253Fp%253D5737%26t_u%3Dhttp%253A%252F%252Flinkmeister.com%252Fdodgers%252F2019%252F07%252Fgame-107-2019%252F%26t_e%3DGame%2520107%252C%25202019%26t_d%3DGame%2520107%252C%25202019%2520%257C%2520Elysian%2520Fields%26t_t%3DGame%2520107%252C%25202019%26s_o%3Ddefault%23version%3Db15faad917a86955321887125ecb56cc
End the experiment at first base.
Just how good are we offensively?! Really. Especially against quality pitching. And we’ve been just horrible defensively the last month or so. Incredible starting pitching has fueled our run but a lot of improvement is needed to make a WS a possibility!
Guess what team leads the NL in errors. Yep you guessed it.
Buehler pitching looks very average of late. Another Joc error at 1B and Beaty looks shaky in LF. Why not flip those two and have both LH bats in the line-up and in positions that offer the best defense and where the players are most comfortable?
How about a Joc for Merrifield trade. Insert Whit at 2B and move Muncy to 1B full-time. Who says yes?
Alex Wood is back and starting for the Reds today. Good for him !!
AZL and DSL Rookie League Minor League Update above,
Regarding Lux, I posted this near the end of the previous thread:
“So the Dodgers will soon need someone to back up Corey Seager and Max Muncy in the middle of the infield with Hernandez soon to join Chris Taylor on the shelf. Roberts said that relief will not come in the form of the organization’s No. 1 prospect according to MLB Pipeline, second baseman/shortstop Gavin Lux. Lux owns a 1.476 OPS and has hit eight home runs with Oklahoma City this season.”
“I would say not,” he said. “As with most teams with young players that need at-bats to come here, to not play consistently doesn’t make a whole lot of sense.”
The above comes from this article on the Dodgers website:
https://www.mlb.com/dodgers/news/ross-stripling-biceps-injury
Sounds like Lux is NOT about to be called up.
Thanks AC for the tremendous write up. I gotta say I was surprised that there was a lot more consistent results from last year to this from relievers. Makes me think AF should be very aggressive in picking up a top reliever for us! I also noticed that Joe Kelly was missing from your lists!
Thanks for the homework AC. You’re amazing!
I am all for the Dodgers getting Thor if elite relief options don’t materialize. I know Thor hasn’t consistently dominated like deGrom has, but I think a change of teams and perhaps a fresh perspective with Honeycutt might do him wonders. I think of Thor how I thought of Gerrit Cole; amazing talent that showed flashes but didn’t get to elite level until the trade. Cole on Houston is much better than Cole on Pitt, and I think Thor on LA would be much better than Thor in NY so far.
A playoff rotation of Ryu Buehler Kersh Thor is nasty. A 2020-going forward rotation of Buehler Kersh Thor Urias and hopefully Ryu is electric!
Thor may not be an ace, but he can be a dominating #2, and obviously a filthy 3 or 4. If the upside of Dustin May is a 3, maybe even 2, then I’d send him to NY for Thor, who already is a 3, maybe even a 2, and can help us win it all this season!
Keep hearing Amir Garrett’s name popping up as one of the guys Freidman is after. He would be a great set up guy for us, and wouldn’t really cost alot. I could see Freidman getting him as an under the radar trade, and then get a big fish for the back end of the bullpen.
The fun part watching Smith was the location of the pitches he hit. The first three were outside and he went with the pitch. The last one was low and inside. He hit that one to left. Pretty good plate coverage. It was fun for one day anyway. He really looks quiet behind the plate. I would love to have another Roy Campanella type catcher. Roy is my favorite all time Dodger player. With Penguin a close second.
Nice compilation AC. Relievers, you can’t live without them, and at times you can’t live with them. Reading over that list reminds just how difficult a game baseball is and how difficult it is to sustain success. I heard somewhere that there are more brain surgeons in the USA than there are Major League Baseball players. That puts some perspective on any players performance.
Now that you’ve put together that wonderful summary, please tell me, which of those players will be wearing Dodger blue on Thursday.
As always, AC, great write-up regarding relievers stats. Very thorough and I am sure a lot of work for you. Thank you. Looks like Ryan Moseley is doing ok also.
Question for you, Mark, DC, or 2D2……..what is on the pitcher’s arms when they are in the game? Their arms look wet and shiny. Is it from the heat or something else?
What the heck is with Santana? Another terrible outing.
I think that Dave Roberts put too much pressure on Will D. Smith before the game by anointing him the starting catcher. He might wilt under that pressure… 😉
Just to put it in perspective, if Will does what he is doing over 500 AB’s in a season, he will hit 69 HR and drive in 206. I am all for trading KayBear with that kind of production from Smith. You don’t believe he will slow down… maybe a little? Nah…
It’s sure fun to watch, right about now.
I am sorry that anyone would be disrespecting a player who is trying hard to succeed. But it is clear that sending Barnes to the minors is not the same as send Joc or Puig. Barnes is NOT is a slump, unless you want to say he has slumped 4 of the last 5 years. He had that one good stretch, the league adjusted and he did not.
I wouldnt mind having two quality catchers on the team rather than have one and a backup that bats .220 to play 40 games.
Finally with Hill and Stripling out I wonder if trading for a starter and have Maeda and Urias in the pen would do it.
AC, quite a write-up. Thank you.
You may want to edit your answer of what you expect from Barnes to Smith.
I never have an off day:
https://blog.uswatersystems.com/2019/07/the-best-method-to-treat-surface-water-lakes-and-ponds/
I really like Smith’s swing. Seems to be short and powerful.
Four hypotheses:
1. Is it safe to say that 90% of relievers including closers are failed starters?
2. That they typical have one great pitch they rely on and a secondary pitch that they have less confidence in and few would use a third pitch in a tight situation?
3. If true, that command and control is critical to be a success year in and year out?
4. Relievers are giving up more home runs this year and those runs are hurting them the most rather than small ball rallies?
Wow! That was some coverage. So, my take is that relievers may or may not be fickle. Am I close? 😉