Bye Bye A-Gon?

Mitchell White did get beat, but the defense let him down in that 3rd inning and there was an absolutely insane wind in Lancaster (and most of LA) last night which had the ball going all over the place. But yes, his ERA sure did jump up. It’s good for him to experience failure a bit. Let’s see how he rebounds.

The easiest thing to do is bat Agone 7 for now, or more likely, stash him on the DL for 2-4 weeks. That way Bellinger can stay up here at 1b. Agone clearly isnt what he was; hopefully a big reason for that is an injury which needs to be healed.

“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.” Well now this cannot be. This has got to be fake news. Everybody knows the no Dodgers starter other than Kershaw can go more than 5. Although we did get some concession that the starting list grew from Kershaw, to Kershaw/McCarthy/Urias. Still zero confidence in Ryu and Maeda. Well, Ryu went 6.0 last time out after being on the shelf for 2 years. Maybe he is getting more comfortable and confident. I guess it depends on what colored glasses you have on. Maeda went 7.0 yesterday. There goes that idea that the starters cannot go more than 5. That’s okay, the glass half empty crowd can still point to Hill. What’s going to happen when Hill actually is able to pitch?

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We keep hearing that the vaunted Mets are the standard bearers for starting pitching. Syndergaard/deGrom/Harvey/Wheeler/Gsellman – 129.2 IP (5.87 IP per start) – 3.96 ERA, with only Syndergaard and deGrom with ERA’s under 4.25. With Lugo and Matz hurt they have nobody else to turn to. That cannot be right…only the Dodgers have pitchers that get hurt.

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Or the Cubs, with Anderson/Lester/Hendricks/Arrieta/Lackey – 124.2 IP (5.64 IP per start) – 4.26 ERA. And that list is in ERA order. Anderson is the Ace with 3.54 ERA. Only Anderson and Lester have ERA’s less than 4.50. And if any of them go down, they have no one to step in.

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Compared to the Dodgers mediocre starting crew of Kershaw/McCarthy/Wood/Ryu/Maeda/Hill/Urias. How dare the Dodgers have 7 pitchers who have started this year? Doesn’t that show just how inept they are at putting together a starting rotation? 134.2 IP (5.59 IP per start) – 3.61 ERA with McCarthy/Wood/Kershaw with ERA’s less than 2.30. To be fair, Wood has an ERA of 3.14 as a starter, 0.00 as a reliever, for an overall 2.29 ERA.

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The pitching is fine, and could be very good. With a little optimistic hyperbole, scary good. Oaks is ready now, and Stewart later this month. Jurrjens and Masterson for an emergency start if needed. It is the offense that needs help; either from within or outside help, with Braun/Cain/Cabrera all ready to move. We read how it was Zaidi that orchestrated the Hill/Reddick trade with his mentor Billy Beane. Can Anthopoulos call over to Toronto and work on acquiring Kevin Pillar? That would start with Pederson. I have no reason to believe that Pillar is even available, but I can wish. I have heard Donaldson perhaps being available, so maybe Pillar can be (by the way Pillar also leads off). As I suggested yesterday, with the pitching, the Dodgers have a chance to be very special this year. If there is a season to go for it, this could be it. Is Braun a difference maker? Everything points to yes, but at what cost. The Brewers lose some leverage come May 14 when Ryan’s 10/5 rights vest. Is it possible that FAZ can pull off a miracle and get Braun and Pillar (or LoCain). They certainly have the assets to do so. One can hope and dream.

Mark

I personally think Agone should go on, the DL.

Because we all know he isn’t himself, because he is hurting.

Because if Agone goes on the DL they have insurance, to cover his salary.

They are not going to release Agone like they did with Crawford, because Agone, is one of the team leaders, and he doesn’t have the DL history, that Crawford had.

And if Bellinger doesn’t do well during the time he is filling in forAgone. we will still have Agone, when he is well, and ready to play.

And if Bellinger does do well, and shows he can hit lefties, he can give Agone his days off, when the team faces a leftie, instead of Scott.

And against righties, they will find a place for Bellinger to play in the outfield, to keep his bat in the line up, if he is hitting that well.

And if Agone does come back strong, we will not only have Bellinger’s bat in the line up, we will also have a healthy Agone, hitting in the line up too.

And even in decline, Agone has a better bat, then most of players, on the team.

And remember that Turner was pretty bad for almost the first three months in the season, last year.

And Roberts never stopped playing him, and he never moved Turner down, in the order.

And believe me, I and other people, thought that Roberts, should have moved Turner, down in the order during that time last year.

And Turner wasn’t himself, much longer, then the first month, of the season, last year.

The entire post revolves around this line:

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Dave Roberts blames the decline on his elbow and while that may be true, it’s part of that dreaded aging process.

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But if that’s true, why not just let the elbow heal?

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Seems like much ado about nothing here, except that Gonzalez in his current (probably, most probably, injured) form isn’t helping the team.

I totally agree with you mark. I would like to have seen them unload him last year while there was a chance. I think he has done well for the dodgers and I like him but I would keep bellinger up and play him everyday mixing him in the infield and outfield. Send van slyke out he is not needed. Send him and toles to triple a so toles can play everyday. Give bellinger a long look everyday. He can’t be as bad as van slyke and he might be pretty good given time. I don’t think joc will ever hit. He will supply power at times and play good defense but is not a threat against good pitching. I would also be in favor of giving Dickson a shot but with franklin g coming back they won’t.

Yeah, the “trade” continues to rear it’s ugly head. Gonzalez has regressed very quickly, I was embarrassed for him on that throw to the plate. What to do?

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Contrary to those who believe Dodgers can afford 10 Greinkes and 20 Cuetos, we are going to see how hard it is for the Dodgers to eat a measly $40M. If released, his salary still counts against the luxury tax. Doesn’t make sense to release him, before COMPLETELY checking out all alternatives. I think when some of the currently DL’d players are ready to return, Gonzalez goes to the DL. Let’s see if some rest will help that ailing forearm and how well Bellinger plays at first. Boy, there is lots to like about that kid. Bellinger’s versatility helps to keep Gonzalez on the roster as a pinch hitter and defensive replacement at first. I agree with Idahoal, Gonzalez is gone this off-season.

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I don’t believe Gonzalez’s decline forces the Dodgers to trade for Braun. This team is built on pitching and defense and hopefully a “long” lineup. Braun would be very nice, but the cost in dollars and what the Brewers want in players probably makes it prohibitive. I hate to sound like a broken record, but, Compete Now/Compete Later, I don’t think it can be understated the importance of getting out of luxury tax hell in 2018 to the Dodgers. The new rules, losing draft picks, etc., make it a huge priority. I don’t think luxury tax priority totally excludes FAZ trading for Braun, but someone like Kazmir or Gonzalez has to go back to Brewers. Fortunately, in my opinion, I think our outfield and overall hitting is better than what we have seen so far, especially if Bellinger can do the job at first instead of Gonzalez.

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Regarding Maeda, very nice game last night!! I guess that old adage, keep the ball DOWN, nibble at the corners and change speeds still works. Very encouraging for the rotation or as a trade piece.

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What is FAZ waiting for regarding Kazmir/Ethier? Can a player be placed on the 60 day DL retroactively?? Do it!! Let’s see Dickson platooning in left with Toles!

It’s a little early to be talking about outright releasing Agon Crawford style. He’s not quite there yet. Still, this puts the team in a dilemma. Aside from the power outage, his defense has slipped badly, too. Remember, though, that he started off slowly last year. Around August he really started to pick it up, hitting homers to all fields, and generally looking like Agon. If his elbow is still hurting, a trip to the extended DL is probably the answer. I’d like to see Bellinger’s gold glove caliber fielding on display.

I don’t think there’s a problem with Maeda. In fact, I think his problem is that he came to spring training stronger. He apparently was on a strength training regime during the off season to keep him from wearing down over a long season. He’s actually throwing a little harder. The problem is a lack of command and a little less vertical drop on his change. His whole game is build on command. That’s what makes him an effective pitcher. It’ll come back, I think. Sometimes when an athlete gains strength in the weight room, he loses a little of that fine motor control. Think of a basketball shooter loosing a little touch with his outside shot after bulking up in the off season.

I don’t like giving up a controllable talent in Joc for a one year rental in Matt Cain. Trading for Braun…fine, but no Puig and no Verdugo. The the farm has a surplus of arms and a relative scarcity of position players. Puig has actually shown better discipline at the plate. I think the hits will come. Besides, he’s worth having on the team just for the effect he has on Bumgartner

I hate to agree with you on Agon, but I do. It will be messy if they release him. I think they will keep him for the year, but Bellinger will get more time at first. They will keep Utley and Agon around this year. Next year they will be gone. FAZ will not bite the bullet.

I would like to see Dickson come up and SVS sent down. Put Either on the 60 day DL.

I do not want Braun. It will cost us to much. I would still like to see Toles in the line up every day. My biggest concern is still Joc and Puig. Two guys who should be playing well now, but are not. They just have not mproved. They both should be batting around 300. If you trade for Braun one of those two must be in the trade.

Bellinger is going to be another great player. He is going to adjust and he learns quickly. Why others do not bunt against the shift, I do not understand.