Well, the trade deadline has passed. Except for adding 2 players to the roster September first and any injury returns. what you see is what you are going to get. Players have to be on the roster September first to be eligible for the playoffs. Historically over the last few years, August has been one of the Dodgers better month’s record wise. Last year they were 24-5. An .828 winning percentage. They almost doubled the runs scored against the runs given up. 176-95. The only month besides March in which they gave up fewer than 100 runs. They only played 2 games in March. In 2022 they were 22-6 in August. The big difference in 22 was that they only gave up more than 100 runs in one month, May. They kept opponents under 100 the rest of the year.
Ohtani will be leading the charge. He has been outstanding so far and has his best hitting stats ever. Mookie will be back soon, but we do not know just when they can expect Mas Muncy. The Achilles heel has been the pitching. Both the pen and the starting pitchers. Kershaw will make his second start after coming off of the IL today. Glasnow went 7 innings last night, and the bullpen cost him a win when Treinen gave up two home runs in the 9th. Then the Padres won the game in the 10th. Again, they blew a 5-run lead.
The Dodgers brought in 5 players at the deadline. Starting pitcher, Jack Flaherty, RHRP Michael Kopech, Inf-Of, Tommy Edman, Inf-OF, Ahmed Rosario, and CF, Kevin Kiermaier. The only player on the 26-man roster who was traded was Miguel Vargas in the Edman trade. The bottom of the lineup has been better lately, but they have really missed Freddie Freeman since he had to take family leave for his ill son. Hopefully he will be back soon.
So, what can fans expect the rest of the way. With Kiermaier, they can expect gold glove defense in center field. Edman brings a lot of versatility with him. A switch hitter, he can play SS, second base and CF. Rosario returns to the Dodgers at the deadline for the second year in a row. He is also a very versatile player who can play the outfield and several infield positions. Kopech brings some nasty pitches with him. He will become an important piece of the bullpen. Flaherty is going to help the starting pitching. He is a solid # 3 behind Glasnow, and if he returns, Yamamoto.
What I am hoping for is more consistency in the offense and more production 5-9. The top five will be better with Mookie and Freddie back. The bullpen has looked gassed. But it looks like Graterol, Brasier and Grove will be back soon. They DFAed two pitchers right after the deadline, Gus Varland and Nick Ramirez. Buehler and Miller are huge question marks. No one has any idea if either will make it back this season. Buehler is rehabbing and Miller was demoted for bad performance.
One thing is certain; they are not a lock to win the division with the Padres and D-Backs playing as well as they have since the All-Star break. So, buckle up, it is going to be a wild ride to the finish.
Don’t rush to judgement too soon. Let the new guys get their feet wet. I think they did really well considering the players they got and the players who were traded from other teams. They get Mookie and Freddie back, and this team is pretty good. Graterol, Brasier, and Grove help the pen a bunch.
Yes, the race in the West is suddenly getting interesting.
The bullpen–particularly Treinen–lost tonight’s game. All considered, it was one of those games in which it would have been nice to have a closer like Tanner Scott.
It’s been reported that the Padres “swooped in” with a big offer to get Scott and keep him from the Dodgers. I’m OK with that. I think the Pads overpaid–but if Scott helps them catch Dodgers, or beat them in the playoffs, it would have been well worth it.
I’m still a bit stunned at the modest price the Dodgers paid for Flaherty. If Sweeney is that good, wouldn’t he be in the majors by now? Liranzo may have star potential, but he’s still a few years away.
Seems that the Pads gave up a lot more to land Scott than the Dodgers did to get Flaherty.
And it’s easy to overlook that the three-team deal for Edman and Kopech also netted 17-year-old Oliver Gonzales, who had signed with the Cards for $400K out of Panama.
It’s been reported that the kid is 6-4, 200 and already throws the fastball 92 mph. He could be a beast.
Maybe someday, we’ll think of this the Gonzales trade
Bear
I’ll take Edman on the roster over any of Keirmaier, Kike, Biggio, Ahmed and you said Taylor is out for the year, so he’s irrelevant. Edman is a platoon player at best, his career stats against RHP are bloated from his rookie year 5 years ago. They can do whatever they want with him on the infield during the regular season until Betts and Muncy return as far as I’m concerned because he’s better than the names I mentioned in the first sentence. In the playoffs Muncy at 3B, Betts at SS, Lux and Rosario platoon at 2B, Freeman 1B. If Muncy needs a platoon partner in the playoffs then Edman platoons with him. For defensive purposes if Edman is better at 2B and Rosario is better at 3B then there you go. Otherwise if Muncy doesn’t need a platoon partner in the playoffs, then platoon Edman with Outman in CF, Pages and Heyward platoon in a corner outfield spot, and Teo also in a corner outfield spot everyday. Keirmaier shouldn’t have been traded for at all. Outman and Pages better get consistent at bats right now to get ready for the playoffs and Heyward needs to get at bats too. But not too much because you don’t want to risk injury with Heyward. There’s your position player roster in the playoffs:
Smith
Barnes
Ohtani
Freeman
Lux
Rosario
Betts
Muncy
Edman
Teo
Outman
Pages
Heyward
The only reason I talked bad about Edman is because of Keirmaier. Because Outman and Pages need their consistent at bats right now to get ready for the playoffs. Keirmaier is a wasted roster spot. Like I said in a previous post, both Outman and Pages have upside and Keirmaier doesn’t. The defense only people don’t get that, and they never will. As far as I can tell you’re not a defense only guy. And like I said many times, I’m not worried about getting to the playoffs, I’m confident about that. So it’s all about the playoffs to me. Also I respect your opinions and you were right, AF got an impact player by the name of Flaherty.
But Doc is going to do what Doc is going to do. Probably Doc stuff, stupid stuff.
While the excitement of the trade deadline acquisitions were fun, it sure didn’t last long with losing to Friars. Glad I didn’t stay up and watch it to the end.
Within the last 3 weeks we’ve suffered 3 tough losses. 7/13 lost to Tigers 11-9, 7/27 lost to Astros 6-7, and last night. All 3 road games and had big leads only to lose. Frustrating but that’s baseball I guess.
Tough match up with Cease/Kershaw tonight.
Padres/DBacks are playing well and Division lead is dwindling.
Be an interesting 2 months of season left.
I said a few days ago what we needed most was a closer, then a starter, then a 3b. We didn’t get a closer, Flaherty is a solid starter.. But.3rd base? Many said Edman was picked up to play cf but we need him, or somebody at 3rd. But is he still on the IL?
Now there are so many shortstops on the roster is it possible Mookie goes back to the outfield? One of them probably platoons w Lux, who btw didn’t get traded like many predicted.
If Glasnow, Yamamoto, Kershaw and Flaherty are the 4 playoff starters can you imagine what.River could do out of the bullpen? And Stone?
Though I’m not totally satisfied w all these moves, or lack of, I understand that the FO can’t make any trade they want.
Why was Kopech sitting out last night? He was supposedly the most rested reliever they had. Why did they trade for him if they are not going to use him? Anybody who has an elementary understanding of baseball can c Vesia has lost it for whatever reason. The Dodgers once again went the cheap route at the deadline. The Padres paid a big price but they improved their team. Would anyone rather have Tanner Scott or what we got.
Apparently now we are finding out why we we got Flaherty so cheap. He has injury issues. Sound familiar. Our biggest strike Edman is on the il. Sound familiar. Pages and Outman are not going to cut it. Outman is like a deer in headlights waiting to strike out. Pages looks like he is swinging straight up can’t hit a high pitch. When is the last time he hit a homer. When the Dodgers get to the end of the game against the pads their closer just strikes everyone out. We are waiting on Graterol? He had a great year last year but is not a closer. He does not have swing and miss stuff. I think it is likely in a playoff series with the pads, snakes, even the Giants we do not matchup well. I thought Glasnow was an ace but is prone to the homer. If healthy mb Flaherty can put up zeros. If if if well if our bullpen don’t turn around we r toast.
Touching upon the RVS system once again, is it really helping our batters? Ohtani seems like he’s in love with the SO. He’s chasing Teoscar. Do we all realize how many SOs the Dodgers have been giving away? Isn’t RVS somewhat responsible for guiding players away from bad habit like chasing balls, not seeing the pitches properly, timing, etc? If the answer is yes, they need to be replaced. They stand around analyzing and making notes but nothing has changed in a few years. Same shit, over and over again.
Grades for the deadline:
Padres A
Dodgers B
dbacks Meh
Yesterday I wrote the Flaherty deal with the Tigers seemed too good to be true, and was a steal as long as his back holds up. And yes, EVERYONE was surprised how little the Dodgers gave up to acquire him.
But now we know the Yankees had a deal in place for Flaherty until they backed out due to the medical reports on his back–which has already bothered him this season.
So with this concern in mind, it remains to be seen who actually got the “steal”– the Dodgers or the Tigers. We’ll know the answer by October.
Was really hoping we would grabbed De la Cruz for LF . We’re still missing another consistent bat in OF. Thoughts ?
Why are you so worried, gentlemen? The division is blue, every trade was made with the playoffs in mind, the team will be complete and in some way “rested” by then…
Don’t worry about Arizona or my other favorite and beloved team that wears shit colored uniforms, they’re the ones worried about the Dodgers!
A few observations about last night’s disaster. It was almost the exact same as the Houston debacle. The club had a 5-0 lead early, and then took their foot off the gas pedal. I don’t know why they do this. Don’t relax or let up. they did the same thing in Houston. Keep scoring runs. The bullpen is run into the ground.
I know they are missing key pieces. Obviously Graterol is a key piece, and so is Brasier, but there isn’t anyone in the bullpen that strikes fear in opposing hitters or can come in and dominate. I’ve said this before so many times, they need to get more length from their starters. I was pleased to see Glasnow stretched to 7 innings and 100 pitches. They absolutely cannot continue with the 5 and 80 strategy anymore. I’m not asking for complete games. But a quality start is not asking too much. 6-7 innings every start.
Glasnow is a good pitcher and gave a quality start, but he looks as if his body is starting to break down a bit. He looks like he’s laboring a little. Hoping they can figure out a way to keep him sharp without destroying the bullpen more than it already has been.
I don’t understand why they refuse to let the relievers pitch multiple innings. Banda pitched a scoreless 8th and has been pitching well. Why not just let him go out for the 9th? Why did they have to bring in Treinen? because of match-ups? Computer data? Guys are going to have to pitch multiple innings, or we’re going to see this again.
I also didn’t like bringing in Outman at the end of the game. I get he’s put in for defensive purposes, but then Treiinen blows the lead, and his spot comes up in the order. Outman couldnt hit water if he fell out of a boat this year. It’s not smart to use him, unless you know for sure that the bullpen is not going to blow the lead. And let me tell you, I knew that Treinen was going to do the same thing, and blow another one. It was not hard to predict this.
You could see the difference between the SD bullpen and the Dodgers. The SD relievers look like they are lockdown. They come in and strike everyone out. Also what happened to Daniel Hudson? Did he fall into a black hole? Why wasn’t he an option.
The lead is dwindling, and the Dodgers have played very poorly against San Diego. If they are not careful, and dont start adjusting and trying something different in regards to game strategy, and pitching management, then it’s possible they could fall out of first place before the reinforcements return.
Most of the Dodgers have very little experience against Cease. Ohtani and Kike have homered off of him. Ohtani twice. Machado has the best numbers against Kershaw. Someone asked who is going to go when Edman and Kiermaier get added to the roster. Feduccia will likely be the victim when Freddie is activated. Biggio is likely to be gone when they activate Edman, but Edman is at least 2 weeks away from being activated. Outman will be sent down when Kiermaier gets here. Rosario is already on the roster and is wearing #27. They gave Edman #25, Kopech, #45 and Kiermaier #93. At least for now. I think their hardest decision will be when Mookie gets activated. The only player on the roster I could see leaving then would be Ahmed. If and when Max gets back, well then it would be down to Kike. They have two other players who fill his role nicely, are younger, and at this point, better hitters.
Badger – I need your help since you were an umpire. (or anyone else here, please)
An old buddy relies on me for answers to baseball questions. It’s usually pretty simple stuff but he got me by the short hairs on one yesterday.
Situation:
June 26th – Danny Jansen starts at catcher for the Blue Jays versus the Red Sox. The game is suspended in the 2nd inning due to rain.
As we know, a suspended game shall be resumed at the exact point of suspension of the original game. The lineup and batting order of both teams shall be exactly the same as the lineup and batting order at the moment of suspension.
Any player may be replaced by a player who had not been in the game prior to the suspension. No player removed before the suspension may be returned to the lineup.
On July 27th, the Blue Jays traded Jansen to the Red Sox. He is on the 26 man roster for Boston.
On August 26th – the suspended game from June 26 is scheduled to resume with the potential for Jansen to be playing for the Red Sox.
He could be the first player in MLB history to appear in a game for both teams.
But can he?
The rule on new players says “A player who was not with the club when the game was suspended may be used as a substitute, even if he has taken the place of a player no longer with the club who would not have been eligible because he had been removed from the lineup before the game was suspended.”
That’s way over my head…….. especially if the substitute is the SAME GUY.
Would the league just have to rule on this, if it comes up? I’m stumped on this one.
Help!
The discussions here have really take a turn.
what is going on?!?
Cool moment in today’s Red Sox game.
https://x.com/MLB/status/1818800096147865905
Per Roberts:
1> Max Muncy had a “breakthrough” and is feeling much better after a “chiropractic adjustment” involving his ribs
2> Of the three rehabbing Dodgers relievers (Ryan Brasier, Brusdar Graterol and Michael Grove), Grove is likely the first one who will be back. Could be as soon as next homestand.
3> Mookie Betts is taking BP again, and could be back in the “next couple weeks”
I don’t mean to overreact to 1+ starts but the margin of error for Kershaw with a fastball topping out at 91 is really slim against good line ups. We kept talking about Miller, Buehler, Kershaw and Yamamoto coming back at any time to bolster the rotation but it is does not look real promising for Miller, Buehler, or Kershaw.
Asking this line up to come back against Cease from a 4-0 deficit is asking a lot. Things may get worse before they get better in two weeks. On the bright side, they will likely be playing meaningful games in September which should help them prepare for the playoffs.
What was Dino thinking holding up Ohtani with two outs there. Put the pressure on the other team. Bad coaching there. Really pissed at that conservative move — I don’t get it.
There’s a hole in the outfield, the platoon in the outfield is below average, and depending on Muncy there could be a downgrade at 3B and the pitching is not looking good.
Before the season started, I wanted AF to get an outfielder in the off-season and then Brent Rooker at the trade deadline, but that didn’t happen. Before the season started I thought Outman would play every day and if he didn’t deliver against LHP then he would platoon with someone and I thought the pitching would be fine.
Kopech looked like a stud
Mb Kopech could have come in last night. Just a thought!
is Kershaw going to go to Florida now? Looks like it did wonders for Buehler.
is it too late to get Bauer?
our 2 highest performing starters currently:
Wrobleski sent to minors
RR next to b sent down
another bullpen game. This bullpen might have more innings than the starters. Wonder why our bullpen is suddenly the worst in the majors.
but we r 4.5 up
great organization
great time to be a dodger fan!!
Hey Bear, good job on the Deadline Trade Tracker.
3 hits, 11 Ks. Not much fun to watch I would think. But considering who they ran out there as a lineup, about what one would expect. Smith got two hits yesterday, then struck out three times tonight. He has been slumping for a while. 3 errors did not help Kersh at all. And he made one of them. I expect the offense will pick up some with Mookie’s return and when the Mendoza line guys are not playing. I think this stretch of so many major pieces of this team being disabled and the team holding on to first by their fingernails, will show us what kind of grit they really have. Their August schedule is no cakewalk. A’s for three then Philadelphia, 3, Pirates, 3, Brewers in Milwaukee, 4, Cardinals in St. Louis, 3, Mariners, 3 in LA, Rays,3, Orioles, 3 then they finish with 2 against Az in Arizona. That is a 4-game series that extend into September. They have 10 games against contenders in September. Including 3 against the Padres the last week of the year. So, they either suck it up and play a lot better or they miss the playoffs all together. If they miss making the playoffs, some of you may get your wish and see Roberts get fired.
Was this Feduccia’s first AB since getting called up? His long-anticipated debut in the majors?
He flew out, but it’s still a highlight of sorts. Hope he gets a start soon before he gets sent back to OKC, providing Smith and Barnes stay healthy.
Heard promising things about Muncy today.