I believe it was in 2020 when I first started writing for a Dodger blog. Like most of you, I was just a fan posting on a site dedicated to my favorite sport and team. I got that chance because Badger told Mark that he felt I should be allowed to post on his site, which because of a little bit of animosity between us on another site, I never expected to happen. But I started posting there, and before long Mark asked if I would consider doing stories on the teams and baseball history, which I love reading and researching.
Besides, we were in full stay at home mode, what the hell else did I have to do with my time! So, I started writing for LADT. Mark had several contributors at that time, including Jeff and if memory serves, Harold. Evan Bladh would contribute once in a while too. I really started to enjoy what I was doing. It kept my aging mind busy, something us older guys know all to well. I had to do many hours of research for each post.
Some took longer than others because even on the internet, all of the pertinent info is not always available. Some things I had to get out of books I have or could find at the library. I cannot for the life of me remember exactly when Mark asked me if I would help Jeff as he began this site, but I said yes without even hesitating. Now remember, I was doing posts for both sites, and I am telling you, coming up with ideas for posts that are relevant is not that easy, especially when you are doing like 2 posts a week for each site.
The other thing that is not easy is dealing with all of the different personalities and views of the fans who post. I don’t care who you are or how knowledgeable you are about the Dodgers or baseball in general, that is probably the hardest part of doing this. Another hard part is not letting someone get your goat, and make you say something you normally would not say. Mark is who he is. He has a very strong personality, and it comes through in everything he says and does.
I have met him twice. Once in Denver, when he came to Colorado for one of his conventions concerning his business. The other time was at a Quakes game my sister, brother and I went to. He was very cordial both times and we had a long baseball and Dodger discussion. I have also met Watford, Dodger Patch and Bulldogs and Penguins, who also wrote for LADT at one point. I met John up in Colorado Springs, and Ted Raymond came here to Canon City. I enjoyed all of those meetings immensely.
I know it may not sound like it, but I actually do respect all of your opinions. I may not agree with you 100%, but I respect your right to say what you think. There have only been a couple of guys I have really had problems with. With apologies to Bradley, I respect his love of the team, but I feel he should deal with a lot more reality and less fantasy. Some of his trade ideas have merit. Others have as much chance of happening as me being skinny. But I can tell he is a very passionate Dodger fan.
I also apologize to Bluto, whose sarcasm I totally miss sometimes. He loves the game and always seems to have pertinent information. I really respect Jeff and what he is trying to do here. He doesn’t get any monetary compensation for this. He does it out of love for the game, and the Dodgers. He also does it for you readers, and it is not cheap to run a site like this. I know I do not have the financial wherewithal to do something like this, so I appreciate the fact that Jeff has kept the site up for as long as he has.
I also consider him to be one of the more knowledgeable fans and writers I know. Badger is another who knows the game and played at a level I never reached. Phil is another very astute fan. All of you who post and give your opinion on the state of the Dodgers, I respect more than you know. I am not one of those baseball geniuses who knows it all, even though I have been accused of thinking that. I am simply a Dodger and baseball fan who has studied the history of both since I was very young.
History is my passion, both Dodger baseball, and baseball history. My other history love is US history. I read about that as much as possible. I really want to thank you all for all of the support you have given to Jeff’s site and to my writing. I shall continue to contribute as much as I can to Dodger Chronicles for as long as Jeff keeps it going and allows me to be a part of what I consider one of the better Dodger blogs out there. I am not perfect by a long shot. I don’t try to be. I just love the game and the team.
MiLB GAME SUMMARY REPORTS
Salt Lake City Bees (LAA) 8 – OKC Comets 2
A five-run seventh inning — fueled by a grand slam — broke open Tuesday night’s game and helped send the Salt Lake Bees to an 8-2 win against the Oklahoma City Comets.
The Bees led, 3-1, entering the seventh inning before loading the bases on three walks (apparently Bluto has no problem with this) with one out and bringing in a run on a fielder’s choice. Later with the bases loaded again and two outs, Sebastian Rivero hit a grand slam out to left field for an 8-1 Salt Lake advantage.
The Bees took a 3-0 lead through five innings, including a solo home run by Matthew Lugo in the third inning.
The Comets got on the scoreboard in the sixth inning on a solo home run by Chuckie Robinson and brought in another run in the seventh inning on a sacrifice fly by Noah Miller.
Chuckie Robinson went 2-for-4 with a double and home run. He has hit safely in five of his last six games, going 12-for-25 with eight RBI.
CJ Alexander and Noah Miller also recorded multi-hit games for the Comets. Alexander hit two doubles, going 2-for-4, while Miller hit a double and collected a RBI as he went 2-for-4.
Ryan Ward singled and drew a walk as he extended his career-best hitting streak to 17 games. During the hitting streak, Ward is 27-for-71 (.380) with 14 extra-base hits, 22 RBI and 14 runs scored. The hitting streak is the longest of the season by an Oklahoma City player and longest since Jonathan Araúz hit safely in 17 consecutive games April 6-28, 2024.
Nick Senzel extended his hitting streak to nine games, tying his longest hitting streak of the season as he went 1-for-3 with a walk. During the hitting streak, Senzel is 13-for-35 (.371) with six RBI and 12 runs scored.
Los Angeles Dodgers infielder Max Muncy opened a Major League Rehab Assignment, going 0-for-3 with two strikeouts. He played six innings at third base and was charged with a throwing error in the fifth inning that allowed a run to score for the Bees.
Midland RockHounds (A’s) 9 – Tulsa Drillers 4
Five Tulsa pitchers combined to issue 12 walks that led to 9 runs for the RockHounds as the Drillers dropped the opener 9-4. I know, we are not supposed to be concerned with walks. Can you believe that the 12 walks were not the most issued by Tulsa in a game this year?
The first inning was a quick sign of what was ahead for Tulsa. The Drillers went down in order in the top of the first on three strikeouts. In the bottom half of the inning, Midland’s leadoff batter Cody Holter drew the first of the walks, stole second and scored on a double by Junior Perez. Another hit scored Perez to give Midland a 2-0 lead.
The Drillers rallied to score the game’s next three runs and take a 3-2 lead. In the top of the second, Damon Keith reached on an error and later scored on a base hit by Ezequiel Pagán.
In the fourth, Keith walked and scored his second run following base hits from Nelson Quiroz and Sean McLain. Quiroz came home for the second run of the inning on Pagán’s ground out.
The RockHounds scored in each of their next two at-bats to erase the Drillers lead. A bases-loaded walk to Halter tied the game at 3-3 in the bottom of the fourth.
A four-run fifth put Midland back in front. The inning featured three hits, three walks and an error.
Sean McLain doubled to lead off the sixth and scored on a single from Kole Myers to pull Tulsa within 7-4.
The Drillers kept the RockHounds scoreless in the sixth inning despite issuing four walks in the frame, before the Hounds plated single runs in the seventh and eighth innings to complete the scoring.
Jeisson Cabrera was the only one of the five Tulsa pitchers who did not allow a run. Cabrera got two outs in the fourth and one in the fifth for a total of one complete inning. He issued three walks and gave up one hit. While he did not allow a run, I would not consider that a good relief appearance.
Chris Newell finished 1-4 and has now reached base safely in 14 straight games.
Nelson Quiroz, Kole Myers, and Sean McLain had two hits each for the Drillers.
Great Lakes Loons 6 – Fort Wayne TinCaps (San Diego) 0
The Great Lakes Loons earned their fifth shutout win of 2025 and took their eighth in the last nine played, a 6-0 victory over the Fort Wayne TinCaps.
Maddux Bruns pitched his best game of his professional career, and earned the first win of his professional career, tossing five scoreless innings. The left-hander stranded five TinCaps on base, striking out three.
Cameron Decker had a three-hit night, driving in the first two Loons runs. Both times, he plated Eduardo Quintero. Decker delivered a two-run double in the fourth and an RBI single in the sixth. It is Decker’s third multi-RBI game in his 21st game as a Loon.
Kendall George stole two bases, now with 17 in his last nine games played. He stole second and third, with an error at third base assisting him home to make it 4-0 in the seventh inning.
The Loons tallied three in the seventh, two off the bat of Zyhir Hope. After Quintero earned his second single, Hope smoked a ball 391 feet with an exit velocity of 111 mph. Hope’s laser homer is his third post all-star break.
The Loons’ bullpen permitted four base runners in four innings. Evan Shaw tossed two scoreless, adding two punchouts. Joel Ibarra worked around two walks with a Zyhir Hope outfield assist, burning a runner at third. Christian Ruebeck struck out two in the ninth.
- Zyhir Hope – 3-5, 1 run, 2 RBI, double (22), HR (12)
- Cameron Decker – 3-4, 2 RBI, double (4)
- Eduardo Quintero – 2-4, 1 BB, 3 runs
- Logan Wagner – 2-5, 1 run, double (17)
Fresno Grizzlies (Colorado) 4 – Rancho Cucamonga Quakes 4
The Fresno Grizzlies scored three runs over their final two innings to come from behind and defeat the Rancho Cucamonga Quakes on Tuesday night, winning by a final of 5-4. A two-out wild pitch scored the winning run for Fresno.
Leading 4-2 in the eighth, the Quakes’ bullpen couldn’t hold the lead, as the Grizzlies got to Dilan Figueredo and Connor Godwin to even the game at 4-4.
In the ninth, Godwin (2-4) walked the first man he faced and eventually left the game with the bases loaded and no outs.
Ryan Brown came on and with a five-man infield behind him, struck out the first two hitters he faced.
With the defense reset and two outs, Brown misfired with a two-strike pitch to Kevin Fitzer, as Yeiker Reyes came in to score the winning run.
Samuel Munoz (11) smashed a solo homer to help build a 4-2 Rancho lead in the eighth.
The Quakes will send Jesus Tillero to the mound on Wednesday.
Born June 14th, 1948, in Los Angeles California. AKA The Bear
I think it’s safe to say we all appreciate the time and effort you put in to write I’m glad to hear you will continue to do this for the foreseeable future.
Thanks Sam. I appreciate the support.
Ok
You and Jeff are doing an awesome job. And, this is not one of the better Dodger blogs. It is by far the BEST Dodger blog. Thanks for all you do. I enjoy and learn a lot from your articles.
Thanks Ohio. I love reading your posts.
Okay I want to know why the didgees have to give up two great players and a minor league guys but if Toronto and Baltimore trade for a pitcher say Dominguez it’s nobody in ther 40 man roster but a minor league player and some cash. Why couldn’t the dodgers do tht why would the dodgers have to give up so much but other teams don’t have too. So for instance I bring up Bednar and Oneal Cruz to the Dodgers and aay say fo May Outman and a minor league player I’m thinking that’s two guys that could be on the 30 man roster and help the pirates and two guys that can help the Dodgers. But man you all jump my case lole that’s impossible and yet then Toronto and Baltimore trade for a pitcher with a guy nobody heard of and you all say of they jusy got Dominguez see to me team just ask for more from the dodgers then other teams. At least I put some thought in teams getting players that could help the other team. So all you guys thst say I dont look into if trades are fair that’s a bunch of bull.
I can’t answer for the front office Bradley. But they do the research, and according to most of the baseball sites that track such things, Dominguez was not even on their radar. Names most mentioned as relievers are Duran and Jax of the Twins, Bednar, but it seems the Pirates want quite a haul for him, Helsey of the Cardinals. Teams like the Pirates and Orioles who are out of the race, usually want prospects in return for their players. They ask for more from the Dodgers because the system is so deep. The other thing that factors in, is that AF’s modus operandi is not overpaying for players. He won’t trade a top prospect for a rental. Even when he traded Ruiz and Gray for Scherzer and Turner, he knew he had Turner for another year.
Go get us a closer Bradley!
Bedard from pirates was trying to get an outfielder and looked who they had so either Cruz or Reynolds I thought would be better then Conforto or Helsey and Donovan from the cardinals or Bader and Ortiz and Jax from the Twins so all you tgat say I don’t research I do how other teams can get those guys and give little but the Dodgers have to give so much any of those guys they could get but all you on here think it’s impossible.
First, the other team has to want what you are offering. Teams tend to ask for more from the Dodgers and have for years. Freidman is not going to make a trade unless he feels it makes the roster better and is not an overpay. Cruz and Bednar from the Pirates, who just traded 3B Ke’Bryan Hayes to the Reds, would not be cheap. You ask why? Cruz, who the Dodgers had before, is under team control until 2029. While he is an offensive upgrade over Conforto, he is not a great defensive center fielder. He is a base stealing threat. But his slash line, .219/.319/.421 is not that great. His OPS+ is barely above league average at 104. Bednar is a free agent in 2027 and arbitration eligible in 2026. He is very affordable at a little over 5 million a year. He has been excellent this year with a bad team. Here is the problem. With so many teams in need of pitching, and specifically relievers, the demand outweighs the number of pitchers available. Guys like Bednar are going to have many teams after them. Same with Duran, Jax, and Duval, who the Giants seem to have made available. Teams in the Dodgers division, tend to not make deals with the Dodgers. Last time LA and the Padres made a trade was when Beaty was sent to the Padres for River Ryan. Been a long time since Arizona, Colorado or the Giants have traded any player of note to LA. Last from Colorado I remember was Juan Nicasio. It’s not about the research; it is about who is willing to make the Dodgers a better team by trading one of their stars to LA. Most GM’s do not want to do that.
Nice win scoring late and Vesia nailing it down 1-2-3 in the 9th.
That is what you want from your closer on a regular basis.
Go Dodgers!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
MLB.com has this trade scenario for Dodgers.
Dodgers get: RHP Jhoan Duran and RHP Griffin Jax
Twins get: OF Zyhir Hope (Dodgers’ No. 2 prospect, No. 30 overall), RHP River Ryan(Dodgers’ No. 8 prospect), RHP Edgardo Henriquez (Dodgers’ No. 14 prospect), LHP Justin Wrobleski
Anyone doing this trade? Bradley?
Perfectly fine with that its Bear and Jeff who say no way I say go for it doesn’t help the outfield but pitching it does help.
No, it is not me and Jeff Bradley, we have no say in who they trade, we just believe it is very unlikely that the Dodgers give up three of their top prospects in a single trade for relivers. and quit acting like Jeff and I pick on you all the time. We just disagree with your ideas.
Per Bradley, Dustin May and James Outman can get the Dodgers David Bednar and Oneil Cruz. Let’s do Bradley’s deal. Because that deal is fair to Pittsburgh. Pittsburgh absolutely can use a rental pitcher and a defense first OF.
Then Skenes would leave for Japan!
Cassidy, you know AF is not giving up 3 top prospects for relievers.
Well he did sign a closer to a long term contract last off season. Maybe he’s had a change of heart about relievers! There isn’t much opportunity for our young starters in the near future so why waste an opportunity for both player and organization.
I would love to know how the Dodgers rank our young outfielders. Hope, DePaula, Sirota and Quintero
Same here. Only one outfielder is locked up for more than one year, Teo. I doubt AF has had a change of heart about overpaying in prospect capital for a reliever.
Nope. Too much IMHO to give up.
I would give Hope and Ryan for Duran.
Go Dodgers!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I am keeping Ryan, let them have Knack and Frasso instead.
Thanks for all you do Bear. We’ve known each other a long time now, and though we have our legislative differences I very much respect your talent and appreciate your work here. That CD you sent me blew me away. You are a damm fine musician as well as a gifted writer. I hope you can stick with both for a long time to come.
For the record I have no problem with the term Indians, find Guardians a questionable name for a baseball team, (I would have gone with the Cleveland Eries, which I find perfect for Cleveland) and I’m fine with losing the term Redskins. As for trades, I wish I knew if Cleveland were sellers this year as Kwan is the guy I want. They are only 3.5 out of the Wild Card and have been playing well lately. As for a reliever it sounds like there may be plenty available and I trust one of them will be brought in.
Bluto and I had a quick exchange about whether the Dodgers are “all in” this year. I guess it might depend on one’s own definition of what that means but it’s my opinion the Dodgers are all in every year. They are going for a championship and to do that will require sacrifice. I don’t know who it is in their system that is untouchable but all in to me means anyone who is not on the 26 is available in trade scenarios. I would like to see Kwan and Helsley/Duran acquired. I don’t know what the Dodgers have in mind but whatever they do have in mind I don’t much care what it takes to get it done. It’s about THIS year, not next year or the year after.
That said, if this offense doesn’t kick it in gear through September it may not matter who is brought in. It’s my opinion they aren’t playing well enough now to beat the better NL teams in a playoff series.
And about Clase, I’m with Kornheiser on this one: prove it. And do so quickly.
yes, what does all in mean?
trading all your top prospects? That would be the literal definition or the one that best matches up with poker, but it’s probably impossible.
trading five of your top ten prospects? Or something like what San Diego gave up for Soto? That’s probably more doable.
No, I don’t see the Dodgers ever doing it once, much less whenever the playoff chase arrives.
What it means to me is for the right player(s) you are willing to give up your top prospects. If another Trea Turner Max Scherzer deal became available all I would say to the other GM is – choose.
Thank you, Badger, it is much appreciated. I am way too busy to worry about the government at this point. Life has intervened. I keep busy with research and with Windows 10 not being supported after October 25th, getting ready to set up my new laptop, which arrives today, and then I will have to set up my new PC sometime soon also. I have an appointment early Monday morning to see the retina specialists in Pueblo. 8.30, Yuck. Barely have time to drink my coffee!
I’m up at 4 every day. I’ll drink your coffee for you if it helps.
Good luck with that retina appointment. Getting old ain’t for candypants is it.
Thanks, my friend. I hope all is well in your world. I am sitting here watching the wind blow like crazy, the trees are really moving.
I’m not sure I’ve ever heard of a player having 17 steals in 9 games like Kendall George has just done.
That is his game. That is why LAD drafted him so high. Now teach him how to slap and bunt, and George will be a real possibility at the MLB level. I have said it before, hire Brett Butler for players like Kendall George and Hyeseong Kim. They will occasionally run into one to hit a HR, but they should be bat to ball skills players using their 80 speed.
Exactly. Play to your strengths. Speed does not go into slumps.
Any idea why something like what you suggest it’s being done? Roberts was working with Ruiz, Kim and George would clearly benefit.
I am guessing that they prefer every hitter to fit into the RVS mold. RVS has shown no ability to adapt to the hitter’s strength, or just cultivate what that player is best suited to do.
It’s beyond common sense to me. With their speed, they’d easily go from 1st to 3rd on a hit, or get on base and steal 2nd at a very high rate. Plus it allows for the chances of pitchers paying too much attention to the runner and thus not enough attention to the hitter, AND the chances of the catcher making an errant throw.
Make shit happen!!
Unheard of Bobby.
Yankees just traded for Austin Slater from the White Sox. Their crowded outfield just got a little more crowded. Bellinger or Grisham could be on the way out. Houston is interested in a reunion with Correa.
IMO, Slater is not a precursor for a trade of Belli or Grisham. He is an emergency OF to hold the spot until Judge comes back. They wanted a RH hitter for the OF as their reserve, and NYY is getting impatient waiting for Everson Pereira to play MLB…so Slater. Slater probably gets DFA’d once Judge is healthy enough to return.
I won’t cry if Belli comes back to play CF. But I don’t know what his contract details are, and what we’d have to give up.
$25 million and $22.5 million next year, player option for next year. His CF defense isn’t what it usta was, range factor a bit below league average but he can still hit. Grisham defensive stats look similar in center, a bit less I believe, his offense is less than but he’s a lot cheaper. Not sure how that might play in negotiations. Bader may be considered a better fit for his superior defense.
I think Bader is the play. I would not be upset if they came away with Ramón Laureano. Bobby Miller and Peter Heubeck or Eriq Swan? Baltimore would want more, I am just not sure AF/BG would offer more. Bader’s price tag is probably not as high as Laureano’s.
Laureano doesn’t play center. Bader coming over would move Pages to a corner spot where he is much better.
I know he doesn’t play CF, although he can and has. In fact he has played more CF than RF. He is a corner OF with a gun and a .887 OPS and 147 OPS+. Only the fans seem to be bothered with Pages in CF. The Dodgers do not seem to care. Are the Dodgers better with Pages in CF and Laureano and Teo in the corners or Bader in CF and Pages and Teo in the corners? I still believe the Dodgers issues are the offense, so I would go with what OF gives the team the best offense.
Then again, I am still hoping for a Steven Kwan deal to LAD. Mark Feinsand is a legit source.
Laureano plays center better than Pages does. That’s a yes from me.
How does everyone here rank our young starters? Wrobleski, Sheehan, Ryan and Stone.
Our four young OF’ers?
Hope, DePaula, Sirota and Quintero?
Which two would you include in a big deadline deal?
You probably should include Jackson Ferris in your pitcher group. I like Ryan as a starter. He has 4 plus pitches, but with questionable control/command, that he can still develop. He will be 27 next year when he returns to pitch.
Ohtani/Yamamoto/Snell/Glasnow/Sasaki will all return next year (and the year after). So is Ryan a better pick than Sheehan, Stone, or Wrobo? I think he gets a great return in a package, but I do think he has the best chance at top of the rotation (#2 or #3). At the floor, Ryan can be a dominant closer potential.
Wrobo is looking more like a reliever for LAD than a SP. Maybe other teams value him more as a SP. But those teams do not have Ohtani/Yamamoto/Snell/Glasnow/Sasaki with Ryan, Sheehan, and Stone waiting. Ferris can replace Wrobo as another LHSP.
IMO, Sheehan and Stone are interchangeable. Which one is preferred by the team being traded to? Sheehan is 13 months younger than Stone, and should have no pitching restrictions on him next year. Stone will.
Of your 4, I am going with the order of Ryan/Sheehan/Stone/Wrobo.
OF – In this order – Hope/De Paula/Quintero/Sirota – That is 4 of the LAD top 5 overall prospects, and all 4 are top 100 prospects with a 55 FV. All four are in A+, so that is a glut that needs to be addressed at some point, with Kendall George, who is no slouch.
I love what I saw of Ryan last year. I rewatched his start against Houston in Houston last season. Kid has some really nasty stuff. I rate him over Wrobo and Sheehan.
I rank Sheehan over Stone and Wrobo. The smart folks say Quintero may be the best of the outfield bunch, but the rankings say DePaula and Hope are above him. And now Sirota is gone for the year.
I agree on Sheehan. Hard to know on Stone coming back from injury. He could be the best of that group. Wrobo is a much needed long reliever as far as I’m concerned. I still think DePaula is the most valuable of the outfield group, with Hope close behind. Quintero could indeed be the best in the system but he Is 19 and several years out.
The question was asked about a month ago. What do the Dodgers do in response to the the Giants signing Devers? Nothing seems to be working.
Devers is a flop in SF. They are sinking faster than the Titanic and now seem to be ready to unload some players. Posey isn’t messing around. Devers is hitting just .224 with the Gnats. Braves got Tyler Kinley from the Rockies. Angels are trading for two bullpen pieces, Andrew Chafin and Luis Garcia from the Nats. Jake Eder, a LHP and Sam Brown, a 1st baseman are headed to DC. Braves DFAd Enyel De Los Santos. Things are heating up.
And Boston has played better since unloading Devers.
Giants 9 back and fading with a .500 record, might be throwing in the towel. They have made their relievers available for trade, including Camilo Duval. Mark Feinsand says there are four teams vying for Suarez of the D-Backs, Phillies, Cubs, Mariners and Tigers. Sources according to Feinsand say Cleveland is trying to deal both Kwan and Bieber. Bieber has not pitched yet as he is coming back from TJ surgery. But he did look sharp in his first rehab start. He threw four innings of one run ball on 57 pitches. Whoever gets Kwan, may have to take Bieber too.
Guardians can get a huge return for Kwan without forcing a team to take Bieber if they don’t need him (eg the Dodgers) and possibly lowering the return.
After his rehab start yesterday I think Bieber will be easy enough to trade on his own without reducing the take for Kwan by including Bieber in that trade.
I get that, but it seems that they want to move both at the same time.
Bieber has a player option of $16M with a $4M buyout for 2026. Some vintage Bieber would be a bargain at $16M. But risky. Kwan is not a free agent until 2028.
So do you think LAD would be willing to include Rushing in a package to acquire Kwan?
I would guess anything is possible. How many of their prime catching prospects have panned out since Will got here? Cartaya was a total bust. Ruiz is ok but hasn’t lived up to what they expected of him. Daulton seems pretty good handling pitchers and behind the dish. But playing just a couple of times a week isn’t very conducive to a good batting line. Cleveland fans are not as keen on Rushing since they have two very good catching prospects in the minors at AA and high A. LA on the other hand has some in the low minors, but nothing earth shaking at AAA or AA. Feduccia would be ok as a backup probably.
Remember, anywhere but L.A. Rushing can also be used at 1B and DH. At this point, based on what he’s shown as a catcher since he got here, he’s a huge trade chip if they want to move him.
If they want Kwan or Duran (the pitcher), they could get either of them by including Rushing. On the other hand they may have decided he’s untouchable.
True
I sure would
White Sox scratched Adrian Houser from his start tonight against the Phillies in anticipation of him being traded before the deadline tomorrow. He has a 2.10 ERA in 68.2 innings pitched since he signed his deal in May.
The funniest news of the day? Since the Giants acquired Rafael Devers, they have the worst record in MLB.
Love it!
Buster Posey, meet Farhan Zaidi.
Seems like Farhan was in a similar position to this at most deadlines while he was there. Not bad enough to completely throw in the towel. Not good enough to go all in.
Which is probably why they are in sell mode.
Just read that someone tried to rob Yamamoto’s house. LA cops on the scene. No info yet.
I wonder if he lives near Sawtelle?
That was, I fully admit, a very bad Los Anglian joke.
According to Feinsand, there is a good chance that Duran, the one with the Twins, not the Red Sox, gets traded today.
maybe teams are hungry like the wolf for him?
Wouldn’t they have to be hungry for 2 Durans?
It would be amazing if 1 team did acquire both Durans.
Duran Duran. I get it!
From Morosi:
The Dodgers are among the teams engaged on Twins relievers Jhoan Durán, Louis Varland & Griffin Jax.
Non-revelatory rumor from Heyman:
Padres and Reds in addition to Dodgers (and others) are in on the Steven Kwan derby. Kwan with Luis Arraez would be quite the interesting combo.
From Feinsand:
Source says “things are moving” on Jhoan Duran. Twins could move their closer today.
And:
The Angels appear to be buyers, which likely takes Taylor Ward, Tyler Anderson, Kenley Jansen, Luis Rengifo and others off the trade market (if they were ever actually on it). The Angels are going for it, trying to get Mike Trout back to October for the first time since 2014.
And:
The Guardians are “trying to move” both Steven Kwan and Shane Bieber, per source. Bieber made his fourth rehab start on Tuesday, striking out seven with no walks in four innings. He’s returning from April 2024 Tommy John surgery and has a $16M player option ($4M buyout) for 2026.
From The Athletic:
Carlos Correa return to Houston via trade with Twins seems unlikely — for now: Sources
From Joel Sherman ($$$$ and read with caution)
https://nypost.com/2025/07/30/sports/the-five-players-who-could-dramatically-alter-the-simmering-mlb-trade-deadline/
Dodgers could move a veteran pitcher or two.
And:
the Dodgers are among a handful of teams inquiring about coveted reliever Mason Miller.
The A’s are listening to offers but are reportedly asking for a top-25 prospect to headline a packaged deal.
MLB.com posted this suggested trade:
Dodgers get Twins relievers Duran and Jax. (both have 2 years of control remaining after this year)
Twins get Hope, River Ryan, Edgardo Henriquez and Wrobo
This is what they said about the Twins pitchers:
“Duran possesses a triple-digit fastball and a devastating splitter to go along with a knuckle-curve and a sweeper, a repertoire that has his ERA sitting at 2.01. And Jax is second among MLB relievers with 72 strikeouts. He also has a strikeout-to-walk ratio over 5.”
What say you guys? Any takers?
Yeah, sure, go for it.
Any predictions, Bluto?
Out of a fictional dollar?
20 cents they trade with the Twins
20 cents with Cleveland
20 cents with they trade with Miamj
40 cents the field
0 cents they make no move
Going the other way?
29 cents it’s May or Sheehan
15 cents it’s conforto
21 cents it’s another player on the 40
15 cents it’s Quintero or Wrobo
20 cents field
You’re totally nuts, Bluto! No way May/Sheehan is more than 27 cents. 🙂
What about the odds they trade with both the Twins and Guardians?
Let’s go big here and get both Duran and Kwan.
😇
Reds to acquire Pirates 3B, Ke’Bryan Hayes.
Reds taking on his entire salary. They are getting Taylor Rogers and Sammy Stafura back in the deal.
Jhoan Duran could be moved today (reported by Bob Nightengale and Mark Feinsand), especially if Philadelphia moves off Andrew Painter being an untouchable. The Dodgers do not have any pitcher prospect that can compete with Painter. The closest would be Jackson Ferris, and he really is not that close. Other than Philadelphia, the teams getting the most buzz for Duran is Boston, with NYM also lurking. Seattle, NYY, and LAD have checked in.
It is being reported that the Dodgers have had conversations with the Minnesota concerning each of Duran, Griffin Jax and Louis Varland. Based on the cost for relievers, I am going with Varland, then Jax , then Duran. The only LAD MLB ready prospect other than Rushing is Alex Freeland. I cannot see AF/BG trading Rushing for a reliever, and I cannot see Alex Freeland getting the Dodgers Duran.
I also think that AF/BG talk to Minnesota about Danny Coulombe and Brock Stewart.
With my usual disclaimer about the accuracy of Baseball Trade Values, I find it interesting that they value Duran (the pitcher), Jax and Sheehan all equally with Painter at twice that value.
So, in other words, Painter could get Philly both Duran and Jax.
And Sheehan could get us either Duran or Jax (if the Twins paid any attention to BTV). I’d much rather have Duran than Jax but I guess the equal value comes from the difference in their salaries.
Per Rosenthal:
The Los Angeles Dodgers are not playing at the high end of the relief market for pitchers such as Miller and the Minnesota Twins’ Jhoan Duran, sources say.
Well according to MLBTR, they are talking to the Twins about 3 of their pitchers. Duran Jax and Varland, who is the brother of former Dodger Gus Varland. Only time will tell what the heck the truth is.
If they aren’t playing at the high end of the market, why do various sources say they’ve talked to both the A’s about Miller and the Twins about Duran?
That’s more a question for Rosenthal than it is for you, Bluto.
I think the Dodgers will always check in on the best out there. Teams would be crazy to not listen to the Dodgers. But it is very rare that the Dodgers go out and get the best. They have when they traded for Max Scherzer and Trea Turner (who was a surprise). Scherzer was widely rumored to get traded to LAD. The same with Manny Machado in 2018 when Seager went down with a season ending injury.
If the Dodgers can get a Duran or Miller without Rushing, the Dodgers will negotiate. I just do not see them trading Rushing for a reliever. Kwan is different.
Again, IMO, the fans seem more desperate for a closer than do the Dodgers. Scott is due back sooner rather than later, and they have a $72MM commitment there. A high leverage arm does not have to be a closer. Vesia and Treinen can close until Scott gets back. Apparently so can Dreyer and Casparius. I am still in the belief that AF/BG will be shopping in the Dennis Santana/Louis Varland/Phil Maton/Pierce Johnson aisle. The closer I think they would be most enticed to go after would be Helsley. Helsley would not take Rushing. How close to MLB ready does St. Louis need?
I agree with this line of thought also just don’t see Rushing moved for an arm. I’m leaning towards Fairbanks from the Rays and possibly LRJ from the White Sox. Not a huge fan of LRJ but he hits lefties plays solid defense and has some speed. He might be rejuvenated playing in the Dodgers lineup somewhat like Andrew Vaughn
As usual, I’m in agreement with most everything you’ve said here.
I would not trade Rushing for any of the closers, including Miller. I would, however, have to think long and hard about trading him for Kwan. Still not sure on that one, but leaning yes.
I was just thinking yesterday of how great a trade AF pulled off when he got Vesia from the Marlins. Yes, he has his hiccups, but overall he’s been pretty fantastic. We got him and Kyle Hurt for Floro.
I’ll answer anyway:
It could be:
that Rosenthal is commenting just on the status of the market right now.
Or
they spoke about those players, and the price wasn’t equal to what they thought the price should be.
Or
Other people aren’t as informed as Rosenthal. And they are just guessing or searching for clicks.
Dodgers are playing blackjack at Biff Tannen’s hotel in downtown, and not at the Bellagio
I’ll grant you that Kenny is one of the more connected and accurate writers when it comes to these things. The only guy I think more highly of is Jeff Passan. I would never question anything he would print. Still not 100% sure that Rosenthal is correct here.
We are supposedly talking to the Rays about Fairbanks, who is only semi-high end of the market because he’s not controlled for as long.
Alex Freeland gets the start at 3B tonight, batting 9th.
I look forward to seeing how he adapts to MLB pitching.
Oh fantastic!
Giants sell off has started. Tyler Rogers is heading to the Mets
Not that Buster would have traded with us, but I would have loved to get Rogers. A completely different look than anyone else in our bullpen. Would have been a great addition. I’ll be interested to see what the Mets send the Giants in return. He’s a free agent this winter.
Totally agree, Giants did really well IMHO.
Mets sent Tidwell, Gilbert and Butto. Their #10 and # 12 prospects
San Francisco trades RHRP Tyler Rogers to NYM for RHP Blade Tidwell (#10 prospect, 45 FV), OF Drew Gilbert (#12 prospect, FV 45), and RHRP José Buttó. The Giants got a serviceable reliever and picked up two top 12 MLB ready prospects.
So if Tyler Rogers gets a decent reliever, plus a #10 and #12 MLB ready prospects, what does Minnesota think they can get for Jhoan Duran or Griffin Jax, or Pittsburgh for David Bednar or even Dennis Santana?
Two interesting looks at what the Dodgers have done with Diaz:
and
https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/6524254/2025/07/29/dodgers-trade-reliever-alexis-diaz/?source=user_shared_article
The Dodgers need to trade for a reliever. One they already acquired is showing promise
This is interesting. I seem to have somehow missed most of this guy’s appearances with us. Has he looked like he got his stuff back??
I read the article about the Dodgers adjustments to Diaz and I’m amazed his current team never saw the reasons for his decline. Some very significant regression. Being “late” causes many problems . Strassburger was Late his whole career and it ended it. Just a thought, what after all the speculation, the Dodgers stand pat? Conforto is hitting, Max gets back. Starting pitchers return dropping arms to the pen and the hitting returns to form?
Also I wasn’t joking about Kim scrapping RVS and getting some Ichiro video. Use the whole field, contact, bunt and use the speed and he need to do that in OKC and not the IL
He was really good last night, 4 outs on 8-9 pitches total.
Both Rogers brothers get traded on the same day, Giants trading Tyler to the Mets, Taylor to the Pirates in the Hayes deal.
Seattle just traded for Caleb Ferguson.from Pittsburgh.
Nice post Bear. Nice to hear about your history and thoughts and thanks for the compliment. I try to being some knowledge from my pro playing days and 35+ years coaching. I enjoy Jeff and your commitment to this terrific site.
Thanks Phil, I really enjoy reading your posts.
Fabian Ardaya of The Athletic writes that the club is seeking “at least one” right-handed reliever on the trade market, and adds that they’ve shown interest in Rays closer Pete Fairbanks. Aside from that, it seems as though the Dodgers have at least some cursory interest in dabbling in the rotation market, with MLB Network’s Jon Morosi reporting that L.A. brass has spoken to Cleveland about right-hander Shane Bieber.
Fabian Ardaya, who is closer to the LAD market than pure national baseball writers, thinks that the Dodgers show interest in Pete Fairbanks. That makes sense. He is RH with closer experience and is a rental. He would not cost as much as Ryan Helsley, and Fairbanks is having a better year.
Fairbanks does not get a lot of swing and miss, but he is in the 100th percentile on barrels. His 4-seamer averages 97.3 that generates a lot of ground balls. Fairbanks would make the Dodgers better and conceivably without breaking the prospect capital bank.
Why Bieber? Again the cost will be a lot lower than Mitch Keller or Sandy Alcantara, and he is a better option this year than Dustin May or Emmet Sheehan for #6 in the rotation. He would then be a good arm for the playoffs bullpen. Shane probably opts out of his player option and accepts the $4MM buyout.
I could absolutely see us getting Fairbanks. To begin with, he’s with the Rays, and AF finds them easy to deal with. Depending on what it would take, I’m definitely in favor.
On the other hand, a big “no” on Bieber. He’s had exactly one rehab outing after a serious injury. Why take the chance that he opts into a 16 mil contract for next year if he gets hurt or is just ineffective for the rest of this season. I’d much rather take my chances with Sheehan or Wrobo.
Not wanting or trying to change your mind on Bieber, but to be fair, he has had 4 rehab assignments, including 11.1 IP. 2 runs, 7 hits, 1 BB, 7 K, 1 HR.
That does make a difference. Don’t know why I only thought it was one. But I still don’t see the need unless we are planning to trade a starter or two such as the guys I mentioned. And I’ve always been a Bieber fan, so it’s not that I don’t like him.
Replying to myself:
On the other hand, we could be planning to include any or all of Sheehan, Wrobo, May in trades within the next 24 hours, in which case we’ll have need for another starter.
So now I have both sides covered.
I’m fine with Fairbanks I thought he was a target as long as Tampa was a seller. Bieber is interesting but not a necessity. If he’s part of a Kwan deal that’s fine.
Per the Dodger pre-game show, Ken Rosenthal tweeted/said that the Phils are close to acquiring Johan Duran
Per Passan the Phils are sending Eduardo Tait C # 4 prospect and Mick Abel P # 6 prospect to the Twins for Duran
future dodgers says the closest (but not direct) analog for Dodgers would have been River Ryan and Quintero
That’s close. I was thinking more Jackson Ferris than River Ryan. Ferris is a top 100 while Ryan is not. Minnesota got two top 100 propsects from Philadelphia. Ryan is a 50 FV while both Phillies prospects are 55 FV.
Good for the Phils. They got who they wanted without trading Andrew Painter. To be sure, the loss of Catcher Eduardo Tait and RHP Mick Abel is costly for a reliever. Both are top 100 prospects, with Tait the #6 ranked catcher prospect. I do not believe the Dodgers were ever really in on Duran.
I am superised Robert Jr Cedric Mullins And Ryan Ohearn haven’t been traded yet guess it will all happen tommoorow.
I believe in you man! Get us somebody!!
Mets and Phils have made big moves!with closers. Will AF?
Two good ones off the board. AF will do something.
Fairbanks and Bednar remain the only closers available. But that does not negate where I thought they were going to go: Dennis Santana/Phil Maton/Pierce Johnson/Brock Stewart/Louis Varland, all high leverage RHRP, but not closers.
I still maintain the Dodgers need the offense.
That’s where Kwan/Donovan makes sense. At the same time, Bauer could slot to CF and help shore up the outfield defense. I doubt AF does both.
No one out there can help if Mookie, Freddie and Ohtani don’t come back to their superstar levels. Dodgers are one and done in October if the July Dodgers show up.
Long time before that determination can be made. Freeman and Betts looking much better. Ohtani has to take better at bats.
Per Passan
The Cardinals are receiving shortstop Jesus Baez, right-hander Nate Dohm and right-hander Frank Elissalt from the Mets for Ryan Helsley, sources tell ESPN.
The Mets used six players today to get two high-end relievers to put in front of Edwin Díaz. @JonHeyman had the return.
Top relievers already off of the board with Helsey and Duran traded. Ferguson traded to the Mariners.
Love me some Freddie Freeman. Freeland scorched that out.
Nice short level swing resulting in a 100.6 MPH line drive by Alex Freeland on the 1st pitch he saw. Don’t worry, RVS will tell him to work the count and then swing for the fences. It’s all about the launch angle, baby.
He mashed that thing.
Wow, 2 at bats for the guy, and 2 nice swings. He could’ve made that play at 3b, but that ball was also scorched. Maybe next time.
Those 2 wild pitches by Othani didn’t look good. Hope he is alright.
Just cramps
Will Klein was released. Ohtani not sharp in the 4th and pulled from the game.
Maybe this is why we’re talking to the Guardians about Bieber.
Never can tell
Padres beat the Mets for the sweep. LA needs to win to keep their 4-game lead. SF lost and is under .500. Next 3 games will be in a spring training park,
Ohtani is in one of his ofer slumps.
Muncy 0-2 with 2 Ks at OKC tonight
Weak AB by Pages at a key moment — darn!
He does that a lot. Conforto at least hit it where he had a chance for a hit. Outman to center field.
According to MLBTR< Giants have made Verlander available.
Phillies through looking for pitching, zeroing in on hitters now.
Get Steven Kwan.
You asked me a question earlier if I thought the Dodgers would play .509 ball the rest of the way…. my answer is.. without question….
YES.
I have no reason to think otherwise since they have played .509 ball since the second week of April.
And no trades so far. is Friedman actually going to do nothing?
With yet another pathetic loss the lead dwindles down to 3. Not impressed by the team this year at all. I think they just stink.
Will the suck last for the rest of the year? Don’t you wish for that 2024 club again? Everyone thought we were getting the 27 yankees, but instead we got the 89 Dodgers.
My hopes of another championship and going back to back have taken a severe hit.
I would wait a little longer before making any determinations. We still do not know what they have in mind for the deadline. They land Kwan and a decent reliever; the whole picture could change. Of course, Betts and Ohtani have to quit playing like scrubs.
Well, I haven’t lost all hope and given up yet.
Wow Andy Pages fails two times in the 8th inning.
Horrible day. Make up for it Friday
Yeah — that was a brutal inning for Pages. He is young and he has pretty major extremes (from amazing to horrible).
How does Pages not get an error? That was not a hard catch.
They changed it to an error.
I saw that. That doesn’t make Sheehan any happier with how the inning turned out, but at least his ERA did not get out of control.
He deserved better. Pages has to make that catch and we go to the 9th tied.
He also popped up with bases loaded the inning before when the Dodgers only needed a sac fly to take the lead. He’s had some great catches and throws but man his routes to the ball and his glove seems to have a spring in it.
Charitable scoring
Ooof — quite a sequence.
Pages botches what was actually a very makable play.
Outman comes inches from making a heroic catch.
The Reds organist played Danke Schoen when Sheehan walked a better.
It’s the little things — like Dieter’s “Twin Peaks” theme whenever there are two outs and a 2-2 count.
That was an absolutely amazing attempt by Outman.
Well, off day tomorrow then the next 3 games are in a spring training park. That should be interesting. Ohtani needs to find his stroke again. Team is 10-14 in July. We will know tomorrow by 3 if they make any moves at all.
Don’t hit, don’t pitch, don’t field = don’t win. Can’t wait to leave this July Dodger team in the rear view mirror!
Disappointing loss, but you don’t win many going 1-5 with RISP and you surely do not win many when your top 4 are 2-15 with 5 Ks. Roberts left Sheehan in 1 inning too long. Should have had someone warming up before the inning started. Lead over SD is now just 3 games.
I also thought that Sheehan should have come out after the 7th. Tomorrow is an off day. Casparius threw 14 pitches yesterday, and Diaz threw 8 pitches. Both are nore than capable of pitching back to back games. Kirby Yates has not pitched since July 26. If you are not going to use him, move him on our out. Treinen probably pitches better at the beginning of the inning. You should have been able to get two innings out that.
That being said, if Pages can catch a ball, Sheehan gets out of the inning. Betts and Ohtani 0-10 didn’t help.
Tough loss. Sheehan deserved better. Pages has to make that catch.
The Dodger’s defense in the corner outfield positions is atrocious. Another game where the Dodgers struggled to convert scoring opportunities. Left bases loaded and two men on in back to back innings.
Well, that was a Series of Unfortunate Events.
Had a bad feeling from the start of the game. Our lead off hitter strikes out without swinging the bat and Lux swings at the first pitch by Ohtani and goes opposite field for a double.
Not saying Lux > Betts but it would be nice to see our lead off hitter light a fire for the team and quit being so darn passive.
What’s Up with Ohtani and his ABs against LH pitchers? He flies his front hip wide open and sticks his rear-end out and swings with his arms only (Bluto no need for a sarcastic comment here I absolutely know you can only swing a bat with your arms.,,,you get the point).
Some late news and deals this evening. All according to MLBTR. Pirates are likely to keep Mitch Keller past the deadline. The Reds are finalizing a trade for Zack Littell from the Rays. No info on the return yet. Padres still trying to pry Duran from the Red Sox, and Miller from the A’s. Tigers traded minor leaguer Jim Jarvis to the Braves for Rafael Montero. Cubs traded two prospects to the Nationals for Michael Soroka. Astros get Ramon Urias from the Orioles.
Per Jeff Passan the Mariner’s are in agreement with Arizona on an Eugenio Saurez trade pending medical review
If the Padres bring home a blockbuster….. look out.
Betts and Ohtani 0 for 10. Could be Betts has focused on short and Ohtani has focused on pitching. A shortstop is now playing third and Pages appears out of position wherever he is. Huge error on his part And yes, it was an error. Almost a fantastic catch in center by Outman. What an effort. Might have been a momentum changer. Might have been the Dodgers weren’t going to score more than two no matter what.
I keep waiting to see the real Dodgers show up. Maybe they have?
per MLB Serwinowski was the Reds #10 top prospect. Gervase is rhp on Tampa’s 40 man and Rovtdert is not on the 40 man
The winner of this trade is Cincinnati and Hunter Feduccia. Feduccia has a better chance at cracking the Tampa Bay 26 from Matt Thais and Nick Fortes.
Ben Rorvedt is a failed MLB catcher from NYY before being traded to Tampa Bay in another three team trade in March 2024. Rorvedt will join Chris Okey and Chuckie Robinson in OKC. Nice to have 3 AAAA catchers in OKC.
Paul Gervase is a 25 year old RHP who was acquired from NYM last trade deadline. I cannot see him on the LAD 26 man.
Adam Serwinowski is a 21 year old SP in A+ who only has 2 pitches, although both are grade 60 – fastball and slider. He will fit right in with LAD strikes a lot out and walks a lot. He was #10 for Cincinnati. That would put him ahead of all other 45 FV LAD pitchers.
I cannot believe this ia all they will do, so this is just an ancillary deal.
From Twitter:
Dodgers traded away a backup C type who is already 28 for the Reds 11th best prospect (6th according to Fangraphs rankings in the preseason. they also mentioned that he might be in the top 100 soon) and a lotto 7 ft RP with high K’s
Personally? I think it’s the lotto of lottos because it’s from the Rays, but getting that kind of prospect for a future less Feduccia is a win
Added from Jack Harris:
Serwinowski is a 21-year-old prospect (#10 in Reds system, per @MLBPipeline) currently in high-A. Dodgers have been a fan of his for a while, per source, and are excited about his potential
Unless he develops a 3rd pitch, he is headed for the bullpen, where he could potentially be dominant. This is his MLB Pipeline Scouting grades: Fastball: 60 | Slider: 60 | Control: 40 | Overall: 45 – Not a developing 3rd pitch.
You need a 55 FV to be a MLB Pipeline top 100. Serwinowski is a 45. Tough to see a 2 pitch pitcher move up 10 on the FV grade. Not saying it cannot be done, but that usually occurs to DSL or ACL players.
Per Heyman:
Padres are working on a possible Mason Miller trade. Not done yet, but they are talking.
Well, Dalton Rushing is not getting traded. I did not think he would, but I would have been okay if he was traded to Cleveland for Steven Kwan. Feduccia would have been a fine backup C. What that means for possible difference makers…???.
I have no idea how this makes Fairbanks available. Tampa Bay has 4 SP on their 26 man and 7 relievers.
Arizona trades 3B Eugenio Suarez to Seattle for AAA 1B Tyler Locklear (#9 prospect, 50 FV), A+ RHRP Hunter Cranton (No. 16, 40 FV), AAA RHRP Juan Burgos (No. 17, 40 FV).
Arizona got a haul for Suarez, and Seattle did not have to trade any of their 7 top 100 players. Tyler Locklear (24) was having a monster year at Tacoma – .316/.401/.542/.942, 19 HR, 82 RBI. I am sure that Arizona is looking at Locklear to be the next Paul Goldschmidt or Christian Walker.
Arizona has a record of building bullpens, and Cranton and Burgos could be good ones.
Suarez is a difference maker for Seatlle.
Good deal for both teams.
Happiness after the trade deadline:
Lf. Kwan
C. Smith
1b. Freeman
SS Betts
DH. Ohtani
RF. Hernandez
2B. Edman
CF. Outman
3B. Freeland
Pages for Kwan
Jeff, having a lot of difficulty signing in on my PC. Says the URL is not recognized and the site is not secure I am writing this on my new laptop. so I can at least finish my next post by toorrrow evening.
Love your work, Bear.
Idea for a new article: Anticlimactic deadline trades.
Okay, maybe this 6-10 guy, Paul Gervase, will become something… someday… but mostly I’m just happy that Fedducia should be getting a fair shot at The Show. I’m guessing that Chuckie Robinson is now the No. 3 catcher.
Too bad AF didn’t set Ryan Ward free as well.