When he first arrived on the scene, Gavin was supposed to be the next big thing. His skills as a hitter in the minors were well documented. The kid could definitely hit. Question at the time was could he play SS every day at the major league level.
But the team could not help but be impressed by his performance at AA and AAA in 2019. .347/.421/.607 with an OPS of 1.028. 26 homers and 76 driven in. He was called up and hit .240 in 23 games for the NL West Champs.
It was anticipated that he would get some playing time with the big club in 2020. But then the pandemic happened, and the plans were scrambled for every team. Lux did get into 15 games in the truncated season. He hit .175 with 3 homers and 8 driven in.
He got 1 at bat in the postseason, against the Padres in the NLDS. He struck out. With hopes of getting him more at bats with Seager entrenched at SS, the Dodgers had him playing in the outfield. He was also playing second base.
The Dodgers traded for Trea Turner at the deadline in 21, and Lux played 59 games at SS, 27 at second and 19 in the outfield in 21, He hit .242 in 102 games with 7 homers and 46 RBIs. He played in all 5 playoff games against the Giants and went 3-9. He was 0-5 against the Braves in the NLCS.
Seager left via free agency, but the Dodgers had Trea Turner move back to SS and Lux became the primary second baseman. He did get into 9 games at SS, but he played 28 games in the outfield. He improved at the plate and hit .276. He led the league in triples with 7.
Just before spring training in 23, it was announced that Lux would be the regular SS. But just in case, LA traded for Miguel Rojas to be his backup and mentor. But then during a spring training game, Lux tore his ACL and was ruled out for the season. A major setback for the player and the team.
Instead of trading for another SS, the Dodgers would use Rojas as the starter for a bulk of the games in 23. He would share time with Taylor when he was healthy, but Chris had injury issues of his own, so they reacquired Kike Hernandez and then traded for Amed Rosario. But Rajos got most of the work.
The 23-season ended for the team on a sour note. Lux in the meantime spent most of the year rehabilitating. Again, over the winter, many thought the Dodgers would sign a SS and move Lux to second. Instead, the Dodgers signed Teo, Ohtani and Yamamoto.
Management again named Lux the everyday SS and that is where things stood going into spring training. His DP partner would be Mookie Betts. Betts had been playing games at second at times during the 23 season, and he was very comfortable there.
Miguel Vargas, who had started at second in place of Lux in 23, was moved to 3rd and the outfield. Mostly the outfield with Muncy back at third. Lux once again had problems during spring training at SS and shortly before the season began, they moved him to second, and Betts became the starting SS.
We have watched this season as Lux had some trouble getting back to where he was as a hitter. It wasn’t until the second half that Lux seemed to finally find his stroke. Over the first 78 games, Gavin was hitting .213. He had 3 homers and 26 driven in.
The plus side was that he was playing good defense at second base. In July, his bat heated up. He hit .299 in July. He hit 4 homers and drove in 13 runs, in August, he hit .296 with 4 more homers and drove in 11 runs.
He has not been able to replicate that success in September. He is hitting .156 as of the second game in Miami. Now with their win over Miami today, the Dodgers are heading to the playoffs for the 12th consecutive year.
So, what is ahead for Lux as a Dodger? He will obviously get plenty of reps in this year’s playoffs. His performance will probably have a lot of impact on what role he might play in the future.
A lot will depend on where the Dodgers decide to play Mookie Betts next season. There is little doubt Mookie prefers the infield. But he also said how difficult the transition to SS was.
Will LA go after a free agent SS? Would they consider trading for someone like Bichette? The talent at SS in the system is in the low minors. Rojas is a better fit as an occasional starter there and other infield positions.
My personal feeling is that Lux might well be trade bait, especially if they can get a front-line starter in return. I have a feeling that Mookie will move back to the infield, but at second base, not SS. Betts is going to be 32 next season, and moving to the infield full time will take a lot of stress off of his legs running all over the outfield. And as noted, Mookie loves being closer to the action.
Lux’s future as a Dodger will be decided this winter. They could try the outfield experiment again, but Lux does not show enough power to be a full-time outfielder.
50-50
With maybe the best ever single game performance in Dodger history, Shohei Ohtani reached the 50-50 mark in homers and stolen bases. And he did that one better with 3 homers to reach 51 and 2 stolen bases to reach 51. He was 6-6 with 2 doubles, 3 homers, 10 runs driven in and he scored 4 runs. The Dodgers romped over the Marlins, 20-4. It was the Dodgers 91st win of the season, and they picked up one-half game on the Padres upping their lead to 4 games.
Is there any historical precedent for AF trading a player like Lux?
Is Busch an analogue? I don’t think so because he was a prospect not a young vet.
I bow to the greatness of Shohei! Wow! Save some for October!
Bluto, I can’t think of another example of AF trading a young, somewhat established position player. One reason is that, other than Will Smith, AF hasn’t developed another such player. You are right with the Busch question. Not the same. Likewise with Yordan Alvarez who was signed for 2 million dollars and within two weeks of signing was traded to Houston for a relief pitcher.
Verdugo? Bellinger? To a lesser extent Ruiz? Calhoun?
Bellinger was allowed to leave as a free agent after being non tendered. Ruiz had maybe a few games under his belt, but at the time of the trade he was one of their top prospects. Verdugo was the closest thing to a regular player he has traded that was that young. Vargas had a little over a full year as a player, but his stock had really fallen.
Bichette is only 26 and signed next year for $17 million. It was a disastrous season for him and Lux has been considerably better than him but where does he fit on this team. I’d consider that switch. Bichette in Lux out. Probably a conversation for winter but next season I think it might be time to move Mookie in and trade Lux. Heck I already traded him. Got a minor league starter that has come in handy the last several weeks.
I think Ohtani listened to my advice. He managed the strike zone much better today, don’t you think?
Save some advice for October
I have none left to give. Get a good pitch to hit, and hit it where it’s pitched. If everyone does just that, this team will score. And pitchers? Throw strikes and prepare to duck.
Good job, Badger.
Glad somebody got through to the guy.
You’re the man Badger! Keep the vibe going for another few weeks.
I cheated and read this before it was published, and wanted to comment. Admittedly I was very disappointed that the Dodgers chose Lux (and Mitch White) over Bichette, but once that was done, I was a Lux fan. I hoped that Seager would sign a long term extension and be the LAD SS for years. IMO, Lux was always destined for 2B.
After his disastrous start in 2024, he seemingly turned it around after a visit to his uncle Augie, at the ASB. It worked for two months, but he gives the impression that he is reverting back to his pre ASB at-bats. Maybe the Dodgers can bring out Uncle Augie before the playoffs.
I think Mookie moves back to 2B next year which is where he prefers. IMO it is irrelevant whether Mookie can play SS or CF. He is most comfortable at 2B and has said so. Since he is not a SS or OF, that makes Lux a prominent trade target for this winter. While Lux is no longer a prospect, assuming Mookie moves back to 2B, he also does not have a position and makes him available, as was Michael Busch.
But that is for the offseason speculation. For now, we are all hoping Gavin figures it out.
Good food for thought, Bear.
I agree that Mookie is destined to move back to the infield, and much more likely to move to second than shortstop.
Lux will not be our starting shortstop, nor do I think they will try the outfield thing with him again.
Only answer then is to trade him.
You mention that they might get a frontline pitcher for him. That’s where I disagree. They will never get a “frontline” pitcher in return for Lux. But I do see a trade in his future, not so much because they’ll give up on him, but rather because they will choose to make Mookie happy over Gavin.
Totally against trading Lux. team is already old as it is , Lux being the only regular in his mid 20s. Everyone else in the staring lineup more or less beyond 30.
Dodgers do not need to trade for a frontline starter. They will get Ohtani back and most likely Sasaki. Should resign Flaherty too.
Go Dodgers!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Mookie is a bit like Hamlet…
2B or not 2B?
(Sorry.)
If Mookie is 2B, I just don’t see a spot for Lux on the Dodgers. He’s a good second baseman, but best used in a platoon. His offensive surge gave us hope–but now he’s cooled off. So let’s call him a streaky platoon player.
He could be a mediocre UT guy–but the Dodgers already have better UT guys. Edman, Taylor, Kike, Rojas–all have much greater versatility and stronger arms than Lux. While Lux bats lefty, Edman is a switch hitter.
It’s true that the Dodgers aren’t a young team, but that’s no reason to hang on to Lux if he doesn’t have role beyond backing up Mookie at 2B and being a pinch hitter off the bench.
I’m not too worried about the middle infield next season. AF may opt to upgrade by acquiring Adames or ???–but the Dodgers will also have both Edman and Rojas under contract. Both are superb fielders. Edman and Rojas could essentially platoon at SS, with Edman shifting to CF against lefties.
Outman has played well in OKC and could share CF with Edman, with Pages in RF and maybe Rushing in LF. (From what I’ve read he’s doing OK out there.) Taylor would also be in the mix. And if AF doesn’t splurge on Adames, perhaps he’ll bring back Teo.
As for Shohei’s monster game….
Just ridiculous.
He has surpassed high expectations as a DH. And next season he’ll be part of a six-man rotation.
Perhaps he’ll even take the mound in October.
How many at bats will he get if he pitches every 6th day?
Ohtani has averaged 587 at bats a season. Even when he was pitching for the Angels. That is 678 plate appearances. He averages.376/42/106 with 26 steals. Avg OPS 936.
How about if the could trade for Bichette? Both he and Lux are 26. Bichette can play SS and Lux can’t. Allows Betts to 2B. Keeps Edman in CF and Pages to play RF. Hopefully, Rushing is ready for MLB, playing LF and as the third catcher. That leaves Barnes, Taylor, Rojas, Lipcius (?) on the bench. Or, maybe Freeland is ready to take the SS position next year. Try to move Lux and Outman for some more starting pitching. It appears that it could be necessary to have at least 15 of them available to get through a season.
Freeland is hitting .223 at AAA. He needs to do a lot better than that at the AAA level before he is even considered to be a SS in the majors.
Triple A is a small sample size. Baseball Prospectus column today has Freeman in it’s top 100.
He is in multiple top 100 PROSPECTS list. That does not mean he is ready for MLB. There are multiple lower level prospects in the top 100, including Josue De Paula, and he is not ready for MLB either. Too many fans (and I am not saying you are one) take MiLB results and prospect rankings, and try to extrapolate MLB success. I think you can tell by the subject of this article that MiLB results and prospect rankings do not necessarily translate into MLB success,
Alex Freeland may be a solid MLB SS someday, but not in the beginning of 2025.
I would not expect him until 2026 at the earliest. He will get some time in spring, but he needs at least a full year at AAA.
Sasaki has to be posted, so until that happens, he is not even on the list. If i were signing a free agent pitcher, it would be Burnes.
Maybe the player the Dodgers get for Lux will be younger than Lux.
I’m still interested in Royce Lewis to play third. I’d include Muncy and Lux for him and let Friedman figure out the other players that might be involved. That would create an infield of Freeman, Betts, Lewis, and Edmand. Rojas could play third while Lewis makes his visits to the 10 day IL.
Lux was playing outstanding second base until he wasn’t. I don’t see him going the other way in September.
I hope Outman could be the full time CF and I like Pages in RF and Teo in LF.
I have been touting Royce Lewis since before his initial ACL surgery, and was rightfully advised that Minnesota is not about to trade him. I knew that, but I watched Royce Lewis in High School as I did Hunter Greene who went #1 and #2 in the draft. Royce Lewis is not going to be traded to LAD. Maybe Jose Miranda or Edouardo Julien.
Just spit balling there Blue. To get a true frontline pitcher, they would need some sort of package. But they won’t even have to do that with the number of decent free agent pitchers who will be out there this winter. Sasaki has to be posted first and so far his team has not been inclined to do that. But Burnes, Buehler, Flaherty and even Snell will most likely be free agents and those are just the ones I remember off the top of my head. There was a story in Yahoo Sports yesterday that the Dodgers might bring Buehler back on a one-year deal if he shows enough in the playoffs.
Shoei Othani!What can you say?
Greatest player of all time ? A very good case can already be made .
Hits for power like The Babe, pitches like a Cy Young contender, runs the bases like Ty Cobb.
This guy already 3 HOF players rolled into one!
Go Dodgers!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I would wait until his career is over. And as far as pitching like a Cy Young contender, he hasn’t thrown a pitch in well over a year. Until he actually takes the mound, the Dodgers have no clue what he can do. Ty Cobb stole well over 900 bases in his career, and his season high was 96. Ohtani has a ways to go before he reaches those heights.
Since RBI became official in 1920, only one MLB player has had, over the course of his entire career (same game or not)
a game with 10 RBI
a game with 6 hits
a game with 5 XBH
a game with 3 HR
a game with 2 SB
That would be Shohei. And he did it all in a single game.
Pretty incredible stats for sure rodgerdodger. But, all accomplished in one game? No way. Well, WAY!
And to think he was a couple of feet in hitting a HR in his first AB. That would have been four HRs in a game! Like Joe Davis commented to have Ohtani have an offensive game like he did and add the historical aspect of a 50/50 season is other worldly. It’s always fun to watch history being made in baseball.
All in one game. Greatest single game performance in history. And some of us were there (here) to see it. I hit rewind a half dozen times, paused the moment of contact and snapped a photo of it and sent it to all of my friends. And he was grateful.
One game. It’s over. 30 or so to go. Gotta keep grinding.
Dang, I didn’t get that picture from you Badger.
Another cool stat I found is he is the 16th player in MLB history to have 10 or more RBI. A record 12 RBI happened twice.
Can you name the players that did that?
Wilbert Robinson
Jim Bottomley
Tony Lazzeri
Phil Weintraub
Rudy York
Walker Cooper
Norm Zauchin
Reggie Jackson
Fred Lynn
Mark Whiten
Nomar Garciaparra
A Rod
Garret Anderson
Anthony Rendon
Scooter Gennett
Mark Reynolds
Shohei Ohtani – he was actually #17.
Bottomley and Whiten are the two guys with 12 driven in during a game.
Quietly, through it all, Tommy Edman has been rock solid since they traded for him.
Getting Edmund and the others at the trade deadline is enough for Andrew to be exec.of the year. Oh and he did sign our new DH.
This is a rite of passage for Dodger fans, every trade deadline the community’s eyes and anxieties grow and they forget history.
more times than not, the front office gets a Darvish, Machado, Turner, Flahrety, etc.
once and a while Eduorado Rodriguez says no.
It’s fun in hindsight and anticipation, it’s horrible for the month of the trade deadline with fear and anxiety
And they have Tommy next year for sure as well. In my opinion they should try to extend him a bit more if he’s willing.
100% agree. Edman is a baseball player. As is Miggy Ro. Proof that you do not have to look at the back of baseball cards to learn how valuable a player is. Defense matters, and these two are doing it with their bats, legs, and baseball IQ as well.
Thanks for this write up Bear. It will be interesting to see what becomes of Lux this offseason. It certainly seems like in order for Betts to move back to the infield Lux will have to be moved. I was a fan of Lux the first couple of years with the Dodgers. Many were disappointed with him because he was a superstar right from the get go. I was OK with him being a solid, everyday 2B. But, even that hasn’t happened. He gives off a bad vibe to me. His performance a couple of games ago was really head scratching. I think his issues are between his ears. He seems to lose focus.
It may have been discussed but I have not heard it anywhere as of yet. If Ohtani had a hook slide into 3rd base, he would have also hit for the cycle yesterday.
I think all of our opinions on what it would take to make one of the greatest players ever to play the game even better is pretty ridiculous.
Well, I look at it this way Ohtani has great tools. With a little plate discipline, he could be even better and that would be scary. I look at strikeouts as wasted at bats. They do absolutely nothing for the team. Anyone, striking out 150 times a season plus, is wasting at bats. Might be ridiculous to you, but it makes perfect sense to me. Babe Ruth struck out a ton, but he still managed to average .342 a year. But better than that, his career OPS is 1.164. His OPS+ 207. Between Ohtani and Teo, they have struck out 336 times. About 1/4 of the team’s total for two players. Ohtani has done some amazing things this season, I am not denying that. But one of the greatest to play the game? Please, the guy has been in the majors for 7 years. Call me when he does it for 15.
Lux is one of our younger guys and cheap so they keep him. He is a platoon player who hit 2 months and has generally been good as a defender. He is serviceable with not an exorbitant salary. When hot he hits righties but can’t hit lefties. I just hope he can be hot in the playoffs. I think we could move him for a younger piece moving Mookie to second. If Mookie wants second base they move him. He doesn’t move the needle for me.
Lux has very little power which means he has to rely on BA. If BA is in the tank he has nothing offensively unlike Muncy.
I was reminded this morning, by podcast, that Texas basically with two starters (Montgomery and Eovaldi) and three relievers.
in 2016 Cleveland just used three starters and three relievers to great success.
Teams whittle down staffs and get lucky with hitting.
lets hope the Dodgers can.
True. We need 1 pitcher to be Bumgarner or Hershiser, and the rest can just do their jobs.
Let’s hope it’s our turn to have things go right in Oct and not have the whole team go into a slump once the calender hits Oct.
Not sure we need anything that exemplary
Per Hembekides:
Never hit 50 HR in a season: Henry Aaron, Albert Pujols, Frank Robinson, Harmon Killebrew, Reggie Jackson
Never stole 50 bases in a season: Paul Molitor, Omar Vizquel, Derek Jeter, Rod Carew, Willie Mays
Good baseball pro article on Will Smith’s improvement in throwing runners out and how that has negatively impacted his framing.
in the eyes of the analytically inclined this is a negative:
($$$$)
https://www.baseballprospectus.com/news/article/93921/cold-takes-will-smith-found-a-new-strength/
Couldn’t get past the paywall but I maintain my position on framing. It’s testament to poor umpiring. The strike zone has nothing to do with the catcher.
The catcher definitely affects the strike zone as called. With the technology available it shouldn’t be that way; but, it is.
Will has been great, but he made three stinkers in this series.
Well, when we go to an ABS system framing will become much, much less important if important at all
Abs is still a couple years away most likely. Then they have to decide if they are going to use the challenge system like they do at AAA, or go all the way in.
It’s been a while since I played fantasy baseball. But the elite hitters in that scoring system scored 6 ppg or so.
4 points for a homer, 3 for triple etc.
1 for a run. 1 for an RBI.
2 for a SB.
By my math Ohtani had 35 points in last night’s game LOL. I mean, it’s like having a 100 point game in the NBA. It never happens.
Alvin Kamara once had a six TD game I think
Probably the closest thing to this from a football perspective eh?
The Rams once traded 10 players for one, Ollie Matson.
I think Mookie moves back to 2B next year which is where he prefers. IMO it is irrelevant whether Mookie can play SS or CF. He is most comfortable at 2B and has said so. Since he is not a SS or OF, that makes Lux a prominent trade target for this winter. Jeff D.
I agree completely with Jeff’s rationale.
Lux lacks range at 2nd and seems to be a deer in the headlights during most of his at bats.
Fred, regarding Lux’s range as you mentioned. He does not possess good feet at 2nd which will always separate him from more skilled infielders. His lack of turning routine double plays, gives opponents an extra out and affects pitch counts. He is an adequate defender at best and needs to hit RHP to be valuable in the long term with the Dodgers. Mookie’s decision on where he wants to play; right field or second base will decides Lux’s future.
I agree with Fred. It seems obvious to me the Dodgers want to make older Mookie happy, so he should be at 2B and definitely not SS.
As for who plays SS…that is very easy….Edman and Rojas can platoon. Rojas can also play SS if Edman is playing CF. Either way, we don’t need to look for another SS, especially the guy in Chicago.
Okay, let’s move on to RF. I propose Pages and Outman to share the job and if Edman is playing SS, maybe both can play, or get another bat to add to the mix. Do we have one in Oklahoma?
I sure hope we extend Hernandez in LF. Besides being a clutch hitter, he is the ultimate team player and a very positive guy to have in the locker room. Don’t let him go.
Lastly, what to do with Lux? Either he is a back up or you look to trade him.
Is this all clear? If not, let me know. -TM
Dodgers will regret trading Yarbrough. He was the one guy in the pen capable of pitching multiple innings. They will also regret cutting Heyward loose. Although Kiermaier has been a solid defender, Heyward has had some bit hits for the Astros. Other players they traded have not fared so well. Sweeney is hitting .224 in Detroit, but he does have 4 bombs, and he has played solid D at SS. Miguel Vargas has been a total bust in Chicago. He is hitting .110 for the Sox.
Yarbs had a role, but he doesn’t miss enough bats for the post-season.
Kiermaier is very hard to watch with a baseball bat in his hands. A contact hitter that is 9-55 with LA and strikes out 40% of the time.
I said that all along.👍
I recall Shawn Green having a monster game against the Brewers. Can’t remember how many total bases but 17 keeps coming to my mind.
Green actually had a 19 total base game. 6 hits including 4 HR, a double, and single. Plus he had another 17 total base game.
Passed Hodges who had 4 homers and a double in his game.
I do believe they go after Adames or Francisco Liriano in the off season to get there shortstop set then move Rojas and like Kiki to play second base and Edman moves to Centerfield or floats around becoming the new Chris Taylor but better. Betts stays in Rightfield and they have to resign Teoscar and Pages just is there to play anywhere in the outfield and they have to get starting pitching that won’t have arm problems so ohtani Yamamoto Stone Flarethy and who else I say Max Fried or maybe someone else but let Kershaw go and Buehler will go to the Giants how about the take a stab at Corbin Burnes but get pitchers that won’t get hurt that woild be the off season for the didgers and find out why the have so many pitchers needing Tommy John surgury
A. You mean Lindor. Lindor is under a long-term deal with the Mets, he is going nowhere. He has 238 million dollars owed to him. Adames is a free agent; he would cost nothing but money. Bichette has one year left on his deal with the Jays. He is also just 26 and could be a trade target. B. Kike is a free agent and most likely gone since Taylor is under contract for one more year and Rojas has a team option. C. Betts will most likely become the second baseman full time. He likes the infield better and there is less wear and tear on his legs. D. Edman has one year left on his deal, he is going to most likely be the super-utility player since he can play the OF and 2 infield positions. Teo is going to get at least 4 years from somebody. Doubtful that is the Dodgers. Both Rushing and Pages will get some time in the corner outfield spots. Pitching will be their #1 priority this offseason, they will rebuild the pen with guys like Kelly, and Hudson most likely gone. Treinen might be gone too. If Sasaki gets posted, he will be a target for sure. Problem with free agent players is you are not assured of getting any of them. Burnes would be nice, so would Fried. Kersh has a player option. Buehler, if he shows enough the rest of the year, might get a one-year make good contract so he could improve his chances of a big deal in free agency. I do not think they put Edman in center full time, which leads me to believe if James Outman is not the CF, they will trade for one or sign a free agent CF who has some defensive skills. That for sure isn’t Pages.
I think Teo might take a 3 year deal from the Dodgers over a 4 year deal elsewhere. He strikes me as a guy who really doesn’t put money first in every decision he makes. That said, I’m not 100% certain AF would even give him 3 years, but if he would, I think Teo comes back.
I like Bradley’s suggestion of Liriano as our new shortstop. He’d come extremely cheap since it’s very hard for a 40 year old left hander to get a decent contract to play shortstop, especially since he’s never played there.
Not with 238 million left on that deal, and he is having the best year since he signed with the Mets. They most likely will lose Alonso to free agency unless he gets a massive deal, and they have no replacement for Lindor. They will most likely add since their owner has deep pockets rather than get rid of one of their best hitters.
He will be 37 when that deal is done.
Not sure if you read my comment, Bear. I was talking about Liriano, not Lindor.
I thought Mariano was a right handed relief pitcher.
My bad, and you are right, Liriano was a pitcher.
Lol
I ment the Mets shortstop because at the trade deadline his name came up as a shortstop tgen tge Mets got hot. So it’s addames Bichette or Rojas Edman for shortstop and a outfield of Pages outman and rushings now veterans in thr outfield and taylor next year what about Ward who leads AAA in homeruns I woukd like max Fried jack Flarethy Ohtani Yamamoto Sheehan and Gonsolin and you still gave Stone as your staters next year. But tge bug splash eoukd be to get Corbin Burnes.
If they would have wanted, they would have called Ward up this year. He is 27 and not really a prospect. I doubt they will go with an outfield of Rushing, Pages and Outman. They will add an outfielder or two.
Freidman threw some ice water on those thinking Ohtani might pitch in the playoffs. He told Bill Plunkett of the Orange County Register that Ohtani pitching in the playoffs was not really an option. He said that pitching wise, this is like January to him, and he is barely a year removed from having TJ surgery.
Who will be the starter tonight ?
Casparius ? Wrobleski?
Go Dodgers!!!!!!!!!!!!!
They have not called anyone up. Honeywell could get the opener thing.
Need someone to shoulder the bulk innings then.
I am pretty sure they will sent down Logue and call up Wrobleski or Casparius.
Go Dodgers!!!!!
Logue was sent down and they recalled Casparius.
Those who wanted the Dodgers to trade for Crochet, he is 0-4 over his last 7 games with an ERA of 7.32. 0-7 over his last 15 games, ERA well above 4.
Edman would be one of the best utility players in baseball if AF could build a team that pushes him to a utility guy.
I think Lux is traded in the off-season.
Outman has good defense in CF and good hitting against RHP despite what he did this year and I think Doc got in his head. Doc won’t let him hit against LHP which is a shame because he has a small sample. I think AF is looking to keep a loaded offense in 2025 and look for a Juan Soto offer in the off-season, possibly a Bichette offer. Soto and Bichette fit the profile of an AF position player. It will be a shame if Outman doesn’t get a shot to be an everyday outfielder next year on a loaded offensive team.
Did you see I mentioned Outman’s defense? I do care about defense even though nobody believes I do, but I want hitting also in that player, that’s why I’m not bitching about Rojas or even Edman.
I see Mark over there on his blog is still taking cheap shots at me. All over what I said about Miguel Vargas between 2022 and 2023. What a pathetic guy. Take a look at what Vargas has done in Chicago and for that matter his career. Mark thinks he knows it all, but he’s a narcissist pathetic know it all childish little boy. I tried to make peace with him, but he couldn’t and wouldn’t do it. Simple equation: Respect my opinions, don’t say smart ass shit to me and don’t attack me = I won’t bother you.
The starting pitching in the playoffs is probably going to be a weakness, but the bullpen is strong, but it will have a hole or 2. The team’s destiny will be determined by Doc’s bullpen decisions in the playoffs. Hope for the best.
If they went after Bichette, it would have to be via a trade. He has one year left on his deal. I also have thought that they might take a run at Soto since he is only 26. He is a natural RF, so they could easily move Mookie to second and trade Lux. But I also think getting some solid starting pitching this offseason will be one of the main targets. I am tired of guys on Mark’s site taking pot-shots at our posters here.
Soto would be fantastic, but with the Ohtani, Betts, and Freeman contracts on the ledgers I’d be surprised if they go that route, plus the Yankees can’t afford to let him leave, look at the difference in that team from 2023 to 2024, they are relavent again. The Yanks need to pay him whatever it takes to keep him, which will be north of 400 mil, maybe more, who knows.
I would bet the casualty in all of that is going to be Verdugo. His attitude hasn’t changed much.
I see where both of you (Eric and Bear) think AF might take a real shot at Soto this winter. I totally disagree. Sure, he’ll let the Dodgers be brought up as a suitor to drive the price up, but no way I see him paying what Soto will get. On top of that, I really think Soto loves it in NY and will sign with one of the two NY teams. The Yankees are at the point where they almost have to pay him whatever he wants. Think of what their fans would do if the Mets swooped in and grabbed him.
So there you go, we seem to have differing viewpoints on this one, but after all, that’s what we all come here for, to put our opinions out there and defend them, waiting for the ultimate answer.
I agree with yours and Keith’s points that the Yankees are going to try to keep Soto, but I don’t see the Mets getting him. Depending on what the Yankees do in the playoffs, I think will determine if Soto stays with the Yankees. He might see the Dodgers as a long-term winning team and not the Yankees. But then again I could be wrong.
Bear you’re right, Bichette is signed through 2025. God, I hope AF doesn’t get Willie Adames, he’s a platoon player. Truthfully, I don’t think AF is going to go for him. I think the stories that were written about AF having interest in him was all speculation. But then again I could be wrong.
i’d love it if AF would get Bichette with an extension. Just about every baseball player has a down year and this is the first down year for Bichette. A lot of times I’ve been wrong on how much prospect capital it takes to get players. My guesses have been too high. But I have no idea if AF is going to trade for him.
I tend to agree with you STB about Soto adding too much to the payroll to make his acquisition viable. I think the Yankees with break the bank to keep Soto and Judge in that lineup.
I really have changed my mind about Soto. I couldn’t stand the guy that played in that shit-show in SanDiego with fellow hotdogs Machado, Tattis and Profar. But I’ve not seen any of that behavior in New York. Judge is such a class-act I don’t think the Yankees would put up with Soto’s old act. I now like the guy and if AF could make that happen, it would be something.
But as Bear mentioned this off season had to be all about pitching; especially starting pitchers who are not reclamation projects. We need to get younger and take a serious look at how we bring along young pitching in the minors.
Next year’s rotation already has:
Glasnow, Yamamoto, Stone and at least one of: Gonsolin/sheenan/Miller
beyond that: knack, may, frasso will be back and in line to pitch.
you can say they can all go back to the minors, but the 40 doesn’t really align with that.
its also unlike AF to trade players at low relative value
The biggest issue with Soto is his agent Scott Boras. AF doesn’t sign Boras clients to long term contracts. One year for JD Martinez jumped in on Snell when his value was dropping. I just don’t see a Soto signing. I would like a Bichette and Varsho package with Jays but I don’t think either will be available until the trade deadline when Jays are struggling to reach .500
It would be hard to count on:
Glasnow who knows he may have surgery again. They don’t tell u anything and then out of the blue he needs a second Tommy John.
stone-who knows what’s wrong with him.
Yamamoto- he has been hurt most of the year
May- who knows if he ever pitches again
Sheehan- he won’t be back for probably 18 months then how many more to be ready
Frasso- injury prone when we got him
Miller- after this year how could u possibly count on him?
Gonsolin- mb
knack- your best bet
that is a very shaky bunch to depend on.
Ohtani might b an option but look at Buehler. Second tj Buehler was going to come back last year and he is still not recovered n may never b.
i don’t have any confidence that these names will hold up over a season.
Fair, but kind of irrelevant.
those pitchers are going to be on the 40 and could be healthy for 70% of the season.
per Soto, I have a better chance of being a Dodger than he does.
I agree they are not going after Soto and u r right these pitchers will be on the 40 man. My point is the pitching is a major concern. I don’t know what they do about it. It is not irrelevant it is most relevant. If they don’t want to end up like the last 2 years they better have a new plan because this is not working.The 8 on the field with Ohtani, freeman, Betts, Muncy, edman, smith is a very solid core. They can have the star names pitching but not one of them have proven they can make it through a full season. The bullpen has been a revolving door because the starters have been unable to handle an average workload. What are the odds anyone on this staff throws 150 innings? The odds would be very high against it.
Well it will not be Sheehan whose TJ surgery was May 16. The earliest he gets back is at the All Star Break, and that is for rehab.
Wrobleski will also be a consideration. I am going to believe the reports that I have read (sorry Bluto I did not write them down) that Ben Casparius will move to the bullpen and may get a legit chance at breaking with the MLB team at ST.
Frasso will get a legit shot if his shoulder holds up. Knack has earned the right to be high in the discussion. Miller is going to need a different psychological makeup if he is going to be considered. Gonsolin has to be considered, but May is more likely to be a high leverage reliever. His balls to the wall mentality make it unlikely he can be a long term starter (IMO).
Also IMO, the Dodgers will be targeting starting pitching next winter via FA or trade.
Casperius up, Logue down
The pitching conversation: The medical and training staff need to be fired, I’m sorry for saying that, but this is ridiculous how many Dodger pitchers go down to injury. Also somebody or some people in the minors need to teach these minor league pitchers while they’re in the minors how to pitch like Greg Maddux instead of relying on throwing hard, if it’s possible and let them go 7+ innings in the minors to get them ready for MLB.
Stop calling for people to be fired. It’s silly since we know nothing about medicine and poor form.
there is lots of reporting about the pitching “industry” moving to missing bats. That’s decidedly not the Maddux approach.
its an interesting question how Maddux would fare in today’s game
I do not think it is the medical and training staff. The Dodgers are not the only team to suffer the injuries. I say that acknowledging that the Dodgers had more than their share. But if Glasnow does need another surgery, I would have to reconsider that opinion.
They look for players that throw hard even if they have been injured. They draft 3-4-5 pitchers each year who were well thought of before their injuries. With where they are drafting they are trying to draft these players late and hope at least one of them comes through. Wrobleski was one of those guys.
I do not know the answer to the proper development strategy for MiLB pitchers. If I did, someone would hire me. But I agree that something has to change. The affiliates play a 6 game series (Tuesday – Sunay) each week, so have a 6-man rotation for each affiliate.
Trainers certainly can influence positive change. Here is a report on Luis Severino and his resurgence this year with NYM:
We cannot really say who is to blame (if anyone) if we do not know the regimen and advice these players are given.
That catch on Charlie Blackmon’s fly ball is one BIG reason as to why Mookie will play 2B in 2025.
True
surprised that wasn’t the end of his season. Still might end up out of the game.
I can’t tell who I am less excited to see (non-Bobby Miller) in the playoffs:
Chris Taylor or Joe Kelly
per Craig G:
BB, 2B, BB, FC (RBI), K, HBP, K
possibly the platonic ideal of a Joe Kelly inning
Bluto, where is your sunny disposition on the LAD players. He only allowed 1 run. 😃
https://x.com/azfreedman/status/1837317548905279641?s=46
Trading Lux would be a colossal mistake unless they got proven talent back. Anyone who has coached for a while knows that the player usually comes full circle on the second year after a horrific injury. That has been seen through professional sports since professional sports started. That been said some players never come back. My bet is Lux comes back stronger, It take time to recover missing a full season at an elite level. Keep Lux unless you can get a 1-3 rotation starter.
Lux can only play 2B. He is a competent 2B and you may be right that he will take off in 2025. It took Ronald Acuña Jr. a full year to fully recover from his ACL (mentally and physically). But if Mookie wants to play 2B, Mookie is going to play 2B. Lux would be more valuable as a trade chit than as a bench/PH role with LAD.
Andy Pages is making a statement.
A player I have been following since he was signed out of the DR in 2018 is RHP Jerming Rosario. He was signed with Diego Cartaya and Alex De Jesus. Jerming was promoted to OKC to finish off the season, and pitched 5.0 innings (93 pitches) in Salt Lake City tonight, certainly not a pitcher’s paradise. He allowed 4 runs on 3 hits, 6 BB, and 5 K. With Wrobleski (23), Ferris (20), Rosario (22) all likely OKC starters to start 2025, and with Chris Campos (23) just behind, there should be plenty of depth next year as well. Jared Karros just behind Campos. There are multiple reliever options that will be considered, including Edgardo Henriquez who should make the team out of ST.
I will talk more on this when I do an autopsy of the LAD affiliates for 2024.
I look forward to that.
Woo-Hoo!! Big win. Dodgers now 4 games up on the Brewers for the #2 seed.
I didn’t get to watch the game, so I’m just commenting based on the box score.
I’m surprised Edman didn’t start at 2B instead of Kike, Edman hits LHP better.
Glad to see Pages starting against a LHP, he got a HR. It’s hard to ignore his slashline against LHP .357/.396/.520/.916
Three HR’s given up by the bullpen, can’t let that happen in the playoffs. I don’t feel like checking if Doc went against the stats with his bullpen decisions.
Bullpen game, all of the HR’s were solo shots, but in a regular postseason game the pen is not going to pitch all 9 innings.
Ok I checked, Doc made the RIGHT bullpen decisions. Vesia’s splits this year are pretty much the same, but in his career he’s better against LHB and a LHB nailed him for a HR. Hudson’s split in his career are pretty much equal, but this year he’s better against LHB and he got nailed by a LHB for a HR. Kopech in his career AND this year is better against LHB and a LHB nailed him for a HR. In this case it’s on the 3 relievers because Doc put them in the best position to succeed.
I want to add Joe Kelly sucks and unfortunately with all the injuries he will be on the playoff roster. In one of my other posts I mentioned there will be one or two holes in the bullpen and Joe Kelly will be one of them. I count 10 average to solid pitchers plus one hole named Joe Kelly. The other 2 spots to be determined and probably will be holes too. Not to mention the average pitchers and a lot of higher than league average home run allowers that can kill you in the playoffs. Thankfully there is a powerful offense.
Considering the fact that the Rockies had runners at second and third with no outs, and loaded the bases with one out, Kelly did a damn good job cleaning up his own mess. They could have very easily been down 4-0.
Dodgers might not sign Soto, but I would be willing to bet they kick the tires on him. Would be foolish not too. Umpire tonight was awful. I saw at least 10 pitches called strikes that were balls. Considering it was a bullpen game, the pen did well. 3 homers were all solo shots. Pages is still no centerfielder.
It’s been said a gazillion times, Pages is sub-par in CF. Let’s give it a rest.
Since the inception of the DH, I have been a proponent of one guy as the permanent DH, in the lineup, every day. Just put him in the lineup and leave him alone. No platooning banjo hitters or giving a regular a day. Make it a real position. A weapon.
I thought Edgar Martinez was my guy. The prototypical guy for what a DH should be.
Now it’s Edgar 5.0. Shohei impacts a game like no other player ever and from a DH position. Nobody’s ever been this hot.
*I admit I dislike bullpen games. But last night was very entertaining. Our sometimes maligned bullpen got through 9 innings with 3 runs scored and 14 or 15 K’s.
There aren’t many MLB bullpens that can do that.
Some thoughts:
*I’ve had enough of Joe Kelly (this version is Joe, not Joseph). He’s just an untrustworthy Head-Case.
*Graterol looks great. I think his stuff is improved. Remember back when he had trouble finishing off a hitter? The reason was, that while his fastball is 100, it was straight. Well that’s not what I’m seeing now. His fastball has some serious arm-side run. I’m not sure what he changed, like a grip, but his fastball has new life.
*Some Fans give Pages grief for his “interesting”play in center, but he’s not a centerfielder and he can hit LHP. He needs to be on the playoff roster for this very reason. If he never sees the defensive field, this playoff season, fine but he needs to a a LHB off the bench.
*A lot has been speculated here about Teoscar’s future. I think Bear and others think he will be too expensive for the Dodgers with a 3 or 4 year deal. Probably true but I’d love to see him back. I think he has been better than expected. Yes, he strikes out a lot. The Dodgers knew that by his record with the Mariners. But he’s flourished here like he never could in another situation. Maybe he would consider a Dodger offer to stay with the club?
*I swear when I saw the Rockies lineup and saw Chuck Nasty in the lineup, I knew he’d do something. I thought, every time I see this guy, he homers. He owns us.
Sure enough, he hit one out.
Later, the announcers said that Chuck is in 5th place among active players, against the Dodgers, with 25.. I thought so.
*So when the Rockies put in the RHP, bottom 7, obviously KIke was coming out. So Doc had his pick of left-handed 2nd baseman. He chose Edman over Lux.
*Edman just a baseball player. I love this guy. He does everything correctly on the field that allows him to maximize his skills. He impacts the game by out hustling his opponent. Even the slide into 2nd on his steal was perfect. Face away from the catcher’s throw, front foot straight to the bag, no over-slide or crashing into the base and coming off. No threat off turning an ankle. He just plays the game the right way.
Fun game. Nice win. Great bullpen.
Pages hits RH there Phil. Kiermaier, Feduccia and Lux were the only lefty bats on the bench. Edman is a switch hitter, and he did not start tonight. Considering he got out of his own mess with just 1 run allowed, Kelly did a great job.