I was thinking the other day, there are now so many former Dodgers scattered around the league, so which one has had a lot of success against the Dodgers. Steve Garvey played 71 games against LA after he left as a free agent. He hit .268/5/38. Not Garvey’s normal line. He was a career .307 hitter at Dodger Stadium.
JT has played in 19 games against the Dodgers, most of those when he was with the Mets. He has a .241/2/7 line against his old mates. He was a .294 hitter at Dodger Stadium. The Dodgers will see him in Toronto the 26th through the 28th of April.
Joc Pederson is now with Arizona, they play LA 13 times, so Joc will get some time against them. Joc has not done well during the regular season against his old team. He is hitting a paltry .150 with 2 homers and 9 driven in. He has a homer and 4 RBI’s against them in playoff games.
Pepiot and DeLuca have not played against them yet. Kyle Farmer has hit .266 against them. He has a homer and 8 driven in. Trea Turner has hit .257 against LA with a couple of homers and 9 RBIs.
Max Scherzer is 5-5 in his career against the Dodgers, but he has a really good ERA of 2.34 and he has struck out 113 Dodgers in 103.2 innings. He also has only given up 9 bombs to Dodger hitters.
Alex Wood is 3-5 against LA. His ERA is a little over 3. He has pitched 14 games against LA. Most of that work with the Braves.
I am hoping J.D. signs in the other league. He has hit 7 homers against the Dodgers, 4 in one game. He has hit 22 homers at Dodger Stadium. Bellinger has only had a handful of games against the Dodgers. But he has hit .333 with 3 homers and 4 RBIs plus a couple of really great defensive plays. Cody is a career .249 hitter at Dodger Stadium.
Freddie Freeman was a .261 hitter against the Dodgers. He is a .308 hitter at Dodger Stadium. He has 29 homers and 109 RBIs there. More to come. By the way, also in a handful of games, he is hitting .320 against his old team.
I really want to thank Jeff for the opportunity to keep writing. It is fun for me and I love doing the research. If you have a player or a subject, please do not hesitate to ask.
Besides Matt Luke? 😉
I would rather do one on Luke Skywalker. 😂
How about Yasmani Grandal?
Ha!!
That touched a nerve! 😡
Keep it up Michael – you are much appreciated.
Yamamoto not as impressive last night, but battled away. More concerning is Gavin Lux at Shortstop. Yes I know it’s early, and he’s coming back from a terrible injury, but I’ve got to admit to being amazed at how poor he looks.
I thought he had been working out all winter, taking Ground Balls etc, but he looks very very rusty, almost to the point where it’s hard to watch. At this moment I’m not sure where the Dodgers go with him? On the plus side, his bat is alive, but there may well be a case for letting him get done Reps at AAA, because I’m not sure its gonna do his, or anyone else’s confidence any good if he consistently to flounder like he is.
Im confident we can carry Rojas’s weaker bat (we did ok last season) in this improved lineup.
He really looks bad. I like him, but he needs to get out of the spotlight for a bit.
Brassier is a little concerning too, and Wild Joe Kelly looks very rusty.
Still, I cannot wait for it all to start properly. I’m very optimistic.
My impression is that Lux’s recovery process didn’t allow him to take a lot of ground balls over the winter. The Dodgers rolled him out slowly in Spring. Hopefully things will improve.
It was good of Rojas to speak up to Lux’s defense. But even if Lux improves, I’m basically hoping for average defense. He clearly doesn’t have the arm that the best defenders have. A Lux-Rojas platoon is an option.
Lux has had less than 10 chances in his games at SS. Way too early to judge the guy, and he gets to the ball. He is working on his throws with the coaches, but getting game time speed, you only get that in games. After 50 games or so, then judge what you are seeing, and remember, the guy has played exactly 68 games at SS in the majors.
Great comment, Bear
Well, Roberts certainly didn’t give him Lux a vote of confidence in his most recent comments about SS. Asked if Lux would be the starter on opening day, Roberts said, “I don’t know,” which is basically a 90-degree turn from previous comments.
I may be reading too much into this, but comments like these leave me wondering if AF is exploring a trade…
Allow two counterpoints to recent comments…
First, to Bear, who points out that Lux has played 68 games at SS in the majors. But he has played hundreds of games at SS in pro ball. He was drafted out of high school as an SS–and so was Mookie. Mookie was converted to 2B before the Red Sox moved him to RF. Clearly Mookie’s arm is stronger than Lux’s, as the advanced metrics attest. Could the Dodgers really have Mookie and Lux simply swap positions? Maybe, but I doubt it.
Second, to myself… I suggested that Lux’s recovery from knew surgery may have prevented him from taking a lot of reps at SS over the winter. I still think that’s true–lateral movement could create a strain–but I’m not sure it would have prevented Lux from strengthening his throwing arm. Was he limited from long toss and other exercises that could build up his arm? Is there weight training that could specifically increase velocity?
Lux is now 26. Did he ever have the proverbial rifle for an arm? Did he lose something? It seems odd that the Dodgers, of all teams, would face the issue of a starting SS with a weak, erratic arm.
We can say “it’s early”… but in terms of Lux’s career, is it really? Perhaps Lux should have been moved to 2B a while back. (One of Mark’s pipedreams was to move him to CF–making Outman a 4th outfielder!–but who wants a second-rate arm in center?) He could be a bat-first UT guy too.
It’s hard not to feel bad for Lux. He tends to wear his heart on his sleeve and now he seems anxious on the field. As Crash Davis put it, “You gotta play this game with fear and arrogance.” Lux needs more of the latter.
Perhaps Roberts’ statement was made to challenge Lux and make him push harder this spring.
Okay, let us clarify one point. If you are comparing playing SS in the majors to the minors, that is way off. The fields are not lit or manicured as well. The game is not as fast until you get to AAA. Lux has played 299 games at SS in the minors. That is less than three full seasons. Only 36 of those games came at AAA. 263 of his starts came at AA or below. 182 starts at high A or below. Now they may very well make a change, or make a trade, anything is possible. But one thing that won’t happen is Betts moving back to second. They are not going to disrupt two positions this close to the beginning of the season. They have in house options, and I am pretty sure they have a backup plan. You can bet the one who feels the worst about the whole thing is Lux.
Brasier will be fine. He hung one and it got creamed. It happens. Kelly is Kelly, you are going to get days where he is lights out, then a game where he walks the bases loaded then strikes out the side. Lux was not working out. He wasn’t cleared for baseball activities until early January. No way they send him to AAA. His bat plays, they will take whatever they get on defense.
Kelly is a different cat, for sure. Do you get Joe or Joseph? He has a running fastball from hell but some outings he wants to “trick em” and throw 24 sliders in a row.
I love watching Mariachi Joe pitch, but it can be maddening. But there are times, like his battles with Correa, that you just have to admire that he isn’t afraid to throw inside. Pitchers today just do not do that very often.
I’ve come full circle on Kelly. He was painful to watch when we first acquired him but has turned into a very clutch reliever.
Lux certainly has not looked good in the field so far. But I would give him some more time to get back from that injury. Overall IMHO the best Dodger defense would be Rojas at SS, Lux at 2b and Mookie back to RF. I understand they want to lessen the workload on Mookie but it is not the best lineup for the Dodgers. If you want more offense at ss they might be forced to make a deal at the deadline for someone like Adames.
Go Dodgers!!!!!!!
You saw what I saw yesterday Watford (I got a little roasted for stating the obvious yesterday however).
Lux must still be weak in the knee, forget about what others say, that type of major injury takes a long time to come back from. Sure it may function mechanically but it is the strength factor that is an issue. I had to rehab a number of injuries and surgeries in my days, ortho always told me it was going to be at least a full year before you would really know what you were dealing with. My experience with shoulder surgery, back surgeries and some foot surgeries rings true with my orthos statement.
Many Happy Returns to the Doyen of LADC – Badger.
I hope you’re well, and the balky back is being kind.
Have a great day my friend.
Thanks W. You remember every year. I appreciate that more than you may know.
I’m hanging in there these days. I lost a long time trusted friend recently and since have spent more time reflecting and less time expressing.
Watching this Dodger team play has been a mixed bag for me. I believe the defense will be less than league average but the team will score enough to make up for it. So far when they win it’s “of course they did” and when they lose it’s “how did that happen?” I think that is how this year will go. I also believe we might continue to see a lot of games like yesterday’s 12-9 outcome.
Lux: it’s throwing a baseball 120’. You’ve done it from that position since Little League and now you have a 6’4” target over there. Don’t overthink it kid, just do it. Vargas: I think he needs a change of scenery. Muncy: we live with it again.
Sorry to hear about your long time friend. There’s friends and then there’s the, as you say, trusted friends. Those are the ones you miss, and they hurt. I was at a friend’s funeral today. 66 and recently retired. Big turn out for a well liked guy. I spoke at my ex Brother in Law’s funeral last August. 57 like me. Brain Tumour for 4 years. That was sad. Spending too much time mourning friends these days.
I can totally relate to your thoughts on the Dodgers currently – either expected wins or surprise loses. Nicely put.
Either way I think we’re in for a long and exciting ride in 24. There’s no question we are the team to beat. I have a feeling our closest challengers could be the Phillies this year.
Happy returns of the day Badger. You lost a friend, that is always hard, I found out on Friday that my best friend, who lives up in Lancaster, is getting dementia. He is a year older than me, and his birthday was on the 3rd of this month.
Happy Birthday Badger! Sorry to of your loss. Hopefully, this Dodger season can help with your healing.
Take care.
Thank you Ted
Reflection is always good.
It puzzles me that JD Martinez has hooked up with a team yet.
I haven’t done much looking, but I think he’d be a good fit for the Mets. (Last season they used Vogelbach a lot.) He’d probably be a lot more appealing on the market if he played a little first base.
JD, Montgomery, Snell, I thought all of those guys would be signed by now. I think Montgomery will end up with Boston, they lost Giolitto for the year, so they need pitching bad. Not sure how many teams are even talking to Boras about JD or Snell. Eddie Rosario had to take a minor league deal. Amed Rosario hit a long homer for the Rays yesterday. He will most likely stick with them since Franco is probably not coming back anytime soon. Still no word on punishment or the status of Julio Urias.
Someone told me he’s suspended for 2024.
Not suspended. But probably will be.
Technically he is on administrative leave. Unfortunately for Urías, he does not have a contract that will continue to pay him while on administrative leave (like Trevor Bauer). Urías has been cleared of felony charges, but the case has been turned over to the City Attorney’s Office for misdemeanor charges, if they choose to. MLB does not administer any MLB punishment (suspension) until all legal proceedings are concluded. Once the City Attorney’s Office concludes their review, MLB will make their recommendation which is appealable. I suspect that the suspension will be at least for one year since he is a two-time offender.
There is talk that he would listen to offers for playing in Mexico, Japan, or Korea. Urías will be somebody else’s problem.
It’s amazing how long it takes to resolve a misdemeanor case.
Broken system.
Amen to that.
Happy Birthday Badger! Always look forward to your comments here. Sorry to hear about your friend. At our age those events just serve to remind us of our own mortality. Hope you can enjoy your special day today.
Thanks Jefe. Going to be a quiet day, out to lunch with in-laws, and that’s about it. Hopefully it warms up soon. I do much better in warmer, dryer air. I do miss my yearly trips to the Phoenix area for games. It’s been 5 years now. Time is slipping by.
Badger, let me offer my Happy Birthday greetings as well. It is hard for me to remember my birthday much less anyone else’s. Happy Birthday!!!
Thanks Jeff. Birthdays at this point aren’t such a big deal. No parties, no candles, just a few texts from friends and family.
Got a question for you. What is your gut feeling on Vargas? I think maybe the Dodgers are ready to move on. Pages appears to be better while Vargas appears to have vanished.
Happy bday! Go enjoy some vegan Indian food!
Going Mexican Bobby. But we have great Indian choices around here.
We keep adding candles on our birthday cakes and it is harder to blow them all our with one try so enjoy each day Badger and especially the day and month you started this journey. There are days where I feel I’m one taco short of a combo plate so please enjoy a taco with your birthday dinner. Maybe it’s the one I have been missing.
I still believe he has good bat to ball skills and can be a good hitter at the MLB level. I just think he is snake bit with the Dodgers and it might be best for HIM to move on. If I am a Vargas fan, I would be hoping that he would get moved to Miami where I believe he would be very comfortable. I also think his fellow Cuban, Andy Pages, has passed him on the OF organizational ladder. There has to be a win win trade with Miami out there.
Bluto, my opinion. Neither Friedman nor Gomes has called me to tell me. 😃
“I just think Vargas is snake bit with the Dodgers and it might be best for HIM to move on. I also think his fellow Cuban, Andy Pages, has passed him on the OF organizational ladder.”
👍 Me too.
Pages looks like the real deal, I’ve only watched him twice however, but what I saw Me Likey. I think you are right, Vargas may need new start somewhere else.
Me likey, too.
I think 2019 was the last time I was at Camelback but my son and his buddies have talked me into one last hurrah next week.
We’re leaving at some ungodly hour and driving to Phoenix to hopefully arrive in time for the first inning of Wednesday’s game, the last one before Korea. We’ll then see 3 other games (non-Dodger) and head back Sunday. I’m looking forward to the fact that guys 25-30 years younger than me have requested my presence. My son doesn’t always make great decisions, but he has a knack for making great friends. I always enjoy their company.
Driving back and forth from LA to Phoenix……………..not looking forward to that.
Stop at Hadley’s. The youngsters will appreciate you even more.
The “youngsters” are in their 40’s. 😁
Been stopping at Hadley’s for over 60 years. (maybe that should read over 70 years, can’t remember how old I was the first time).
“Been stopping at Hadley’s for over 60 years”
Me too. Still stop for the date shake whenever I’m passing through. As good as it ever was.
Hadley’s was my Dad thing and I drop in when I pass by mainly to remember him.
Organic?
Good question. When it comes to the date shakes, I don’t care.
Enjoy. Have a great time. I am guessing that you will see either Yamamoto or Glasnow.
Or maybe both.
And thanks for the good wishes.
The Dodgers are starting 4 starters tonight (Smith, T. Hernandez, Outman, and Heyward). OTOH, the Giants could be starting their starting lineup against Paxton. Chapman will be making his SFG debut tonight. LaMonte Wade could be the 1B over Wilmer Flores and Marco Luciano could be the SS over Nich Ahmed. But I could make an argument for both Flores and Ahmed being the starters.
Trevor Bauer will be pitching against the Dodgers with his new Independent Team, Asian Breeze. It is a travel team that gets undiscovered players in front of scouts as they play against MiLB players on the back fields. The players generally pay a fee to join the travel team.
I do not believe any other NRI has these requirements. It is possible that someone like TJ McFarland could have his own opt out clause in his MiLB contract.
Although things haven’t started well for Lux so far defensively, I’m in the Bear camp as far as giving Lux some more time. I don’t think he wasn’t able to do any SS drills until late January. I have to agree that he doesn’t look healthy. Anyway, I say give him to the All Star break and then re-evaluate. With his offensive potential and the rest of the team’s offensive weapons could be enough to compensate for any defensive weakness from Lux (and Muncy) on the left side of the infield. The pitchers may get a bit upset though. I watched the third inning yesterday and Yamamoto might have been thinking…WTF, these are my starting SS and 3B? Yikes.
I was a big Vargas fan when he first got some MLB experience in 2022. Last year he started off with the broken fingers and struggles at the plate. The team gave him a fair chance to turn things around offensively. Defensively I thought his play improved somewhat even though he had no range at 2B. But, he regressed at the plate and was sent down for the remainder of the year. This year, with another position change, he hasn’t shown much and doesn’t look at that confident in LF. The improvement of Pages, with more power potential, and him being a true OF at all three spots he surely has a better chance of playing for the Dodgers at some point this year. With T. Hernandez on a one year deal, I would think Pages would be the favorite to replace him. But, who never knows. Vargas may turn things around and become a solid player. It could be an outfield of Vargas, Outman, and Pages in 2025!
Carry on.
More pitchers going down to arm injuries.
Who
Some young arms. Jackson Kowar of the Mariners, the Cubs Caleb Killian. There have been a rash of injuries again this spring. Giolitto out for the year after he was the Red Sox big off season signing.
Way back after the 2022 season, I was writing hoping that the Dodgers would sign a SS and leave Gavin Lux at 2B. I said at the time that Lux could be an All Star 2B, but a below average SS. However the Dodgers decided to give the SS job to Lux for 2023, but we know what happened last Spring.
Now it is 2024, and Lux has been declared the Opening Day SS all Spring. Until now. Now Doc says that he is not sure who will be Opening Day SS. He came into Spring just getting cleared for baseball activities. The Dodgers have played 14 games, and Lux has appeared in 8; 5 as SS. He has had 10 chances at SS, and while they have not looked good, it has been just 10 chances. The Dodgers are making a decision on 10 chances?
In 2022, Lux was in the 8th percentile in arm strength. And now he is moving to a position that requires even more arm strength? The Dodgers gave Miguel Vargas a half year in 2023 (poor defense and offense). Muncy had all of last season as a poor defensive 3B. And Lux gets 10 chances?
I was in favor of upgrading SS and keeping Lux at 2B. They won 100 games with Miguel Rojas at SS. The Dodgers had all winter to upgrade SS, but said they were giving the job to Lux. Okay, now give him the time to work things out. If Lux’s SS play is hurting the team’s chances at winning, make a change at the deadline.
Before I give up on Lux and move Betts back to RF, I would flip Lux and Betts and keep them both in the infield.
Interesting stuff out of Dodgers camp today:
1. Buehler threw today, and looked either sharp or locked in. Depending on which synonym you prefer. He struck out four batters (he was facing a few minor-leaguers in the org) missing bats.
2. ALERT! Roberts changed tack today, noticeably. He is not longer committing to Gavin Lux being the Dodgers opening day shortstop. While the team is still confident in Lux’s defense, he also reiterated that “performance matters” & that the club will do what is best for team.
3. Rosters for the Spring Breakout game have been released. For the LAD, some prospect names:
P: Ferris, Henriquez, Karros, Kopp, Rooney, Wrobleski
IF: Albertus, Gauthier, Sweeney
OF: DePaula, George, Munoz
C: Yeiner, Lirazano, Rushing
Sheehan has resumed his throwing program, per Bill Plunkett
More from Roberts on Lux:
Full Roster:
Here’s the Dodgers’ Spring Breakout roster with MLB Pipeline’s rankings:
PITCHERS
Jackson Ferris, LHP, No. 8
Justin Wrobleski, LHP, No. 16
Ronan Kopp, LHP, No. 17
Patrick Copen, RHP, NR
Alec Gamboa, LHP, NR
Edgardo Henriquez, RHP, NR
Joel Ibarra, RHP, NR
Jared Karros, RHP, NR
Juan Morillo, RHP, NR
John Rooney, LHP, NR
CATCHERS
Dalton Rushing, C/1B, No. 1 (MLB No. 75)
Thayron Liranzo, C/1B, No. 10
Yeiner Fernandez, C/2B, No. 28
Jesus Galiz, C, NR
INFIELDERS
Trey Sweeney, SS, No. 22
Jake Gelof, 3B, No. 23
Alexander Albertus, INF, No. 24
Austin Gauthier, INF/OF, No. 26
Noah Miller, SS/2B, No. 27
Alex Freeland, SS, NR
OUTFIELDERS
Josue De Paula, OF, No. 4
Kendall George, OF, No. 12
Zyhir Hope, OF, No. 21
Samuel Munoz, OF, No. 25
Jose Ramos, OF, No. 29
Damon Keith, OF, NR
Full Roster:
PITCHERS
Jackson Ferris, LHP, No. 8
Justin Wrobleski, LHP, No. 16
Ronan Kopp, LHP, No. 17
Patrick Copen, RHP, NR
Alec Gamboa, LHP, NR
Edgardo Henriquez, RHP, NR
Joel Ibarra, RHP, NR
Jared Karros, RHP, NR
Juan Morillo, RHP, NR
John Rooney, LHP, NR
CATCHERS
Dalton Rushing, C/1B, No. 1 (MLB No. 75)
Thayron Liranzo, C/1B, No. 10
Yeiner Fernandez, C/2B, No. 28
Jesus Galiz, C, NR
INFIELDERS
Trey Sweeney, SS, No. 22
Jake Gelof, 3B, No. 23
Alexander Albertus, INF, No. 24
Austin Gauthier, INF/OF, No. 26
Noah Miller, SS/2B, No. 27
Alex Freeland, SS, NR
OUTFIELDERS
Josue De Paula, OF, No. 4
Kendall George, OF, No. 12
Zyhir Hope, OF, No. 21
Samuel Munoz, OF, No. 25
Jose Ramos, OF, No. 29
Damon Keith, OF, NR
Red Sox extends 25 year old RHSP Brayan Bello. It is a 6 year $51MM guarantee (includes $1MM buyout of club option). There is also a $21MM club option for 2030. Of course we have been advised by a certain someone to not expect the Dodgers to approach Bobby Miller because he is going to be looking for $300MM.
There is a post on MLBTR about Lux. It basically says the same thing Roberts said earlier today. No guarantees Lux plays SS opening day. But it also touched on the trade rumors about Adames. Yes, Milwaukee has young Joey Ortiz penciled in as the future SS, especially with Adames in his walk year. But they look like they will need him to play some second base and third this year. I understand that Adames is attractive because of his defense. I totally get it. He would also make the team RH heavy and add a bat that averages 182 K’s every 162 games. His OPS+ is 95. Yes, he will give you a lot of pop. 20 or more homers 5 times in his career. OPS is also under .800 and he doesn’t walk much. Less than half the times he strikes out. With guys like Chris Taylor, who has struck out more than 100 times six times in the last seven years, Max Muncy, who has struck out 120 or more times five of the last six, Freeman averages 132 K’s every 162 games, but he makes enough contact to offset that. Betts averages 102 a year, Ohtani, 174, Teo, 191, Heyward 111, Smith has struck out 300 times in his five years. Those averages are over 162 games. So even without Adames, there is a lot of swing and miss going on. That is one reason why I believe they are trying to help Lux get better and might give him until at least the All-Star break before they make any drastic decisions. Rojas can always come in late in games for defensive purposes. Lux makes contact. He doesn’t strikeout much. He has had 10 chances this spring. That is way to small of a sample size to make any judgements.
Per Roberts when asked about Lux at SS on Opening Day:
That certainly was not the feeling last year with Vargas at 2B or Muncy at 3B. So why now with Lux?
Because every single throw Lux has made in a ST game has been questionable?
I ask again. Lux has had 10 chances at SS in ST. How many poor defensive plays did Miguel Vargas and Max Muncy have during the regular season in 2023? It is okay to let Vargas and Muncy bothch plays, but not Lux? Seems harsh and short sighted to me. I was never against finding an elite SS and leaving Lux at 2B. I have said so ever since the end of the 2022 season. I advocated drafting Bo Bichette over Lux. I advocated drafting Gunnar Henderson over Kody Hoese and Michael Busch.
But one week before the season starts seems awfully late to be making a switch at SS after 10 throws. Make Rojas the regular SS, I am okay with that. But then what do you do with Lux? Back up 2B to Betts? Of course that is where CT3 or Kiké are expected. How many backup middle infielders do you need for a backup middle infielder? Roberts’ comments have already told other teams that the Dodgers are not high on him and his trade value continues to slide. I have generally stayed away from being negative on Roberts, but his comments on Lux has to be one of the more poorer comments he can make 1 week before the opener for a guy with known anxiety issues.
Again, I have never believed that Lux was an All Star SS. The Dodgers did, and told everyone with their words and action (or inaction). Now they don’t?
Not sure what that was about, my point was ZERO good throws to date seems like a fair rationale to merit reconsideration.
0 for 10 is 0%!
I’m pretty sure both Muncy and Vargas were better than zero for X.
im also sure the Dodgers are going off a more robust data set than 10 chances.
im also sure the Dodgers are going off a more robust data set than 10 chances.
How do you know that? Have you read that somewhere? Or is this one of those uninformed comments you do not like?
Or perhaps you are making a legit comment from what you are seeing, like those of us who believe Pages has surpassed Vargas. BTW, I do not disagree with your assessment. I am just against the timing and Roberts’ comments.
How do I know the Dodgers have more robust analytics than we do?!?!?
because it’s been reported nearly everywhere!
at the barest of minimums, they have Luxx himself! They can ask Lux how he’s feeling. They have reaction time dat. They have positioning data! They have release point data! They have observed Lux in practice, in non-game situations! They have velocity data! You cannot be serious by thinking that all the Dodgers have to go on our 10 throwing chances! That’s the silliest thing I’ve read in weeks.
The Dodgers and their analytical and coaching staffs are the opposite of uninformed
Then ignore me! I often find many things you say as silly. I say the Dodgers have the same data on Pages vs Vargas, but mine and others do not meet your standard? I think we can just agree to disagree on the level of your inference on how the Dodgers perceive Lux.
Jeff,
I think you are confused.
Of course the Dodgers have more data on Pages and Vargas. I never, ever, ever, ever said that wasn’t the case.
I’m not sure how we got back to Pages and Vargas, because it has NOTHING to do with Lux’s throwing except that all the players are Dodgers.
Just to be definitive:
ALL I WAS WONDERING (in the case of MiLB OFs) was whether there was good reporting about which of those two players the Dodgers preferred.
That’s it!
Onto today’s topic. THERE IS good reporting that the Dodgers are reconsidering Lux at SS. So, I’m interested in why the Dodgers may be doing that. There are two salient points (probably more, but right now just two).
They are:
1.) 0 for 10 is 0%. You cannot be worse than that.
2.) The Dodgers have MORE information than observing the results of 10 throws and we can probably infer that that data is informing.
I have an appointment with an orthopedist on Tuesday. Finally getting my knees checked out after all of these years. When I bend them, I can hear the bones grinding. Hell, the warranty ran out on them years ago. Here is how I feel about this team. I do not care who plays where. I would rather see them not trade for a rental. If there was a condition that Adames had to sign an extension, I would be ok with that. But I dislike them getting rental players and trading away guys who are under team control. I want them to win. Whatever it takes to get rid of the bad taste the last two playoffs have left in my mouth, I am for it.
Adames. I hope it doesn’t come to that.
Knees. Those of us who have reached our age without some kind of knee procedure are the fortunate ones.
This team. On paper it’s clearly the best squad I can remember. But you know that old saying about paper.
This organization. They have put together what reads like deep talent development, but it’s difficult to see any rising stars. It’s been a while since we’ve had a Seager or Kershaw type talent rise to the top. Granted they were top 10 picks but dozens of stars in the league were picked after the first round. I still think they could be better at analyzing draft picks.
It seems that the rising stars will be seen in the pitching staff where we really need it after last year’s debacle. Plus, with our lineup of starters, there is little possibility for anyone from the farm rising and displacing the incumbents. Outman is the first in a while but is he in a class with Seager and early Bellinger? I think the FO was aghast with our having had to audition so many MiLB players. No one but Outman survived last year’s trial by fire.
It is what I have been saying for quite awhile now. And yet there are those out there that lable me as someone who dislikes the Dodgers and the kids. How dare I question how the Dodgers acquire young talent. Do I know as much as Friedman, Gomes, and Gaspariono? No, but I do have the ability to think for myself, form and express my own opinions. And yet, I do believe that the Dodgers are very fortunate to have all three.
It continues to get pointed out that the Dodgers always have a top farm system, although I never said it wasn’t. What I have maintained is that the Dodgers develop pitching (and still not yet Aces) and good depth, but no elite stars. If you doubt that they no longer develop Aces, then why did they sign a 25 year old pitcher who has never pitched an inning in MLB for $325MM (Yamamoto) and trade for an oft injured potential Ace (Glasnow)? Or commit $700MM to Ohtani? I contend that it is because their system is not producing at that championship level. And quite frankly, I am glad they choose to spend the money and prospect capital to bring in the Stars.
The last prospect with a 60 or greater FV for LAD was Lux, and now he is questioned as being legit. If Lux had stayed at 2B he might have achieved All Star status. BTW, I am all in favor of keeping Mookie happy and moving him to 2B.
If the team needed a SS, might Nick Ahmed have been a better option for a MiLB contract than say…Travis Swaggerty or Elieser Hernandez?
Also, like Phil Jones, I have no problem with Miguel Rojas at SS.
For a minute, let’s assume that Lux does in deed get traded to Milwaukee. I can see an Ortiz (SS) and Lux (2B) as the cornerstone of their infield for years. And with their young OF, they could be legit contenders for years. Milwaukee would work something out in a NY minute.
It’s my opinion your coverage of the system is far and away the best I’ve read in the blog world that I frequent. Your writing skills are obviously developed and I very much appreciate there is no bombastic b.s. that we find on other sites. I hope you keep at it.
The only problem I have with Rojas at short is it means that Lux failed. That would be very disappointing for me. But, this lineup wouldn’t be hurt much by a 0 oWAR 1.6 dWAR shortstop (my projections). Somebody has to hit 9th.
My only concern about the pitching staff and its home grown talent is how many of them have broken down and needed surgeries. Not a good sign. This has to have something to do with either the training staff or the coaches insisting on throwing with certain forms that weaken the players arms. It’s just too common on our team. Mays, Gonsolin, Buehler, Urias, etc.
Adames hit 217 last year with a 717 OPS. His career OPS is 759. I am not sure he would be an upgrade to Rojas, Lux, Kike, Taylor options you already have. Plus Adames makes over $12 million this year compared to Lux at $1 million.
I wouldn’t trade for Adames and definitely wouldn’t give him an extension. Do you want to pay $12 million this year and $50 million to $100 million for a 217 hitter that strikes out a lot?
I agree. If you are ready to make a change at SS and want defense, stick with Rojas. Adames makes zero sense. A bigger question for me is, if you (Dodgers) are giving up on Lux now, what happens next year? His arm works good at 2B…not SS. 8th percentile arm strength. It is not going to get better for next year.
The Adames stuff is so silly.
alliteration!
“if you (Dodgers) are giving up on Lux now, what happens next year? His arm works good at 2B…not SS. 8th percentile arm strength. It is not going to get better for next year.”
All I’ve read is that Betts has said he likes playing on the dirt, not specifically 2B. Why wasn’t the plan putting Betts at SS and Lux at 2B? It’s not too late. Betts is athletic and has a cannon arm.
We had our first look at Bett SS/Lux 2B today against Cincinatti. One noticeable thing about Lux seems to be a weak arm. He’s throwing sidearm to 1B and barely reaching Freddie. Maybe his arm is shot? His bat isn’t.
Well we had our first rainy day of spring training on Thursday, in Arizona. The weather has been great. Two big thunder and lightening storms came through, one late morning and the next about 6:00 pm. When it rains here, it doesn’t fool around. It bounces off the pavement about 2 feet and the evening storm pelted hail, like bullets. They don’t last long but it’s instant flooding. The forecast looks like we’re good to go for awhile now. Somehow they got the game in down the road at Goodyear.
Really nice to see Michael Busch hit a 2 run homer for the Cubs v Cincy at Goodyear. Now with Bellinger in camp it will be interesting to see his role. He played first yesterday. It would be nice to see him get a legit shot and not get buried again.
Free Michael Busch!
Outside of Pete Crow-Armstrong, the Cubs do not have a legit CF, although they do have a couple of guys (including Busch) who can play 1B. Seems logical that Belli plays CF until PCA is ready to assume the CF role. I prefer Busch to Christopher Morel, but then I am biased.
Totally agree Jeff. Let Belli roam around CF and let Michael get a crack at 1st.
Well we had our first rainy day of spring training on Thursday, in Arizona. The weather has been great. Two big thunder and lightening storms came through, one late morning and the next about 6:00 pm. When it rains here, it doesn’t fool around. It bounces off the pavement about 2 feet and the evening storm pelted hail. They don’t last long but it’s instant flooding. The fields drain well and some games got in.
Really nice to see Michael Busch hit a 2 run homer for the Cubs v Cincy at Goodyear. Now with Bellinger in camp it will be interesting to see his role. He played first yesterday. It would be nice to see him get a legit shot and not get buried again.
Posted from the Department of Redundancy Department.
I am assuming that Roberts is referring to WS Championships and not Divisional Championships. What if AF followed that logic with Roberts? With him in the dugout making playoff decisions, does that give the Dodgers the best chance to win? If performance is paramount, do we consider Roberts’ performance as a playoff manager as paramount?