In a recent response, Scott replied to me:
“Let’s be real though, the Dodgers right now have one of the worst pitching staffs in MLB. They rank at the bottom of the sport in ERA, walks issued, and home runs. Their starters are the most inefficient in the league. And their relievers have thrown more innings than any other club.
It’s not good, and should be improved if they want to stay in the race this season.”
First paragraph is 100% accurate. Not arguable. But the resolution?
“They have to improve if they want to stay in the race this season.”
The pitching has not been good, and yet they are still in 1st place. With the LAD offense I do not foresee any long term losing streak in the next several weeks, and by that time, the Dodgers could be bursting with pitching options coming back.
To expect the Dodgers (or any team) to replace their top two pitchers, and three of their top four, with depth is so very short-sighted. Blake Snell and Tyler Glasnow have two of the best arms in the game, but too often injured. When looking for players, the Dodgers are looking at how high their ceiling is rather than floor. They believe they have enough depth to get through, but need the top of the rotation to get over the top.
I understand the frustration with signing and/or trading for and extending injury prone pitchers. That is a legit argument to have. And yet, the architect, Andrew Friedman, has the most regular season wins, divisional championships, WS appearances, and WS wins, over any other POBO/GM since he came to LAD in 2015. We fans should allow him to continue to make such decisions (not that anyone is asking our opinion). If not AF, then who? He is at the top of the POBO/GM mountain and everyone else is looking up. I know, I know, you are not the owners who make those decisions. But come on, as long as you are critical of his roster machinations, come up with a name. BTW, that “you” is not pointed to any individual. It is a generic “you”.
I recognize that some believe that Blake Snell and/or Tyler Glasnow will not be back in any meaningful way, or will not be back at all this year. We are just going to have to disagree on that. Specifically with Snell, this is not something new for him. I went through the research, but Doug McKain put everything I wanted to say in one of his recent podcasts.
I am a firm believer that Snell will be back and be back as an elite pitcher sometime around the All Star Break, and be a weapon in the playoffs. Glasnow is a little more perilous, but I believe he too will be back and effective for the 2nd half.
I am an unapologetic fan of Tyler Glasnow. Is he too fragile? Undoubtedly. But his arm is undeniable. Just stay on the field, even in a reduced role. So, maybe Glasnow does not come back until August/September. Maybe he will be the 2025 version of Walker Buehler. Maybe he will be back under the knife. I am not a doctor, and I do not pretend to be by making allegations that he will not be back. I would rather believe that he will be back (no report says he won’t be), and be disappointed if he does not, rather than believing he will not be back and being an “I told you so”, if he isn’t.
Roki Sasaki is due back before the end of the month. Nobody expected Sasaki to be an elite pitcher in MLB this year. His velocity is down, but that is according to plan per Mark Prior. For those who have been in the pitching meetings, please feel free to let us know that this is not true. The Dodgers also seem to agree that some of Sasaki’s growing pains could have been mitigated in a MiLB setting. Sasaki was never expected to be anywhere near the top of the LAD rotation this year, thus at best a #4.
Emmet Sheehan started his rehab assignment on May 26, meaning he will have to be added to the 40 man no later than June 25. Because he had TJ surgery, technically he could have three additional 10 day stints on the 60 day IL, with the commissioner’s approval, which would make his latest return to the roster, July 25. With the way Emmet is pitching, he will be back on the 40 man before the end of June. IMO, Sheehan is every bit the pitcher that Gavin Stone is, so he is a legit mid rotation SP. Whether he will be in LA or OKC we will have to wait.
Then there is Shohei Ohtani who is reported to be pitching after the All Star break, and probably before the trade deadline, just in case he will not be able to effectively pitch this year.
Maybe foolishly, but I still believe that Clayton Kershaw has 6 months of pitching left in that HOF left arm. He will continue to learn and grow with his current capabilities. He does not need ground balls going through the legs of his 3B. He is stubborn, so change is hard for him. But he likes winning more, so he will come around to become more of a pitcher hitting spots rather than blowing the pitch by anyone like he used to. He needs 26 more strikeouts and then his illustrious HOF career will be complete. Hitting 3,000 K is not the defining metric, but I want to witness it.
I am also not going to forget about Bobby Miller. He is a headcase to be sure, but his talent is right there with other mid rotation types. His last two starts with OKC have been pretty good. Can he take that to LAD? If you are expecting him to be able to replace Snell or Glasnow, you will be disappointed.
I do not know who Scott or anyone else believes the Dodgers can get in a trade, especially now, but even at the deadline. Some believe they do not need name names because they are not AF. Hogwash. Do the research, it really isn’t hard.
With the number of teams in the WC race, knowing that pitching will be critical for getting through the playoffs, no team in the race is going to trade a front line pitcher, believing they could use that pitcher to advance in the playoffs.
The teams on the outside looking in for the playoffs are:
- Washington
- Atlanta
- Miami
- Cincinnati
- Pittsburgh
- Baltimore
- CWS
- LAA
- A’s
It may not be that long before Boston and Texas join that list.
So who is available?
Washington – The Nats are close, so it is extremely unlikely they would trade MacKenzie Gore, Jake Irvin, or Mitchell Parker. While I would make every effort to try and acquire Gore, it is far more likely that the only SP that Washington will attempt to trade is Trevor Williams. But, at the same time, I would make a very good proposal for Kyle Finnegan. A rental to be sure, but one the Dodgers could sure use.
Atlanta – Because Chris Sale has a reasonable $18MM club option for 2026, I cannot see the Braves trading him. He will be needed next year. But I do think the Dodgers should at least make that call. The Braves are not trading Schwellenbach or Strider. That leaves Grant Holmes or Bryce Elder. Dodgers will pass.
Miami – The Marlins are interesting because they do have possibilities. Miami is not trading Max Meyer, and Sandy Alcantara is more of a prospective addition to 2026 rather than 2025, unless you believe Alcantara can turn it around by the trade deadline. Maybe they will make Edward Cabrera available, but I think they would rather move Alcantara. Cabrera has three more years of control after this year, which makes it unlikely he gets traded. But??? Cal Quantrill will be available, not sure the Dodgers will be interested. For me the most intriguing possibility, including Cabrera, is Ryan Weathers. He had a forearm strain earlier in the season, but has come back and pitched very well. Weathers is just 25 and has 3 years control, so it will cost. But he might just be worth the cost.
Cincinnati – Andrew Abbott would be my choice, but at 26 and 4 years of control, he is not going anywhere. The time to acquire Nick Lodolo has come and gone. The Reds waited patiently for him, and have been rewarded. He is not going anywhere. Neither is Hunter Greene. I do not believe the Reds are ready to give up on Brady Singer. So that leaves Nick Martinez, who I do believe will be traded. Is Martinez an improvement over what LAD has? Maybe. Maybe not. But for sure, he could slide very nicely into a playoff bullpen. His one year in the playoffs was 2022 with San Diego. 11 IP, 1 run, 3 hits, 1 BB, and 11 K. I would definitely check into his availability. Actually he would be a top target for me.
Pittsburgh – No, the Dodgers are not getting Paul Skenes. But there are other possibilities. I do not see Pittsburgh making Bailey Falter available, but he would be a very nice addition. Mitch Keller is signed through 2028 with an average salary of $18.58MM over 2026-2028 (his age 30-32 years). Andrew Heaney will be traded this year. While his fastball is in the Clayton Kershaw range, his fastball run value is +5 and in the 86th percentile. His offspeed is in the 92nd percentile with +4 run value. He is the type of pitcher who will drive LAD batters nuts, so he will probably get traded to a NL contending team (San Diego?). If the Dodgers could acquire Falter (BIG IF) he would be an upgrade.
Baltimore – Tomoyuki Sugano is a rental with a split finger specialty. Even though he has pitched well for the dreadful O’s, with Yamamoto, Sasaki, and Gonsolin, do the Dodgers really need another split finger specialist? Maybe. With command, that is one very tough pitch to hit, and he is a rental. Otherwise…pass.
Chicago White Sox – The only pitcher CWS has that would even merit a phone call is 25 year old Rule 5 RHSP, Shane Smith. He is exactly who CWS needs to keep to build upon. They have a couple of young guns they will definitely hold on to: Sean Burke and Jonathan Cannon. While he is controlled to 2031, Davis Martin might be available because of his age (28). But he is not arbitration eligible until 2028, so there is no incentive for CWS to move him. Wait it out and see how he performs. CWS likes James Outman, so maybe they can make something work.
LAA – José Soriano is intriguing, but the Angels need pitching and Soriano is one of the best in their system. He is not going anywhere. If Arte Moreno is willing to trade with LAD (big if), Tyler Anderson could be a possibility. He is a rental, and one who might be able to help LAD, which makes it unlikely he will be traded to LAD. Yusei Kikuchi? If the Dodgers wanted Kikuchi, they could have signed him before the season. But I do not think the Dodgers believe he is worth $42.5MM for the next two years (his 35 and 36 year old years).
A’s – I love the A’s young offense, but they have absolutely no SP that the Dodgers would be interested in.
Of those who will be traded, because of his ability to slide into the high leverage reliever role for the playoffs, Nick Martinez would be at the top of my list. I also think that Ryan Weathers will be on the Dodgers wish list. If Miami does trade him, the Dodgers will be involved to some degree. I think the same is true with Edward Cabrera. I do think they would consider Tyler Anderson and Andrew Heaney, but only as an emergency stopgap, not as a significant upgrade.
Would they consider overpaying for MacKenzie Gore, Andrew Abbot, or Bailey Falter? Would Washington, Cincinnati, or Pittsburgh even consider trading them? It takes two teams (sometimes three) to make a trade, and just because Dodger fans may want a certain player, that does not mean they are available.
Will the Brewers consider trading Freddie Peralta? Depending on the cost, I am sure the Dodgers will be in on that trade negotiation. He would be an improvement.
My wish list would not be complete without adding Jacob deGrom to it. He is way too costly, but he would be great for the playoffs if Texas is willing to move him. While Texas would undoubtedly have to eat some of the salary, IMO he would be worth the $$$. Maybe Tyler Glasnow (to even out salary hits) and some top 100 prospects???
Knowing they are not going to tear this staff down and start over, just exactly how are the Dodgers going improve their pitching roster that would be considered a better option than what is expected back? For me, I will be patient and wait to see what Sasaki, Snell, Sheehan, Ohtani, and Glasnow can provide. I will also be patient to see how much improvement the Dodgers can pull out of Kershaw, Gonsolin, Knack, May, and even Bobby Miller.
The Dodgers cannot replace Snell and Gonsolin with back of the rotation pitchers, so quit expecting their depth to do so.
The bullpen is another story, and I believe the Dodgers are just trying to use as many arms as possible until Kopech, Yates, Graterol get back, and hope that Tanner Scott finds it. Plus the return of injured SP will move pitchers to the pen. Evan Phillips was a big loss. Even it is the least thing AF likes, I would trade for Kyle Finnegan as another RH high leverage late inning pitcher. Suck it up, the LAD bullpen needs help. I would also consider moving Wrobo to the bullpen.
Bottom line for me; I would be happy with a Nick Martinez and Kyle Finnegan addition, and call it a successful trade deadline.
MiLB GAME SUMMARY REPORTS
Reno Aces (Arizona) 7 – OKC Comets 6
The Aces scored an unearned tie breaking run in the 9th and held on for the win.
OKC had nine hits, with Ryan Ward and Esteury Ruiz with 2 hits apiece. Ward was 2-5 with 2 HRs (15) and Ruiz was 2-4.
Other XBH, Justin Dean double (5) driving in two, James Outman triple (2), and Michael Chavis HR (10).
Box Score
Tulsa Drillers 5 – Amarillo Sod Poodles (Arizona) 0
Because of the rain delay, this game lasted 7 innings.
Peter Heubeck finally pitched to his talent. He got two outs in the 6th inning without allowing a hit before being lifted after 89 pitches (59 strikes). Amarillo got a single with 2 outs in the 7th. They lost the no-hitter but got the shutout.
No Drillers hitter had a multiple hit game. Noah Miller had the only XBH with a double (1).
Box Score
South Bend Cubs 11 – Great Lakes Loons 3
The Loons mustered only 4 hits on the night. Jake Gelof was the only Loons hitter with a multiple hit game and XBH. He went 2-4 with his 3rd HR of the season.
Box Score
San Jose Giants 5 – Rancho Cucamonga Quakes 2
The Quakes had 8 hits, 6 by two Quakes batters. Elijah Hainline went 3-4 with a double (12) and HR (2), and Gio Cueto went 3-4 with a double (4). They were also the only Quakes hitters with XBH.
RHP Jhonny Jimenez had another sterling relief appearance for Rancho. He has 4 games with RC and 9.1 scoreless IP. He has allowed 2 hits and 3 BB, and 6 K. His WHIP is 0.54 and batting average against of .069. He is 6’5” and at 180 pounds, he does have room to build out. Someone to keep an eye on.
Box Score
I have been critical of Scott, but he sure came through tonight. This may have been his best outing as a Dodger. He was getting chase (sorry Scott), and he needs that to be successful. He has been throwing too many stirkes in the zone.
Can we get rid of the “Dodgers need a new 3B”? Even with the error, his 2 jacks more than made up for it. Well it did as long as they won.
I am not ready to give up on Kershaw.
Giants released Jake Lamb. Kersh was done in by Muncy’s error. 2 unearned runs because of that. Freddie is raking. BA sits at .369. Muncy’s OPS is up to .782, which is higher than Betts.
Well Jeff, I think you describe the pitching situation quite well, but I don’t understand your optimism for them (pitching staff). Kershaw’s muscle memory is not nearly enough to earn him any real praise at the moment. He looks like he’s lost more than what he has retained. His control is the worst I’ve ever seen him have. Of course, there is the possibility of him finding something, but I’m not jumping on this belief bandwagon you seem to be on with him and others. All the Dodger pitchers are allowing too many HRs and walks. Most are struggling with their command and control from game to game as we saw from Yoshi. Snell has a history of injuries as well as Glasnow. Both have been limited in appearances because of it. How do you build around injuries? Our home growns like May, Gonsolin, etc., are working their way back from injuries, have definitely lost something. They are not better than they were before surgery. And now, they are talking about bringing Buehler back, another ‘survivor’ of the Dodger school of TJ.
Our pitching staff is broken. I said it last year and I don’t see a change in this prognosis. Hope is not a strategy.
If hope is your strategy, it can’t be hope in the pitching department. It has to come from the batters and it has. This is the only thing saving the Dodgers from crumbling. Max waking up is a hopeful sign. I still want someone who can play a full season at more than a marginal level of fielding and has bat to ball skills. Kim, Edman, and Pages, have given the Dodgers something to look forward to for the future. They are actually skilled players. We’ve got a powerhouse of a lineup and when it is in sync, EXPLOSIVE. These guys can deliver! You can’t say that about our pitching and it’s not even close. It’s not about a tweak or two.
I agree on Snell and Glasnow. I too believe they will be availabel and good down the stretch.
Sorry to say I disagree on Clayton. I fear he is done being an effective MLB pitcher. If Snell and Glasnow and Shohei return to the mound he should be among those who get dropped from the rotation.
The slieder is not as sharp as it was and the curveball, the public enemy Nr. 1 is a shadow of what it once was. Nowadays that pitch is more hazardous to the Dodgers than the opposing team.
And his fastball, well, we all know about that .
It pains me to see him get knocked around . Ride into the sunset Clayton, right to Cooperstown.
Go Dodgers!!!!!!!!!!!!!!1
If this blog has devolved into a dialogue between the host and the worst commenter, I’m out. Thanks for the cheese.
Dont let the door hit you on the way out
My worries are about a pitching staff full of hope for comebacks from injuries and a bunch of #5’s. I think our system is slightly overrated or just treated wrong (thus the exorbitant injuries). We are also putting hope on a pitcher ( Ohtani) coming back from TJ #2, which always works out, to come to the rescue. Not wearing my rose colored Dodger glasses but I guess hoping for the best.
It’s all about managing the pitching staff to get healthy in October. Yamamoto, Snell, Glasnow and Ohtani with May, Sheehan and Sasaki in reserve. Come on! No other team in baseball comes close. And a bullpen with Scott, Treinen, Kopech, Yates, Graterol, Casparius, Dreyer, Banda along with the above mentioned reserves is by far the best pitching staff in mlb. And with the best offense in baseball. Thank you AF!
And we’re winning now with our second string pitching staff. All the whining will cease once we make our typical August blitz!
Good Stuff Jeff D.
I had an enjoyable evening as decided to listen to the Mets broadcasters, Gary Cohen and Keith Hernandez. I frequently like the opponent’s perspective. They are very good and don’t over-talk. I’ve decided that I get tired of ex-pitchers in the booth because they have a tendency to want to call pitches and overanalyze what was thrown. John Smoltz is the absolute worst, but Orel’s right in there. Cohen and Hernandez did none of that and it was very refreshing. They are very flattering to the opponents and very knowledgeable.
The holds in the 9th by Urena and Banda and Scott in the 10 were stunning. Keeping the Ghost Runner from scoring is tough and Scott pulled that off.
But Casparius was the pitcher of the game. He has really quietly become a weapon out of the bullpen. His last 7 outings, 12 innings, he has 15 K’s to 2 walks, no homers and a 1.5 ERA.
Muncy redeemed himself for the error that cost a double play and 2 runs, in spades. 2 nights in a row we have just found a way to win.
Not to beat a dead horse but I believe Conforto is hitting .059 this season with RISP. He takes more center cut fastball strikes than anybody.
I was thinking about Scott Andes’ post yesterday about pitching 101. I agree with a lot of what he suggested.
Obviously every pitcher is different. But for my money starting pitchers need to possess stuff to get hitters out that that usually includes a solid fastball. Same with prototypical closers, the “bringers of the big heat”. or have one specialty pitch like Rivera’s cutter. The middle guys can be trick ponies with a specialty pitch or different arm angles to get through an inning or two. There are plenty of exceptions to these stereotypes.
Scott Andes said yesterday “I’ve said this before and I’ll say it again, the fastball is the foundation to good pitching, mixing that with an aggressive approach. Attacking the zone and challenging hitters should be an organizational decree. If you are not attacking the zone, then you are not pitching.”
For most starting pitchers, I absolutely agree about establishing the fastball. The best pitch in the game, again for most pitchers, is a well placed fastball. It has been since the beginning of time and everything else plays off that.
It’s old school and the right school.
Even Kershaw at 90, needs to be able to locate a fastball and use his other pitchers, better, to stay off barrels.
I too see way too much nibbling and “chasing the chase”.
Scott, I don’t know if you watch Paul Skenes pitch or not. If you don’t, you need to because he is the poster-boy for challenging hitters.
Yesterday, Skenes again gave up one run in 8 innings on 3 hits and 7 K’s. And lost. But Skenes goes deep into games very efficiently. He has the best stuff in the game and isn’t afraid to use it to challenge the best hitters. But his 99 mph, well located 2-seamer is his foundation. He lives on the hands of RH batters. I know, it’s easy to do with his stuff, but it all plays off a well located fastball.
I find it ironic that in the day of 5 inning outings and 85 pitchers, that the mission is to throw strike one and then non-competitive pitches in the opposite batters box, seeking chase. That and a few foul balls and a starter can’t get throw 5 innings. These non-competitive balls aren’t a wise use of pitches.
Giants DFAd Lamont Wade Jr. Then they signed Dominic Smith. Wade was hitting under the Mendoza line. He is 31 years old; someone will pick him up. He is just too good a hitter to stay down there long.
Well it did not take long, but Eduardo Quintero and Mike Sirota have both cracked Baseball America’s updated Top 100 prospects.
· Roki Sasaki – #2
· Dalton Rushing – #28
· Alex Freeland – #35
· Josue De Paula – #37
· Zyhir Hope – #40
· Jackson Ferris – #74
· Eduardo Quintero – #96
· Mike Sirota – #97
That is 8 top 100 and 5 top 40. Sasaki and Rushing will drop off soon, but their replacements have already been identified. How long before Patrick Copen makes the leap?
All-Star voting opened today. Made my picks.
Tanner Scott on his performance last night.
Interesting note on Max pre-glasses and post glasses.
One more time! We need a Badger 8 again tonight!
If I criticize Conforto in the middle of a game, with the Dodgers trailing 3-0, will the cosmos arrange for him to come through with a dramatic HR to get the Dodgers back into the game?
Testing, testing…
Conforto, I trust, is a decent human being, but his performance so far this season wouldn’t merit the major-league minimum, much less his $17 million deal.
Here’s a list of outfielders I’d prefer to see on the Dodgers roster: Ward, Outman, Estuery Ruiz… Cedric Mullins, Luis Robert Jr…. I’m sure there are more.
Here’s a recent report about Ryan Ward:
“Triple-A slugger Ryan Ward came up in the bottom of the eighth and hit his second home run to tie the game. The homer was the sixth in the last five games for Ward, who led the Pacific Coast League in home runs last season with 34. This year, he is top-five in the PCL in batting average (.327), home runs (15), RBIs (44), and OPS (1.018).”
Like Conforto, Ward bats from the left side. Like Conforto, he does not win rave reviews for his defense. Unlike Conforto, he has never faced a pitch in the major leagues. Go figure.
Outman, Ruiz, Mullins and Robert can all play CF, pushing Pages to LF.
Although Robert Jr is having another bad season, he has 40-40 talent. His price is coming down. Can a change of scenery and a little mentoring from Teo make a difference?
OK… Now back to the game….
If Conforto comes through in the clutch, you’re welcome, Dodger fans.
Dave sending a clear message by PH for Freddie with Rojas in the bottom of the 8th with Shohei on board and one out. This game is done.
I get that we’re down 6-0 but if Freddie gets aboard (which of all our players is most likely) then we have Teo, Max and Pages and even Will possibly coming up! I can’t stand just giving up like that, and for what – getting Freddie off his feet for a single AB – at least let him hit and then Pinch Run for him?
Sends totally the wrong message and I just don’t understand it.