Is the Good ship LA Dodgers sinking? It is no secret that the Dodger starting pitching is thin. Make that extremely thin. Kershaw, Glasnow, Stone, not available in the foreseeable future. Kershaw might be ready by the playoffs, but he won’t be any help the next six games.
The bullpen is extremely overworked. The offense can explode at one minute and then totally disappear at times. Then before today’s game, one of their main power sources, Max Muncy was scratched due to soreness in his side.
Yamamoto, who is being depended on to be a big contributor this postseason, was less than inspiring today. He lasted 3 innings. He gave up 3 runs in a very stressful first inning and allowed another in the third.
Meanwhile the offense has already missed some golden chances to catch up with the Rocks. In the first, Ohtani and Betts singled. The usually reliable Freddie Freeman hit into a double play and Hernandez struck out. All of this against a pitcher just back from TJ surgery and making just his second start of the season.
Smith walked in the second, but Lux flied out and Edman hit into an inning ending double play. Yoshi gave up a run in the third and was done. Rojas was called out on strikes in the top of the third, but Kike singles, Ohtani singled and Betts walked to load the bases. And what happened? Freeman hit into his second inning ending double play of the game.
Kelly got the side out in the top of the 4th. Hernandez led off with his 31st homer in the bottom of the 4th. But the next three hitters grounded out. Brasier came in and allowed a leadoff double to McMahon. He then struck out the side.
Rojas led off the bottom of the 5th. He flew out to CF Hilliard. On the second pitch, Kike grounded out to third. Ohtani came up with the bases empty. He had earlier got his 54th stolen base. Ohtani grounded out too.
Ben Casparius came in to pitch the 6th inning. Meanwhile in San Diego, the Sox took a 2-1 lead over the Padres in the top of the 6th on a homer by Miguel Vargas.
Casparius struck out the first hitter, Nolan Jones. He walked Jake Cave. Goodman doubled in Jones and the Rockies led 5-1. He then walked Blackmon. He was pitching backwards. Throwing a lot of balls to begin at bats. He then gave up a infield single to Tovar. Battling McMahon over an 8 pitch at bat he finally struck him out. He then struck out Toglia to close out the inning.
The Rockies brought in Jeff Criswell to pitch the 6th inning. Betts would fly out to deep left. Freeman singled and Teo walked. Smith struck out and Lux hit a long fly out to center.
Casparius stayed in to pitch the 7th. He got a ground out and then struck out the next two hitters. That gave Casparius 5 Ks in 2 innings. The Rockies have struck out 14 times in this game. They struck out 15 times the first game, and 14 yesterday.
Hill took over for the Rockies. He got Edman to fly out and he walked Rojas. Kike then homered to left, his 11th making it 5-3. Ohtani singled on the first pitch and then stole second, his 55th steal. Mookie struck out. Freeman singled to right and Ohtani score the 4th run. Teo struck out to end the inning and it was 5-4.
Down in San Diego, the Padres scored 3 in the bottom of the 8th to go ahead 4-2. If the Sox happen to lose, it will be their 120th loss of the season, tying the 62 Mets. And the Sox lost. Right now, SD is just 2.5 games behind the Dodgers which makes this game highly important.
Casparius again took the mound for the 8th inning. He allowed a single to Cave but got Goodman to hit into a double play. Blackmon flied out to end the inning.
Smith, Lux and Edman coming up in the 8th against a new Rockies pitcher, Chivilli. Smith hit a line drive to left that Jones caught. Lux then walked. Edman hit a ball down the line that Toglia dived for and threw to first for the out, Lux went to second. Miggy then walked. Kike then popped out with 2 out and 2 on. This is where Muncy not being available hurt the team. Had he been healthy. he would have hit for Kike. If they trusted Kiermaier, he would have hit for Kike. They really miss Jason Heyward’s bat off of the bench.
Treinen came in to pitch the 9th. Treinen struck out the side. 17 Rockies struck out this game. a season high for the staff. Top of the Dodger order coming up in the 9th to try and tie or win this game. Halvorsen came in to pitch the 9th for Colorado.
Ohtani homered to tie the game. # 53. Mookie Betts then homered, and the Dodgers came all the way back to win the game. This was huge. Had they lost, they would have had only a 2-game lead with the Padres coming in on Tuesday. Now the best the Padres could do it be tied with LA if they were to sweep LA this week. No pitchers have been named for the series yet.
OKC won their final game of the season, 3-1 over the Bees in Salt Lake. Michael Grove got the win. Bobby Miller pitched 5 innings allowing 3 hits, a run, 1 walk, and he struck out 6. That had to be a huge confidence builder for Miller.
Note: This was Betts second career walk off homer and his first as a Dodgers. As it stands now, the Dodgers magic number is 4. Any combination of wins and Padre losses equaling 4, the Dodgers in the division. They need to win 2 of 3 against the Padres.
I think Casparius might have pitched his way on to the post season roster. He proved he could go at least 3 and I could see them piggybacking him and Gonsolin or Knack. Buehler has to be on that roster. Despite early problems on Saturday, he settled down and pitched well. Yamamoto should get one more start.
Knack or Flaherty will open the series with the Padres. I also think it is highly possible that James Outman will be brought up, and possibly replace Kevin Kiermaier on the playoff roster. He is almost as good a defender as Kiermaier, and he has a lot more pop in his bat.
Guys I feel bad for, Bruce Avans, who has proved he is a hitter. Cody Hoese, he had his best season this year and has been solid defensively and offensively. Andre Lipcius. The guy had an amazing season considering he was brought over in a trade in March with the Tigers. He played multiple positions including 1st, and second base. He ended up with a .271 BA 25 homers and 89 RBIs.
And finally, Ryan Ward. Ward finished with 33 homers and 101 RBIs. He hit .258 and had an .860 OPS in 120 games. What else did the guy need to prove himself? He played solid defense and was the biggest offensive power threat on the team.
Born June 14th, 1948, in Los Angeles California. AKA The Bear
This game 3 with the Rockies is a snapshot of the Dodgers only path they can follow to advance in the playoffs with their weak starting pitching.
Their star hitters (and some other select players) must perform… LIKE BATTING-STARS!
It’s daunting and a very long-shot script for a WS run… but you never know.
You hit the nail right on the head….we really can’t compete with starters who can’t give us at least 5 quality innings.
This month, not counting the bullpen games on September 7 and September 20, the Dodgers rotation has a 6.21 ERA with as many starts of three or fewer innings (four) as starts of six or more innings.
At the end of your article, Bear, you were mentioning guys you felt sorry for. The following will all be available in the Rule 5 draft this winter unless AF adds them to the 40 man roster: Avans, Lipcius, Hoese and Ward. I’m guessing none of those 4 will be protected, although it’s possible Andrew will manage to include them in a trade before the draft.
Others who might be protected include pitchers Edgardo Henriquez (definitely), Jack Dreyer, Jose Rodriguez, and Jeff D. favorite Jerming Rosario and infielders Yeiner Fernandez and Austin Gauthier.
There simply isn’t enough room to fit all of those guys on the 40-man. With the exception of Henriquez, I have no clue who else might get the call. Maybe Jeff can weigh in at some point and mention any names I might have skipped over.
I’d rather see the front office trade guys stuck in OKC for younger prospects than risk losing them in the Rule 5 draft. I’m sure some of the OKC guys would love to go to another team that would give them greater opportunity.
Hoese is an intriguing case. He was drafted ahead of Busch, but struggled and has developed slowly. A lot of good players were late bloomers. He might be a keeper–but I’d be happy for him if he gets dealt.
I don’t know if Henriquez is eligible for the Rule 5 draft–I don’t think so–but he is a young talent who should be protected. The older guys are less appealing to teams doing the drafting.
Looking over the minor league stats, I think it’s clear that Outman could make a nice comeback in ’25, and Rushing merits a good look. I was impressed by Gauthier’s progress as a UT option, but he seems to have stalled.
Ryan Ward, despite his good stats, does not seem to be a consideration for a promotion.
Henriquez was signed in 2018. He will be 23 next season. If he is eligible for the rule 5 draft, he will definitely be protected. Possible roster departures include Kelly, Barnes, Rojas, Kershaw, Hudson, Kike, Teo, Kiermaier for sure will be gone.
Sure wish Taylor was on that list. I think Rojas will be back. And probably Barnes.
Both have team options.
Yep. And they are inexpensive.
Henriquez is eligible for Rule 5 draft. He was eligible last year, 2023, (With Carlos Duran) but both just had TJ surgery (August 2022) and were not selected. Henriquez will be protected. I do not know about Duran who is still strying to be a starter.
I hope they start their MLB careers somewhere next year.
How many guys stuck in OKC would be in the majors for another team?
Right now, the Angels have several guys up who are probably no better than Ward, Hoese and Lipcius. And the Angels are better than the White Sox. I’m grateful that Barnes got enough of a boo-boo to give Feduccia an opportunity.
These OKC guys must be encouraged by how well their old teammate Trey Sweeney, blocked on the Dodgers, is now playing for the Tigers. The Tigers’ second-half surge could be the Cinderella story of the season. They are now tied with the Royals for the final Wild Card spot, one game up on the Twins. The expanded playoff format provide a lot of drama down the stretch.
The Dodgers just had another storybook finish, with back-to-back blasts by Shohei and Mookie resulting in a walk-off win against the Rockies. This was reported as Mookie’s second walk-off HR in his career, and first as a Dodger. The offense is en fuego.
Pretty cool comeback–but not as impressive as the Brewers rebounding from an 8-0 deficit to beat the D’backs, putting the Snakes’ WC chances in jeopardy. The Brewers are dangerous. Over in the East, the Mets are now 1.5 games up over the Braves for the WC. Good news, i think.
On the bad-news front, Yamamoto did not pitch like an ace today. But it still seems clear that he and Flaherty are already penciled to start the playoffs, with a third SP to be named later.
My heart wants Kershaw, but my head is thinking Knack.
Casparius looked pretty good. The kid has some nasty stuff.
Casparius is supposedly going to convert to fulltime relief next year. That should keep him in LA. Could be multi-inning mid relief, but I think he has the stuff and makeup to be a late inning reliever. The 2025 bullpen could have a lot of “kids”. Many of the “kid” starters were huge relief risks.
Maybe this team is dysfunctional enough to pull this off.
Save it for later
The team we love to complain about!
For me as a life long, die hard Dodgers and Rams fan this probably was the best Sunday ever. Dodgers walk it off on consectuive homers and the Rams beat the hated ones with a furious, stunning, unbelievable finish. What a day!
Yamamoto not sharp today and as @Wayne wrote in his OP this game in a microcosm showed what team the Dodgers are at the moment.
Questionalble starting pitching, an overused bullpen but a very good lineup that can score runs in bunches.
A formula that can work in the postseason but over the history of the game it usually does not work that way. Rangers last season were the outlier not the rule.
But we have no other choice but to hope it will be enough for our boys in blue .
Bobby Miller looked very good in OKC last night. Maybe, maybe that was the turnaround game for him ? Sometimes it only takes that one game to get you back on track.
Go Dodgers!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
We definitely could use a “good” Bobby Miller in the playoffs, the question is do the Dodgers trust in him to give him the chance.
They might not have much choice, but he would not be an option in the first round
Why not ?
If the Dodgers could clinch before they go to COL over the weekend I can even see him pitch one of those 3 games in DEN to give the other guys some rest.
Go Dodgers!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Just my opinion Ram. I do not think he makes the first round roster since it is only 5 games.
The OKC season is over with. I bet he is on the taxi squad and may get a start in Colorado. He pitched well in Salt Lake City. Find out what worked in Salt Lake City and keep to that routine. Salt Lake City is 4,327 feet above sea level and Denver is 5,280. We know the breaking stuff does not work as good in Denver, but how much difference is 953feet? I think we need another algorithm.
It is not Bobby’s “stuff”, it is what is between the ears. Suck it up buttercup, and prove you are a quality MLB pitcher.
Last season, Bobby Miller sometimes looked like a future ace, which is what we should expect from a first-round pick.
Meanwhile, his fellow rookie James Outman surpassed modest expectations with roller-coaster season, finishing with a .790 OPS and 3rd place in ROY balloting. (Outman’s stats in ’23 are remarkably similar to Michael Busch’s stats this season. For sentimental reasons I picked Busch to win the ROY, but he’ll probably finish 4th or 5th behind Skenes, Merrill, Imanaga and Chourio.)
Both Miller and Outman regressed in ’24. The classic sophomore slump.
The good news is that Outman has played well in OKC. In another organization, he’d have been called back to the majors a while back.
Here’s hoping that Miller and Outman bounce back in ’25. Unlike Miguel Vargas, they have both shown they have the talent to do so.
And maybe Pages can avoid regression.
Excellent post Duke. 👍
If Munce had been healthy, he would have started, not batted for Kiké later in the game.
True, he was in the starting lineup. But then Kike would not have hit the 2 run homer either.
Huh? You stated, “This is where Muncy not being available hurt the team. Had he been healthy. he would have hit for Kiké.” Had he been healthy, he would not have been able to hit for Kiké as he would have started. Also, as you note in your reply, Kiké wouldn’t have hit his HR. Thus, though we don’t know what Max might have done, or what Kiké also might have done in the new scenario, Max being unavailable could actually be considered to have helped the team. I don’t see where it specifically hurt the team.
Someone mentioned the starting pitching has been giving up alot of first inning runs. Maybe using an opener should be considered. Especially for Buehler, Knack and Yoki.
How about Treinen? 1 ER over last 16 outings. I know it hurts late. But some of these games are over before the 3rd inning.
Treinen and Hudson look like they could use some time off. Casparius and Honeywell are both multiple inning relievers. Maybe Miller could be too. And why isn’t Henriquez being given an opportunity? I would think using him against a last place club would be safe and it would sure help give the needed days off for the overworked bullpen.
If the team is hitting, enough runs will be scored that the team should be ok with the arms available. Obviously improvement from Buehler and Miller would be most helpful.
The problem is the Dodgers likely will not score as many runs in the postseason as they do right now. The level of pitching is just that much higher.
Go Dodgers!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
One of the problems with bringing up Henriquez is that only three current relievers have options: Casparius (3), Graterol (2), Vesia (1). Graterol needs to pitch, and Vesia is the only LHRP on the roster. Casparius could be optioned with Honeywell the one multi-inning reliever remaining. Do they trust their starters to move a quality multi-inning reliever? Someone would have to be DGA’s or moved to 60 day, and that really should not be a problem. They could DFA Zach Logue. They could move Stone or Banda to 60 day IL. Banda supposedly is already working on his way back, and I do not think they want Stone to pitch anymore this year, regardless as to how he says he feels. Let him rehab and strengthen that shoulder in a full offseason. If Banda were RHRP he would be gone, but they can use a LHRP who was effective most of the year for LAD.
Scuttlebutt has Banda back in time for the first round.
Who’s Scuttlebutt? lolz
Navy and Marine watercooler
Nick Ahmed will be with the Padres when they come to Dodger Stadium tomorrow. Reds fired David Bell.
*After the early deficit, I kept thinking there’s a lot of game left. We needed a crooked number. Through 3, Freddie killed us hitting into 2 double plays.
But we look so flat and haven’t been crisp defensively lately. Freddie hasn’t picked a number of tweeter hops from infield throw that he usually eats up. Will Smith and Feduccia have had too many throws on steals, sail into center, the pitchers can’t field their position. And Will Smith has too many wild pitches get away. He’s down on that knee that restricts his mobility and the balls ricochet away.
*But it was Ohtani and Betts and Casparius who bailed us out.
Ohtani is just amazing. He captures the spot light in the big moments like no-one I’ve ever seen in any sport.
What a great, exciting win.
*Who in the hell is Ben Casparius? He was great. I’d never seen him pitch but I knew his name. A closer look revealed he was 4&3 at OKC, starting 14 of his 16 appearances, with a pedestrian 3.36 ERA, in 67 innings with too many walks at 35 but 72’ks. Gotta like that. So, he came to the Big Club 8/31 and had 1 inning, before back to OKC.
Well if yesterday is any indication, he looks like a 5th playoff starter to me. We’d never have a bullpen game anymore if this kid’s available to start. I know I’m being hasty but we’re out of starting pitchers!
*I really don’t mean this disparaging, but it was reporting Muncy pulled himself because he felt “something in his side”. I really hope it’s nothing serious. We need his bat. But I have to chuckle about today’s players. Big money, big investments. Back in my generation, if you pulled yourself out of the line-up in a tight pennant race, coming down to the wire, you’d better have a bone sticking out. I’m not picking on Max. Just pointing out how things are different.
*This umpiring crew begged for ABS.
There was much conversation recently about the poor umpiring.
Dave and Sam Oyed all made very good points yesterday about the umpires not having the information the viewers have with the superimposed strike zone on the TV screens. This entire crew has big zones and there is no excuse for Jeremy Rehak’s strike zone.
But the point is well taken that the HPUs don’t have the same information fans have.
I have talked about the use of ABS ad nauseam.
I’m all in on the ABS for the reasons we’ve seen lately. And our pitchers have been the beneficiaries for the big zones, as well.
But somebody mentioned the challenge system. I am NOT in favor of that despite the fact that it seems inevitable.
I have points about ABS, and I seem to be the only voice that wants a full blown ABS in place for every pitch. It’s easy, just get every ball / strike call correct. It doesn’t need to be complicated. People seemed to have compromised that a Challenge System is better than nothing.
Here are 3 scenarios:
Why is this so HARD?
They should definitely just use the ABS full time and get all the calls right. Then you don’t have to stop the action for a review. But Manfred and his minions will screw it up. Like they did the cheating Asstros affair.
“Why is this so HARD?”
Because the people who pay for it all would complain loudly if the tv zone is removed.
Just do what makes the most sense, go to ABS.
I did clearly mention that that scenario was never going to happen. Going to full time ASB does make the most sense. And that’s not going to happen either. Minds are made up that the challenge system will be the next step. Some committee and Manfred will see to it; which brings to mind the old thought that an elephant is a horse designed by a committee.
Having ABS will help the hitters. It will remove the guess work; and, one less adjustment will allow hitters to focus on their zone. I’m in favor of a universal strike zone. No reason Aaron Judge should have to cover a larger zone than Jose Altuve.
Here’s the latest from Mark’s site…..
“It took me a long time (I am not the sharpest knife in the drawer), but I realized (finally) that the morons who only have negative things to say are not people I want to be around. You have made your choice. Stay at http://www.LaDodgerChronicles.com and wallow in your swill. Do not come back here. I am done with you. Good riddance to bad rubbish. I will delete your comments. Free at last. Free at last! Free at last!”
And……
“You have no access. You are bitter old men who don’t know jack shit. Goodbye! Stay away!”
Seems like every other post over there now is calling anyone over here, or anyone who doesnt agree with him, or anyone who has anything critical to say about Friedman, Roberts, Dodgers management is a moron.
Just leave and let him be.
He got a little more personal today. That is it for me. I posted a note defending the posters and Jeff and this site. I am totally done with that site now.
I read both sites.
I always enjoy your take. Thanks. I know writing a column is a lot of work.
Thanks Rusty. I appreciate it.
Seriously. Who the fuck cares?
That guy is a classic study in narcissistic behavior, it’s a personality disorder. Dude can’t help himself, apparently, he glories in his own words, having a blog is it’s own turbocharging of his “issues”. Let it go, move on, ignore that moronic narcissist. No need to update us on what he is posting on his blog, he’s yesterday’s news.
I agree, but I think his ego needs to be put on blast. And he’s insulting Jeff and this site. But if Jeff asks me not too, I would not do it again. Just relaying the info.
We are living rent free in his fragile psyche.
I said something about being nicer to each other since we all are fans, and he turned around and basically insulted the site, Jeff, the posters and me. I am done there. Period. I won’t even read the posts anymore. We can all be nice without calling people names. He continues to do so. He basically also said that Jeff and I tolerate morons over here. I do not see any, I just see fans with an opinion.
You’re not just relaying the info. You’ve got a dog in this fight and you want to put him down but you can’t. What you are doing is pointless and quite immature. A bright guy like you should have better sense.
Isn’t the guy calling everyone morons the immature one? I do admit seeing him called out for that does put a smile on my face. I agree with Bear here though. We’re all Dodger fans and on the same team.
Pitching matchups for Padre’s series. Tue: King-Knack Wed: Cease-Flaherty, Thur: Musgrove-Buehler
Thanks Bear. It’s all come down to this. It should be a very exciting atmosphere. This is why you play, for a series like this. I can’t wait.
It would appear on paper Advantage Padres.
But if the Dodgers bats play, anything can happen.
Need to win at least 1 game. Better 2 and lock up the division before going to COL.
Would be really tough to go to COL with the division tied after the SD series.
That would take a toll on our already overworked bullpen. And it is not easy to go there , then come back and having to play a potential WC series immediately upon return.
Playing in that altitude is taxing on the human body.
Go Dodgers!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
LA is 3-1 in Denver this year. SD plays AZ while the Dodgers are playing the Rockies. Az is battling for position in the playoffs. Dodgers really need to win the first game with the Pads and put them 4 back. That cuts the magic number to 2. Let the Pads and Arizona bang on each other. And the games are in Arizona, not an easy place to play. AZ and the Padres are 5-5 against each other.
Dodgers are in control, Bear. They are not going to let this one slip away.
Still have to do it on the field. If their pitching holds up, they should be fine. Cease has faced LA three times in his career, he is 1-1. Guy has lost 11 games, so it is not like he is unbeatable. King is 1-0 against LA in 4 games. He has given up 5 bombs to LA hitters in 17 innings. His ERA in LA is over 5. Musgrove is 0-7 against LA in his career. He has given up 8 homers in those games. His ERA against LA is over 4. Get to the starters early. Their pen is nails.
The most important stats are:
1) What has Cease, King and Musgrove done against the Dodgers this year? Because there were different players on the Dodgers teams other years in the past when Cease, King and Musgrove faced the Dodgers.
2 The slashline against them or the WHIP, H/9, HR/9, BB/9 and if you like the SO/9 are good numbers to look at and compare them to league average and if those stats are provide against the Dodgers this year.
Win-loss records are meaningless except for maybe people who determine awards. Because a starting pitcher can pitch good in games with an offense that did bad and he gets the loss and vice versa.
Cease is 1-0 this year, pitched one game against them gave up 3 hits, walked 3 and struck out 6. King is 1-0 in 4 games, but his ERA against LA is over 4. LA hit 5 homers in those 3 games. Musgrove is 0-0, he only pitched in 1 game against LA and lasted 2.2 innings. They scored 5 runs off of him in that game. I disagree that what they did in his career is of no value. If nothing else, it shows players they have been successful against the pitcher before. But that is just me.
Many positives about the Padres, but I see them falling short, once again. I predict we will hold on to the division, rest up before facing anyone, and smack the shit out of all comers. WS or Bust!
You know, up till a few days ago, I couldn’t imagine them going deep in the playoffs, but I keep seeing the will to survive coming alive in them. Our pitching is so weak, yet they keep winning and staying in front of teams that are surging. They don’t play like contenders often enough, but there is that element of the team that can overcome anything, I believe. Not that they will, but it is a real possibility for me now. Ohtani has been launched. Mookie is feeling his oats. Edman has joined the ranks. I see the desire. Teo is a real wild card!
Hey guys, there won’t be a new post from me tomorrow. I am getting my new tower for my desktop today and I will be spending most of this afternoon and evening setting it up. There is no game until tomorrow, so this should not be a problem. And so, you know, I appreciate all the support Jeff, and I get from you guys. We do not think the way they do over on LADT. We don’t ban people simply because we do not agree with their opinions. All are welcome here and all are allowed to say and think what they want. Since I am also a site administrator, I could do precisely that. But neither Jeff nor I are that petty.
This is a great place to be!!!!!
1-2 probably will take care of it. 2 out of 3 and it’s over.
Right. Even if we win 1 of 3 vs the Pads, we’d have a 2 game lead with 3 games to go
G 17 22. 1. 9. 29
w-l. 6-2. 9-6. 1-0 2-4. 15-3
era. 2.96. 3.49. 3.38 3.95. 2.91
IP. 85. 134. 5.1. 43.1. 173
k. 99. 168. 9. 40. 174
whip. 1.13. 0.95. .56. 1.15. 1.02
Can you figure out who these pitchers are?
clue- 2Dodgers 1 Met, 1 Ranger, 1 Cub
who has buyer’s remorse?
if u could who would u take for 2025?
Sorry that didn’t line up like I thought. No point just comparing.
What are the names?
Yamamoto
Glasnow
senga
scherzer
imanaga
Texas with Scherzer.
Scherzer just selling to the highest bidder.
i kept wondering why teams were not in on Imanaga. He was definitely the best value for 2024.
Age and size, I seem to remember.
Good comparison of pitcher performance in 2024. Imanaga has been great this year with a 15-3 record for the Cubs, 173 IP, and the best ERA of the five named pitchers. The contract was only $53 million for 4 years with assorted team and player options. So far this looks like a great signing for the Cubs. In comparison, the Dodgers paid $376 million for Yamamoto over 10 years, and $136 million for Glasnow for 5 years plus $10 million option bonus, $10 million to eat Margot salary, Ryan Pepiot and Deluca.
Yamamoto still has the most upside long term, but he is the highest paid pitcher in MLB history. The Dodgers will have Ohtani, Yamamoto and Glasnow coming back from injuries at the top of rotation next year with total salary guaranties of $1.3 billion! Of course, Ohtani is much more than a pitcher with major deferrals in his contract. Quite a sum of money invested in starting pitching, but if they pitch to potential, it will be an amazing 2025!
“but he is the highest paid pitcher in MLB history”
What?
Scherzer: $43.3 million
Verlander: $43.3 million
deGrom: $40 million
Cole: $36 million
Corbin: $35.4 million
Strasburg: $35 million
Rodon: $27.8 million
Yamamoto Average Salary: $27,083,333.
Yamamoto contract is $325 million for 12 years, surpassing the previous record of $324 million paid to Gerrit Cole in 2019 for 9 years. The Dodgers also paid a posting fee of $51 million. The total amount paid by Dodgers for Yamamoto is $376 million, the highest amount for a pitcher in MLB history.
You are simply looking at the single season average salary above instead of the total contract. By the way, in addition to the $51 million posting fee paid this year, the Dodgers paid a signing bonus of $50 million to Yamamoto this year. A cool $101 million paid this year for Yamamoto.
Everyone wanted Yamamoto so the Dodgers paid a heavy price. At his best he is in the top tier. Physically he is not very big so he may have trouble handling the workload. This has been a very scary year for the salary he received.
For sure a waste of money on scherzer, verlander, and mb Senga. The Dodgers tried to bring in the best but it is a risky business. Hopefully, Yamamoto can give the Dodgers some healthy season. He could start by paying dividends this post season.
Ah. Aggregated. Yes, thanks.
Add me to the list of folks who want a full ABS not just a challenge system.
But……………….since we know we won’t get our wish, here’s a thought.
Current setup says if a team misses on 3 challenges they can’t challenge again.
How about if an ump is ruled wrong on 3 challenges all the umps rotate and we get a new home plate ump for the rest of that game. (yes, I know the ump’s union would never stand for that)
STB, I like it. Angel Hernandez had a game last week where be blew successive calls on the bases. Each were reviewed and overturned. At that point he should have been banned to a penalty box for the remainder of the game and forced to wear a dunce cap.
Probably the Ump Union won’t go for that one either, huh?
Phil, Angel Hernandez has not umpired a game since May 9th. He was basically forced into retirement after he and the MLB reached a financial settlement. One report card had him missing 19 calls a game. That is unacceptable.
Sorry Bear, it might have been Phil Cuzzi. But the point was my smart ass reply to STB about punishing umpires who consistently blow calls. I let my fact checker off for the sake of humor.
No biggie, I thought you might have forgotten that he had gone.
There is a penalty that some guys incorporate and it has to do with not hiring a drive past the red tees.
Got the new tower up and running, now I need to add all of my websites and such.
Nice, you got that done quick. I never look forward to having to set up new phones or computers (or pagers and walkie talkies for a particular segment of the Middle East)
Actually, it went pretty fast. I did not have to reload all of the websites I visit frequently. Once I got signed into Microsoft and my Gmail account, they were already there. The only things I need to redownload are any music I might want or some photos.
Ohtani named player of the week.
Congrats Ohtani stay hot!! Go Dodgers!!
For the season with RISP:
Dodgers: BA .264 – OBP .355 – SLG.431 – OPS.786 – 30 GIDP – 50 Sac Flies
Padres : BA .274 – OBP .341 – SLG .431 – OPS .771 – 46 GIDP – 30 Sac Flies
Dodgers prevail
Depends on your metric, but correct given overall records.
Those numbers are very close. I don’t see runs scored and run differential posted. This game, as in all games, is about outscoring your opponent.
2024: Dodgers +133. Padres +97
Last 3: Dodgers 0.0 Padres +7
And here’s an interesting stat: Dodgers Home +69 Away +64. Padres Home +8 Away +89.
Today Dodgers favored by 1.5.
Shohei needs 9 more total bases to become the first player since 2001 to reach 400 total bases. The only Dodger to ever post 400 total bases in a season was Babe Herman in 1930. He hit .393, the Dodger record and had 416 total bases.
A quote from Mark today:
“Test me! Our commenters have gone down, but our readers are growing like crazy! We add 3-10 new readers every day. I think I am on to something: Readers don’t enjoy morons.”
Nobody knows how many people read his blog besides him. Or am I wrong about that? That’s an easy thing to lie about.
Another thing said over there is this:
“It took me a long time (I am not the sharpest knife in the drawer), but I realized (finally) that the morons who only have negative things to say are not people I want to be around.”
If I do that, the reason why is because I like talking about how I think the Dodgers can be better and it’s just my opinion. Isn’t striving to be better a good thing? Don’t a lot of people strive to be better or at least some people? Also a lot of people talked about how good Ohtani is after the game he had the other day and went into detail about it before I started reading the posts here that day. I didn’t have anything else to add that wasn’t already said. So does that make me an all negative person. I mean doesn’t he realize there are some people that decide not to post anything about a subject that is obviously true such as Ohtani is a GREAT player and arguably the best in the game currently.
Perfect comment
👍
I haven’t been on these dodger sites long. I stopped going to the other site for the reasons stated by many here. I don’t think talking about him here is worth anyone’s time at this site.
You are always welcome here.
Why is this a topic here?
STOP.
Why? Because Timmons has successfully gotten into everyone’s head. That’s always been the goal.
Ha!
Everyone ?Not mine. Feel sorry for him. The man obviously needs professional help.
Go Dodgers!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
The dude has unresolved issues. Definitely needs to seek help.
Ok. Not everyone.
Actually, it is the other way around.
We are living rent free in his fragile psyche.
Who cares who lives where, this is an asinine topic.
Well Timmons continually perpetuates it by taking shots at this blog and its posters daily in his posts.
Like I said with a certain poster here, just ignore him.
just advice, not a directive in any way
The way he treated me and never let it go for just stating an opinion on his boy Vargas, when I said between 2022 and 2023 I think Vargas needs at least another half year in AAA doesn’t make it an asinine topic to me. He came at me viciously. It’s a shame because I wanted to like Mark and I tried to make peace with him 2 or 3 times. He’s got a SERIOUS MEDICAL PROBLEM with his head and his mouth.
Charlie Blackmon, aka, Chuck Nazty, has decided to call it a career and retire after this season is over. Good, guy had LA’s number.
I always suspected you didn’t like the Blackmon.
Not true. I respect the man’s talent. There have been other players who killed the Dodgers. Most notably, Willie McCovey. He owned Drysdale.
As a baseball fan, I will miss Charlie Blackmon. As a LAD fan, not so much. I am glad he is going out on his own terms. He was a 2nd round pick in 2008 out of Georgia Tech, and played his entire career with Colorado. Two of my other favorite MLB players, Nomar Garciaparra and Jason Varitek also came out of Georgia Tech.
Really solid player all around. Great career. Not many could touch that beard though. Maybe JT could.