With Jeff on the 10-day IL, he became desperate for assistance on the blog’s writers roster. With his options limited, he had to resort to adding someone from the alternate training site, and had no choice but to call on me, the Yohan Ramirez of bloggers, to make a few pinch hit/relief appearances. Here’s hoping that I don’t give up three gopher balls to the first three batters. Good news is, after this article and a post trade deadline article, I will be immediately designated for assignment and, thankfully, Jeff will resume his normal duties.
As is typical post trade deadline, the following are certain to happen:
* Rumors will run rampant that the Dodgers have discussed or expressed interest in every player in the major leagues.
* Blog writers and commentors will quote rumors as if though they are gospel. “Rosenthal and Passan report that the Dodgers have an interest in Bobby Witt, Jr. or Tarik Skubal.” Of course they do. Who wouldn’t? Whenever I read something along those lines, I imagine the front office holding a meeting, and one of the assistant GM’s says “wouldn’t it be sweet if we had Bobby Witt, Jr.? He’d be able to solve our shortstop problem.” The rest of the FO would then collectively nod their heads in agreement. Some young associate, seeing this would then whisper in Rosenthal’s ear, “you know the Dodgers discussed Bobby Witt, Jr. today.” And there you have the birth of a rumor. Rumor, by the way, is defined as “a currently circulating story or report of uncertain or doubtful truth.”
* All sorts of wild trade proposals will be suggested. “we should trade our top 11 prospects for Juan Soto or Gerrit Cole.” These proposals are not reasonable, will never happen, but the pundits and blog commentors love making them anyway.
* Dodger fans will whine incessantly that the Dodgers front office didn’t “do enough.” Those complaints are an annual right of passage, it seems. In July and December, we’re bound to hear over and over again, that “AF doesn’t even seem to be trying” or “AF doesn’t try hard enough.” And, you can take it to the bank that it will happen this year. I have already read one comment where the person wondered why AF “does not even try” to make the team better. Say what????
* Other teams will acquire a certain player in trade, and Dodger fans will bemoan the fact that the Dodgers could have easily bested the price paid by the acquiring team. Alternatively, fans will moan and groan that the Dodgers “just don’t have the prospect capital necessary to acquire the top talent.” That may be true, but the FO, hasn’t done too badly over the years, getting players like Darvish, Machado, Trea Turner, Max Scherzer and of course Mookie Betts.
* After the deadline passes, Dodgers’ fans will get frustrated that the Dodgers “did not do enough,” or the players they acquired weren’t as good as those the Phillies, Braves, Rangers or whoever, got. Such was certainly the case in 2022, when the only significant trade made that added to the MLB roster, was Chris Martin from the Cubs, for Zach McKinstry. You could hear the cries of frustration and disappointment from El Segundo to Blythe. However, while bigger names got traded that year, it turned out that Martin was arguably the most productive player traded that deadline. Maybe, just maybe, AF and company know what they’re doing.
* Speaking of 2022, the Padres were said to have “won” the trade deadline, by acquiring the big prize, Juan Soto (and Josh Hader, among others). Now that we are in 2024, do you think that A. J. Preller would like to have a redo on that Soto trade now? Giving up MacKenzie Gore, C.J. Abrams, Robert Hassell III, James Wood and RHP Jarlin Susana was an awful steep price for 1 ½ years of Soto. Then, knowing the Padres could not afford him, they trade him for a lesser return package. Winning at the trade deadline, means nothing unless you win the big prize.
* I also wouldn’t be surprised if the Dodgers don’t announce any trades until 5 minutes after the bell rings closing the market. It most always seems to go that way, doesn’t it? I feel real sorry for the fans who check MLB Trade Rumors every five minutes to see if a trade has been made.
There are two questions fans ask leading up to the trade deadline: (1) what do the Dodgers need to do? and (2) what will they do?
* Realistically, these questions can’t be answered unless the fans had every bit of information the front office has. Namely: will Muncy be back this year? Will Yamamoto be back? How much can we truly rely on Kershaw, Buehler, Miller, the other youngsters? Which players are absolutely untouchable? We all have our opinions, but they are just that opinions. Moreover, I’ll always remember a statement made by Dan Evans to the press, after the Dodgers traded Franklin Gutierrez for Milton Bradley, “we know our prospects a whole lot better than you do.” I’m sure the same is true for Friedman, et al.
* Speculatively, we can guess at the answers. All our players are injured more than Doc and FO let on. Kershaw, Buehler, Miller will never reach past achievements. We can’t rely on the youngsters, etc.
* If it was me, and money was no object, I would look to add a lock down reliever first, perhaps two. I’m not sure that Banda is an answer to any question we might ask about strengthening the bull pen. Certainly Graterol may help. The operative word being “may.” Same would be true with Michael Grove. With Carlos Estevez being traded to the Phillies, the top notch relief market is thinning. Mason Miller, certainly; Tanner Scott, perhaps; Pete Fairbanks, maybe; or Michael Kopech? More than likely, the Dodgers will trade for something out of the John Brebbia, Kyle Finnegan, Jason Adam, Kenley Jansen or Dylan Floro bin.
* I would also look at adding a starting pitcher. Tarik Skubal, yes; Jack Flaherty, yes; Garrett Crochet, perhaps; Tanner Houck maybe; Erick Fedde, uncertain; Rich Hill, no thank you;
Also, please stay away from the Zack Littell, Yukei Kikuchi, or Trevor Rogers aisle.
* We could probably use another outfield bat or third baseman. Outman is struggling and living up to his name. If some on this board had their way, they would trade everyone in the bottom half of the lineup. Hate to disappoint you, but Lux isn’t going anywhere. Kike and Taylor will probably stay, as will Ahmed. Only way Lux gets traded, is if the Tigers demand he be part of a Skubal trade or the Yankees want him for Juan Soto. When I survey the market, however, I don’t see anything that gets me excited. Roberts, Jr, blah; Paul DeJong, meh; Cody Bellinger, not ay all likely. I’m not sure if he’s available, nor do I know the full financial ramifications of acquiring him, but I still think Nolan Arrenado would look great in Dodger blue. His defense is still top notch and that alone, will make our pitching better. Frankly, I don’t see the Dodgers doing much hitter wise. I think Betts will return to right field, Hernandez will play left and we’ll ride out Pages and Outman. Heck, we could always roll the dice and see what Damon Keith can do. Now stop the groaning, he is a whole lot better than you think.
* It is highly possible that the biggest trades made by the Dodgers this deadline will be for Brent Honeywell and Nick Ahmed.
* As I looked back over past trade deadlines, at the time, fans argued that we gave up too much for Max Scherzer and Trea Turner. Keibert Ruiz and Jo Jo Gray have been nice players but I’m nor sure if they would have been any help to the Dodgers down the line. Donovan Casey and Gerardo Carillo did not achieve any success. At the time, we all were certain that Scherzer and Turner would help. Who knew that Scherzer would be such a wussy in the playoffs. In 2016 Grant Holmes(a first round pick), Jharel Cotton and Frankie Montas went to the Oakland Athletics for Rich Hill and Josh Reddick, who at the time were the top pitcher and (arguably) one of the better outfielders on the market(I know, he didn’t pan out); Again, Jharel Cotton and Frankie Montas have not been game changers. In 2017 the Dodgers traded Hendrik Clementina (minor leaguer) and Scott Van Slyke to the Reds for Tony Cingrani. They also traded A.J. Alexy (minors), Brendon Davis (minors) and Willie Calhoun to the Texas Rangers for Yu Darvish. Do you want any of those players back? Last, they traded Oneil Cruz and Angel German (minors) to the Pirates for Tony Watson. Cruz has been okay for the Pirates, but Watson filled a need. In 2019 they traded Rylan Bannon (minors), Yusniel Diaz (minors), Dean Kremer, Zach Pop (minors) and Breyvic Valera to the Orioles for Manny Machado. Without debating whether the players acquired performed as expected(hoped), are there any prospects on this list that you truly miss? While they are all fine players, as far as it goes, in my opinion, there is not a single one of those prospects that would make a difference on the Dodgers’ current roster. The Dodgers paid a price, but they received great quality in return. Let’s hope they do so again.
* I had shared this in a past article written for Mark’s blog a few years ago. Thomas Paine’s famous quote from his book “The Crisis”: “These are the times that try men’s souls. The summer soldier and the sunshine patriot will, in this crisis, shrink from the service of their country; but he that stands by it now, deserves the love and thanks of man and woman. Tyranny, like hell, is not easily conquered; yet we have this consolation with us, that the harder the conflict, the more glorious the triumph. What we obtain too cheap, we esteem too lightly: it is dearness only that gives every thing its value.” I read these words as Evan Phillips peed all over the Justin Wrobleski’s parade. Please understand, I don’t, for a millisecond, equate the battle for liberty and freedom to a relief pitcher not being able to do his job effectively. That said, I couldn’t help but think, in a strictly sports context, that in this quote, there was some correlation to the Dodgers’ season in 2024. I haven’t quite fully figured out all of that correlation, but I do think that some of the Dodger players are like the “soldier and the sunshine patriot” that Paine spoke of. This team, like some in the past, seem to lack any fire and spark. From the outside looking in, they’re lacking a sense of urgency. Because I don’t have access to the clubhouse, I’m not prepared to make judgment on the team merely by the limited things I can view on the TV from my recliner. That said, it would be nice to have a Marine Corps Gunnery Sergeant(Badger is that you?) go into the clubhouse and verbally kick some butt and take some names.
* As I was putting the finishing touches on this article, Wrobleski was pitching a gem against a good Astros team (mercy, I hate writing that). He may be a player to hang onto. Then, as has been a microcosm of the Dodgers’ season, Phillips comes in and can’t get an out. Please folks, don’t blame that on Roberts. Sure, in hindsight, it would not have hurt to let Wrobleski pitch to one more batter, but the melt down was entirely on Phillips. Mason Miller come on down!!
* It’s time for this team to go on a nice 20-2 run and put my baseball world back in its proper orbit.
MiLB GAME SUMMARY REPORTS
OKC Baseball Club 5 – Tacoma Rainiers (Seattle) 4
OKC scores 3 in the bottom of the 9th to walk off a win. Down 4-2 in the 9th, with 1 out, Alan Trejo was HBP and Austin Gauthier followed with a single. With 2 outs, Trejo and Gauthier pulled off a double steal. Both runners scored on the recently promoted )07-27-2024) Brend0n Davis’ double. Davis scored the walk off run after a single by Chris Okey.
Ben Casparius pitched 5.0 scoreless innings. He allowed 1 hit, 2 walks, and 6 K. Casparius threw 81 pitches/48 strikes.
- Andre Lipcius – 2-4, 1 run
- Ryan Ward – 2-4, 1 run, 2 RBI, HR (26)
- Chris Okey – 2-4, 1 RBI
- Double – Brendon Davis (1)
Tulsa Drillers 14 – Frisco Roughriders (Texas) 4
The Drillers finally found their first offensive spark of the road trip in the third inning. Tulsa batted around and scored six runs in the process to take a 7-1 lead. Griffin Lockwood-Powell drove in the first pair of runs with a single. Jose Ramos drove in the next two runs with a double to center field. The final three runs scored with two outs on Brandon Lewis’ two-run homer and Alex Freeland’s RBI single.
The Drillers increased their lead in the fourth inning when Keith stole home, and Lewis drove in Ramos with a single.
Ramos added to the lead in the eighth inning with a two-run blast to center field.
The Drillers did not slow down in the ninth inning.
They earned six more hits and scored three runs on an RBI single from Yeiner Fernandez and a two-run homer from Dalton Rushing.
A solid performance from the Drillers pitching staff matched the offensive performance. Kendall Williams made his 19th start of 2024 and allowed three runs on five hits and four walks. He did not qualify for the win, completing only four innings.
Christian Suarez received the win, working a perfect fifth inning after following Williams. It was his third win with the Drillers.
Antonio Knowles, Lucas Wepf, and Edgardo Henriquez were the final pitchers used, with Wepf and Henriquez pitching a scoreless inning.
*Keith recorded three more hits to finish 4-5. It was his first four hit game of his professional career. The home run marked his sixth in July, which is tied with Amarillo’s Tim Tawa for the most in the month.
*Lewis finished 3-5 with three RBI on Sunday. The home run was his first hit in ten games and his first home run since June 20.
*Lockwood-Powell finished with five hits. It was the first five-hit game from a Tulsa hitter since Jacob Amaya on April 23, 2022, in a 16-8 win over Springfield.
*The Drillers four home runs matched a season high.
*Ramos finished with four runs driven in on two hits in six at-bats.
*Eight of the nine Tulsa batters recorded a hit.
- Yeiner Fernandez – 2-5, 2 runs, 1 RBI
- Damon Keith – 4-5, 4 runs, 1 RBI, Double (11), HR (9)
- Dalton Rushing – 1-5, 1BB, 1 run, 2 RBI, HR (13)
- Griffin Lockwood-Powell – 5-6, 1 run, 1 RBI
- José Ramos – 2-6, 3 runs, 4 RBI, Double (10), HR (12)
- Brandon Lewis – 3-5, 2 runs, 3 RBI, HR (9)
- Jose Izarra – 2-4, 1 BB, 1 run, Double (1)
Great Lake Loons 3 – Lake County Captains (Cleveland) 2
Down 2-1 in the 9th, Great Lakes scored a pair for a walk off win, without recording an out. Chris Newell, Dylan Campbell, and Jordan Thompson singled to lead off the 9th, with Newell scoring the tying run. Nick Biddison was IBB to load the bases. Frank Rodriguez followed with a run scoring single to plate Campbell for the walk off win.
Jacob Meador started and completed 5.0 innings allowing 2 runs (1 earned). He gave up 4 hits, 2 BB, and recorded 8 K. Four Loons pitchers threw 4.0 scoreless innings to finish the game.
- Chris Newell – 2-4, 1 run, 1 RBI
- Jordan Thompson – 2-4, 1 RBI
- Frank Rodriguez – 2-4, 1 RBI
Rancho Cucamonga Quakes 7 – Inland Empire 66ers (LAA) 6
The Quakes held on for a nail-biter on Sunday evening, edging Inland Empire for a 7-6 win.
Cam Day went six innings of two-run baseball and the Rancho bullpen eventually survived a fierce Inland Empire rally, with Reynaldo Yean working a scoreless ninth, helping Rancho win their third straight game and take five of six in the series.
Trailing 1-0 in the second, Rancho grabbed the lead for good against starter Riley Bauman with two in the second, as Jose Meza tripled home Jesus Galiz, then scored on a sac fly from Juan Alonso.
Rancho built a 7-1 lead in the fourth, chasing Bauman with only one out, as Oswaldo Osorio’s pinch-hit two-run double capped the inning.
Inland scored one in the fourth against Day, who gave the Quakes six innings on Sunday.
The 66ers jumped on the Rancho bullpen though, getting one in the seventh and three in the eighth to pull to within a run at 7-6. With the tying run at second and two outs in the eighth, Felix Cabrera came out of the bullpen and struck out Anthony Scull, ending the threat.
Yean would then work a scoreless ninth for his fifth save of the year.
- Kendall George – 2-6, 1 run, 1 RBI
- Antonio Osorio – 2-3, 2 RBI, 2 doubles (12)
- Wilman Diaz – 2-4, 1 BB, 1 run
- Triple – Jose Meza (1)
Some mechanics of the trade, per John Mozeliak: He said the #STLCards and #WhiteSox agreed right away on a Tommy Edman-for-Erick Fedde deal.
However, the Cards wanted Tommy Pham. And the #Dodgers wanted Edman. Incorporating the third team and prospects took additional time.
Erdman is the latest of the Dodgers’ Utility Player Corps. He hasn’t played all year due to a wrist injury. And he has a career OPS of .726 and OPS+ of 99. He’s a good glove but not much of a hitter. But the Dodgers have an entire Corps of utility players (Taylor, Kike, Biggio, Rojas) plus other INF who can’t hit (Ahmed). Another one? Really?
Kopoech for his career has walked 4.7/9IP. And 1.6 HR/9 IP.
This year he switched to the bullpen full time. His numbers: 4.74 ERA, 4.82 FIP, 1.351 WHIP, 4.9 BB/9, 1.6 HR/9. He like Wild Man Joe Kelly but worse.
I hope that they have more up their sleeves.
If the best starter the Dodgers acquire at the deadline is Yusei Kikuchi then that would signal to me that the Dodgers are more confident that Yamamoto returns as opposed to less confident. They are certainly not throwing in the towel.
I think the average wRC+ for the players who have occupied the bottom three in their line up is 60. For his career, Edman has a 99 wRC+. He is a league average offensive player. Not one of Taylor, Kike, Lux, Heyward, Ahmed, Biggio is a league average hitter. In fact, not even close. Edman would improve the Dodgers defensively at third base and center field. In addition, for a team that struck out 43 times in three games this weekend, Edman does not strike out much. He is not an All Star by any stretch but it is reasonable to expect that he makes the Dodgers better in October.
The Padres acquired a bullpen arm from the Rays (Jason Adams) in exchange for their #3, #8, and another top 30 prospect. What do you think Mason Miller or Tanner Scott would cost? Michael Kopech is not some stiff they acquired off the waiver wire. Adding Kopech, Brusdar, Brazier, Grove to the bullpen makes for a deep bullpen and the potential to have a strong 9 relievers for the playoffs.
It is crazy to look at these trades and say I would rather have Robert, or Flaherty, or Mason Miller. We all would take Flaherty over Kikuchi, Miller over Kopech, etc. But that is not the choice. Each acquisition comes with a cost. Would you rather trade Vargas and two low level prospects (#17 and #19) for Kopech (and Edman) or would you rather trade Josue DePaula, Justin Wrobleski, and Landon Knack (for example) for Mason Miller? We will never know the cost of the trades that were not made. I know a lot of you don’t trust Friedman. You think he is overrated or that anyone can win with the money the Dodgers spend. I think some criticism is fair, for sure. But he has constructed a model baseball front office and player development program. That is not my assessment, it is the opinion of other MLB executives. It is premature with one day left in the trade deadline to call this deadline a failure. It is crazy to say the FO is throwing in the towel on the season.
Edman does not play 3rd. He plays SS 2nd and CF. He is a switch hitter. He is not out due to his wrist injury, but the ankle injury he sustained while rehabbing.
He has played 3B. Also RF and LF.
He has played 3rd exactly 8 times since 2020. He is also not that great over there. The bulk of his playing time has come at SS and 2nd base.
Lane Thomas to the Guardians. LHSP Alex Clemmey (#8) and two infielder prospects going to Washington…Jose Tena and Rafael Ramirez (#22).
If the Dodgers are still in talk for Crochet could that mean there’s no chance on getting Sasaki this winter.
I do not think you can draw conclusions on any potential Sasaki signing.
I do not think Crochet is coming to LA. His demands are just a tip of the iceberg. Not a team guy in my mind.
I agree Bear. I don’t think Crochet is coming. I responded to your other post up some from here. I said throwing in the towel trying to get Impact players or needle movers. Just my opinion, but I think AF knows Yamamoto and Muncy won’t be back, so there’s too many holes to fill with impact players/needle movers, so why trade the farm/gut the farm to fill lets say 2 holes when you have 3 more holes.
All of what I’m saying is about the playoffs only. It seems to me AF is trading for guys that can help during the regular season just to get to the playoffs, but these acquisitions in my opinion are not needle movers in the playoffs with better competition.
If LA wants Sasaki, not much will stop them from getting him They will have a surplus of starters and can trade some to fill other holes.
Dodgers basically did nothing with this trade; didn’t improve any part of the team; and it’s called a blockbuster! Edman hasn’t played in the show this season, was hitting poorly in rehab, hurts his ankle, gets shut down, and AF trades for him! Non-impact high ERA reliever Kopech gets thrown in and it’s a blockbuster. Maybe adding Kopech made it a blockbuster! I need another cold beer.
I do not know who described it as a blockbuster, it isn’t even a small firecracker.
While we are waiting for the next trade, I went X Shopping:
Gotta Love Joe Kelly
Per Toribio:
During the offseason, the Dodgers reached out to St. Louis about potentially acquiring the 2021 Gold Glove Award winner. Landing Edman has been a priority for the Dodgers for months. They finally got the California native on Monday.
Cody Bellinger was activated off of the IL today. Came a little early but his batting sessions have been good. Per the Cubs press release.
So now it’s the Astros who are close to signing Kikuchi
Looks like Kikuchi is heading to Houston. Looks like Jake Bloss will be the return to the Jays. He was pulled from his start tonight. Not sure if that is the full trade. So, relax Dodger fans, he is going somewhere else. Looks as if AF is whiffing on a bunch of his so-called targets. Not many left unless they go all in for Crochet. If they do that, they had better get Robert Jr. too or Dodger fans are going to implode. Not me, I really don’t want either of those guys. Robert Jr. because of the way he is playing this year, and Crochet because he said he wants an extension BEFORE he would pitch in post season games.
How would you feel if Friedman does nothing else, and the only moves are Edman and Kopech? It’s looking like that’s likely to happen.
No, they just traded for Ahmed Rosario. They now have a Ahmed and a Rosario named Ahmed. cool huh??? LOL>
Gotta have all the Ahmeds.
Can I get an Ahmed!!
Lolz and Ahmed a good night.
The 2nd Ahmedment
The Astros are nearing a deal for Yusei Kikuchi that’ll send rookie righty Jake Bloss back to Toronto, reports Jim Bowden of the Athletic (X link). It’s unclear whether Houston is including any other players.
Very close to being finalized. Busy day. Should be busier tomorrow. Chisholm is playing 3rd base for the first time in his career tonight. Hit a homer in the second inning.
I sure hope AF has more up his sleeve.
Bellinger anyone?
I would love to see Belli, but I am not sure it would happen.
I would be OK with it. I guess his contract status makes it difficult.
Yep, he has two opt outs and can not take them and stick the team with a 30-million-dollar player. And truthfully, he is not playing at that level right now.
Risk seems to out weigh the reward for sure.
Amed Rosario……
Ahmed Rosario returning to the Dodgers. Michael Flynn heading to Tampa in return. Ryan Yarbough DFAed.
Why DFA Yarbs? to make room for Kopech? He was the only reliever that could pitch more than an inning.
Honeywell can and Grove is coming back soon. But it is a bit of a surprise.
Maybe they got tired of 85 MPH heaters landing in the seats lately. Grove will be back in early August. He and Honeywell can cover multiple innings. Yarbs has given up 28 runs in his last 30 games.
Yarbs started out like a house afire. But has not been so hot lately.
Since June – 16 games, 29.0 IP, 4.97 ERA, 5.77 FIP, .764 OPS
Since July – 9 games, 15.0 IP, 6.00 ERA, 6.22 FIP, .910 OPS
And as STB said, Honeywell can pitch multiple innings. Grove can, but he was more successful in 1.0 IP games.
Plus LAD loves power arms over finesse.
I forgot about Grove, he’s been out so long.
Rosario hits lefties well.
Sometimes trades are made for strange reasons.
Andrew got Rosario back so Joe Davis could say “it’s a double play, Ahmed to Amed to Freddie.”
That’s why strange trades are proposed
Nice. There was a movie many years ago called. Take Me Out to the Ballgame. Gene Kelly, Frank Sinatra and a guy named Jules Munshin. They were a double play combination for a fictitious team called the Wolves. Managed by none other than Dick Lane. Yeah, the same guy who was the announcer on Wednesday Night Wrestling from the Olympic Auditorium. Anyway, there was a song in the movie about those three guys. O’Brien to Ryan to Goldberg. Pretty catchy tune.
Now at 222 comments. That’s 210 more than a year ago here.
There’s a lot of traffic here so I just pulled over and parked.
Don’t forget to feed the meter.
Timmons picked a heck of a time to go fishing. Lots happeining.
Rosario is hitting .312 this year, .301 against RHP. He has played 2nd, SS, 3rd and the outfield. More versatility than before.
Not sure Rosario was a big need, but it might just tell us the Dodgers don’t expect Muncy and/or Miggy Ro back this year.
Exactly what I was thinking.
Edman might indicate Taylor’s groin injury is severe. Why else add virtually the same players you already have. I don’t know if the Dodgers plan to run more but Edman and Rosario add some speed and better contact rates.
Good point. Forgot about Taylor.
Anyone think they should try and pry Jameison Taillon from the Cubs? I would go for that.
Worth a shot. Averaging almost 6 innings per start. Depends on the cost. He is not a rental.
Reds lit him up tonight!
Impressive that Friedman was able to trade a former National Security Advisor for a key bench piece. Chess, not checkers, my friends!
I haven’t posted on Mark’s site in a couple of years I think. Once he started letting his politics bleed into the site that was enough for me. I would check in occasionally to read the articles and conversations, but wouldn’t post. Each time I knew he would be calling someone a moron and he was. I never had a direct problem with Mark. He and I are both Colts fans too. I watched him drive a lot people out of there though. I’m sure it can be a pain in the ass to do it every day. It takes thick skin.
Since the trade deadline was near I thought I would take a look the other day. His parting shot at people on this board is how I actually found this site.
After signing a one-year, $1.5MM deal with the Rays last winter, Amed Rosario moved into more of a full utility role, spending most of his time at second base and left field while still getting substantial playing time at shortstop and third base. He has fairly even splits. We need to check the rosters of the other teams for utility players for the next LAD trade.
TBH, Rosario is an improvement over Vargas in LF.
Total Cost for Kikuchi:
RHP Jake Bloss – #2 (BA)
3B Will Wagner – #19 (BA)
OF Joey Loperfido – #5 (BA)
That’s quite a haul for a pitcher like Kikicholi
Brewers to acquire Frankie Montas from Reds for OF Joey Weimer and RHP Jakob Junis.
Per CWS sources, Luis Robert Jr. unlikely to be dealt this deadline.
The more they say Robert won’t be traded, the more I think he will be. Just the Sox way of upping the bids.
We shall see.
We might be done. Not sure if anyone here ran this thought here or not. put Mookie back in RF, Teo in LF and Edman CF. No need for another OF bat have Freddie 1b Lux 2b , Miggy, Rosario.Ahmed SS. Not optimal but may be what we settle on
Pages is hitting a lot better than Edman’s stats last year against LHP, plus Edman’s stats against LHP have fallen since his rookie year. Both Edman last year and Outman this year against RHP suck. Difference is Outman put up way better numbers against RHP last year than Edman has his whole career besides his rookie year. I’d much rather go with an Outman/Pages platoon, but that’s just my opinion for what it’s worth.
Pages is a lousy centerfielder. Edman and Outman are better. Edman is a switch hitter, so there is that. I still think they make a move for an outfielder. I don’t think they want to move Mookie back out there.
Technically Rosario can play left field, maybe they can move Teo to right and Edman plays center. But agree another outfielder would help.
Interesting. Had not considered that alignment. The flexibility of both Edman and Rosario present a lot of options. I was thinking that Edman would play center, Hernandez in left, with a Pages/Heyward platoon in right. Betts at short, Rosario primarily at third base with a Lux/Hernandez platoon at second.
Evidently the few teams that are sellers were asking exorbitant returns for their impact players. Astros sending their #2, #5, and #19 prospects for Kikuchi. Of course, their #2, #5, and #19 prospects are not necessarily the same caliber as those rankings in other organizations but still a lot for a rental like Kikuchi. I would take Wrobleski for the rest of this year over Kikuchi. But I am probably biased.
It’s just my opinion but I think Outman gets traded somewhere tomorrow in a deal for a pitcher most likely Detroit for Flaherty. I think when Edman is healthy he’ll get the majority of playing time in center. With Lux at second and Rosario, Ahmed, Hernandez and Biggio splitting time at short and third. I kind of believe Muncy, Rojas and Taylor are done for the year as Rosario, Edman and Ahmed are their replacements and essentially the same players.
Could very well be but doesn’t make up for power bat that this team needs.They failed last year in playoffs w RISP
Need another reliable power bat, pickings are slim out there. Think SPs cost might cost too much and if does happen right at deadline