A Trade for Bullpen Help

… right about now would be a panic move that nothing good would likely come from.

Anytime you think you HAVE to make a trade, you will always overpay! Every time. Sometimes you have to, but there is no reason to do so right about now. Yes, the Dodgers have lost Blake Treinen, Daniel Hudson, Tommy Kahnle, Caleb Ferguson, and Victor Gonzalez (not necessarily for the season), but they have options, not the least of which is Yency Almonte. Before you panic, give him a look-see. You make a trade from a point of strength, not weakness! Let me remind you that GMs are not stupid. If the Dodgers wanted Daniel Bard, the Rockies would ask for the moon and unless the Dodgers wanted to pay that ask, they would have to wait until the trade deadline as other teams would “bid” the price up or down. It’s a process that you cannot circumvent… unless you don’t mind overpaying. Now is not the time to do so as there are other options.

Michael Norris (aka/Bear) wrote an amazing piece on Bob Welch a couple of days ago. Michael told the story of Bob Welch’s battle with the bottle as well as his battle with Mr. October, but I am going to tell you a little bit of a back story about Bob Welch. As Bear recounted, Bob Welch started as a Dodger at AA San Antonio in 1977 as a 20-year-old, and then in 1978, he was promoted to AAA Albuquerque as a 21-year-old. In June he was promoted to the Dodgers where he was in 23 games – 13 as a starter and 10 as a reliever.

What Bear did not tell you was that in his first MLB season, Bob Welch was 7-4 and pitched 111 innings with a 2.02 ERA and a 1.060 WHIP. He struck out just 66 batters, but what we don’t remember is that he virtually came out of nowhere. In 1977 at AA, he was 4-5 with a 4.44 ERA and a 1.563 WHIP. Then in 1978, at AAA he started the season with a 3.78 ERA and a 1.319 WHIP. At that juncture, he was promoted to The Show and the rest is history. What is the point of all this? The point is that the Dodgers have Bobby Miller, Ryan Pepiot, Gavin Stone, and others who could “Pull a Bob Welch” if you don’t trade them for someone who may or may not pan out.

Think about this: just because a pitcher is a good closer for the Pirates does not mean he could pitch in a pressure-packed situation in LA, night after night. The big stage is not for everyone as we have seen in times past. Also, having a “deep” Farm System does not mean every player will pan out. It just means that you have more opportunities for players to step up. It’s a numbers game and the more you don’t trade the better the chances that one will be a star.

I hear fans, sportswriters and bloggers say that “those prospects aren’t ready“. Really? Says your mouth! Bob Welch wasn’t ready either was he? Ha, Ha! Why are some many fans so eager to trade for yesterday’s flavor of the week, when a superstar might be sitting in your backyard? This is baseball. Have you ever actually watched the development of players over the years? Is this game new to you? It is not incremental… sometimes they go from A to B to D to Z. Sometimes they don’t. Several years ago, Andrew Friedman thought he “needed” another reliever, so he traded a 19-year-old skinny unheralded prospect for Josh Fields, who was a serviceable RH Relief Pitcher. However, six years later, that 19-year-old may be the best hitter in baseball! If he’s not the best, he is in the conversation. Yordan Alvarez is a monster! He’s why Andrew Friedman likely won’t do a deal like that again… nor should he, because he doesn’t have to. Friedman also traded Oneil Cruz to the Pirates for Tony Watson, but Cruz is no Alvarez. He won’t stay at SS and he is nothing close to the kind of hitter Alvarez is.

The Keyword is don’t panic! Don’t make a dope-fiend move. Bobby Miller, Ryan Pepiot, and or Gavin Stone may not be relievers, but they could be for a partial season. Those three could be throwing some filth out of the bullpen shortly. I hear about trading for all these relievers… Keep doing that Stupid Stuff and you have to keep doing that Stupid Stuff. Grow your own, you silly geese! The Dodger’s deep farms system can fuel plugging the holes internally rather than trade prospects for a guy who was good last year or last week.

I will be disappointed if AF trades prospects for bullpen pieces when he doesn’t have to… especially right about now. I read and hear from some fans that the Dodger’s lack of pitching depth is hurting them. I am not sure what planet they are on, but with all the injuries the Dodgers have experienced their amazing depth has saved them. I am not saying that AF will not make a trade for a reliever, but now is not the time and only if it really helps without giving up top prospects. The only thing is: You do not always know who the Yordan Alvarez’s will be.

P.S. … and if you are going to propose a trade, don’t include Andre Jackson, who has a negative trade value right about now. 😉

There is a lot of wisdom in this tweet:

Last Night’s Game

Will Smith is really getting unreacted and JT and Cody are still one step forward and two steps back, but last night it was two steps forward. Cody continues his amazing defensive play. For the record, I think both will figure it out. The Braves pitching simply was very, very good last night, exemplified by Kenley Jansen blowing the Dodgers away with three strikeouts in the 9th for his 20th save. Kenley threw 10 pitches over 95 MPH, including over 98 MPH. Remember me saying that most pitchers have a little extra if they want to. Kenley was amped up last night and was throwing smoke! Good for him – I how we get him today!

Why Hate on Freddie Freeman for Being Emotional?

I have heard fans and pundits throw shade on Freddie Freeman for his emotional “meltdown” in his return to Atlanta and all I have to say is “Shame on you!” Let me list some points that are irrefutable:

1. Freddie Damn Well Knows he is a Dodger (no question about that);
2. Freddie was a Brave for 12 years;
3. Freddie was a fan favorite for those 12 years;
4. Freddie was beloved by the Braves fans;
5. Freddie moved his family to the ATL; and
6. Atlanta was Freddie’s home.

That all came tumbling down when he could not agree on a contract with the Braves and they traded for Greg Olsen, bringing to an end his time in Atlanta. He signed with LA which was a natural fit because his family lives there and the money was equal to what he asked for from Atlanta. There is no question that he is a Dodger. Everyone in baseball knows it. However, the lovefest shown to Freddie by the fans was entirely another matter. They showed their love and adoration to him and he reciprocated. You simply cannot turn on or turn off the emotions…. especially if you are an emotional guy like Freddie Freeman. This was spontaneous and is not something you control.

The fact that Freddie is an emotional guy is what made him beloved to his teammates and the fans. It is what makes Freddie Beloved to LA Fans “Freddie, Freddie, Freddie.” It is why his current LA teammates love and respect him. Freddie doesn’t just nod at people and say “Hi,” rather he knows every employee’s name and their kid’s name and their parents and what is happening in their lives. Freddie forges relationships with people… with the Atlanta fans. That is who Freddie Freeman is and to throw shade on him because he got emotional after 12 years of being emotionally invested in an organization is just plain wrong. It’s worse than wrong and shame on anyone who does not understand that.

The emotional reunion had to happen. It’s over and Freddie will look back on his time in Atlanta as a wonderful experience, but I think he will elect to enter the Hall of Fame as a member of the Los Angeles Dodgers!

Future Dodger Prospects Down on the Farm

• Round Rock beat OKC 8-3. No one had more than 1 hit, but Dellin Betances pitched an inning with 1 hit and 1 strikeout.
• Garrett Cleavinger could get a call-up soon as he went two innings, striking out 2 and walking 2, but allowed no runs. His AAA ERA sits at 1.80.
• Tulsa won 6-1 as James Outman was 3-4 with a BB.
• Andy Pages was 1-4 (2B) with an RBI, but he will likely repeat AA next year as his development is somewhat plateaued… at least for now.
• Great Lakes beat the Tin Caps 7-4 again as Diego Cartaya rested.
• Jose Ramos hit his 8th HR and drove in 3 RBI.
• Eddys Leonard was 2-5.
• Ben Casparius started but was roughed up pretty good. His ERA sits at 5.87.
• Rancho lost 15-8 as Damon Keith was 3-5. He is hitting .308 with a.431 OB% and .958 OPS. He should move to Great Lakes or Tulsa soon.

Dellin Betances Pitching

Here's a look at the scoreless inning that 4-time all-star, Dellin Betances threw tonight for OKC. His breaking stuff was sharp and he has really good reach with his fastball. Exciting to have this guy in the org. #dodgers pic.twitter.com/SqF46IPtpA

— Dodgers Daily (@dodger_daily) June 26, 2022