One thing I have learned is that no two knee replacement patients are alike. I have had a lot of commentary from those that have gone through the process as to what I might expect, and none have been what I have experienced. I have had three arthroscopic knee surgeries, and yes I knew the process would be more intrusive, but not at the level it has been at.
Thursday (Day 16) was the first time I have felt like sitting up and trying to type something out. My shin and calf were like on fire and the one concern was blood clots. So I have had my leg raised and iced for most of the past two weeks. The rehab exercises are painful, but that is something that I really work on pushing through. My progress is at least where I should be, and maybe a bit ahead in some areas. My final in home rehab physical therapy session is on Friday, and on Monday, the next level begins.
I have to thank Bear for what he has done for the last few weeks, and I am going to have to lean on him for a bit more. I do not know when I will be able to consistently publish again. Believe me, I want to be able to sit up and write, lying around for two weeks takes its toll physically as well as mentally. I know that I will get there but I have to power through new territory.
My wife has kept me away from my computer while I have been on the pain meds, so unfortunately I have been able to read most of Bear’s posts from my phone, I have not had much of an opportunity to read the comments. Thus, much of what I write below has undoubtedly been covered multiple times. But I thought that I would add my comments as well.
While rehabbing, my TV was on the Olympics non-stop. There were a couple of team outcomes that I want to delve into, but I am still working on that one.
I went under the knife on the final day of the trade deadline and missed making my comments on the changes. I think most recognize that I am passionate about defense, especially up the middle. I was very encouraged with the addition of Kevin Kiermaier. I do remember that some complained about another non offensive addition, but the cost was Ryan Yarbrough. Why would we complain about a Kiermaier for Yarbrough trade? In the two weeks since the acquisition, I have seen multiple outstanding defensive plays. The team is so much better with Kiermaier in CF over Andy Pages. I am not blaming Pages, he is just not a CF.
Amed Rosario did not last long with the team, and I felt for him when he was released. The Dodgers chose their own utility player, Kiké Hernández, over Rosario. Rosario is a better offensive option, but Hernández’s defense is a lot better. Tough decisions needed to be made, and IMO, the Dodgers made the correct one.
Michael Kopech is a reliever the Dodgers were admittedly after for some time. He has proven to be an excellent addition and showed his best Andrew Miller in the 6th inning of Thursday’s loss. It was not late inning, but facing the 2-3-4 batters in the 6th, was certainly high leverage, something Andrew Miller was asked to do a lot. With the continued p*** poor results from the bullpen, Kopech is going to get a lot more late inning high leverage opportunities.
Jack Flaherty was the best pitcher acquired at the deadline as neither Garrett Crochet nor Tarik Skubal were traded. He is a rental, but someone I think the Dodgers will at least consider making a FA offer to at the end of the season. He is a lot like Tyler Glasnow in that he has a lot of swing and miss and can dominate, but too many times leaves that hanger sitting over the plate for a HR. In his three starts, he has allowed 7 runs, all courtesy of the HR. I am still confident that he can dominate a good hitting team, and if he can corral his HR ball, he will be a very good #1 or #2 SP in the playoffs.
Tommy Edman will join the Dodgers next week, and will undoubtedly be the everyday CF. Edman hit his 1st OKC HR on Thursday. I have no clue as to what the changes will be once Edman and Muncy return to LAD. I suspect that Andy Pages is a potential option candidate so he can play every day rather than sit on a bench. A decision would then be made between Pages and Jason Heyward for the playoffs.
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Gavin Lux has been on a tear since he went home for the All-Star Break and relearned how to hit under the guidance of his uncle Augie Schmidt. IMO, another failed attempt by RVS who could not recommend an adjustment during the season, but Schmidt was able to discern an adjustment in a couple of days. Since the All-Star Break, Gavin is hitting .364/.623/.438/1.062.
Mookie Betts is a game changer (well duh). The team missed him for the 45 games he was out. He came back and picked up where he left off, without any MiLB rehab games. He is a difference maker, and one who I believe was embarrassed by his 2023 playoffs, and ready to lead for 2024.
Teoscar Hernández – When is he going to get an extension offer. He wants to be a LAD, and let’s face it, the affiliates are not going to produce a OF for a few years.
Clayton Kershaw and Gavin Stone both had excellent starts in their last starts. Walker Buehler? Not so much. But he should have another 7-8 starts to turn it around or be left off the playoffs roster.
Yoshinobu Yamamoto could be nearing a MiLB rehab start. He is scheduled to throw live batting practice while the team is in St. Louis. If all goes well, he could head out for MiLB rehab games. He is going to be a critical need for LAD for the playoffs.
Is Bobby Miller going to get the ball in St. Louis?
The Dodgers primary problem continue to be that the SP do not go deep enough into the game and then need to rely on an overworked and overvalued bullpen. Ryan Brasier will be back very soon, and he is needed. The team has gotten about as much as they can expect out of Anthony Banda and Brent Honeywell…both good pickups. I have no clue as to who leaves when Brasier and Treinen are reactivated. I do believe that the Dodgers missed an opportunity to acquire a “closer”, something they do need. I do not have the time to research it, but one comment that I heard on one of the broadcasts was that since June 1, the LAD bullpen has been the worst in MLB, I am assuming with ERA as the metric. In that time, they have more blown saves than any other MLB team. That does not give confidence for a championship recipe. But they have time to figure it out.
River Ryan – What a shame. He was pitching himself into the playoff rotation discussion before he blew out his UCL. Something has to be done in the industry. Yes, max velo and max spin are at the forefront of the injuries (throughout MLB, not just LAD). There seems to be more pitchers complaining about the time clock. Are they wrong? Is it the combination of maxing out every pitch without “sufficient” recovery time between pitches? Maybe more time and study need to be made on this count. One other component that I have been wondering is the tac on the baseballs that appear to be insufficient, had pitchers add their own tac that has now been disallowed. To get the same spin, don’t the pitchers have to hold onto the ball tighter and torque their elbow a bit more? Again, I do not have an answer, but it seems to me that before teams make $200MM+++ commitments to SP, they should understand the problem more.
This looks like a winter topic, but it does deserve to be studied and monitored.
I recognize that the lead has disappeared except for 2 games, and I do not expect to see the Padres or the Dbacks continue as they have. It is hard to believe that the Dodgers will end up like the Braves fighting for the final WC team. By that time the Dodgers will have their team back, and ready to fight for the playoffs. Will they be good enough? Yes, they are good enough, but we have learned that is not enough. I like to define MLB success as winning the WS, not simply putting up an enjoyable season. A sobering thought, since 1989, the Dodgers have won the same number of WS championships as the Oakland A’s. Also, Cincinnati, Arizona, Chicago White Sox, Chicago Cubs, KC, Washington, Minnesota. Florida/Miami has won more than LAD.
The Dodgers have 40 more games to reestablish some level of dominance.
I apologize if I am rehashing material, but I have not been coherent for a couple of weeks. I will be back down for a few days. But I am getting closer.
Terrific post Jeff. So glad to have you back. No offense to Bear who does an outstanding job.
So sorry to hear that your knee has been a bigger problem than you’d hoped. Not to be redundant, but my last knee replacement was a bitch, as I mentioned before. It was so roached, that the surgery was more extensive than planned. Rehab center for 11 days post hospital and big time pain. After extensive rehab, it’s now great. It just took time and effort and now I couldn’t be more pleased. It’s the best of my 4 replaced joints. So keep the faith and work hard.
Regarding yesterday’s game:
I want to take back my criticism of Doc for pulling Kershaw with 2 outs in Monday’s game. I now have a better understanding of why he didn’t want him to pitch to Contreras. He left that up to Kelly. Dude can hit.
What the hell is it with this ballpark. It looks like they forgot to pay the light bill. And stop cooking Brats and smoking up the joint.
The Brewers have a nice team and I think Pat Murphy does a nice job. They do a lot of little things to win games.
If Hudson could field his position and not follow through in a position to make heel stops, we might have won. What did they score 2 runs with balls never leaving the infield? Look at it as bad luck, I guess. Or put a glove on your shoe as we used to say back in the day. That’s baseball.
Good game. They played better. Move on and play better on Friday.
I am fine Jeff, and I can handle the load for you as long as you need me. I have one I will publish Friday night late as I am heading for the lake and camping this weekend. So, I won’t be home until Sunday night, when I will watch the re-caps of the games I have missed. OKC lost 9-2. Edman’s 2 run shot in the first were their only runs. Jose Hernandez took the loss. Edman played center again and Muncy did not play. Midland beat Tulsa 3-0. Duran took the loss. Great Lakes took a pair of wins from Lake County. The second game was a makeup game. They won the opener 4-2 and the nightcap, 4-1. Neeck won the opener with 3 innings of relief allowing 1 run. DePaula went 2-4 and scored a run. McDaniel’s was the winner in relief in the nightcap. Campbell hit a 2-run homer in the top of the 7th to seal the win. Rancho beat Visalia 6-3. Ruen got his 3rd win with 2.2 scoreless innings of relief. Cabrera got his 2nd save. Munoz hit his 4th homer; a three-run shot in the second inning. Rich Hill is about to sign a minor league deal with the Red Sox.
Yeah. Rest and rehab. Leave the drivel to us, and posts to Bear.
I am of the mind that having pressure put on them by the teams behind them is going to be beneficial to the Dodgers. Except for 21, when they finished a game behind, and 18, when they tied the Rockies, the Dodgers won the division by 11 games in 13, 6 games in 14, 8 games in 15, 4 games in 16, 11 games in 17, 1 game in 18 because of the tie, 21 games in 19, 6 games in a 60-game season in 20, 22 games in 22, and 16 last year. Add that up and they are 106 games better than their division since 2013. This will let us see what kind of a team they really are.
Good to see you writing again, Jeff. Best wishes to you for a succesful rehab.Sorry to read you are so much in pain. 😦 Hope it will get better soon.
As for the Dodgers; Bullpen is unreliable late in games. If I heard it right it was the 30th (!) save already this season. 30! I wanted them to pick up a closer at the deadline but hey, Friedman does not like to pick up relievers at the deadline and so that is that. Maybe he should reconsider his approach. Is it coincidence the Padres and D-Backs have gone on a tear since the deadline when both teams picked up lock down, late inning relievers ?
Maybe it is time to move Kopech into the closer role. He is the only guy who consistently shuts down the other team.
When Muncy and Edman come back the Dodgers IMHO should decide between Heyward and Kiermayr. We do not need both (excellent glove but limited offense both) and Pages has been hitting really well lately.
Maybe sent one of them to the IL and bring him back when rosters expand but I would definetely keep Pages while he is hot.
Go Dodgers!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Pages will most likely be sent to AAA simply because he can play everyday, and return on the 1st of September. Heyward and Kiermaier give them 2 lefty bats and 2 righty bats for the outfield. Uh, Ram, Kopech is a reliever, and they got him at the deadline. Brasier will be back this weekend. They can probably use Kopech as a closer. His stuff is nasty, and I think he can do it. Offense was awful today.
I know Kopech is a reliever but he was not brought in to be the closer. Kopech is a nice surprise but far from a sure thing when we traded for him.
Should have gone after a true bona fide closer along with Kopech.
When MM and Edman arrive we will have enough LH hitters on the team. Ohtani, Freddie, Lux, Muncy, Kiermayr/Heyward plus the switch hitting Edman.
I rather have a hot Pages who is around .250 than both Heyward and Kiermayr at or below the Mendoza line . Production matters with our offense already needing a jolt.
Go Dodgers!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I get that Ram, but they would have paid through the nose for one. And who would you have gotten? Scott? He cost the Padres a ton of prospects. They sent their 2-4-5 prospects in that trade. How many real closers were available? Hader wasn’t on the market, neither was Williams. They tried to trade with the Twins for Jhoan Duran but could not get it done. The Red Sox traded 4 prospects for a middle reliever from the Angels. The only other closer I know that got traded was Carlos Estevez from the Angels to the Phillies. Coulda shoulda woulda. They got what they could and lost very little. Miller wasn’t available. Everyone thought Jansen would be traded, but he wasn’t There are so many teams still in the hunt, and none of those teams were trading their closers.
Every time the Sox put Kopech in the closer role, he’s struggled, he started the season as their closer, and blew up. I’m not arguing against it, maybe new team new results, plus Prior and the staff are really good at helping pitchers.
Good information Keith. Since I long since stopped watching the White Sox, I did not know Kopech struggled as their closer.
He looks like a closer to me. But Doc has chosen him to match up with the opponent’s lineup, selecting to face the meat of the order, instead of the 9th inning. Situational RP vs closer.
He did well, tonight.
So I’m reading here and elsewhere that the Dodgers brass have been especially keen on getting both Edman and Kopech for some time, and I knew that AF had tried to get Keirmaier before he signed with the Blue Jays. We won’t know for a few years if the Dodgers really “won” these trades, but the cost seem reasonable.
Who else is on the Dodgers’ wish list?
Kopech and Keirmaier have been pretty spectacular so far. Can we expect the same from Edman?
I certainly didn’t expect Casparious to be summoned. Clearly Bobby Miller hasn’t been fixed,and we can only hope Glasnow will be back soon.
Perhaps Knack should get a longer look in the rotation. (I dealt him many times in my fantasy trades for Burnes, Skubal and Crochet, but maybe he’s really the 5th starter the Dodgers need.)
If Edmonds were to play short or third then Kiermaier could stay in CF. I like him there. I suppose Pages could be in RF against lefties with Betts at second and Edmonds in CF.
We will know soon enough who is on first.
Best of luck with the rehab, Jeff. It’s certainly no fun and it will test your endurance and strength. Go easy on yourself.
This is not a prediction, but by the time you make it back, we may be in 3rd place in the West. This is going to be a dog fight and the fans are likely to go nuts.
No analytics says start Kiermaier over Pages. None, zilch, nada. If you want more offense Friedman is your guy. If you want more defense Doc is your guy. Some of you miss that when reading Friedman and Doc. Read below.
At the trade deadline the prices for impact players are always ridiculous, and that’s why you build your team in the offseason as best as you can to avoid having to pay a steep steep price at the deadline. What position players did Friedman get in the offseason? Ohtani and Teo, who are both offensive forces. Friedman got Heyward, who came off a good season last year, and Friedman was thinking Heyward would only regress a little, and that was bad judgement there. Friedman picked up Kike, at the end of the offseason after no team wanted Kike, and he picked up Kike for 1 million for 1 year as a utility player, and I’ve already talked about Doc’s stupid decision, as a veteran lover, to platoon Outman with Kike right off the bat this season, which led to a hole in CF.
After looking around for impact players at the deadline and how much they cost, Friedman pivoted and got cheap position players to fill holes temporarily, because he knew the regulars would be back from injury, but there was still a hole in the outfield and thanks to Lux starting to hit, there isn’t a hole at 2B anymore.
Friedman needed to get an impact outfielder, and hypothetically Brent Rooker who can play LF would have been a huge shot in the arm for the offense, but I’m assuming the price for Rooker was way too high, but a brent Rooker acquisition would have moved Teo to RF and kept Betts at SS and then there’s Muncy returning to 3B. There would only be one hole, and that would be CF, until you discuss this: With that monster offense, most wouldn’t be worried about a Heyward/Pages platoon in CF. Remember, LHP (that Pages would play against) make up around 25% of pitchers, 30% the high number I’ve read and 20% the low number I’ve read and most of what I’ve read says 25%. Which means you would have Pages in CF about 25% of the time. Now in the playoffs it’s probably different. But late in the game you can always put your better defense guy in there, and take Pages out. By the way, I know there are reports the Dodgers have been wanting Edman for quite awhile, but I’ve never read anything like that, until the Dodgers got him a half month ago, maybe I missed something. But there’s your guy you bring in late in the game to take Pages place in CF. in this hypothetical example. Who knows, with that monster offense, you probably wouldn’t need Edman late in the game very much, but you could still use Edman in that spot anyways.
So you start Pages over Edman? And Edman is the fill in?
Dude, you have no clue.
Glad for the update Jeff nice to have you back if even for a day hang in there. You and Bear make a good team with differing opinions at times which keeps it intersting. Really appreciate this site thanks.
Instead of “Dude you have no clue”, why don’t you elaborate, do you mean in my hypothetical example or currently? This is what bugs me about some people, I gave a hypothetical and I get “So you start Pages over Edman”. WHICH ARE YOU TALKING ABOUT hypothetical or currently?
And by the way, in my hypothetical example Edman can start against RHP instead of Heyward. Sorry I didn’t put that in there.
Currently Betts can play 2B against LHP and Pages in RF.
I’d like to hear you elaborate on why Edman is better than Pages against LHP? Since you’re a genius or act like one. You dished it out and I’ll dish it right back. I’d love to hear your genius explanation. Remember to tell me if your talking about my hypothetical example or currently since you failed to do that when ALL YOU SAID WAS “Dude you have no clue”.
Wtf
Easy GOAT!!
Bluto wtf?
Eric, you are definitely a staunch Pages fan, I don’t think it’s going to go down the way you think it will, but I respect your convictions.
Thanks Keith for at least saying “I respect your convictions”.
But I want to clarify something, I’m not a staunch Pages fan, because I’m not sure he will ever turn out to be an everyday player, all he might ever be is a platoon player. I’m only talking about him in the Dodgers position they are currently in. I’m not high on the following players: Ahmed, Edman, Kike, Rojas, Heyward, Kiermaier and there’s still Taylor lurking around on the IL.
And I think you’re right about Kopech and the closer role that you mentioned in a different post.
I totally understand what you are saying Eric. Here is the thing, Edman is playing CF every day at OKC for a reason. He did play SS one game. But here is what he brings to the table that Pages does not. Speed, he is an excellent base runner and has more than 100 steals in his 5 seasons in the majors. He is a switch hitter. Pages is a 0.6 WAR player right now. His OPS is .698. His on base percentage is hovering a little over .300. His OPS+ is 97. Edman’s career OPS is .726. His OPS+ is 100. His slug is a little over .400. Pages is below .400. Pages is hitting .248, Edman is a career .265 hitter. Another thing he has that Pages does not, post season experience. And Edman is an excellent fielder in CF. We cannot change the moves that Freidman and Gomes made at the deadline. They did what they thought was best for the team. And they had been wanting Edman for some time. Gomes even said that in an interview he did right after the trade happened. I honestly do not know how the Dodgers view Pages at this point in his development, but they obviously feel that Edman in center makes the team better. I saw where you mentioned Brent Rooker in a prior post. A’s decided they did not want to trade him, so he was never really on the market so to speak. And I know this makes no difference, but Edman, is just a year older than Pages, and he has already been in the majors 4 full years.
I’m not gonna touch anything else you said bear, but you were using Pages overall stats I’m talking about against LHP.
After tonight’s game, they may be re-thinking Keirmaier. HR, good defensive plays, strong arm. What more can you want? Bottom players starting to really pick it up offensively.
Good to hear from you Jeff. Hang in there.
Be good Jeff and do what the Doctors say. It is hard to stay in the Goldilocks position with exercise and know what is “just right” but look ahead to a breakthrough in your recovery, it will happen.
Keep at it with the rehab, Jeff! You’ll thank yourself later for going hard now.
Pads and AZ are crazy hot right now, which is fine. We know how the law of averages work. It’s highly highly likely that they both won’t continue winning 9 of 10 games.
Either way, it makes us play harder, which is only a good thing.
Looks like Bobby Miller is coming up and will pitch this weekend, maybe even tonight. Until Sept hits, when rosters expand, we may need 1-2 less position players and 1-2 more arms for the bullpen!!
Welcome back Jeff.
Healing takes a bit longer at our age, but you’ll get there.
Just read a piece in The Athletic that said the Dodgers made an offer on Crochet but Rushing wasn’t included so the White Sox turned it down. Now Crochet and the Sox are stuck with each other as they sink out of site.
Also mentioned in that column was the fact deadline deals are often costly. The Dodgers got what they needed, a starter, a reliever and defensive help in center field. Now it’s up to those that were already here to play to their ability. When they do the Dodgers will be fine.
Disastrous season of injuries for the Dodgers and we’re still 20 games over .500. Bring it on Pads and Dbags. We’re getting healthy and let’s see if you can hang with us until the end. And good to have you back Jeff!
Sometimes the Dodgers act like they are the only team with injuries. Braves lost their best hitter and best pitcher for the whole year in Acuna and Strider. An MVP and a Cy Young pitcher plus their second starter and other players.
Brewers just lost Yelich for the year with 910 OPS. Injuries are part of the game especially for the Dodgers who take chances on higher risk players.
The Dodgers have a top 2 payroll in baseball and have committed over $1.4 billion in new contracts this year alone.
Their current roster is filled with more talent than any team in baseball. They just need to perform on the field the rest of the season and in the playoffs. Injuries are not an excuse for this team.
I read somewhere that nobody has lost more WAR through injuries than the Dodgers. Where did I read that?
I wonder if the fans in Atlanta and Milwaukee are calling for management firings?
There was a post to that effect. Does not seem that the Milwaukee fans or the folks in Atlanta have nearly as many complaints as LA does.
It was a Fangraphs article.
Thank you Blue. Knew it was somewhere.
Here:
https://x.com/MarkPriorRBW/status/1824607589377905098
False.
The Dodgers are by far and away the most impacted team when it comes to injuries.
Great to hear from you Jeff!
Hang in there with the rehab and hope to have you back full time soon.
I may or may not be in the minority here, but I think RVS leaves much to be desired as hitting coach. I do not have actual numbers to back up my opinion, but Gavin Lux is just the latest example of a player getting screwed up mechanical instruction or lack of instruction and getting straightened out elsewhere. I think RVS really screwed up Vargas and less so Outman. Vargas had his father and Lux had his uncle to help save them. Outman may be too screwed up to save.
It’s a legitimate question to ask Marcus but for the last few years the Dodgers have been at or near the top of the league in runs scored and OPS. I suppose one could argue individual stats, or say another coach could get similar or better results, but my take is it’s not broke so why fix it?
I would agree that if individuals like Lux and Outman feel the need for a new approach the team should recognize and seek a remedy. Lux may be an outlier, but a deep dive into the organization might prove he is not. The Dodgers have drafted a few non sluggers the last few years, guys like Jeren Kendall and Kendall George. How they doing in the Dodger system?
Maybe we need to make Lux’s uncle our hitting coach, at least for the “non power” guys.
Jeff, thanks for taking the time to check in and give us an update, I have a knee that’s my Dr said is going to need a replacement in the future, I am not looking forward to it. Your story doesn’t make me feel much better, I’m a sissy with pain.😀
Keith, years ago my doctor said I would know it when it was time to replace my left knee. I put it off for too long with supplements, pain meds, a brace and various kinds of injections. I finally knew it was past time and I went with the replacement. It was way less painful and debilitating than I anticipated. The rehab was not that hard, if you just commit to “just-do-it”.
Now I’ve had both knees and both hips replaced. The only extensive procedure and rehab was on my second knee because I waited too long.
You’ll know when it’s time but it will change your life. I’m pain free for the first time in years.
We are on the same page Blue.
Marcus, you have a case about RVS. Aaron Bates is also a hitting coach. Correct me if I’m wrong but RVS’s approach seemed to work for some players but it didn’t last for CT3. The organization emphasizes “slug” and hitting coaches teach mechanics that lead to that.
A change to a “contact” approach seems to be happening for the Padres and D-backs. I personally value contact, speed and small ball to pressure defenses and manufacture runs. Never shared the Earl Weaver approach.
I would have no problem with RVS and Bates kicking a can down the road but the Dodgers would have to want to change and I see no evidence that they want to.
The changes Lux made gave him more power.
Very “OLD SCHOOL” there Phil. And I tend to agree. When I played, granted back when it was a different game, I was taught to swing level and drive the ball. I was a line drive hitter. If one went out, well, all well and good. The other thing I did was hit the ball the other way. And I am a lefty hitter, so like Freeman, a lot of my hits were gappers to left center. I had the same approach when I played slo-pitch or fast-pitch softball. I think the entire time I played, I pulled maybe 10 percent of the balls I did hit, and those were because the pitch was on the inner half of the plate. I remember a fast-pitch tournament I played in at Ft. Bliss. I got 9 straight hits. Every one of them went to left field. Doubt the launch angle approach would sit well with Pete Rose or Maury Wills.
Bear, the “old School” may be come the “New School” if teams, especially lower payroll teams, start finding success with speed, contact and defense.
Which is exactly why the Dodgers drafted Kendall George. Zahir Hope is that type of hitter too.
Off the top of my head, I can’t think of a single major-league Dodger whom AF & Associates acquired as a prospect via trade.
The roster today includes proven major leaguers acquired by trade (Mookie, Rojas, Glasnow) or as FAs (Shohei, Freddie, Teo) or via draft and international signings (Smith, Lux, Kershaw, Stone, Knack, Pages).
Oh wait… just remembered River Ryan was acquired via trade as a prospect.
But that route to the Dodgers still seems thin–even though Zyhir Hope and Jackson Ferris, both acquired in the Busch deal, are both moving up in the prospect rankings.
I wonder if the brass has overlooked this part of player-acquisition market–and they missed out on some of very talented young shortstops in the majors now. (How I wish they had not traded Oneal Cruz.)
It’s a small sample, but it wouldn’t surprise me if the Dodgers opt to keep Kiermaier in CF and use Edman in the keystone mashup with Rojas and Lux.
I think AF’s misplaced faith in Lux’s ability to play SS may have prevented him from acquiring a younger, more talented alternative to Roja. Right now, the prospect rankings on mlb.com list four shortstops among the Dodgers’ top ten prospects–22-year-Alex Freeland and three teenagers.
I don’t know what hitting coach the Sox have, but have you looked at Vargas’s stats since going to the Sox? His stats make Kiermaier’s overall stats this year look good and I don’t buy that someone playing on a shitty team makes them unmotivated, because it’s all about the money in baseball for the most part. The better you are the more money you make.
The Sox fired their manager and three coaches, one of them was the assistant hitting coach. Their hitting coach is former outfielder, and one time Dodger, Marcus Thames. He played in 36 games for LA in 2011.
Speaking of Sox hitters, Luis Roberts jr is mired in a horrific slump, I wanted him here, at the deadline, looks like it was better that Andy ignored me. He had 38 HRs last year, with 90 rbis, I’m just astounded that a hitter can get that lost from one season to the next. This may be one of those opportunities in the off season, where a team with good analytics and good hitting coaches could buy cheap and get a good player.
I would agree Keith, except for the fact that the guy is always injured. 23 was his only injury free season. Yes, he has mad skills, but like Buxton of the Twins, he just cannot stay on the field. Hard pass.
When you say Buxton that is probably a good comparison
Elias Diaz is being released by the Rockies. Tough, wow, one year after being the MVP of the 2023 All-Star game. The guy is hitting .270 with 5 homers. He is batting higher than he was last year.
Interesting article on ABS
Thanks Sam. Good to get a report from folks actually involved.
If they keep Teoscar and in Leftfield and Betts in Rightfield all they need in free agency in off season is a centerfielder and shortstop. Or trade for a centerfield. My suggestion trade with the Twins for Byron Buxton and centergield will be solves then you have Pages as platoon guy and Chris Taylor outfield covered. Then for shortstop go get Willey Addames and I think a closer and a starting pitcher. That’s the Dudgers off season beceue I don’t see any replacements in the minors for next season.
Buxton, like Robert Jr. is injury prone. Buxton has been in the majors for 10 years. He played over 100 games exactly once. 2017. And he is back on the IL this year. He has played 90 games so far. When healthy, he is a solid player, trouble is he just can’t stay on the field. I am not even sure CT-3 will be around next season, and you are forgetting Tommy Edman. He was not a rental. He is under team control for another year. Adames is a free agent and obviously could be a target since AF drafted him when he was with the Rays. But Betts will most likely move to second base or SS next year. We will have to wait and see. I agree they need to find a SS. As for starting pitching, May, Gonsolin, Ohtani, will all be healthy and back next year. Miller is rejoining the team this weekend, so he is an option. They can re-sign Flaherty if they want, and there is a lot of buzz about them going after Sasaki this winter. You will have Glasnow, Yamamoto, Ohtani, Miller, Gonsolin, May, Wrobleski, Knack, and possibly if the option is picked up, Kershaw. Tanner Scott will be a free agent this winter, so he is a closer possibility. There are no real outfield prospects in the minors above AA this year. But they moved Rushing to the outfield when he was promoted to OKC. I could see him getting a long look in spring training in Left Field.
Robert Jr played 145 games last season. He’s a 26 year old former All Star. I would have taken him, but that’s me.
Once Edman is here I assume he will play the majority of games in center field. Maybe Pages will play a few in Dodger Stadium as that is both his home field and a field with no angles in it, making it easier on him. It will be interesting to see how the Dodgers approach it.
Next year’s team might look different but if everyone who is currently signed is healthy it looks like another great team to me.
It’s time to give homegrown players a chance. Even if it’s in a platoon. Outman is very athletic and I’m sure he could play RF and in a possible platoon with Pages. Or something else involving them.
There nothing wrong with Betts at SS. A good hitting SS gives you a leg up on the competition just like a back up catcher. Betts likes playing the infield.
Early to start talking about next year’s needs but I’ll offer my two cents. They have a top 50 MLB prospect at AAA in Alex Freeland. Between Edman and Rojas you can cover shortstop next year until Freeland is ready. You can’t keep blocking your top prospects from advancing. Edman may be their center fielder next year. Assuming Sasaki is posted and the Dodgers sign him, they would have Glasnow, Yamamoto, Ohtani, Sasaki, Stone, Wrobleski, Miller, Knack, plus Sheehan, Frasso, May, Gonsolin returning from TJ, perhaps Kershaw resigns, etc. Seems like a traffic jam in the rotation. With the way Dodger pitchers go down I get the concern. Philosophically, I would like to see the Dodgers sign Teoscar Hernandez and augment Betts, Freeman, Ohtani, Hernandez, and Smith with their young minor league talent like Rushing, Freeland, Cartaya, etc. and fill out their depth with trades or free agents in the off season.
Sasaki was struck on the ankle by a batted ball in his start today.
Dodgers announced Wrobleski will be starting today. No word who is going down yet.
I guess it will be Grove.
Go Dodgers!!!!!!!!1
Honeywell or Grove seem the two most likely.
Grove has options, Honeywell doesn’t (and neither does Banda), for whatever that’s worth.
Maybe it’s time for Hudson to have a hip problem. It’s all the rage these days.
Treinen, Buehler…………..it may be contagious.
Ended up being Glasnow.
Yamamoto threw to live hitters in St. Louis today. He threw 17 pitches and got 5 outs in his 1.2 simulated innings. He looked very good.
That’s it? 17 pitches? Hardly paid for him to put on his uniform.
Glad to see they stopped him after 1.2 innings. That way he’ll fit right in to Doc’s preferred strategy of removing all starting pitchers with 2 outs in an inning.
I know they want to play this slowly but at that rate it’s going to take him quite a while to ramp up.
Who knows what their thinking is, but he will no doubt head out on a re-hab before the minor league season ends. Dodgers only have 40 games left. If he gets 3 starts, we would be lucky.
I don’t like bagging on Doc, but that was pretty funny 😄
Wrobleski being called up to start today’s game.
Wrobleski-Glasnow-Kershaw the Dodger pitchers this series with the Red Birds.
Just read, Doc said Max will be activated on Tuesday, great news I’m excited to have max back
And Edman on Monday. The potential improvement using those two instead of the two they’ll be replacing is exciting to think about.
On the other hand, potential isn’t always realized.
Meanwhile in Low-A:
Hyun-Seok Jang (RHP) is showing things. After his debut last week for the Quakes, his last outing saw him with 7K in 3IP. Only one hit.
He’s still being formed (7.85ERA across ACL and Low-A), but I mean he has 59 strikeouts in 29 innings.
The Dodgers placed Tyler Glasnow on the 15-day injured list shortly before tonight’s matchup with the Cardinals. It’s the second IL stint of the season for the lanky right-hander, who is dealing with elbow tendinitis. Rookie southpaw Justin Wrobleski was recalled from Triple-A Oklahoma City and will make his fifth big league start this evening.
Speculation is this is just precautionary to give him rest for the stretch run. Geez, I sure hope so.
Another one bites the dust, just announced on telecast: Glasnow going on the IL with elbow tendonitis. The hits keep on rolling
So this weekend we will throw Wrobo, Miller, and Kersh.
There is a legit chance that our bullpen pitches more innings this series than our starters do, which is really bad news.
We need Badger’s 8+ runs a game all 3 games.
Shaping up like last year. No pitching starting or bullpen.3rd place here we come.
As Orel speaks to Mikolas having hittable stuff we aren’t hitting it. The Cards on the other hand are having little trouble hitting another of our rookie pitchers.
You guys are so negative. I just have a hunch that Kiermaier’s going to hit a homer to put us ahead.
And Tampa came from behind to walk off the D’backs.
It’s all good (at least at the exact moment I’m writing this).
It didn’t take long. This bullpen is pathetic! Can’t throw strikes. Where in the he.. is brasier? Grove can’t throw strikes, Banda can’t throw strikes, Vesia can’t throw strikes.im sorry I am about the cards the way the other poster is about the pads.
Brasier will be activated tomorrow.
Chris Taylor is starting tonight at OKC playing second base. Muncy is at third. Edman is not playing. New pitcher who they signed the other day is Jon Duplantier who they signed on the 6th of August.
What a pickup Kopech has been! We needed this one!
Looks like AF might have picked up a closer at the deadline after all
Great game tonight!! Cards are in my backyard so love beating them!! Kopech has been awesome!!
they need to sit Ohtani he is sinking fast. AF is running out of options but if we are fortunate enough to get in the playoffs the bullpen is scary. Phillips is trending up. It’s early but Kopech is looking good, treinen might be ok with the rest he is getting. No Grove.
Rockies beat the Padres lead is back to 3 games
Thanks for the info! Quite the night indeed!!
D-Backs lost too. Brasier will be activated, as will Miller, tomorrow.
Well, it wasn’t pretty, but a win is a win, and with both the Padres and D-Backs losing, it was an important win. Wrobleski needs to throw more first pitch strikes. He got his first MLB win tonight because his offense scored 5 runs in the top of the sixth. Then his bullpen nearly threw away another one. But Kelly, Phillips and Kopech, were nails the last three innings allowing only a couple of walks. And who saved their bacon tonight? Kevin Kiermaier. His first Dodger homer drove in the winning run making it 7-4, and then he made a spectacular catch in the bottom of the inning to keep it at 7-6.
It’s such a shame AF picked up Kiermaier and has him playing for this team when there are so many better options.
sarcasm