Bye Bye A-Gon?
So far this season, Adrian Gonzalez is hitting .250 with Zero home runs and 9 RBI. His OB% is .337 but his OPS is .653. This is likely the main reason the Dodgers hitting is not up to where it should be, because as Vin Scully said Adrian Gonzalez is the Dodgers Butter and Egg Man. Right about now, the butter is melted and the eggs are scrambled. Other players are
So far this season, Adrian Gonzalez is hitting .250 with Zero home runs and 9 RBI. His OB% is .337 but his OPS is .653. This is likely the main reason the Dodgers hitting is not up to where it should be, because as Vin Scully said “Adrian Gonzalez is the Dodgers’ Butter and Egg Man.” Right about now, the butter is melted and the eggs are scrambled. Other players are slumping as well: Grandal, Pederson, Hernandez, Puig, but after last night I will leave Andrew Toles off that list.
Here’s the difference with Adrian Gonzalez: He hits 4th most often and to have a player with little power, no HR and a weak bat hit 4th affects the offense greatly. Add in the fact that he is slower than me with Bartolo Colon on my back and you have a double whammy. The Dodgers should have easily had 6 runs last night, but he was thrown out by 15 feet at the plate. Old man Utley would have been in standing up. Adrian can still pick it and throw it, but his range is very limited. He now has trouble getting off the bag for errant throws.
Many of you are going to jump all over me for saying this, but I think Adrian Gonzalez time with the Dodgers is coming to an end and I can’t see a happy ending. Dave Roberts and the Front Office, and all the players for that matter have the utmost respect for Adrian. He is a leader and a genuine good guy, but his time is up. He has been in decline since he arrived in LA, compared to the player he used to be. He dropped to 18 HR and 90 RBI last year and did I mention that he clogs the bases?
Dave Roberts blames the decline on his elbow and while that may be true, it’s part of that dreaded aging process. You get hurt easier, it lasts longer and heals slower. It’s that dreaded decline. Now, if you have read this blog in the past, you might say “Well, you have never liked Adrian from the day THE TRADE happened.”
Don’t confuse my dislike of THE TRADE that brought Carl Crawfish and Adrian Gonzalez to LA with dislike for Adrian. I respect him immensely, but this is a cruel business. It’s all about production. I said then that the Dodgers would rue the day it happened. Crawfish was never really productive as a Dodger, mostly due to injury and was released last year. The Dodgers had to take Crawfish to get A-Gon, so effectively, the Dodgers are paying Gonzalez $43 million this year (add Crawfish’s salary to his). That’s a lot for a player so unproductive in such an important spot in the batting order.
It is my opinion that the Dodgers cannot win with Adrian in the lineup and if he’s not in the lineup, he can’t be on the team. He only plays 1B and if he pinch hit, he cannot run. It’s a sad end to a great man’s run in LA. FAZ is going to have to do something very unpopular – unload A-Gon. I think they will have to release him as there are likely no trade partners. Some team will pick him up for the MLB minimum, unlike Crawfish who is home eating bon-bons… waiting for a call that will never come.
It also sends a message to the rest of the team: “If they release A-Gon, they will release me too.” Harsh? Yes it is! I hate writing this, but unless Adrian has a miraculous recovery his decline is very evident. Cody Bellinger needs to move to 1B where he will be even better than A-Gon due to his range and length. Cody is like Corey – he will adapt and thrive. He laid down a bunt like it was nothing to beat the shift last night. A-Gon can’t do that because he is too slow.
Adrian’s decline is going to force the Dodgers to trade for Ryan Braun. The Dodgers know they need a cleanup hitter who kills lefties and Braun is the best I know. The question is: what does it cost? It will be expensive! But, it also is the difference between winning and losing. I would hate to be FAZ right about now. If they move A-Gon, they might have to change their addresses. This will be ugly. Shoot, I’ll probably be crucified for writing this… Of all the gall!
One final word: I hope I have to eat crow for writing this. I really hope A-Gon turns it around.
Rants and Raves
- Philly was 11-9 before last night’s game and was 8-2 in their last 10 games, before you say “Yeah, but it’s only the Phillies!”
- Well, Maeda certainly turned it around. That was excellent to see! You can see his confidence returning.
- 7.0, 6.0, 7.0, 6.0, 5.2, 7.0 – Over the past 6 games Dodger starters have averaged almost 6.2 innings per start. It might even improve. Now people can quit running around with their hair on fire bemoaning the lack of pitching deeper into games.
- Mitch White was beat like a rented mule last night at Lancaster- 2.2 IP, 8 H, 8 R (5 ER), 1 BB, 4 K – he did not give up a HR, but was dinged to death. Stuff happens. Here’s what we don’t know: Sometimes they are experimenting with a new grip or some such thing. Don’t put much stock in this stuff.
- Will Smith continues to carry a big stick in RC – He hit his 4th HR and now is at .327. I see Tulsa in his future. DJ Peters was 3-5 (.307)
- Andrew Sopko went 5 innings and allowed 1 run with 0 BB and 6 K’s in a loss for Tulsa.
- Dickson was 1-3 with a double and 2 RBI as he awaits the call.
- Trayce Thompson has a .023 BA. YIKES!
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Discussion (67)
Disagree, not disagreeable
I’m surprised M.T didn’t shut it down!??!
Wow life is good right now and my Blue is making my mood ring bright…
Ya, it was infield hit, but my oh my did AGon deserve a break like that…
It looks like Cody going no where and our SP’s are getting the job done, ALL of em..
Agone with a shot to win it
Come on Gonzalez. You’re do!
They should win this with Toles and or Seager.
Are you kidding me
A pathetic AB by Grandal.
Hatcher, when you throw a fastball right down the middle, even average hitters will hit.
Friggin Hatchet!! Every time I start believing all the stats and comparisons against other guys in the bullpen that you guys post, which hey, I know is in good faith, and I totally respect you for it, he get’s drilled for a home run. I feel like it is ground hog day, like the first 2 or 3 months of last season when Hatchet and the human rain delay, Baez, would mow down the first two guys in the inning, even getting Vin to marvel at the smoke they were throwing, then the next guy goes yard and breaks our back. Please make it stop!
Gutierrez hit one out for Rancho.
Tonight’s lineup features AGon and Grandal at the 3 and 4 spots ahead of Puig, more than clogging up his speed and Taylor giving Turner a blow. Put Puig at 2 and move everyone else down please. Grandal down to .203 and Utley at .103…Taylor batting .368 hits 8th. Toles leads off the game with a HR, he and Kike have both done that more than once this year. McCarthy and Eflin both have given up 1 hit through 2. Az up 4-1 after 4 in Phoenix, Greinke against Anderson, have a chance to gain some ground.
Big blow for the Nats. Eaton gone for year with torn ACL.
I know Josh Reddick is a bad name for Dodgers fans, but did anyone see the catch he made against the A’s yesterday? It was outstanding. He is still a singles hitter, but he is batting .309/.347/.441/.788 for the Astros. I am glad for Josh, he was just a square peg in a round hole for the Dodgers.
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One of my favorite non-Dodger players is Alex Bregman, a 23 year old inf w/Astros. I was thinking about his start last year with Houston after watching Bellinger go 1-10 to start his career. Bregman was a #2 overall pick by Houston in 2015 out of LSU, and spent all of 146 games in minor leagues including 18 games at AAA and 62 at AA last year before getting called up. Bregman started 2 for 38 over his first 10 games. He was not sent down, and he played every day. Starting in Game 11 he proceeded to get a hit in 34 of the last 39 games of 2016, including 8 HRs. He is not starting 2017 very hot, but he should be something special, as Bellinger will be for the Dodgers. Just leave him out there and let him struggle if need be. He will adjust, even if that means bunting to compensate against the shift.
Chas de Jong is throwing for Seattle tomorrow.
I hope the Dodgers do not go after McCutchen. I did not like Gutierrez in Seattle and still do not like him. He was hurt a lot and did not hit well. Maybe he hit righties well, I do not know. I did not keep track .
Nothing like taking 3 from Philly and 3 from the Giants. Starting pitching is good and will stay good. We have replacements to back them up. I will feel good when Hatcher and Romo are gone. It will not happen. FAZ won’t do it. You just cannot trust Hatcher or Romo in a tough situation. The only time me I want to see them is when we are 5 runs ahead or down and it is the last inning.
kLD–North Idaho is very beautiful. You have to love the outdoors. Golf in Boise is around $25-30 for 18 holes.
Thanks. I’ve had a bit of wind taken from me with bad news of a friend. The bummers continue so is the saga. Something to blame the’ can’t get it up anymore’ on.
Oh, and love ya Mark.
I got to go back and continue reading the comments but first just had to counter Mark a little who I have great respect for and thus have full intent to politely disagree but I have to say it as I see it. Firstly, the owners do not and will never “rue the day” ‘THEY’ dumped tons and more tons to get ‘the deal’ done. Their big picture isn’t baseball, it’s bucks and Kasten approached Colletti with every intent of making blockbuster noise as equal to what they paid for the franchise. AGon was a simple passenger and Colletti may had been the pilot but the owners navigated ‘the trade’ and are still stroking one another because the big picture is big bucks. That move is even still picking my pocket as pay TWC cable and watch only one channel so I’m mad too, but not at AGon. He’s been one of the reasons that’s kept hope alive since he arrived in LA. Yes, AGon is way-way over paid and so is Turner and so is Jansen but all of them are the reason TWC remains able to pick these pockets and will not continue if Braun becomes somebody I’m expected to cheer for. Every player in baseball’s HOF went through decline and they all had to hear it, but not when they held the RBI crown and AGon’s decline started before then.
Loved Maeda’s effort and determination, he gave the bullpen a rest and his confidence a boost. Him in the rotation gives more balance between L and RHP. Hopefully he turned a corner command wise and his arm is fine. Speaking of trade chips what is Wood’s value right now? Until Hill gets past his blister issues Wood is too valuable to trade. It seems like they want to build Hill back up to starter pitch counts. Kazmir still has not found his velocity so he is late season insurance at best.
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Gutierrez may have trouble staying healthy all year and will need to find his stroke again. A ML rehab assignment may be in order. Forsythe’s return makes Taylor a luxury unless they sit Utley which is unlikely. I would keep Toles up when Joc returns so Kike is the only RH OF for platoons unless Segedin gets the spot occupied by SVS. Segedin can play 1st and 3rd also like Dickson.
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Bench very soon:
Barnes, Kike, Toles, Utley, Segedin or SVS pending Gutierrez return.
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AGon gets more time to prove himself, Bellinger is sent back down. Grandal and Puig need to be more consistent. Roberts is nothing if not loyal to his core guys he has been to war with.
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McCarthy has become a stopper of sorts and now there is a 2 game win streak to extend. 4 runs of offense today should be enough to beat Eflin and the Phillies on Seager Bobblehead Night.
Mark you’re dead on about where A-gon is in his career. He needs to swallow his pride and take 10-days on the DL and see if he can right the ship. He may know a certain 21 year old is breathing down his neck and is afraid to do what’s best for the team. I don’t think Braun is a must right now, but there’s no doubt the Dodgers are watching him and McCutchen. I’m not so sure the Brewers are in a big hurry to move him either. They’re payroll is low, their minors are stacked, and the Pirates are falling apart. They may not be in a hurry to move him anymore.
Hopefully, the Dodgers will get a good look at their lineup with Forsythe and Guttierez real soon. The injuries have caused some bad batting orders. Grandal should not be hitting 4th or 5th in a good lineup. Getting a good look at a healthy squad will give FAZ a good idea of what moves need to be made. A RH relief pitcher is definitely needed.
With hill, pederson, guiterrez, forsyythe, Dayton , and segedin coming back who goes down.
Mark: “At the minimum, we need Braun. I think he will be productive in 2018 as well. The Dodgers can afford him to sit in 19 and 20 if he declines, but he just might put them over the TOP this year.”
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After reading this post I had to go back a couple threads to make sure this was the same guy who was able to pass on the $22,000 Denali XL package, with it’s “rich corinthian leather” and Butt Warmers in subartic Indiana!!!
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C’mon, Braun would be HUGE but so would the price. FAZ has been talking with the Brewers since before the trade deadline. Brewers must want an arm and a leg. Now with the Brewers at 12 and 12 (same as Dodgers) and only ONE game behind the Cubs, they aren’t ready to blow it up, unless overwhelmed. Don’t know for sure, but with Thames and Braun maybe there is some excitement in Milwaukee.
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Let’s wait and see what bargains might appear, including possibly Braun. If necessary, couldn’t we make do with cheap rentals Cabrera and Cain instead of Braun? Let’s not forget that we could hate the last two years of Braun’s contract just as much as Gonzalez’s contract.
That was more like the Andy Sopko I was expecting this year. Tonight, Josh Sborz goes for the Drillers and hopefully he will get it together..
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I questioned why Bobby Wilson was retained by the Dodgers, and have stated that I thought that it would hurt the development of Kyle Farmer. I stated a couple of weeks ago that I thought the combo of Wilson/Murphy should end and Farmer promoted to AAA, and Smith to AA. Smith is proving to be a great pick, and needs to be pushed as he was last year. His defense is special, and he just needs to prove he can hit. Let’s see what he can do at Tulsa. Come on Gabe, make the move!!
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Peters is getting the Bellinger treatment. He bypassed Great Lakes (as did Cody), and is playing very well at RC. He absolutely belongs. He may not get the 30 jacks that Bellinger got at RC, but he should be in the 20-30 range. He should stay at Rancho all year, just as Bellinger did. Let him continue to be successful.
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The big news yesterday was the relief pitching from Adam Bray at OKC. Bray was promoted from RC yesterday and was inserted in the game with 2 on and 2 out in the 6th inning of a 2-1 game at the time. He got the third out, and went a total of 3.1 IP, 0 R, 1 H, 0 BB, 2K. At RC, Bray was in 4 games (1 start), 16 IP, 0.56 ERA, 2 BB, 18 K. Not bad for a 2015 33rd round pick out of the baseball hotbed, South Dakota State. OKC needed relievers as they used a reliever committee (6) for the game on Thursday after Urias was recalled. So Bray may be going back to RC, but he has made his name known.
Maeda showed us his pride. He really pitched with attitude plus better strategy.
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I like Agon as a pinch hitter. He just needs to get to first base. He would be used to knock in runs.
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Agon and Gutierrez as lefty and righty pinch hitters.
Hill and Stripling become the Dodger’s Miller but better in that they would give the Dodgers a righty and lefty Miller.
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Stop with the Joc trades. Righties pitch 70% of the time and he had a 2016 line of .246 .352 .495 .847 last year mostly against righties. Anybody that doesn’t like his defense needs to rethink that.
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If Toles hit as a righty he would be great in LF.
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Keep Taylor and Hernandez. The bench: Taylor, Hernandez, Gonzales, Gutierrez.
As Bluto said, injuries are a part of aging and decline. A-Gon hit 18 HR last year with 90 RBI as a cleanup hitter. He was one of the weakest #4 hitters in baseball. In the last 4 years, he has averaged .238 against LH pitching. Compare that to the previous 4 years where he averaged .308. Yeah, blame it on his elbow. It a trend and it’s a huge decline. Then, add in the fact that he clogs the bases and is timed, not with a sundial, but with Halley’s Comet and the Dodgers have a huge problem.
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I no longer think the Dodgers can win with Adrian… Period! Bellinger is better RIGHT NOW than A-Gon. I mean, in the last 4 years his decline has been considerable. He used to mash LH pitching… not any more. If the Dodgers don’t get a REAL cleanup hitter, I no longer think they can win the NL West, let alone the World Series. I am sure that A-Gon will hit better than he is now, but he should not hit above #6.
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At the minimum, we need Braun. I think he will be productive in 2018 as well. The Dodgers can afford him to sit in 19 and 20 if he declines, but he just might put them over the TOP this year. I expected a breakout year from Yasmani. It has not happened and Pederson and Grandal are the same player. I am now in the “Dump Joc” Camp. If he is in a deal for Braun, so be it. Puig Too. I am losing patience. I would be (somewhat) happy, even if they keep A-Gon, with this lineup:
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1. Toles CF (he can hit leadoff)
2. Forsythe 2B
3. Seager SS
4. Braun LF
5. Turner 3B
6. A-Gon 1B
7. Grandal C
8. Bellinger RF (keep the kid up – he will be fine)
We can’t judge this Agon until he is healthy. How to get him healthy? He is well enough to play and compete, and as long is he is somewhat producing and is healing, he should be in the lineup. If he is not healing, while playing, he should go on the DL. The training staff must know what’s going on with the elbow, and hopefully Agon is honest with them about the symptoms. In the meantime, move him around the lineup. The only hitters we have that anyone fears are Turner and Seager, who should hit in the 3 & 4 holes. Too bad no one fears 66. As usual, 66 is the big hole and Pederson is the next biggest hole. We don’t have anyone on this roster who can replace even a mediocre AGon. Bellinger is not there yet. Too bad because that would be a perfect fit. The outfield produces zip. Toles still has a chance to be good. Leave him alone and play him every game. I think if we had someone who could replace a mediocre AGon, he would be playing. He is the best we have at that position. Even now.