The Los Angeles Dodgers are currently #2 in runs scored and #3 in BA but are #1 in OB% and OPS, which, in my humble opinion, are the most important metrics. The pitching staff ain’t too shabby either. The Dodgers are #4 in team ERA, with the starters being #8 while the bullpen is #2 in all of baseball. In theory, both the bullpen and starters should get better as the season progresses, especially if Kershaw, May, Yamamoto, Graterol, Hurt, et al, can return.
Chris Taylor is showing signs of life. Miguel Vargas has quietly reversed his woeful rookie season. Andy Pages looks solid, and Jason Heyward continues what he did in 2023. James Outman should return soon, and the only question is who stays and who goes? Evan Phillips looks like the best closer in baseball. Mason Miller is more spectacular, but Phillips has converted all 12 save opportunities while Miller is 13 for 15. Thank you, but I will keep the prospects and Evan! He was filthy yesterday!
The Dodgers do not have to do anything at the trade deadline, but we all know that Andrew Friedman and Brandon Gomes are kicking the tires. Today starts a two-game series with the pathetic Angels. Shohei should hit at least six home runs in the two-game series. Then, the Dodgers head to play the patheticer White Sox and, hopefully, we will see the unspectacular Luis Robert, Jr, who is still hitting below .200.
The Dodgers are in “Country Club Cruise Control Mode” right about now and will remain there until after the All-Star Game. They are running away with their division and there is no urgency to win. They will have to dial it up later… but now is not the time. We are just waiting for Kershaw, Yamamoto, Hurt, Graterol, Muncy, and others to return, and there is no rush! Landon Knack will likely get the call-up as Feyereisen will likely be the man sent back to OKC.
Discussion (14)
Disagree, not disagreeable
Blue Jays have played 75 games and are 5.5 games out of a wild card spot. If they go on a losing streak, they might become sellers. But they could go on a winning streak that keeps Bichette off he market.
In the AL, only three teams are clearly out of contention: the Angels, the A’s and the Tigers.
In the NL, only the Marlins and Rockies are out of contention.
The NL is much more bunched-up than the AL: Seven teams are within 2.0 games of the wild card…
As for tonight’s disappointing game, the best news was another strong performance by Knack. Perhaps he’s a keeper, or perhaps he just enhanced his market value for a trade.
Rengifo stole 2nd n 3rd on the same pitch. Barnes pop time around 8 seconds. Can’t wait to c him bat.
dodgers have more trouble with weaker teams than stronger teams! …. muncy to the 60 day dl
7-9 wow!! why barnes again?
10:10 PM ET
Angels (29-45)
Dodgers (47-30)
SP Patrick Sandoval L
2-8 5.24 ERA
SP Landon Knack R
1-1 2.61 ERA
Confirmed Lineup
DH S. Ohtani L
RF T. Hernandez R
1B F. Freeman L
CF Andy Pages R
SS Miguel Rojas R
LF M. Vargas R
3B E. Hernandez R
2B Chris Taylor R
C A. Barnes R
78° Wind 9 mph Out
06/21/24 Los Angeles Dodgers recalled RHP Landon Knack from Oklahoma City Baseball Club.
06/21/24 Los Angeles Dodgers optioned RHP J.P. Feyereisen to Oklahoma City Baseball Club.
Bear,
I agree with you on Robert’s Jr.
That should be a no.
Very gifted athlete and excellent potential but really a tough medical past.
Even in the minor leagues he didn’t play a ton of games. Looks like some IR time and rest days in there.
Played around 200 MILB games over 3 yrs 2017-2019. Avg of 67 games a year. I believe once you get to at least class A level your playing around 120-130 a season. So 67 games a yr i is not good
Would not consider offering any of our top prospects and therefore not a deal that the White Sox would probably consider.
Between Outman, Pages, Vargas, Hayward and Teoscar were okay in the outfield going into the playoffs
But I do much prefer Bichette over Dejong.
Just a better talent and pedigree and worth much more prospect capital.
This should not be a short term fix.
Yes injured now but this should be a move for not only a playoff run this year but I would think this could be our future shortstop for the foreseeable future. (next 5-6-8yrs)
The numbers other than this year just don’t compare career wise.
Bichette : Career
Avg: 293
Hr: 93
RBI: 340
SB: 55
Strikeout rate: 21.6%
Fielding% : 964
Games : 594
Dejong: Career
Avg: 229
HR: 130
RBI: 373
SB: 25
Strikeout rate: 30%
Fielding %. 980
Games :800
Dejong offers better defense and a little more power
Bichette- 1 hr every 26 AB
Dejong- 1hr every 21AB
Bichette just turned 26 in March and Dejong will be 31 in August.
Bichette just reaching his prime.
Dejong could be a short term fix but if there is a chance for Bichette, that should be the move.
Go Dodgers!!
P.S
Mark please keep RVS away from Bichette.
Ouch. Imanaga gives up 10! earned runs in 3 innings last night. Guess we did sign the right Japanese pitcher!
Lux will almost certainly (I hope) be traded, while Vargas isn’t going anywhere…. He is the LF next season
It will be interesting to see what AF will do
With Mookie on the IL until August, and Max’s recovery going slowly, dealing with the infield may become more of priority than the outfield.
Mookie obviously can’t get more reps at SS for a while, so he’s less likely to improve before the playoffs. Perhaps it’s best to plan on Mookie playing 2B when he comes back—and put Lux into a trade.
Rojas has been excellent–much better than expected–but at age 35 can he keep it up? I can see a deal for either Bichette or DeJong making sense, as either would be an upgrade over Lux. Perhaps the Sox or Jays would welcome Lux in a package.
There are reasons to think that both Lux and Vargas will be dealt in the next few weeks, And yeah, AF was convinced those two guys should be the keystone combo before the ’23 season.. Not the best-laid plan.
As Mark notes, the bullpen has been excellent. And there are other impressive RPs in the pipeline: Henriquez, Lao, Yean, Dreyer, Wepf and others. But getting a proven guy like Tanner Scott might be the best move. He and Vesia would be a good 1-2 lefty punch.
What would the Marlines want for Scott?
And what would the Angels want for Luis Rengifo? What other UT upgrades might be on the market?
Bear do u ever read the post u respond to? I said if Bichette is healthy. I know he is having a bad year and I know he is on the injured list. But he has a career ops over .800. IF HEALTHY he will probably get better. He certainly beats what we have now in Kiki, biggie, etc. this would give Mookie a chance to get away from ss. Our defense wouldn’t be any worse at least he has played ss. It would be a risk but the upside is far greater than what we have. Would u rather have Betts plus Bichette or Betts at ss plus lux? U might rather have Lux so fine but I much prefer Bichette. U said his bat is pathetic. What would u call lux bat?
Outman should be up at one point. He is our best cf. If he can reduce ks while batting against righties he could help. Pages could improve but at this moment. Needs to improve as a cf and needs to reduce ks especially with runners on. He has killed lefties but needs improvement vs. righties. Can he? I guess we shall c.
The first to go will be Biggio. When Muncy comes back he will go. Then it gets tougher. I believe the next will be Kiké. He is valuable as a defender n can get the big hit. But, Taylor has a huge salary and Kiké does not. Taylor has more speed, is versatile, has been clutch, he is trending up with a higher upside. Of course AF could trade one of them so Kiké would be easier to trade. If Pages progresses mb both stay. Or if Outman comes up Pages could go down. I think this is less likely if Pages doesn’t fall off a cliff. Pages could share cf with Heyward or Heyward would be the next to go.
I still think the number one target should be a ss. I still think Bichette if healthy. I hope they do not go for DeYoung? the white Sox ss. He would be cheap but that’s it.
Second mb based on injuries could become first I would look for a starting pitcher. Acquiring Bichette would take care of the bat and help Mookie/Dodgers.
Why do we have a Sunday off?