is this what insanity looks like?
When you keep doing the same thing over and over and expect different results, you are a moron... and insane!
Well, the Dodgers acquired the best pitcher in baseball (allegedly), and he sucks... presumably, because the Dodgers are cursed!
Tony Jackson was thankful for a plug for the Substack platform he writes on. He intends to get back into journalism and is on his way. I will likely hook up with him in Glendale next Spring. He did have one take that I am starting to agree with (I wish I wasn't in agreement). Tony said this:
"I think we can forget about a 3-peat. This team is old, tired, and can't hit its way out of a paper bag. If they didn't already have such a big lead with such a short time to go, I'm not sure they would even make the playoffs. Both of their big free-agent signings are a bust; Ohtani is a mental mess at the plate; Mookie is done; Freddie is old. And have you noticed how the Tigers have crept back into playoff contention AFTER the Skubal trade?"
So... is that what is happening to the Dodgers? I think it is happening right before our eyes. Take a look at this chart:
Yet, Mookie continues to hit 5th. Why? Because he is getting paid $30+ million a year and is owed $167 million over the next 6 years. Where a player hits should not be a factor based upon money. It should be based upon merit! Mookie is a stand-up guy and a wonderful teammate, but all accounts, you have to be honest when looking at his decline. It's huge, it's steady, and it doesn't seem likely that it will change. The definition of insanity is doing what you have always done and expecting a different outcome. It ain't happening!
Mookie will have an occasional good game because of his experience, but the results are what you see... and they are likely to get worse. Mookie should hit #9. Sorry, but that's the cold, hard truth. Sadly, Mookie is not the biggest problem. The Dodgers are aging... big time. There are only two guys who destroy the idea that 37 automatically means you're finished:
Chris Sale at 37 is one of the best starting pitchers in baseball.
Aroldis Chapman at 38 is one of baseball's best closers.
Paul Goldschmidt at 38 and Miggy Rojas at 37 are still producing respectable-to-good offense. The 2026 MLB average OPS is roughly .721, so Goldschmidt's .758 is clearly above average, and Rojas' .728 is essentially league average before even considering his defensive/utility value.
What's striking, though, is that pitchers dominate the successful 37+ group. There aren't many position players that old still hitting at a high level.
Freddie Freeman is still productive, but will be 37 on September 12th. I love Freddie Freeman, but I don't want to see him sign another 2-year deal. Decline is absolutely certain. Freddie will be 38-years-old when his deal is up after 2027. To me, it's more important that the Dodgers win than Freddie going into the HOF as a Dodger. Also, Teoscar Hernandez and Kyle Tucker are each playing like a 4th outfielder. Both can be clocked with a sundial in a race and are both subpar defensively. Both are OPSing below .728... yet paid like superstars.
I believe that if you removed Betts, Teoscar, and Tucker from the equation, some mix of the following players would be just as effective... no... MORE EFFECTIVE: DePaula, Sirota, Tibbs III, Davalan, Ehrhard, and Miller.
Max Muncy may have another decent year in him and should be renewed. His contract is very team-friendly. Shohei is also aging... likely he will not pitch many more seasons. The Dodgers are not likely to win again this year UNLESS the pitching is absolutely healthy and they PITCH their way into it. Evan Phillips is rounding into form...
For God's sake, give Wrobo some rest! He is gassed - mentally and physically. He has more innings pitched this year than the last two combined. I'm sure he says he's fine... he's not, and the league is on to him always being in the zone. He needs to evolve... He will be in the rotation next year. Send him to the pen and get him so/me rest!
I think that on September 1st, the Dodgers should call up Josue DePaula and Mike Sirota. Put Alex Call and someone else on waivers. This might be the jolt of youth the Dodgers need.
BA's Latest DODGER'S Top 30
DSL LAD Bautista 5 – DSL Braves 4 – 11 innings
DSL LAD Bautista fell behind early. In the first inning the DSL Braves slugged a 2-run HR for a quick 2-0 lead. In the 2nd there was a BB, and errant pickoff throw and a 2-out single for a 3-0 lead.
The score stayed 3-0 until the bottom of the 8th. 2B Angel Guzman led off with a single. RF Fran-Jean Haseth drew a 1 out BB, as did CF Rubel Arias. 1B Haram Hernandez hit a 2-out bases clearing double (8) to tie the game.
Neither team scored in the 9th or 10th. The DSL Braves got a 2 out single to drive in the free runner in the 11th for a 4-3 lead.
In the 11th, the DSL Braves got a 2-out single to score the free runner.
In the bottom of the 11th, C Oliver Chapman was the free runner. He tried to score from 2nd on a WP but was thrown out at the plate. 3B Jhosman Theran walked and LF Jeibert Rondon was HBP. The runners pulled off a double steal. With 2 outs, SS Ezequiel Melburne singled home 2 for the walkoff win.
· Angel Guzman – 2-3, 1 BB, 1 run
· Ezequiel Melburne – 2-6 1 RBI
· Doubles – Rubel Arias (7), Haram Hernandez (8)
DSL Athletics 15 – DSL LAD Mega 7
DSL LAD Mega scored 1st. In the 2nd, three singles by 3B Luis Tovar, LF Rafy Peguero, and C Jose Rivas scored the game’s 1st run.
The DSL Athletics rolled of 15 unanswered runs until the 8th inning. Tovar, Peguero, 2B Juan Macero, and Rivas all drew leadoff walks, scoring their 2nd run, leaving the bases loaded. 1B Ezequiel Aparicio singled home Peguero. Macero scored on a WP, and the other 2 runners moved up. DH Antoni Urena walked to load the bases. Rivas scored on a groundout. CF Helvin Mendoza singled home Aparicio, and Tovar singled home Urena for the final run.
· CF Helvin Mendoza – 2-5, 1 RBI
· 3B Luis Tovar – 3-3, 2 BB, 2 runs, 1 RBI
· LF Rafy Peguero – 2-4, 1 BB, 1 run
· 1B Ezequiel Aparicio – 2-4, 1 BB, 1 run
· SS Luis Luna – double (15)
Discussion (13)
Disagree, not disagreeable
Lets keep things in perspective. We have a BETTER record at this point this year than we did the previous 2. Ill take my chances with this group. Snellzilla tonight!
Nick Perez at #18 seems high
What Mookie has done as a Dodger can not be overstated. He's been a great teammate, represented the team and the city of LA well and has brought three WS championships.... but oh that contract. Six more years! I think we all knew it would age poorly and would be OK if maybe the last two years were bad, but 6-7 years of poor performance is what it looks like. Perhaps AF should have tried the "Tucker" model. Fewer years with a higher AAV. AF has recognized the team needs to get younger and has tried. Miguel Vargas didn't perform well, Kim and Freeland were given "runways"but to this point haven't played to a level that warrants a big league roster spot. Bobby Miller was a failure. Sheehan = meh. Daulton Rushing has graduated to the big leagues and will stay along with Wrobo. Tucker wasn't needed and Teo never deserved the third year when he re-signed two years ago. Win the WS or naught this year AF will go young(er) next year.... he has to. I think he should trade Teo and open the LF and 2B positions to an "open competition." Let the likes of Edman, Davalan, Sirota, JDP, Kim, Tibbs, Ehrhard and maybe others compete in ST and the top two performers get the job at either position. Young, exciting athleticism must be inserted into the line-up. Purge the roster with the likes of Keekay and Miggy Ro retiring/not re-signed and commit to getting younger through attrition and trades. When you watch Corbin Carroll, Bobby Witt Jr, you can plainly see the Dodgers have to get faster. The last two years have been a fantastic time to be a Dodger fan. I still think we can turn this around (just two weeks ago we had the best record in baseball) but whatever happens this year whether it's a parade down Figeroua Ave or an early and unceremonious exit from the post season, the team will be different next year, assuming there is baseball next year. Go Dodgers!!!
“Dave Roberts says that Tyler Glasnow hopefully needs 3 more rehab starts before he re-joins the Dodgers.”
I would hit Mookie 8th until Will Smith returns. At that point 9th. I don’t think Doc has the balls to do it.
I completely agree with you, but I doubt Betts will bat ninth; Freeman will almost certainly get another contract with the Dodgers, just like Muncy, and Teo will remain in left field next season. I just don't see how, when, or where the Dodgers will begin that much-discussed "getting younger" process.