If you are expecting the Logan Forsythe of 2015 or 2016 to show up for the Dodgers, you may be shocked to know that I do not think he will be that guy again. In 2015, Logan Forsythe hit .281 with a .359 OB% and a .804 OPS. He followed that up with .264/.333/.778 in 2016. Don’t expect those kinds of numbers again!
Actually, I think he will do even better in 2017! Is that based upon wishful thinking? Of course… among other things. Other things, being (1) more experience, (2) a better team and (3) something to really play for (a Championship). Logan Forsythe has shown that he is a student of the game – a real gamer – whom I expect to get even better than he currently is. I see Logan Forsythe as a Ben Zobrist-type player –Not everything he does shows up in the boxscore.
For the record, I see Logan Forsythe as being the Dodger’s Sparkplug! I see him putting up a BA of .270-.290 and an OB% of .350+. I don;t think you will see 20 HR from him – something more like 12 would be what I would expect. The Dodgers need for him to get on base and I believe he can cut down on his swing to get a higher BA and OB%. He was on a bad team last year and took some shots (swinging for the fences) that I doubt he would do on this team. I am sure Dave Roberts has his ear – he’s not a burner, but he’s solid and I look for big things from him at 2B this year.
Last year, he had Kevin Kiermaier (.246), Brad Miller (.243) and Logan Morrison (.238) hitting behind him. This year, he could have Andre Ethier, Corey Seager, Joc Pederson or Yasiel Puig in that spot. Maybe even Justin Turner at times. That alone should make him a better hitter. You can look at his stats, but there are no stats with him hitting in the Dodgers lineup.
Then there are the intangibles…
Other Stuff:
- I don’t believe in the Chris Carter rumors, unless they just want to use him as a pinch hitter.
- Then, there is always the possibility of trading some vet pitching and hitting – now or in Spring Training or at the deadline.
- 8 Days Until Spring Training!
- Today’s photo is Derek Lowe signing an autograph for my son in Vero Beach.
UPDATE:
ESPN OnLine Rated each Teams Offseasons and the Dodgers tied with the best offseason with an A with the White Sox and Red Sox. The Cub and the Giants were rated a B- and if you wonder why they did not sign Romo (other than the fact he wanted to come home to LA) read this:
The Giants’ top priority was to land one of the top three closers on the market, and they got Melancon for four years and $62 million. The problem with the contract they gave Melancon is that it tapped out their budget, so they couldn’t address other team needs, including an upgrade in left field and the bullpen handing off to Melancon.
Discussion (15)
Disagree, not disagreeable
… and wait until you read tomorrow’s blog!
PECOTA likes the Dodgers to finish 1st in wins in MLB (98). But PECOTA has picked them to finish 1st 5 years in a row – and that didn’t happen. The last time the Dodgers finished 1st in wins was ——–1974.
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http://www.truebluela.com/2017/2/7/14533086/pecota-projections-2017-dodgers-best-record-in-mlb-again
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The Cubs are only supposed to win 91 after winning 103 last year. That doesn’t add up, does it?
The Dodgers are 10-12 deep in starting pitching which could cause them to move way up in the rotation rankings by year end… especially if other teams have injuries and you know they will!
Two players a lot of fans are down on are Pedro Baez and Chris Hatcher. Both have very live arms and can throw 97-99 MPH. Sometimes the light just goes on and these guys develop another pitch… or not… or get some movement… or not! At any rate, I am sure that the Dodgers are working and will be working in Spring Training with the Human Rain Delay on pitching faster. If I were the Dodgers, I would tell Baez that he just has to throw what Grandal says – get on the mound and pitch! Mark Buehrle, who was almost a “quick-pitch artist” said that he never shook off the catcher. Baez just needs to pitch quick. Quit thinking and throw the damn ball!
Below the Cubs and above the Giants. Imagine that!
Dodgers’ rotation picked as 6th by USA Today
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http://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/ftw/2017/02/07/all-30-mlb-teams-starting-rotations-ranked/97591156/
Romo’s career WHIP is 0.955, making him one of five active pitchers (with a minimum of 300 innings) with a WHIP under one. That’s not much to sniff at.
KNBR actually predicted he would stay with the Giants: http://www.knbr.com/2016/10/12/giants-free-agency-outlook-whos-staying-whos-leaving/
I doubt that the Dodgers will have just one set-up man. Romo, Liberatore, Dayton, Baez, Hatcher, McCarthy, Fields and Wood are candidates.
I live in Northern California. The Giants made no secret that they weren’t going to resign any of their former bullpen mainstays (Casilla, Romo or Lopez). Casilla is now with the A’s; Lopez has allegedly retired.
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There was never a chance that they would resign Romo – they didn’t try and it was the team’s opinion that after last year’s bullpen debacle that they wanted to tear the pen down and start over.
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http://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/mlb/2016/10/12/giants-bullpen-nlds-meltdown-cubs-rally/91932654/
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I am hopeful that Forsyth is just the kind of player that the Dodgers need. I also believe that he will have a solid season and improve the infield and lineup.
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Romo, at this point in his career has an 86 MPH fastball and throws his slider 60%+ of the time. He has become essentially a right-handed specialist. I expect that Roberts will not use him as an 8th inning guy against all comers but against righty hitters, especially against hitter who don’t hit breaking balls well.
Update above!
On the last post: I read that 162 innings is the minimum a pitcher must pitch to qualify for the ERA title. That is probably the most realistic mark for today’s starters. Except for the horses like Kershaw, Cueto, Verlander. I guess the goal is to find more of those guys. But 162 innings is about all we can expect today. 30 starts X 6 innings each about gets us there. On Forsythe: He’s a capable guy. I hope expectations don’t grind him down. Roberts will have to take care of that. We tend to forget how great a manager he was and is. He is probably our greatest asset.