The Dodgers had 18 picks in the 2024 draft. They lost their 2nd and 5th round choices due to signing Shohei Ohtani. For comparison only, the 2nd and 5th picks for LAD in 2023 were 3B Jake Gelof and 1B Joe Vetrano respectively. I think the Dodgers made the right choice, even with his strikeouts.
- SS – 4 (2 high school and 2 college)
- 3B – 1 (high school)
- LHP – 4 (1 college senior, 2 college juniors, 1 JC)
- RHP – 6 (4 college seniors, 1 college junior, 1 JC)
- OF – 3 (1 high school, 1 college senior, 1 JC)
- High School – 4 (1st, 2nd, 8th, 15th) – Erik Parker (15th) is going to Georgia
- College Junior – 5
- College Senior – 6
- Junior College – 3
College Seniors – RHP Brooks Auger (6th round), OF Kole Myers (9th round), RHP Seamas Barrett (10th round), RHP Aidan Foeller (11th round), LHP Evan Shaw (16th round), RHP Isaac Ayon (18th round).
With eight position players including five of their top eight picks, it has been written that the LAD offensive development team will be challenged and under scrutiny to produce from this draft. (Please note, I do not remember who said it, as I was on vacation and could not document who said what – Sorry Bluto). I think that is especially true with SS Kellon Lindsey (1st) and 3B Chase Harlan (2nd). Two positions of need. I will also include OF Brendan Tunink (8th) as well, he will be another to watch develop.
The 2024 MLB draft was not considered a deep draft, especially when compared to the 2023 draft. The Dodgers chose to look at high school players with high ceiling positions of need with their first two picks and three of their first six.
Rob Schelling wrote a fantastic article on 1st round pick, high school SS Kellon Lindsey…
https://ladodgerchronicles.com/meet-kellon-lindsey/
Rob followed that up with a nice dossier on the next 6 picks:
- High School 3B – Harlan Chase (#3 draft pick)
- LHP – Jakob Wright – Cal Poly SLO (#4 pick)
- RHP – Brooks Auger – College Senior Mississippi State (#6 pick)
- SS – Elijah Hainline – Oregon State University (#7 pick)
- High School OF – Brendan Tunink (#8 pick)
- OF Kole Myers – College Senior Troy University (#9 pick)
- RHP – Seamas Barrett – College Senior Loyola Marymount (#10 pick)
https://ladodgerchronicles.com/day-two-of-the-mlb-draft-2/
The LAD first 8 picks had slot values associated totaling $6,114,700. The first seven picks in the draft made more money alone than the LAD total. Three of those eight are college seniors that do not require full slot values and generally allow for large below slot values.
Six of the eight picks signed for below slot values.
#1 – Kellon Lindsey – Signed for $3,297,500 – $378,900 under slot
#4 – Jakob Wright – Signed for $553,800 – $2,700 under slot
#6 – Brooks Auger – Signed for $197,500 – $118,000 under slot
#7 – Elijah Hainline – Signed for $197,500 – $50,200 under slot
#9 – Kole Myers – Signed for $2,500 – $186,300 under slot
#10 – Seamas Barrett – Signed for $5,000 – $174,000 under slot
That is a total below slot of $910,100.
#3 – Chase Harlan – Signed for $1,747,500 for $1,002,500 above slot.
#8 – Brendan Tunink – Signed for $412,500 for $206,700 above slot.
Harlan had a commitment to Clemson University while Tunink had a commitment to University of Notre Dame that required over slot bonuses. Lindsey also had a commitment to University of Florida that did not require an above slot bonus. I am certain that the Dodgers knew beforehand what Lindsey would require for his bonus, and that was a key criterion in their pick.
Since none of the final ten picks went over $150,000 the total above slot totaled $299,100 or 4.89% above. This is just under the allowable 5% above slot bonus without penalty.
| Round | Name | Position | Age | School | Reported Bonus |
| 1 | Kellon Lindsey | SS | 18 | Hardee HS (FL) | $3.3M |
| 3 | Chase Harlan | 3B | 18 | Central Bucks East HS (PA) | $1.7475M |
| 4 | Jakob Wright | LHP | 21 | Cal Poly San Luis Obispo U | $553,800 |
| 6 | Brooks Auger | RHP | 22 | Mississippi State U | $197,500 |
| 7 | Elijah Hainline | INF | 21 | Oregon State U | $197,500 |
| 8 | Brendan Tunink | OF | 18 | Newman Central Catholic HS (IN) | $412,500 |
| 9 | Kole Myers | OF | 23 | Troy U | $2,500 |
| 10 | Seamus Barrett | RHP | 23 | Loyola Marymount U | $5,000 |
| 11 | Aidan Foeller | RHP | 22 | SIU Carbondale | $147,500 |
| 12 | Cody Morse | LHP | 21 | Weatherford JC (TX) | $147,500 |
| 13 | Mike Villani | RHP | 21 | Long Beach State U | $147,500 |
| 14 | Will Gagnon | RHP | 20 | Reedley College JC (CA) | $147,500 |
| 15 | Erik Parker | SS | 18 | North Gwinnett HS (GA) | DNS |
| 16 | Evan Shaw | LHP | 23 | Kansas U | $122,500 |
| 17 | Jackson Nicklaus | 2B/SS | 21 | U Oklahoma | $147,500 |
| 18 | Isaac Ayon | RHP | 22 | U Oregon | $147,500 |
| 19 | Chase Williams | OF | 18 | NW Florida State College | DNS |
| 20 | Hunter Elliott | LHP | 21 | Ole Miss | DNS |
| UDFA | Gio Cueto | C | 21 | Stetson U | N/A |
| UDFA | Logan Tabeling | RHP | 22 | U Illinois | N/A |
| UDFA | Myles Caba | LHP | 22 | U Miami | N/A |
The Dodgers signed 8 of their next 10 picks.
#11 – Aidan Foeller – A 6’3” RHP who comes to the Dodgers via Southern Illinois as a college senior. He is a pitcher that creates a lot of “swing and miss”. He had 105 Ks this past season and ranked top-30 nationally in Ks/9 at 12.17, which led the MVC, and he has the frame and tools to keep adding.
#12 – Cody Morse – A 6’6 LHP out of Weatherford College (JC) who was committed to Skip Johnson at Oklahoma University. If Skip Johnson wants you, you can pitch. Skip Johnson is one of the best pitching coaches in the game, at any level.
Fastball was low 90’s this past Spring, to pair with a good backdoor slider that has very sharp breaking action. 3/4 slot, which gives his slider a “natural” sweeping motion, and also gives a “crossfire” feel to his “glove side” locations to his fastballs. His 3/4 slot, especially at 6’6”, suggests the potential to be very difficult on lefties, especially if he throws a sinker to pair.
#13 – Mike Villani – A 6’2” RHP pitcher out of Long Beach State with a good fastball/slider combo. His fastball has “sinker” tendencies with quite a bit of “arm side” run, which is something the Dodgers will use to command the inner half of the plate against righties. Bruce Kuntz, a Long Beach State broadcaster, believes Villani is destined for the bullpen.
#14 – Will Gagnon – A 6’1” RHSP from Reedley JC in the Central Valley. He was good enough to get a scholarship offer to UCLA, and the Dodgers did not have to pay more than $150K to sign him as a 14th round pick. Any pitcher that John Savage wants is a pitcher very worthy of being drafted. He will be fun to watch.
#15 – Erik Parker – 18 year old high school SS who had a University of Georgia commitment. He notified the Dodgers early that he would not be signing with LAD and would honor his University of Georgia commitment.
#16 – Evan Shaw – A 6’4 left-handed pitcher out of Kansas, who has always shown to have good “swing and miss” offerings. Shaw is another college senior arm.
#17 – Jackson Nicklaus – University of Oklahoma SS for three years, who had some clutch ABs in tournament play. 17th round SS are looooong shots. But he comes from a pedigreed program.
#18 – Isaac Ayon – A 6’4” RHP that came to the Dodgers from Oregon and is from Fresno. He was a top 300 National Player coming out of High School but had his Senior season canceled due to Covid.
He got mound time right away as a Freshman in 2021, then was a workhorse in 2022 throwing 87.1 innings. So, he had a good first couple of years but then had to miss all of 2023 due to elbow problems that eventually led to (UCL) brace repair, which is an alternative to Tommy John Surgery.
Although he avoided Tommy John the first time, he wasn’t able to escape it as he had to miss 2024 as well, this time to have the Tommy John Surgery.
His stuff plays up when healthy though and has touched high 90’s, and his ball has a pretty distinct sinker-ish right turn on pitches located middle-in to righties. His slider has a sharp break, great depth, and the potential to be a + pitch. He pairs that with a changeup with good tumble.
The Dodgers have done well selecting pitchers with TJ surgeries. Caleb Ferguson, Michael Grove, Justin Wrobleski. The Dodgers will be hoping Ayon is more Grove/Wrobleski than Jordan Sheffield.
The final two selections have not signed and are not expected to.
#19 – Junior College OF, Chase Williams – Committed to Florida State. If he was willing to sign for $150K, he would be under contract. But as a Florida State commitment, he has no reason to sign this year. I believe he will be eligible to be redrafted in 2025 as a sophomore eligible.
#20 – Hunter Elliott – A 6-3 LHP who did not pitch this past season at Ole Miss due to having Tommy John surgery. He still has another year to pitch at Ole Miss, so he is under no urgency to sign this year for $150K. Elliott was a big part of the Ole Miss squad that beat Jackson Nicklaus and the OU bunch for the 2022 National Championship, so he has high-level experience, albeit limited due to injury. As a freshman, he posted an ERA of just 2.70 and also threw 80 innings, so he was good and was a workhorse. He also recorded 102 Ks and had a batting average against of just .201 and for a Freshman in that competitive of a world, that’s insanely impressive.
The Dodgers have also signed three UDFA to MiLB contracts:
- Catcher – Gus Cueto – Stetson University
- RHP – Logan Tabeling – University of Illinois
- LHP – Myles Caba – University of Miami
Unlike in previous years, there is no rookie league for these new players to be assigned to. For those who may be considered advanced enough for low A, they could get assigned to Rancho, but the others are headed for Camelback with non team oriented development.
Seattle has traded for Randy Arozarena for a pair of low A prospects. 20 year old OF Aidan Smith (#12) and 22 year old RHP (#22). There will also be a PTBNL. Apparently the Dodgers did not desire Arozarena all that much. There is no way the Dodgers could not have made a better offer had they wanted Arozarena. I will withhold judgement until the Dodgers make their move.
Not a snowballs chance in hell. That is a ridiculous trade. 7 for 1?? Nuts.
I’ll tell you why this is a dumb idea. No one player, not ever Skubal, is going to guarantee that the Dodgers will win the World Series. Plus, in this trade they lose their starting centerfielder, which means, they either put the anemic hitting James Outman out there every day, or they have to trade more prospects for an everyday center fielder who can hit and play solid defense. They need to make multiple moves. Trading seven for one is not a prudent move.
Agreed. Way, way too much the Dodgers would give up.
Go Dodgers!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I don’t think Pages is a center fielder
He’s not, but right now, Outman is not a MLB hitter. Hopefully it changes while CT3 is out.
This does seem like a stretch, but They don’t need Rushing, since he’s blocked by Smith and Barnes. Vargas sucks. Pages is mediocre at best. Do you think those guys are going to be all-stars?
Losing Depaula Ryan and Freeland would sting. But do you believe any of those guys will become all-stars? Or even productive regulars? Ryan has made one start in the majors and looks promising. The other two have yet to reach the majors. Skubal has 2 years of control left, and seems to be healthy and reliable. That is priceless in today’s world where the pitchers are coddled and babied, and constantly injured and are not expected to pitch more than 120 innings per season. it is a bit of a stretch, bu if Skubal tosses 7 shutout innings in game 4 of the NLDS, and the Dodgers win, that is worth a hundred of these overhyped prospects.
You gotta give up guys to get guys.
I could see trading three, but not seven
One might also say Corbin Carol is also not a MLB hitter based on 2024 stats.
Carroll and Outman both bitten by the sophomore jinx.
Really? You are going to compare Carroll to Outman?
Carroll – .210/.299/.333/.632 – 80 OPS+ bWAR 0.4
Outman – .153/.250/.258/.508 – 46 OPS+ bWAR -0.6
There is no comparison – Carroll has a OPS > 124 than Outman.
Every Rays trade brings to mind this classic Sam Miller line:
On this particular trade, Pontes says:
The Rays land one of the most athletic pitchers in the minors in Brody Hopkins & a tooled up outfield in Aidan Smith with an optimized swing and improving skills.
Smith ranked no. 14 & Hopkins ranked No. 15 on @BaseballAmerica
Mariners Top 30.
Really like this return for TB.
And Kiley M says:
For 2.5 years of Arozarena, making $8.1 M this season.
Hopkins was a data favorite & plus athlete out of Winthrop (6th round, 2023 draft). Probably a late inning reliever with plus stuff.
Smith got $1.2M (4th round, 2023 draft) as a prep OF w/above average power/speed/approach.
They also get a player to be named later. AF rarely makes early strikes. Puk off of the market too. Go after Tanner Scott.
Agree. Scott has always been the better option, and he could at least share “closer” duties with Phillips.
Honeywell became the ninth Dodgers pitcher to record a save this year. (Is that “closer-by-committee”?) Scott could become the tenth.
I agree with Jeff that the Dodgers must not have been as keen on Arozarena as reports indicated. Surely they could have surpassed the Mariners’ offer. So perhaps Robert is the primary target after all, even with the injury concerns.
If not Robert… perhaps Rooker or Happ or Lane Thomas or ??
“Puk off”
Good one Bear
Unintentional
IMHO a shockingly low return for RA considering some of the trade rumors that where out there. Including some suggested trade packages on this blog. They were all much, much higher (including some of mine 😀 ). Never thought RA would go that cheaply.
Go Dodgers!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
We know very little.
Must this be said adnaussium.
Jeff, thanks for the thorough recap of the draft. The scouting reports are great.
Kersh got hit pretty hard , a lot of hits and some loud outs. On the positive side he had the strikeout pitch going for him. An okay performance for his first game back.
But I have serious doubts he will be the answer in the postseason.
Go Dodgers!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Ram, he does not have to be the answer. All he needs to do is to be part of the solution. I think he can when he gets stretched out a little, go at least six. His fastball location was off. He said that in his postgame interview. But he is smart, and he knows his limitations and his skills. He will be fine.
That double in the first off of him would have been caught by just about any experienced center fielder including bellinger.
Pages also made a nice sliding catch earlier in the inning. Pretty bad route on the double.
I have no interest in Bellinger
His routes are often awful. I’d recommend ingesting some GIS software or maybe take a class in centerfield cartography.
I recommend moving him to RF and keep Outman in CF. Heyward should sit. Need a bat? Get a 3rd baseman. It’s not rocket science but Roberts science keeps Pages in CF and Heyward in RF and Outman in left out.
If the Dodgers main interest is a CF then that could explain the Dodgers not getting in on Arozarena. Guess we will all find out soon enough.
Not many elite CFs on the market right now. Robert Jr. probably the best. But his injury history is worrisome. Bellinger is injured also, and Dodger fans know all about him. Cedric Mullins of the Orioles will most likely be on the block. Jazz Chisholm is on the block, but the tiff he had with Miguel Rojas might be enough to keep LA from trading for him. He isn’t really a power hitter, and for a guy with his speed, he isn’t very prolific at that. He does have 21. He is a good defender. He also has been plagued by injuries. I do not think the Tigers would make Riley Greene available. But I would love that guy. Trout is not an option either. We will just wait and see how AF plays it.
If Rojas is out long time that would open the door for a Chisholm trade.
Him plus Tanner Scott would be an awesome trade.
Would cost some but fill a couple holes.
Go Dodgers!!!!!!!!!!!!
The team needs to get a new centerfielder. In my opinion the best fit is Robert Jr.. He’s 26 and is a positive dWAR centerfielder. I know he comes with a few warts but I believe the Dodgers can fix them.
In the meantime play Outman in CF.
I’d like to believe the Dodgers believe they can fix his “issues.”
We’ll see soon enough.
Ok. after thinking extensively all last night when I could find no sleep I have the solution for the deadline:
Trade for Scott and Chisholm with the Marlins.
Bring in Flaherty .
With Rojas likely out Chisholm makes all the sense in the world. Can play CF and infield on a high level. Scott is a bona fide closer.
Flaherty I am good if he has to start a game 2 or 3 in the postseason.
With both Scott and Flaherty being rentals the cost in prospects should be not too high. Especially looking at how low the Rays traded RA.
Go Dodgers!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Chisholm has a problem, and the problem, which it seems you all have forgotten is his tiff with Miguel Rojas. He made some disparaging comments about Miggy earlier this season. He is marginally good power wise, but I think his attitude is a huge problem. Seems to me he does not play smart baseball.
If Rojas is cooked because of his injury it is irrelevant.
Go Dodgers!!!!!!
Doubtful. He is a me first player. Not a real team guy. His attitude is in question. NO thanks.
Agreed.
Bear, I lost track with too many pronouns.
“he’s a me first player”, I’m assuming you’re talking about Chisholm?
And below with Bum saying Rojas can’t keep his mouth shut? WTF
Yes, I was talking about Chisholm.
Rojas might bug some players by always having something to say even if it is good advice. I’m not saying anything more than that. I didn’t have much time when I posted and was using my index finger on my phone which keeps me from saying much.
Rojas can’t keep his mouth shut.
Rojas did not start it. Chisholm did.
Bring Chisholm in, give them both pugil sticks and let them duke it out in front of the team.
Ahhh, I remember those things.
Now the journalists.have started a rumor that we are interested in Rich Hill! How would getting rid of Paxton and getting Hill make any sense? Plus I have to think there is a deeper reason to release Paxton, personality or some other issue?
No, it makes no sense. They have no problem with Paxton except he walks too many hitters, and they would probably have to DFA him later on as Kersh, Buehler and other pitchers return to the roster. Better to do it before the deadline and maybe a contender picks him up.
Thanks for draft info
I’m beginning to like the stuff that Honeywell has. I see now why he was at one point a top 100 prospect.
Maybe we can “fix him” like we’ve done with many others.
Honeywell was AFs last 2nd round pick for Tampa Bay in 2014. AF has always liked Honeywell. He was a top 100 prospect from 2016-2020, reaching a high of 12 in 2018, one spot better than Walker Buehler. If Honeywell stays healthy (like all LAD pitchers), he will be good for the Dodgers, and is controlled for four more years (thru 2028).
#12, wow. So yes, for sure he has the stuff, and maybe he’s another late bloomer we plucked from the TJ Maxx section.
Joe Davis closed last night’s broadcast by describing it as a GREAT DAY and he couldn’t have been more right for a number of reason:
Kershaw, Nick Ahmed, Kike, Barnes, Shohei, Honeywell with his first save and Freeman with a game saving pick on a brutal throw by Lux.
But this was about Kershaw.
I’m a guy who had a career ending injury. All of old geezers have come back from surgeries, understand rehab and the emotions attached. But not to play pro baseball. While I relished the day of Kershaw’s return, I also dreaded it, in an odd way.
My dad was a hard man but had a soft side he seldom showed. I have a stubborn and hard side that I learned to control. Competitive people have to learn control.
But I have a soft side for players like Clayton Kershaw. He’s a future HOF’er, good guy and a great family man. He chose, at his age, to have surgery and try to extend his career when he could have called it a career and settled into retirement. He’d be an extraordinary in the booth.
But NO WAY he wanted to end his career with a bitter taste in his mouth.
CK and his family put in all the hard work, faced all the questions, in order to rehab and come back. No small task.
I fiddled around all day as to not actually watch the game, I recorded. I was seriously apprehensive and nervous for him. The thing I feared was the pain and embarrassment of coming out and getting punched in the gut. Of not having it and walking off the mound disappointed. It’s happened recently with Walker Buehler and Bobby Miller. An emotional downer of mega proportions for CK, his family, his team, and the fans.
My fear was made worse when I saw the pre-game clip of CK at home with his wife and kids. They had given DAD a gift for his Big Return, A PAIR OF CUSTOM SPIKES TO WEAR. Very cool colors but the touching part was seeing the kid’s drawings of dad, mom and all the kids, and maybe the dog, on each shoe.
Then to watch Ellen bawling with joy as her man took the mound was too much.
If I’d ever hoped for something good to happen for a man, this was it.
And he delivered. I’ve never been so happy for a pitcher to go 4 innings and give up 2 runs on 72 pitches.
Hopefully he will feel okay today and can build on last night. He can get outs with his well located 91 and using his fastball as a change up. He knows how to get outs.
Who knows the future? But Joe was right; yesterday was a great day.
Phil, thank you for this. I cannot think of a better summation of CK’s day than what you have said.
Phil,
Curious if you could take some time and give me some of your back ground as a player/coach? I see you mention it a lot over the years so if you have already posted it I apologize. I am assuming you played but kind of curious how far you got as a player and who you all coached for?
Good post Phil.
But, taking the Grumpy Old Man position, for which I am profoundly overqualified, Clayton Kershaw is not yet 37 years old, plays baseball 8 months a year and has already made $300 million doing it. He will be retired raising kids, who are blessed with generational wealth, before he turns 40. For those of us who worked our asses off on jobs we mostly disliked til our mid 60’s, I don’t find myself at all moved by his story. But I would like to hear more on yours.
LAD trades James Paxton to Boston for 16 year old (now 17) corner infielder Moises Bolivar who was playing fairly well in the DSL. LAD is hoping that their DSL players start to make an impact.
There’s already a video online of Moises hitting a walkoff to end the game in the DSL today.
We’ve just traded Paxton for a future Hall of Famer!
This trade will surpass the Bagwell/Doyle Alexander trade for Boston!!
Bolivar!
One of Simon’s descendants?
Per the Boston Globe beat reporter ($$$$)
A couple things on Paxton deal: 1) Sox pick up about $1.4M in salary 2) Moises Bolivar has been a very good performer in the DSL, combining good swing decisions, some pop, and ability at 3B. He’s a lottery ticket but off to a good start.
https://www.bostonglobe.com/2024/07/26/sports/red-sox-james-paxton-dodgers-trade/?event=event25
lottery ticket!
One other thing, I never believe rumors until they are fact. When I see a player’s name on the back of a Dodger uniform or on the roster listed on the website, then I know if the rumor was true or not. Paxton traded to the Red Sox.
Kershaw vs. Crochet:
Unlike Phil, I decided to watch CK’s return live yesterday and was thrilled with what I saw. He should be able to build on that outing and be a real asset for the post season, however they decide to use him.
I was truly touched by Ellen’s reactions all throughout the game. This is a man who epitomizes everything a Hall of Famer and wonderful family man should strive to be.
Which brings me to Crochet. I read where he (through his agent) has told everyone who wants to listen that if he’s traded he will only start and will not go to the bullpen because he feels that this would be better for his (arm) health. And then he follows that up with demanding an extension if his new team expects him to pitch in the playoffs, again to protect his interests.
I could maybe understand these statements if they came from a 17 year veteran who is a first ballot Hall of Famer just waiting for induction, but Crochet has had exactly 2/3 of a very good season. And now he’s dictating his terms to the baseball world. I can just imagine how that would go over in his new clubhouse.
I’m also wondering why he’s ready to start another 10-11 times during the regular season, but 3-5 post season starts would suddenly be detrimental. And lastly, I didn’t realize that MLB contracts were for the regular season only and then each contract is to be re-negotiated for the playoffs. Maybe he should read his current contract.
Now, I’ll personally apologize to Mr. Crochet if it turns out that the stories online were categorizing this as a demand when, in fact, it was merely a request. But, if not, I’m saying we don’t need him that badly.
Not a good look for him. You would think he would be thrilled to go to a contender and pitch in the playoffs. He doesn’t have the resume to be making demands. Maybe he is echoing his agents demands and he is not an asshole.
Ya if this is true, then he can go f himself.
Just give him the f’n money and let him pitch Game 2.
Considering he wants to start for the rest of the year, you’re assuming he’ll be able to lift his arm by Game 2.
He may find himself in El Attrache’s care by October.
Philadelphia get Austin Hays from Baltimore for RHRP Seranthony Dominguez and Cristian Pache. XLNT trade for Philadelphia and it does give Baltimore an additional bullpen weapon.
Not too shabby! For either side. Like Philly’s lineup
1. Kyle Schwarber (DH)
2. Trea Turner (SS)
3. Bryce Harper (1B)
4. Alec Bohm (3B)
5. J.T. Realmuto (C)
6. Brandon Marsh (CF)
7. Nick Castellanos (RF)
8. Austin Hays (LF)
9. Bryson Stott (2B)
Sorry if you’ve touched on this already, Jeff, but aside from Robert Jr, are there any other center fielders out there who might be available and interesting?
Maybe by letting Randy A. go to Seattle AF is telling us he’s after someone to play centerfield because he’d rather move Pages to a corner spot.
I’m assuming Cedric Mullins and Harrison Bader could be had, but they’re hardly difference makers.
unless you count Bellinger on that list?
I’m not counting Belli because of his contract/opt out situation but maybe AF doesn’t care. That said, it makes it very hard to place a trade value on a player if you don’t know whether you’ll have him for 3 months, or 2 years and 3 months.
and Chisholm…
Besides Cedric Mullins and Harrison Bader, Dylan Carlson is also available. Mullins is an especially good club house presence. But they already have Jason Heyward for that. Bellinger’s contract makes him a non starter. Jazz Chisholm is a misfit with LAD.
i cannot see AF paying full price for Luis Robert Jr., but if CWS assumes part of the risk with a tempered return, he could be the LAD CF.
What about Keirmaeir? If they are looking for more of a glove first player. He’s always been an excellent center fielder.
He is retiring at the end of the season. Hitting .190. no thanks.
Would the O’s really deal Mullins?
He’d resolve the CF issues and look good batting about 7th… And he must be 5 or 6 years younger than Heyward.
Interesting thought.
Hmm. Perhaps the conversation could start with Knack for Mullins and go from there. The O’s just landed Eflin but they need more help in the rotation…
Feinsand:
Multiple teams have reached out to the Rockies about the availability of Ryan McMahon, per sources, but Colorado does not appear intent on moving him. The Rockies do have other players that could move including Cal Quantrill, Austin Gomber and Elias Diaz.
more on the well-named Bolivar:
Red Sox dealt 17-yr-old Venezuelan 1B/3B Moises Bolivar to the Dodgers for James Paxton. Bolivar signed for $25k in January & hit .270/.364/.423 w/10 xbh & 17 BB:21 K. Young for the class. Aggressive approach, but solid contact skills & rarely whiffs on pitches in the zone.
Seems like this is about the optimum we could have hoped for in this kind of deal.
Keith Law weighs in on the Arozarena trade, calls it a win-win: ($$$$)
https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/5661030/2024/07/26/mariners-rays-randy-arozarena-trade-analysis/?source=user_shared_article
Olney:
Count the Rangers among the teams that have had discussions with the Rays about All-Star Isaac Paredes, as well as Yandy Diaz. Texas is looking for an upgrade to its offense, in a year in which Josh Jung and Evan Carter has been out for months.
From Passan:
Trade news: The Seattle Mariners are acquiring right-handed reliever Yimi Garcia from the Toronto Blue Jays, sources tell ESPN.
The main return for the Blue Jays: outfield prospect Jonatan Clase.
Garcia was one of the best RP available this deadline. Seattle remaining busy.
From Rosenthal:
Orioles acquiring Zach Eflin from the Rays, source tells @TheAthletic
Passan has the details:
Full trade, per ESPN sources:
Baltimore Orioles receive: right-handed starter Zach Eflin
Tampa Bay Rays receive: outfielder Matthew Etzel, right-handed pitcher Jackson Baumeister and superutilityman Mac Horvath.
Good, I didn’t think we needed Eflin. We need bigger impact than him
The two Tampa trades really spell out their philosophy/process:
Trade two really good players w/limited control left and eliminate ~$30M in 2025 payroll obligations
Receive five (5) solid prospects + PTBNL, none must be added to the 40-man roster until 2026, but none are top 100 quality today.
insightful observation
Can anyone tell me if MLB.TV will air a replay of tonight’s game some time after it finishes?
Can’t watch the live Apple TV broadcast ’cause their video buffers on my comp.
Biggio plays lux sits the turd at work again
Biggie is playing 1B for Freddie who flew back to LA for his sick son Max who is in the hospital. Lux is playing.
Thnx jeff
Get well, young Max!
Usually it airs about 2 hours after the game ends.
Thank you Michael for the response.
This is gonna be a rough one tonight in Houston.
The ‘pen is spent, no Freddie. None of the others who are and have been out.
BUT More help on the way?
Buehler and Brasier expected to pitch at OKC today.
Vargas is not a left fielder, Pages is not a centerfielder, and Gavin Stone isn’t fooling anyone. Also, Dodgers up against a good pitcher. Was hoping they wouldn’t see any more of them.
Note to hitters, you have to be in the box even if the pitcher is not on the mound. I didn’t know that. Makes no sense. It looked like Valdez knew that and worked the rookie for strike 3. F’n asstros.
We had our shot. 3 and 4 hitters failed
Buehler not very good at AAA tonight. 8 hits and 4 earned runs in 4 innings. 2 walks, walks 3 Ks. 72 pitches, 45 strikes. Graterol and Grove had scoreless innings
Was glad to see Yohan Ramírez finally get DFA’d. The future Biggio DFA can’t come soon enough.
Vargas with a lack of hustle to
score on an infield single, what the hell was Kike thinking when he rounded 2B, Pages called out on an automatic strike. Inexcusable!
Lack of hustle and poor fundamental baseball is the quickest way off of a roster.
Not on the Dodgers. Our standards have devolved over the years.
I didn’t get to c it due to Apple.
pages seems lost at the plate, defense, baserunning for quite some time.
we need a cf badly/number 1 priority
what did Vargas/kike do?
Vargas doesn’t score from third on a single.
You don’t see that every day.
The team just didn’t have it today.
Thanks. Vargas and pages how do I say this. They don’t seem to be cerebral in their approach.
Kiké had a brain fart at second on the play so, credit to him as well.
There are times this team just doesn’t look Big League. Oh well, put it in the rear view. Next game.