Acuna for MVP? Wanna Bet(ts)?

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.