Dodgers Take it to the Max

Let’s find Max a new home.

I’m really happy for Outman. A homer in your first AB must just be an unbelievable feeling. I always thought he was very athletic. He’s put up solid numbers in the minors, but nothing eye-popping. But, the word is that the Dodgers did with Outman what they tried to do with Jaren Kendall. Try to completely change his swing. So far, so good. His swing is smooth and fairly compact for a 6-3 frame. He’s also “The Best Fielding Outfielder in the Organization”. I want to see more.

When Eric first suggested bringing him up, I argued that he hasn’t played above AA and he should get some time at AAA before being considered. Just one month in AAA and he had a game of a lifetime. Way to make the most of your opportunity.

I’m not going to discount James as a 4th or 5th outfielder. He has the defensive chops for Center Field and the bar just isn’t that high for offense at the position. He’s got some pop, he’s got some speed and he’s a very good defender. I’m going to say that he can stick at the position. He can be to CF what Will Smith is to C.

But, I must say, it sure looks like an audition for other teams just ahead of the deadline. If he does get traded, I wonder if he’ll turn into the next Jason Worth. If he doesn’t, maybe he’s the guy to platoon with Trace, or put pressure on Belli to make an adjustment, or eventually take his place?

Good luck James Outman! I really rooting for you.

So, Tony G was solid today. Not great, not bad. In the end, 3 runs in 5 innings on 92 pitches is a walk in the park at Coors field. I sure hope he’s getting over the hump. If it weren’t for a weird 3 run third, he looked like his old self.

Less than 48 hours to the trade deadline and there hasn’t been a ton of action around the league, much less with the Dodgers. It feels like they’re big game hunting before committing to filling any perceived holes. They grabbed another reliever that they want to fix. I’m optimistic that they can make him better. He’s got a solid fastball, but none of his secondary pitches seem to work, but they do induce grounders at an extremely high rate. Yes, David Robertson is a better pitcher, but no, you wouldn’t get him for Zach McKinstry.

If this were Christmas, I would be thinking that we might just be on the naughty list this year. I feel like a kid at Christmas. I don’t really need anything, but want something anyways.

When Taylor comes back he replaces Outman. Assuming he isn’t traded, when Rios is ready, (or the Dodgers get another bat) does he replace Muncy? I would think Lamb/Thompson are worth keeping.

Giants trade for Machado!!

James “awesome” Outman!

So who are the ones here who have been touting for Mr Outman to be brought up?

Step forward to receive your honor…..

Who needs Soto when we have Outman

Well I’m not sending him back to OKC until he stops hitting! Who needs Juan Soto!

Eric for GM

Outman’s swing looks like he’ll have a high strike out rate, but also looks like he’ll crush the ball when he does hit it. He’s also very athletic. Perhaps he’s a more athletic Joc for us?

Not a bad start for a 4th or 5th outfielder!

Move em over and get em in. Hasn’t happened a lot this year but two good outs produce an insurance run. And our friend Mr Muncy delivers.

I agree with Tedray. That was a memo that came down from above for some reason. Maybe hoping to give Max one last chance to break out. At this point I’m just scratching my head. Love the guy. But a “runway”? The runway he’s already be given is long enough to get a 747 off the ground with only me pushing it. And there would still be several miles left.

You certainly can’t call the Dodgers disloyal or impatient. That’s to their credit. But Max is a wealthy man who probably should have been out of baseball working a blue collar job the last few year if not for the mystical ways of Dodger scouting and player development. It’s a great story. Unfortunately, I think the last chapter has been written. I hope I’m wrong and he goes on an epic tear and hits 10hrs next month. But the fat lady isn’t just singing she’s getting hoarse, out of breath and is no longer fat from being so overworked.

Max has been a great Dodger. But it’s time.

Have a day James Outman. So awesome to see a first big league hit be a HR.

Perhaps a great start to a long Dodger career

Remember when I was calling for Outman to be brought up.

I don’t think he’s going to be a superstar. I just think that he could be an upgrade over a few of our guys that have an under 700 OPS and have sat there all year long.

* Second base has been a Black Hole for the Dodgers for too long. Here’s what I wrote about the situation months ago. “I find it odd for a team so successful that there has been such a revolving door at 2nd base. Since 2018, the Dodgers have had 18 different players start at 2nd base. Last year Lux seemed to have the job only to lose it. Many hope he’s the answer this year to put this to bed.”

Well, I think Lux has won the position. He’s hit .300 and despite a yip or 2 has been fine on defense. Lux is the guy but Doc / (the Wizard behind the curtain) refuse to put him there and leave him alone.

Now I see the reason for the situation in the past. It’s not that they couldn’t find the “guy”. Doc wants to use the position to get guys at bats and apparently platoon. I like Alberto but he is not an everyday guy. He can be the utility guy in place of CT3 for now.

Now we’re going to add Mookie to the platoon there, I guess. It’s a cute idea and can show off Mookie’s versatility but to be it’s a useless side show. It takes the “stress off his legs?” bullshit. And CT3 will need PT somewhere when he gets back. Doc/Wizard is obsessed with shuffling guys around not because he needs to but because he likes to. And of course he keeps Muncy in the line up somewhere come hell or high water.

* When I suggested somebody to split up Muncy and Belli in the order, I didn’t mean Barnes. The bottom of the order went 1 for 15. And the Rockies dinked Kershaw until the 6th when they teed off.

Play better today.

Bill Russell. R.I.P.

Not Billy. The NBA Legend

I keep wondering whether Soto is everything he’s cracked up to be…. A “generational talent,” and all that.

He’s obviously talented, but the second coming of Ted Williams?

My doubts were spurred in part by one of those “memories” that popped up on FB–something I posted ten years ago :

Baseball fans: The Angels’ Mike Trout, just 20 years old, has now played 80 games so far this season. Projected over a 162-game season (with two days off), he’s on a pace to hit .351 with 228 hits, 156 runs scored, 34 HRs, 62 stolen bases (caught only 6 times) and 106 RBI from the leadoff position… I hope he stays healthy, but maybe I just jinxed him…

So yeah I jinxed him. My point here actually is tha Trout largely lived up to expectations formed by his young glory. He is injured now and has been a few times before. But when he’s been healthy, he’s been one of the best ever, with something like 3 MVPs and other high finishes–yet no postseason run. The Angels failures illustrates just how much of a team sport it is, so I’d be reluctant to trade a team for one guy…. unless that guy is a star at two positions like Ohtani.

Has Soto sustained his excellence the way Trout has? I don’t think anyone has.

I agree it’s highly unlikely that Arte Moreno would deal Ohtani to the Dodgers, however. Maybe there could be an acceptable deal for Soto–but I’d rather keep Cartaya…. And long-term, I’d rather invest in Trea than Soto.

In other news, I’m happy for McKinstry and also surprised and happy for Outman. In spring training his speed and athleticism was really impressive. Seemed like a 4th outfielder at worse.

Pretty cool to see a guy go from Tulsa to OKC to LA in a few months.

Did not see him moving faster than Vargas or Busch.

Several short stops drafted. Is this the case of drafting the best available talent? Or an attempt to address a perceived organizational need?

Supposedly Stone was scratched today. Trade brewing?

2022 Dodgers draft picks

Round Pick Pos Player B/T Age* School Slot value Signed?

2 40 C Dalton Rushing L/R 21 Louisville $1,951,900 $1,959,390

3 105 SS Alex Freeland S/R 20 UCF $582,700 $580,200

4 135 OF Nick Biddison R/R 21 Virginia Tech $435,200 $382,500

5 165 SS Sean McLain R/R 21 Arizona St. $325,400 $322,900

6 195 SS Logan Wagner S/R 18 P27 Academy (SC) $253,400 $600,000

7 225 SS Christopher Campos R/R 21 St. Mary’s College $199,900 $197,500

8 255 2B Taylor Young R/R 23 Louisiana Tech $169,100 $2,500

9 285 LHP Brandon Neeck R/L 22 Virginia $156,600 $27,500

10 315 C Simon Reid L/R 21 Westmont College $149,600 $2,500

11 345 OF Kyle Nevin R/R 20 Baylor

12 375 RHP Jacob Meador R/R 21 Dallas Baptist $125,000

13 405 OF Chris Newell L/L 21 Virginia $147,500

14 435 SS Jose Izarra R/R 20 Florida SouthWestern JC $125,000

15 465 SS Nicolas Perez R/R 17 B You Academy (PR)

16 495 RHP Jared Karros R/R 21 UCLA $125,000

17 525 RHP Payton Martin R/R 18 West Forsyth HS (NC) $125,000

18 555 SS Cameron Decker S/R 18 Evansville North HS (IN)

19 585 OF Chris Alleyne S/R 23 Maryland $125,000

20 615 SS Carter McCulley S/R 18 Pensacola Catholic HS (FL) Yes

Total $4,223,800 -$126,310

*age as of June 30, 2022

15 of 19 2022 Dodger Draftees have signed with the slot and signing amounts listed above. August 1 is the deadline to sign.

Here’s where the Dodgers stand with all their Draft Picks:

All Dodgers Draft signings

2 (40): Dalton Rushing, C, Louisville — $1,959,390 (Pick value: $1,951,900)

After going under slot money with three of their top four picks, the Dodgers were able to secure Rushing, giving him slightly more money than the $1,951,900 value. Despite not having a first-round pick this year, the Dodgers came away thrilled after landing Rushing at No. 40.

3 (105): Alex Freeland, SS, UCF — $580,200 (Pick value: $582,700)

Freeland was a productive player at UCF, hitting .285 with 18 homers and 75 RBIs in college. He gives the Dodgers another shortstop prospect in the organization.

4 (135): Nick Biddison, OF, Virginia Tech — $382,500 (Pick value: $435,200)

The Dodgers turned to many productive college players in the Draft, and Biddison was certainly a productive collegiate player. The outfielder had a breakout ‘22 season with the Hokies, setting career highs in average (.351), home runs (14) and RBIs (47).

5 (165): Sean McLain, SS, Arizona State — $322,900 (Pick value: $325,400)

Two seasons with the Sun Devils was all the Dodgers needed to see out of the Tustin, Calif. native. McLain didn’t hit for much power in ‘22, but he finished with a .333 average, which was helped by a 23-game hitting streak.

6 (195): Logan Wagner, SS, P27 Academy (SC) — $600,000 (Pick value: $253,400)

The Dodgers went significantly over-slot to convince Wagner to sign professionally instead of going to Louisville. At 6-foot-2 and 205 pounds, Wagner has impressed scouts with his power from both sides of the plate.

7 (225): Christopher Campos, SS, St. Mary’s College — $197,500 (Pick value: $199,900)

8 (255): Taylor Young, 2B, Louisiana Tech — $2,500 (Pick value: $169,700)

9 (285): Brandon Neeck, LHP, Virginia — $27,500 (Pick value: $156,600)

10 (228): Simon Reid, C, Westmont College — $2,500 (Pick value: $149,600)

11 (345): Kyle Nevin, OF, Baylor

Has not agreed to terms

12 (375): Jacob Meador, RHP, Dallas Baptist

Has not agreed to terms

13 (405): Chris Newell, OF, Virginia — $147,500

14 (435): Jose Izarra, SS, Florida SouthWestern State College

Has not agreed to terms

15 (465): Nicolas Perez, SS, B You Academy (P.R.)

Has not agreed to terms

16 (495): Jared Karros, RHP, UCLA

Has not agreed to terms

17 (525): Payton Martin, RHP, West Forsyth HS (N.C.)

Has not agreed to terms

18 (555): Cameron Decker, SS, Evansville North HS (Ind.)

Has not agreed to terms

19 (585): Chris Alleyne, OF, Maryland

Has not agreed to terms

20 (615): Carter McCulley, SS, Pensacola Catholic HS (Fla.)

Has not agreed to terms

3:10 PM ET

Dodgers (67-33)

Rockies (46-56)

SP Tony Gonsolin R

11-1 2.26 ERA 99,2IP 90K

Confirmed Lineup

2B Mookie Betts R

SS Trea Turner R

1B F. Freeman L

C Will Smith R

DH Jake Lamb L

LF Gavin Lux L

3B Max Muncy L

CF C. Bellinger L

RF James Outman L

Clear-day

0% Rain

90° Wind 5 mph R-L

Doc is saying to give Mookie a break from right field until the playoffs, he is going to play second base every 7-10 days. If you include a DH day and a day off on the bench that opens up right field for who? Lux will be in left more. The way I read it Thompson will be moving over to play center and right some of those starts. Also opens the door for Outman in right. He has the defense down so now can he hit big league pitching.

DODGERS ADD CHRIS MARTIN

LOS ANGELES – The Los Angeles Dodgers added right-handed pitcher Chris Martin to the active roster and optioned right-handed pitcher Jake Reed.

Martin, 36, was acquired yesterday in exchange for infielder/outfielder Zach McKinstry and he has appeared in 34 games for Chicago, posting a 1-0 record with a 4.31 ERA (15 ER/31.1 IP) and 40 strikeouts. He has been in the Major Leagues seven seasons with Colorado (2014), New York – AL (2015), Texas (2018-2019), Atlanta (2019-21) and Chicago (2022), and he is a combined 6-15 with a 4.10 ERA (103 ER/226.1 IP) and 227 strikeouts. In 2020, he posted a career-best 1.00 ERA, allowing two runs in 18.0 innings with one save and 20 strikeouts. He was originally drafted by the Colorado Rockies in the 21st round of the 2005 First Year Player Draft out of McLennan Community College.

Reed, 29, made three appearances for the Dodgers, allowing one run in 2.2 innings with two strikeouts. In two seasons with the Dodgers, he is 0-0 with a 3.38 ERA (3 ER/8.0 IP) in nine games. He has spent parts of two seasons in the Majors with Los Angeles and New York-NL (2021-22) and he is combined 1-1 with a 6.16 ERA (13 ER/19.0 IP) and 18 strikeouts. He was originally drafted in fifth round of the 2014 First Year Player Draft out of the University of Oregon.

“The results haven’t been there consistently, I’m aware of that. But I do think that stuff under the hood has shown better for me. … I’m going to continue to give him runway. I certainly still expect quality at-bats, but right now, I’m gonna ride with Max. … It’s gonna be that way until it’s not.”

— Dave Roberts

This is the typical psycho babble that the front office comes up with and expects Roberts to sell this crap to the press. The first sentence states the obvious. The second goes off to the twilight zone. Give him runway?? Its the longest runway in the history of the world. Max is just passing through Kansas City and liftoff is yet to be determined. He expects quality ABs which he is not getting yet he is going to “ride ” with Max until it’s not. WTF does this mean? How does the front office come up with this stuff? And, more importantly, does the FO actually think the press and public is believing this nonsense?

Max has a solid three year track record with the Dodgers. It was way above anything the team could have expected. It’s amazing that he has fallen so far in such a short period of time. When he is not taking center cut fastballs for strikes he is swinging right through them. Even his highly regarded strike zone recognition isn’t there.

It, also, seems like he is getting more than his share of bad calls at the plate. Many times when he does hit the ball hard it’s right at someone or caught on the warning track. It seems to be snowballing for Max. That’s what concerns me with continuing to play him everyday. How much can a player take before he snaps or basically gives up? That’s why I think he needs several days off to rest and reset his mind. It has to be crushing for him. So, does the team wait for the end of the runway (wherever that may be) or the plane to blow up? To DFA him is ridiculous and an overreaction for me. Give an IL stop a go. If he continues to struggle on his return I think he should be left off the playoff roster and consider a possible move in the offseason. Bottom line it’s a sad situation for everyone to watch.

Carry on.

Alight, heading into our last game at Coors field this year and our best pitcher in the first half is on the hill. Somehow not a lot of confidence for Tony even though we don’t need any pitching at the deadline? Seems like contrary positions.

Outman is expected to start today in RF. I sure hope that means Mookie is going to get a day off by DH’ing in this game.

Talk about home-field advantage. The Dodgers are so scared about the Coors injury effect, they play JT for one game and sit him for the next three.

Doc says they’re sticking with Max, expect to see him on the IL soon.

KPizzle says I’m asinine for sticking with Kimbrel. I think it’s asinine to say nothing during six straight appearances with no runs, then having a meltdown when he gives up 2 runs while still picking up the save.

I’ll admit, the Craig Kimbrel that we’re seeing right now is not optimal. He’s struggling. But, I believe in his body of work and I’m hoping he get on a hot streak like he has his entire career. When I look around the league, I don’t see a lot of better options. The top three guys on the saves leaderboard all have ERA’s north of 3.52. Edwin Diaz checks in at no. 4 with a 1.51 ERA, I remember when his ERA was north of 5 just a couple of years ago. Bednar has been worse than Kimbrel in June and July.

So, Kpizzle who exactly are you going to get to replace Kimbrel? Then, what are you going to do with him after you replace him?

“Complaining about a problem without posing a solution is called whining.”― Teddy Roosevelt

I wonder what Kpizzle thinks about Josh Hader who has a 1-4 record and a 4.24 ERA. Should the Brewers get rid of him?

David Bednar now has less saves are more blown saves than Kimbrel. Is he still the flavor of the month?

This is a weird year for closers. If you don’t believe me, Daniel Bard is one of the best in the league and he pitches for Colorado. He had a 5.21 ERA last year with 8 blown saves! Now, he’s looking at a contract extension.

I’m going to be really surprised if the Dodgers gut their system for Soto or Ohtani.

My thoughts on Chris Martin are; that he has a live arm, he throws strikes, he racks up K’s, he’s a ground ball machine and he’s had a lot of success in the post-season. These things outweigh the “according to stats” that Eric is laser-focused on. During the broadcast, they we saying that Chris Martin is a victim of bad luck and that the Dodgers infield will make him a much better pitcher. AF is playing 3D chess and Eric is playing with a single Jax, an eraser, and old lucky lager bottle cap with a puzzle that he can’t figure out.

If you believe what Doc says, Tommy Kahnle’s a complete bust. You win some, you lose some. When you have the resources that the Dodgers have, you can afford to make some high-risk investments. Some work out and others don’t. AF understands the baseball season is very long. Sometimes, you just need a couple of guys to be effective for just a portion of the season to take pressure off of those that will be leaned on in more important games. Since Doc gives Kahnle a 50/50 chance at returning, I would think that Kahnle will probably be lights out for us in September and October.

This team doesn’t have any holes. In fact, a roster crunch is coming. Outman is going to have a tryout today in order to get included in a trade package for someone, probably on nobody’s list of wants. Let’s hope he has a great day.

Is Trayce for real? If he is, he’ll solve a lot of problems. The Dodgers see something in Muncy, or since Doc says they’re sticking with him, should we expect a big lefty bat in the Outman trade?

Possible post-season bullpen

Kimbrel

Treinen

Phillips

Almonte

Martin

Vesia

V-Gone

Heaney

Buehler

Rotation

Kershaw

May

Urias

Gonsolin

Look, The team is going with Max until they don ‘t. Would you expect management to say. ‘ We are giving him one more week then he is benched’?? Its like when a player is traded to a team for one year and they ask him ‘ Do you want to play here again next year? Do they ever say. No, I am just playing out this year, I don’t like this team , and will want to sign somewhere else next year. So they could trade Max tomorrow, and say we had this opportunity to help the team …..BLah blah, blah. As for everyone likes him . They all liked AJ Ellis too. Right now he is what we used to call a good field-no hit guy. But really he is just an ‘ok field guy’. So we could trade for Joc and use him as a lefty DH. And use Taylor or anyone else to play 2nd or 3rd, and I am sure they could bat at least .160 against righties.

AF is a terrific GM/President and has done little to piss me off as a fan, but he and ownership have to question the acquisition of Tommy Kahnle now that it has been reported he most likely won’t pitch again this year. Coming off TJ surgery, AF signed him to a 2-year $4.75 million contract only to see him pitch in 4 games for the Dodgers.

Not a bad gig if you can get it……….Nearly $5 million to not pitch. Injuries are risky and while hoping to get a major league reliever on the cheap, even if he only pitched this year, it seems AF whiffed on this one.

In the good news department Danny Duffy is continuing to rehab and just might make it back this year and the Dodgers are hopeful V-gone will pitch this year. Dustin May back soon, Treinen perhaps just after him and Walker is a wildcard.

Enough of the sentimentality with Max. MLB is a results based business. You play well and produce you continue to get penciled in the line-up and if you don’t you get relegated to the bench and someone else gets a chance. Time for Vargas. The Dodgers sent both Joc and Puig to AAA during their long offensive droughts and while Max can’t be optioned to the minor leagues he can sit for a spell and see if someone else can fill the “black hole” that he currently occupies in the batting order. BA .162, .310 OBP, .615 OPS, with a SLG. of .259 over his last 7 games w/ 0 HR’s, 1 RBI, 2 BB’s and 10 K’s.

We don’t need Soto or Ohtoni if it’s gone to gut the farm. Both will be stupid moves .Let the Padres make that stupid move for Soto. The last time Andrew outbid the Padres on Trevor Bauer how did they work out? Sign Trea Turner and bench or somehow IL Max Muncy.

Interesting report in The Athletic about the teams that could get Soto and the players in exchange….

Padres, Dodgers, Blue Jays, Mariners & Cardinals

Los Angeles Dodgers

The Trade: Soto and C Keibert Ruiz to Dodgers for C Diego Cartaya, INF Gavin Lux, RHP Bobby Miller and OF Andy Pages

The Nationals got the wrong catching prospect at the 2021 trade deadline when they acquired Ruiz instead of Cartaya in the deal for Max Scherzer and Trea Turner. However, they right that wrong in this proposed deal, which would send Ruiz back to the Dodgers with Soto, and move Cartaya, the Dodgers’ best prospect, to Washington. Likened during the Futures Game by National League manager Mike Scioscia to a combination of Buster Posey and Salvador Perez, Cartaya must be the headliner in a Dodgers deal for Soto. He’s by far their best position-player prospect, and with Will Smith on the big-league roster, he’s expendable.

The Nationals would also have to get Miller, the Dodgers’ top pitching prospect, who throws 100 mph and has 11.2 strikeouts per nine innings this season. Miller, 23, is 5-4 with a 4.36 ERA in 76 1/3 innings at Double A . His command still needs work but he has great upside. Meanwhile, Lux would immediately become the Nationals’ everyday shortstop and their long-term answer at the position. Pages would give them a corner outfield bat with 30-home run potential. The Nationals might insist on another infield prospect, such as Michael Busch or Miguel Vargas, but expanding this deal to include one of them would mean taking out the Ruiz/Cartaya portion, and I think that would be a mistake for Washington.

https://theathletic.com/3460355/2022/07/29/juan-soto-trade-packages-ranked/?amp=1

My gut feeling: Dodgers are gonna make a huge move for either Ohtani or Soto.

Padres allegedly made a big offer for Soto (read it somewhere on ESPN this morning), something like Abrams, Gore plus 4 more of their top prospects.#

I really hope AF does not outbid the Padres because it would then cost Miller, Cartaya, Page, Vargas plus two more kids.

Much is said that Soto is a generational player and he might be that though IMHO he is too young to call him that.#

And remember the Giants: They never won anything with Bonds in his prime. They started winning 3 WS only after they kept their home grown talent and brought them along to the big league club. Posey, Linceum, Bumgarner, Crawford etc.etc.

Even a generational player will do you no good when the nucleus of the team is not good and deep enough.

Go Dodgers!!!!!!!!!!!!!!1