Duke Not Snider and I were discussing the A’s trade of RHRP Mason Miller to San Diego or lack of trade to LAD. I have zero idea whether AF/BG tried to acquire Miller (or Duran), but my position was that the A’s wanted a top SS prospect and more pitching.
Most of the time, the trading team has a player(s) in mind that they want for their player. At the very least, they are looking to positions of need. De Vries is an infield prospect who is labeled a can’t miss prospect, overall #3 in MLB. They also got three pitchers. Good deal for the A’s.
Duke’s position was that there is no guarantee how that can’t miss prospect will do. I do not argue that point. He is absolutely correct. But teams have to look at the farm systems to build their own team from. While the top baseball publications have their internal scouting departments grade prospects for the fans reading pleasure, every MLB teams have their own grades and rankings. We have no idea what the A’s thought of the Dodgers’ prospects. We have to trust that AF/BG know what the value they place on their players and the value they place on the trading teams’ players. They have been pretty good in making those evaluations. Of course they miss on some, but rarely.
Teams trade their most marketable players to recoup their biggest needs. It makes no sense to trade their most marketable players without trying to fulfill a weakness. If the A’s wanted a SS for Mason Miller, why should they accept an OF?
If it is true that the A’s wanted an elite SS prospect in their return package (as I suspect), they got one of the three best. It is interesting to note, Duke indicated that he would not be willing to trade Dodgers SS prospect Emil Morales. If the Dodgers are not willing to trade Morales, then why should the A’s move away from De Vries. If the A’s were looking for OF prospects, the Dodgers would have been the ideal team to deal with. There has to be a match in positions of need.
The same is true with the Twins and Jhoan Duran. If the Dodgers were willing to trade Dalton Rushing, they might have acquired Duran, or at least been in a much better position. Minnesota was looking for an elite catching prospect. Duran gave them the opportunity to get one.
You need two teams interested in each other’s players to make a trade. I have opined that perhaps the best value for Dalton Rushing will come via a trade. I still believe that. I would hate to lose Rushing, but what good does he do the Dodgers as a backup. I hated to lose Michael Busch, but he was not going to start for LAD, and they got two top prospects in return…LHP Jackson Ferris and OF Zyhir Hope. Actually two top 100 prospects.
Bums has offered that he would like to see Rushing traded for a similarly rated 3B. Unfortunately there really isn’t a similarly rated 3B prospect. The best is Cincinnati’s Sal Stewart. Cincinnati does not need a catcher, and they are not going to trade Stewart.
Maybe the closest who might be tradable and might stick at 3B is 21 year old NYM 3B/1B prospect, Jacob Reimer who is in AA. But with Francisco Alvarez, NYM does not need a catcher. And they are not going to trade one of their best prospects for a backup catcher. You have to find a team that needs a MLB ready C to start, and then see what matches up with LAD needs.
STB asked who I thought might be available to LAD in a Rushing trade. Once the season is over, I will have some time to try and figure that out. I have my wants, but they are probably not possible.
The Dodgers have one of the best farm systems in all of baseball, but while they have a bevy of depth, they are bereft of elite prospects. MLB Pipeline has just listed 20 year old OF prospect, Josue De Paula as their new #1 LAD prospect (#13 overall). He just reached AA after the Great Lakes season ended, and it did not go well. Way too small sample size to draw any conclusions. However, what have the last 10 LAD #1 prospects done.
- 2024 – Dalton Rushing (C) – Current backup to a backup on LAD. If he stays with the Dodgers, he will be a backup.
- 2023 – Diego Cartaya (C) – DFA by LAD. Now in SF organization.
- 2022 – Diego Cartaya (C)
- 2021 – Keibert Ruiz (C) – Traded to Washington with pitcher Jo Jo Gray in Max Scherzer and Trea Turner deal. Ned Colletti IFA sign.
- 2020 – Gavin Lux (SS) – Traded to Cincinnati for OF Mike Sirota. Lux is no longer playing infield. He is LF platoon and DH.
- 2019 – Alex Verdugo (OF) – Traded to Boston in Mookie Betts deal. Has never materialized as a MLB regular of substance. Released by Atlanta on July 5, and not picked up. Ned Colletti draft pick.
- 2018 – Walker Buehler (RHP) – Was CY candidate for LAD before second TJ surgery. Left LAD as a free agent. Lived up to #1 prospect hype.
- 2017 – Cody Bellinger (CF/1B) – Former ROY, MVP, 2X All Star, NLCS MVP, 2X GG – He lived up to the #1 prospect hype. Ned Colletti draft pick. Released (non-tendered) by LAD, now playing with NYY.
- 2016 – Corey Seager (SS) – Former ROY, 5X All Star, 2X WS MVP, NLDS MVP, 3 Silver Slugger – He lived up to #1 prospect hype. Ned Colletti draft pick. Signed with Texas as free agent. 3 fWAR in his 4 years with Texas. Needs to average 3.54 fWAR over the next 6 years to justify contract. Could potentially be AF’s biggest miss (IMO).
- 2015 – Corey Seager (SS)
The Dodgers had 3 players live up to #1 prospect hype: two from Colletti and one from AF, and none since 2018.
Perhaps teams do not agree with the value fans are placing on the Dodgers prospects. I do not see the Dodgers signing any big time free agent this off season, so I think the Dodgers will be trading some of that prospect capital this Winter. As the Hot Stove League begins, we can get into some of that fun speculation.
Jeff, do you see the Dodgers going after Murakami this off season?
When I review the Dodgers “top prospects,” I grade Morales ahead of the outfielders precisely because he has SS/3B potential. The video I’ve seen of Morales is also compelling.
So I’d be more reluctant to trade Morales. But if the A’s insisted on him in a deal for Miller, well, everything’s negotiable. (How about Freeland + Kendall George?)
Maybe the A’s really want a SS–even though they’ve got a good young one in Wilson. Anyway, it’s all moot.
So now, thanks to Ben Rortvedt, we’re talking about dealing Dalton Rushing….but for whom? Would it make more sense to carry three catchers and groom Rushing as a successor to Max and Freddy?
He hasn’t shown much with his bat at the major league level yet. Don’t see him as a third baseman.
Rushing hasn’t shown much at the ML level because, in my opinion, he hasn’t been given an every day opportunity to do so. 140 at bats spread out over a full season doesn’t tell me what he could do if given the trust and support to be an everyday player. He’s hit everywhere he’s been. He will hit in the Majors. If traded, better get it right.
In my mind the questions for next year remain, can Will Smith, who might be one foul ball from brain damage, play third base? Do the Dodgers really plan to play Betts at shortstop again? Can they find an everyday centerfielder who is actually an everyday centerfielder? And, what do they do about having 3 DH’s on this team?
There will be plenty of time to address these questions. Simply put, there are Seagers within the organization. The answers will likely continue to be free agent acquisitions and trades.
I find these discussions to be a lot of fun, but for now I”ll hold off on my useless opinions of who to trade for what, until we finish off this playoff run.
If I’m a Philly fan, I’m nervous as all hell thinking “shit, we gave game 1 away, and now we get Blake Snell and then Yamamoto in LA”.
Let’s go Blake: this is why we signed you, to cut the hearts out of a team in October!!
At the trade deadline it was reported that the Dodgers were interested in Kwan. If this was true I would expect AF to revisit this during the off season. With the emergence of Rortvedt, could Rushing be part of a deal.
On the other hand, DNS ‘s comment of grooming Rushing as a replacement for Freeman has some merit. Jeff has also pointed out the the Dodgers are thin at catcher in AAA. While I can’t see Rortvedt or Rushing being sent down, some improvement is warranted.
Neither of the Guardians catchers hit over .200. Naylor was at .195 and Hedges hit .161. Hedges is considered one of the best defensive catchers, Naylor not so much. Naylor has some thump, 14 homers, Hedges is more the Austin Barnes type. I think Cleveland would be intrigued.
I love it. However, can Kwan play RF, or CF, because Teo really needs to move off of RF.
Kwan has played some RF in the past, not much. Not sure he has the arm for RF, but I am pretty sure a guy as athletic as he could make the move to right if needed especially if he played there a full spring training.
I see Pages in right. Kwan would be agreat addition but the team still needs a go get ‘em center fielder.
What is the plan for Kim? He’s the fastest guy on the team, he could probably play center if asked. This year, along with Edman, Rojas and Kiké he’s been a utility guy. How many of those does a team need?
Available centerfielder through FA in ‘26: Mullins, Bellinger, Robert Jr, Bader, Grisham, Duran. Only Robert Jr, Grisham, and Duran are under 30. And who’s available via trade? Beats me.
I showed my wife my wish list for LAD in the Winter. There are way too many on the list, and I will dwindle it down after the season ends. But my #1 CF who might be available (and I emphasize might) has been Daulton Varsho. I have brought his name up before but he doesn’t hit enough for some of the critics. With his “D” he hits just fine. He has one year before hitting FA.
PCA is not going to be traded. Sorry Bums, but Byron Buxton is not going to be traded. Julio Rodriguez is not going to get traded. Michael Harris II is not going to be traded. Ceddanne Rafaela and his team friendly contract is not going to be traded. Victor Scott II is not going to be traded. I suppose one of the Cardinals OF might be available, but outside of Victor Scott II, none are pure CF. Nootbaar is not a CF. Brendan Donovan is a potential LF option they could look at.
Is Miami’s Jakob Marsee available? Doubt it. They can build around him and Kyle Stowers in their OF.
Some have brought up Oneil Cruz. Last year he hit .200/.298/.378/.676, with a 87 OPS +. He led MLB in errors for OF (11). He had a -14 DRS. He is not an upgrade over Andy Pages or Teoscar Hernández. I’ll pass. Although he is a high ceiling but a very low floor.
I’m off Buxton. Twins fans live him and it would be telling fans they don’t matter.
I’ll take their 3rd baseman though.
Badger reminded us that Will Smith doesn’t need any more concussions so maybe he could be the 3rd baseman and Rushing catcher.
Royce Lewis is on my list as my #2 3B. But KC is not going to trade my #1…Maikel Garcia.
I believe Rushing has had more concussions than Smith.
Kim did play CF earlier in the year. He liked it but needed to learn the position. Interestingly, the Dodgers had him in LF during his most recent stint in AAA.
He wasn’t very good in CF. I would think he could become good if they only play him there during the spring.
Great article on Sasaki from Passan today.
https://www.espn.com/mlb/story/_/id/46488389/mlb-playoffs-2025-los-angeles-dodgers-roki-sasaki-closer-delivery-transformation
Yup, I enjoyed reading it.
Cassidy, thanks for the link. What a great article. Rob Hill is a wizard in pitcher evaluation. I know quite a bit about pitching mechanics and what I liked best is his theory about not turning pitchers into robots.
One of the outcomes of all the newest technology is the assumption that every pitcher needs to mechanically do the same things. Hill individualizes his fixes for each pitcher. I still think there are some key spots every pitcher needs to be in to be healthy and effective but there are different ways to get to those positions.
The pelvis tilt is something I’ve never heard of and it’s likely it might be impossible to see in real time. That’s where the benefit of technology comes in. I had video only to break down. Now they can breakdown mechanics differently. But you must know what you are looking at and that’s what Hill does better and differently.
And good on Sasaki for trusting Hill and this process.
Some very good players have been “ruined” by mechanical changes that were off base. Sometimes a player can be too good of a listener.
In this case it worked for Sasaki.
Interestingly, the picture of Sasaki in his “lift and load position” with that high leg kick look very similar to the same unusual position of Tarik Skubal. His thigh is up to his chest with the foot extended straight out. That position takes great lower body strength and is very unusual. Nobody I ever encountered would teach that but it works great for these two. Shades of Juan Marichal from back in the day with an extreme leg kick. Lots of moving parts to sync up. It would have been easy for some coach to try to eliminate that leg kick which is maybe why Sasaki wasn’t’t interested in changing that. He’s likely heard that one before.
One size does not fit all.
What a great article.
Saw a story on Yahoo sports saying the Dodgers could be a suitor for Bregman. I would rather see them make a serious run at Murakami, who is just 25 years old rather than Bregman who is in his 30’s.
I asked that question a couple of days ago, Bear. I believe your response included little interest because he was an asstro. I mentioned he wasn’t Altuve but I got the impression it didn’t matter.
You did mention that. I’d put all of them in the same category: Altuve, Bregman, Correa, and Springer (who before I knew they were cheating was in my mind the best player on the Astros and who I hoped we could get)
I understand Bobby. The Asstros stealing a championship is a bitter pill. While all were culpable, some maybe more than others. To me Cora should have had a suspension or ban. AJ Hinch let it happen under his watch. And I will go to my grave believing Altuve was wearing a buzzer of some kind, leading to his homer.
Definitely
I would rather see them make a serious run at German Rivera or Jeff Hamilton or Mike Blowers over Alex Bregman
Mike Schmidt might be available.
I would opt for Ron Cey.
Nick Hundley, former catcher is also interviewing for the Giants managerial opening.
Blake Snell delivering October gold!
One swing could be the difference tonight. Who’s bullpen is better tonight?
Rabid but horrible fan base. Booing the home team. This is the city that threw snowballs at Santa
Back in the day. Sonny Liston said he would rather be a lamppost in Denver than the mayor of Philadelphia
Roberts is never gonna live this one down!
I generally think Roberts catches way more grief for his decisions than he deserves. Managing his bullpen in September, he had no good choices. No matter which pitcher he chose, it was a disaster. But tonight, he royally screwed that up, in my opinion. Choice 1 was Sheehan to start the ninth. He is stretched out, had pitched well and closed the 8th by getting Harper and Schwarber. Option 2 was Sasaki who has been very good in five MLB relief appearances and he had a day of rest off 11 pitches on Saturday. He chose door number 3 which was Blake Treinen with his 11+ ERA in September. Thinking he had turned a corner because of a 4 batter sequence against the Reds is wishful thinking and hope is not a great strategy with a chance to go back to LA up 2-0. Even if it had worked out, it would have been a bad decision. His team bailed him out. Hopefully, he sees Treinen more realistically now. Treinen is a legend for what he did last post season and I don’t blame him at all. But Roberts deserves criticism for this decision. Regardless of the win.
Totally agree with your assessment of Roberts’s decision making. He seems to be back into complicating a simple situation.
Lock him in the locker room after the sixth inning.
Sasaki and Freddie clutch!!! Edman as good as he was last year sucking it up this year.
if the Dodgers would have lost that game n Steinbrenner was owner Roberts would have been fired tonight!!
snell was great!!!
Roberts is our weakest link.
Post season is no time for re-hab and sentimentality. Got to go with Sasaki in that situation.
NERVE-WRACKING! That has to be Treinen’s last outing for the year!
Gulp.
Leave it to Roberts to make a win almost a loss. If Roki is available, you put him in. If Roki’s not available, then go to plan B. Idiot.
Heros of the game: Snell, Smith, and Muncy — what an incredible play getting the lead runner at third.
Roberts was managing so well until the 9th. What the hell was he thinking? Boggles the mind
Now Roki well rested for next game
2.17am here. That could’ve been a total disaster.
Not sure why Roberts didn’t use Roki for the 9th with a day off tomorrow?
Treinen has no zip on his pitches, and Vesia can’t throw Strikes.
This was all about Snell.
3 hours sleep before work……
Watford, you are a true fan!
Dodgers win. No thanks to Roberts.
Go Cubs. If they win the series against the Brewers, we will have home field advantage in NLCS.
Congrats to the Dodgers despite the involvement of their manager.
Was I watching highlights from a past Sheehan outing or live tonight? It appeared that Sheehan was pitching great. Why in the f*** would Roberts put in Treinen in the ninth in lieu of leaving Emmett in the game with Sasaki warming up? So now they have Scott AND Treinen available for mop up duty. Total waste of roster space.
Fantastic offense explosion in the 7th thanks to the stupid move to remove Luzardo from the game and replace him with a weak BP piece. Thank you to the Pills manager for following the analytics bullshit and handing the Dodgers a solid chance to score several runs.
Rob Thompson meet Kevin Cash. And, again, thank you both for you lack of reality and what’s going on in front of your eye balls. Need to remember that you’re dealing with human beings, not computers or a stat sheet.
Carry on Dodger blue!!
Honestly I couldn’t believe he left Sheehan in to face schwarber and Harper. But he had good stuff and was fearless. I mean he warmed Vesia up for a reason but didn’t bring him in. Vesia wasn’t perfect but he along with Sasaki saved Roberts. A big play in the game was Muncy to Betts to get the wild baserunning Castellano on the bunt. I thought Teo was safe on replay. Ohtani with game winning rbi. Edman missed tag on castellano then saved by Freddie on last play. Like u if he wasn’t bringing Sasaki in why not leave Sheehan in. Hopefully, Yamamoto can close it out.
Sheehan is a warrior. I’ve been a fan since he first came up. Come on, his first name is Emmett. Could there be a better name for a Dodger? Was he perfect? No. But he stepped up huge when it was required. He could quietly become a solid, fearless part of the starting rotation.
Yamamoto at home? I love him closing out the series. With the bullpen personnel coming into clarity, clutch hitting after grinding through the starters, and awesome starting pitching the Dodgers have a great chance to repeat.
I’ve never ever been so furious after a playoff win before.
Vesia, Max, and Freddie saved Doc from a complete f up
Understandable thoughts Bobby. The old timers on Dodger blogs can’t take this kind of decision making.