The Dodgers are going to be flying to Japan this AM. The 31 man roster is getting closer to completion. I am going with 16 pitchers and 15 position players.
Pitchers:
- Blake Snell (Scheduled to start exhibition game against Yomiuri Giants)
- Tyler Glasnow (Scheduled to start exhibition game against Hanshin Tigers)
- Yoshinobu Yamamoto (Game 1 starter against Cubs)
- Roki Sasaki (Game 2 starter against Cubs)
- Dustin May
- Tanner Scott
- Kirby Yates
- Blake Treinen
- Alex Vesia
- Anthony Banda
- Ben Casparius
- Matt Sauer (NRI)
- Jack Dreyer
- Justin Wrobleski
- Landon Knack
- Luis García (NRI)
Position Players:
- Shohei Ohtani
- Will Smith
- Freddie Freeman
- Tommy Edman
- Max Muncy
- Mookie Betts
- Michael Conforto
- Kiké Hernández
- Teoscar Hernández
- Austin Barnes
- Miguel Rojas
- Chris Taylor
- Andy Pages
- James Outman
- Hunter Feduccia
In the Tokyo series, Yamamoto will face Cubs LHSP Shota Imanaga while Sasaki will start against LHSP Justin Steele.
As it turns out, it looks like it is going to be between Andy Pages and James Outman for the 13th position player on the 26-man roster. Fangraphs Roster Resource has Outman as the CF with Pages being assigned to OKC. I prefer Outman because he is a superior defensive CF and because he is LH
Matt Sauer will get added to the 40 man but has 3 options remaining. If my prediction is correct, Luis García would have to be added to 40 man, but he has no options. He would remain on the 26 man until Kopech and/or Phillips returns, unless there is another injury. García has 528.0 MLB IP, and we know AF/BG prefers veterans.
Jeff, surely you can’t be happy with Treinen’s performance, so far. He was looking very tired at the end of last season and he has continued to decline into this season’s ST. I think it’s time to build up someone else for this spot.
Treinen will be fine. Tired? Man pitched his ass off for 2.1 innings in game 5. And got out of a really tight jam. It is spring training. It means nothing. Yates hasn’t looked like a closer either. Several pitchers have gotten knocked around. Treinen has 7 K’s and 1 walk. I am not worried about how many runs he gives up in spring. The guy is a pro.
I am indifferent to what Blake Treinen does in ST. It is absolutely meaningless. I am also indifferent to Mookie’s ST – .240/.276/.360/.636 – 1 XBH in 25 AB.
Treinen has 5.2 IP with 7 K and 1 BB. He is throwing strikes. That is what I want to see. It is his command that is off. That will come with more than 5.2 IP. With the number of pitchers in camp, these guys are not going to get many IP to work on command.
If Treinen was very tired at the end of the 2024 season, I hope that all LAD pitchers are that tired. He was in 9 postseason games with 12.1 IP. That is one less game than Kopech and Banda, but he had the most IP of any LAD reliever and 2nd most of any reliever in the playoffs (Luke Weaver had 15.1 IP).
Treinen finished his very tired season with 2.1 IP in Game 5 of the WS allowing 0 runs, 1 hit, 1 BB, 3K, and 42 pitches. That is a tired I can live with.
Who are you going to build up for his spot? Kopech and Phillips will be back soon enough. Vesia has not allowed a run since Sept 20. As shaky as Kirby Yates has looked this Spring. He was much worse last Spring. Same with Tanner Scott. These veteran pitchers are not concerned with results. They are interested in getting their work in.
Let’s hope I’m wrong about Treinen.
The Tigers de Quintana Roo in the Mexican League signed Willie Calhoun signed with the team. I didn’t know he was still around.
He played with the Angels in 24. Played in a game or two against the Dodgers.
May will not be on the 31 man roster. He’s staying back to build up.
I read that too.
Me three…. So who replaces May?
I’m a little rusty, but that $70,000 bonus would be sweet.
I am rooting hard for Outman to make the roster. This team is a powerhouse that could use a stronger defense.
While our fingers are crossed on Mookie to succeed at SS, we know that Edman at 2B and Outman at CF would be solid.
Perhaps Outman could take the thick side a platoon with Kike or Taylor. In addition to his lefty bat and quality D, Outman’s speed would be welcome.
I try not to be a Taylor hater, but I’d prefer to see either Bote and Pages on the roster.
Kim will be spending hours in the OKC batting cages with the pitching machine cranked up to 95. I’m trying to be optimistic. Hope to see him later this season, but it’s likely that both Rojas and Taylor will be gone in ’26.
Who replaces May? I am going with Nick Frasso. Frasso and Miller are the only two “uninjured” pitchers remaining on the 40 man that I did not list. I would think that Miller has to prove he can pitch in an actual game before he would be considered. That leaves Frasso.
I too hope it is Outman that gets the final roster spot. I acknowledge Taylor does not have most of the fan vote to stick. But he does have the vote of confidence from those that matter…AF/BG. As long as Outman and Pages have options, I do not see the Dodgers DFA’ing Taylor. Totally different than Crawford.
IMO, the Dodgers believe that Taylor can help in other ways because of his versatility. He can play any position (other than pitcher/catcher) on the field with aplomb. Pages and Outman cannot do that, and while Outman could be a CF defensive replacement or pinch runner late in the game, Pages is not that guy. Kim might be, but he is much better off being in OKC with 3-5 PA per game to improve his bat. That cannot happen as the 26th man for LAD. I have already stated that I prefer Bote over Taylor, but I do not count. The domestic opener is not for another two weeks, so it is possible that Taylor could be moved.
Jeff–What will the 40 man moves be to accommodate these new additions?
Plaschke: Dave Roberts is real Dodger MVP.
How long before someone calls for him to be fired this year?
https://sports.yahoo.com/article/column-dave-roberts-dodgers-real-234639161.html
First time the Dodgers lose more than two in a row.
Grove, Hurt, Graterol, Sheehan, Kershaw, and possibly Henriquez all 60 Day IL candidates. Grove will be one. After that, pick one.
Who’s ready to go 5? Yamamoto and Sasaki probably. Snell maybe. Glasnow maybe not. May nope.
Yamamoto has gone 5.0. Yamamoto’s last two starts were 4.0 IP and 5.0 IP. He averaged about 13.5 pitches/inning. Very efficient. Sasaki has gone 4.0 with only 41 pitches. So I agree both of those guys are ready to go 5.0 in a regular season game.
Glasnow is more apt to go 5.0 than Snell. Glasnow has 3 GS and 6.0 IP with 10K and 1BB. He threw 53 pitches in his last start (3.0 IP). Again, it is his command that is off.
Snell has 2 GS and 4.2 IP. Snell was getting to a lot of 0-2 and 1-2 counts but couldn’t get that last swing and miss, which is what he is known for. That increased his pitch count. That too will come.
I am ready to see how far Wrobleski can go.
Snell and Glasnow will be pitching in the exhibition games in Japan. If they get to 4.0 IP there, they will be ready to go at least 5.0 against Detroit on March 27 and 28 which is when they are “scheduled” to go. Yamamoto vs Skubal and Sasaki vs Flaherty. That will be must see TV.
Judging from the photos I saw of the Tokyo Dome, the Cubbies are going to feel left out. There are posters of Ohtani everywhere, but not one of Imanaga or Suzuki.
Been thinking about Kim being optioned. At first I was disappointed, but now I realize he will get more at bats staying here than he would out of country. I don’t much care what happens in that Japanese kermis, I want everyone there to get back safely, get re-grounded and start the season on March 27th.
Totally agree with that.
The Dodgers should not be considered for any pre-season international trip for a very long time. With 3 long trips in 11 years, including back to back, the Dodgers have done more than their share of international travel. They also did a Mexico trip, but that was in the central time zone, and shorter travel than to any of the Eastern teams as well as Cleveland and Cincinnati.
I think MLB should send the Padres and Giants to a home and home series in Mumbai, India. They are already a premier cricket playing country. It is time for baseball.
The reason the Dodgers are making their second consecutive pre-season international trip (and to Japan) can be summed up in three words: Ohtani, Yamamoto, Sasaki.
Although I totally agree that these trips are very tough on the players, I’d rather they be put through this torture for the next week than to have the Padres over there because they signed them.
And yes, it would be fun to send SD and SF to Mumbai for an opener, although it might give them a big advantage in signing all of those great Indian cricket players and converting them to baseball. I guess we could take our chances.
I recognize the importance and relevance for LAD to be opening in Japan. I agree there is no way MLB was going to schedule any team over the Dodgers for opening the season in Japan. It is the 2nd year in row whereby the Dodgers have a shortened Spring Training. From a business model it is a home rum trip. I doubt that same feeling prevails from a baseball standpoint.
With May staying back to stretch out, does this open up a seat on the plane to Japan for Nick Frasso (and $70K)?
Yes, but it’s a middle seat near the toilet
hahaha
If so, probably won’t be an aisle or window seat.
Here is my guess at the Dodger bench through May: Barnes, Rojas, Kike’, Taylor.
And my lineup through May:
Ohtani
Betts
Freeman
Hernandez
Smith
Muncy/Rojas
Conforto/Taylor
Outman/Kike’
Edman
I want to see Kim in there by summer.
Or maybe Alex Freeland?
And maybe Dalton Rushing too?
Seems possible Freeland, Rushing and Kim will replace Rojas, Barnes and Taylor in ’26.
Those guys will get their shot when the time comes. Kim was signed to take over for Lux at second base. As in now. Hopefully he gets it figured out quickly.
Latest screwup on team apparel
https://flip.it/sDWU5b
This story is hilarious. Love to know who got canned for the “TeTas” hat fiasco.
Obviously this scenario affects both teams equally, so more than likely the Cubs two SPs will only go a maximum of 5 innings as well. So, may the best bullpen win.
Tossing this question out to everyone.
Which pitchers could be traded and still result in the Dodgers having enough to pitch well through the post season?
I’d say Knack (and I like Knack) would be the most likely to not be missed
Knack has a knack for giving up homers. I won’t miss him one bit if he gets dealt.
Yeah, Knack would be that guy–and I would miss him! He’s kind of a Dangerfield on this team because of his Bartolo-esque build.
The Dodgers could deal Knack… and Emmet Sheehan would get well and take his place.
I wonder if AF and Gomes field many calls about guys like Miller and Knack. They would start for a lot of teams, including some contenders.
This is more a quantity question vs. quality isn’t it?
I think so. The Dodgers could trade probably 2 of the group (from the 40 only) not named:
Miller, Snell, Glasnow, Yamamoto and Sasaki (maybe Wrobo-Cop because he’s a leftie)
And be just fine.
Sasaki is still listed on the OKC roster. Haven’t seen a list of the 31 players anywhere.
I’m skeptical that the production of the “offensive” New Era caps by MLB was an accident. There are no proof-readers or Hispanics that would have noticed this?
I know MLB makes mistakes but this one to me smells of marketing.
I think the “ASHOS” hat is great for those of us who have a long, grudge-holding memories. I find it accurate and not offensive.
Pulling the hats off the market, yet selling the inventory on-line, made the “TETAS” cap the most expensive cap ever sold.
Hard for me to believe that was an accident.
At least they don’t appear to be made with that shitty fishnet material that should be reserved for John Deere caps.
And Bass Pro-Shops caps.
A couple of notes from around the league. Rays have decided to not go ahead with plans for the new ballpark in the Tampa-St. Pete area. Owner is also receiving pressure from other owners and MLB to sell the team. Twins’ sale is also on hold. Phil Maton signed by the Cardinals. Lucas Giolitto and Jeff McNeil will start the season on the IL.
Move the Rays to Portland Oregon and rename them Portland Rayns.
Nice. Portland would have to have a dome. It rains way too often for an open ballpark.
As the best team in Baseball, with arguably the biggest International Fan Base, I’m hoping the Dodgers get selected for the London. Series held every June, sooner rather than later.
Clayton Kershaw said the following on Foul Territory with respect to pitchers arm injuries.
It will be interesting to follow this logic during the season. It will also be interesting to see if the affiliates will use a full 6-man rotation for a once per week start. The MiLB season consists of 6 game series, Tues – Sun. They have used the same SP on Tues and Sun in the past.
So Kershaw has some ideas on pitching: “…I think the guys are going to start throwing more in the minor leagues. There might be something to be said about just throwing more, some endurance-based throwing. Maybe just building up your strength without throwing as hard as you can, just throwing more pitches, more throws in between starts. We’ve tried the less approach, maybe we need to do the more approach. Which it seems pretty oversimplified, and I know there’s a lot more to it, but it’s probably worth a shot.”
On 11/2/24, I posted the following (and more):
“Along the way, I have some other possible changes for pitcher’s health and performance:
Nice to see Kersh sharing some of those ideas.
I immediately thought of you after reading Kershaw’s comments.
My take? Hasn’t changed. What gets Major League hitters out has been velocity and spin rate. Every minor league pitcher knows this. Until an organization has success emphasizing change of speeds and command within the strike zone in their system, and it works, the approach won’t change. The Dodgers obviously don’t teach pitching the way Kershaw is suggesting. Maybe with his suggestion it will change. I seriously doubt it. I believe these guys will continue to throw as hard as they can and spin the ball violently. And the answer to keeping those guys in the rotation is pitch counts, inning restrictions, recovery and staff depth.
Believe me, I’d love to see a Greg Maddux type pitcher come up in the Dodgers organization. Those guys just don’t exist anymore.
Badger, not long after I posted my thoughts on what I would like to see happen, I also posted in a lengthy piece on how I too do not believe that my ideas would be implemented.
I mentioned that until the scouts put away the radar guns as the first thing they do scouting a pitcher and the organizations drop the theory of “throw as hard as you can until your arm falls up, then it’s next man up”, nothing will change.
My post was what I would like to see tried versus what they are going to do.
We are in agreement on that. Pitch to contact is a thing of the past. Kids are throwing as hard as they can starting in Little League. Want to impress scouts? Strike everybody out. Get the scholarship, get the contract, get surgery, live happily ever after.
Kind of a bummer today. I had tickets for the Cubs Prospects vs the Dodger Prospects game at Camelback Ranch tonight at 6:00.
It is an absolute squall outside. Raining in sheets with 20+ mph winds. Not good tomorrow either.
So much for the Prospects game.
Oh man, that’s a huge bummer! I really wanted to watch that as well.
Well, they way I see it, Pages and Outman have been given their chance to make a statement. Neither one has really done that. Right now, I would go with Outman in CF to start the season and let Pages get reps in OKC. Outman provides upside defense and he doesn’t have to be an offensive juggernaut in this lineup. Give him April and maybe May to see what he can do. If it isn’t working, maybe Pages will be ready. Pages needs reps in CF and I think the best place to do that is OKC. That puts Edman at 2B and makes the defense better. Unfortunately we are stuck with Taylor. He can play 2B when Edman moves to CF against lefties. I still don’t get why the Dodgers let Taylor and his $17M hold back a Billion dollar lineup.
I like your thinking re Outman and Pages.
The Cubs have two lefties going in Imanaga and Steele, so Pages may have the advantage in Tokyo at least.
But maybe not. An Outman/Kike platoon in CF could be solid. Taylor, Rojas and Barnes can fill in as needed.
Taylor has a 12-million-dollar contract, and a 4 mil buy out of his team option. The organization values his versatility more than anything else. He plays SS, 3B, 2B and all three outfield positions. And he is a plus defender at all of them. Considering guys like Teo and Conforto are not the speediest of outfielders, LA opts to keep Chris. Part of it is loyalty to a player who has never bitched or moaned about playing time or where he plays, he just goes out there and does his job. Occasionally, he gets a big hit. But on defense, he makes a lot of plays others would not get to. It is just one more year. And he is not holding back this lineup at all.
Finally saw that this morning.