Since the Guggenheim Group took control of the team, this has been their goal. To that end, the Dodgers have been to three World Series in their tenure as the team’s owners. We all know they have won one and lost two. One of those losses tainted by the Cheetos.
Once a team loaded with home-grown players, only 7 of the 26 players on the everyday roster are home-grown. Buehler, Grove, Stone, Smith, Lux, Pages and Vargas. The rest either came through free agency or trades.
The farm system is loaded with pitching prospects, but not so well stocked on the position player side. But the team is deep enough in talent so a trade for an impact player is highly possible.
At this point in the season, they lead the NL West by 8 games over the Padres, and 8.5 over the Giants. They are three games better than they were last season at the 67 game mark. Last year at this point, they were three games behind.
Because they have not won a World Series in a full season since 1988, there is tremendous pressure on the team to win now. Fans want nothing less than a Championship. They feel anything less is a failure.
Baseball has changed. And it is no easy task getting to the big series. Winning the division does not guarantee anything but a gauntlet you have to run to win it all. When LA won in 2020, they were the first team to ever have to win four series to get the job done. They went 13-5.
After last year’s disappointing loss to the D-Backs, the Dodgers went looking for some serious help. On the offensive side and on the pitcher’s mound also.
When the dust settled, they landed the two most sought after free agents, both from Japan, made a trade for a quality starting pitcher, extended him, and then signed a power hitting outfielder as a free agent.
Some players were allowed to leave via free agency. JD Martinez had no spot once they signed Ohtani. Peralta had a so-so season, and they had already decided to reward Jason Heyward for his bounce back year.
AF re-signed Kike, which I felt was redundant since they still had Taylor on the roster. Urias would have been a free agent, but his legal problems got in the way.
He re-signed Joe Kelly, fans were curious as to why. They traded Gonzalez to the Yankees, and then Michael Busch and Almonte to the Cubs. But they also re-signed Brasier, Kershaw and Hudson. Then he traded Ferguson to the Yankees.
As the first regular season game in Korea approached, LA had a pretty set lineup figured out. C. Smith, 1B, Freeman, 2B, Lux, SS Mookie, 3B, Muncy, LF, Hernandez/Taylor/Kike CF, Outman, RF Heyward/Hernandez, DH Ohtani. Lux was moved to second after a rough spring as the SS.
The rotation would be Glasnow, Yamamoto, Miller, Stone and Paxton. We also knew that the bullpen would always be in flux. Mookie started off better than he ever had in any other season. Ohtani started off slowly and then got hot. Surprise though, Rojas had two homers before Ohtani hit one.
So far, the season has gone pretty much as expected, with some disturbing trends. They seem to play down to the competition. They are 13-10 against their own division. The Padres are 5-3 against them. But they only have 5 games left with SD, all after July.
But they have a losing record against sub .500 teams such as the Reds, Pirates, and Cubs. The top five have been good, but have also tailed off a lot. They really miss Muncy’s power even though he is down around the Mendoza line, his OPS is still over .800.
Outman struggled and was sent to AAA. Andy Pages has had his moments and has seemingly come out of his month long malaise. But Taylor, and Kike have been brutal. Kike barely over the Mendoza line, and Taylor not even hitting over .100 for most of the year. Lux has been a huge disappointment with the bat, but his fielding has been very good.
They called up Miguel Vargas, but have barely played the guy. The 6-9 spots in the lineup have basically been a black hole. Fans want changes now. They want AF to go get a name outfielder or a big time SS and move Mookie either back to second, or back to RF.
A couple of problems with that scenario.
- Mookie loves playing the infield. I have to believe his days as a RF are over. Allegedly, he did not even bring his OF glove to spring training. So, if they do decide to trade for a SS, Mookie would move to second permanently.
- Freidman rarely trades for a big name position player at the deadline. He brought in Machado out of need since Seager was hurt. Trea Turner was brought in because it was the only way the Nats were going to get both Ruiz and Gray. Scherzer alone would not have made that deal happen.
- Freidman’s MO at the deadline has always been more targeting of fringe players, or team needs. One season he loaded up on left handed bullpen arms. I doubt he changes that tactic. Where we the fans see huge holes, he most likely looks at as minor fixes or tweaks to an already powerful lineup.
He does have a problem though. He has a player who has zero value on the trade market, Taylor, an infielder one year removed from major surgery, Lux, and an underperforming bench piece, Kike.
His only real trade chips are his prospects. No one wants Taylor and the almost 24 million he is owed. But Chris definitely needs a change of scenery, or to voluntarily go to the minors to try and find his swing. His defense does not override his total lack of production.
There will be changes by the deadline. Just who or when, no one knows. AF always keeps his options close to his chest. So, can they win? They have a great starting rotation and a very good bullpen. Adding a piece or two to the pen only makes it better. Good pitching wins championships.
The defense has been pretty solid overall, but might need some tweaking. A solid hitting outfielder who is also a defender would also make the lineup better. Many want a SS like Bichette or Adames. Some have said to go after Abrams of the Nats. But that kid was the centerpiece of the Soto trade. He is pretty much the face of that franchise. He won’t be traded.
Bichette is probably more doable. But he would not come cheap with one year left before becoming a free agent. As long as Milwaukee is in the race, forget about Adames. He is too valuable to his team right now.
Forget about guys who still have a hefty amount on their contracts. Yelich, Arenado, who seems to be fading a little more each season. Dodgers might spend a lot of money, but they are not going to just blow way past the CBT.
It just seems logical that they will try to fill holes with guys who are just better than what they have now. Hopefully no more Joey Gallo type trades.
Fans think with their hearts. They love the team and suggest trades that usually do not have a very good chance of coming to fruition. And many fans expect this team to win all the time. Baseball does not work that way.
These past 11 seasons have been the best stretch of very good baseball in Dodger history. And we have been talking since the team came into existence. For Some, that is 1883. As a member of the NL, it is 1890. 134 years, and this is the best stretch ever.
The Brooklyn Dodgers from 47-57 won six pennants, and only one World Series. The LA Dodgers from 59-65, won four pennants and three World Series, beating the Yankees in four straight in 63.
Unlike many fans, I consider both the 81 title and the 2020 title to be legitimate. The best team in the NL did not even make it to the playoffs due to the way the rules were set up after the strike. The Dodgers won because they refused to give up. They had to win 10 post-season games to win the title.
In 2020, they had to win 13 without home field advantage, no fans, and a truncated schedule. All the teams played under the same rules, and LA came out on top.
I truly believe today’s fans are spoiled by the teams in season success, and then expect them to just waltz into the series every year. Well, teams get hot. Players get hot, and all of a sudden you are down 2-0 and on your heels. If you are banged up, like they were in 21, or basically out of gas, you are going to lose.
I have been watching this team for close to 70 years. And unlike some of the younger fans, I have seen this team go through long stretches where they were not a playoff caliber team, even when they had 5 ROY’s in a row.
I have enjoyed the seasons, and watched this team battle back from 3-1 deficits in the playoffs, and then lose when up in a series. Baseball works that way. Even the mighty Yankees of the 20’s lost a World Series to a team of basically banjo hitters, the 26 Cardinals.
The way the playoffs are set up now, does not favor the teams with a bye. Proof in the pudding, in 22, the only team with a bye that advanced, the Astros. In 23, exactly the same thing, only the Astros advanced. The Astros are also the only team who had a bye who won the whole thing.
I am going to enjoy the rest of the year. I am pretty sure it will culminate with a 12th straight playoff appearance. Many will say, the Dodgers are the 2000’s version of the Braves in the late 90’s. I’ll take that to not even getting to the playoffs for all those years.
MiLB GAME SUMMARY REPORTS
Sugarland Space Cowboys (Houston) 6 – OKC Baseball Club 2
Ben Casparius started and completed 5.0 innings, most under stress. He allowed 1 run on 5 hits and 3 BB. He helped himself with 7 Ks.
Ben Casparius touched 96.2, sat 94.6, spin hit 2652, averaged 2373. So, velo is good, carry makes it even better. 43% Whiff Rate on his Slider, 50% on all of his Curveball, Cutter & Sinker. This Dudes stuff has jumped to a different level, point blank.
5IP 5H 1R 7K 3BB#dodgers pic.twitter.com/hcK3XT6w1X— Dodgers Daily (@dodger_daily) June 13, 2024
Kyle Hurt followed Casparius who faced and retired 4 batters, three on strikeouts. Hurt was relieved himself after the 4 batters and 18 pitches (11 strikes). This was Hurt’s 3rd rehab assignment with OKC. Matt Gage relieved Hurt and struck the final two hitters in the 7th.
OKC took a 2-1 lead into the bottom of the 8th, but the roof caved in on Matt Gage and Gus Varland. Gage allowed a single, a SB, WP, and double. Gus Varland relieved Gage and walked the 1st batter he faced. After a K, he gave up a 3-run HR. That was followed by a BB, SB and double for the 5th run of the inning.
OKC scored a pair in the 2nd to open a lead. With one out, Ryan Ward singled, followed by an Austin Gauthier BB. Hunter Feduccia followed with a run scoring single. With 2 outs, Drew Avans singled home a 2nd run and a 2-0 lead.
OKC had 6 hits, all singles, and no OKC batter had a multi-hit night.
Tulsa Drillers 2 – Arkansas Travelers (Seattle) 0
I have to admit reading that Orlando Ortiz-Mayr was the lead into a 3 hit shutout was surprising. While Ortiz-Mayr was able to complete 5.1 innings, it was not without stress. He allowed 2 hits but also 5 BB. He left the bases loaded in the 2nd. He got help from DP in the 1st and 3rd. He left 2 runners on base when he came out in the 6th.
Ronan Kopp relieved Ortiz-Mayr and hit a batter in the 6th to load the bases. He did get the final out in the inning. Kopp allowed a double and BB in the 7th. After a sac bunt put runners on 2nd and 3rd, Kopp struck out the next batter, and gave way to Edgardo Henriquez. In his AA debut, Henriquez struck out the first batter he faced to end the 7th.
Edgardo walked the first batter in the 8th, but induced the third DP and then a pop out to end the inning. Edgardo is legit.
If you need to know how high the Dodgers are on Edgardo Henriquez, just know he has ALREADY been moved to AA, so he's jumped 3 levels & it's just June. He made his AA debut today, 1.1IP scoreless. ERA 2.25, WHIP 0.96! Make sure he's in your Rolodex, at the very front! #dodgers pic.twitter.com/k71Yr1cKvT
— Dodgers Daily (@dodger_daily) June 13, 2024
Logan Boyer retired the side in order in the 9th with 2 Ks for his 4th save.
Logan Boyer can light up the radar gun, but check out the breaking ball to end the game in this video clip. Similar situation to Henriquez, big stuff, working his first full year back from injury & turning heads. ERA 1.31, WHIP 0.97, 26 Ks in 20.2 IP, 9 of his last 10 scoreless.… pic.twitter.com/f7WbGcTHhs
— Dodgers Daily (@dodger_daily) June 13, 2024
For the Drillers in the third, José Ramos led off with a single and promptly stole 2nd. With one out, Bubba Alleyne doubled (7) Ramos home.
In the 4th, Diego Cartaya singled and scored on a José Ramos double (8) and error on the CF. Those were the only two runs of the game.
Alleyne and Ramos were the only XBH in the 5 Driller hits. José Ramos was the only Driller with a multi-hit game with 2 hits.
Great Lakes Loons 3 – Dayton Dragons (Reds) 2
It seems like I am writing it after each of his outings of late, but this was Jackson Ferris’ best game in the LAD organization. He completed 5.0 scoreless innings, throwing 84 pitches (51 strikes). He allowed 2 hits and 2 BB to go with 6 K.
Jackson Ferris was "FIRE" again tonight for Great Lakes!
5IP 2H 0R 6K 2BB
Ferris has given up just 1 run in his last 2 outings (10IP) & has 16 Ks to just 4 walks in those outings. This marks the 4th outing in a row he's gone at least 5IP & 5th of his last 6. #dodgers pic.twitter.com/eEPktNDueR— Dodgers Daily (@dodger_daily) June 13, 2024
Ferris left with a 2-0 lead that evaporated in the 7th. Madison Jeffrey entered in the 7th allowing a single, HBP, wild pitch, and a single drove in one run and put runners on 1st and 3rd with 0 outs. Livan Reinoso relieved Jeffrey and got a DP, but the tying run scored.
In the 8th, Great Lakes scored a run without the benefit of a hit. Catcher’s interference, HBP, a walk, and a Noah Miller sac fly for the go ahead and eventual winning run.
Lucas Wepf pitched the final 1.2 innings. He allowed a one out double in the 9th, but struck out the final two batters to earn his 7th save.
Lucas Wepf has turned into Must See TV!
Upper mid 90's, dirty split change, & has a competitive element that is fun to watch & perfectly suited for the big moments. Picked up a dramatic save #7 after striking out the last 2 hitters with tying run on 3rd. ERA 1.61, WHIP 0.71!… pic.twitter.com/OSRCFfs294— Dodgers Daily (@dodger_daily) June 13, 2024
The Loons scored a run in the 3rd after a Kyle Nevin triple and Jake Gelof single. They scored another in the 4th on a Jake Vogel triple and passed ball.
- Noah Miller – 2-3, 1 BB, 1 Sac Fly, 1 RBI
- Dylan Campbell – 1-3, 2 BB, double (13)
- Kyle Nevin – 1-4, 1 BB, 1 run, triple (3)
- Jake Vogel – 1-3, 1 BB, 1 run, triple (1)
Fresno Grizzlies (Colorado) 8 – Rancho Cucamonga Quakes 2
The Quakes had 4 hits, 2 by 19 year old 2B Jeral Perez. Perez hit his 11th double and 8th HR. The other two hits were singles by Kendall George and a run scoring single by Logan Wagner.
The pitching was not sharp, and it has not been sharp for most of the year. The five RC pitchers left the game with ERAs of 14.40, 7.00, 7.15, 11.37, 4.82. Those are not good numbers even considering the California League is a very hitter friendly league.
ACL Dodgers 8 – ACL Rockies 7
Eriq Swan had a rough night giving up 5 runs on 5 hits, including 2 HR, and 1 BB.
Jesus Tillero pitched 2.0 scoreless innings.
- Joendry Vargas – 2-6, 1 run, 2 RBI, triple (2)
- Eduardo Quintero – 2-3, 2 BB, 1 HBP, 1 run, 1 RBI, double (3)
- Alexander Albertus – 2-5, 1 BB, 2 RBI
- Jose Meza – 2-2, 3 BB, 1 HBP, 2 RBI
- Angel Diaz – 3-4, 1 HBP, 3 runs
- Jose Hernandez – double (2)
The Dodgers are at it again.
Early on, Eduardo Quintero looks like an analytical superstar for the @Dodgers ACL team.
We explain why ⬇️https://t.co/Jnfu2BchgI pic.twitter.com/apgUfdoyIZ
— Baseball America (@BaseballAmerica) June 12, 2024
With Biggio on the roster we now have 6 weak bats among the 13 position players.
Biggio, Kike, CT3, Barnes, Lux all at or under the Mendoza line. Heyward , the jury is still out but he showing some signs lately. Rojas ? Can he sustain his good pace all season ? That makes 7 weak or at least qustionable bats on the roster. That is not sustainable if you want to win a championshp.
Are AF and the Dodgers really hoping that 4-5 of those bats miracoulsly are getting hot ?
One more thing: They said they moved Mookie to the infield to reduce wear and tear on him for the postseason. Now we know that Mookie is working like crazy every day to get better at ss. I wonder if this is what they had in my mind when they said they wanted to give him more rest than in the of.
Go Dodgers!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
It’s my opinion playing outfield is easier than playing infield, and shortstop is the most demanding infield position. I can see Mookie flaming out.
Biggio with an error that changed that inning and gave up the unearned run that beat us. I see that move as either a signal to the league our MiLB infield position players are not good enough to play on the varsity squad or the ones that are good enough are being saved for trades. And the more I think about it the more I believe it’s the former.
Yes, clearly it’s the World Series or bust for this organization. You don’t spend the kind of money they did without serious, Series, expectations.
In my opinion Rojas is not a starter. He’s a role player off the bench. We could live with that if the starters are more consistent, but the last two games are illustrative of what this team is – hot and cold – and I see no indications the all or nothing personality is going to change. If they are hot in October they can beat anybody. If they are not, 3 runs, some unearned, can beat them.
At this time there are just too many teams within striking distance of the Wild Card and everyone knows just getting in is the goal. How can teams give up early? Even 8 games back, which could be half the league, is close enough to keep battling.
I still believe we need a ML shortstop, and it isn’t Sweeney or Lipcius, and what that means for Lux isn’t clear. I have no idea what his trade value might be but I suspect it isn’t much.
I think catcher is the most demanding infield position to play, followed by shortstop. But yes, I share your concern about Mookie flaming out as a full-time SS – something must be done to address this.
Technically you’re right about the catcher but you got the point.
I didn’t see it as I bailed early on that game (have it recorded) but a picture in the Times shows Pages being tagged out at the plate with his lead foot once again in the air. This is an inexcusable error that is repeating itself. What to do? Apparently nothing. Fundamentals. Throwing, sliding, two strike approach, backing up bases, base running, route running, all missing with this club. Slug and be slugged. Maddening to those who learned The Dodger Way to Play Baseball.
Pages ran through Ebel’s stop sign either because he didn’t see it or he ignored it. If it’s the latter, then Pages tried to be a hero and came out a zero. Roberts may read him the riot act for that.
Pages has a lot of talent, but it seems he lacks in certain basic little league skills (sliding, watching his 3b coach).
These things, however, can be corrected and I’m sure this offseason we will focus on teaching him the basics.
I liked the aggressiveness. I rather see Pages trying to score than see Biggio vs Yates. Better chance to score with Pages here. Took a perfect relay and tag to get him out.
Go Dodgers!!!!!!!!!!
Good point. Assuming BIGGIO would have batted…game over. So yeah, why not try?
Just watched the bottom of the 9th. Teo chasing first 3, making it 0-2 instead of 3-0. He’s a hacker and took it to the warning tract. At that point I believe the Dodgers were 0 for 12 with runners on. They had Yates on the ropes. Yes Pages ran a stop sign, yes, the catcher blocked the plate, but he was out by plenty. Pages shows promise but he needs to start paying attention to details.
The Dodgers need to find ways to win close ones and in my opinion it begins with stop giving up bases and unearned runs. There’s no reason slugging teams should be lacking fundamentals. It’s just discipline and exercising sound judgment.
100% agree!
Roberts doesn’t read anyone the riot act. After the game, he pulled him aside and had a private conversation with him. The guy is a rookie, they make mistakes. You learn from what you do wrong. It won’t happen again anytime soon.
I disagree on Rojas “not being a starter”. What does he need to do to get his props? Miggy is hitting .270 and is our best defensive infielder. Some speculate the at 35, he won’t hold up but I haven’t seen any evidence of that being fact. He would play everyday for me at 3rd or 2nd.
Biggio just confuses the issue for me, unless there are plans to cut loose Kike and/or CT3.
What is the attraction with the idea that we need a new Shortstop, over needing a quality outfield bat? That conversation just won’t die despite a lack of a quality, obtainable SS that won’t be an overpay. We have bigger needs.
Unless you bundle Lux in a trade for said SS, what’s the plan for him? I don’t see his role as a bat off the bench along with Kike, CT3, Barnes and Biggio. Whenever Muncy returns it gets more confusing.
There fact that AF is dedicated to improve the roster with reclamation projects while not trusting our highly ranked home grown talent is disappointing to me. Where is the in-house player development? Apparently, our arrogant assumption that the Dodger staff can make chicken salad out of chicken shit with retread players doesn’t work the same for our home grown minor league players.
Re the SS question…
Rosenthal reports that Dodgers are still interested in Adames–but the Brewers are romping in their division, so why would they trade a such a key guy? His defense is first-rate, and he hits with power. He’d be my choice if the Brewers would deal–and not ask for too much.
Bichette seems possible, but he’s really been pretty bad this year. His OBP is .287. Paul DeJong? Really good power–13 HRs, .773 OPS–but his OBP is .290. Any other shortstops clearly on the market?
At the bottom of the order the Dodgers need guys who get on base in front of Mookie and Shohei. Rojas’s OBP is .321, and he’s defense is better than Bichette’s or DeJong’s.
Lux is showing signs of life: over the last 15 days, he’s batted .281 with a .324 OBP.
Kike has been really bad–except in comparison to Taylor. Now with Biggio on the roster, something’s gotta give, right?
Unless AF can land Adames, I think the Mookie-Lux-Rojas keystone mashup may well be the best option for the rest of the season.
I respect your opinion Phil, and my thought is he’s 35, he’s got a “leg” thing going on, and if I was the manager he’s backing up all 3 infield positions. He is our best fielder, he’s a bench coach and a field leader, I think I prefer a bat at that position for the first 7 innings. Just my opinion.
As for our MiLB I am very disappointed they felt Biggio was better than those guys we traded for. He’s already cost us a 9 inning tie. I just don’t feel that acquisition moves the needle at all.
Maybe the plan is Mookie and Lux up the middle the rest of the way. Hope they hit.
The Dodgers as currently constructed will not win the WS.
Vegas disagrees, for whatever that’s worth. Maybe the money figures the organization will buy what’s needed to finish the job.
The Dodgers as currently constructed can definitely win the World Series because all they need is to play well for 3-4 weeks, which we know they can do.
It’s just a matter of which team shows up in October.
Why would all of our Mendoza and below hitters suddenly improve in October?
Because that’s how averages work?
Plus, our above Mendoza hitters tend to hit like below Mendoza hitters in Oct, so maybe, like George Costanza, we should do the opposite?
Maybe there is a guy named Mendoza somewhere they could sign.
They’ve got to “buy” some more before July 31 to get the job done.
Yeah, Vegas had them as favorites the last two years. How did that work out?
Are you saying:
it’s bad to be the favorite
or favorites don’t always win?
Favorites don’t always win. Now days in baseball, they seldom win the WS.
So, which place would you rather end up in?
Of course winning the division. Makes for a fun and entertaining season. I don’t care much for the bye and not playing for almost a week. I assume it would still be exciting if we were fighting for a wild card spot in September. Those teams that are battling to the very end have faired very well in the post season.
If the bet is between the Dodgers or the field, I’ll take the field.
If you take the field what position would you play? Whatever position it is I hope the ball isn’t hit your way.
Can someone please explain to me why we needed to sign BIGGIO? I’m at a loss….how many useless players do we need on this team? How is he better than VARGAS?
Sometimes I worry about our smart people not always being so smart.
First, this was debated quite a bit yesterday (when it happened) but the TL;DR from my POV:
a. Vargas is only trusted in LF
b. Muncy has been slow to come back
c. Biggio can play 3b
d. Biggio can also play 2B, RF and (I think) 1B.
e. Biggio’s cost was negligible
a. not so sure about that
b. sure has
c. that remains to be seen
d. if you say so
e. that’s good
Unfortunately, a typical loss and run output after scoring double digit runs the previous game. As Badger mentioned, Pages’ sliding technique is not good. How that has not been addressed by now is puzzling. The Dodger way to play baseball is no longer a part of today’s game. Which is sad to see. These type of games is a good reason why basic fundamentals are so important. Not just slug.
With Biggio the next batter I don’t have a real issue with Pages running through an apparent stop sign by Ebel. Two good throws were necessary to get him and that’s what happened.
I’m in the camp that Mookie playing SS does not bode well for the postseason. Maybe, Roberts can get him a few games off in September after they have clinched the division.
Absolutely love the prospect content. No harm in dreaming on the Boyers and Wepfs of the world, as they can either make it or be included as secondary/tertiary pieces in deadline deals.
Pages is still a rookie. Rookies make mistakes. You can bet come next spring; they will work on his baserunning skills. Roberts immediately after the game took Pages aside and had a lengthy talk with him. I do not fault his running through the stop sign of Ebel with costing them the game. It was lack of clutch hitting all up and down the lineup. Biggio’s first game with the team and he is at a position he has rarely played this year, four times. Only 81 games at third his entire career. Whose bat would you rather have over there, Taylor or Biggio? Having a low scoring game after lighting up the scoreboard the day before has become a thing. But I still doubt they make a bunch of trades at the deadline. AF will tweak unless something really big falls into his lap. Astros GM said that they will be buyers, not sellers at the deadline, so forget Tucker. Everyone is down on Mookie as the SS except the Dodgers and Betts himself. If they go get a SS, it will most likely be after the season. The team on the field now, will not be the team on the field come October. That is for certain. Some favorites might be on the move.
The MLB plays the same game as the MILB so is there really such a thing as a rookie mistake ?
Yes, especially with younger players. You can only coach them up so much. It has to take.
Veterans make that same mistake.
Running through a stop sign is a no-no Bear. You don’t end a game being out by 6’. You know that. Next man up. You gotta trust your teammates.
Trust BIGGIO….a .200 hitter? Really? I have lots of faith, but not in a man named BIGGIO….
Biggio had been a Dodger for all of a few hours. Hard to know how much you can trust him against a pitcher who for most of the season has been lights out.
“Trust BIGGIO….a .200 hitter? Really?”
Yes. Really. Better than running through a stop sign and being easily thrown out.
Word!
We all know that, but he is still a rookie. They make mistakes. How many times did Puig do things his first year that made everyone shake their heads in disbelief? The guy bobbled the ball, that is probably what Pages saw. He took the chance and it failed. Rather he do that now in a game in June than in the playoffs.
He ran through a stop sign. You don’t f’n do that. Ever!
He isn’t the first to have done it, and he won’t be the last. He is a kid, he will learn.
Hopefully he just did.
There is no benefit for the Astros GM to say they will be sellers. They are not going to lose any leverage or lose attendance because they are giving up. They are in 9th place for WC, and 5.5 games out. They have little pitching, and none on the horizon. They have 1 top 100 prospect, Jacob Melton #71. They have 1 55 FV and 2 50 FV prospects. In other words they are totally bereft of MLB talent in MiLB. The only way for them to get top 100 prospects is thru trade.
Houston has never offered a contract > 7 years and that was to Altuve in 2018. Houston’s largest contract in $$$ is $163.5MM again to Altuve. Tucker will be looking for more years and >$200MM (how much more????)
Mike Rizzo said Juan Soto was not going to be traded as well. We know what happened.
If I were a betting person, I would bet against Houston trading Tucker, but that should not stop AF for making every effort. As long as the deadline has not passed, I choose to believe that Tucker is a possibility.
Seager was absolutely set up for a change up. And Ferris gave him a cock shot fastball. Bad choice and an even worse location.
So tell me again the platoons at 3rd while Muncy is out. So it’s Kike and Biggio now but maybe CT3 and Rojas and Lux at 2nd but sometimes Mookie? Too confusing for me.
I don’t know him but is Buehler a wee bit of a dick. Every time I see him trying to get coached up, he seems to be having an argument or is pissed off.
I’m sure he’s frustrated, but lighten up. You could be pitching for the White Sox.
When is Lux going to learn how to tag a runner. Once again, he had an opportunity to let Will’s throw travel and pop-tag the runner but again he moves his feet well in front of the bag, and swipe tags. He actually started with his feet straddling the bag but moved in front while the throw was on the way. Will he ever adjust his feet on a good throw to straddle the bag and pop tag. They had the runner if he lets the ball travel. Move your shitty feet properly.
He really hasn’t played second all that much, and he had very few reps there this spring. So, some of his fundamentals are not what they should be. We should all criticize a little less and be somewhat more tolerant. They are after all still in first place, they have well over 90 games left to fix the fixable and get rid of what cannot be fixed. I rather cheer for a winning team than be a Rockies fan.
I’m somewhere between you and Phil regarding Lux.
How to make a tag at 2nd is the same technique whether you start from either side of the base. Lux came up as a shortstop as I recall and converted to 2nd. So not being able to make a proper tag has nothing to do with not having played second all that much. That’s just an excuse for his lack of picking up that skill for reasons I don’t know. It costs us outs.
I don’t feel that my criticism is excessive. Many are too tolerant or ignore poor fundamentals and play, because we’re in first place.
You can be as tolerant as you want to be Bear, with poor play. But I don’t need a lecture on tolerance when I point out repeated, poor, basic fundamentals. The small things matter in the big picture
I didn’t see the play but I will say the only time you let a throw travel is when it is left of the bag or near the left corner.
I understand, but I give a guy who hasn’t played in well over a year a little leeway. He will get better as time goes on, and his defense has not been the problem.
Correct statement that Lux’s defense has not been the problem. I have not been critical of his game nor have I called for reduced playing time. I have praised his improvements.
I have pointed out there are 2 areas in particular where he can improve.
One is on the tag plays I’ve mentioned, where he turns a good throw and an out into a safe call.
The second is his pivot at 2nd base where he drop steps instead of crossing the bad on a trow from third. He loses that fraction of a second. I did see him cross over on one recently, to his credit, maybe he’s adding that to his skill set.
Okay, I’m officially done with this conversation. I try to point out the finer points in the game when I see things that need improvement. It’s the old coach in me. If you think that is overly critical or too negative, I apologize. But the answer is simple; don’t read my shit because I’m not stopping analyzing baseball plays, good and bad.
Did not mean to touch a nerve Phil. I totally respect your opinion. You see things as a coach would. That is totally cool.
I do not believe you are being overly critical. I think you pointing out the correct ways to field the position, aspects that Lux has not mastered for whatever reason.
Others should go back and look at the Jonah Heim to Josh Smith throw that got Freddie. Smith let the ball travel and Freddie slid right into the glove. Also look at Smith to Mookie with Jankowski being thrown out. There is a right way and a wrong way to take a throw at 2B on an attempted steal. Smith’s throw beat Taveras but Lux was not in the right position and had to reach for a swipe tag. Wrong way.
Lux has played 1,766 innings at 2B at MLB and 502 innings at SS. Professionally (MiLB and MLB) – 3,078 at SS and 2,515 at 2B. He has had enough innings at 2B. But as you said, taking that throw is not all that different as a SS compared to 2B.
It used to be if the ball beat you to the bag you were out. Umps gave that call because most all slides were cleat first so for safety reasons the pop tag was given. Not anymore. Not with replay and head first slides. I think the best way is to let the ball travel and get the glove to the front of the bag.
The edit capability is gone in seconds for me today.
I wanted to add a question for discussion. The blocking the plate rule. It appeared he attempted to slide around the tag. My understanding of the rule is “if the throw takes you into the baseline”, which is in my opinion horseshit as all catchers can make it look like that’s what happened, it’s best to teach slide feet first directly at the plate at full speed. If the catcher is there, which would have happened last night, you’re gonna get the block call or you’re not.
I’m going to keep saying make Outman a regular until it happens.
Brewers need pitching and the Dodgers need a 3rd baseman. Knack, Taylor, $$ for Adames.
Adames is not going to be traded. Not as long as Milwaukee is leading their division.
I bet you said that about Hader in 2022, but they did it. Didn’t work out well, but they’ve done things like this before.
No, I did not. Hader is a different animal all together. Adames is playing every day and is much more vital to their offense than Hader was to their pitching staff. They still had Williams available after they traded Hader, and he was much more effective than Hader was. Adames is not going to be traded.
I won’t say as adamantly as you expressed your opinion, but if they think someone like Knack would help them more than Adames, then they might trade Adames given he is a free agent next year.
Well by the 31st of July we will know, but I am pretty sure it is not going to happen. And they would want a hell of a lot more than Knack. They really do not have a replacement for him either. Their SS at AAA is not even hitting .230.
You’ve gone from Adames is NOT going to be traded to I’m PRETTY SURE he’s not going to be traded.
Stick to your guns Bear. You know as much as any of the rest of us and it’s always more fun if opposing opinions are put out there with extreme positivity.
If you’re wrong, you can always back down on August 1st and if I’m wrong, I’ll just say that Bums told me he was being traded.
Adames is not going to be traded. And definitely not to the Dodgers. Rentals have not been their forte. Bichette, DeJong, maybe,
Thery do have a SS…Joey Ortiz. Tyler Black can get called up to play 3B.
But I agree with you, I do not see Adames getting traded.
BTW, how did trading Hader work out for Milwaukee. From 1st in NL Central to not reaching the playoffs.
Adames is a SS not a 3B. Now you want to take a SS and move him to 3B, take a RF and keep him at SS and take another SS (Rojas or Lux) and play him at 2B. At least Freddie gets to stay at 1B?
It was only fitting that the one man we could not afford to lose- Corey Seager- would come back to LA to show all the fans that he is worth the money and that he should have been paid. After all, he was extremely vital in getting us a WS ring. In other words, unlike many here,he has proven to be a clutch hitter in the playoff pressure. I think he did it again last year with Texas….although I don’t recall his numbers. I don’t care either seeing he is no longer a Dodger.
They did not lose Seager. They offered him a deal; he turned it down. In order for the Dodgers to retain Seager at the same value that Texas signed him, they would have had to pay him over 400 million dollars. Texas has no state income tax, California has the highest in the US. His first season in Texas, he hit .245, his OPS was below .800. Last year, he had a great season, but he still missed over 40 games. He made 17 errors at SS in 22 when he left LA. He had a good post-season run last year with 6 homers and 12 driven in. He hit .314 for the post-season. He hit .304/8/20 in 2020. They could afford to lose Seager. They had Turner, who except for the power numbers, had as good if not a better season than Seager, .298/21/100. His OPS was .809 plus he stole 27 bases.
Did they offer him a deal? Do we know that for sure?
Does it matter? Water over the dam.
I guess not. I’m just curious.
Yes they did ST 2021. It was a low ball start of negotiations offer that Boras told AF to pound sand.
You can choose to believe Vassegh or not. I choose to believe him. He is much closer to the sources than me.
You can offer a player money but you can’t force him to take it.
Would love to have Seager play his 120 games in LA but I suspect he is at home in Texas which is I assume is a whole lot closer to the lifestyle he grew up with in rural Kannapolis North Carolina. He will make $31.5 until he’s 37. He’s not the guy to target.
Exactly, I always figured the Texas lifestyle suited him more than the LA lifestyle.
We go thru this all the time. Seager is making $325MM for 10 years. Dallas is not the rural setting of Kannapalis, North Carolina, but it is certainly closer than LA. It is also geographically closer to North Carolina than LA making it a lot easier for family to go see him. Texas does not have state income tax. Seager’s rate in CA would be 12.3%. State sales tax – Texas 6.25%, California 7.25% to 10.75%. Average rent in LA is 53.5% greater than Dallas.
Not everyone likes LA. This had nothing to do with the Dodgers failing to sign Seager. This was all Seager wanting to go to Texas.
Great article Bear!
I still enjoy watching Seager play and he is my second favorite MLB player behind Kershaw.
I have a different viewpoint than Jeff and Bear about Seager’s departure from the Dodgers. I think the Dodgers could have locked him up early in his career when he was spectacular and then injured but they chose to wait. In July 2020, the Dodgers guaranteed $392 million to Betts before he even played a game for the Dodgers. At that point, Corey Seager was being paid a prorated $3 million in 2020 after $4 million in 2019, even though he had been to multiple all star games and had several great seasons. Seager was going to be a free agent after 2021, and had not been given an extension offer. Three months later, Seager was playoff and World Series MVP in leading the Dodgers to a WS title. Then 2 months after that, instead of rewarding and extending Seager, the Dodgers gave another non- Dodger, Trevor Bauer the highest salary in MLB history in his 2 year, $85 million contract.
Unconfirmed Reports say that the Dodgers offered 8 years and $250 million to Seager in the spring training of 2021, but that likely included many deferrals so it is hard to gauge. And by then, he was only 6 months from free agency and was the WS MVP! Friedman missed his window to extend Seager by waiting so long and then prioritizing Betts and Bauer over the homegrown Seager.
Later in the 2021 season, the Dodgers traded for Trea Turner who had two years left on his contract, and that pretty much cemented the Dodgers losing Seager.
I think Seager leaving had nothing to do with taxes or rents in Texas, and much more to do with the lack of commitment from the Dodgers until he was WS MVP and almost a free agent. Corey’s brother, Kyle, signed an early extension with Seattle, and the family does not seem motivated by money at all. I firmly believe that Corey would have signed an extension with the Dodgers if they had offered a reasonable extension in 2017, 2018, 2019, or 2020. The option of playing in Texas was also attractive to Corey because the manager was Chris Woodward who was his position coach in LA. He liked playing for Woodward which made leaving LA an easy transition. Seager is much more interested in baseball than state income tax rates.
I acknowledge that this is just my opinion, and it may be wrong. But it is a fact that Seager is a 2 time World Series MVP that puts him in rare company with only Sandy Koufax, Bob Gibson, and Reggie Jackson since the award was started in 1955.
You may not be wrong with Seager. But remember his agent was/is Scott Boras and Boras wants his players to get to and flourish in FA. Boras knew Seager was going to get paid. Secondly, the Dodgers had never extended a pre-arb player through some of their FA years like many teams are now doing. How do we know the Dodgers did not try? Seager had two very good years before he tore his UCL. The Dodgers were not going to extend him until they knew for sure that he would recover. Yes they could have tried to extend Seager when they extended Mookie. Maybe they did try, but again with Boras as his agent, there was no urgency for Seager to sign and forego FA. We just do not know what discussions were made prior to ST 2021 when the Dodgers gave an initial contract extension offer that was summarily dismissed.
I also agree with the sentiment that Corey was never comfortable in LA. Not everyone is. I know hard to believe now that I have moved away and live in between Tahoe and Sacramento, and never moving back.
Per Microsoft news, the Dodgers have revoked the media credentials of two Japanese media outlets over invasion of privacy issues. Both outlets had substantial coverage of Ohtani’s purchase of a mansion in LA, including aerial photography. The Dodgers are concerned with the personal safety of their star as celebrity’s have been targeted for kidnapping and other crimes.
Privacy!
In celebration of Kershaw throwing a sim game:
Giants OPS against Kershaw in his career: .542
Kershaw’s OPS against the Giants in his career: .408
Braves OPS vs. Kershaw: .581
Kershaw’s OPS vs. Braves: .641
Are you saying we should make CK our second two-way player? At least against SF and Atl?
Yes.
At least Kersh knows how to bunt.
Good takes in here today. I appreciate the reads.
Grove with some bad luck to start. Nobody hit it anything hard.
Bullpen game. I hates bullpen games.
These are the games that really frustrate me. If you’re going to schedule a load management loss, then at least do it after a win and not after a loss.
The club seems to care more about processes and load management than actually winning games. Its infuriating. The bottom of the lineup is the usual black hole of outs with Barnes and no Smith tonight. And how is this load management working for them? It doesn’t seem to be preventing injuries.
Meanwhile the division lead is shrinking, and the Padres are starting to play better. I think its time for Guggenheim to step in and give Friedman his waking papers. Its time to see what someone else can do.
Scott,
he’s almost literally locked into the role. Not just based on performance but due to the key-man clause in Ohtani’s deal.
That’s super shady. Friedman is a sleaze.
That was Ohtani’s insistence to include that for AF and Mark Walter. I think that the only key man clause that Ohtani would actually invoke would be Walter. If Friedman was dismissed I would bet that Mark Walter will get with Ohtani to explain that by doing so gives the Dodgers a better chance at winning. Otherwise, why would Walter dismiss him.
Let them both walk. Both overrated.
Letting owner and GM walk is a very bold strategy
No one is locked in.
Bad take
Good take
I’m with you but I can’t see them doing this. This is a corporate managed team. This is their business model and plan. They are raking it in. Why would they change this? Are you going to give up your season tickets to protest? 😀
I can’t afford season tickets.
I figured you didn’t. Just used you to make a point.
Hard to watch that is for sure. Mookie, Ohtani and Freeman, had three of the worst at bats I have seen all year with two on.
The Los Angeles Dodgers have acquired LHP Jose Hernández from the Pittsburgh Pirates in exchange for cash considerations. In order to make room on the roster, the Dodgers transferred RHP Ryan Brasier to the 60-day injured list.
Hernandez was lost in last year’s Rule V.
He of a 7 ERA and a 1.8 WHIP at AAA this year?
Good pick up.
And yet another head scratcher. The Dodgers did not think enough of Hernandez to protect him in the December 2022 Rule 5 draft. He has already been optioned 3 times this year: March 31, April 18, June 4. Why is that important? Because a player can only be optioned 5 times in a season (the Mitch White rule). On the 6th he must be DFA. His ERA in 15.1 IP at AAA is 7.04 and a WHIP of 1.83. I have to assume that he will be looking to get a long stay in OKC.
This is where AF will look to improve his bullpen.
I know, AF made the deal so there has to be a good reason and we have to just trust him.
Weird fact:
2/3 Dodger prospects taken in the 2022 Rule 5 draft are now back with the org (Varland, Hernández). Only Ryan Noda remains.
Betts, Ohtani and Freeman all strike out with the tying runs on.
These guys can sure look awful at times.
One step forward, two steps back. This team could actually be challenged for the division. Perhaps something like this would finally jar the ownership to make some changes. This team will not win a WS with the makeup of the roster it presently has. There are weaknesses in hitters and pitchers. Heyward is another project that is not helping the team this year. BP starts are a sign of weakness in the starter rotation. Their management of the farm hands is pretty head scratching. The FO can’t seem to make up their minds about who to play and commit to. Pages looks like he will stay. Vargas and Outman look like they are out. Is this all leading to a major move at the trade deadline?
AF has made a mess. Can he clean it up? No way this team wins a WS championship.
Another pathetic offensive effort. Oh yeah, AF is a genius. Ask Mark. He has made a mess.
“World Series or Bust!”
Bust. Won’t make it to the WS.
Some things need to change.
If you or anyone here thinks there won’t be changes, you are dead wrong.