A Quick Glance…

Yesterday, someone wrote this:

It’s fun to watch the roster additions and ruminate on who might be next!

Another frontline starter is def needed, although the Dodgers may wait until mid-season, giving their young arms a chance.

The outfield is underwhelming at the moment. A bunch of platoons might get us thru the regular season, but we need at least one star, leader, grinder to who can make game saving catches while delivering clutch hits.

My biggest concern, however, is the left side of the infield. Muncy/Lux is weak defensively. That can’t stand imo. Muncy is slow to his right and even slower on rollers in front of him. Only Freddie digging Max’s throws out of the dirt keep Max’s defensive profile as average. Max does not pass the eye test; we all hold our breath when the ball is hit his direction in big moments.

— 4 -Gens

Some of this is very accurate, I believe. If the Dodgers do not get Yamamoto, they may wait and see what they have and make a deal at the deadline. That would be smart.

As it stands right about now, here is the rotation – in no particular order:

• Glasnow – Make of him what you want – he has “Ace Potential” and most of his health problems were related to his TJ and Flexor failed rehab and surgery
• Miller – Kershaw had a 4.26 ERA/1.49 WHIP in his rookie season. The next year, he morphed into an Ace with a 2.79 ERA. Bobby Miller had a far better Rookie Season than Clayton (3.76 ER/1.10 WHIP) and it is not beyond reason that he could morph into an Ace in 2024.
• Buehler – He once was an Ace and could be one again.
• Sheehan – This guy’s upside is electrifying!
• Knack – More potential than Pepiot and he is ready
• Stone – Look for him to have a 3rd Plus pitch this year and be a factor
• Yarbrough – Probably not a starter but a very useful LH innings-eater. If you don’t have a LH starter, you need a guy like this in strategic situations.
• Kershaw – Maybe after the All-Star Break, and yes, he once was an Ace, too.

… and I am not including Michael Grove and Kyle Hurt, whom I believe are destined for the bullpen, which, by the way, is loaded! The farm system is also loaded with pitchers as well… who are a year or two away!

What the lineup could look like:

Against RHP:

1. Betts 2B – Should have an even better year with Ohtani behind him
2. Ohtani DH – What an addition to a solid lineup
3. Freeman 1B – Will do what he always does
4. Smith C – Is due for a breakout year!
5. Muncy 3B – 35 + HR again
6. Heyward RF – .800+ OPS is al that is asked of him
7. Outman CF – 30+ HR as he only hits against LHP – the new (and improved Joc). Why do some of you think I hate him? I love JO. He might hit 40 HR someday!
8. Vargas LF – Give him the shot. He is a solid hitter.
9. Lux SS – It appears that AF is going to give him a shot, which I think will prove to be futile and I hope I am wrong – his bat will get better! It’s the defense that worries me.

Against LHP:

1. Betts 2B
2. Ohtani DH
3. Freeman 1B
4. Smith C
5. Taylor 3B – A platoon with Muncy… maybe. Was 2023 an outlier for Max? He has a career OPS over .800 against them, so this may be unnecessary
6. Vargas LF
7. Margot CF – he gets about 200 ABs
8. Hernandez RF – Assuming we re-sign Kike
9. Rojas or Lux SS – Rojas goes against the toughest LHP to rest Lux’s knee.

That is too many position players, so the roster is not done, as there are too many platoons, and I have not even mentioned Barnes or Feduccia. What if Andy Pages is ready? I think it is unlikely the Dodgers will re-sign Kike. There is still work to do.