Dodger's Weekly Roundup
As we all know, just before the Rule 5 Deadline, the Dodgers cut ties with Billy McKinney and Zach Reks while adding Jacob Amaya, James Outman, Eddys Leonard, Jorbit Vivas, and Michael Grove to the 40-man roster. On a team with plenty of LH bats, Zach Reks and Billy McKinney…
As we all know, just before the Rule 5 Deadline, the Dodgers cut ties with Billy McKinney and Zach Reks while adding Jacob Amaya, James Outman, Eddys Leonard, Jorbit Vivas, and Michael Grove to the 40-man roster. On a team with plenty of LH bats, Zach Reks and Billy McKinney were expendable. You do not get to this level if you are a chump, so it is possible that one or both will become useful major leaguers. It was just a numbers game. Luke Raley made the grade and I would advise everyone to not judge him by last season. He has prodigious power. Adam Duval never amounted to anything until he was 27. I see similarities.
Eddys Leonard and Jorbit Vivas have never played above A-ball, but both are interesting prospects. Leonard has the profile of a utilityman who can play all over the diamond and might have some pop, while Vivas is most likely a second-baseman or trade bait. Jacob Amaya could break with the team in 2022… if he can continue to hit as he has in the AFL. I have heard that the Dodgers have been working on his swing, but have not seen it… only the stats to back it up. James Outman could be a 4th or 5th outfielder soon as he has great speed, developing power, and can play all over the outfield.
Eddys Leonard
Jorbit Vivas
Michael Grove dropped out of the Dodger’s Top 30 prospects, but he has some filthy stuff… if he can control it. The Dodgers think he can and believe he could help the team in 2022. It has certainly taken him a long time to come back. I wonder if it might be best to put him on a reliever’s path, rather than a starter. Maybe there is yet hope for Morgan Cooper…. nah!
The Dodgers are still re-tooling Kody Hoese’s swing, though the results are not apparent… as yet. One scout told me that he expects Kody to respond very well to the re-tooling and that his swing is becoming much quicker… he called it, “whip like.” I have not seen that either. Progress is not linear.
Trevor Bauer broke his silence to comment on the Kyle Rittenhouse acquittal in Kenosha, Wisconsin (home of Gavin Lux). He tweeted this:
I think Trevor is itching to tell his side of the story. The fact that the media were total lying monsters in the above case should shock no one. There’s more to be told about Bauer and shame on you if you believe the media! We all know that Prosecutors lie, but we should expect more from journalists. OK, I am jesting. You can’t expect much from lying scumbags… but why don’t I just tell you how I really feel? BTW, Kyle Rittenhouse is not a hero! He does not deserve to be made a hero any more than George Floyd! OK enough! A person here who shall remain anonymous wrote this:
What I find interesting is this: people are all for the rule of law, unless it diverges from their narrative. Then they want “justice”. Regardless of law. I see that on both sides. They want law to to agree with their “feelings” on any given issue. I want consistency. For the rule of law. Not people freaking out every time they don’t like an outcome. Just like the last election. 50+ court cases in countless States confirmed there was no fraud in the election. The courts are solid. Rittenhouse got a fair trial. So did Trump. On every election challenge. My argument is largely based on if we believe our court system is fair. Or not. I believe it is. And Rittenhouse received a fair verdict. And Trump received a fair hearing in all the various State and Federal Courts. What I can’t handle is the picking and choosing. Either our court system is fair, or it’s not. And I’m tired of both sides claiming it isn’t based on the outcomes they LIKE or dislike. That is what I’m tired of. We have one of the most independent and functional court systems in Western civilization. Yet I hear a vast number of people negatively judge our court system based on their political and ideological perspectives. Which also tells me it is working. If nobody is happy, ideologically, then it’s working.
Boo-Yah! Amen! Move on folks, nothing to see here.
Would You…
- Trade Eddys Leonard, Miguel Vargas, Edwin Rios, and Landon Knack for the two Matts – Chapman and Olsen? It might take another Top Prospect as well. It is reported that the A’s want a very high Price for Chapman and Olsen, so…. I would have to think about it. Olsen would move Muncy to 2B, and Seager would be gone. (I wrote this last night only to find MLB Trade Rumors suggested the exact same thing…. well it was only Olsen). Chapman is a comeback candidate and Olsen would really make the lineup so much more productive. I hate giving up Vargas… but look at this powerhouse lineup:
- Betts RF (R)
- Bellinger CF (L)
- Turner SS (R)
- Olsen 1B (L)
- Smith C (R)
- Muncy 2B (L)
- Chapman 3B (R)
- Pollock/ Lus LF (L-R)
- JT DH (R)
- There are lots a trade possibilities, but most of them are just talk. Steven Matz allegedly wants to sign before December 1st!
- The Red Sox are talking with CT3. Kike, CT3, Verdugo, Wong, Jeter Downs… sounds like Dodgers East!
- I still say that if Clayton does not retire, he will be back with the Dodgers even though Ranger Blogs are blowing up with “Clayton is Coming to Dallas!”
- Tsutsugo is still out there… 😉
Other News
- I hear that it is a sure thing the DH and Shift Banning are coming to MLB. The Pitch Clock is getting much consideration but Electronic Balls and Strikes is at least another year away. I happen to like limiting the number of throws to 1B. Back in the day, hitters and pitchers did not study film and learn all the “little personal tendencies” which indicated what was coming. This would add more excitement back to the game.
- If the MLBPA and MLB do not reach an agreement by December 1st, it appears that the Owners may lock out the players… or… they could not. It might be smart for the owners to say “As a gesture of good faith, we are going to continue the bargaining process. All we ask is that you do the same.” A conciliatory tone might help seal this deal.
- Did you see that the Rays traded former Top Prospect Brent Honeywell to the A’s for cash? Wow. It wasn’t that long ago that Honeywell was rated as one of baseball’s elite prospects. Along the way, a slew of elbow injuries derailed his progression and pushed him down Tampa Bay’s depth chart to the point where he became stuck in a roster crunch.
Grace Slick recently turned 82!
Reggie Jackson Adirondack Pro Ring Bat
This is my granddaughter, whom I call Rey Skywalker (she calls me Obi Wan). She was in my office and insisted on playing with my rare (very used, but uncracked) Reggie Jackson 35″ 38 oz. bat from 1971 or 1972. Of course, it is an ash bat and I used it a lot over 35 years. It is really beat up, but unbroken… kind of like me!
I kind of like this… posting one day a week on Sunday suits me fine.
More from Dodger Talk
Dodgers Food Trailer
I did this interview a couple of weeks ago with Chef Mike, who runs the Dodgers Food Trailer for the Great Lakes Loons. They are there for every home and road regular season and playoff game. They prepare three meals a day for approximately 50 people (players and coaches). Since games end late most evenings, they do not prepare breakfast. Many of their hotels have a complimentary breakfast anyway. However,…
Meet LAD 2026 Draft Picks 1-12
3 picks were High School players (2 SS and 1 OF). There was a college OF, college catcher, college SS, and 10 college pitchers. Of all the talk for a need for a catcher, the only catcher the Dodgers selected was Luke Bard, son of LAD bullpen coach Josh Bard. Bard was a 4th year senior from Houston Christian University. He is not a prospect, so the Dodgers are still…
Interview with Paul Beachy – Team Bus Driver For The Great Lakes Loons (LA Dodgers Minor League Team)
It’s been a few days since I did this interview. We have evidently been working my son-in-law (the video guy) like a rented mule at US Water Systems. However, I am taking him to London with me in a few days, so maybe Watford will buy him a pint as a tip, but he’s a dang Red Sox fan, so there is that! I thought that it would be interesting…
Thanks for Your Service: Chris Taylor
I was going to do this post when Chris announced he was retiring, then he changed his mind, but since the chances of him ever playing for the Dodgers again are slim and non-existent, I will go ahead with this post. He unretired, went on the IL, then decided to call it quits on May 24th. Taylor was born in Virginia Beach VA on August 29th, 1990. He attended Great…
Discussion (160)
Disagree, not disagreeable
Wow, Cardinals signed Matz to a 4 year 44 million dollar deal.
Dodgers have signed Jason Michaels, an outfielder and Beau Burrows, a RHP to minor league contracts. Burrows was with the Twins organization and Michaels with the Rangers.
MLB and the MLBPA agree to move the tender date to Nov 30th. Was originally the 2nd of December. This way those players will know before a possible lock out if they have been tendered a contract or not. Bum you are probably the only guy on here who wants them to trade for Chapman. I have seen no one else in that corner.
For the record, I think the Dodgers are fine at 3B with Rios and Turner… actually, they are more than fine!
I do not want Chapman, although I think he might be an All-Star next season (too much to pay).
Olsen would be a game-changer, but he would cost too much.
I like the Suzuki move, but what I like even better is Clint Fraizer in RF!
He has a huge upside, is a huge comeback candidate, and is just about FREE.
His bat is lightning quick and he should be over his concussion issues.
I would forget Suzuki and focus on Frazier.
MLB NAMES FIVE DODGERS TO ALL-MLB TEAM
LOS ANGELES – The Los Angeles Dodgers led all Major League teams with five players named to the All-MLB team, which was announced today by Major League Baseball. Right-handed pitchers Max Scherzer and Walker Buehler were named All-MLB First-Team selections, while shortstop Trea Turner, left-handed pitcher Julio Urías and closer Kenley Jansen were All-MLB Second-Team selections.
Scherzer receives his second career All-MLB selection after being named All-MLB First Team in 2019. The 37-year-old right-hander split the season between Washington and Los Angeles, going a combined 15-4 with a 2.46 ERA (49 ER/179.1 IP), recording 236 strikeouts against 36 walks in 30 starts. He finished the season amongst the National League leaders in ERA (2nd), wins (4th), strikeouts (2nd), batting average against (1st, .185), WHIP (1st, 0.86), FIP (3rd, 2.62), strikeouts per 9 (2nd, 11.91), SIERA (2nd, 2.90) and winning percentage (3rd, .789). He was acquired by the Los Angeles Dodgers on July 30 from the Washington Nationals along with Trea Turner and in 11 starts to finish the season with the Dodgers, he posted a 7-0 record with a 1.98 ERA (15 ER/68.1 IP) and 92 strikeouts. The Dodgers went 11-0 in his starts and on Sept. 12 against San Diego, he became the 19th player in Major League Baseball history to record his 3,000-strikeout with a strikeout of Eric Hosmer.
Buehler receives his first All-MLB honor after finishing fourth in the NL Cy Young voting. The Kentucky native posted a 16-4 record with a 2.47 ERA (57 ER/207.2 IP) and 212 strikeouts in 33 starts for the Dodgers. He set career-highs in wins, innings, pitched, ERA, and winning percentage (.800), while recording his second 200+ strikeout season and being named to his second All-Star team (2019). In his fifth season in the Major Leagues, he ranked amongst the National League leaders in wins (3rd), ERA (2.47), strikeouts (7th, 212), starts (T-1st) and Opp. Avg (2nd, .212). He was NL Pitcher of the Month in July after compiling a perfect 3-0 record with 38 strikeouts, nine walks and a 1.67 ERA over 32.1 innings pitched, while permitting 20 hits and not allowing a home run in his five July starts.
Turner finished the season as the National League batting champion (.328) and won the stolen base title as he earned his first All-MLB selection. In 148 games between Washington and Los Angeles, he batted .328 (195-for-595) with 34 doubles, 38 homers, 32 stolen bases and 77 RBI and became the first Dodger to win the batting title since Tommy Davis won back-to-back crowns in 1962 and 1963. In addition to leading the league in batting average and stolen bases, the Florida resident led the league in hits (195), average vs. left-handed pitching (.392), multi-hit games (58), infield hits (33) and total bases (319). He was selected to his first Mid-Summer Classic in July and was the NL Player of the Week for the final week of the season after slashing .458/.480/.917 with three homers and nine RBI from Sept. 27 – Oct. 3.
Urías was the Major League’s first 20-game winner since Scherzer in 2016 and first Dodger to win 20 games since Clayton Kershaw went 21-3 in 2014. Urías made a career-high 32 starts in 2021, going 20-3 with a 2.96 ERA and 195 strikeouts against 38 walks and recording his first All-MLB selection. He led the Major Leagues with a .870 winning percentage and became the fourth Mexican-born pitcher to win 20 games, joining Fernando Valenzuela (1986), Teddy Higuera (1986) and Esteban Loiaza (2003). The southpaw set career-highs in wins, ERA, winning percentage, strikeouts and WHIP (1.018) while finishing the second half of the season with a perfect 9-0 record and 2.04 ERA (18 ER/79.1 IP) and 76 strikeouts in 14 starts.
Jansen completed his 12th season in Dodger Blue with a 4-4 record, a 2.22 ERA (17 ER/69.0 IP) and 38 saves in 69 games to garner his first All-MLB selection. The three-time All-Star finished tied with Liam Hendriks for second in the Major Leagues in saves, finishing one behind MLB leader Mark Melancon. In his last 30 games, he finished the season 3-0 with 17 saves and a 1.17 ERA (4 ER/30.2 IP) with 42 strikeouts and recorded his 350th career save on October 1st against the Brewers, which is an ongoing Dodger record and ranks 13th all-time in Major League Baseball history. His accolades extend past the regular season, as he passed Brad Lidge (18) and became the National League postseason saves leader with his 19th save in Game 3 of the National League Championship Series against the Braves. His 19-career postseason saves rank second all-time behind Mariano Rivera (42).
Former outfielder and manager of the Pirates, Bill Virdon passed away today at age 90. RIP.
Bums has been pushing for AF to tab Oakland’s GG and Big K 3B, Matt Chapman, in a proposed trade. While 3B is not a necessity it is certainly a position with some question marks, especially with the continued health of JT. If the Universal DH becomes a reality, then perhaps a window is cracked and a new 3B could make for an improvement. I have been steadfast in my opinion that I want nothing to do with Matt Chapman.
However I was reading Jim Bowden from The Athletic, and while I find his takes often somewhat speculative and head scratching, he did make an observation about the Guardians (I know I am not going to remember this name for much of the time) that I found intriguing. He intimated that Cleveland is not ready to contend, even in the weak AL Central. Detroit and KC are rising while Cleveland not so much. Cleveland exercised their option on Jose Ramirez for 2022 ($12MM), and will undoubtedly exercise it for 2023 ($14MM). He will not agree to an extension. Thus, this winter seems to be the ideal time to move him to a team that is willing to provide Cleveland with multiple ML ready players.
What is even more interesting is that Ramirez came up as a SS/2B, and can still play2B well. He can also fill in at SS in a pinch. He is a switch hitter with fairly even splits. He has been top 6 in AL MVP voting in four of the last five years. He is 29, and would be an ideal candidate for a five year extension after this year. His career line is .278/.351/.501/.855. His career OPS is almost equal to Chapman’s best OPS of .864 (2018).
Ramirez is one player I would like to see AF target.
Dickerson DFA’d by the Giants. Opening a spot for DeSclafani. Wood also close to signing. White Sox closing in on a deal with Graveman. Report by Rosenthal says Seager wants to sign before Dec 1.
Breaking news. Rays sign Franco to a 12 year 185 million dollar contract per MLBTR. The contract could max out at 223 million. Kid is set for life.
Yo Mark, can I get out of timeout? Don’t think I posted anything out of line.
Matz is considering multiple offers. None of those from the Dodgers according to MLBTR.
Dodgers: LA Showing Interest in Japanese Star Seiya Suzuki, According to Insider
by Adam Salcido
The last time the Dodgers tried to recruit and sign a Japanese star player they came out swinging yet they struck out. They missed out on a once-in-a-generation talent in Shohei Ohtani as he made his way down the 5 in Orange County with the Angels.
This time around the Dodgers are hoping for better luck as a new star from Japan hit the market for MLB teams to try and sign. Outfielder Seiya Suzuki was posted this Monday and will be available for all 30 MLB teams to bid on him. According to am570LASports host David Vassegh, Los Angeles has shown some interest in the 27-year old star. Former Dodgers Mike Scioscia who managed against Suzuki in the 2021 Olympics noted that he sees his power translating into MLB and has a “tremendous throwing arm from Right Field.”
Fromer MLB all star pitcher Doug Jomes dies at 64 from complications of Covid.
First timers on the Hall ballot, David Ortiz, Alex Rodriguez, Ryan Howard, Tim Lincecum, Jimmy Rollins, Justin Morneau, Carl Crawford, Mark Teixeira, Jonathan Papelbon, Jake Peavey, Prince Feilder, AJ Pierzinski, and Joe Nathan. Last shot for Bonds, Clemens and Schilling. Schilling was closest to election last year with 71.1 % of the vote. Bonds had 61.8%. Clemens, 61.6%. Holdovers are Abreu, Pettitte, Buehrle, Helton, Hudson, Torii Hunter, Andruw Jones, Kent, Manny, Sosa, Sheffield, Vizquel and Billy Wagner. A new report says the Dodgers are really trying to bring Seager back. We will see. I think Schilling might squeeze in by a hair. Ortiz might make it on his first ballot. Rodriguez will most likely get the same treatment from the writers that the other suspected PED users have so far. Bonds needs to pick up 13 %. Not easy to do in a single voting cycle.
Rose, Bonds, Clemens, and all the rest: Let ’em in!
He that is without sin, let him cast the first stone.
MLB, the writers, and others all knew about the roids.
It was part of the fabric of baseball, just like “greenies” – Move on. Nothing to see here!
AC, funny story about Bonds. I’ve only heard people say negative things about him. It’s enlightening to hear another point of view.
There’s some noise that the Dodgers are interest in Suzuki. There’s a Scioscia quote out there in the Houston Mitchell article that says he’s got power that will translate to the MLB and has a rifle of an arm in right field. He’s also won a few of gold gloves in Japan and might be capable of some positional flexibility. Of course, the Houston Mitchell article comes with speculation about trading Pollock to hand Suzuki the left field job. I find that speculation nonsense.
Anyways, he sounds like the type of player that the Dodgers would be interested in and there’s some buzz out there. I hope he’s a Dodgers’ fan.
Great story. Of course the public and the press had their own impressions of him. I felt that way about Tommy Davis who I had a long discussion on hitting with when I was 11. He was just as patient and nice as could be. Asked to see my stance and how I swung. He gave me a couple of pointers which I never forgot and used over the years. Talking to Norm Sherry was pretty easy too. He had a way with us kids and made us feel special when we shagged balls. Larry was a lot more reserved. Of course Wes and I had more than a couple baseball discussions. He was one of those guys ya just felt you could go out and have a beer with.
The best hitters I ever saw were
Pete Rose
George Brett
Tony Gwynn
Rod Carew
Ichiro Suzuki
The most prolific hitter I ever saw was Barry Bonds. I am not talking about his character, but his hitting prowess. I also have a different take on attitudes directed to Bonds. Mine is more personal as he went out of his way to have a very long conversation with my son at the San Jose Airport. While on a college weekend series in Santa Clara, the team had a couple hour wait for a return trip to Reno. The team saw Bonds and dared my son to go up to him and talk with him. He did, and Bonds spent the next 30-45 minutes just talking with him. Andy said that Barry was one of the easiest people to talk with that he encountered in baseball. Never asked for an autograph or anything, and nothing was ever offered. Just two guys sitting in an airport BSing.
MLBTR also reporting that the Giants are close to a 2 year deal with Alex Wood that would pay him 10 mil a season. Saw a picture of Caleb Ferguson with his new bride. Boy did well. Girl is a 10 plus easy.
Some movement happening around the MLB now. Angels signed Aaron Loup. Jackson traded by the Giants to the Braves and the Giants signed DeSlafani to a 3 year 36 million dollar deal.
Rangers acquired Billy McKinney and Zach Reks from the Dodgers for cash.
D-Backs signed Matt Davidson to a minor league deal with a spring invite.
I respect Aaron. I have zero respect for Bonds. Respect is a lot different than love. I saw both of them play many times. If you were to ask me who the best hitter I ever saw was, it would be Tony Gwynn. With Rod Carew a close second. Best ballplayer, Mays hands down. Best pitcher, Koufax. Next best, Bob Gibson. Bonds never admitted anything, that is true. Neither did anyone accused of that stuff except one, Jason Giambi. Two guys accused of using or at least linked to it will be on the Hall ballot for the first time this year, Rodriguez and Big Papi. I just think we will never see eye to eye on this subject and that is fine.
Bear, it seems that your love for Hammerin Hank is jading your reasoning skills. If you need hard proof, than you shouldn’t accuse Bonds of using steroids either. Bonds claims that he was given substances, but he didn’t know what they were. That smells like bull crap to me.
Hank says he used amphetamines a couple of times (yeah right). And a pitcher on his team claims that nearly half of the players on his team used steroids. Hank’s best season was in his age 37 year where he hit 47 homers. Not a normal decline like most players. I put all those things together and I can make a rational decision about what I think.
So, Hank actually admitted to using performance enhancing drugs. His teammate said a bunch of players on that team used steroids and his best season was when he was 37. That’s enough for me. But, I’m certain you’re going to dig your heels in because no one ever convinced anyone to change their mind on the Internet.
So, go ahead and be certain that Bonds took steroids even though he never admitted to it and ignore that Hank actually admitted to doing amphetamines and justify some how, some way, that a guy that took amphetamines would pass up the chance at taking steroids even thought his teammates were.
As a former drug user, I know from personal experience that it’s unlikely that Hank would take speed and then draw the line at steroids.
If your nose runs and your feet smell, Are you built upside down? Go Dodgers