I think the MVP Award for the NL will be partially decided in the last two weeks of the season. As of now, here is the comparison:
The last two weeks will seal the deal. Right about now, Acuna is better in some areas, and Betts is better in others, but WAR, OPS+, and wRC+ are all “Advantage Betts.” This is “Mookie’s MVP to Win.” It shall be interesting to see this play out.
The Case for Verdugo
Several years ago, I called Alex Verdugo “Tony Quynn-esque” and predicted he would win some batting titles. My opinion has not changed. What has changed is where he plays, as he was traded to the Red Sox in the deal for Mookie Betts. For the record, I would do that deal every day of the week and twice on Sunday. However, it is well-known that Alex has somewhat of an “attitude,” and while it is not widely discussed, he is evidently not happy in Boston. Neither was Adrian Gonzalez. Ask Kike about Boston. Alex is more of a West Coast type of guy.
Alex also has an “edge” to him. I acknowledge that.
Alex is still young, and at 27 years old, his best years are still ahead of him. He has elite bat-to-ball skills and would flourish in a lineup with a number of players who have high strikeout percentages. For his career, Alex has struck out 15% of the time. Contrast that with other Dodger players:
- CT3- 32%
- James Outman – 32%
- JD Martinez – 30%
- Max Muncy -27%
The Dodgers have more players this year who put the ball in play, and Alex Verdugo falls into that same category. I truly think he will contend for a batting title… especially as he matures and softens his “attitude.” What better team in baseball than the Dodgers, with leaders like Mookie Betts, Freddie Freeman, Will Smith, Jason Heyward, and even Austin Barnes, to help Alex mature into the player he could be?
Alex Verdugo is not enamored with Boston, and Boston is not enamored with Alex. It’s time for a “reset,” and Andrew Friedman frequently gets a player, not because of who he is, but rather, who he can become. Alex Verdugo has a very good arm and is a solid corner outfielder. He has experience in LF and RF and can play CF in a pinch, but lacks the requisite speed to do so on a daily basis. I like his potential, and if the Dodgers could reach an agreement with him on a long-term deal (5 to 6 years), I would consider trading for him again.
A trade for Verdugo might look like this: Michael Busch or Miguel Vargas, along with Nick Frasso or Landon Knack (Boston’s choice) and Jorbit Vivas for Alex Verdugo. The Dodgers are not likely to re-sign David Peralta but are in the running to re-sign Jason Heyward (especially due to his relationship with Freddie Freeman). Alex Verdugo would slot in nicely into LF on an everyday basis. Having a rocket arm in LF is a nice luxury.
A Snapshot into 2024
Here is what I see preliminarily:
- C – Will Smith/Austin Barnes (Austin will be back)
- 1B- Freddie Freeman
- 2B – Mookie Betts
- SS – Gavin Lux/Miguel Rojas (let’s see what happens)
- 3B – Miguel Vargas or Michael Busch (depending upon who is traded)
- LF – Alex Verdugo
- CF – James Outman
- RF – Jason Heyward/Jonny DeLuca
- DH – Max Muncy/Kike Hernandez
The Dodgers will be connected with Shohei Ohtani but will not pay the steep price required. They need starting pitchers, and I could see them giving Blake Snell a big deal, along with possibly Jordon Montgomery. They need a solid LHP in the rotation. They could also bid for Yoshinobu Yamamoto, the RHP from Japan; however, he is 5′ 10″ tall and has a very slight frame, but could be a solid #2. Because Yamamoto will be 25 when he is posted, he will not be subject to MLB’s international bonus rules and will be able to sign a contract of any size. The team that signs him will pay the Buffaloes a posting fee commensurate with the contract.
JDM is at the end of the line as injuries will take a bigger toll on his moving forward. I liked Justin Turner, but thought it was time for him to retire. JDM was signed for $10 Million. JT can get $24 Million from Boston. Sorry, JT, but there is no way that is smart! In fact, that was one of the deals that cost the Red Sox President of Baseball OPS his job. Someone said that JT was having a better year than JDM. No, that is not true! Not on this planet! I would take JDM over JT every day of the week and twice on Sunday… when factoring in the price. BTW: Both are very high-character people.
Possible Starting Pitchers:
- Blake Snell
- Walker Buehler (not a “given” but likely)
- Bobby Miller
- Jordon Montgomery (the Dodgers need a lefty and don’t have one)
- Ryan Pepiot
- Yoshinobu Yamamoto
- Landon Knack or Nick Frasso, Gavin Stone, Emmet Sheehan, Michael Grove
That would be a potent lineup, and the Dodgers could afford to rebuild the rotation.
Yesterday’s Game
What a fun game, and I think we learned a lot in that game:
- Shelby Miller is a one-inning pitcher, but he is very, very good in that inning.
- Ryan Yarbrough will be a big factor in the playoffs as a bulk innings eater.
- Gavin Stone and his two pitches (Fastball and Changeup) play well out of the bullpen.
- Jason Heyward is a stud and an even better human.
- Just let James Outman alone.
- Amed Rosario could be the Rosario the Dodgers need.
Down on the Farm
- Jake Marisnick is smoking hot at OKC – It could boil down to Wong or Marisnick for the playoffs.
- Victor Gonzalez was smoked at OKC yesterday (.2 IP/7ER)
- Michael Grove and Jimmy Nelson both pitched scoreless innings yesterday.
- Great Lakes lost Game 1 of the Championship Series to Cedar Rapids 10-6, but Dalton Rushing hit 2 HRs and had 5 RBI.
Discussion (31)
Disagree, not disagreeable
Gotta love old-school hats like JDM. Every time he crushes a HR, or gets a big hit, his outward-pulse barely rises, and he doesn’t do any look-at-me celebrations. His been-there-done-that attitude exemplifies how REAL PROFESSIONALS play the game.
I appreciate that about him.
How did everyone like Ferguson last night? Our bullpen could carry us through in October but the offense will have to show up and put up 4-5 runs a game. Don’t see too many 2-1 wins for us. Mookie has to have an August in October! That’s when he needs to be the MVP!
The HR just bit Lynn again..
So not sure if this is true, but apparently Eduardo Rodriguez has special needs kid who is in Detroit, and didn’t want to leave that kid in a trade; hence he asked for a no trade clause when he signed in Detroit.
If that’s true, then I can’t fault him for invoking his no trade clause. Although I wish it would’ve been made more clear from the beginning that he wasn’t going to be available.
Either way, who cares now.
JDM must be feeling better….
I’m rooting for Mookie but Acuna has had more than an MVP-calibre season.
By the numbers, I’d give Acuna the edge, but Mookie’s versatility adds serious value to the lineup. Mookie enabled Vargas’s struggling bat to be replaced by Heyward’s revived bat–and he improved the infield defense in the process. Finally, we know that Mookie, a veteran and charismatic presence, is regarded as lteam eader. Acuna may have leadership qualities as well, but he’s young and rising.
Over in the AL, I think our old friend Corey Seager may edge out Ohtani if the Rangers make the postseason.
It’s a bit unfair how two injuries have derailed Ohtani’s epic season. He seemed to have a lock on the MVP even after he stopped pitching, but the oblique injury has prevented him from reaching 50 HRs and other milestones. Seager was injured early, but he has come on strong since his return. Having a great year. While the Rangers are rising, the Angels’ sad belly-flop will cost Ohtani some support.
1. Bauer is blackballed from MLB.
2. If I were MadBum, I’d get TJ and be ready in 2025.
3. Ohtani = Mets
Just for giggles. Does Bauer pitch in America next year. What about Bumgarner?
And who over pays for Ohtani?
I’m in LA. I can barely stay awake for home games. I don’t know how they do it on the east coast.
I predict can and will go far in playoffs if Miller, Pepiot, Sheehan and Stone pitch up close to their potential and what I’ve been seeing of them lately, like the chances of that and wouldn’t it be one hell of a story
@Bobby
What are you saying? We Eastern Time Dodgers fans are idiots? The one entitled (well, self entitled, lol) to call idiots and morons is Mark. And in November thru April is one hour later. 11:30pm for Lakers games!!
10:10 PM ET
Tigers (70-79)
Dodgers (91-57)
SP E. Rodriguez L
11-8 3.32 ERA
SP Lance Lynn R
11-11 5.94 ERA
Confirmed Lineup
RF Mookie Betts R
1B F. Freeman L
C Will Smith R
DH J. Martinez R
2B Amed Rosario R
3B Max Muncy L
LF Chris Taylor R
CF E. Hernandez R
SS Miguel Rojas R
69° Wind 8 mph Out
I am not a grudge holder, and I do not have any ill will toward Edwardo Rodiguez, but I simply ask that the Dodgers beat the holy living hell out of him tonight! That’s all!
This has been a very pleasantly surprising season. Kudos to the Dodgers for pulling together and blowing their competition away. It couldn’t happen to a nicer bunch of guys (Padres and Giants)!
I don’t think that they have the pitching to make a deep run this year, but this season has shown that they have figured out a way to win more often than I certainly thought they could.
Gosh two weeks and playoffs left in this season and already jumping on the fantasy trade bandwagon that I thought came out of boredom
We don’t need Verdugo. Wouldn’t fit in because of his character, Better players out there.
Snell is a good pitcher, but he walks too many, does not pitch deep into games and puts a strain on the bullpen. Chapman is a good defensive third baseman. Career .241 hitter who is going to be 31 next season. Not sure I want to give a whole bunch of years to a guy in his 30’s. Vargas as an outfielder? He has promise, but unless he shows he can hit MLB pitching, which to this point he has not, I am not sticking him out there. A. I do not think he has an outfielder’s arm. I am ok with Montgomery. But Lux is going to play SS next year. I would rather see them get a corner outfielder and move Mookie to 2nd permanently. A. I think he would rather play the infield, and B. I think it extends his effectiveness, less likely to suffer a major injury crashing into walls. And I also think Muncy should NOT BE THE CLEANUP HITTER. He still kills too many rally’s with strikeouts. If they do not move Mookie, I am ok with them re-signing Rosario, who has played very well there.
Verdugo? Bellinger? They are not necessary, they already went, they already left, it is time to look forward, they already had their opportunity and time with the Dodgers, the same with Kershaw, the same thing that happened with Turner. GOODBYE.
I wish the Dodgers could sign Chapman, Snell and Montgomery, and that Vargas learns to play LF.
RF – Betts
1B – Freeman
3B – Chapman
DH _ Muncy
C. – Smith
CF – Outman
LF – Vargas
2B _ Lux
SS _ Rojas
Starters
Miller
Snell
Buehler
Montgomery
Pepiot
Yarbrough
This is a very good lineup and starting rotation, and it would only cost money, and there will still be prospects for some trades….
My theory on Verdugo is that he would be forced to fit in with the rest of the team. Buy low is what AF would be doing now. I have a little “inside info” on Verdugo that leads me to believe he can “grow up.” You might be able to get him to sign a 6-year/$90 Million dollar deal… and that would be a steal.
I don’t think AF was looking to unload Alex – that was just what Boston wanted.
I don’t know you midwest or east coast Dodger fans do it.
I’m in Maryland now, and every time I’m here ( 1-2x a year), it seems either the Dodgers or the Lakers or Kings play 10:30pm games, and like an idiot, I wind up staying awake until 1pm or later!!
Maybe Freddie should be general manager, after all he’s the one who pushed for Heyward. Proved out to be one the more underrated signing in the offseason. I don’t see the Dodgers letting Heyward walk away, nor do I think he will want to leave. I like Peralta but he probably won’t be back. I know Barnes has been better lately, but I would look to upgrade. Outman deserves more rookie of the year love! Yarbrough and Stone were both impressive yesterday. No to Verdugo, although I don’t think he’s in same category as Machado, Tatis and even Soto. Looking forward to the playoffs, I have this feeling in my bones this could be special!
First of all, you need to ask why the Dodgers were willing to trade Verdugo to the Sox in the first place. I believe the problem started when he was injured and did not, according to some sources, work hard to come back in time for the playoffs. His work habits were in question. He comes off as an arrogant punk. Now, yes, he is now 27, but is he mature? Sure, doesn’t look like it. Benched a couple of times by Cora for lack of hustle. No, I don’t want that guy back. And if he is so tired of Boston, why would I trade the package Mark is offering for him? One for one maybe. But multiple prospects? No way. Think about the trade that fell through with the Angels that would have sent Pederson, Stripling and Pages to the Angels for Rengifo and a prospect. Thankful that one died on the vine. Eduardo Rodriguez starts for Detroit tonight. Hope they beat him like a drum. Cora might lose his Red Sox managers job when they hire their new GM.
As for JT he showed that he should NOT have retired. Still had a productive year.
I think Acuna wins it with Freddie and Mookie splitting those Dodger loving votes.
Roberts NOT Manager of the Year. Not arguing who SHOULD get these awards, just my guesses on how voting will go. It all very subjective
Of course, the number is 39. I fixed it yesterday, but must have not saved it.
If Mookie can’t win MVP with 224 hr…
BIG NO on Verdugo and his attitude! Dodgers are runner ups in MVP and Comeback player of year. And no on Snell!
Verdugo hasn’t made his bones and someone should let him know that. I just don’t like him or his Mr T starter kit. And perhaps that’s more of me in the wrong and I’ll admit I’ve had dear friends that started off from a disliking. At this point I don’t care to give him a chance and it’s likely something I’ll take to my grave
It would be nice to get Heyward back. Sure, Verdugo has talent, makes contact and has a little power, but I wouldn’t bring him back. Not so sure the attitude would play. I believe they need to find a way to give Busch a real opportunity to show what he can do. I wouldn’t trade either one.
Yamamoto is interesting. I like Snell, but I’d pass on Montgomery. Still think Kershaw returns.
I like Mookie for MVP, but I’m biased. Still, the stats work in his favor.
The Dodgers are in a prime position to spend this winter and add talent. Do they need to do that to win the NL West? No, but that doesn’t they shouldn’t.
Betts holds the universal record for home runs in a season with 224……
I think that is much more than enough to win the MVP….
Nah, the last thing the Dodgers well constructed roster needs is Alex Verdugo and his immaturity. Yes, he’s got talent but I’m convinced that one of the reasons Friedman included him in the Mookie trade was losing his personality, his attitude; granted, it was a small reason he was included. One of the Dodgers biggest strengths, maybe their most important strength is their clubhouse camaraderie.
I think ever since the Dodgers v Braves series, this is Acuna’s award to lose.