Ok, who are these guys, and what did they do with the real LA Dodgers? They looked better the last couple of days, but over the first 22 games or so, they were impostors. Injuries have played a part, but inconsistency has been a culprit too.
The good side is that no one else in the division has taken advantage of the situation. But when they get back to what one would consider full strength, which team are they going to be? Right now, they look like a 83-87 win team. Gonsolin coming back will do nothing but help the starting rotation. Vesia’s last appearance was encouraging as he worked out of a huge jam.
But what happens when they start playing the more elite teams? The Yankees are coming to Dodger Stadium in June. In May, they play the Phillies, Padres, Brewers, Pads again, Twins, Cardinals, and Braves, and then finish the month against the Rays. Not an easy month.
By the end of May, I would surmise that we will have a much better handle on who this team really is. The 50-game marker was what Lasorda always said gave him an idea of what he had on his roster. There have already been some moves. Another made today as Muncy now heads to the paternity list for a few days, and Michael Busch gets the call. Muncy has been the hottest Dodger hitter, so this is a real test for the team. The Pirates are much improved and playing well.
Of the teams they play in May, all are above .500 except the Phillies, who are only a game under. So it is a stiff test. The Dodger offense, the starting pitching, and the bullpen will be put to the test. How they come out of this next stretch could have a huge bearing on how the rest of the season will play out. It should also show where the biggest improvements need to be made.
As fans, we are used to seeing this team dominate its division and the league. So far, that is not the case with this bunch. Now a lot of fans over the last few days have suggested many changes that might or might not happen. Some say just let the kids come up and play. Others want more drastic moves like trading for an All-Star-level shortstop or left fielder. Some are suggesting an even more aggressive move like a trade for Shoei Ohtani.
As much as I would love to see the guy as a Dodger, I am pretty sure, almost positive even, that the Angels are not going to trade him for anyone, especially to a team that they share a city with or at least that city’s name. Their fan base, no matter who the Dodgers would send their way, would be really ticked off with a move of that sort unless the package included Freeman and Betts. And we all know that is not going to happen.
Everything I have read on other blogs, baseball streams and in most sports news reports says the Angels are not trading Ohtani period. I tend to believe those reports. So, I am not worried that the Padres, whose minor league system does not have a ton of top-100 prospects anymore, are going to swoop in and pluck him for the stretch run. I am more concerned with what the plan is for the Dodgers moving forward.
I would be more than willing to make it into the playoffs with reduced expectations, then everything they achieve beyond that is a positive sign. I also have a belief that they might make an offer to Ohtani in free agency, but someone, hello NY Mets, is going to be so out there with their proposal that he will have no problem accepting it. I am not even sure that retaining Urias is that much of a priority. And with his inconsistent performance so far, he has not shown anyone he is worth a hefty long-term deal yet. But because of his relative young age and prior performance, he will most likely get one.
The Dodgers are thinning out the herd, so to speak. Reinforcements will most likely be coming from the farm system. Oh, there will be a trade or two and maybe a free agent who will stick around for a few years. But I would not, if I were a fan, expect any superstar’s coming this way anytime soon.
Discussion (44)
Disagree, not disagreeable
C T 3!!!
Dont give up on this guy, good dude, works harder than anyone. Hes going to figure it out….
Back home in Colorado. Due to winds and bad weather, snowing when I got home, both flights, LAX to Vegas, Vegas to the Springs, were delayed at least 2 hours. Got home around midnight. Checked in here to get my evening chuckle. Got the package Mark. Thanks I will be perusing the book this week.
Great comeback win.
Good to see CT3 have a good game. And Michael Busch helped out with his first MLB hit!
Not often you can win a game when your starter gives up 7 runs. Especially when your SS, LF, RF and catchers go 0-16.
Nice to extend win streak to 3 games with one of the best wins of the year.
I’m thinking when Vargas. gets healthy he’ll match Luxs’output at second base.
i’m hoping or should I say I’m pretty sure that Outman will more than replace what Bellinger did in centerfield. Muncy looks like he’s going to outproduce what he did last year. So I’m pretty sure our offense will get it together and match what we did last year, what I’m worried about is the starting pitching. I think the bullpen will work itself out.
If Betts stays at SS then Taylor is MORE needed to get his hitting going, because we now have 2 outfield spots with guys that ONLY hit RHP (NOT Outman). But it’s better than Rojas. REALLY good to see Taylor have a good game.
Well friends, are you now catching a sight that THIS team will play better moving forward? If you can’t see it yet look at run differential and that should be a signal better play is in store. I say by ASG you’ll be wearing a better pair of glasses.
Tomorrow, we will talk about the idiots, morons, and all the stupidos!
More rookies!
Have to give a shout out to the bullpen. Five scoreless innings!!!!!!
We very nearly had two 3 run bombs. Mookie’s was brought back.
Small ball? Base to base? Pshaw! OPS baby!
Great game! So happy for Taylor, hopefully he found something.
No matter what happens, our three rookies made a statement going 5-12 but the big story and our hero for the day has to be Chris Taylor.
Shelby Miller was a starter in the past. I wonder if he can be built up.
Any thoughts??
Kudos to Busch on a great start to his career, hopefully he has many more great moments like this.
Also, a little love to see CT3 he needs it
Is it just me, or does this current pitcher who gave up the HR to CT3 look like a slightly cleaned up version of Gonsolin??
Who is the first to go? Thompson, 2-21 with 13 K’s against lefties, Heyward or Peralta? Would anyone rather see them hit or Busch?
Why change pitchers with Barnes coming up?
Who would have thunk it? That the Pirates might be buyers from us at the deadline! Not too many fans excited to come out and watch a .500 visiting team tonight.
Welcome back VGon.
I don’t think Barnes and Syndergard could throw me out trying to steal! Two totally opposite offenses! Until then!
Syndy,Syndy Syndy ,Shame on you
Ehh… but we can fix him
We may use 7 pitchers tonight
Peralta is not old and slow.
Nice catch.
We’ll take it. That’s what sometimes happens when you don’t strike out. You get lucky! Good for Vargas
I learned this watching The Simpsons:
Ontogeny recapitulates phylogeny
I read the proof. It checks out.
I leave it to others to decide how it applies to the Dodgers. I’m sure it does, it just hasn’t been made clear to me yet how.
I wonder if we have any better Barnes down on the farm.
Wow, Outman has been in the leadoff spot and now in the cleanup spot.
I think part of why Betts has been at SS is to give Doc’s precious vets (Peralta, Heyward, Thompson) more playing time. Fine with me, because it eliminates Rojas from starting. I’d rather see those guys starting instead of Rojas.
I think Rojas is on the IL right now, but I’m talking about if Betts stays at SS.
Must we pile on some of our commenters? We treat some as if they were Taylor.
When’s the last time dodgers went into Pittsburgh with pirates having league best record? Hope Busch has a big game tonight! Guess roberts doesn’t like him at 3rd! Oh well I’ll make a prediction. Busch goes 2-4. Taylor 1-4 with 3 strikeouts. Barnes 0-4 with 3 punch outs! Thor goes 6 with 7 strikeouts. Freddie homers. Dodgers win!
Mookie back at SS!
DODGERS ACTIVATE EVAN PHILLIPS, RECALL MICHAEL BUSCH
LOS ANGELES – The Los Angeles Dodgers activated right-handed pitcher Evan Phillips, recalled infielder Michael Busch and placed infielder Max Muncy and pitcher Brusdar Graterol on the paternity list.
Phillips, 28, missed all four games against the Cubs and has appeared in eight games for the Dodgers this season, allowing three runs in 7.0 innings and recording a team-leading two saves. He has been with the Dodgers since 2021 and he has posted an 8-4 record with a 1.68 ERA (15 ER/80.1 IP) and 94 strikeouts. He has been in the Majors parts of six seasons with Baltimore (2018-20), Tampa Bay (2021), Los Angeles (2021-23) and he is combined 9-7 with a 4.00 ERA (61 ER/137.1 IP) and 164 strikeouts in 128 games. He was originally drafted in the 17th round of the 2015 First Year Player Draft out of the University of North Carolina Wilmington.
Busch, 25, will make his Major League debut tonight with the Boys in Blue and he has appeared in 21 games for Triple-A Oklahoma City, hitting .337 (28-for-83) with eight doubles, two homers and 16 RBI. He has been with the Dodgers organization since being drafted in the first round (31st overall) of the 2019 First Year Player Draft out of the University of North Carolina. In four minor league seasons, he has a hit a combined .272 (291-for-1068) with 73 doubles, 54 homers and 193 RBI. Last season, the Minnesota native clubbed 32 homers and amassed 108 RBI between Double-A and Triple-A.
Muncy, 31, was named the National League Player of the Week yesterday after hitting .389 (7-for-18) on the week with five home runs, seven RBI, nine walks, one stolen base and five runs scored to go along with a 1.222 slugging percentage and a .593 on-base percentage. He currently leads the Major Leagues in homers with 11 and has appeared in 22 games for the Dodgers, hitting a combined .254 with 11 homers and 21 RBI. He has been in the Majors parts of eight seasons with Oakland (2015-16) and Los Angeles (2018-2023) and has amassed 155 homers and 405 RBI in 734 career games. He was a signed as a minor league free agent by the Dodgers on April 28, 2017.
Graterol, 25, pitched two innings on Sunday, allowing three hits and recording his first save of the season. On the campaign, he is 0-1 with a 2.53 ERA (3 ER/10.2 IP) and 10 strikeouts against one walk. He has been in the Majors parts of five seasons with Minnesota (2019) and Los Angeles (2020-23) and he is a combined 7-8 with a 3.62 (51 ER/126.2 IP) and 103 strikeouts against 29 walks. He was originally acquired by the Dodgers from the Minnesota Twins along with Luke Raley in exchange for Kenta Maeda and minor leaguer Jair Camargo.
Tuesday schedule
9:05 a.m. PT: Tulsa (Nick Frasso) at Arkansas [Mariners] (Bryce Miller)
11:05 a.m.: Rancho Cucamonga (Maddux Bruns) at Inland Empire [Angels] (Jorge Marcheco)
3:35 p.m.: Great Lakes (TBD) at Fort Wayne [Padres] (TBD)
4:05 p.m.: Oklahoma City (Robbie Erlin) vs. Sacramento [Giants] (TBD)
6:35 PM ET
Dodgers (12-11)
Pirates (16-7)
SP Noah Syndergaard R
0-3 4.91 ERA 22IP 19K
SP Johan Oviedo R
2-1 2.22 ERA 24.1IP 25K
Confirmed Lineup
SS Mookie Betts R
1B F. Freeman L
RF J. Heyward L
CF James Outman L
2B M. Vargas R
LF D. Peralta L
DH M. Busch L
3B Chris Taylor R
C A. Barnes R
Partly-cloudy-day
15% Precipitation
55° Wind 6 mph R-L
I’ll be honest.: I never really wanted Mike Trout before, but after reading Bradley’s reasons, I understand how and why it would make us better, and I’m all in!!
Excellent analysis
News from Internet:
Fangraphs’ Sunday Notes has a couple of Dodgers items
https://blogs.fangraphs.com/sunday-notes-mark-gubicza-built-a-bridge-and-had-two-saves/
1. A quiz:
Earlier this week, Clayton Kershaw became the third modern-era pitcher whose last name begins with the letter K to log 200 or more big-league wins. Who are the other two?
The answer can be found below.
2. Ronan Kopp has 17 strikeouts and has allowed just six hits and one earned run in 10 innings for the High-A Great Lakes Loons. The 20-year-old left-hander is No. 32 on their Los Angeles Dodgers Top Prospects list.
The ludicrously great Jeff Paternostro takes a look at some Dodger Prospects in his ($$$$$) Monday Morning Notes:
https://www.baseballprospectus.com/prospects/article/82151/monday-morning-ten-pack-jett-williams-is-taking-off/
Newsflash, the Dodgers are elite at developing pitching… including Indy ball signee, Jake Pilarski who is going to be a fast mover in the organization.Sheehan, Pilarski, Vivas and Frasso.
Jay Jaffe on Max Muncy’s return to MAX power.
https://blogs.fangraphs.com/muncy-is-back-to-showing-maximum-power/
“The only thing I have to worry about is just getting my foot down on time instead of thinking about so many other things. It was just simplifying it, really, even though it’s more movement.””
Baseball America’s Prospect Report of April 21 ($$$$)
https://www.baseballamerica.com/stories/prospect-report-gavin-williams-pitches-five-no-hit-innings/
Dalton Rushing: “An early season addition to the Top 100 Prospects list, Rushing went 2-for-4 with a home run and a walk on Thursday. His combination of feel to hit, power and approach….”
Fangraphs’ Leo Morganstern looks at Mookie Betts, the SS:
https://blogs.fangraphs.com/mookie-betts-is-a-shortstop/
…All fault-finding aside, Betts doesn’t actually need to be an excellent defensive shortstop. He doesn’t even need to be good. As fun as it would be to watch him master a new position, that’s not what the Dodgers are asking him to do. Instead, they just need him to be good enough that he’s a better option than Luke Williams and his .237/.295/.310 career slashline.
Andy Pages made Baseball America’s 20 hottest prospects ($$$$)
https://www.baseballamerica.com/stories/hot-sheet-baseballs-20-hottest-prospects-from-the-past-week-41823/
10. Andy Pages, OF, Double-A Tulsa (Texas) Age: 22
Why He’s Here: .444/.655/.889 (8-for-18), 8 R, 4 2B, 1 3B, 1 HR, 5 RBIs, 6 BB, 5 SO, 1-for-1 SB
Twitter must-follow (for Dodger fans) @FutureDodgers makes note of the following:
When he makes his debut (tomorrow?), Michael Busch will become the second player from the Dodgers’ 2019 draft class to reach the major leagues, joining Ryan Pepiot.The Dodgers have had two players each from the 2019, 2018, and 2017 draft classes make it to the majors with the team––the 2017 class has an additional four who’ve made the majors with other orgs.Compare that with the vaunted 2016 draft class, which has had eight players reach the majors with the Dodgers, and another seven with other orgs (nine if you count Bailey Ober & Cal Stevenson, who didn’t sign).
QUIZ ANSWER:
The answer is Jim Kaat with 283 wins, and Jerry Koosman with 222 wins. If you guessed Jimmy Key or Sandy Koufax, they had 186 and 165 wins respectively.
Interesting thing to note in Ben Clemens’ weekly column
https://blogs.fangraphs.com/five-things-i-liked-or-didnt-like-this-week-april-21/
How Andrew Heaney is easy to steal on. We know this is true about current Dodger pitchers (BTW, what happened to Urias’ pickoff move??!?!?!?) it also extends to recently rehabbed friends.
On Twitter, Lance Brodowski noted changes in Dustin May’s CB:
https://twitter.com/LanceBroz/status/1650192107955449856
7″ of vertical move vs. 4″ from last year….
Jay Jaffe Chat:
https://blogs.fangraphs.com/jay-jaffe-fangraphs-chat-4-18-23/
Anthony: It’s November ’23 and we are looking back at the Dodgers saves by reliever breakdown. What does that look like?
Jay Jaffe: Woof, I just looked and they’ve got three saves so far, two from Evan Phillips and one three-inning job from Andre Jackson. I’d guess they wind up with Phillips and Graterol in double digits and Miller with a few. Not gonna be a lot because 90 wins ain’t happening and I’m starting to wonder about 81.
Tungsten Arm Ohtani: If Ohtani’s overriding goal in free agency is to win a World Series (assume the money is essentially equal and geography is not a consideration), which team should he pick?
Jay Jaffe: Might be the Dodgers… or the Braves. Good lord is the latter bursting with young talent and unlike the Dodgers they’ve locked those guys up with ridiculously low contracts (which I don’t love but must point out).
Minor League News to note:
Newly promoted Braydon Fisher closed this one out for Tulsa with a two-inning save. He’s up to six scoreless innings across five appearances so far this season, with 9/0 K/BB between High-A & Double-A. The Dodgers’ 2018 4th round pick is the youngest pitcher on Tulsa’s roster (22).
Also in Tulsa, prospect Nick Nastrini has been added to the roster. The RHP was held back in extended spring training to build up arm strength. Nastrini made six starts for Tulsa in 2022, posting a 4.15 ERA with 42 K in 30 1/3 IP.
I would like to see the Dodgers get Tim Anderson Mike Trout and Corbin Burnes. Here is why it makes the lineup better puts Trout in centerfield and moves James Outman to Leftfield Mookie stays in Right field Anderson comes in and plays shortstop every day. Outman proves he should be in lineup every day and who is better to tutor him then Mike Trout and Betts. Now look at the lineup by adding those two every day players to the Dodgers and Burnes to the starting rotation after Urias and Kershaw. I wouldn’t go after Ohtani if I were Dodgers. I would like them to go after Trout. Look at the stars that would be in LA then. When that happens at the deadline then watch out national league.
GOOD NEWS!!!
Dodgers News: Evan Phillips Expected to Rejoin Team in Pittsburgh Today
The Dodgers are set to get a bullpen weapon back this afternoon in Pittsburgh as Evan Phillips is expected to be activated before first pitch. Phillips was placed on the paternity list on Thursday as he and wife Elizabeth welcomed their first baby. A report on Twitter made for an uncomfortable few hours for Dodger fans as it was discovered the right-handed pitcher was placed on the bereavement list on Sunday, which is usually reserved for players who have lost a loved one.
As it turns out, the move (as hoped) was more procedural to buy Phillips more time away to spend with his family.
I can see Barnes as a quarterback. An option quarterback, option him to triple aaa
Outfielder Bryan Reynolds and the Pittsburgh Pirates are in agreement on an eight-year, $106.75 million contract that includes a club option and does not have an opt out.
So… he is off the table… pretty much.
The Pirates and outfielder Bryan Reynolds have reached an agreement on an eight-year, $106.75MM contract extension
DODGERS MINOR LEAGUE NEWS
Dodgers Jorbit Vivas, Dalton Rushing, Hunter Feduccia win player of the week in minors
For the second straight week, three Dodgers minor leaguers won player of the week awards in their respective leagues. Triple-A catcher Hunter Feduccia took home Pacific Coast League honors, Double-A second baseman Jorbit Vivas won Texas League honors, and High-A catcher Dalton Rushing captured the Midwest League award.
Feduccia had such a productive week that he won the PCL honors despite only playing in four of six games for Oklahoma City. Feduccia drove in at least four runs in three straight games last week in Albuquerque, and had 10 hits in 18 at-bats with two home runs and three doubles, driving in 13.
Vivas has been on fire since the jump this season, with a hit in all 15 games for Tulsa, including 15 extra-base hits. Last week, Vivas had 10 hits in 24 at-bats with five doubles and three home runs.
Rushing hit three home runs and drove in 10 runs last week for Great Lakes, hitting .250/.533/.850 while also walking eight times.
Nice that Michael Busch will be making his debut. He’s certainly earned the shot. In most franchises, he’d have been in the majors last season.
Seems likely that he’ll slide into 3B, his new position, until Max is ready to return.
He’ll probably be OK. But what if he’s more than OK…. and Vargas keeps being less than OK?
When Max is back, will Busch get a shot at 2B? Would Vargas have to share his runway? Or maybe Busch will get his chance in LF.
He has a real shot at forcing his way onto the roster. Despite occasional moments of glory, Peralta, Heyward, Thompson and Taylor are not performing well. Yes, it’s early and all that…. but I think we all hoped to see numbers better than this:
Player BA OBP OPS
Peralta .208 .235 .527
Heyward .179 .283 .719
Thompson .189 .302 .816
Taylor .111 .196 .574
Vargas .213 .364 .659
Rojas’s offense has been weak too, but he’s only had 15 ABs, so I’ll leave him out. His fragility is the biggest problem.
Small samples, yes. You can see how the HRs push up Thompson’s and Heyward’s OPS. Taylor also has four HRs–but only one other hit. As for Vargas, his OBP used to be over .700, because he collected a freakish amount of walks early. Over the last 15 days, Vargas’s BA was .214 and his OBP was .267.
So it’s a good thing that Muncy and Outman have been such beasts lately.
It’s too early to draw conclusions, but these players usually occupy three positions in a lineup–and with Smith out, the catcher position is also weak.
So Busch has a real opportunity. And if Smith isn’t cleared to play catcher, perhaps Feduccia will get his chance too.
Right now, we do have plenty of concerns. Even Julio Urias has been in a funk in his last few games. Does anyone really trust our #4 and #5 pitchers to close the opponents down? Of course not….that is why they are #4 and #5. But if we get Gonsolin back soon, this only puts one pitcher in the “don’t trust me” list.
As for the bats, we still have plenty of players batting under .200 or thereabouts in the starting lineup:
RF not named Mookie
LF
SS not named Mookie
C
2nd base- too close
As for our bullpen….some doing well, some not doing well. Getting a healthy VG back will help.
So yeah, today, I look at us being 12-11 and think this is about right…we are a .500 team and will be until some horses return from injury and or some players can play up to our expectations. But I do agree…patience for now and let’s see where we are June 1st.
That May schedule looks really difficult.
They say you can not win the WS in April/May, but you can lose it.
Interesting days ahead for sure.
Go Dodgers!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
If the Angels are not in contention they will 100% trade Ohtani. Come on people, the Nats said the exact same thing about Soto last year. They can’t risk letting the guy walk and not getting a prospect haul back.