A Transition Year!
That is what Andrew Friedman told us at the beginning of the season, and I (for one) believe it. This is a “transition” year. Clayton Kershaw, Noah Syndergaard, Julio Urias, David Peralta, Jake Marisnick, Max Muncy, Jason Heyward, and JD Martinez are all on one-year deals…
That is what Andrew Friedman told us at the beginning of the season, and I (for one) believe it. This is a “transition” year. Clayton Kershaw, Noah Syndergaard, Julio Urias, David Peralta, Jake Marisnick, Max Muncy, Jason Heyward, and JD Martinez are all on one-year deals, meaning that the Dodgers have the ability to move on from each of them next year… if they want! The Dodgers have a half dozen other players who are only signed for this season, including Hernandez, Bickford, Vesia, Brasier, Almonte, and others, who are controllable, but there is no obligation for the Dodgers to sign them. Therefore, if you think Friedman is going to make a plethora of trades right about now, you are either not paying attention, or you are out of your rabbit-ass mind!
The Dodgers are engaging in a youth movement – they need to get younger, and they will. A lot of Dodger fans are convinced that Michael Busch is just trade bait (and I am not saying he won’t be traded in the right deal), but he is a gifted hitter, and the Dodgers could use him. If he could be used to bring a Nolan Aernado back, then so be it, but he will not be traded just to be traded! The “passing of the torch” can be painful at times. By season’s end, the Dodgers will have utilized 11 or 12 rookies on the MLB roster this year.
The fact that the Dodgers have the second-best record in the NL is amazing, and they just beat the team that has the best record in the AL, the Baltimore Orioles, in two out of three games this week! Of course, predictably, some Dodgers fans bitch that the Dodgers should have swept them! Yes, and Chickens should have lips too!
I would not be surprised if the Dodgers “stand down” at the trade deadline! This is a young man’s game. The farm system is loaded, and the Dodgers are evolving!
Are You a Moron?
It is disappointing that some people are so thin-skinned. Some have left this site so that they can go to other places and sing Kumbuyah. They do passive-aggressive “drive-by shootings” here and then cannot take the response they get from me. All I ask is that you have a take and do not suck! “Oh, my little feelings were hurt because you called me a “moron” and you should know that morons do not like to be called morons.” Bye!
A guy I respect but who does not always agree with me is Duke Not Snider. We disagree frequently, and I give it to him, and he gives it back to me. If you have thin skin, then don’t post here! He can take it – so can I – and we both dish it out. Now, I will not insult your mother or family, but if you say something moronic, then you might get called a moron. Get over it! I call myself a moron all the time. Duke called me one, too. I resemble that statement!
People who have left this site take themselves too seriously, and their skin is too thin. Now, there is a line that you can cross, and it becomes mean. It’s hard to describe it, but I know it when I see it. If you don’t like it, there are other places you can go, but none are as famous as LADT. I’m glad you are here!
Dodger News and Notes
- Ryan Pepiot threw 48 pitches last night. Oscar Mercado (yes, that Oscar) got him for two home runs, but otherwise, he is on track to get to LA by August 1st or so.
- Miguel Vargas watch: .304 BA/.962 OPS. Yes, he can hit in AAA!
- Diego Cartaya was 2-5 last night with his 12th HR.
- Rickey Vanasco pitched one inning for Tulsa last night and struck out the side while allowing no hits, no runs, and no walks. It was only his 4th game for the Drillers.
- Ronan Kopp started for Great Lakes and pitched three innings of no-hit ball. He walked two and struck out 4. For some reason, I see Andrew Miller!
- Rancho Cucamonga lost 18-0 last night – never speak of this again!
- Jim Bowden showed why he is no longer a GM by suggesting the Dodgers trade for Anderson, Graveman, and Giolito. Bowden is a standup comedian. Rojas is better than Anderson, and the Dodgers have several Gravemans. Giolito is a #5, and the Dodgers have those out the wazzoo! Come on, man!
- All of the Dodgers TopFour Farm Teams are WAY over .500!
R.I.P. Tony Bennett
Just a year ago:
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Discussion (152)
Disagree, not disagreeable
1. Dodgers will likely trade for a starting pitcher and a right handed bat but they should not and probably, will not expend much prospect capital to do that. I do not think they will stand pat but I do agree with the overall point in Mark’s comments.
2. Looking at this line up tonight, a right handed hitting outfielder like Grichuk or Pham and the eventual return of Vargas (hoping) will be enough to balance the line up. I would like the ability to sit Muncy against lefties and not have both DeLuca and Hernandez in the line up.
3. With Gonsolin and Urias being inconsistent as they are and three rookies after them in the rotation they have got to add a starting pitcher in my opinion. They have nine right handed starting pitchers in the their rookie year, at AAA or at AA – you literally can not keep them all. I am not counting on Buehler returning in September though that would be icing on the cake. A rotation of Urias, Kershaw, a trade acquisition, Gonsolin and Miller should be enough to win the West if this offense keeps producing. Will disagree with Mark in that Giolito in this rotation would not be a number 5.
4. Really intrigued by the young players at Rancho Cucuamonga for Dodgers in their everyday line up. I think the average age in low A is 21.0 years and Dodgers have DePaula, Doncon, Liranzo, and Diaz at 19 years of age or younger. Their IFA signings these past five years seem to be progressing very well.
5. A potential line up next year with Betts, Freeman, Smith, Ohtani, and Lux gives a nice cushion for young hitters like Outman, Vargas, Pages, Busch, etc. to develop as ML hitters.
What fantastic hustle by Muncy!!
Oh, yeah…. Mookie is pretty good in the outfield too.
9-6-2 double play? Wow
Who needs starting pitching when you have an offense like this!
The minute before the season started there were several here that were stating Dodgers had no chance to make the playoffs but were at least smart enough to not take me up on my bet offer of the field against the Dodgers for the division, So how do you like me/Dodgers now? They sure looked good tonight! Huh? Hope Seager is OK. He’s still a Dodger to me and I think we’ll see him on the Dodgers. Shame on me for gloating……..OK, I’m over it.
Would Pepiot and Outman be enough to bring Bellinger back???
I wasn’t able to watch the game and just learned of Seager’s injury.
His latest injury, that is.
Some people think injuries are just a matter of dumb luck, but I’m not sure. “Injury-prone” seems like real thing to me
. What did Cal Ripken have that made him so durable? Certainly he played with pain at times, but he must have been blessed with muscles and tendons that were hard to pull and tear. He must have been careful to do all his stretching, and avoid reckless physical moves (like Lux’s in the spring). When Seager is healthy, he’s been a stud. But he has often had trouble staying on the field.
That’s one of the reasons why I was OK with the Dodgers letting him move on. Another was having Trea in the wings. A
Tony just can’t seem to put guys away like last year. Gutty effort though! I’m with you Bear on Renfroe! As much as I love the idea of Arenado probably isn’t happening. Will Ohtani take less money to be a Dodger? That’s the only path I see for him to wear the blue!
Vargas with a HR last night.
Syndergaard went 5.
Jimmy Nelson pitched 1 perfect inning. Struck out the side.
Giles pitched again, but was roughed up. doesn’t mean much… yet!
Angels won their fourth in a row last night. They are 8 games behind the Rangers, but only four out of the second wild card spot. I think this will change their mind set on trading Ohtani if they keep winning.
I’m not giving up Outman and Pepiot for 2 months of Bellinger. I’m convinced it was more of an issue between the ears for Bellinger and now he would return to the scene of the crime. It would be a big load for him. I’m happy for him in Chicago wher there is no pressure on him. Lets see what happens when he gets traded to a contender. Let’s hope the Angels hold pat with Ohtani and he doesn’t end up in SF or SD.
Cassidy –
As someone who wanted the Dodgers to stick with Bellinger another year, I now agree it was best for him to move on in his career with another team.
I always liked Belli and followed his career closely (i,e., checking his line daily in the box score). Last year, I was blaming the Dodger hitting gurus for not getting him back to MVP form. I was wrong based on what has happened this year with Jason Heywood.
I think Belli needed a change in scenery and I wish him a long and successful career.
P.S. I now check Outman’s line in the daily box score. I begin this practice with my favorite players starting with Maury Wills in 1959 when I helped him reach a .260 batting average and he ultimately changed the game with his base running.
* Fun game last night to watch until the Ranger’s bullpen sputtered late. That appears to be their Achilles Heel.
* Nice to see every single player in the order get at least one hit
* Jonny Deluca was a star. I’m good with him platooning with Outman if that keeps them both playing on this team.
* Yonny Hernandez has such fun playing the game. He reminds me of Hanser Alberto.
* Rojas seems to emerged into a more vocal leader, as time goes on. He isn’t afraid to initiate mound visits and give some pep talks. He feels very comfortable in his role, and he’s done a great job.
* I guess Cory Seager has a sprained right thumb and x-rays negative. He’s day-to-day. But then again, aren’t e all? Good new on Cory. He’s having a great year.
* I’m not a fan of the new on-base celebration. Is it a hula girl bobble-head or side straddle hops or something? I’m not anti-fun but we don’t need to do. The freight train thing is fine. I’m kind of proud that the Dodgers act like they’ve been successful before. Nice normal home run celebrations in the dugout. No Tridents or Samurai Helmets or grocery carts. I hope we never resort to that stuff.
There are still folks suggesting Seager moves off SS. It’s like a bad penny. Seager should have the ultimate say in where he plays. If he feels he needs to more to 3rd, fine. It should be his call and he still looks fine at SS to me.
4:05 PM ET
Dodgers (56-40)
Rangers (58-40)
SP Bobby Miller R
5-1 4.25 ERA
SP Dane Dunning R
8-2 2.82 ERA
Confirmed Lineup
2B Mookie Betts R
1B F. Freeman L
C Will Smith R
3B Max Muncy L
DH J. Martinez R
LF D. Peralta L
RF J. Heyward L
CF James Outman L
SS Miguel Rojas R
In Domed Stadium
Don’t look now but Trayce Thompson began his rehab assignment in Arizona last night. He went 2-5 and played all nine innings of the game in centerfield. He will play several more games before being re-evaluated. Trayce could possibly be ready by the end of August. If he does make it all the way back, he would most likely play against LH pitchers only, although he has reverse splits this season.
Friday scores
El Paso 6, Oklahoma City 3
NW Arkansas 3, Tulsa 1
Lansing 8, Great Lakes 6
Rancho Cucamonga 7. Lake Elsinore 6
Saturday schedule
4:05 p.m. PT: Great Lakes (Yon Castro) at Lansing (Jacob Watters)
4:05 p.m.: Tulsa (River Ryan) at NW Arkansas (TBD)
5:05 p.m.: Oklahoma City (Matt Andriese) vs. El Paso (TBD)
5:15 p.m.: Rancho Cucamonga (TBD) at Lake Elsinore (TBD)
The Giants are interested in Verlander if he waives his no-trade clause.
On Outman and DeLuca;
1. Outman is raw as a defender and hitter. That means he should improve.
2. DeLuca is a better defender – he could be a Gold Glover in CF. He has yet to hit. Give it time.
3. Outman may be best suited for a corner spot.
4. Ryan Noda leads all MLB in strikeout % with 34%. James Outman is 2nd at 33.8%, but has a lower OPS and OB%.
5. Outman has a very short swing for a guy who strikes out a lot and has a lot of power. This gives me a lot of hope!
6. Since Outman hits LHP so well, I see him as a regular – LoDuca is a LHP Killer!
Cody, I’m sorry……please forgive me…..please come back home. Name your price…..consider it done!
President of the “We Want Cody Bellinger Back in Blue”
TM
Dodgers need to finish this pitcher now.
Um if Dodgers go after Stroman why not a right handed hitting bat from the Cubs as well. There’s Bellinger that could help the dodgers there Ian Happ that could help the Dodgers and Wisdom plays 3b and 2b and I heard if Roberts from the White Sox goes to Houston why couldn’t dodgers get him and Giolitto Roberts plays centerfield every day. Then platoon Outman and Peralta in leftfield or rightfield with Heyward. If Astros get Luis Roberts and we didn’t even try to get him that will be crazy.
Dodgers are hammering Texas. 4 homers already. Freddie 2, Muncy, and Martinez. Dodgers have four hitters now with at least 20 homers. Muncy, Mookie, Freddie and JD.
Just turned the game on
10-1 in the top of the 4th
WTF!
I’m going to the game Monday.
As Orel just mentioned, I will be joining in the Freddie dance any time we get a dude to 2b.