Clayton Who?
The Dodgers won about 68% of their games when Clayton Kershaw was on the roster and now have won 100% of their games without him. Why the heck do we need this guy anyway? It seems like it s a new man or men every night stepping up to do the job. Kenta Maeda did his job for 5 innings and the pen nailed it with Josh Ravin pitching 3
The Dodgers won about 68% of their games when Clayton Kershaw was on the roster and now have won 100% of their games without him.
Why the heck do we need this guy anyway?
It seems like it’s a new man or men every night… stepping up to do the job. Kenta Maeda did his job for 5 innings and the pen nailed it with Josh Ravin pitching 3 shutout innings. A lot of people complained about Ryu Monday, but I actually thought he looked good until he ran out of gas. I look forward to his next start.
So, Brock Stewart starts tonight? I like Brock a lot, but really wanted to see him stay in the pen this year and develop a better curve ball this year. I don’t see him doing great in the rotation THIS year, but I hope he throws a perfect game and makes me eat crow tonight. I guess he was the only option since Stripling pitched three innings on Sunday, unless they call someone up.
These are the dog days. We are 12.5 games ahead of Colorado and Arizona and the trade deadline is approaching. Verlander, Gray and Darvish are going to cost a lot. What that “lot” is depends upon whether a trade is made. I would prefer a Brad Hand, Justin Wilson or Zach Britton over a starter, but that’s just me.
Who is the team MVP? Other than Kershaw, I think it’s a toss-up between Bellinger, Turner, Seager and Taylor. Take any of them away and there are problems. Grandal, Barnes and Puig have also been very good. Puig is showing signs he could be a force to be reckoned with. I would love to see Joc get some consistency. This is his third year – it’s time! Lest I forget, Logan Forsythe and Chase Utley have also been big for the team.
It’s a great position to be in – FAZ will not overpay! Now…. we wait!
I would love to see Willie Calhoun hit in LA, but he has two problems:
- Tree Trunk legs; and
- Iron Skillet Glove.
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Discussion (87)
Disagree, not disagreeable
I agree, the first priority for FAZ is LHRP. FAZ is not going to pay the SD ransom for Brad Hand. So unless A.J. Preller becomes more realistic, Hand is not going to be an option.
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It is looking less likely for Britton, only because Peter Angelos believes the O’s can compete next year (their last year for a while after losing Machado and Jones to FA). They are going to need Britton for that last run, and then he too becomes a FA. Plus nobody is going to overpay for a pitcher that may have lingering health concerns. There is probably more of a chance to get Britton next year as a rental when Angelos comes to the realization that they drastically overpaid for Chris Davis (and probably Mark Trumbo), and did not pay for any pitching at all.
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Justin Wilson will undoubtedly be traded before July 31. What is yet to be determined is whether Avila is going to demand that the receiving team also take Justin Verlander. So far teams have not bit on that tandem. The Cubs and Dodgers seem to be the only teams that have any interest in Verlander (probably because of Wilson). The problem is, while the Cubs do have the luxury tax availability to absorb the hit, they do not have any top prospects after the Chapman (2016) and Quintana (2017) trades. It is presumed they would have to include Ian Happ, and they have said no to that. In addition, the Cubs are on Verlander’s no trade list. On the other hand, the Dodgers have the prospects, but may not have the luxury tax space needed to take on his salary. The Tigers are loathe to pay too much cash for Justin to pitch elsewhere as he is a fan favorite and icon in Detroit, and there will be some backlash to giving him away.
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FAZ is seemingly playing the waiting game to see who blinks. If the Padres/O’s/Tigers do not blink, do not expect FAZ to. Addison Reed and Pat Neshek may be RHRP, but both are rentals and will not cost nearly as much as the others. Both are similarly effective against both RHB and LHB (Neshek more so).
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Neshek – 40.1 IP, 45K, 5BB, 2HR, .185/.224/.315/.539 vs LHB; .207/.225/.253/.478 vs RHB
Reed – 48IP, 48K, 6BB, 6HR, .256/.263/.385/.647 vs LHB; .252/.282/.423/.705 vs RHB
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For comparative purposes:
Justin Wilson – 39.1IP, 55K, 16BB, 5HR, .220/.267/.366/.633 LHB; .125/.229/.302/.531 RHB
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My prediction is that they outbid the Nats and trade for Neshek.
Mark
Stewart really pitched well last year, after his got his first start, out of the way, against the Brewers.
But I know he didn’t start the season on the DL last year, like he did this year, so I know he was a little more seasoned, when he first came up last year, because of that.
But I still think Stewart will turn in a good job, and he will do better, then anyone really expects, at this point.
Because he has always done just that, so I don’t think that will change now.
Wouldn’t be the 1st good hitter bad fielder in Dodger history. Think Pedro Guerrero.
From cbs sports
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Yankees have already made one big trade, getting David Robertson and Tommy Kahnle from the White Sox to bolster the bullpen, as well as Todd Frazier to add another bat. I don’t think they’re done, either. New York is currently sitting in the top AL wild-card spot and I don’t think you make a trade like that trade with the White Sox only to close up shop and call it a deadline. Not when you just lost Michael Pineda to Tommy John surgery and have a rotation opening.
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Now, that said, the Yankees are very protective of their top prospects, and I don’t see them trading any of them at the deadline. That takes them out of the running for Gray and Darvish. The Yankees still have enough prospect depth to add a rental fifth starter, however, plus pick up a new first baseman. Right now, the Yankees are the only contender that needs a first baseman or designated hitter. They’re in position to let the market for Lucas Duda or Yonder Alonso come to them,
As for pitching help, the Yankees would love a young controllable starter, though that’s not going to happen without trading top prospects. That makes a rental more likely. With Jaime Garcia and Trevor Cahill being dealt yesterday, the top remaining rentals are Cardinals righty Lance Lynn and Padres righty Jhoulys Chacin. Don’t be surprised if the Yankees do something creative like add another reliever, then move Adam Warren or Chad Green back into the rotation. Point is, the Yankees are not done.
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Bums: Interesting.
Now that MT has shown the graphics on Willie we could have a moratorium…
Bobby I’m hoping they think your way, but I’m afraid of the big tsunami hitting!!!
I prefer that 2nd closer for the bp to another starter. I think our starters can keep us in the game for 4.5-5ip, then let the bp do its job.