It has been 2 weeks since the trade deadline came and went, and there has been a shakeup in the power rankings. Some of the changes are due to players added or lost, and also how the teams have come out and played.
I started this post on Monday, but decided to hold it a bit longer. In the interim, Houston Mitchell (LA Times) came out with a very similar column, except he was far more articulate. Then again he gets paid to write, and I have to pay for the privilege.
AL West
Texas and Houston figure to battle it out for the AL West throughout the remainder of the season, and each made moves to bolster their position. Seattle and LAA believed they were in the battle for a Wild Card.
Texas acquired:
- LHRP Aroldis Chapman
- RHSP Max Scherzer
- LHSP Jordan Montgomery
- RHRP Chris Stratton
- C Austin Hedges
Cost – #3, #11, and #14 prospects, 25 year old LHSP (Cole Ragans), DSL Prospect
Houston acquired:
- RHRP Kendall Graveman
- RHSP Justin Verlander
Cost – #1, #4, and #5 prospects
It will be fun to watch the fan reaction after at least one of the two teams is eliminated from the playoffs. You can bet that the fans of their respective teams will blame the front office for their failure to get to the WS. If you had asked those fans they would have told the baseball decision makers not to make the trades. Of course knowing the results makes these fans prescient. The only player acquired that has any contract after 2023 is Justin Verlander. All others are rentals.
LAA acquired:
- Eduardo Escobar
- Mike Moustakas
- Lucas Giolito
- Reynaldo Lopez
- Randal Grichuk
- CJ Cron
- Dominic Leone
Cost – #2, #3, #8, #9, #28 prospects, and other unranked prospects. Their #2 and #3 were actually their top 2 prospects, because C Logan O’Hoppe (#1) would have been on the ML roster all season if not for surgery for a torn labrum.
What a disaster this will turn out to be. It is one thing to think that the team is close enough not to trade Shohei Ohtani, and it is another to believe that the team was ready to bolt past Seattle, Houston, and Texas, trade 4 top 10 prospects and others for questionable difference making rentals.
Seattle did what they did last year. They traded their closer (Paul Sewald) to Arizona for the DBacks, #19, #29 prospects, and MLB utility infielder Josh Rojas. They also traded AJ Pollock for a utility player. The M’s chose to not follow the LAA lead and not acquire middling rentals for a dwindling prospect pool after last year’s all in deals (especially for Luis Castillo).
AL East
The AL East is by far the most competitive of the divisions, and all five figured they had a chance to make the playoffs.
Toronto acquired:
- LHRP Génesis Cabrera
- RHRP Jordan Hicks
- SS Paul DeJong
Cost – #7 prospects, and multiple unranked prospects
Baltimore acquired:
- RHRP Shintaro Fujinami
- RHSP Jack Flaherty
Cost – #16 and #18 prospects, and unranked LHP
Tampa Bay acquired:
- RHSP Aaron Civale for their #4 prospect (top 100), Kyle Manzardo.
NYY acquired:
- RHRP Keynan Middleton for #29 prospect.
Boston acquired:
- 3B Luis Urías for unranked pitching prospect
The AL Central was filled with sellers.
The NL East and NL West had the most NL transactions of projected impact, discounting the selloff from NYM.
NL East
Atlanta acquired:
- RHRP Pierce Johnson
- INF Nicky Lopez
- LHRP Brad Hand
Cost – #10 and #26 prospects, RHRP Taylor Hearn and unranked prospect
Philadelphia acquired:
- RHSP Michael Lorenzen for their #5 prospect.
Miami acquired:
- RHRP David Robertson
- 1B/DH Josh Bell
- 3B Jake Burger
- RHRP Jorge López
- LHP Ryan Weathers
Cost – #4, #11, #18, #21, and #22 prospects, Jean Segura, Garrett Cooper, and Dylan Floro
NL Central
Milwaukee acquired:
- 1B/DH Carlos Santana
- OF Mark Canha
- LHRP Andrew Chafin
Cost – #30 prospect, unranked prospect, and RHRP Peter Strzelecki
Cubs acquired:
- 3B Jeimer Candelario for the Cubs #14 and #16 prospect.
Reds acquired:
- LHRP Sam Moll for their #28 prospect and International cap space
NL West
San Diego acquired:
- LHSP Rich Hill
- 1B/DH Ji-Man Choi
- RHRP Scott Barlow
- 1B/RF Garrett Cooper
- 25 Year Old RHP Prospect, Sean Reynolds (#24)
Cost – #10 and #16 prospect, LHP Ryan Weathers, and 2 unranked prospects
Arizona acquired:
- RHRP Paul Sewald
- Utility Jace Peterson
- OF Tommy Pham
- RHRP Peter Strzelecki
Cost – #19 and #29 prospect, DSL prospect, Josh Rojas, Andrew Chafin
San Francisco acquired OF AJ Pollock for utility player Mark Mathias.
Dodgers acquired:
- Utility INF/OF Kiké Hernández
- SS/2B Amed Rosario
- RHSP Lance Lynn
- RHRP Joe Kelly
- LHP Ryan Yarbrough
Cost – #9 prospect (RHP Nick Nastrini), 3 unranked RHRP prospects (Nick Robertson, Justin Hagenman, and Jordan Leasure), Trayce Thompson, and Noah Syndergaard.
Below is the records for each team, within their respective leagues, since the trade deadline. The Dodgers and Texas have jumped out with good records and have padded their leads in their respective divisions.
National League:
- LAD – 13-1
- Atlanta – 10-5
- Milwaukee – 8-5
- CHC – 8-5
- Washington – 8-5
- Philadelphia – 8-6
- St. Louis – 7-6
- Pittsburgh – 7-8
- Miami – 6-8
- San Francisco – 6-7
- San Diego – 5-8
- NYM – 4-10
- Colorado – 4-10
- Cincinnati – 3-10
- Arizona – 3-10
American League:
- Texas – 12-2
- Seattle – 9-4
- Baltimore – 9-5
- Houston – 9-5
- Minnesota – 9-5
- Toronto – 8-6
- Tampa Bay – 7-6
- Boston – 7-6
- Kansas City – 7-7
- Detroit – 6-7
- CWS – 5-8
- Cleveland 5-8
- NYY – 5-9
- Oakland – 3-10
- LAA – 3-11
The trades the Dodgers made are proving to be positive. And the trade that wasn’t (Eduardo Rodriguez) may turn out to be the best of all the transactions/no-transactions for the Dodgers. While I was three years too early, STB was right on time with the trade for Lance Lynn.
The Dodgers look to be peaking at the right time. This was supposed to be a transition year, and yet they are on pace for a 98 win season. They should be able to maintain a non-stressful competitive nature over the final 44 games and make determinations as to who will be playoff caliber players. While they cannot possibly maintain a 12-1 record for the rest of the season, they now have enough of a lead to march optimistically to the playoffs.
I believe they have learned a valuable lesson from last year. I have a different take than Bear. I do not believe it was the layoff that hurt the Dodgers. I believe it was the overconfidence in playing a team in the NLDS that they crushed during the regular season. The Dodgers won the first game, and then fell off the proverbial cliff in the next three games.
LAD had to feel like NYM did in the 1988 NLCS or Oakland in the 1988 WS. Like in 1988, the sum of the parts of this 2023 team just might be better than the individual stars of other teams.
The Dodgers will only need three starting pitchers in the NLDS, and that figures to be Clayton Kershaw, Julio Urías, and either Tony Gonsolin or Bobby Miller. Ryan Yarbrough will be available to piggyback with one of them, if necessary. That will get figured out over the next 44 games. A multitude of rookie pitchers will get looks between now and October 1 to determine if they should be considered in some role.
Emmet Sheehan and Michael Grove have both had success in relief roles this year. Then again, how many multiple innings relievers will they need? This is where the MLB experience each of the rookies have achieved is going to prove beneficial.
BTW, if you were underwhelmed with the trades, you do not need to be protected from being called a certified moron on this site. Just remember the person who thinks this way is the same one who continually tried to tell everyone that Walker Buehler’s decrease in velo last year was by design, and that he did not have an arm issue. If you disagreed, you were a moron. Remember two LA Times Staff Writers were more than underwhelmed. Bill Plaschke and Dylan Hernandez went further and said that AF and the Dodgers swung and missed, all because they could not convince CWS or Pittsburgh to trade Dylan Cease or Mitch Keller respectively. Missing on Eduardo Rodriguez may turn out to be a blessing.
When you have opinions, sometimes they turn out to be correct. Sometimes they do not. No need for name calling.
I hope Kiké Hernández, Amed Rosario, Lance Lynn, and Ryan Yarbrough continue to excel, but there is certainly no guarantee that they will. Just enjoy the ride.
I am going to enjoy the next 44 games and see how the TEAM develops, especially the young pitchers. I fully expect LAD to win the NL West and get the bye.
Go Blue
08-15-2023 MiLB Game Summary Report
Salt Lake City Bees (LAA) 8 – OKC Dodgers 6
David Freitas hit a grand slam in the first inning giving OKC a 4-0 lead. Mike Montgomery gave up 7 runs in his 5 innings. The hitting star (other than Freitas) was Miguel Vargas who had a four hit night.
Key Performances:
- Miguel Vargas – 4-5, 1 run, double (7)
- Michael Busch – 2-3, 2 BB, 1 run, 1 RBI
- Drew Avans – 2-5, 2 runs, 1 RBI, double (22)
- David Freitas – 1-5, 4 RBI, HR (4)
Tulsa Drillers 7 – Frisco Roughriders (Texas) 2
Nick Frasso allowed 1 run on 4 hits in his 5.0 IP. The only run he allowed was a lead off HR to Jax Biggers. Frasso had 2 BB and 5 K. The offense scored 7 runs on 10 hits.
Key Performers:
- Jorbit Vivas – 2-4, 1 BB, 2 runs, 1 RBI, double (23), triple (2)
- Yusniel Diaz – 2-3, 1 BB, 2 runs, 3 RBI, double (16)
- Imanol Vargas – 2-4, 1 BB, 2 RBI, double (23)
- Josh Stowers – 2-4, double (8)
Lansing Lugnuts (A’s) 6 – Great Lakes Loons 5
Great Lakes jumped out to a 3-0 lead in the 1st on a 3 run double by Kenneth Bettencourt. It was Bettencourt’s first double with Great Lakes.
Maddux Bruns gave up 4 in his 5.0 innings of work. He allowed 4 hits, 1 BB, 2 HBP, and 4 K. He allowed a 2-run HR in this final inning (5th).
Key Performers:
- Alex Freeland – 2-4, 1 BB, 1 run
- Griffin Lockwood-Powell – 2-4, 1 run, 1 RBI, double (18)
- Double – Chris Newell (9)
Rancho Cucamonga Quakes 5 – Visalia Rawhide (DBacks) 2
The Quakes put up 5 runs in the first two innings and then 5 Quakes pitchers held the Rawhide to a pair of runs.
Key Performers:
- Thayron Liranzo – 3-4, 2 runs, 3 RBI, 2 doubles (16), HR (20)
- Luis Rodriguez – 2-4, 1 RBI
Bobby Miller is quickly becoming a front of the rotation starter. After a single and BB, Miller retired the next 18 batters he faced. He was at 74 pitches. Doc said he could have continued, but the Dodgers are trying to manage his innings.
Ryan Yarbrough proved to be a valuable piggyback pitcher. Is there another in their stable of multi inning pitchers?
Wow. Great write up and synopsis of the trade deadline. Thanks.
A lot of teams gave up some really good prospects for rentals. Glad we didn’t.
Fantastic article Jeff!
I liked the moves the Dodgers made but felt they needed another pitcher and was not thrilled with Lance Lynn. He has been great as have all five additions at the deadline. I would have liked them to add Verlander, Lorenzen, Montgomery, or Civale. And Friedman did try to trade for Rodriguez. But maybe Yarbrough will turn out just as good as Rodriguez for a lesser cost. Friedman was on MLB radio Sunday explaining the moves and he thought each player they targeted fit well and had upside.
Certainly to date the trades have made them a better team.
As is the case with the Dodgers the past 10 years, the trade deadline will judged by what these guys do, or don’t do, in October.
Lance Lynn can go 10-0 with a 2.00 ERA for us, but if he starts a Game 3 on the road, and gives up 3 home runs in 4+ innings and we lose, there will be bitching.
If Yarborough piggybacks someone in a deciding game 4 on the road, and gives up a crucial 2 run hr, there will be bitching.
On the other hand, if Rosario or Kike hits a huge 2 run double in the 7th inning of a playoff game, that trade will be considered a success, regardless of what they did in Aug/Sept.
Yu is judged on 2017 Game 7. Machado is judged on his playoffs 2018. The relievers we traded for in 2019 that failed were judged on their failures vs the Nationals.
But, for now, let’s get to October with these exciting “team” type guys, and then we can criticize or compliment Andrew Friedman on what he did or didn’t do.
Well said. I think Doc would use Miller or Lynn in in the NLDS and use Gonsolin as a multi-inning RP. Just don’t like his stuff in a post season game where he pitches to contact too much.
I like this idea.
Busch needs a look come September. They get to call up two players. Busch and Stone would be my choices.
My two picks as well Bear. Both are deserving and more important I think they can help the team continue its winning ways. Also, they could allow some vets to have some time off.
Busch has proved all he can at AAA. He deserves a real shot. Muncy still does not make contact enough and Busch can’t be worse than he is at third. Vargas will get his shot next spring. I like the idea of Stone coming out of the pen for an inning.
Yeah, Timmons says “moron” a lot. It’s his schtick. It doesn’t really bother me because I understand it’s just a schtick – an affectation, a pot stirring device, a conversation stimulator. I don’t take it seriously.
You don’t have to agree. Perhaps his style bothers you. That doesn’t make you wrong. However, I don’t think you can take the righteous high ground when you passive aggressively take snide pot shots at other blog writers.
I find that more irritating than bluster and saying “moron” a lot, but that’s just me.
Good write up on the actual winners of the trade deadline. I don’t know just how much credit I can actually give Friedman because, as good as players such as Rosario and Lynn have played – and they’ve played extraordinarily well so far – you’d have to honestly be a clairvoyant to have predicted how good they’ve been. Lynn had the worst ERA in baseball before the Dodgers picked him up. Friedman and the Dodgers staff do their due diligence for sure and make shrewd moves and deserve credit, but a lot of this is … luck? I dunno. Enjoy it.
Well, I’m back from vacationing on Vancouver Island in British Columbia. I have been going up there for 30+ years. But, with covid it’s been four years since my last visit. It was nice to see my friends and their families, visit some new places, enjoy some new hiking spots, and get out of the LA heat for a couple of weeks.
Jeff, this was interesting write up. It was summed up nicely. Mitchell is a good writer, but I don’t know what he could have added to the information you included. As a former decades reader of the Times and especially the sports page it’s not worth the $ for the piss poor quality and opinions expressed by Plaschke and Hernandez. The Times offered me six months for a $1, I thought it was an overpay and refused the offer. How Plaschke wins awards for his writing is a mystery to me. He writes controversial things with no facts to back them up. Hernandez thinks he knows more than everyone about every sport. He’s ignorant about the Dodgers and baseball in general. I watched him at a recent Rams news conference with coach McVey and he basically took over the session and wouldn’t let anyone ask a question. Now, this guy is a moron. There ya go. I said it! Lol.
After the trade deadline passed I was not a happy camper. STB suggested I relax and see what happens in the next few weeks before making a judgement. That was a good call on his part (no far). All the players obtained are playing well beyond their previous output for the season. It won’t continue, but I’m looking forward to see how long it is before we see a regression. But, so far it’s been fun to watch and the players seem to have fit right in with their teammates. I was wrong.
It’s so exciting to Bobby Miller improve with each outing. I don’t think the Dodgers have had a rookie pitcher this dominant so soon in there career since Kershaw. Not only does he have the talent, but he appears to be very coachable and smart out there on the mound. His temper control seems to be improved. But, with the way he is pitching there is little reason for him to get upset. Now, when things start to get rough, he remains focused and gets back to attacking the hitters. I love the quality of his pitches and is not afraid to throw strikes. Gonsolin or Miller starting in the playoffs? It’s no contest in my eyes. Miller!
I was unable to watch live games while in Canada. My friends had no cable or sports streaming. But, I watched all the highlights. The team is grinding each and every game. And, now with the pitching coming together the Dodgers are dominating their opponents. Teams have arrived with top pitching staff and the Dodger hitters say “hold by beer” and go out and wreck their ERAs. Go ahead, shut the Dodgers down for 3-4 innings. Then after the opposing pitcher gains some confidence the onslaught starts. Like last night in the sixth inning. No home runs. Just hit after hit after hit. By anyone and everyone!
This team is fun to watch. Let’s hope it can continue on until November with a
World Series victory.
I think Walker Buehler was dominant early.
I don’t know his full stat line (too lazy to look it up), but I do recall him starting Game 163 in 2018 and throwing 6 scoreless.
I agree with you on Buehler. I think Miller has command of more pitches than Walker early in his career. Walker was exciting to watch when he came up. His outing in that game in 2018 surely got everyone’s attention. With Kershaw’s postseason troubles Buehler’s performance gave me hope for a successful playoff run. Unfortunately, it didn’t work out for the team.
Here is Walker Buehler’s MLB page. He was a rookie in 2018, and he was very good. He was third in ROY and Jack Flaherty was fifth in the same year.
Miller is not nearly as dominant as was Buehler was in 2018. But he is still very good.
I agree with Bobby.
None of these pickups are as good for a year as they have been for a few weeks. Well, maybe Yarbrough is. Can they do it for 60 more games and do it against the better pitching Atlanta and Philadelphia bring?
100 wins is certainly a worthy accomplishment. But the Dodgers have done that a lot recently. October baseball is different.
Well, I am definitely underwhelmed by the trades. The new players we obtained at the deadline, while currently playing well, will naturally regress to the (their) mean. I’m a fan since 1962 and since that period I have skipped years when I felt I was not presented with a good product (and immersed myself to a greater degree in my music). To me, winning does not necessarily provide interest in the season — it is most definitely my like and enjoyment of the team for the particular year. This year we have a team of cheap misfits, so I have lost interest and seldom watch the games. I do check the baseball sites occasionally but do not spend the time I normally do when I like the makeup of the team.
I’ve lost respect for you Jeff by resorting to Mark Timmons style of belittlement and calling people who disagree “certified morons”.
I guess I missed the part where Jeff called anyone a “moron”.
Jeff hasn’t. Mark does it a lot. But like Patch says, it is his schtick. Mark likes to stir the pot…..a lot. He is one of those people and it works for him. There are usually a lot of responses on the site. Like it or not, it does stimulate a lot of conversation.
There are ways to stir the pot without belittling those who frequent your site. Calling people morons isn’t a schtict, it’s just rude.
In my opinion Jeff’s site is well written and well researched. His opinions are about the game and its players. I respect and appreciate his work here.
You know him better than I do. He is just that kind of guy.
“There are ways to stir the pot without belittling those who frequent your site. Calling people morons isn’t a schtict, it’s just rude.”
BINGO,
That’s because Mark hates Dodger fans. He considers them to be beneath him. It’s also because of his massive inflated ego that has to be continuously stroked and is by people like Patch and others that kiss his butt on his site. Mark has a small army of minions who’s sole purpose for existing on that site is to kiss his butt and soothe his nasty ego.
Not only that, but he constantly takes pot shots at other people. He’s a bully, and must be stood up to. I would do more of it at my site, but as Mark and Patch love to point out, nobody would read it at my site.
Jeff is a good guy, and like myself has done an honest take at Dodger blogging. Jeff and I are in a small class here, Not corporate, not butt kissers, not bullies like Mark calling everyone morons. We’re just passionate Dodger fans who tell it like it is. And we do it without calling people names or belittlling or marginalizing others.
Not many like Jeff, Bear and myself out there. Keep up the good work Jeff, and don’t let the bullies ever dictate what you write.
As for the trades, they were great. I liked them from the beginning. and I’m the anti-Friedman guy.
Tell the bullies to go screw themselves.
Oh, you’re lucky I’m in a good mood today, Scott. Or else I might go on your site and heckle you some more.
… but first I’d have to find it
LOL!
Your site is so obscure I think it’s part of dark web.
LOL!
Yours is the only Dodger site where, when you post, you hear an echo.
LOL!
Well Patch, I should be able to find you up Mark’s Butt right? That is your permanent address. You’re there so often, you’re probably recieving mail there.
Actually, Duke not Snider handles Mark the right way. Duke’s politics align pretty closely with a lot of folks who migrated over here and make me roll my eyes, but he has good baseball takes and doesn’t take Mark seriously, either. He certainly doesn’t clutch his pearls and whine about him on other sites. He dishes it back at him. Calling Mark’s ramblings the “Book of Moron” is funny.
It’s called s**t talk. It’s what men do sometimes. They give each other a hard time.
I thought most of the people here are old. You’ve never met a guy like Kowalski before?
Patch,
anytime anyone does this with him, he boots them off the site. I’m surprised he hasn’t done that with Duke yet, but I’m sure eventually he’ll get the axe too.
I think Patch is Mark’s handler.
Gotta love this logic. Just take Mark’s abuse, and try to dish it back, except if you do then he’ll abuse you even more and then ban you.
But just accept Mark and his minion’s abusive bully behaviors, or you’re a whiner…..AND YOU ARE THE PROBLEM!
LOLZ.
Classic Bully enabler!
I am not sure when or where I have ever called anyone a moron. That is one of the reasons I left LADT. Quite the opposite. You are underwhelmed by the trades. That is okay with me. You have every right to say what you believe without name calling. You are certainly not alone. The certified morons is a direct quote from Mark on a post a couple days back about those who were underwhelmed on the trades. If you read that I was calling people who disagree with me morons, I apologize if you read it that way. It was just as dodgerpatch described, me being passive aggressive towards Mark. Then again, I learned it from the maestro.
BTW, I very rarely ever visit LADT anymore except to read Bear’s columns. When I saw this from Badger…”the T.M.E.E. test (Timmons Moron Evaluation Exam)” I wondered if he was at it again and decided to read one of his current posts. That is where I read Mark’s “certified morons” comment.
I am sorry you are not enjoying this team. This is the team I am enjoying the most since 2017.
LOL. Yep, if you can’t get excited by this team, you’re probably just not much of a baseball fan in general.
I don’t know if excited is the right word for me. I like watching them a lot more than I did back in June and parts of July. I loved watching last year’s team right up until they met SD in the playoffs. They just beat teams into submission. The end result sucked. But this year’s team has had so much adversity, that it makes it a little easier to root for them. I still shudder at the thought of Muncy coming up in a clutch situation with two-outs. He just does not inspire a whole lot of confidence that he will deliver. It seems like a lifetime since Austin Barnes had a hit that meant anything. And he is Smith’s caddy. As Badger would say, YOIKS! Last time Barnsie had a hit that meant anything, his single to center that knocked Snell out of game six of the 2020 World Series.
I personally visit both sites, daily (ok multiple times daily. ok even more than that).
I like both sites. It’s like having 2 groups of “friends”. I don’t care about the moron comments, because I don’t take offense to them, not that those comments are directed towards me anyway. But if it is done to stimulate conversation, it works!
I met Mark once, when he and his son were up here in Santa Clarita; we had a good time over some drinks, Dodger talk, India conversation, and food/football.
I have also always loved Jeff/AC’s comments or blog posts, because they are very well researched, written, and overall pretty balanced. I definitely learn a lot from Jeff.
Jeff, we’ve never met, but as a way to say thank you for building this blog and building this community and allowing a group of “morons” to comment as they wish, can I send you something?
I went to the game last Thursday, which was the Caleb Williams bobblehead giveaway. I know you’re a USC alum, so I’d love to send you this “Caleb Williams in USC gear with an LA hat” bobblehead. While I went to Fresno State, I do root for USC and UCLA as I live here and have so many fam/friends that went to both schools. However, I have no use for this bobblehead and I think you should have it, if you wish.
You must have my email address via this blog, so if you do reach out, I can mail the bobblehead to you. Despite the fact that you’re a Packers fan (Go Bears!), we all thank you for this blog!
Well said Bobby. I feel the same way, but Mark hasn’t called me a moron since he and I went at it on Scott’s site right after the Dodgers traded Kemp for Grandal. Not my favorite move. We later made up, and I started writing for LADT. I write for both simply because I love the Dodgers, and I enjoy writing. Never thought I would enjoy it that much. I love doing the research for stories. I usually stick to history, because that is my forte. I have met him a couple of times, once in Denver when he was there for one of his conventions for his company, met his son and his wife also. Nice folks, the second time was at a Quakes game. Bulldogs and Penguins was there, as was Jayne Cobb. It was a lot of fun. I too am a USC fan, always have been, the last few years have not been fun either. I guess I got spoiled when McKay and Robinson were the coaches. And I liked it a lot better when the Rose Bowl was just the two conferences affair. USC-Ohio State. Man, how I hated those guys. I have had my share of being short with some posters, you should never belittle people. But there have been times when someone posts something really moronic and it strikes a nerve. But I have also mellowed a lot. I haven’t called anyone anything in a while.
It was actually between the Bears and Packers. I chose the Packers (1962). A couple years or so later (1965?), Gale Sayers became my favorite football player. I was a Nitschke fan before Butkus. And of course the great Trojan, Willie Wood. I guess I liked Vince Lombardi more than George Halas.
Thank you for your thoughtfulness on the Caleb Williams bobblehead. I did send you an email.
Marcus Stroman is now out due to rib cartilage fracture. Return date unknown.
Not criticizing, but finding it interesting. When the trades first went down, many were underwhelmed and could not understand why the Dodgers would trade for a 36 year old SP with MLB’s worst ERA and with the most HR given up thru the season. Why did the Dodgers trade for yet another utility player…unless there was going to be another trade (there wasn’t)? With all the rookies pitchers the Dodgers had in their stable, did they really need another 6th man multi-inning reliever? Most did not understand the necessity of the worst fielding SS in MLB, but were not against the trade because it did jettison Noah Syndergaard. A constantly injured RHRP is the best AF/BG could do for high leverage relief?
All legitimate questions and concerns. But now, as the trades seem to be working just fine, Clayton Kershaw is back in the rotation, Julio Urías is pitching like it was 2022, Bobby Miller is becoming the front of the rotation starter many thought he would become, Miguel Rojas seems to be finding somewhat of an offense to go with his stellar defense, and the five guys they did bring in fits the team like a glove.
Now we are reading that it is great that the traded players are doing well now, but can they possibly keep it up for the playoffs? Yes, Lance Lynn could give up multiple HRs in a playoff game. Yes, Kiké Hernández and Amed Rosario could fall on their proverbial faces when they are facing a tough playoff LHP. Yes, Ryan Yarbrough could get hit hard in a piggyback game for Kershaw or Urías and lose a game they were ahead in. Or it could be that Mookie and Freddie go 0-fer in the NLDS. Both Kershaw and Urías get rocked in the NLDS. Or Miggy Rojas makes 3 errors to lose a winnable game. Anything can happen (and usually does).
Some out there remind me of Johnny in Major League II (Randy Quaid character) when he is constantly saying that they (The Indians) will blow it. The Dodgers are going to take this one game at a time, and not worry about the playoffs. That’s our job to worry about the playoffs. The draft is over. The trade deadline has come and gone. What else are we going to focus on?
Some are already convinced that the Dodgers do not have the horses to make it, while some of us believe they do. I have said all along that it did not matter who the Dodgers traded for because their season depended on Clayton Kershaw and Julio Urías returning to form. If they did not, it would not matter. The results are not complete, but I like the direction they are headed in.
OKAY – THAT’s IT. Patch and Scott you both got your digs in. Let it go now.
Patch you are more than welcome to come here and comment, but if your intent is to come here and antagonize then please stay away. As you said, that is Mark’s schtick. I do not care what anyone’s political views are here because we do not discuss politics. Again, Mark does not mind. So please leave it there.
Scott, I welcome your comments as well. But please leave the comments to baseball. I still subscribe to your site, and I appreciate what you write. Stick to that.
One of the reasons I started LA Dodger Chronicles was to get away from bitter name calling.
I blame myself on this one. I should never have said anything about a certified moron comment. It was not directed at me, as others have been, and I should have let it alone. MY BAD!! Yes it drove comments, just not the ones I want.
I do not have the time or inclination to monitor the comments all the time. And I have zero inclination to ever ban anyone. Please keep the personal venomous comments out.
Mark has called my site the Kum-Ba-Ya site. I like that . I did not take offense. I may not have the comments totals or the commenters Mark has, but I am happy with those that are here, and I want to keep it that way.
Thank you for that statement, Jeff.
Scott and Patch. You’ve had your say at each other. Now please let it rest. Your baseball takes are worth reading, your slaps at each other are not.
ha ha ha you got it Jeff and STB
My post, with those made up tests, was meant to be funny. Apparently it wasn’t.
I’ve known Mark for over 20 years. Nobody had more rounds with him than I did. Though I don’t appreciate his frequent bullying tactics, I didn’t leave that site because of him. That group just no longer felt like my tribe. No hard feelings as far as I’m concerned.
I took it as being funny. I had a good laugh. But it just triggered me going to read what he had to say.
I still read there occasionally. I peruse a few of the blogs just to see what is being said. It’s best for me not to comment so I don’t.