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)
Good and important win, getting the lead back to 6.5 before meeting the Pads on TUE and WED.
Luxy on a teat and Ryan was nails. Until the Doc took him out.
Speaking of:
I was never a big fan of Robert but now I definetely have enough of him. Freaking unbelievalbe that he has not learned his lesson and makes the same nonsense move again only 24 hours later. This move even worse than the one on SAT.
If you can´t help yourself and take Ryan out why the he.ll do you bring in a LH with two RH hitters coming up ? If you take Ryan out because of pitch count concerns why let him face Alvarez ? In that case bring Vesia in right away to face LH hitter.
Pitch count: Wrobleski was at 82pitches when he took him out. With an already overworked pen there is an urgency to leave him in and built his pitch count up. At some point you have to increase those loads anyway. Why not right there when the kid is cruising ?
Ryan was at 92 pitches , so yes, there is a stronger argument to make the move. But just as with Wrobleski, at some point you have to stretch them out anyway. This was the perfect situation to do it after he just gotten Alvare out and two RH hitters coming up.
I have zero trust in Roberts and his in game management qualities. I hope he is gone after the season if the Dodgers once again should fall short of their goal.
I will not call Roberts names like moron or idiot, but stupid decisions they were. Both.
At some point there has to be change when a manager continues to make such bad decisions. Accountablility does apply to players and managers/coaches.
Go Dodgers!!!!!!!!!!!
Hey, accountability applies to the FO, as well. They’ve covered their asses well and have convinced us that we have depth so not to worry. If the division race heats up and somehow affects our standing, it will send a very big message to ownership. Being forced to compete and failing has been our story for the last few seasons. How long can this go on?
Luxy is on a teat????? JUST who’s teat is he on??? 😂
Ewe tell me.
This mini-thread sucks
Ram went back and edited that part out 🙄
My bad, it is still there. LOL 💩
if you are going to blame Doc for the loses you have to give him credit for the wins also. He is currently the highest winning percentage of any active manager, and is sixth on the all time list. Which means he has a higher winning percentage than Lasorda, Alston, or any other manager in Dodger history.
as Jeff points out here on occasion, Doc manages this team the way the front office wants it managed, and that is from analytics, if the analytics say take River Ryan out at 92 pitches then that’s what Doc does.
i don’t remember anybody giving Doc credit, or calling for Docs head when they started off the all star break with a five game win streak, or when they won 12 of 14 earlier in the year.
If it makes you feel any better, I have this conversation with my wife every time the Dodgers lose two in a row, so she is definitely on your side.
I do agree about the Vesia move, you are 100% right on your point, it had me scratching my head also.
Regarding the deadline:
Many teams have made moves already. That might play into the hands of AF and the Dodgers. Less suitors for guys the Dodgers might be interested in. Could lower the asking price.
In my dream scenario we get Robert jun, Tanner Scott and Flaherty.
Both Scott and Flaherty would be rentals and should not cost dePaula or Rushing or Ryan and Wrobleski.
Knack for Flaherty mayb? Rushing plus Vargas plus a lower level pitcher like Bruns for Robert jun.?
Frasso plus Albertus for Scott ?
Don’t expect a high-end reliever. For all the reasons repeatedly posted.
Yeah, I know. AF does not like to trade for high leverage relievers.
But maybe he should rethink his strategy. It is not that his deadline approach was all too successful in the last 10 years.
We all know the definition of insanity.
Go Dodgers!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
ok!
best of luck.
Rob, you seemed to sum up the situation pretty well. However, when it comes to building a complete team, I think the FO has not done it either at past trade deadlines or through FA. Most of the trade deadline names you mentioned slipped right through our fingers after the season ended. You can call them rentals and would not be incorrect. But the FO has not secured a stable infield or outfield except for a couple of key players. This is why most of the fans are up in arms regarding unproductive players and injured pitchers newly off the Farm. Re-treads like Kike and Taylor are familiar players and mostly because of their utility and defense. The FO seemingly refuses to get rid of these nagging problems that have been with us for some years. Sure, we don’t complain about players like Freddie and Mookie because they have been solid additions to the team on all levels. We continue to try and rejuvenate older players and throw rookies into the fire knowing of their shortcomings. The signing of Ohtani and Yamamoto were a good distraction from the woes the are plaguing us. But our injury problems are undermining all attempts at stability. We need to see some tangible changes in conditioning, batting, and defensive weaknesses in our players. Winning when we hit 3 HRs or more is not the formula. An unending army of pitchers vying for a job is also not the formula and is an acknowledgement of weakness in the ranks. I’ve never seen so many pitchers move through this organization as there have been the last couple of years. We need to see some meaningful changes in personnel.
Jeff agree but also agree with Dodgerram Roberts should be gone enough already
Me, too.
2 from 1 team deal if the price is right, Tampa Bay Rays 3B Yandy Diaz to platoon with Muncy or everyday if Muncy is done this year and relief pitcher Pete Fairbanks. If the price is right, Angels 2B Luis Rengifo to platoon with Lux. If the price is right, A’s Brent Rooker in LF everyday, nevermind if the price is right, do it. Done, lets roll. 👍
Well, it is Monday, one day until the deadline. A lot of guessing and rumors going on but that is the nature of the beast. I would, if I were in charge, make the moves I needed to make today. Then you would theoretically have those players in San Diego for tomorrow’s game with the Padres. The Padres game starts about 3 hours after the deadline. So, it makes sense to me to get er done today or this evening. It is easy to place blame on losses after games, and many of us, me included, questioned Roberts moves the last couple games. But we have no inside information as to why those moves were made. Dave took full responsibility for the loss on Saturday. Had one of us been in charge with the information he had, we might have done the same thing. A lot of fans have called for his head. The posts on X were almost entirely negative. As fans, we expect more and better play. But that makeshift lineup scored 12 runs in 2 days. Something the big boys failed to do, and they did it without Freeman.
I agree. I thought any possible trades would be made between the end of yesterday’s game and through today so that any moving pieces would have the chance to relocate to their new teams before tomorrow.
Latest trade sent Carson Kelly to the Rangers from the Tigers for a couple of minor leaguers.
Reyes Moronta was killed in a car accident. He pitched in 22 games for the Dodgers in 22. Prayers for his family.
Nobody saw the Paxton dfa coming so let’s all remember our opinions are not based on how Friedman thinks. Having said that, my opinion is we need a closer most of all and a solid 3b more than an outfielder. It would be nice to have Max back but it might not happen,and how would he hit after so much time off?
A starting pitcher for the playoffs would be nice. It would have to be someone better than Stone,Kershaw or the kids or why bother. How will Yamamoto pitch? Graterol is almost ready and he has been great in his rehab appearances and just pitched in back to back games.
But I still believe Friedman will surprise us somehow.
One only to look south a couple hours from LA to see that sometimes you can rid yourselves of all of your top prospects and what do you have to show for it? Nothing, nada, zilch! The Padres have made massive trades forever, and haven’t even won a division in I don’t know how many years. If I could remember perhaps I would remember how many division championships they have won total. But we are talking World Series. How many World Series have the Padres played in the last ten years? By the Padres ruining their farm system by throwing the dice every year they are assured of sucking (teat) for a much longer time. If one thinks that the Padres will win the division this season, you probably need to see a doctor a get your prescription refilled.
In their existence, the Padres have been to the playoffs 7 times, 5 of those were when they won the west. They have been to two World Series, 84 and 98 and lost both, one to Detroit the other to the Yankees and they were swept. They did make it to the NLCS in 22 after they beat the Dodgers in the first round. The only playoffs that Soto helped them get to. Their winningest manage, Bruce Bochy, had a .494 winning pct with the team. 951-975. Right now, Bochy is still under .500 for his career as a manager, 2144-2156. 12 games. He will no doubt be a first ballot Hall of Fame manager because his teams won 4 World Series.
I’d like to hang out with you, I was a history-government teacher. Currenting Im reading the third volume on the Civil War. I love history especially baseball history. I’ll bet your a history buff. Thanks for your knowledge.
Thanks John. I love US history. One of my favorite times was when I was in the Army, I spent two days in DC visiting as much as I could. I have been to a couple of Civil War battlefields. The biggest being Vicksburg. I got chills when I went to Fords Theater. But the Smithsonian was amazing. So much to see. My nephew is a high school history teacher now. My biggest wish is to go to Cooperstown. But just not in the cards financially. We were at Ft. Lee. Right next to the post was the Petersburg battlefield. Where the last major battle of the Civil War was fought. You could literally walk on the battlefield from the Fort. Found some mini balls there. Just oozed with history.
That’s some recliner.
I’d like to see more of your bylines Rob. I appreciate your writing and like the way you think.
This team was built to score and keep opposition scoring down. The problem turned out to be not one of ability but one of availability. I look at that injury list and think of what could have been. I also believe it could still be.
Roberts. Sigh. I’ve been involved in baseball for over 60 years and when I say “it’s the players” I say it from experience. I also say it from statistical truths. Those who develop the algorithms used to evaluate players values also use them to evaluate managers. I’ve posted those numbers a few times but many here either don’t listen or don’t believe them.
Behavioral scientists, Schiller’s team I believe, studying choice rationale called it “belief preferences” – maintaining a belief despite new information that firmly contradicts it. The facts say that the best managers in baseball just aren’t worth that much WAR. If you don’t believe it, look it up yourself. (and while you’re at it look up Vesia’s splits vs RHB, come back here and say oops).
I still hope to see this team at full strength in September. It would be a shame if we don’t get that privilege. In the meantime, with subs all over the field and rookie pitchers on the mound, the team is remarkably still 6.5 games up. How lucky are we fans? Thank you Andrew, and thank you Doc.
Two things can be true Badger.
Managers account for very little.
Teams winning and losing in the playoffs often swing on small differences and/or moves.
I don’t disagree Bluto. I would only add to this point the swings for the Dodgers are not small differences.
Going forward without first team players in key positions could get much more challenging in the run for a championship. The team as currently constructed will not win in the playoffs.
Yeah, I’m thinking in the past of the Rich Hill thing, the Kershaw usage, the over-reacting to L/R matchups.
But bigger problems are, er, um, bigger.
I sure wish Roberts had respected L/R matchups when he pulled Ryan for Vesia…
Ben casparius last night in OKC was just his 3rd outing back from an oblique injury.
5IP 1H 0R 6Ks 2BB
Curveball was great, 4 Seam touched 97.5 & his slider was in the zone.
Every pitch he has can be used both as a strike pitch and as a “putaway”, according to Casey Porter
Sounds promising. The Dodgers have a lot of good young pitchers if healthy. It seems their better everyday players are at Rancho or below.
I see that Timmons again feels that all his posters are morons AGAIN and is taking his ball home. I enjoy his articles mostly, don’t always agree with them but that’s ok but he must not approve the posts he rants about because the ones I see aren’t that bad. He sure gets worked up, GET Off MY LAWN!
I like Mark, but that once again is kindergarden behaviour by him. I think it would be best if he shuts his blog down for good this time.
Go Dodgers!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I read there only occasionally. I’ve known Mark, or should say I’ve known his postings since he was Mountain Mover in the 90’s. We got together a couple of times in Glendale. I met his wife at lunch in Napa. If you know his background you might have a better understanding of who he is and why he responds the way he does. He hasn’t changed much over the decades, so once you accept who he is it’s not that difficult to get along. The key for me is just don’t disagree and all will be well.
Though we had our bouts in the chat rooms, and we clearly have different values, over the phone and in person he has always been respectful to me. I don’t know what’s going on but maybe he’s decided he’s had enough. I don’t wish him any ill will.
I agree Badger, you might remember on Scott’s site he and I went at it pretty hard. Once I finally met him in Denver when he was at one of his conventions for his company, we sat down and talked a lot. We all have a common love of the Dodgers and the game, and that is what connects all of us here. He hasn’t agreed with me on several issues, and I the same with him and several others. But I try and stay civil. We also met one time at a Quakes game when I was out in California helping my brother after his double knee surgeries. Jayne Cobb was there and so was Bulldogs and Penguins. It was a cool night. I know the background some, so I do understand why he is the way he is. But since I started writing for his site back before the pandemic, we have mutually respected each other and get along fine.
I remember him doing the same thing with my site, calling everyone third graders who visited my site and these were his words “our rudimentary understanding of baseball” or course that post was deleted or removed during his last “retirement”. I can laugh about it now.
A leopard usually doesn’t change his spots.
Hey Scott, did you ever hear of, or know the owner/author of, that site Dodgerblues.com? I always liked that site’s sense of humor.
I don’t think that site exists now, unfortunately.
Hey Bobby. yes, the site is still up, but he doesnt write anymore. He hasn’t written in years or updated the site in years. That was actually the original Dodger blog. The La Times did an article on him a few years ago. You guys think I complain, that guy built an entire blog out of complaining, but it was one of a kind. While I try to be funny, he is funny.
his little picture/memes/whatever they’re called were absolutely brilliant.
If you know the guy, give him my props please.
Loved Dodgerblues
Don’t know about his background, but he seems to have some unresolved issues. I doubt counseling would help as he would probably call the therapist a moron and walk out if he didn’t like what they said.
I am assuming he is just taking his usual break from the Blog and will be back after the trade deadline. Not sure why he gets so worked up over people’s different opinions. IT’S AN INTERNET BLOG, not everyone is going to agree with your opinion.
I really enjoy his site and Jeff does a great job with this site too and I enjoy the posters on both boards. I learn a lot from all the varying opinions. I don’t go to many other websites for my Dodger insider information besides these 2.
There’s no insider info either place
Yeah my bad choice of words.
You lost me on Betts to RF and trying Damon Keith.
I agree with that. This is one of the few times I can remember that AF does not have an outfielder stashed at AAA with a ton of MLB experience. There were about three of them at AAA last year, Kole Calhoun, Steven Duggar, David Dahl.
I’ve never been a fan of Dave Roberts, and it’s clear that he’s made some mistakes called “bad pitching decisions” but there is no perfect manager, there never was, there isn’t one today and there never will be. Blaming him for the poor performance of the relievers is stupid, I agree with Mark on this, what I don’t agree with is praising him so much and insisting that he’s the best manager in the history of baseball and the best in all the galaxies and planets!
Nobody cares how good the farm system is (or at least it shouldn’t be the most important thing) or what percentage of victories he has as manager of the Dodgers, we all want a damn championship ring!
But blaming Roberts is totally out of place, unacceptable, unfair, he doesn’t go out to pitch, he doesn’t go out to field, he doesn’t go out to bat, for that he has PROFESSIONAL AND MILLIONAIRE players, he has to use what he has on the bench and in the bullpen, and I’m sure he is not responsible for having hired those players.
And to think that for the first time in all the years he has been a manager, this is the first time I see him more focused, willing to give more opportunities to the players, more patience, and obviously with more experience, this season I see him for the first time ready for the playoffs… It is the first time that he has confidence!
And by the way… Nobody cares about those SD idiots, stop worrying about them!
If you guys remember when the FO was interviewing managers, it was down to Doc, and Gabe Kapler, I definitely think we ended up with the better manager
“Nobody cares about the farm system.” Don’t recall anybody say it’s the most important thing. To say that the farm system isn’t important you would have a hard time finding more than a few people who have a basic understanding of professional baseball agree with you. Your third paragraph is the only reasonable paragraph in your post. Anyone who knows me will tell you that I look for the good in most anything I do, or I just let the insult slide. I guess you caught me in a time that I just couldn’t let it slide. I apologize to you and hope you have a blessed day.
And another Robert apologist.
Best winning percentage in the regular season. Yeah, so what ? What other manager had those financial resources at his disposal ?
If Robert was on any other team his winning percentage would be way, way lower.
He made so many mistakes at critical moments you have not enough fingers on both hands to count them.
Worst: He does not even is true to himself. Example: He says and knows his bullpen is heavily overworked, he says they need innings form their starters and what does he do two days in a row ? Yeah, takes out the starter who is pitching a shutout in the 6th inning. And to top it off he brings in a LH to face two tough RH batters . not the first time he totally screwed up and by doing so going against his own saying.
the guy is a very ordinary manager who is benefitting from the Dodgers endless financeial benefits.
If the Dodgers fall short from their own expecations this year again fire him and bring in someone else.
Go Dodgers!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I’ve always wondered how Tito Francona would do with this team.
Ram, you have explained nicely my frustration with Doc/the Wizard. I don’t know, ever, if it’s his decisions on pitching changes or if it’s all scripted. But I don’t like it. The Captain Hook act in the middle of innings has gotten old.
But I blame the organization in addition to Captain Hook. As I posted yesterday:
River Ryan. Why is it that this kid, who’s now 25, comes up to the big club and the most pitches he’s thrown in a professional game is 76? In 182 innings covering 46 professional starts, he hasn’t been stretched past 76 pitches?
I swear that’s what Joe Davis said.
I get he was a position player in college. But there appears to be no attempted to build arm strength and endurance in the minors. Innings manage for the fear of an injury has gotten to the point where 5 innings and 85 pitches is PAR.
With a depleted and shitty bullpen Joe Davis seemed flabbergasted that River went out for the 6th after 75 pitches?
Want to have no arm injuries? Don’t pitch”.
Two deals just went down, Rangers traded Lorenzen to the Royals for a minor league LHP. Dodgers sent Ricky Vanasco to the Tigers for cash. Morosi reporting on X that the Dodgers have made a trade proposal to the Jays for Yusei Kikuchi. One of several teams to do so.
Dodgers make a long awaited trade with the Tigers. Ricky Vanasco is sold for cash considerations. Apparently the Dodgers are sellers this year.
Any chance it was international spending cash, or just regular cash we can use at America’s Favorite Fast Food place, Del Taco?
Regular cash deal, no intl money.
Happy Birthday to my brother Steve. Dodger fan to the bone.
Happy Birthday!!! I am a Dodger fan to the bone as well!
Happy birthday Steve
What’s with all the Edman to the Dodgers chatter? He is on the IL and from what I have read, is nowhere near ready to return. He hasn’t played a single game all year. AF pulls a deal like that, with what I have seen they would have to give up in a three-team trade, to quote Mark, he is a moron. Even if they got Crochet in the deal. And I would not want him anyway with his contract demands.
Edman to the Dodgers. Hasn’t played all year. I don’t get it.
Glasnow wanted a new contract too.
We don’t know how much Crochet wants, do we? I don;t begrudge the guy for trying to get paid his market value.
Haha
Another fix-er-upper project. It’s written in AF’s DNA.
I will say there is more optimism in Erdman’s stats than any of our other possible SS replacements. Vargas is gone, too!
Padres are talking Flaherty with the Tigers. AF better get off of his ass if he wants a starter who might be a difference maker.
Padres again are going all in.#
Dodgers now linked to Kikuchi. Would not be a bad trade but we need a CF (Robert, Belli) and a lockdown reliever (Scott) too.##
Go Dodgers!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!1
Definitely need offensive help. Not sure Robert Jr fits that, He has sucked almost the entire year, but he does have a great glove. Belli and his contract are a nonstarter.
Who cares about the contract ? Dodgers and Guggenheim making gazillions of money anyway.
The quiet around the WS players is deafening. I have no prove but my gut feeeling says the Dodgerrs and WS are talking intensively about a Crochet/Roberts jun. blockbuster.
Go Dodgers!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
would you give Crochet the extension he wants as part of making that deal?
No, if I am in charge I would stay away from Crochet. Rather have Flaherty plus Scott instead .
Crochet disqualified himself as selfish and not a team -first guy. Cancer in the clubhouse. Dont need guys like that.
Go Dodgers!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Dodgers might. Belli is still injured. The deal would have to be approved by Manfred. I do not get all the excitement about Crochet at all. He is making contract demands and wants a new one before he pitches in the post season. What? He is under team control for two more years at least. And other than defense, Robert Jr brings bupkis to the offense right now. Maybe a change of scenery helps. But to get both of those guys, you are talking one huge package. Maybe 7or 8 guys. And they would most likely want at least 2 or 3 MLB ready players. Okay, Vargas, Pages and Knack. But I am not including De Paula, Stone, Wrobleski or Ryan in any trade. Stone has more wins than Crochet does. Crochet got lit up his last start too, so there is that.
Agree. Good post.
Go Dodgers!!!!!!!!!
I haven’t been reading this blog, or any other Dodger Blog in months, so I don’t know what you guys have been posting (except Roberts sucks, the bullpen sucks and we need to make a blockbuster trade, lol). I really like Honeywell, that screwball is vicious and where would we be without his contribution. If that guy can avoid a fourth or fifth arm surgery, he is a keeper.
Mariners trade Ty France to the Reds.
Per Ken Rosenthal:
A three-team trade in which the Cardinals would acquire Erick Fedde, the Dodgers would acquire Tommy Edman and the White Sox would acquire prospects is close, sources tell me and @KatieWoo
Edman would raise the floor of our bench/utility players.
But not nearly enough .
Go Dodgers!!!!!!!!!!
Seems to me the Dodgers could use Fedde more than Edman.
Edman hasn’t played yet in 2024 due to a wrist injury, although he is rehabbing in the minors now.
Fits right in with what we have!!
We need Nestor Cortes. Yanks are listening on him.
And this is why we need him. He plays the game to win.
As opposed to all our other players who don’t play to win?
I think bringing in Nestor, or Kikuchi is not any up grade from Paxton, both look like lateral moves to me.
i Wonder what’s going on with Skubal, and Crochet, Ram is right there hasn’t been much chatter about either one.
I was hoping the Dodgers would get Isaac Paredes. Oh well.
Vargas going to the White Sox as part of the Edman deal.
Kopech coming too.
What the Dodgers need badly is a center fielder who can hit at a league average pace.They don’t really have anyone. They can put Outman there, but he can’t hit. Pages is an average hitter, but a poor defender. Mookie could play there when he returns, but I don’t see them running his body into the ground.
Oh wait… trade just announced….
Edman is a quality defender everywhere he plays, including CF.
But can he get his bat going coming off an injury?
He has some CF experience, just a question of if he’s healthy. He would probably be a better hitter than Outman. Dodgers looking at another utility guy for late season.
Woww, Miguel Vargas is on his way to the White Sox as part of this Edman deal.
Vaya con dios, Miguel.
The Dodgers had such high hopes for Vargas.
Their misguided faith in his ability to play 2B–and also their faith that Lux could play SS–had a damaging ripple effect.
Vargas is better off on a team where he can DH and maybe play 1B.
So far it’s a three team deal. We get Edman and Kopech. Cards get Fedde.
We send out Vargas. No other details yet.
Dodgers are also sending Jeral Perez, Noah Miller and Alexander Albertus to the White Sox
Oooh, Jeff had good praise for Jeral Perez earlier
Edman played 42 games in center field last year. I wonder if this is where the Dodgers are planning to play him. Sounds like a little bit of an over pay by the Dodgers hopefully there are more moves coming because this doesn’t really move the needle
And he wasn’t very good either. He hasn’t played a single game in the majors this year. Supposedly rehabbing in the minors. He has played 8 games at AAA and is hitting .204. No homers 1 RBI 6 hits in 29 at bats and 9 strikeouts. Yep, we need his bat 😋 😘 😯
.204 might bat him 5th on this team!
Haha
OUCH!
Great move for rebuilding White Sox.
Pham goes to Cards in the deal.
This trade is looking like Mark is running the front office. Could have done a better trade when you are including Vargas
Prospects Jeral Perez, Alexander Albertus and Noah Miller are headed from L.A. to Chicago in the deal, per Nightengale. Meanwhile, FanSided’s Robert Murray reports that outfielder Tommy Pham is headed back to St. Louis in the trade.
Interestingbthat Pham is going to STL. While Edman can play CF, I would think the Dodgers need more than Edman.
Why include 3 prospects in the deal as well, and not get Pham? Seems weird.
Doesn’t make sense to me. We need Fedde more than Edman.
We got fleeced. Maybe something else is brewing. Still need a starter and an outfielder. I won’t miss Vargas at all.
assuming there is another trade coming..
Good assumption, if this is all they do, kiss the World Series goodbye.
I said goodbye to the WS awhile ago.
Boy thats the spirit!!
That is reality.
I guess you predicted AZ and TX to make the WS last year….
No one did Scooter.
Exactly chief.
I certainly hope the Dodgers get to the WS and I am rooting for them everyday. I am just not very optimistic about it happening.
You’re crazy
🖕
Flaherty has been scratched from tonight’s start and we’re still one of the teams talking to the Tigers about him.
Flaherty would make sense. And I think he’s from LA.
A Detroit guy had a rumor: we get Flaherty and Det gets Rushing and Bruns. Would you trade our top prospect for a rental?
No, not a #1 by any stretch. But LA might feel differently. Maybe they think they can sign Flaherty.
Sounds wrong.
He is. Same HS (Harvard-Westlake) as Max Fried and Lucas Giolito. Not a bad HS threesome.
Yes, he was on the Harvard-Westlake team with Max Fried and Giolitto.
Perhaps the greatest HS staff ever…
Typical Dodgers
trade for a dl guy who may not even play n a journeyman pitcher. While giving up 2 high level prospects. Fleeced I would agree.
Dodgers in a three way trade with St.Louis and the White Sox’s. We get Kopech and Edman
Excellent deal, other than Miller, Kopech was the best reliever out there. Outstanding.
Miller was misidentified. He is not part of the trade.
Another team enters the fray. Atlanta now checking in on Crochet. Along with the Padres, Dodgers, Orioles and Yankees. Sox will get their price. Flaherty removed from tonight’s start. Anticipation of being traded sometime in the next several hours.
Sad to see Albertus go, if only because of his Harry Potter name.
pretty good deal if you ask me. I’m surprised at the moderate return players are getting in terms of prospects
also glad no Noah Miller
heyman reports Yankees offered Cortes for Edman.
sounds weird
This was an October move, because Edman had a rehab setback with an ankle injury.
But it does prove that there is not a utility player that AF does not covet. I am not saying that Edman is not an upgrade over Kiké or CT3, but is he a necessity? Last year he played primarliy SS (+4 OAA) and CF (+5 OAA). OF OAA was +7. Outman had +8 OAA in CF and +9 OAA in OF.
He does not have good postseason numbers.
Michael Kopech relies on 5 pitches.
Four Seamer (79.0%), Cutter (10.5%), Slider (10.2%), Changeup (0.1%), Fastball (0.1%).
This also proves that there is not a pitcher who throws hard that AF does not covet. Kopech throws hard. Just not very efficient or effective. For the season, 43 games, 43.2 IP, 59 K, 24 BB, 8 HR, 4.74 ERA, 4.82 FIP, 1.351 WHIP, 9 saves, 5 blown saves, 2 of 7 inherited runners have scored. But there is “hope”…In his last five games, 5.2 IP, no runs, 1 hit, 1 BB, 8 K, faced 2 batters over the minimum.
The cost was Miguel Vargas (good for Vargas), and two infield prospects, as if the Dodgers were overloaded with infield prospects.
#17 – Jeral Perez – 2B (age 19)
#23 – Alexander Albertus – 2B/3B (age 19)
I withold judgement on this deal, because there has to be more coming. This is not an impactful trade, and now LAD has 2 less top 30 prospects.
Plus I just read on the Dodger site the cards and white Sox are receiving cash considerations. B4 it is over the dodgers will b paying everyone. It seems AF has to pay to get anyone to trade with him. Sharpening his chess game.
The great Craig G on the Edman deal:
I’m writing this up, but my initial take is that Edman might be valuable defensively but I am also not convinced he’s that good a hitter at this point and they have glove-only types. Vargas was a poor roster fit, and the prospects are interesting but dispensable. So I get it, but I don’t feel great about it. If you’re just adding a third version of Enrique/CT3 to the roster (better defensively, admittedly), I’m not sure how much that improves things. Getting Ahmed off the roster is good, but presumably was only a short-term issue anyway.
Kopech has upside, but (and this sounds dumb bc their bullpen has been the worst in July) the pen is kinda full-ish? Hudson is healthy, Kelly is back, Honeywell…keep him. Graterol and Brasier working back soonish…idk. Maybe you end the Banda experiment, but he’s the 2nd LHP
Cannot disagree. On its own, this does not make a lot of sense. So there has to be more…right? A utility player and a non high leverage hard throwing reliever. I thought the Dodgers had that market covered.
There’s got to be more. The needle remains stationary.
I think a few needles have been shared.
I don’t get the love for Kopech. His career and this year WHIP is worse than league average same goes for his HR/9 career and this year. Last year his WHIP and HR/9 was even worse than this year with a bigger sample size. HR’s can kill you in the playoffs and that’s why I wanted the Dodgers to get relief pitcher Pete Fairbanks. I’ve never though of Kopech being a needle mover. Flaherty is way better than Kopech.
I didn’t even mention Edman. Yes he’s an upgrade over the other utility guys the Dodgers have, but he’s nothing more than league average this year and league average his whole career except his rookie year that bloats his career stats to slightly above this year’s league average. So we’re getting league average and worse than league average players. I don’t care about Vargas, I always thought he was overhyped since he was first brought up in 2022 when I saw serious deer in headlights from him, but use him to trade for better than what the Dodgers got for him.
He is Kike-Taylor part 3.
Hard for me to see what the White Sox are doing, but this is classic AF.
Edman had a 6.3 WAR in 2022. Value probably low because of injury. Kopech is a hard thrower who the Dodgers will teach a sweeper or change to, and add horizontal movement.
Really hope team isn’t done dealing.
IF they can teach him what you say the guy would be a shutdown closer in the Gagne mold. But will he help this year ?Doubtful. Same for Edman.Strange trade.
Go Dodgers°°°°°°°°°°°°°
Per Josh Thomas:
One last note on the two prospects the Dodgers sent out, Alexander Albertus and Jeral Perez – 2.5 years ago they signed for under $500k, combined. And this was in the same class that saw them land Josue De Paula for under $400k. Good scouts are worth their weight in gold.
Havent the Dodgers considered adding a ground ball specialist for the bullpen? I remember they had Scott Alexander years ago, but he couldn’t find the strike zone half the time. Keeping balls in the park is valuable in October. swing and miss guys are great, but they have to have some kind of answer for keeping Harper and Bohm in the park in the playoffs.
Scott Andes
‘Keeping the balls in the park is valuable in October”
I agree bigtime and I said the same thing in my post above. This trade baffles me.
Fun piece, Rob. Thanks for coming off the bench with Jeff and Bear out of action.
The reports of the Dodgers getting Edman and Kopech look like a step forward to me, but I’ve yet to read who they are giving up besides Vargas.
Edman is coming off an injury, but he’s a switch-hitter who won a Gold Glove and has been a better UT guy than Taylor and Kike in recent years. Kopech’s numbers are pretty bad, but I assume the Dodgers have scouted him well and believe he’s another pitcher they can fix.
Have to assume there are bigger deals in the works. Crochet? Flaherty? Robert? Rooker?
It seems fitting that Mark would “go fishing” just before his son Miguelito leaves the Dodgers.
The other day, somebody recycled on LADT a post Mark had made a few years back in which he suggested that Vargas should bat 3rd, just ahead of Belli, with a slumping Mookie further down. Just a ridiculous lineup.
Anyway, it was a hanging curve and I took a mighty swing, seeking to repay him for his gratuitous, belittling insults of various posters over the years. The incivility of Mark’s blog inspired me to be incivil as well–but I’m pretty sure I only directed it at Mark in the defense of others.
It was funny how Mark would insist that he didn’t have favorites after he would repeatedly lavish praise on Vargas’s abilities and denigrate the play of Outman, a putative rival. To be fair, the Dodgers brass also overestimated Vargas. They should have traded him years ago.
But I certainly wish the best for Vargas and Mark.
Actually, Mark was included in the trade with Vargas.
He’s now doing a White Sox blog.
This is going to be great for Miguel. He’ll get to play every day at a position that won’t tax him defensively. Let’s just hope Edman works out well for us. He may very well turn into everything we’d hoped CT/Kike would be. Or not.
Haha, good one STB.
He hung out his gone fishing shingle. I don’t know if Mark knows how to bait a hook.
Maybe not but he was able to bait a commenter.
Poor Chicago, hopefully they flip him for some peanuts and a bobblehead.
STB 😂
and a blogger to be named later.
Duke
Good post as always from you about Mark. I think that post you pointed out that Mark posted in the past that had Vargas batting 3rd and the way Vargas has been playing that suggests Vargas has been overhyped got to Mark and that’s why he shut down his blog. I was one of the ones he belitted and he belittled me bigtime for saying what I said in 2022 about his favorite player at the time Vargas. It may turn out I was right all along and I took all of that belittling for being right all along. This is why I have said on his blog countless number of times that I’ve been attacked and attacked visciously by Mark over opinions I’ve had that were controversial at the time because I dare say something bad about a prospect highly rated like I did about not only Vargas but also Cartaya in 2021 BEFORE he imploded in 2022 in AA. I only attacked back because I got sick and tired of taking the attacks for as long as I did. You would think I would get a little respect for my opinions, especially when those opinions turn out to be right and I’m talking about other opinions I’ve had too. I’m not gloating if you read this post carefully, and I’m saying that to anyone who thinks I am.
The Sporting News is saying the Dodgers are close you trading for Kikuchi.
Just read that. Justin Turner traded to the Mariners.
Haha, Justin Turner was just in the game playing 1b for Toronto about 20 min ago.
He was pulled from the game. And sent packing!!!!
Who is the reporter?
Justin Turner just traded to the Mariners. Just like AF to trade for a guy who is still on the IL and won’t be ready to play for a while. Isn’t the defender Ahmed is.
AF playing chess again, while all others are playing checkers. According to the big fisherman. 😀
Go Dodgers!!!!!!!!!!!!!
It is going to be at least two weeks before Edman is anywhere close to being ready to play. He was shut down last week for soreness in his ankle. Don’t the Dodgers have enough walking wounded as it is?? And they did not address either of their major needs, a starting pitcher and an outfielder who can actually hit. I don’t think this is such a great trade at all. Mediocre if you ask me, but it does get Vargas out of town.
Wait tell the other part of the trade comes out. They are paying for all salaries lol that will be next. Mlb trade rumors can’t seem to figure it out.
PTBNL or cash to both the Cardinals and the Sox. High price for a broken-down infielder and a relief pitcher.
True
Hilarious!!!!
Dodger also get:
Oliver Gonzalez. a 17-year-old Panamanian right-hander who has logged 21.1 IP in the DSL this year. Signed for $400K in the most recent international class.
Yeah, he was just added and Miller removed.
Plus the Dodgers are adding a couple of PTBNL, one to each team.
Or cash according to some sites
It is always labeled as PTBNL or cash.
That’s interesting! Why is that?
PTBL or cash, I beleive.
400k is a tidy intl cost.
It is looking like it will not be Jack Flaherty coming to LAD. NYY is in deep talks with Detroit involving Nestor Cortes. Deal not done. Do not know any other detail.
Is Kikuchi the impact needle moving player we were led to believe AF was targeting?
Not a chance. He is ok, but not franchise changing. They must be expecting Yamamoto back soon. They should be all in. I read that Cortes is not part of the Flaherty talks. Just that the Yanks will deal him if it is completed.
I don’t know if AF can sneak in and get Flaherty but if he can I would like him to grab Matt Vierling also.
These trades from AF to me signals that Dodgers key players such as Yamamoto and Muncy and I might be forgetting another or others are not returning this year and AF is not willing to trade the prospect capital to move the needle since the Dodgers need a frontline starter to replace Yamamoto and probably another one, a good hitting outfielder, a good hitting 3B to replace Muncy and a platoon partner for Lux and possibly a good reliever. Maybe they don’t need all of that, but they need most of it.
Kikuchi=Paxton, why? Where is the improvement
I agree and that’s why I think AF is throwing in the towel of moving the needle and he’s getting players that might help, but not by much, because he’s not willing to trade the prospect capital to plug all the holes the Dodgers have, to possibly get knocked out of the playoffs by a hot team at the right time.
If he throws in the towel with a 6.5 game lead, he should be fired immediately. I do not think that is the case at all. I think what teams want for some of the top players is borderline ridiculous. Kikuchi is not Paxton. He does not walk a lot of batters. His WHIP is lower, he strikes out more than a batter an inning. He is 3 years younger. His ERA is a little higher and that is expected in the division he pitches in. He is on a really bad team at this point. If AF doesn’t pull the trigger on a major trade, it is going to be more about the price being way too high then him throwing in the towel. Yamamoto is throwing at distances of over 200 feet. So, he is progressing well. If he makes it back for the stretch run in September, that is great. He will be really fresh for the playoffs.
200 feet? What is he throwing, a javelin?
No, according to the video I saw, it was definitely a baseball. It is called long toss Fred.
Bear, I just took a quick glance at kikuchi’s era thanks for the other info, if you say he’s better I’ll take your word for it. The FO lead us all to believe there was going to be a player of bigger impact coming this way, Kikuchi seems to be a little bit of a let down. Not his fault we were expecting more
Well, they are entirely different styles of pitchers. Paxton got 8 wins because he played with a team that scored a lot of runs for him. And they needed to because of all of his walks. I still think they are trying to get an impact bat and arm. But they really needed to do that today so the player could be here for the Padres game tomorrow. Edman won’t be available. According to reports, he is at least 2 weeks away. And he is not doing great in his rehab assignment. Unless Freeman comes back tomorrow, they are going to be shorthanded this series. I cannot believe they are finished, although on Sports Center tonight, Passan implied that they do not really need to do anything else with Betts and possibly Yamamoto coming back. Graterol, Brasier and Grove have looked great in rehab. So, bullpen replacements are on the way, and they will be fresh arms.
That’s what I meant Bear. I said he is throwing in the towel of trying to get impact players. He’s getting league average players, below league average players and slightly better than league average players, but no needle movers/impact players.
This is nonsense.
getting knocked out by a hot team can and does happen to any team. Regardless of which pitchers or hitters are on the playoff roster.
I agree with this in some way, this year at least. I agree that there are little to no impact players on the trade market this year that will make much of a difference. That’s why if you don’t have the roster built correctly by spring training, in today’s trade market with expanded postseason, where everyone is in buying mode, then there’s little hope of improving the roster beyond the edges, or marginally.
with that said, I don’t think the Dodgers have much of a chance this year. The Phillies are far superior this year to the Dodgers. They’re pitching, starting, and relief, hitting, and game management are much better.
But we’re all hoping the Dodgers can figure something out.
Bluto
Are you talking to me? because if you are, you just said what I said.
I think they believe Kopech is that reliever. I don’t. We have to wait until the deadline passes to know exactly what moves he has made. I believe this is only the opening salvo.
Busy day for the Rangers, they made 11 roster moves today.
Dodgers are going to sign Matt Kemp to a one-day contract the 11th of August, his bobblehead night so Matt can officially retire as a Dodger. Nice, classy move by the team. They are giving out a Koufax, a Baker and a Kemp bobblehead on this next homestand against the Phillies, time for some payback, and the Pirates. Time for some payback there too. Bobbleheads still on tap, Teo, Shohei’s second, Phillips, Muncy, Kershaw.
If they don’t get the outfielder we need tomorrow, I think they should sign Kemp to a contract for the rest of the season. He might be an improvement over some of the guys we have out there now.
AF has just announced that he traded Vargas to free up uni #27.
Moral of story: prices are high
This will be the third biggest deal we make
Per ESPN:
White Sox GM Chris Getz does not sound overly pleased with how things have gone down with Garrett Crochet: “The communication had been very strong between Garrett and I and his agency. I was a little surprised and taken aback by how they went about it, considering I had a conversation with his agent the night before. That’s not exactly the tactic I would have taken, being a former player.”
Per Harris:
Fwiw, sources say the Dodgers are still in play for Crochet even after today’s trade
Per my my uninformed and simple mind:
I wonder if crochets comments or his agents comments have driven down the returns for the White Sox GM
I’m sure his value has dropped due to these contract extension demands. His value wasn’t just his current performance, but his 2-3 years of low contract numbers .
Now, if we have to pay him way more for 2025 and 2026, he’s worth less in prospect capital.
This comment by Bowden just adds to why no one should value his musings:
Definitely makes it harder to trade him at the deadline and shrinks the market for them. Crochet has options so if they don’t trade him they can always option him to minors for the rest of the season and save the service time. In addition, may have more suitors in the offseason.
J T will be returning to Dodger Stadium with the Mariners when they play LA in August.
Speaking of Crochet, if he does get moved to the Dodgers or another team, then refuses to play in the playoffs like he has threatened, he will be in noncompliance with his contract. If he does this he will kill his future earning potential, who wants to sign a player to a FA contract who refuses to play. Ultimately I think it is all hot air, he will pitch for whoever he’s playing for if that team is in the playoffs, anything else will be career suicide.
Agreed. If he would refuse to play, he would never get another MLB contract after his current one is up in 2026. He could join Bauer in Mexico.
I wish LA would sign Bauer. Talk about adding attitude.