Well, if you never expected the Dodgers to trade for Manny, like me, then how in the heck do we know what to expect next? Just when you think you have FAZ figured out…. BOOM! You don’t! Roger Askew said it best:
Still going to go on record that with the Machado trade, FAZ is signaling that they are all in for this year, DO NOT underestimate FAZ and their ability to make chicken salad out of chicken sh&%%t. They are not done. Unfortunately the next couple of moves might be the existing guys on the roster to upgrade the bullpen in a big way. Some of my favorite players might be on the move, but as Uncle Ned says, some of the best trades are ones that sting both sides. I can handle that.
It’s really funny to me that the FAZ-Bashers have very little to say about the Manny Machado acquisition. Well, some say they gave up too much… Yawn! Yes they gave up a lot, but they have a lot of those types of players because of their immense depth. Oh, they also don’t believe the Dodgers have “depth.” FAZ took a few players, maybe one who could be a star, and turned that into a “superstar” and they only gave up one top prospect. I hope all the players the Dodgers traded make it big. And, after the Dodgers go get Manny, you have people writing stuff like this:
My main issue with Friedman and the moneyball game is their lack of respect for pitching in general, specifically starting pitching. Simply put the front office just doesn’t value pitching at all continuing to sign injury riddled pitchers or castoff relievers.
Wow! Are you kidding me? I thought the guy who wrote it was smarter than that. The Dodgers are #3 in MLB in team ERA and #2 in Starter ERA. Last year, they were #1 in Starter ERA. In 2017, they were #4 in bullpen ERA and this year they are currently #13, which is why they will do something to strengthen the bullpen, if possible. Also, show me any pitching staff and I’ll show you “injury-riddled,” except the Astros (more about that later).
The Astros are #1 in Starting pitching… so far! Houston has only used 5 starters this year. They are almost all on track for over 200 IP. How do you think that is going to end up? Do you think that will carry on all year? You heard it here first: they will not keep up that incredible pace, because they have some “injury riddled” pitchers on their team too. They have been very lucky… so far, but it’s how you end up that counts.
On the other side of the coin, the Dodgers have used 11 starters this year and not one has pitched as many innings as the Astros #5 starter. Like it or not, baseball is changing and not many pitchers are going to pitch 7-8 innings, but here’s the upshot: Come October, the Dodgers staff will be fresh. Can other teams say the same thing?
More Trades
Roger Askew said it, he meant it and he’s here to represent it! I also think that FAZ will acquire another reliever or two, but if Urias and Ryu come back (and there is every indicxation they are), another bullpen arm may be redundant. Wood and Maeda in the pen would be awesome, but one (or both) may balk at it. That’s why I think Wood or Maeda could be traded. So could Yasiel Puig, Joc Pederson, Pedro Baez, Andrew Toles, Logan Forsythe and/or Chris Taylor. They all won’t be traded but two or three could.
Andrew Toles, Alex Verdugo and Joc Pederson are three very different players, but all are LH and two of them may be redundant… at least one is, but Verdugo is not going to be traded. One… or both of the others could. Alex Wood won’t want to go to the bullpen because it can potentially cost him $10’s of millions of dollars. I like Alex and I don’t blame him, so he could get traded. So, could Puig and Taylor. Logan Forsythe is a given, but depending upon who gets traded, he might be needed. Everyone think Charlie Culberson was so great, but did he get more than two hits last year? It’s still how you finish.
If another team needs a shortstop or CF, Chris Taylor could be the man… and he would bring a nice haul. If you think that soulds crazy, look at this lineup without CT3:
- Verdugo RF – (L)
- Turner 3B – (R)
- Muncy 1B (L)
- Manny SS – (R)
- Bellinger CF – (L)
- Kemp LF – (R)
- Grandal C – (L/R)
- Kike 2B (R)
I love a L-R-L-R matchup all through the lineup. Verdugo gets on and the rest of the lineup are 20+ HR hitters. Now, I like CT3 a lot and think he will return to last years’ form, so trading him is unlikely, but the point is: you have to “match up” with other teams in trades. You just can’t say “Trade Puig to the Marlins.” You can’t impose your will on the Marlins. What do they want? What players do they value? You have to matchup with the teams needs. I am sure the Orioles started by asking for Buehler and Verdugo… everyone does, but the Dodgers were about to match their needs with sheer depth. If the Dodgers are going to match up with another team or teams for a reliever, they are going to have to be flexible with what they are willing to do and who they are willing to trade. One team may value CT3 over Puig or one may want Joc or Toles or maybe they just want prospects. The thing is: the Dodgers depth gives them a lot of options. Stay tuned! There’s more to come.
Manny in 2019 and Beyond
The same people who didn’t believe they would trade for Manny Machado are now saying they won’t sign him long term. Here is what they do not understand: FAZ has never had the opportunity to sign a 26-year old Superstar. The deals they did not make were with players who were in their early 30’s, which is why they have no interest in DeGrom. I think the Dodgers will try and sign Manny long-term, regardless of what happens this season. But, FAZ is going for it this season, they will keep under the luxury tax, so that is an issue… but it’s not an insurmountable issue. I think the odds of Manny being a Dodger for the next ten years are very good.
The Dodgers Didn’t Come This Far, Just to Come This Far!
Forget about trading Matt Kemp – he will be in LF another year!
I am headed to Milwaukee on Saturday to see Manny “up close and personal.” We have seats 8-rows behind the Dodger dugout.
Discussion (56)
Disagree, not disagreeable
Here’s an excerpt from an article in the NY Post about today’s baseball:
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“To that end, June 24 may have provided the most telling game and broadcast of the season, if not the era. It was the clincher, the one containing indisputable evidence that The Game has lost its heart, soul, good senses and mind.
On SNY, Ron Darling watched the Mets play more fundamentally bereft and bullpen-senseless losing baseball, an 11-inning game of modern home-run-or-whiff ball against the home-run-or-whiff Dodgers. With both teams pulling effective relievers as if they’d arrived at their one-station stops, 14 pitchers appeared.
Darling: “It seems teams now try to win games through some math algorithms in real time, when the game is calling for you to do something to win the ballgame.”
Or, as the long-ago radio comic Fred Allen said, “The only thing I know about algebra is that X equals my old man’s signature.”
And it was Darling who last season said what logical fans have for years been saying to one another: “They pay the big money to the starters, then expect the relievers to win the games.”
June 24’s game presented final, indisputable evidence of a game in needless free fall. In the bottom of the 10th, the Mets had a runner on first, no out. Next, even against a radical shift, Dominic Smith, 11th overall pick in the 2013 draft, didn’t try to bunt the runner over, perhaps even for a hit. Instead, he struck out on three pitches.
Afterward, Mickey Callaway offered both a stunning — or was it? — explanation and indictment: Smith had “never bunted in his professional career.”
At the All-Star break, the Yankees have proven that a team can be competitive playing one-trick, home-run-or-whiff ball because most everyone else does, except with fewer, less-expensive sluggers in mostly larger parks.
At the break, the Yanks had 821 hits. But as MLB concludes its likely first-ever season with more strikeouts than hits, the Yanks had 866 strikeouts. Consider: The 1978 World Series champion Yanks finished the regular season with 100 wins and only 695 K’s.
Modern slugger/superstar Aaron Judge, in roughly two full seasons, has struck out 382 times. In 13 seasons Joe DiMaggio struck out 369 times. In 18 seasons, Yogi Berra never struck out more than 38 times.
And Bryce Harper, this season with 102 strikeouts and 70 hits — and a career disinclination to run to first base — is the new standard in must-get, mega-millions superstardom.
But we’re not going to abandon the game we love. With all the millions spent for fourth and fifth starters and .235 batters, money should not preclude the cure. Thus we propose:
MLB teams’ Directors of Bunting, Shift-Defeating and Opposite Field Hitting. That could cause a significant swing in wins over losses, no?
From there, who knows? Directors of Running To First Base (with video case-studies of why it’s important). Catching With Both Hands coaches. Directors of Allowing Effective Relievers to Pitch a Second Inning. Instructors of Base Runners Noting Where Outfielders Are Positioned.”
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I couldn’t agree more.
Have a season, gavin lux. Now batting .324.
Below is a good article on the consensus of baseball pundits with knowledge of the Dodgers prospects dealt to Baltimore.
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http://dodgersdigest.com/2018/07/19/reactions-to-dodgers-trading-for-manny-machado-seem-to-have-reached-a-consensus/
They need to find a way to get Forsythe off this team!
They didn’t hesitate to drop Crawford, for a whole lot of more money then Forsythe is making.
We don’t need five players that can play second base, on the roster, especially a player that hits lower then 200 against righties, and not much better, against lefties.
Damn!! Love me some Toles…
I have been on the DeGrom bandwagon from the beginning, he is 30 years old like Kershaw, and will be an FA after 2020. Having DeGrom will give the Dodgers a solid rotation for the final 2 months, and hopefully into the playoffs. Kershaw, DeGrom, Buehler, Stripling, Ryu( maybe ) with Maeda, and Hill out of the pen. I’m sure Wood would be used in a trade.
If Kershaw opts- out or stays DeGrom will be a great insurance.
Passan on the Padres/Indians deal:
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This is my 15th year covering baseball. Can’t remember a playoff field as stacked as the AL’s is going to be this season. Giving Terry Francona, the game’s best bullpen manager, Miller, Allen, Hand, Cimber (and Carrasco?) is frightening. Especially since Red Sox and Yankees will be fighting to avoid the wild-card spot and the Astros may push all-in for home-field advantage. The Indians, meanwhile, will cruise to Central title and can manage their starters’ innings and bullpen’s appearances. In great position for playoffs.
Also scary: the Padres’ farm system. Tatis, Gore, Urias, Paddack, Morejon, Baez, Ruiz, Ornelas, Allen, Nix, Rosario, Naylor, Potts, Espinoza. Add Francisco Mejia, who’s got a star-level bat. That’s at least 15 Top 100-type talents, and they’re loaded with young Latin players. Was talking with a longtime evaluator a few days ago, and he thinks the Padres are the greatest threat to the Dodgers. “Tatis and Urias up the middle with Margot. An entirely new rotation. Sign a guy or two beyond Hosmer and Myers and they’re a contender.”
Toles sent down. To me Hes trade bait at this point.
Brandon Morrow is heading to the 10-day DL with right biceps inflammation, retroactive to July 16.
For all the FAZ bashers who roasted them for not paying Morrow what he wanted, the Cubs just put him back on the DL for right elbow inflammation. Hmmm..
I watched a video of Joe Davis and Doc doing a Q & A. Some fans brought up that if the Dodgers have 8 starters healthy in the playoffs, that they pair them up:
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Game 1 – Kershaw and Maeda
Game 2 – Buehler and Wood
Game 3 – Stripling and Hill
Game 4 – Ryu and Urias
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Also, you have 4 or 5 more power relievers to fill-in when needed. If the starter begins to faulter after 4, 5 or 6, the second starter comes in and pitches 2 or 3 innings.
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Doc said that had merit and I think it does too. That is essentially what the Astros did in the WS.
I think this team… constructed as it is today without any additional changes can definitely hold off Arizona for first place and probably edge out the Cubs, Brewers, Braves, or Phillies in a playoff series… but that’s not what concerns me.
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What wakes me up in the middle of the night in a cold sweat is the thought of this current pitching staff (especially the bullpen) going against the Astros, Red Sox, or Yankees in the World Series.
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There’s just too many questions marks with our starters right now. Will Kersh’s body hold up through October? Will Hill’s blister issue come back? Will Buehler hit the proverbial rookie wall? Did we just see what Chicken Strip looks like under pressure in the ASG?
How often will our starters be able to give us 7 strong innings… allowing 3 runs or less?
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Maeda will definitely be a boost to the middle relief… but who else can we trust in the late innings against the best hitting teams in the league?
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Let’s hope that Zaidi and Friedman have a few more tricks up their sleeves. Would love to get BearClaw from Miami and Iglesias from the Reds.
Francisco Mejía was the #15 Top Prospect and the #1 Catching Prospect. After catching almost exclusively during his first four seasons, Mejia spent the entire AFL working at third base and then split time between the outfield and catcher in 2018 . The fact is, many scouts do not consider him a catcher, nor do I.
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The closest prospect the Dodgers have to Mejia is Alex Verdugo at #27, but I would not trade him to the Padres and have to face him 20 times a year! NO WAY! Just my take.
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KayBear Ruiz is now the #1 Rated Catching Prospect in the minors… if Mejia is promoted. Will Smith will be #6!
FYI, Manny will wear #8 in LA (the new Killer Tomato?)
I am surprised FAZ went out and made the trade for Machado, and the cost of doing that is the cost. If the Dodgers want to sign Machado to a long-term contract, it will be interesting to see how they handle both Seager and Machado, and maybe even Turner. For now how about 1 or 2 good bullpen pitchers.
No matter how motivated he is, Kershaw “delivering his best stuff ever this post season” is more a function of what his body will allow than any sort of internal motivation.
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Jacob deGrom is 30, and if memory serves, he cannot be a free agent until after the 2020 season. I he’s attainable at a price that makes sense to the Dodgers, then I don’t see any reason why the Dodgers wouldn’t be interested. If obtained by the Dodgers he would be with them in his age 30, 31 and 32 years. I don’t like signing pitchers to long term deals once they’re in their 30’s, but 32 is not all that old. After 2020 the Dodgers could then decide to extend him or not. Anyone on this site who is in favor of extending Kershaw long-term should realize that deGrom is a few months younger, and might be at this stage the better pitcher.
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I realize the Dodgers need bullpen arms, but trading for deGrom wouldn’t necessarily rule that out, and at the very least it might enable them to transition at least one of their starters to the pen. Both the added offense with Manny and the quality innings provided by a pitcher like deGrom, would in themselves take a lot of the pressure off of our pen.
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I’m not suggesting that I think the Dodgers would be willing to pay the price for deGrom, but I don’t think it should be ruled out, and neither do I think that deGrom being 30 should be an issue. I think 2.5 years of deGrom could be of value to the Dodgers, and could, in fact, enable them to let loose of Kershaw and his $35 million annual salary, that could be put to better use elsewhere. And he was signed for $7.4 million for this entire year, which means his current pro-rated salary for the remainder of this year would not put the Dodgers over the CBT.
It would definitely be stupid not to keep Machado now that he’s here. Fans would be angrier than Trumpets at a diversity rally.
Quasimodo
I like what you’re drinking! You are always so upbeat. Your glass is never half empty it is always completely full! So Cheers my friend! To a happy and joyful playoff run all the way to hoisting the World Series Championship Trophy!
This may be Kershaw’s final season as a Dodger. I can see him opting out of his contract if Dodgers win the World Series. Not to play for an outbidding team but to retire. He’s not in it for just the money and I’m sure the World Series is #1 on his career bucket list. I look at it like he’s already got the perfect game under his belt as it was the most perfect no hitter anybody has seen aside from an earlier shortstop Manny’s error. My money is on Kershaw delivering his best stuff ever this post season and with a little help from his friends 2018 is all ours! CHEERS!
Smart trade for sd. Young premium talent is everything. Very aggressive move by Cleveland. Let the trading season commence!
With Manny now on board, there are three places in the lineup I would not change:
#2- Muncy
#3- Manny
#4- Kemp
The Pads just traded Brad Hand (and RHRP Adam Cimber) to Cleveland for Francisco Mejia. Cleveland has 2 good catchers and they had a tough time finding a spot for Mejia so it absolutely makes sense for them. But the Pads? They must not think much of Austin Hedges. I would think they would have gone after top starting pitching. This now gives the Pads 10 top 100 prospects.
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That probably takes Kirby Yates off the market as well.
I hope we can sign Manny to a long term deal but I have my doubts as he has said, he wants to play SS. Whst happens to Seager next year??
From the Associated Press:
“I love playing short. I mean, I love it,”I’m more excited playing shortstop than I’ve ever been. I’m more into the game. This is where I’ve always wanted to be, this is what brings the best player out of me.”
Hand to Cleveland.
I pushed for Manny and 2 high end high leverage relievers, and never thought that FAZ would pull the trigger on any of those. I thought the big haul might be Adam Conley and Jared Hughes, but was inclined to think that FAZ was going to stick with Floro and Rosscup as the relievers. I was wrong about FAZ acquiring Manny, and I now believe I will be wrong about the potential relievers. It may still be Conley and Hughes, but it will be because that is who FAZ wants rather than what they are settling for. I trust their scouts more than my research.
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The Dodgers are currently projected to be $4.143M under the luxury tax threshold. They can pick up another $1M by reducing the number of projected starts by Maeda. He is on pace for 27 starts and if they keep it at 24, the Dodgers save $1M. He is on pace for 146 IP, and if that gets cut by 7 innings then the Dodgers save $250K, and would save $500K if they cut the number of innings by 17 (or 3 starts). FAZ should be able to pick up $1M to $1.5M.
Forget Zach Britton (I know I am under selling FAZ yet again). His contract is $12M, and the prorated share would take the Dodgers over the threshold. But he is probably the one reliever not in play. Of course there is always the three team trade scenario where someone takes a Dodger vet.
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Miami:
Kyle Barraclough – $1.113M – FA 2022
Adam Conley – $545K – FA 2022
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Texas:
Keone Kela – $1.2M – FA 2022
Jose Leclerc – $545K – FA 2023
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Reds:
Raisel Iglesias – $5.214M – FA 2021
Jared Hughes – $2.125M – Option 2020 ($250K buyout)
David Hernandez – $2.5M – FA 2020
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Pittsburgh:
Felipe Vazquez – $5.5M – 2022/2023 team options
Kyle Crick – $545K – FA 2024
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Angels:
Keynan Middleton – $551K – FA 2024
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A’s:
Lou Trivino – $545K – FA 2024
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Padres:
Kirby Yates – 1.0625M – FA 2021
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Mets:
Jeurys Familia – $7.925M – Rental
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The Pads are not going to trade Brad Hand to the Dodgers, so my first choice is Barraclough, but the prospect cost will undoubtedly be high. My second choice would be Texas’ Keone Kela. My third choice would be Familia who was absolutely untouchable in the 2015 post season…12G, 14.2 IP, 5 Hits, 1 Run, 2 walks, 9 K’s… .102/.137/.163/.301. One of those 3 and then a secondary solid reliever will go a long way. My choices…Kirby Yates, Lou Trivino, Kyle Crick.
Some interesting stats on Manny.
.280 vs LHP
.328 vs RHP
.371 vs late @ close
.352 vs runners in scoring position
.323 vs RISP and 2 out
and on and on. Wow
Harold Reynolds has to be the dumbest person on the MLB network station. He said he needed MLB players coming back in this trade. Baltimore is not going to win this year Harold, wouldn’t you want players that are going to help you in the future. I do think the Dodgers got the better of the deal but maybe two or three of these guys might develop into something pretty special in a few years. Mannywood is back.
If we thought yesterday was fun, wait until we see what the next 12 days has in store for us! We have a crazy next 3 weeks of games coming up, but if we can get thru that in good shape, it’ll bode really well for the final stretch.
Manny adds a real hitter to the lineup, someone that isn’t feast or famine. Our offense is now prolific. The team right now is built for this offense to carry us. Add a nice 8th inning piece, or an ace (very unlikely), and we’re set for October.
Cannot wait until tomorrow, and cannot wait to see how AZ and the rest counter our move!
Taylor market:
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As for the Brewers, they’ve previously been said to be among the most aggressive suitors, but right-hander Corbin Burnes, one of the Orioles’ targets, could prove to be a sticking point in those talks. Tom Haudircourt of the Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel took a lengthy look at the fit between the Brewers and Machado earlier today, calling him an “absolutely perfect” fit given the team’s deficiencies in the lineup — particularly at shortstop. Milwaukee, according to Haudricourt, still views struggling Orlando Arcia as its shortstop in 2019 and beyond, but Machado would give them a potentially overpowering top of the order, joining Lorenzo Cain, Christian Yelich, Jesus Aguilar, Travis Shaw and Eric Thames/Ryan Braun.
Next Season:
1. Verdugo RF
2. Seager 1B
3. Machado SS
4. Bellinger CF
5. Turner 3B
6. Kemp LF
7. Muncy DH
8. Hernandez 2B
9. Smith C
The market for Machado is the market for shortstops. Philadelphia might want Taylor. Might Taylor who is still cheap and controllable get from the Phillies what they were offering for Machado? Whatever they might get from the Phillies would be part of a three team trade for a top reliever, no?
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I would include Puig in the list of lefties (Joc, Toles, Verdugo) due to his reverse splits.
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Left side power: Seager, Muncey, Pederson, Bellinger.
Right side power: Manny, Kemp, Turner.
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Prediction: Puig and Taylor will be traded.