A Look to 2024
I predicted that Will Smith would be a good backup catcher… and that was based on his defensive prowess at the time. No one, ZIP, ZERO, or NADA, ever expected him to become a feared power hitter. He has disappointed somewhat on the defensive side. Well, disappointed is not the…
I predicted that Will Smith would be a good backup catcher… and that was based on his defensive prowess at the time. No one, ZIP, ZERO, or NADA, ever expected him to become a feared power hitter. He has disappointed somewhat on the defensive side. Well, disappointed is not the right word, but he is not the best defensive catcher in baseball… though he isn’t bad. Austin Barnes is a better catcher, pitch blocker, and framer… to say nothing of his propensity to get ejected from games (That’s a joke, son!)
I wonder if next year, the Dodgers could get him to sign a long-term deal and move him to 3B, or LF, where he would not require so much rest and keep his bat in the lineup? He has played about 60 games at third base in the minors, and while his .891 Fielding Percentage does not look good, it’s a small sample. . He might hit .300 with 35 HR there and play excellent defense (he does have a good glove and an above-average arm). LF is a possibility as well, as he has above-average speed and an above-average arm.
Next off-season would be the time to do it, and he is not a Boras client. The Dodgers could buy out his last two years of Arbitration and sign him to a 10-Year/$200 Million Dollar Deal. Of course, he could catch if needed, but with so many other catchers in the system, he would be a natural choice to change positions. Will is not a big guy – he is listed as 5′ 10″ and 195 pounds. The pounding he takes behind the plate reduces his at-bats. Will is very strong, however, especially with a bat in his hands. It’s at least worthwhile to consider.
Diego Cartaya, Dalton Rushing, Hunter Fedduccia, and Yenier Fernandez, as all catchers who have a shot at making the big club over the next couple of years. Ideally, I would like to see Cartaya and Rushing (R-L Duo) behind the plate, with Will Smith serving as the emergency catcher. It’s not often that you take an All-Star Catcher and move him (Biggio, anyone), but the Giants might have been wise to do that with Buster Posey, who was actually a lot bigger than Smith (6′ 2″/215 lbs.). He would still be playing…
It’s starting to look like the Dodgers may have found a 3B (well, this is after two games) in Mike Busch, who played his second game there. Watch and see. He looks very athletic there and plays there like he played it in a past life.
Additionally, Busch hit his first HR last night:
I think it would do the Dodgers well to let Busch play the majority of his games at 3B at OKC THIS season, and next season, he can take over for Muncy, who slides into the DH role. Right about now, Michael Busch is hitting .367 with a .985 OPS at OKC. Last night, at Tulsa, Diego Cartaya was 3-5 with a Grand Slam. He will likely move to AAA sometime this year.
Speaking of Catchers, Yenier Fernandez was 3-5 last night with Great Lakes. He is hitting .300 with a .968 OPS, while Dalton Rushing is hitting .294 with a 1.007 OPS. Maybe it is pushing the envelope too much, but remember, Will Smith was pushed, and it paid off. Let’s assume that Gavin Lux makes a complete recovery (and that AF is right and Gavin can handle SS). He’s what 2024 could look like:
- Betts RF
- Smith LF
- Freeman 1B
- Muncy DH
- Cartaya C
- Outman CF
- Vargas 2B
- Busch 3B
- Lux SS
Home Cooking is the best!
Bradley should consider starting a Comedy Routine. He make s me laugh!
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Discussion (63)
Disagree, not disagreeable
Hinch on Baez after game:
“He’s one of the better baseball minds on our team.”
I’m no fielding expert, but Busch’s across the body throws looked good! Quick release and had zip. Perhaps his footwork could use a little work, but I’d say his arm is at least capable at 3rd.
I thought we were talking about Cartaya at 3rd a few weeks ago? It’s a position he used to play when he first came up.
Will has certainly hit better than many expected. I wasn’t as surprised as I always liked his swing. I never saw him as a .220 hitter. I’ve been wrong on plenty of other things but not Will. I also think the Dodgers would like to move him from behind the dish long term for all the reasons Mark pointed out. Catchers can transition easily to be adequate or better at 3rd or 1st as they are masters at picking short hops. If their feet are good enough, then 2nd can come into play as well as the outfield. But don’t forget, Yogi Berra, hardly a speedster body, played over 500 games in the outfield for the Yankees.
I think Vargas inevitably is destined for 3rd base, so that puts Will in left. I too think it’s worth a try to extend his career and get one or 2 of our young stud catching prospects on the field.
Well I make you laugh but just giving you possibilities that are out there to make the Dodgers better.
Javy Baez looking for another team?
He looked ridiculous yesterday.
Busch looked better in game two than he did in game 1. Too bad he is blocked by Smith at third.
Pages should be at AAA. He is doing well and will surely compete for an outfield spot in 2024.
If we think Busch, Pages, and quite a few of our pitching prospects are good enough for the Dodgers it would seem that they would get a great player from a team that needs many players more than keeping one superplayer.
Quite the Story in The Athletic about JDM:
Open on theathletic.comhttps://theathletic.com/4399644/2023/04/13/dodgers-jd-martinez-hitting-evangelism/?source=dailyemail&campaign=601983Betts, Freeman, Ohtani, Smith….
I like the lineup but I would put Smith between Freeman and Muncy and try someone else in the 2 spot (Vargas?).
And I agree @ Busch, play him at 3rd , see what he can do there. Of course Chapman would be great but how many big contracts can you have? We have a good farm and we need to use it, either play them or trafe them for what we need.
If Barnes could hit .250 he’d start for 1/2 the teams in baseball. But his bat has more holes than Swiss cheese! Has had a couple of big hits over the years, but he’s so painful to watch at the plate. Will smith is a 300 hitter waiting to happen. Hopefully Muncy can keep it going, and Taylor comes alive! His facial expressions never change, but inside you know he’s tied in knots. Would love to see Busch at 3rd soon. But could this all be a showcase for that big trade later on? Hope syndergard bounces back tonight, really pulling for him. Yea sports!
I like that lineup. I also think Pages is in play for that LF job.
How good would that lineup look with Matt Chapman at 3B?