I have been taking a little break at the break. I did not even watch the All-Star Game last night. All of the trade speculation by Dodger Fans is just mental gymnastics… daydreaming. Tarik Skubal? Yeah, might as well throw in Aaron Judge and Juan Soto… because the odds of getting either of them are the same as getting Skubal: Slim and None!
Other trades may or may not happen, but never, and I mean NEVER, take a baseball GM at his word. They are like used car salesmen. Bo Bichette, Randy Arozarena, Jessie Winker, Tanner Scott, Luis Rengifo, Robert, Jr., Crochet, Nico Hoerner, Paul DeJong, Jazz Chisholm, Zac Eflin, Taylor Ward, Jack Flaherty, and others will be available. Here’s the deal: We don’t know how the Dodgers value those players and we don’t know how other teams value our players.
What we do know is that CT3 and Kike are extremely valuable because they can play practically anywhere. Outman, Lux, and Vargas are not versatile and will likely be the odd-men out. Cavan Biggio may be a project that the Dodgers could develop, but it is not yet and not now and not here. Max Muncy will (hopefully) take one spot in September. But, right about now, Vargas, Outman, Biggio, and Lux are the odd-men out. Biggio will likely be DFA’ed, and Outman, Lux, and Vargas all have options, so they could all go back to OKC. Jason Heyward will likely be back this weekend, so it would seem that Biggio will be the first to go. Tampa Bay may be interested in Outman, Vargas, or Lux, or maybe all three.
Those of you who have given up on Bobby Miller are just silly! Miller is not going anywhere (unless it is in a deal for Skubal, which IMHO is unlikely)! If I were a betting man, I would bet that he returns to the rotation in August. I also think that Clayton Kershaw will join the rotation in early August. You might see the Dodgers starters pitch these pitchers in some mix every six days in August
- Glasnow
- Kershaw
- Stone
- Knack
- Wrobleski
- Ryan
That leaves Miller, Yamamoto, and Buehler to return in late August or early September. I think that at least one, or maybe two of those three return successfully. Will the Dodgers trade for a starter? They do not have to, but will they? I put the odds at 50/50. I also do not think one starter will make a huge difference and I would not be afraid to stand pat. I also think that Taylor Rogers (LH) and Tyler Rogers (RH) would play up in the Dodgers bullpen by way of their extreme sidearm deliveries. My hope is still Arezarona and Bichette, but we shall see. The Dodgers can win with Rojas at SS and Betts at 2B.
Javiar Baez anyone?
Discussion (19)
Disagree, not disagreeable
Dodgers will aquire
Randy Arozorena and Paredes and Eflin from the Ray’s
And Tyler Anderson and Taylor Ward from the Angels look at how many prospects the dodgers have and really no where for them to play in the majors. Or they don’t play the way dodger fans like to see. Look at what our lineup would look like.
Ohtani
Betts
Freeman
Smith
Muncy
Arozorena
Teo Hernandez
Ward
Rojas
In the playoffs
Ohtani
Smith c
Freeman 1b
Arozorena lf
Hernandez rf
Ward cf
Rojas ss
Paredes 3b
Taylor / k hernandez 2b
Would be alot better then we have now just need to improve the bench all you got so far is Keke and Barnes and Heyward. Second lineup is without Betts and Muncy back plus in your starting pitching lineup u get Eflin Anderson Kershaw Glasnow and Stone I’d say that be way better then what we have now.
A couple of things. Chances of the Tigers trading Skubal are very slim. And if he were on the market, the Orioles, who are said to be very interested in trading for him could offer the Tigers a better prospect package than the Dodgers with their prime prospect, Jackson Holliday, as the centerpiece. With Muncy, Yamamoto, Buehler, Miller and even Kershaw, huge question marks as to when they might return, and how good would they be, the Dodgers almost certainly will target at least one starting pitcher, perhaps two, a reliever, and outfield help. The middle infield market at this point in time is rather thin. This is why I think a trade with the Rays for Arozarena and Elfin is more likely than some other trade ideas that have been mentioned. Now, most would prefer a trade with the White Sox that would bring Crochet and Robert Jr. And Robert Jr. has gotten much better the last couple of weeks and raised his average to .236. Crochet will most likely have to have his innings closely monitored. I do not see how he helps the starting rotation and bullpen if he is only pitching 5 innings or so a start. Getting both would probably cost the Dodgers a lot of prospects and a couple MLB ready players to boot.
There are a Bunch of articles from earlier in the year.
Based off his current progression it’s a possibility
Sports illustrated article:
Will Shohei Ohtani Play Outfield for the Dodgers in 2024?
Is there anything he can’t do?
KEVIN SKINNERMAR 18, 2024 5:00 PM EDT
Dave Robert’s quote
“Shohei this year is primarily going to be the designated hitter. Once we get back to the States, he is going to start his throwing program, which he hasn’t started yet, We’ll see how that progression goes. If his arm is healthy enough, we’ll have that conversation in the field. I do know he’s not going to pitch this year.”
“This idea further supports the contract the Dodgers gave Ohtani. He’s willing to play out of position in an attempt to help this team win.”
Dave Roberts Says Dodgers Could Utilize Shohei Ohtani in Outfield, But Should They?
Ohtani could be more than just a DH this year.
On the Dan Patrick Show earlier this week, Dodgers manager Dave Roberts hinted at Ohtani playing a little outfield
There was even a little talk with Shohei (Ohtani) about, come September, when he can pick up a baseball and throw, would he be open to taking some balls out there in left field? And he said, ‘If it works, and my arm feels okay, I’m open to it.
Ohtani was not only a baseball decision he was a business decision. The Dodgers recoup over 500 million dollars in business deals because they signed Ohtani. It was a great baseball move but the Dodgers owners didn’t get where they got by making good baseball decisions. Before Ohtani’s contract is compete he will have made the Dodgers a lot of money.
I guess its fun to makeup all these trades. I just wait until they are done
I believe Rooker has only played in the field 14 games. I don’t know if he can play an adequate outfield but if he is an issue as a fielder we don’t want him.
no way ohtani doesn’t pitch next year if healthy!! 700 million? he might manage too!!!!
I think I read somewhere, maybe it was one of the posters that said Dave Robert’s did not rule out othani playing OF this year.
Valid point on $700 million for just a hitter, although it might get into the low to mid $500 for Soto.
Also makes sense on Muncy as well, freeing up the DH for him to ramp back up. Also gives Will a few days to keep his bat in the lineup
I to would consider standing pat on pitching, especially considering some of the extreme prospect capital cost it could take to get a front line pitcher.
Agree on a rental that could help get us through the rest of this yr and possibly slot in as a number 4 in the playoffs.
And next yr, could be interesting as there are very few guarantees with the health of our starters
No idea if this group comes back and if they do can they be reliable starters or are they more bullpen pieces.
I’m Talking about May, Gonsolin and Sheehan
That’s why I would prefer to keep Knack, Wrobleski, Ryan.
The hope is Miller, Yamamoto and Sasaki, if signed are full go’s next year.
And Glasnow and Stone seem solid
Maybe Clayton comes back if they don’t win it TY.
That’s 9 starters- 2 are Lefty and 3 potentially excellent additions to the bullpen.
I would prefer Othani not pitch. Keep 110% of your effort on being a Hall of Fame hitter and learn to play LF.
He is an excellent athlete and should become an avg to above average fielder.
The chance of injury and all the effort he will need to dedicate to pitching potentially puts stress on his offensive.
You now get a starting all star LF and free up the DH position 4-5 days a week for other aging players.
Go Dodgers !!
07/16/24 Los Angeles Dodgers optioned RHP Michael Petersen to Oklahoma City Baseball Club.
Trade with the Ray’s that’s what Friedman will do. So look at who they have that would help the Dodgers.
Manfred continues to show his distain for baseball with the selection of a completely inebriated anthem singer and the decision to have the players wear uniforms designed by a drug induced employee of Nike. Who, on their right mind, would think those uniforms were appealing? Just go back to wearing team unis along with an All Star hat. Another example of always overthinking simple stuff by the commissioner.
The Dodgers went into Spring Training assuming that Lux would be the SS, that Heyward would repeat last year’s performance, that Lux/Taylor/Kike/Outman would not be OPSing under .600, that Miller would take a step forward, that one of Kershaw/Buehler/May would be productive, and that with their SP depth that they wouldn’t need to go with a rotation of 3 rookies, Paxton, and a bullpen game.
So now they need to adjust to the realities of the season. Taylor seems to be snapping out of his slump, but none of Lux/Kike/Outman/Vargas/Heyward have gotten it done. When Betts returns a keystone combo of Betts at 2B and Rojas at SS would be very nice. No one knows if Muncy will return this year – maybe grab a 3B? The OF is Teoscar and then pray. They need at least one OF.
Miller looks lost or hurt. Buehler may never get it back after 2 Tommy John surgeries. Kershaw is a maybe. No one knows if Yamamoto will be back this year. Stone looks like he has hit the rookie wall. Glasnow also hit the wall? Paxton is on fumes. There isn’t a starter in the current rotation that I trust. Starting pitching is a priority.
If I had to guess, they will grab at least one OF and one SP.
This is the package baseball trade values had for Skubal:
Dodgers Receive Tarik Skubal
Tigers Receive Andy Pages, Bobby Miller, Jackson Ferris, Dalton Rushing, and Alex Freeland
Manfred said after the All-Star game that there will be discussions about players wearing their teams’ uniforms in the future. This was after several players commented about the uniforms being ugly. I myself would rather see a return to that. Fans would rather see the players in their teams’ colors. The use of players being miked up during the All-Star game did not go well. You could barely understand what they were saying with all the fan noise. Watching Bochy walk up out onto the field for the introductions made my knees hurt. Bochy had knee surgery a few years ago, and he looks like it still causes him pain. Still bothers me seeing Seager in another uniform.
I wonder if the Angels would consider trading Tyler Anderson to the Dodgers? I think he would be a great fit; there is familiarity, he is having a bounce back year, we’ve seen him shove in the playoffs already and is only owed a very reasonable $13M next year. I don’t think we need another ace necessarily, just a guy who can take the ball every 5 days and keep us in games. He’s also a lefty which doesn’t hurt.
I watched the home run derby and the anthem singer, last name Andress, like Ursula, later admitted she was hammered when she sang. She checked into re-hab on Tuesday. Yes, most trades the fans come up with are just dreamwork. Some are doable, others pure fantasy. I believe Outman will be optioned back to OKC on Friday when they will most likely activate Heyward. Then on Saturday, Vanasco will be sent down so Glasnow can come back. They play the hot Red Sox who are slowly gaining ground in the East, then finish up their seasons work with the Giants. This is one reason I really dislike the current schedule set-up. By the end of the month, they will be through with the D-Backs and Giants for the year. They have 5 left with SD and six with the Rockies. All six at the end of the year with a three-game set with the Padres in between. The team needs to hit the ground running and make a statement. Those on the roster between now and the deadline are going to have to up their game. The next 11 days when they start up one Friday, are going to go a long way in determining who will be kept and who is gone. The roster they have right now, is not going to be the roster that is playing come September. And remember, they can only add two players to the roster September 1st, and one has to be a pitcher, and one has to be a position player. 13 and 13 now, 14 and 14 then. My guess is that both will be veterans. I do not see any of their AAA position players being called up unless it is someone like Vargas, if he goes down and is not traded, or Outman, same thing. If they trade for a pitcher, I still think they go the cheaper route with a rental like Elfin, Kikuchi or Flaherty. They also might target a reliever. I think the chances of them getting either of the Rogers brothers from the Giants is zilch. I doubt Zaidi wants to help the Dodgers win. Rays are a consistent trade partner, and they have traded with the White Sox a lot lately. Teams in their own division less likely to deal with LA. That has been the pattern over the last several years. And they haven’t made a trade with the Angels since the Pederson deal fell apart.
I agree, all of these fantasy trade deals, like Skubal, almost never happen and the cost would be outrageous. More likely, if the Dodgers pursue a starting pitcher, it would be for someone like a Jack Flaherty.
Of course, all that depends on how the pitching shapes going into August and the fall. I’m pretty confident in Glasnow moving forward. I have no confidence in Buehler. Miller, I’m guessing will be back and Clayton Kershaw will make a contribution. Stone and the others you mentioned will be part of the mix. Certainly Stone could be a big factor. Yamamoto? No idea. The Dodgers tend to underplay injuries.
Bullpen pieces might make more sense, since some of the relievers have been cracking and the Dodgers could use an extra arm here and there.
I’d forget trying to make a deal for a shortstop. Rojas is doing fine and Mookie can return to second. That could mean the Dodgers might trade Gavin Lux.
Not too much longer until the trades start falling. I’m sure the Dodgers will do something. Just not sure they go big at the deadline.
But the Dodgers need to start winning games they should win. Dropping those games in Detroit is an issue.
Sometimes people on this site talk about the long game. Uh, okay, but what does that even mean? The Dodgers play a long game with the Farm and development system.
Unlike some teams the Dodgers try to protect their young players and keep the farm system intact. They are not the Padres or the Phillies.
But when it comes to the actual season, there is no long game. They may try to limit workload, the number of innings pitched or pitches thrown, an extra day of rest between starts etc.
Okay. But how’s that working? Pitchers are still going down.
They need to focus on one game, then the next. Win now and win every game you can. When it comes to the season, there is no magic formula for the Dodgers. You can’t really plan for the playoffs. Best to go in with the best record.
Way too much for Skubal IMHO. Why not keep Wrobleski, Ryan, and Knack and develop them? Skubal is another pitcher who has had arm issues and IL stints in ’22 and ’23. His innings pitched for the four years as a starter are 149, 117, 80 and 116 (so far this year). Per the Dodgers MO would be to trade for him and then monitor his innings in order for him to be “fresh” for the playoffs. I understand that he will be in arb 2-3 the next two years. But, after that AF would be dealing with Boros.
With all the Dodger pitchers possibly returning from IR this would seem to be a dope fiend move. I don’t mind moving the prospects. It just seems to me that the return could be a better value. But, what I hell do I know?