This is a game that the Dodgers did not lose, but the Twins won. And there is a difference. Once again, defense plays a big part in the Wednesday loss by the Dodgers. It is not always the errors that make the difference, but it is the outstanding defensive plays like a throw from C Christian Vázquez to Carlos Correa to 2nd to get James Outman’s SB attempt, or the throw from Alex Kiriloff, to Carlos Correa, to Christian Vázquez to get Shohei Ohtani at the plate. Good for the Twins. I like watching good defense.
Bobby Miller was not very good for this 2nd consecutive game. Although he grinded through 4.0 innings. Bobby is not ready to assume the mantle of Ace in Waiting. Going back to last year, it very well could be that his game against St. Louis is the outlier.
I know there has been a lot of discussion about the Dodgers need for a SS. I have certainly joined in that conversation, and I remain on the side that the team needs a SS at the level they formerly had in Corey Seager and Trea Turner.
Most of the discussion has centered on Willy Adames. We know that AF certainly favors Adames, and he could very well be a trade deadline option. Adames would not be my first choice (or second or probably third). But Adames at SS and Mookie at 2B is a better defensive alignment than Mookie at SS and Gavin Lux at 2B. Lux is going to have to show a much better bat so that this will not be a real consideration in July. Remember it is not for the 162, but for the playoffs. Their defensive alignment is just fine for the 162.
Some have suggested the Pirates’ Alika Williams. Williams, a former first round pick of Tampa Bay, who is a slick fielding SS but very questionable bat. Well the Dodgers already have one of those. Miguel Rojas. There have been a couple of other strange recommendations of field first and questionable bat SS.
Now I am ready for the arrows to be shot my way, but what about arguably the best overall SS in the game…yes, him…Carlos Correa. Yes, he was the face of the cheating asterisks, but it has been 7 years. It may be a hard pill to swallow, but Carlos Correa is a difference maker, and one helluva clutch playoff player. Let me think a minute. Would I rather have Kiké Hernández at bat in a critical playoff game or Carlos Correa? I mention Kiké because his name always comes up as a clutch playoff player. Or Chris Taylor? Or Gavin Lux?
Why would Minnesota even think about making such a trade?
- Their RSN is in the toilet, and they need financial flexibility. This is not a secret, and is a growing concern for the Twins.
- They have Brooks Lee waiting to take over, or Royce Lewis.
- They are in a Division that they are going to need to win to make the playoffs.
- They need ML ready pitching to compete even in the AL Central.
- After Pablo López, who do they really have that they can rely on in the rotation?
- Is Minnesota really a threat in the playoffs?
Do I expect this is a possibility? No. Not really at all. There are too many out there that will never accept Correa or Bregman or Altuve, and AF will be more cognizant of those feelings still believing he could put a WS winning team together. But Justin Verlander would have been accepted without question.
I am convinced that AF would not entertain such a trade without first running it by Clayton Kershaw. When the subject has come up in the past, Kershaw has said he is for any move that gives the Dodgers the best chance at winning. And no Dodger was victimized more by the cheating than CK.
I feel healthy except for my knees, but I lost a close friend last week, so we never know how long we have. And I do not dismiss this episode in my changing views. I want to see the Dodgers win another WS (or two or three) before I am watching with Tommy up above. So if it means cheering for Carlos Correa as he hits 4 HRs to win a WS, I am all in.
I do not expect many to agree with me on this, and that is okay. My opinion matters not one bit in these personnel decisions. Only AF/BG and their opinions matter.
Next, Dave Roberts’ (over) use of Alex Vesia reminds me a lot of his (over) use of Pedro Baez and Chris Hatcher before that. It is almost as if he is telling everyone “I am going to prove I am right and the fans are wrong”.
Do the Dodgers win if Vesia does not come into the game? Who knows. Probably not. But there certainly has to be better choices in a tie game. Shame on AF for not having better LHRP options at his disposal.
I am generally in favor of giving players chances (and more chances), but the CT3 PH for Outman made very little sense. I read someone say that Doc has to show faith in CT3 and get him into the game. Okay, but Outman was struggling and is now showing signs of coming out of his early season doldrums. His hit on Wednesday was off a LHP. Why take him out? Doesn’t he need for the manager to show faith in him as well?
With 2 strikes, Taylor swung as hard as he possibly could on a ball inside and at his shoe tops, and struck out. In 32 PA in 2024, he has 14 K, for a 43.75% K rate.
On the good side, Michael Grove pitched well and now has his ERA below 10. Joe Kelly has his ERA below 8.00. Then I look at the Twins bullpen for Wednesday:
- Kody Funderburk – 1.69
- Jorge Alcala – 0.00
- Brock Stewart – 0.00
- Griffin Jax – 0.00
- Steven Okert – 2.25
The Dodgers could use a good high leverage LHRP. They could also use Blake Trienen and Brusdar Graterol. They could also use Walker Buehler in the rotation, leaving Stone in the BP, where I think he will excel.
MiLB GAME SUMMARY REPORTS
Round Rock Express (Texas) 7 – OKC Baseball Club 6
It did not take long. A one-out 1st inning single, walk, WP, and the Express have runners at 2nd and 3rd against Kyle Hurt. Hurt offers up a 2 run double, and the Express are out to a quick lead.
Hurt was done after 2.0 IP, allowing the two runs on 3 hits, 2 BB, and 3 K.
Meanwhile Michael Lorenzen is cruising through the first three innings. In the 4th, Miguel Vargas led off with a double. With one out, Kevin Padlo singled to score Vargas, but got thrown out at 2B on a RF assist.
Hunter Feduccia and Andre Lipcius both drew walks, but Kody Hoese struck out to end the inning. It was a 10 pitch AB, and the final 3-2 pitch was at the bottom of the zone for the called 3rd strike.
Jesse Hahn relieved Hurt, and pitched two scoreless innings, allowing only a BB with 3 K.
In the 5th, Drew Avans drew his 2nd BB of the game. After Andy Pages struck out, Trey Sweeney singled and Avans took 3rd. Miguel Vargas worked a BB to load the bases. After a mound visit, Ryan Ward doubled on the first pitch to plate 2 and send Vargas to 3rd. Kevin Padlo hit a sacrifice fly, and OKC was up 4-2.
After 89 pitches, Michael Lorenzen was done for the day. Blake Taylor relieved Lorenzen and struck out Hunter Feduccia to end the inning.
Stephen Gonsalves entered in the 5th for OKC to try and shut down the Express, but the lead was short lived. The first batter he faced singled to CF, but Pages threw him out trying to stretch it to a double. That was huge, as the next two batters reached on a single and BB. After a pop out, Sam Huff slugged a 3-run HR, and Round Rock was back out in front, 5-4. After an Andrew Knapp double, Gonsalves got the final out.
In the 6th, with 2 out, Drew Avans got a soft single, but Andy Pages crushed his 2nd HR of the season, and OKC was back out in front.
Looking to lock this one down, OKC turned to J. P. Feyereisen to close it out. After getting two outs, he gave up a single and a 2 run HR to give the Express the lead again. This time, the lead stuck, and the 7 inning game went into the books as a 7-6 Round Rock win.
There was some nice clutch offense, but the pitching, especially the final two relievers were not very good. I would not expect to see Stephen Gonsalves or J. P. Feyereisen with the ML ball club anytime soon. Feyereisen is a big disappointment, as I think the Dodgers were counting on him.
- Drew Avans – 1-2, 2 BB, 2 runs
- Andy Pages – 2-4, 1 run, 2 RBI, HR (2), double (2)
- Trey Sweeney – 2-4, 1 run, double (2)
- Miguel Vargas – 1-3, 1 BB, 2 runs, double (3)
- Ryan Ward – 1-4. 2 RBI, double (2)
Round Rock Express (Texas) 6 – OKC Baseball Club 1
For five innings, Landon Knack was masterful. Unfortunately the OKC bats were just as impotent as were the Express bats. OKC finally broke through in the 6th with a Miguel Vargas walk, Andre Lipcius single, and Jonathan Araúz doubled home Vargas. With runners on 2nd and 3rd and one out, Chris Owings and Chris Okey both made meek outs to end the inning.
In the bottom of the 6th, Matt Whaley led off with a single, and was sac bunt to 2B. Knack got Dustin Harris to fly out, but surrendered a run scoring double to Elier Hernandez. That seemed to take the steam out of Knack as he walked Trevor Hauver on 4 pitches, and was lifted for Kevin Gowdy.
In another dismal relief situation, Gowdy walked the first batter to load the bases, and then Andrew Knapp singled home both inherited runners. Gowdy then allowed a single and triple, and the Express scored 6 in the inning.
OKC went down very quietly in the 7th, and Round Rock won a double header.
OKC had four singles and one double, and a big blown save. Landon Knack was the one positive in this game and deserved better than the relief he received.
Tulsa Drillers 14 – Arkansas Travelers (Seattle) 5
Tulsa jumped out to a 6-0 lead after one, and never looked back. The big blow in the 1st was a grand slam by Austin Beck.
Today's SoFi Player of the Game is Austin Beck!
Beck set the tone early in the first inning with this GRAND SLAM 😯 pic.twitter.com/OBMnGotUug
— Tulsa Drillers (@TulsaDrillers) April 10, 2024
The Drillers used a pair of HRs in the 2nd to give Tulsa another 3 runs and a 9-1 lead. Dalton Rushing hit his 1st of the season, a solo HR, and Taylor Young a two run shot for his 2nd HR of the season.
First of how many?
Dalton Rushing, the @Dodgers' No. 1 prospect (MLB No. 70), sends the kiddies on the berm into a frenzy with this home run for Double-A @TulsaDrillers.
Tune in to this game LIVE: https://t.co/aKtGFgWBY3 pic.twitter.com/GlzBsfP8Yw
— MLB Pipeline (@MLBPipeline) April 10, 2024
#Dodgers infield prospect Taylor Young hit his second homer of the season
Young is batting .455 with 6 RBI already this year pic.twitter.com/81dmstskdX
— Bruce Kuntz (@Bnicklaus7) April 10, 2024
In the 7th, three straight singles loaded the bases with nobody out. Austin Gauthier was HBP for one run, and Rushing drew a bases loaded BB for a second run. Brendon Davis singled to score a pair, and Taylor Young doubled for plate the 5th run of the inning to complete the scoring.
Hyun-il Choi started for Tulsa, but this was not one of his better games. He completed 4.1 innings, allowing 5 runs (all earned) on 7 hits. Choi surrendered a solo HR, and a 3-run slug for 4 of the runs. Jack Little and Ryan Sublette followed with a scoreless 2.2 IP.
Ben Harris came in to relieve Sublette in the 8th, and hit his first batter. Before another batter came up, the game was halted due to rain, and was later called.
Big offensive output for Tulsa in this one. 14 runs on 14 hits and they also received 6 BB, and two HBP.
- Taylor Young (3B) – 3-5, 2 runs, 4 RBI, HR (2), double (1)
- Chris Alleyne (LF) – 3-4, 1 run
- Dalton Rushing (C) – 2-3, 3 runs, 2 RBI, 1 BB, 1 HBP, HR (1), double (3)
- Brendon Davis (RF) – 2-5, 1 run, 2 RBI
- Austin Beck (DH) – 2-4, 2 runs, 4 RBI, 1 BB, HR (2)
- Griffin Lockwood-Powell – 1-5, double (2)
Great Lakes Loons 4 – Lansing Lugnuts (A’s) 1
Jacob Meador took the mound for the first time in over a year, and pitched well. In the first, he allowed a 1-out BB. The runner stole 2B after 2 outs, and came home on a single. This would be the only run and hit that Meadow would allow as he completed 3.0 innings. He did give up an additional BB.
Jerming Rosario relieved Meador and pitched 3.0 perfect innings, with 2K. Kelvin Ramirez then relieved Rosario and pitched 2.0 perfect innings of his own. Lucas Wepf entered the 9th, and is looking every bit like someone the Dodgers will be looking at. He struck out the side in the 9th to send the game into extra innings.
Once again the offense has failed the excellent pitching. The Loons out hit the Lugnuts 7-1 through 9 innings. But the only run they could generate was a Jake Vogel HR (1) tying the score in the 2nd inning.
In the 10th, Nelson Quiroz started the inning at 2B, and the Loons were sending up the team offense. Both Luis Rodriguez and Jordan Thompson were 2-3, with Thompson hitting a double (2).
Rodriguez came through with a single to score Quiroz and give GL their first lead in the game. Jordan Thompson followed with a walk on a 3-2 pitch that seemed to catch a lot of the strike zone. Noah Miller delivers a run scoring single and moves Thompson to 3rd.
Thayron Liranzo still looking for his 1st hit of 2024, was given the IBB to load the bases for Alex Freeland. After Freeland struck out, Chris Newell hit a sac fly and the Loons had a 4-1 lead.
In the bottom of the 10th, Lucas Wepf came back out and struck out the first batter. Understanding that MiLB is training their umpires to be MLB umpires, Wepf walked the next batter with three strikes that were called balls. Wepf retired the final two batters to save his own win. The Loons combined on a 10 inning 1-hitter.
I will probably be saying this all year, but the pitching was excellent, while the offense was just not there.
- Luis Rodriguez – 3-4, 1 RBI
- Jordan Thompson, 2-3, 1 BB, 1 run, double (2)
- Jake Vogel – 1-4, 1 run, 1 RBI, HR (1)
- Alex Freeland – 1-4, double (1)
Rancho Cucamonga Quakes 4 – Stockton Ports (A’s) 0
Eriq Swan made his long awaited professional debut. He went two innings and 32 pitches/19 strikes. He gave up 1 single and 1 BB in his debut, with 4 Ks. I am looking forward to his next start.
Gabe Emmett relieved Swan. He completed 5.0 strong and scoreless IP, allowing a single and 3 BB, with 5 Ks. Emmett, as the bulk pitcher, pitched an outstanding game in relief of Eriq Swan.
Joseilyn Gonzalez relieved Emmett and gave up a 2-out infield single where the batter reached 2nd on a throwing error. Gonzalez completed the 3-hit shutout with a scoreless 9th. His line was 2.0 IP, 0 runs, 1 hit, 1 BB, 3 K.
RC struck first, and in a fashion that will probably play out quite a bit in the years’ to come. Kendall George opened the 1st with a BB, stole 2nd, and scored on a Josue De Paula single.
In the 4th, Zyhir Hope opened the inning with a HBP. Hope stole 2nd, and moved to 3rd on a WP. Jake Gelof singled to score Hope. Joe Vetrano drew a BB, and Jesus Galiz was HBP to load the bases. Jerel Perez singled home a pair, and gave RC a 4-0 lead.
The Quakes had 7 hits, including 4 doubles.
- Jake Gelof – 2-4, 1 run, 1 RBI, double (1)
- Jerel Perez – 2-3, 2 RBI, double (1)
- Zyhir Hope – 1-3, 1 run, double (3)
- Oswaldo Osorio – 1-3, double (1)
Can we now move on from believing Ohtani being involved in the gambling scandal? He has been cleared by federal investigators. That is not a whitewash from MLB wanting to protect their money ticket. Of course, there are probably still those who believe that MLB/LAD paid off enough witnesses to clear Ohtani. Some just always want to believe the bad in people.
So being cleared by the current DOJ automatically exonerates Ohtani??? That might be the public perception but definitely NOT the entire truth. How do you know it’s not a “whitewash” by MLB? You sound like another trusting mindless sheep when you believe this government as the sole and only arbitrator of the truth. Not saying Ohtani is guilty of anything and seems like a very decent person but to put your complete trust in any government entity these days is laughable and very naive for a person who is usually grounded.
Love this!
well done.
For some, everything is a conspiracy.
Why do you believe it is a MLB Whitewash?
Yep that’s me. A mindless sheep that believes the government is the sole and only arbiter of the truth. You got me.
Yes you are saying Ohtani is guilty. If you do not believe the reports that say Ohtani is not guilty, then you are saying you believe he is.
How will Ohtani ever be innocent in your eyes? He cannot be because only a government entity can investigate what has gone on, and determine guilty or not guilty.
So let me ask you. If you are ever brought in for questioning on a crime, and are exonerated BY THE GOVERNMENT, can we assume you are guilty because we cannot trust the government.
I have performed countless forensic audits. It does not take long to exonerate or find guilt. Apparently the way that Mitzuhara tried to alter the evidence was very simplistic and did not take long to determine that Ohtani was not involved.
So yes, I am going to believe in the player who says he did not gamble, did not pay off gambling debts to illegal bookies, and was the victim of embezzlement. Happens every day. When you have seen it as often as I have, it does not come as a surprise that someone who eats, sleeps, and lives for nothing but baseball, is willing to defer $680MM of his salary so that the team that signed him will have enough financial flexibility to sign others, thinks so little of $$$ that he lived in the player dorms while playing in Japan, is naive and trusting.
You choose to believe he is guilty, so be it. I choose to believe he is not guilty.
And BTW, I never thought he was guilty of anything other than naivete, and did not need the government investigation to show me.
I think he was joking Jeff.
If he was, it went right over my head. If a joke, I apologize. If not a joke, you are still obviously entitled to your opinion and we disagree.
Too soon!!!
Just for the record, I very much doubt he was joking.
If you were, Blue AZ, feel free to correct me.
I agree.
He was not joking.
Shrug.
I appreciate your ideas Jeff, but disagree with the Dodgers acquiring Carlos Correa. My objection is primarily personal due to his cheating with the Astros and his abrasive reactions afterward. But even from a purely baseball standpoint, Correa only had an OPS of 711 last year. And his prior years’ OPS was 834, 850, and 709. He is not the same hitter he was in 2017, and had -2 DRS at SS last year. He also has some injury risk related to his leg injury in 2022, Correa has performed well in the playoffs, but I would definitely not acquire him.
There’s no way
A hard (as a diamond) no on Correa just for being an A hole. Plus, $30+MM annually for the next several years, no thanks. After the Bauer fiasco I cannot see AF even considering adding Correa in a trade.
There has to be a near MLB ready SS somewhere. With all the prospects the Dodgers have that will never play for the team make a deal that they can’t refuse. About the only positions where the Dodgers could use prospect help in the next 2-3 years are in the OF and maybe 3B. The starting pitching should be in good shape for the next several years. But, we all know that can change quickly.
I don’t think the Dodgers are going to acquire another SS, not when they already have a very good one (Rojas) I think they will give Lux (At 2B) every opportunity possible, to the point where he is no longer sufficient or prudent, and then Miguel will be the SS starter in playoffs. What would worry me would not be this year, but next, who will be the starting SS? I don’t think Rojas again, nor Betts and it definitely won’t be Lux, maybe sign Adames as a free agent? Maybe that’s the plan
Ha-San Kim will also be a free agent, I think.
Bold suggestion!
I’d forgive (not forget) and be OK with Correa, but I don’t see that happening. Adames seems more likely, depending on how the Brewers are doing.
Now that Jackson Holliday is in Baltimore, I think Jorge Mateo will go on the market–a younger, faster, more spectacular version of Rojas. But that may not be good enough.
But the Dodgers emphasize offense, so Mateo may not fit the mold.
I wonder what it might take to pry Matt McClain from the Reds. He looked good at SS last season before the emergence of Elly De La Cruz pushed him to 2B. The Reds already had former ROY Jonathon India there; an injury to McClain resolved the dilemma at least temporarily.
How good is McClain? Not sure. But if the Dodgers brass love him, let the negotiations begin! He would not be cheap but he’d solve the SS issue for the next few years–not just one season like Adames. How about a package like Cartaya plus Knack?
Drafting late, I suspect, is the reason the otherwise mighty Dodgers seem to lack top-tier talent at SS and have had to trade for Sweeney, Lipscuis and Noah Miller…. But what about the international market?
They have tried. They signed Wilman Diaz in 2021. And signed Joendry Vargas in Jan 2023. They have signed a bundle of middle infield players the last couple of international drafts.
Not all of them will come close to MLB much less stick at SS. But they are making a better effort here.
No, and hell no to Correa. He deserves to be booed by dodgers fans whenever he steps on to our field for the rest of his career. I cannot imagine rooting for him.
From The Athletic this morning:
”Ohtani’s story still sparked doubt and led to questions about its plausibility. How did Mizuhara have access to the accounts? Why did no one else from Ohtani’s camp notice the missing money? The Times reported that federal investigators had discovered evidence that Mizuhara manipulated certain accounts so that Ohtani did not receive notifications about transactions. It remains unknown if Mizuhara will admit to wrongdoing of that nature.”
I still have questions. No one here ever said they believed Ohtani gambled on anything. I know many believe Ohtani knew nothing but the question of why the story changed and how Mizuhara had access to multiple Ohtani accounts has not been answered.
Correa? I really doubt it Lux for Adames is more believable for me.
I also wonder why with an off day today Doc still used Vesia. I get that you need to give players a nod of confidence but you have to pick your spots. Plus players need to EARN their worth. Maybe Doc isn’t worried about losing games in the regular season, thinking it is guaranteed to win the division. Just like he gauranteed they would win the WS.
I didn’t see the game, apparently Miller struggled, but looking at the box score he only gave up 2 runs and only throwing @70 pitches after having a short start previously couldn’t/ shouldn’t he have been given a nod of confidence and pitched one more inning?
Sorry not got long so just a quick one.
is there a Stat available that’s tells you The Dodgers record in “Getaway” games over a given period?
I asked this same question during the 23 season. It sure seems like the record must stink on getaway days
Good question. I remember last year the Dodgers lost 10 Sunday games in a row last year from May21 to July 30. Those were all “getaway” games.
One reason for the Sunday losses is that they usually follow a night game so Doc makes sure to start Barnes, CT, Kike, etc. In other words it’s usually not our best hitting lineup. If he wants to rest a first stringer, that’s the most likely day for him to do so.
Jeff
thanks for pointing out Roberts miscues objectively
Personally, I think acquiring LHRP help is way more important than acquiring another SS. I’m a die hard Miggy Ro fan and Mookie will gradually improve.
Some interesting points were made about Doc’s decision to pinch hit CT3 for Outman.
Bluto made an interesting point that basically said sometimes a Skipper has to make decisions that lose the battle but win the war. For CT3’s confidence he needed to get that opportunity.
I don’t agree with that in this particular case. I would have stuck with Outman despite previous stats indicating it might have been the right choice. My gut tells me let Outman hit in that situation and find a softer landing for CT3 in another situation.
It’s a decision for Doc (or the wizard). Are you a Social Worker or a Major League Manager. That was a winnable game that you try to win. Games count in April just like October.
But Bluto makes a valid point. We all know there are times when the Skipper is right in calling in the Dogs and pissing on the campfire. You don’t use your high leverage guys in an 8-0 game. You get guys rest when you can.
But to me, yesterday was not one of those times to do what’s scripted and build CT3’s confidence. I’m sure this veteran would understand that it’s a production business and if you want opportunities, you need to not be hitting .046 or whatever.
Doc gets too predictable for me and it shows up in the playoffs.
Something that must (should?) be considered would be the designated roles of all 26 players. Chris Taylor is the off the bench utility guy and RH pinch hitter in late inning relief match ups. Like or not, that’s his role and the Dodgers pay him plenty to do it. You can argue he’s paid too much, but you can’t argue what he’s there for. It’s my opinion Doc is expected to go with the scripted organizational plan and that is to use the RH pinch hitter against the LH closer. It seems obvious to me but then, I know I think differently than many.
Totally agree with your take on LHRP vs SS, Phil. I’m ready to see how the Mookie/Lux combo works through June and then make a move if necessary. As a matter of fact I’d be more than willing to give Lux the full year since he’s coming back from a very serious injury and still hasn’t really ever had a full season to prove or disprove those who thought he was worth a first round pick.
As I mentioned yesterday, I’m generally neutral on Doc but the one thing about his managerial style that bothers me most is his refusal to go with the hot hand. If I were managing (and I have absolutely no qualifications for that job), I would always definitely lean toward playing a guy who is on a hot streak since I firmly believe that scenario really works. A guy on a hot streak (offensively or defensively) thinks he can hit anything or make any play, whereas a guy in a major slump tends to think he can’t hit anything and hopes the ball won’t be hit to him.
I’ve already said the Dodgers should wait for July. Haven’t changed my mind.
Per the DOJ, Mizuhara stole more than $16mil from Ohtani.
I would have noticed if someone stole $16 from me and also would have been even happier if I hadn’t noticed.
When you have 700 mil, it’s hard to notice that 16 mil has disappeared. 😛
Ohtani’s net worth when all that money was allegedly stolen from him was around $50 million. And a guy he knew for only 6 years got nearly a third of it out of his account without anyone noticing.
Well, Jeff, you said you were ready for the backlash over your readiness to accept Correa coming to the Dodgers. So here goes. Good for you. Other than Correa’s leg issues, I have thought he would be a great addition to the Dodgers. And not that his contract reflects caution over his legs, I would try to get him.
How you ask? Miller. Offer Miller for Correa. Other players as needed to make it work. As long as I am talking crazy, how about Miller, Lux, and Muncy for Correa and Royce Lewis. Other players as needed.
The rotation: Glasnow, Yamamoto, Paxton, Stone and just around the corner, Buehler, Sheehan, Knack and then in 2025, add Ohtani, May, Gonsolin, Sasaki. The Dodgers have plenty of pitchers to fill in for Miller.
If you include Max, I think that should be enough. No need to add Lux and Miller. 😎
On second thought you might also have to include CT3.
My edit time ran out, otherwise Taylor would have been added.
Correa”s teammates and coaches lo e him. Youthful responses to the crime are just that.
Looks like you’ve stirred up the guys with your Correa suggestion, Jeff, so I guess I’ll have to add my take.
I’m a firm no and for reasons expressed here by others, the main reason being his reaction after he was caught and seeming total lack of remorse or accepting responsibility. By the way, I’d be a yes on Altuve and possibly even Bregman. Correa is my loan exception.
Make that “lone” exception. Stupid language. There should only be one way to spell a word.
Their r two many words that sound the same inn English
Nice Bobby.
Hell No on Correa.
How did Ippei have any time to do his job as an interpreter?
Per the Ippei Mizuhara complaint:
– He made approximately 19,000 wagers between Dec. 2021 and Jan. 2024, around 25 per day
– Bets ranged from $10 to $160,000, averaging $12,800
– He lost $182,935,206.68
– He won $142,256,769.74
– Net loss: $40,678,436.95
– No bets on baseball
I wonder what he did with the other $16MM?
Probably spent it with another bookie that DOJ hasn’t found out about yet.
I do not believe the Dodgers will trade for a SS even at the deadline. But there are others out there not named Willy Adames that could be of interest. I knew Carlos Correa was taboo for LAD fans. And I knew that it would not be well received. But he is a legit target. More realistic than the Bobby Witt Jr. and Gunnar Henderson trade scenarios. Even more than Royce Lewis, Elly De La Cruz, Matt McLain, and Bo Bichette. And no the Reds are not trading Matt McLain for Diego Cartaya and Landon Knack. I am surprised there are not more trade for Jackson Holliday or Jackson Merrill or Anthony Volpe comments.
If Alika Williams or Jorge Mateo are to your liking, I am sure that a trade can be worked out for either of them. Unfortunately, I doubt that AF/BG have that same liking.
I was surprised that there was even one out there that would even remotely accept Correa. There are many more at my Starbucks office that do believe they would accept Correa. I still put the over/under at 1% that would accept Correa as a Dodger, meaning AF will never trade for him.
For me it is simple. I want players who actually show up for the playoffs. I am most wanting players who have shown they can win in the playoffs. Both Correa and Mookie have been in 7 playoffs.
Correa – Career – .282/.352/.508/.860 – 4 out of 7 with OPS > .886, and 2 > 1.004
Mookie – Career – .251/.333/.377/.710 – 1 out of 7 with OPS > .790
And 2017 was Correa’s 4th best OPS.
I like Miggy Ro, and I do believe he can play exceedingly well at SS. But he is 35, and the closest the Dodgers have in a SS at MiLB is Trey Sweeney. Most talent evaluators do not see him as an everyday SS at the MLB level. And yes Dionysus, I acknowledge they are not always right, but they are most of the time, especially for those that close to MLB.
So I am more than fine with Miggy Ro at SS even for the playoffs. But Mookie better be a better offensive threat in the playoffs than he has been. If not it will be another early exit.
For all of those that believe Lux needs more time (and I am probably in that group), he has had exactly 1 good half season at the MLB level – 1st half 2022. He was not good in 2020. He was not good in 2021. He was not good the 2nd half of 2022. And he has not been good thus far in 2024 (yes, small sample size). But it sure is looking more like the first half of 2022 is the outlier.
This team will win 100+ games again, and win the Division again, and get the bye again. But I want a WS October roster. Find a proven playoffs player outside of Freddie and I might be more believing in the quest of a WS. And no Chris Taylor and Kiké Hernández do not count.
And if the Dodgers see Bryce Harper or Kyle Schwarber or Brandon Marsh or Matt Olson or Corbin Carroll or Joc, or a whole host of other good LH hitters in the playoffs, I hope the Dodgers have someone other than Alex Vesia to face them.
Why did we trade for Sweeney if he’s not an everyday shortstop? I think the Dodgers had their shot at a Dodger legend shortstop when they drafted Seager at 18 in the first round. Trea Turner was never going to stay. Now? We trade for one, find one in the International Draft or do what Texas did.
Lux. I think we’re all pulling for him. So far? Umm… it’s early. Same can be said for Taylor.
I’d love a lock down LHR. But I still say a good reliever can get anyone out. You know, someone like Graterol, Treinen, Hudson, Brasier or Phillips
Agree that a good reliever can get anyone out, and that’s the most important thing. However, I also think it’s an advantage to be able to throw an alternate handed guy at the other side after they’ve seen a righty for 5 or 6 innings.
I’m also in favor of having guys with different release points and while we’re at it a guy who throws an unusual pitch, like a knuckler.
The more diversity, the more difficult it is for the hitter. If not, that “Third time through the order” theory is flawed.
That said, an effective pitcher on the mound should be the first and most important goal.
Why did the Dodgers trade for Sweeney?
Because:
Not every trade is because they believe they are getting the next Corey Seager.
Trey is #16 Dodger prospect with Baseball America and #21 with MLB Pipeline.
Per Baseball America:
The Future: Sweeney will advance to Triple-A in 2024. He has the ceiling of a second-division shortstop.
Per MLB Pipeline:
Sweeney is deceptively athletic for a 6-foot-2, 212-pounder and has stayed at shortstop longer than most scouts expected. He has increased his speed from below average in college to average in pro ball, and he’s even quicker once he gets going. He’s an opportunistic basestealer with decent range, reliable hands and solid arm strength at short.
I have noticed his arm strength at SS. Certainly superior to Lux’s.
Regardless that is the closest the Dodgers have to a MLB SS in their system.
Sounds like you don’t agree with the talent evaluators. Hope you’re right.
Sweeney could wind up as an everyday SS, particularly given the way AF has economized at the position.
Obviously, it’s a prime position, which is why so many guys who play there (now including Mookie) are earning north of $20 million a season.
AF had made a calculated judgment to take the economic route at SS. He didn’t offer Seager enough to keep him, and he didn’t make an offer to Trea Turner at all, according to Trea. A few years ago, he reportedly lost Lindor to the Mets because he refused to include Lux in the offer. Even though Lux’s performance at SS as a rookie after Seager got injured raised questions, AF stuck with Lux. But now AF (finally) realizes that Lux isn’t the solution, so it’s Mookie to the rescue.
Which is not ideal, but it is what it is… “permanently, for now.”
Thank goodness AF swung that deal for Rojas as insurance.
And now if Rojas gets hurt, Sweeney might be summoned.
Well said Duke. Looking at his stats this morning, not really that impressive. 4 seasons in the minors he’s OPS’n .799, fielding % of .955. Not much power for a big guy, 37 home runs. He’s 24 in a few days. Maybe he finds it soon, or maybe he’s the Feduccia of shortstops. As was mentioned, the position is covered this year What might come later? Who knows.
Jordan Montgomery has fired Scott Boras as his agent, and hired Wasserman’s Joel Wolfe and Nick Chanock.
Boras is not going to lose sleep as he still has Snell, Bellinger, and Chapman as well as Juan Soto, Corbin Burnes, and Pete Alonso next year.
Dodgers don’t need to be thinking about trading for a SS. Rojas, Betts, and Taylor will be fine. They should be more concerned with their success with RISP and their strikeouts. If we don’t hit 2 HR’s a game we usually lose. Put the freaking ball in play.
I am tired of getting runners on and not advancing them and scoring them because of strikeouts.
Get’em over, and get’em in.
And Rojas and Taylor are the ones you think can hit WRISP?
I don’t think they will be the difference. Just adequate. My point is that we strike out too much. I would like to see a change of approach to our AB’s. Put the fucking ball in play.
Made it home safe. Left LA at 12:45 in the morning. Arrived at home at 7:15 PM last night. Only stopped for gas, potty and lunch. Offense is going to have days like that. What if find really irritating is that several players, Max, Barnes, Lux, will take pitches that are right down Broadway for strikes and then swing at pitches six inches off the plate, and low. Barnes, who had been showing signs of actual life, took two straight down the middle for strikes in his last at bat without swinging with the tying run on base. Frustrating as hell watching that.
If a move helps the Dodgers win, I am all in. It was seven years ago, and nothing is going to change or give the Dodgers a title they should have won. I am also finding myself softening my stance on Pete Rose. What Rose did was wrong, but MLB has shows dedicated to the gambling line and several gambling sponsors. That is some sort of double standard, and it is not sitting well with me.
I am glad you said that, because that is how I feel about MLB making bank on gambling sites.
And they are making a lot. I remember Mays and Mantle being banished for a while by Bowie Kuhn. And all they were hired to do was meet and greet during conventions and stuff like that. Now MGM is an exclusive partner with MLB and their casinos and resorts are advertised on MLB broadcasts. Not only that, BUT MLB ALSO provides them with advanced stats for their betting books.
I think there a difference between fans betting on baseball and players doing so. Just as there is a prohibition against insider trading, baseball needs to be above suspicion that any game could be fixed.
There are good questions about betting on sports. Most notably, one can now lose their home betting on games while comfortably resting in their recliner at home.
No doubt Sam. But it is hard to justify keeping Rose out of the Hall when he never bet as a player. At least there is so far no evidence that he did. Durocher played the ponies for years and hung out with some pretty shady people. He belongs as a player. Just do not allow him to be part of any official baseball related activities. I understand players not being allowed to bet on baseball since they can have a direct impact on the game.
I see that Urias was finally charged with 5 misdemeanors. Nothing like sabotaging your own career.
When the allegations surfaced, Giamatti, who was in his final weeks as National League President, instructed Special Counsel John Dowd to investigate. He produced a detailed report, known as the Dowd Report, which detailed the allegations and the evidence available and concluded that it was clear that Rose had bet on major league games and on games in which the Reds were playing. Dowd was unable to find incontrovertible evidence of this, but the report paints a very ugly picture of a gambling addict who associated with various disreputable types and placed bets during baseball season on what were in all probability baseball games.
At first Rose denied all allegations and even filed suit against Major League Baseball. The saga was played out all over newspapers and was doing significant damage to baseball’s image. When presented with the Dowd Report, Giamatti decided to cut a deal with Rose to try to end the matter: Rose agreed to withdraw his suit and accepted a lifetime ban, while MLB did not make a finding regarding Rose’s guilt. Rose was also allowed to ask for reinstatement at a later date. After the deal, the Hall of Fame passed a rule that a banned player would be ineligible for election, and as a result, Rose’s name never appeared on a Hall of Fame ballot (he would normally have been eligible for election in 1992).
I guess it turns out that mizuhara also stole $325,000 from ohtani to buy baseball cards.
Sometimes a cartoon just says it all! Caption on X says, Snoopy taking out the garbage.