When the news came out that Albert Pujols was a free agent, I immediately wondered if Andrew Friedman would consider signing him, but then I heard that he was insisting upon a starting position, I immediately dismissed it. There was no way Albert would start for the Dodgers… except maybe a spot start or two and as a DH when the Dodgers play in AL parks.
Well, evidently, he could not find another team that wanted him as a starter, so he figured if the Dodgers wanted him, it was the best possible landing place. At 41-years-old, Albert’s skills have clearly eroded and I am quite certain I can beat him in a 40-yard dash. However, as a RH power hitter, in selected spots, he can possibly be very valuable. Time will tell.
His signing with the Angels ended up being a horrible deal, as I and many others predicted. It was a huge ego-driven, dope-fiend move by Arte Moreno to sign a player who would be 32-years-old in his first year with the Angels. From 2001 to 2011, Albert was the best hitter in baseball OPS’ing 1.037 in his time with the Cardinals. In his time with the Angels, his OPS was a mere .758. His first year with the Angels was the only season he had an OB% over .330, and the last 5 years his OB% has been horrid. Remember, this was a guy who’s OB% in the NL “AVERAGED” .420!
How the mighty have fallen! Albert has 667 career HR and would love to end his career with 700, but that will never happen. Make no mistake, this is a risk… and it may not work, but it could if Albert changes his thinking as to what he is: He is an aging “former superstar” who has a lot of wisdom and can possibly parlay that into some success. It could work, or it could go south rather quickly, but I am glad to see Andrew Friedman take a chance… even if it fails.
Gavin Lux and Matt Beaty are part of this equation, in that neither one has shown themselves capable of hitting LHP (so far). So, if there is a tough LHP on the mound on a particular day, Pujols can play 1B, with Muncy shifting to 2B and CT3 in the OF. Best case scenario: Pujols gets 150 AB’s. Worst case: He is gone by June. One thing that works in Albert’s favor: The Dodgers Analytics and advance scouting are much better than what Moreno spends for the Angels. Albert may have better intel to prepare for an at-bat.
Are the Dodgers Adapting?
It should not be lost upon anyone that in the Dodgers 7-0 win last night, they had ZERO extra-base hits and no HR. Are we seeing them adapt due to the ball being de-juiced? “Take balls and single them to death” seems to be the new mantra. The ball clearly is not flying out of parks. As usual, Manfred made the decision to change the (again) baseball without the use of facts. Chicks dig the long ball!
Dodger Rants & Raves
- It a whole different ball game with Joe Kelly throwing a 97-98 MPH Sinker (not a fastball) and a change or Knuckle curve 10 MPH slower. Something tells me he has been talking with Trevor Bauer.
- So, the injury parade continues. Corey Seager had his hand fractured when he was hit by a pitch and will go on the IL. I would guess a minimum of 6-7 weeks… maybe more. Hopefully, McKinstry will be back soon, but at the present it appears that CT3 is the SS, further thinning the Dodger’s outfield.
- Max Muncy had 3 hits and is now hitting .261 with a .951 OPS and a .447 OB%. That’s good for 2nd in all of baseball. Mike Trout is #1 with a .464 OB%. Chris Taylor is #6 with a .425 and now will get the chance to play every day at SS… possibly winning an All-Star berth!
- At some point, Mookie Betts has to start putting up numbers. There were arguments made in the offseason that he was better than Mike Trout – right about now, they are not even in the same league!
Dodger Minor League Report
- OKC Dodgers – The Dodgers were only three quick Grand Slams away from tying this game as they lost 13-1 to the River Cats. They are now 1-8 and may run up the white flag soon. The Dodgers had three hits, two of them by Rangel Ravelo (29-year-old RH journeyman), who hit a HR and a double. If the Dodgers can clear a spot, they could possibly use him in LF (he is hitting .355 while OPS’ing 1.165). Two former, and soon-to-be major league pitchers, Tyler Beede and Scott Kasmir pitched 6.1 innings allowing 1 run. This is a pretty bad team, but the Dodgers have raided all their top talent. BOXSCORE
- Tulsa Drillers – Tulsa continued their climb to get to .500 and are now 5-6 with a 4-3 win over the Naturals. The Drillers walked 10 times and Donovan Casey was 2-5 with an RBI, and Devin Mann had two RBI with a double. Jacob Amaya and Mike Busch each had three walks. Busch is loathe to swing at pitches outside the zone. Gerardo Carrillo started and gave up 2 runs on 3 hits in 1.2 IP. Bryan Warzek also allowed a run on two walks and no hits. Justin Hagenman was the winner, pitching 2.1 scoreless innings, while Aaron Ochsenbein did the same. 6’7″ Mark Washington pitched a scoreless 9th for his first save. BOXSCORE
- Great Lakes Loons – Great Lakes got only three hits – one each by Vargas, Outman, and Vranesh, as they lost 2-1. Clayton Beeter pitches 1 scoreless inning, striking out the side. He threw 18 pitches, 13 for strikes but was taken out after one inning as he struck out the side in the first inning. Jesus Vargas pitches 4.1 innings allowing 1 hit, 0 walks, and no runs to go with three strikeouts. I think this is going to be a fun team to watch. BOXSCORE
- Rancho Cucamonga Quakes – Rancho Cucamonga lost to the Modesto Nuts 9-7. Jake Vogel continues to struggle (.159) and is doing a Jeren Kendall impression (Kendall is at .188). Brandon Lewis and Edwin Mateo are guys to keep an eye on. BOXSCORE
Jimmy Nelson starts what is allegedly a Bullpen Game today at 1:10 PDT (4:10 EDT). Hopefully, he can pitch two innings… maybe three.
Discussion (18)
Disagree, not disagreeable
It’s not just the addition of Pujols and the Japanese player whose name suddenly escapes me (actually, lots of things have been escaping my mind lately, but especially names). Also, the return of Bellinger and McKinstry should also add some professional AB’s. The lineup will be lengthened.
Albert Pujols: the Drowned Giant
I’m not overly excited about the two new players either but if they resemble anything like a professional AB, I’ll take it right now. First Rios, then Ramey and then Peters looking horrible off the bench. We are badly in need of some professional ABs off the bench and I’m hoping we will soon see that.
Looking to see Ramey and Peters getting set down tomorrow, neither are ready for the big leagues right now
Wow, that was a big league play by Lux! And White is looking good.
As good as he was in Japan, Yoshi has been a huge bust in the majors. I have no clue what to expect out of a guy who is hitting under the Mendoza line as a major leaguer, As for Albert, I can only hope pride kicks in and he has some semblance of a HOF player, injuries have hurt this team. Both McKinstry and Belli starting re hab assignments this week.
Are there really any Seager “haters”?
I am not sure that pointing out the Seager is NOT an outstanding SS, STILL prone to the inside breaking ball, and has had more than his share of injuries is “hating”.
He isn’t the guy that I would invest easily over 250 million into and closer to 300 in all likelihood. No way.
He is a nice player and a good hitter to compliment a team of other good hitters. Not a star and probably never will be.
The Muncy and Beaty swings and hits made me happy
CT3 now injured too. Go figure!
Mark, very glad you are feeling better.
* All the Seager haters can now get their way. We’ll see how we do without him. The Baseball Gods are vindictive and the Dodgers seem to be paying for last year when they had few significant injuries in the 60 game season.
* I actually think Lux is better at SS than 2nd baseman which is unusual. I think he’s fine defensively but he will need to hit. We’ll see. I’m sick about Seager.
* What was the point of Treinen in the 8th for 3 pitches with nobody on and a 4 run game? Was it to watch Doc manage? Maybe Cleavenger hit his 14 pitch limit? Treinen warms up and throws 3 unnecessary pitches with a bullpen game today.
It certainly would be nice to see Kelly being good enough to eat some non-competitive innings for the pen. Nice to see him get some fastballs over the plate. He lowered his ERA about 40 runs.
* Poor balls and strikes continue – Home plate ump Larry Vanover yesterday just screwed Carlos Rondon v Royals. Through 3 innings 4 or five strikes were called called balls. One was 2 balls above the knees and center cut according to K-Zone.. How do you miss that?
It’s like the the umpires are trying to be shitty. Where are you Rob Manfred? Busy making new rules?
* Beaty got run after bitching about called strike 3 bottom 4. It was 1/2 ball outside. That’s a ball but any ump can miss That one is in the margin of error for any human.
Seager update just now on leadoff LA. He’s in a splint and won’t need surgery. Will be out for a month or so.
Doc says that we dodged a bullet. Lux will be playing SS for the most part. Looks like an audition to me, leverage at the least.
This might be a very good thing for the Dodgers as far as negotiating Seager’s next contract. After the slump and the injury, even a strong finish will probably limit his package to less than Lindor, especially after he’s been so crappy since signing his big contact.
I’m hoping that AF is contacting the devil right now saying we can negotiate will Corey’s laid up.
MLB.com give One Quick Fix For Any Team”
https://www.mlb.com/news/a-quick-fix-each-mlb-team-can-make
Here’s what they say about the Dodgers
Dodgers: Let gravity take effect
Everyone’s freaking out about the “slow” start, but people thought this was a potential record-breaking team for a reason. It’s all going to be fine.
Dodgers playing much better but losing Seager again tests our depth. We don’t have much and especially much quality. Our vaunted minors teams are losing top to bottom generally speaking. We have no high end talent as triple a is devoid of any players. We need some people to get healthy. Pujois may help a bit until he is injured.
So, the lineup is out and Lux is the SS. I that’s a good move for them
Mark, thx for the minor league updates and box scores. It looks like the entire organization is in an offensive funk. Looks like the big club bats are finally waking up and then Seeger goes down. Bummer! Lux needs to step up now and Bellinger needs to come back bombing. Glad your feeling better and can I give you a resounding Amen to your final line last night!!!!!!
New all-righty-then lineup:
Betts, Taylor, Turner, Smith, Pollock, Pujols (!), Neuse, Peters.
Did not see Pujols coming to the Dodgers. (Did anyone?)
But now we have another reason, sadly, to call a certain shortstop “injury-prone.” Didn’t see that coming either–but not all that surprised, either.
The last time Seager had a serious injury, the Dodgers dealt for Machado. Now the only top shortstop likely to be traded is … Trevor Story?
So I was at the game last night. Just some observations.
Trevor Bauer was totally dominating and the Marlin hitters were clearly frustrated. The constant changing of speed on his pitches left them either behind or way out front.
The hardest hit balls that LA hit were right at outfielders. The soft stuff fell.
Three young boys sitting in front of us all stood up and waved at Max Muncy. He smiled and waved back. Nothing like connecting with young fans.
The Seager injury looked bad. Turns out it was. The Marlins reliever was all over the place with his pitches.
Speaking of Lux, there was a point with a runner on first and the shift on, nobody near third, that if he drops a bunt, automatic base hit. I think he ended up striking out. I think there was one out and Bauer hits next, but then Mookie. I just don’t get it.
What was it that Ted Williams said about hitters?
They opened more food places at the stadium. Long lines for Shake Shack. Lots to look at as you walk around the stadium. They did a nice job with improvements.
No question, Albert Pujols was a terrible signing for the Angels, his best years behind him. Another, what’s Mark favorite term, oh yah … dope fiend move by good old Artie Moreno. Remember when the media heaped praise on him because he lowered the cost of beer.
But Pujols make some sense for the Dodgers, right hand bat, still has some power and can play a little first allowing Muncy to play a little second. Plus Andrew Friedman really seems to like the veteran presence, Utley, Freese and now Albert.
If Joe Kelly can repeat his performance last night, he’ll be a game changer and a welcome late innings reliever.
Another one bites the dust – should be the music video linked to this post. We’re almost to the point where we can field a team with the guys on the DL. Pollock, Belli, McKinstry, Seager and more than a handful or pitchers.
Did AF jinx us by signing a couple of hitters? I must say, I’m pretty stoked to have a guy named Yoshi on the team.
So, Seager has a fracture in his hand. 6 weeks will put him at the end of June so he could be back around the All-Star break.
On the bright side, with all this DL time everyone should be well rested and ready to go when the post season begins.
Joe Kelly looked pretty good last night. A couple more appearances and he should be in a rythm and a viable option at the back end of the game.
Albert Pujols has had a pretty interesting career. After OPSing 900+ in each of his 11 seasons with the Cardinals while acquiring 9 All-Stars, 6 Silver Sluggers, 3 MVPs, a couple of Gold Gloves and a ROY he went to the Angels and only OPS’d over 800 once in the following 10 years. His only hardware was a participation trophy in the form of an All-Star appearance in a year where he OPSed 787.
More puzzling, because we don’t have enough left handed bats, we found a way to sign a guy with an MLB career slash line of .187/.292/.336/.628. What they lost Tyler White’s phone number?
Hell, if you’re trying to catch some magic, why not throw some money at Yasiel Puig to make a home coming? The team is 85% vaccinated, so there’s little risk there. At least he can run and throw.
If Albert and Yoshi don’t work out, I guess we can always pursue Matt Adams, Yoenis Cespedas, Edwin Encarnacion or maybe even Matt Kemp for his third tour of duty.
Early posting. Hope that means your feeling better.
Before the game, theDodgers acquired infielder Yoshi Tsutsugo from the Rays. He can play first, third and outfield. Timely pickups considering Seagers injury.