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Kike Hernandez

187 posts

The Dodgers Get their Heart and Soul Back

If you think that Kike Hernandez is “ just another poor hitting utility player ” you may suffer from the same malady Kike did the first half of last season: LACK OF VISION . Kike hit .191 in the first half of 2024, and during that time, he had a conversation with Martin…

By Mark Timmons · February 10, 202555

The Dodger's Prospect Machine

This time last year, Baseball America ranked the Dodgers Prospects like this: Dalton Rushing – C Andy Pages – OF (Graduated) Gavin Stone – RHP (Graduated) Nick Frasso – RHP Josue DePaula – OF Kyle Hurt – RHP River Ryan – RHP Diego Cartaya – C (Traded) Jackson Ferris – LHP Maddux…

By Mark Timmons · January 29, 202551

Dear Mr. Friedman,

I realize that in your tenure as President of Dodger baseball, the LA Dodgers have the best winning percentage of any MLB team and that the organization is the envy of all other teams. In short, the Dodgers are the model organization. I understand that and am even amazed at the…

By Mark Timmons · June 5, 202474

Who Stays and Who Goes”?

There are thirteen pitchers who love Austin Barnes . He is an “on-the-field-pitching coach.” He is not going anywhere, so get that out of your mind. Hunter Feduccia, who happens to be LH, may or may not be a better hitter, and maybe his arm is slightly better, but he is no…

By Mark Timmons · May 28, 202490

Why Platoons?

I know that many of you hate platoons, but I am down with that. You want to see the best players in there every day (or at least, your idea of the best players). The problem is this: the best hitter against many left-handed pitchers is not a left-handed hitter. Sabermetrics and…

By Mark Timmons · May 6, 202443

Everyone Hits, or Nobody Hits

Of course, that is a generalization that is not always true, but it is true enough of the time that I am concerned. Last night, the Dodgers scored 11 runs on 20 hits. Betts and Smith had 4 hits each, while Ohtani and Pages had 3 each. Muncy and Lux had two each. It was quite an…

By Mark Timmons · April 25, 202444

Is SS a Problem?

As we speak, Mookie Betts is listed as the Dodger’s starting shortstop, but against tough LHP he slides over to 2B, as Gavin Lux is deemed a liability against lefties and Miguel Rojas plays SS. Miguel still plays SS at a very high level and he does hit LHP better than RHP as a…

By Mark Timmons · April 12, 202463

Outman & Kike – Dodger Centerfielders

I took a lot of flack last season because of James Outman. Much of it came from Eric, who disappeared this year when the going got tough for James. Eric evidently can dish it out, but he can’t take it! I sometimes think he loves James Outman more than the Dodgers. He also seems…

By Mark Timmons · April 9, 202448

Keeping it Real

If Mookie Betts hits .520 this year, the Dodgers will have no worries. Actually, the TOP SIX of the Dodgers batting order are delivering at a rate that is scary. It’s the BOTTOM THREE that are also scary: Chris Taylor has 1 hit in 9 ABs and has struck out 5 times – BA – .111…

By Mark Timmons · April 2, 202463

The Key to the Dodgers Offense

Everyone thinks that Mookie Betts, Shohei Ohtani, and Freddie Freeman are the key to the Dodgers’ offensive success in 2024. I beg to differ. Of course, the Dodgers need the three former MVPs to step up and do what they do, but there are a few other players who could also be the…

By Mark Timmons · March 26, 202439

Is Austin Barnes as Bad as You Think?

I am just going to jump right into this one: In 2023, the best Caught Stealing Rate by Catchers was +9. That means that the best catcher was good for +9 Runs Over League Average. Will Smith was -1 Run Below Average and Austin Barnes was -4 Runs Below League Average. If Austin…

By Mark Timmons · March 17, 202470

Just Don't Call it a Platoon

Normally signing a utilityman to a $4 Million Dollar Deal is not newsworthy… unless you trade Manual Margot, who was making $10 Million along with Rayne Doncon for another prospect, namely Noah Miller, who is a true shortstop. Baseball America rated him as Minnesota’s #24…

By Mark Timmons · February 27, 202432

What Now?

With the Dodgers no longer in the market for a Designated Hitter, I am sure that the Giants and Diamondbacks will be looking at JD Martinez and Justin Turner, and I would not be surprised to see both in the NL West next year. Also, with Ohtani in the fold, look for the Dodgers…

By Mark Timmons · December 11, 202382

Rants & Raves

I keep hearing Dodger fans begging for Jordon Montgomery. Do they even realize he is a #3 starter… at best? Come on, man! Someone is going to give him about $170 Million, and I hope it is not the Dodgers. I’ll take Imanaga for $80 Million, please! Maybe the MLB needs to do what…

By Mark Timmons · December 8, 202377

Rumors Upon Rumors

I heard some commentators on MLB.Radio suggesting that the Dodgers may hit Ohtani with a deal like this: 2023: $45 Million 2024: $50 Million as long as he pitched a certain number of innings 2025: $55 Million with a higher number of innings and an opt-out You could continue on…

By Mark Timmons · December 2, 202389

Shohei Ohtani and Nincompoops

Why Shohei Ohtani is not Coming to the Dodgers It is fun to think about Ohtani in the Dodgers lineup. There is a lot of talk about marketing opportunities, reaching the Japanese population, and jersey sales. However, let us not forget that the Dodgers put more butts in seats…

By Mark Timmons · November 4, 202347

2023 – 1988: Back to the Future!

In 1988, the Dodgers had the Stuntmen, but in 2023, they have a team of stuntmen (thanks to Bill Plaschke for that). In 2022, the Dodgers had players who felt they had a pedigree… that they were Bluebloods. In 2023, it’s clear that these guys are really junkyard dogs. Boston…

By Mark Timmons · October 7, 202368

The Gig is Up!

After 11 wins in a row, the Dodgers were beaten like rented mules! Sadly, ‘er, I mean happily, I missed it all. Yesterday morning, I had my second eye surgery – this time on my right eye. The left one was two weeks ago. I not only had the cataracts removed (wow! The colors are…

By Mark Timmons · August 19, 2023109

What Do The Dodgers Know That We Don't?

At the trade deadline, Dodger fans were generally underwhelmed by the acquisitions of Kike Hernandez, Amed Rosario, Joe Kelly, Lance Lynn, and Ryan Yarbrough. I have opted not to copy and paste what many of you said about the players Andrew Friedman and Brandon Gomes acquired at…

By Mark Timmons · August 13, 202374

Is Kike Coming Back?

Many people have scoffed at the idea that Kike Hernandez might return to the Dodgers. He will be 32 next month and is in the midst of what may be his worst season. He has a -0.6 WAR and is OPS’ing .599. However, if you look beyond the obvious, maybe he makes too much sense to…

By Mark Timmons · July 25, 2023118

The Lost Angeles Doggers

Yesterday was one of the most embarrassing losses that the Lost Angeles Doggers have ever experienced. A 13-0 One-Hitter which really should have been a perfect game. To say it was an ugly game would have meant being extremely kind to ugly. To add insult to injury, former Dodger…

By Mark Timmons · April 22, 2023110

Gut the Farm… or Not?

If I knew that I had three months to live, I would root for Andrew Friedman to trade as many prospects as possible in order to win the World Series. Of course, only the good die young, so I will live to be 126 years old! Shoot, I’d tell Andrew Friedman to trade for David Bednar…

By Mark Timmons · July 27, 202264

The Torch Has Been Passed

Who doesn’t like to be around a guy who always smiles, never complains, and is just a fun and outgoing person? The Dodgers had that guy from 2015 until 2020, when they won the World Series. He was the “Banana Man” – namely Kike Hernandez! The Dodgers have a history of having…

By Mark Timmons · April 25, 202249

Utility Player

Chris Taylor Jim Gilliam I got to thinking about this since I have had a couple of spirited discussions with a friend of mine on another site. Today it seems to be the definition has changed some. I am beginning to believe there is no such thing as a pure utility player anymore…

By Michael "Bear" Norris · November 26, 202135