On Wednesday, Wayne wrote in response to something I wrote:
“I for one don’t see AF/Gomes trading top prospects for elite RP’s. That’s not how they roll, and I agree with that course.”
As I have stated, I do agree that AF/BG will not trade elite prospects for elite relievers. But let me play devil’s advocate for a bit.
The Dodgers do not have anyone they can count on to enter the 9th with a lead and shut the opposition down. Alex Vesia is probably not that guy because he is needed more in high leverage situations with runners on. He came in with the bases juiced and he immediately gets a 6-4-3 DP on the first pitch. He then gets an excuse me swing high bouncer over his head that Miggy could not make the play on.
I suppose Blake Treinen will get that chance once he is activated, but I am not sure he can be counted on to be “That Guy” anymore. On occasion, sure. Banda? Dreyer? Casparius? Yates? Klein? Díaz? Henriquez? Little? Doc says he is going to keep running out Yates. Not one of those guys is a closer.
Are they going to do nothing all the while expecting Kopech and Graterol to return to elite status? What if they are wrong about the timing of their return or quality of return? They cannot correct it in late August or September.
My list of elite closers include David Bednar, Felix Bautista, Emmanuel Clase, and Jhoan Duran. The next tier includes Ryan Helsley and Pete Fairbanks. The bottom closer tier includes Kyle Finnegan.
Elite setup relievers include Griffin Jax and Cade Smith.
First, could the Dodgers use any of the elite closers? Absolutely. Does the next tier of closers interest anyone? I am sure that Helsley and Fairbanks are of some interest, and the prospect capital will be less.
If I were in charge, I would have no interest in Kyle Finnegan. But more important than what I would do, what will the Dodgers do?
The Dodgers have eight prospects who are top 100 prospects in either the MLB Pipeline or Baseball America most recently updated prospect list:
- Dalton Rushing (MLB)
- Josue De Paula (A+) – OF
- Zyhir Hope (A+) – OF
- Roki Sasaki (MLB) – RHSP
- Mike Sirota (A+) – OF
- Alex Freeland (AAA) – 3B/SS
- Eduardo Quintero (A) – OF
- Jackson Ferris (AA) – LHSP
Ferris is still in the MLB Pipeline Top 100 but fell out of Baseball America’s. Rushing and Sasaki graduated from MLB Pipeline. The other 5 are on both publications top 100 lists.
That is 4 OF in A ball listed as top 100 prospects. Two are top 10 OF per MLB Pipeline (De Paula and Hope). Kendall George is a 5th top ranked LAD OF in A Ball (A+), and Jaron Elkins is a 6th (A). Rookie League has two other OF in the LAD top 30: Ching-Hsien Ko and Brendan Tunink. So how many OF prospects do the Dodgers need in A+ and below. You usually like to line them up from Rookie to AAA. The Dodgers do not have a MLB ready OF prospect in AAA or AA.
It seems that one of the top ranked OF could be moved in the right deal. For a reliever? I am not convinced AF/BG would do it. If you were to include Steven Kwan with one of the Guardians relievers, I think they would be more amenable.
The Dodgers have 5 middle infielders who are consensus top 30 in both publications:
- Alex Freeland (AAA)
- Emil Morales (Rookie)
- Kellon Lindsey (A)
- Joendry Vargas (A)
- Noah Miller (AAA)
Freeland is already making a transition to 3B, but LAD has deemed him not ready. While he remains in AAA, might his value drop. Vargas has made the transition to 3B when he has been healthy, which is not much at all this year. Lindsey has been out since mid-May due to injury. Morales is probably headed to 3B. Miller is the one true SS prospect. He is 22 and is a plus plus defensive SS (60 arm/70 field). The negative for Miller is his lack of SLG. Is he trade potential from any other team? With Morales, Lindsey, and Vargas all top 10 and all 50 FV, might the Dodgers be inclined to include one of them? Which one?
The Dodgers have 9 consensus RHP top 30 prospects, and 2 LHP top 30 prospects. MLB Pipeline has 3 top 30 RHP prospects not included in Baseball America, and 1 top 30 RHP prospect.
3 pitchers are on the MLB 40 man, 2 AAA, 3 AA, 4 A+, 3 A, 1 Rookie. However, only Jackson Ferris is a consensus top 10 pitcher for LAD. River Ryan (MLB #8) would be the next pitcher up, but he is #13 in Baseball America. I have my favorites, but most if not every LAD pitching prospect could be included in a package. However, other than Ferris, they are not elite. So it will depend as to what the trading team is interested in.
One of the concerns I have is that too many of the LAD prospects have failed to materialize. Too many top (#1) draft picks are no longer in the organization, and some completely out of baseball.
- 2017 – Jeren Kendall is out of baseball.
- 2018 – JT Ginn did not sign. Michael Grove #2, top draft pick to sign.
- 2019 – Kody Hoese has never reached MLB and will be a MiLB free agent this year. No trade value.
- 2020 – Bobby Miller has loads of talent, but cannot pitch well enough even at AAA. Very limited trade value.
- 2021 – Maddux Bruns – still in A+ for the third year, and is pitching poorly again this year. He is #30 with MLB Pipeline and out of top 30 BA. Negligible trade value.
- 2022 – Dalton Rushing (actually #2 pick) has reached MLB.
- 2023 – Kendall George – #4 OF with Great Lakes, but does have some trade value.
- 2024 – Kellon Lindsey – Been hurt most of the year.
While it might seem possible to trade Dalton Rushing for a Kyle Tucker type player, there is not one available at the deadline. But he is not going to be included in a package for a closer.
Ryan Ward, Kody Hoese, and Hunter Feduccia have all reached their MiLB zenith, but have been held onto longer than they might have been to get max value out of a trade. Bruns’ time has come and gone. Diego Cartaya was another held onto too long.
Esteury Ruiz and James Outman have no trade value, but Outman could be moved as a potential change of scenery CF. LAD could hold onto Ruiz as a pinch runner for the playoffs. That is where his value will be maximized.
If they do not move one of the OF prospects, could the Dodgers run the risk of holding onto them too long as well. Which of the OF do you think are untouchable?
Same with pitchers. There are a number of top 30 A and A+ pitchers to be considered. But do you need Eriq Swan, Hyun-Seok Jang, Christian Zazueta, Sean Paul Liñan, Payton Martin, Jakob Wright, and Maddux Bruns. Zazueta and Liñan could be tough to lose. Two others I would have difficulty losing would be Jackson Ferris and Patrick Copen. But they are not untouchable in the right package.
There seems to be a difference of opinion as to what LAD might do. Bob Nightengale thinks that the Dodgers are all in on an elite closer, while Robert Murray suggested Wednesday on The Baseball Insiders that the Dodgers might not be in the market for a reliever with closing experience.
“I don’t think they’re going to want to explore the deep end of the bullpen market,” Murray said of the Dodgers. “As of this point I haven’t heard them connected to David Bednar. I haven’t heard them connected to a lot of the big names. That’s obviously subject to change because we’re eight days away from the deadline.”
There is no consensus from these “connected” journalists as to what LAD might do.
So while I do not see AF/BG making that closer trade, at some point some of the prospects have to be moved.
MiLB GAME SUMMARY REPORTS
OKC Comets 16 – Reno Aces (Arizona) 3
OKC SP, Matt Sauer, continues to pitch well in OKC. The 26 year old RHSP is not an answer for the needed late inning high leverage reliever, but he could be turning some heads of some teams as a viable add on in a package as a back end rotation or swingman. He completed 6.0 innings allowing 3 runs on 9 hits, 2 BB, and 4 K. One of the hits was a 2-run HR.
Nick Frasso, Blake Treinen, and José Rodríguez each pitched a scoreless and hitless 1.0 inning. Frasso and Treinen each pitched a perfect inning. Frasso had 2 Ks and Treinen had 1. Rodriguez issued a BB, and struck out a batter.
All OKC batters reached base, 7 with hits. The team had 15 hits and 8 BB in the blowout win. 5 Comets had a multi-hit game, with Justin Dean reaching base all 6 of his PA. He had a triple, single, and 4 BB.
- Chuckie Robinson – 4-5, 4 runs, 1 RBI
- Alex Freeland – 3-5, 1 BB, 1 run, 6 RBI, double (26), HR (11)
- Justin Dean – 2-2, 4 BB, 5 runs, triple (6)
- CJ Alexander – 2-6, 2 RBI, triple (4)
- Nick Senzel – 2-5, 1 BB, 2 runs, 2 RBI, triple (1)
- Chris Okey – HR (3)
Tulsa Drillers 2 – Springfield Cardinals 1 (10 innings)
Tulsa tied Springfield at 1 in the 8th, and then walked it off with 1 in the 10th.
In the 8th, with 1 out, Kole Myers tripled (1), and came home on a Kyle Nevin sac fly.
In the 10th, Taylor Young was the free runner at 2B, and scored on a Kole Myers single for the walk off.
Jackson Ferris started for Tulsa and pitched well. He completed 5.2 IP (92 pitches – 56 strikes). The sole run he allowed came in the 5th. With 2 outs, he issued a BB, a SB, and a RBI single brought home the game’s 1st run.
Four Tulsa pitchers followed Ferris and completed 4.1 scoreless innings, 2 hits, 2 BB, and 5 K.
Myers was the lone Tulsa hitter with a multi-hit game or a XBH.
Great Lakes Loons 9 – Beloit Sky Carp (Miami) 2
Eriq Swan completed 6.0 innings (99 pitches/59 strikes) allowing 2 runs on 3 hits, issuing 4 BB with 8 Ks. Two Loons relievers pitched the final 3.0 scoreless innings without allowing a hit, 1 BB, and 2 K.
In the 2nd inning, Swan allowed a single, a pair of BB, and a 2-run single for the Sky Carp’s only runs. Once again, walks were the problem.
Zyhir Hope started the scoring with a solo HR in the 1st. In the 3rd, Hope singled, stole 2nd, moved to 3rd on a WP and scored on an Elijah Hainline single. In the 5th, Hope singled, advanced to 2nd on a balk, and scored on a Cameron Decker single, making the score 3-2.
The Loons brought 10 men to the plate in the 6th and broke the game open. They packaged 4 singles, 3 BB, a SB, and balk into 6 runs and a 9-2 lead and eventual win.
- Zyhir Hope – 4-5, 4 runs, 1 RBI, HR (10)
- Elijah Hainline – 2-4, 3 RBI
- Jake Gelof – 2-4
Rancho Cucamonga Quakes 7 – Visalia Rawhide (Arizona) 6 – 11 innings
A controversial sac fly in the bottom of the 11th sent the Quakes to a 7-6 win over the Visalia Rawhide on Thursday night.
After rallying from deficits of 1-0, 4-1 and 6-4, the Quakes capped an incredible comeback with a sac fly from Angel Diaz, scoring Jose Meza to walk it off and give Rancho their fourth straight win overall and three straight over the Rawhide to open the current six-game series.
Tied at 6-6, Jose Meza opened the last of the 11th at second base. After a ground ball to the right side moved him to third base with one out, Diaz delivered a fly ball to shallow center field. Visalia center fielder Jose Alpuria delivered what looked like a perfect throw to the plate to get Meza. Home plate umpire Jose Sandoval delayed the call though, waving off the play initially before it became clear that obstruction was the call, as third baseman Yassel Soler was said to have interfered with Meza coming down the line.
The Quakes had 5 hits and 8 BB to help score 7 runs. Samuel Munoz had a game-tying homer (10), while Meza had a game-tying sac fly, before Mairo Martinus had a game-tying double (12) in the tenth. Jaron Elkins also had a double (21). Martinus was the only Quakes hitter with a multi-hit game.
ACL Royals 8 – ACL Dodgers 4
This was the final game of the ACL Season for the Dodgers rookie league team. Brendan Tunink (5), Emil Morales (9), and Roger Lasso (1) each hit HRs.
I will be working on a final write up on the ACL Dodgers.
Said it yesterday and will say it today:
Two of our Top 100 prospects for a guy like Duran or Clase is fine with me. Dodgers need a reliable closer, their window for more WS titles is NOW . Parades over prospects.
Freeland plus one other out of DePaula, Hope, Ferris, Quintero, Sirota for Duran or Clase will make a huge difference in our bullpen.
Dodgers planned it differently when they signed Yates and Scott in the offseason but baseball and life in general has often its own way. Have to adapt on the fly.
Dodgers in the past have held on to their prospects too long only to lose a lot of value.
One transaction in the past that makes me think twice about giving up top prospects for an elite closer: Konerko and Reyes for Shaw years ago.
While Shaw was useful for a couple of seasons Konerko became a HOF hitter.
Did not like that trade back then because I thought it was too much.
Go Dodgers!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I’d prefer Kwan to Duran, but either would be a major upgrade over Conforto.
Did Konerko make the HOF? Certainly had a great career for the White Sox
My recollection is that the Dodgers essentially chose Karros over Konerko, I guess that neither could play 3B or OF in those pre-DH days…
Boston has said Duran is not being traded at the deadline. This winter, who knows. I like Kwan’s bat to ball skills much better.
No, He got just 2.5% of the vote in 2020. Might make it if he gets on the Veterans committees list
Prospects are suspects until proven otherwise has always been my motto. Many of these guys have no chance of ever cracking the Dodger roster. Freddie, 2 more seasons, Mookie, 7, Ohtani 8, Teo 2. The guys at A level, have a chance down the road, but they are nowhere near being ready. Especially the pitchers who have Ohtani, Glasnow, Snell, Yamamoto and Sasaki with long-tern deals. To get quality, you have to trade quality. This might be the one year that AF and Gomes need to suck it up and make a true blockbuster. Clase and Kwan would be nice, Bautista is on the IL, but AF has traded before for an injure player. Darvish in 18, and Edman last year. I really have no clue who they will target, but they need someone who makes the team as a whole better. Not a patch job like you would use on an old tire.
Agreed Michael, netting Clase and Kwan would be worth some type of blockbuster move for this year.
There’s some more buzz about the Dodgers targeting Kwan, while Roberts is suggesting that a new closer isn’t such a pressing need. Treinen will soon be back, after all.
Still, I like the idea of a Kwan + Clase blockbuster.
With Mookie struggling, could Kim shake up the top of the Dodgers batting order?
I don’t think so.
Right now, his OPS is a solid .762, with a .352 OBP. He’d be a big upgrade over Conforto, but probably bat 7th or 8th. The Dodgers are right to be patient with Mookie, I think. And Max should be back in a few weeks.
Hmm…
Mookie SS
Shohei DH
Smith C
Freddie 1B
Pages CF
Max/Edman 3B
Teo RF
Kwan LF
Kim/Edman 2B
Doc is delusional unless Scott turns it around and his injury does not last more than 15days.
It’s been awhile since we’ve had a quantity of higher end position prospects. Vargas, Cartaya, Pages, Busch wasn’t that long ago, but I believe only Cartaya was rated as highly as DePaula and Hope. Ruiz and Lux before that, but really this seems a unique time in high end prospect positional depth for the Friedman era. On one hand it seems a surplus to trade from. On the other hand Friedman doesn’t have a great track record of developing MLB caliber positional players, and we’re an aging team. Maybe it isn’t wise to shrink the pot and lower the probability at least one or two developing into a regular. Especially, since we don’t have strong track record of accumulating promising prospect hitters on the regular.
Personally, I think the Dodgers probably have a firm idea of the likelihood of MLB success for these players. If they strongly feel one can earn a regular spot within 1-3 years, I don’t think see the team trading them. If they have any reservations and not 100% sold, trade fodder. They all have blemishes, so it’s possible they’re all on the table. I like Hope, Rushing, and DePaula, and I love a homegrown roster, but Friedman’s earned my trust at this point. If anything, if any one of them are traded, it will tell me I thought too highly of the player.
If they go splash, I’m guessing one of Clase, Bednar, or Helsley. I think I like Bednar the best, but guessing it winds up Clase. Probably necessary at this point, even if the IL guys return.
While I really like Hope and Ferris, I still wonder why the Dodgers didn’t give Busch a long look in LF.
He’s been crushing it for the Cubs.
Assuming how Hope and Ferris develop, the deal could be win-win. But right now it’s definitely a win for the mighty Cubbies.
Sitting at .500, Cleveland is only 3 games out of the wild card. Will be an interesting week.
Morales & Ko to RC. Harlan too.
There will be more player movement in the minors after the trade deadline.
Guys like Quintero, dePaula or Hope have nothing left to prove at their current teams..
Go Dodgers!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
“At some point” is now. Mookie, Freddie and Ohtani aren’t getting any younger. We have to be all in now for another title this year.
Not sure anyone in the Dodgers organization agrees with this.
But I think I do.
I would hope the organization would be all in every year.
no way. and I don’t believe that. unless the definition of all in is different than it was when I played poker.
Cassidy – hope life is good.
Hopefully they won’t age too quickly. We have Mookie for another 7, and Shohei for another 9 years!! Wonder if AF tries to extend Freddie?
Thank you Watford. All’s well. Hope the same for you. Headed out your way in September. We will be in the Cotswold’s for a week. Can’t wait!
Really is a lovely part of the world. You not in London at all?
Love the cotswolds!
never trust Nightengale.
Anthony Bender is a high-leverage, lower cost option that makes sense.
Jeff where was T. Liranzo (spelling) for you before he was moved?
I was never a big advocate of Thayron Liranzo. He has potential MLB power, but he never impressed enough with this catching acumen for me to get excited about. I think I have been clear that IMO, the most important job as a catcher is to manage the pitching and play stout defense behind the dish. Offense is the cherry on top. With Will Smith and Dalton Rushing, the Dodgers have both in both of them. Liranzo will never beat out Dillon Dingler, and he is not who I would want as a back up catcher.
The best use of Liranzo was acquiring Jack Flaherty from Detroit. Not looking back at that one at all.
I don’t know how high leverage Anthony Bender is. He is not a closer. He has 3 saves and 3 blown saves, but he also has 17 holds. He has been almost automatic his last 10 games (11.0 IP). 0 runs, 3 hits, 3 BB. For balls in play, 16 were ground balls and 13 were balls hit in the air. He threw 153 pitches with 2/3 strikes. He is a pitch to contact pitcher with not a lot of hard hit balls (31st percentile).
He still does not strike out enough batters (19.6%), and walks too many (10.1%). He has a 5-pitch repertoire but really only relies on 3 pitches: sweeper (46%), sinker (27%), slider (22%). He does not get many chases (2nd percentile) or whiffs (7th percentile).
Bender is exactly the type of pitcher the Dodgers will target. A quality 7th-8th inning reliever who will not cost AF/BG any of their top prospects.
I tend to agree, he has a different arsenal than Kopech and Yates, somewhat similar to Graterol (I think, but could be making it up) and can close in a rare pinch.
Im curious how and if you differentiate between closer and high leverage?
He is more similar to Graterol than Kopech. He pitches to contact like Graterol, although not with as much velo. They both rely on ground balls. Graterol is an exceptional athlete with excellent defensive insticts and reactions off the mound
All closers have to be high leverage, but not all high leverage relievers can be closers. Some can pitch in back to back or even back to back to back nights shutting down the opposition to close out the game.
Bender can close in a pinch just like Alex Vesia can. Vesia is more high leverage for me. He has come in to the game with the bases loaded 5 times, and with 2 on in 6 games. With 3 runners – 8 of 15 scored. In his games with 2 inherited runners, only 2 of 12 have scored.
OTOH, Bender has entered with 12 runners on and 3 have scored. He has never entered the game with the bases loaded. He has entered with 2 runners on four times and 2 of 8 have scored.
So yes, Bender can come in to games in high leverage situations and succeed. just not nearly enough as Vesia for me to consider him a high leverage reliever. Maybe he gets there with LAD. Bender has inherited 12 runners all year, while Vesia has inherited 11 just in July. Yes, the Dodgers should consider him and put him in high leverage situations. He is a better option than Kirby Yates.
Once Treinen is back, he should get the majority of save opportunities.
Twins have released their 2nd former LAD catcher propspect in the last week. First Diego Cartaya and now Jair Camargo.
Mariners got Naylor from the D-Backs, who seem to be in full sell mode. Pirates made Cruz available, although most pundits think a trade is unlikely. Padres, Yankees, both looking at pitchers, but the Padres seem determined to trade Cease.
not the best source, but definitely interesting fodder:
Rushing’s being blocked is definitely a problem and possibly a reason to trade him if they refuse to use him in left field.
That said, it would make no sense to trade him for lower level prospects. If you’re going to move him, at least get something back that can help you now.
If AF is really ready to move Rushing, including him in a trade for Kwan, for example, would definitely get the Guardians interested.
If they were to trade him, I wouldn’t do it for prospects. Put him in a package for MLB ready talent.
I don’t think I would give up prime futures for a closer. The team should gamble on one of their relievers getting healthy or regaining the edge they were expected to have or if that fails, use a starter such as Sheehan, May, Sasaki, as the closer in the playoffs.
Here are names of a few players I have been interested in for a few years:
Royce Lewis
Byron Buxton
STB now has be interested in:
Kwan
I used to like Brock Stewart but until just a few days ago I didn’t know he was still playing. I like shortstops that converted to pitching. Welcome home Brock.
I have gained a greater appreciation for defense due to the last several weeks of watching the Dodgers play poor defense. If Muncy were not returning then for the first time I would not be unhappy if the Dodgers traded for Arenado if the trade were Teo for Arenado. But, I would prefer Freeland at third until Max returns. So, use Teo to help get one of Kwan, Lewis, or Buxton. Okay, make that Kwan.
Trades that would make the Dodgers more entertaining for me would be obtaining Kwan, Lewis, and or Buxton. Sadly, I like watching Outman in CF.
I read that Brock Stewart was out of baseball for 3 years and then made a successful return. He had some good moments for the Dodgers when he first came up.
Royce Lewis certainly works for me….
Fred, you just need to get them to change MLB rules so that there are offensive players and defensive players, same as the NFL.
That’s the only way Outman will ever have a long term home in L.A.
Take another reliever off the table. Mets have just traded for Gregory Soto. O’s get two young pitchers in return.
Wellington Aracena and Cameron Foster are going back to the O’s in the Gregory Soto trade. Foster is a 26 year old who just reached AAA after pitching well in AA. Aracena is a 20 year old pitching in the Florida State League (equivalent to California League). Aracena is the NYM’s #19 prospect with a 40 FV.
I thought Soto would be on the LAD list, but not so much as a high priority. A Payton Martin (45 FV)/Maddux Bruns (40FV) package would have been a better package than what NYM gave up.
The key for player comps is FV. NYM has 16 prospects above 40 while the Dodgers have 21. Top 30 lists are not equal. Every MLB team has their own FV calculated for every player, which we have no knowledge of. So the best we can do is use MLB Pipeline, BA, Fangraphs, Baseball Prospectus…Aracena is higher on Fangraphs top NYM prospects (#14) list with a 45 FV, and BA has him down to #28 but with a 45 FV.
One of them was a top-20 prospect.
According to Doc, Betts will most likely miss tonight’s opener in Boston while attending to a personal matter. Sheehan gets the start against Bello. Bello 6-4 with a 3.23 ERA. 74Ks and 35 walks in 97.2 innings. Ohtani, 4-8 has the most ABs against him.
As a fan I’m curious what’s up
with Betts. Granted it’s none of my business but it’s odd he would get a rest day on the second game of the second half and now has personaL matter absence.
Hope Mookie and family are ok. Saw two after game interviews within the last week and he seemed really dejected with his ongoing slump.
I think as fans, we all want Mookie to do well, but like when Freddie had to leave for his son’s illness last season, we all want what is best for the player. I just hope it is nothing serious.
NYY is acquiring Ryan McMahon from the Rockies, with the Rox receiving two prospects in return. One of the two prospects is left-hander Griffin Herring (NYY #8 prospect 45 FV). Another team that was in on Geno Suarez is going in a different direction. Cubs/Detroit/Brewers???
The other prospect is 22 year old RHSP, Josh Grosz. He is at A+. He is NYY #21 prospect with a 40 FV.
Well, Jeff, you were wrong about the Yankees getting Suarez.
They just traded two guys to the Rox for McMahon.
Damn, beat me by 2 seconds!
NYY did not give up too much for McMahon. Maybe AZ is asking too much for Geno. Teams will get more desperate the closer to July 31.
And it isn’t even close to the first time I have been wrong, and it certainly will not be the last. Probably not the last time today.
Rockies DFAd Sean Bouchard on the heels of the McMahon trade.
Feinsand had an AMA about the trade deadline, not a lot on the Dodgers but tons of great stuff:
https://www.reddit.com/r/baseball/s/8FHNffBtwe
Dodgers take high school OF Mason Ligenza in 6th round. Looks like he is going to college. The 6’5, 197-pound Ligenza, a left-handed batter and thrower, has a college commitment to Pittsburgh if he does not sign with the Dodgers.
Dodgers 6th round pick was #195 with a slot value of $317,200.
I wonder what the Dodger’s offered?
From what I have read Ligenza and West are the two HS prizes and the Dodgers have roughly $1m they can spend over slot.
Trade that didn’t happen
According to Sean McAdam of MassLive.com, the Padres inquired about a deal for Duran that would’ve landed the Red Sox starting pitcher Dylan Cease and top prospect Ethan Salas, along with a second prospect. Boston reportedly rejected the offer
Salas, age 19, is rated by MLB Pipeline as among the top catching prospects in baseball. The 6-foot-1 catcher was the No. 1 international prospect in 2023, signing for $5.6 million, and is widely viewed as one of the best catching prospects in baseball.
Cease is a rental and not having a good year. Salas is on the IL with a bad back. Not good for a catcher. There is absolutely no upside for Boston to give away Duran for that package. Duran has 3 years of control after this year.
What follows is a look inside the numbers of Betts’s most challenging season to capture the wide-ranging nature of his travails.
3 — Home runs in the last 49 games for Betts. In that time he is slugging .307 with an OPS of .578.
91— Betts’s wRC+ this season, the lowest of his career, meaning he’s been 9% worse than the average MLB hitter. It’s 49 points lower than his 2024 number (140), 74 lower than in 2023 (165), and 94 lower than his career-best of 185 in 2019.
.238 — Betts’s batting average, the lowest of his career by 26 points, and 51 points lower than in 2024.
.146 — Betts’s batting average against breaking balls, down from .250 last season and .309 in 2023.
.309 — His on-base percentage, the lowest of Betts’s career by 31 points, and 63 points lower than in 2024.
.370 — Slugging percentage, the lowest of Betts’s career by 74 points. The previous low came during his rookie season in 2014. It’s also 121 points lower than in 2024.
.679 — OPS, the lowest of his career, 184 points lower than in 2024 (.863) and 308 points lower than in 2023.
.317 — Expected weighted on base percentage, the lowest of Betts’s career and 114 points lower than his career-best of .431 in 2018. It is also 39 points lower than in 2024.
.404 — Expected slugging percentage, the lowest of his career, 43 points lower than in 2024 and 202 points lower than his career-best in 2018.
5.5 — Betts’s barrel percentage, which is 0.5 points lower than in 2024, but 6.9 points lower than in 2023, and 8.6 lower than his career-best (14.1) in 2018.
34.1 — His hard hit percentage, a career-low, 5.4 points worse than last season and 14.4 percent worse than 2023.
83.8 — His contact percentage, which measures the percentage of time he makes contact when swinging at pitches. This will shock you but it’s the lowest of his career.
88.3 — Betts’s average exit velocity, down 4.1 mph from his career-high of 92.4 in 2023. And, yes, a career-low.
68.8 — Betts’s bat speed, which ranks in only the 11th percentile of MLB. It’s also down 2.5 mph from 2023, when he ranked in the 38th percentile.
66.7% — The percentage of games the Dodgers won through April 14, when Betts’s OPS was .954.
56.5% — The percentage of games the Dodgers have won since April 15, during which Betts is slashing .226/.292/.338 for an OPS of .630. Los Angeles is still a good team without Betts at his best, but his performance could be the difference between a good and great Dodgers team.
Why not put him back in RF and see what happens? I know, I know SS has nothing to do with his struggles at the plate. What harm would it do to try it for a few games?
Team not down with moving him back to right.
because neither he nor the club wants to make that move.
A subset of dodger fans? They would like to see the move.
Robert Jr. not in lineup today
The Mets are the latest team rumored to want him
So a kenley Jansen Taylor Ward and Ty Detmer trade with angels is what we can look forward to and help the team a closer a left fielder and a reliever long relief becaue the dodgers dont trade for high price people at deadline.
Despite the fact that all of them would be some form of upgrade over what the Dodgers have, it is EXTREMELY unlikely that Moreno makes any trades with the Dodgers. They haven’t made a trade since Moreno vetoed the Pederson trade from LA to the Angels.
Those guys could all fit the Dodgers’ needs, but I think Detmer’s first name is Reid…
Thanks Duke………….Ty Detmer is remembered by all but one as the Heisman winning QB from BYU. Geez.
I know didnt know his first just know he is like the pitcher the dudgers had last year in playoffs that would come out and pitch games taht were like blowouts. And then this season they didn’t bring that pitcher back a long reliever. They got him from Kansas City last year and he pitched alot of games because starters were only pitching 3 innings Detmer could be that kind of pitcher to come out and pitch about every nite to get to the bullpen.
You are referring to Ryan Yarbrough who they got the year before, then traded last year to the Rays for Kiermaier. Either him or Brent Honeywell.
I think we could use a Heisman winner on our team. Caleb Williams is busy so bring on Detmer!
Leinert looked pretty good in catchers gear when he caught Reggie Bush’s first pitch.
I say let’s get Tom Brady out of retirement. Shoot for the stars lol
The following drafted players have been assigned to ACL. Since their season has ended, this means they are in the Glendale Development program.
1st round – LHP Zach Root
2nd round – RHP Cam Leiter
3rd round – OF Landyn Vidourek
5th round – RHP Davion Hickson
8th round – RHP Jack O’Connor
12th round – RHP Logan Lunceford
14th round – RHP Davis Chastain
16th round – OF AJ Soldra
19th round – Anson Aroz
Compensation pick, Charles Davalan has also reportedly signed, but has not been assigned. 7th round pick, RHP Mason Estrada, has also reportedly signed but not been assigned. C Conner O’Neal and LHP Jacob Frost have both officially signed but no report as to where they have been assigned.
HS OF Mason Ligenza (6th round) has seemingly joined Sam Horn (17th round) as not likely to sign. He will instead honor his commitment to Pittsburgh.
Other reported signings:
13th round – RHP Robby Porco
15th round – LHP Matt Lanzendorfer
The Dodgers have until Monday at 2:00 PM (PT) to sign:
4th round – High School SS Aidan West
11th round – RHP Dylan Tate (Oklahoma Jr)
18th round – RHP Finn Edwards (JC)
20th round – High School LHP Shane Brinham
Per BA, LAD has signed 15 of 21 draft picks with a compiled bonus $1,013,775 below their allotted slot value. The only player signing above their slot is MIT RHP Mason Estrada (7th round). He signed for just about $200K over his slot.
Thanks for that info Jeff. So at 200K over slot, Estrada got around $450,300. That leaves around $553,000 for high schooler Aiden West. The 4th round slot is $544,900, so that’s in the ballpark.
If 6th round Ligenza changed his mind there is no dough.
And the 11th, 18th and 20th round picks would all get $150K.
That might not be enough for Dylan Tate.
Reportedly 600K over slot for West.
https://foxbaltimore.com/sports/sports-unlimited/sun-long-reach-star-aidan-west-to-sign-with-dodgers-after-being-drafted
MiLB transactions of interest:
Mike Sirota has been moved to 60-day IL, probably out for the season. Maybe Arizona Fall League? If I remember correctly it is an ankle injury.
RH pitchers Sean Linan (#19 prospect), Christian Zazueta (#17 prospect), and Samuel Sanchez have all been placed on 7-day IL To monitor IP???
DSL LHP Adrian Torres, the Dodgers top IFA player not named Roki Sasaki has been placed on full season IL
RHP Luke Fox and RHP Carson Hobbs have been assigned to Tulsa from Great Lakes. Fox gets the start tonight.
RHP Nicolas Cruz and RHP Jose Cabrera have been assigned to Great Lakes from Rancho Cucamonga.
CF Eduardo Quintero has been assigned to Great Lakes from RC. Probably to take Sirota’s spot.
Besides the previously reported SS Emil Morales, OF Ching-Hsien Ko, and 3B Chase Harlan being assigned to RC from ACL, RH pitchers Marlon Nieves and Jesus Tillero have also got their promotion.
I believe I read Sirota is a knee. But your probably correct.
It is a leg injury to be sure. I read ankle. De Paula is a knee. Getting accurate information on injured MiLB players is very difficult. I think we learned that Carlos Duran and Edgardo Henriquez both had TJ surgery nearly 3 months post surgery.
Duran for Rushing! Who says no?
Me
It’s an interesting trade. While I tend to think BOS might do it straight up–a franchise C is priceless–they might get even more for him, including an SP who could help them in a playoff push.
I think we might, depending on how desperate our need for some offensive juice is.
Boston has an abundance of young outfielders and their catching is awful. Both teams benefit. Rushing is impressive behind the plate and he has shown he can hit. I don’t think LA needs to throw any more into the trade unless someone like Karros or someone at that level
I forgot to mention that Jared Karros has also been added to the full season IL.
Both teams, maybe.
Interesting actually. I’d assume Boston wants more since Duran has proven he can succeed in the bigs while Rushing hasn’t, yet.
I presume that, which is why Boston says no.
The Dodgers say no because Duran is not the type of player they have EVER acquired under AF at the deadline.
Duran for Rushing and May
Sheehan & Kim
I read in several publications that Boston was interested in Rushing. I read that Boston has a surplus of young outfielders. This could be a win win for both clubs. The Dodgers certainly could use an upgrade in left field.
For what it’s worth: My take on the bullpen. Hopefully and realistically the Dodgers make the playoffs. Most probability they win the Western Division. Once in the playoffs a team needs four starters. Ohtani, Glasnow, Snell and Kershaw would be a formidable four. Pitchers such as Sheehan, Saski, and others that were starters during the season will be moved to the bullpen once the playoffs begin. Out of the pitchers on the roster that hopefully will be healthy when the playoff starts will make for a top flight bullpen. The Dodgers don’t need to deal out of desperation. If a good trade comes along the way sone needs to jump on it, but not overpay. The playoffs are very different from the regular season. The makeup of the roster especially on the pitching staff is different. I believe the Dodgers front office will keep their nose to the grindstone but will not hit the panic button to trade for a front line closer at a large over pay.
No Yamamoto?
Completely forgot about him!! Thanks for backing me up on the play.
Kim starting to look overwhelmed, wonder if the team rides with him because of speed and defense / looks to supplement him with Kike / looks elsewhere for a bench player.
After doing some thinking, I am bullish I’d green light that Rushing for Arias/Clarke trade.
They are both good prospects (top 75, IMO, but I’m an optimistic RedSox fan) and Rushing is blocked.
Rushing steps right in at C for Boston, Conner Wong a much better back-up and it gives Boston a full Dodger experience at catcher.
Arias top 100, sure. Clarke not so much. Too much reliever risk, which could be outstanding with a 60 fastball and 70 slider. His curve, slider, and control below average.
I was hoping they’d let Sheehan pitch the 6th, if ONLY because there are so few reliable bullpen arms currently and 12 outs to get in a 1 run game
Kim looks horrible with an 0-4 night with 4 Ks. He grimaced every time he swung the bat. Might need an IL stint and perhaps we will see Alex Freeland.
He is chasing way too many pitches that are not strikes. In his last 6 games he has struck out 9 times. Counting tonight, he is 1-18 in those games. He is hitting just .190 in July and has more strikeouts, 21, than he had in May and June combined, 18. The league knows he is going to chase.
Definitely looks like Kim could use a reset. May be too exposed right now playing 4 to 5 games a week.
Nice and much needed win. Loved seeing Teo really crush a ball for once. Kim might need some time back in the minors to get back to basics. Ward hit his 28th for OKC tonight. Casparius made it interesting in the 9th. I would love to see a 1-2-3 ninth just once in a while. Sorry, I would not trade with the Angels to get Jansen back. He might have 17 saves, but I still would not trust him in a must win game.
Ardaya is reporting that the Dodgers are interested in Brendan Donovan, one of my favorites, and I think Jeff’s also.
Would probably take a lot to get him and if we did, I suppose they’d move him in at 2B, move Edman to center and Pages to left. Donovan has played left field as well so that could be another option.
But first we have to get him and I’m guessing the asking price will be something that AF won’t pay.
He is third in the NL in hitting right now. Cards did LA a favor and beat the Padres again, dropping them to 6 games back.
Did I see correctly where Smith is the only qualified NL batter hitting over .300? Is that normal these days? I seem to remember that back in the day there were all kinds of .300 hitters.
Rangers released Luke Jackson. Rockies are calling up outfielder, Warming Bernabel from AAA. What a name huh?