Get Over Darvish and Get Used To Kemp!
Just Say No Yu The Dodgers Ace, Clayton Kershaw had a 4.02 ERA in the World Series and he s a goat? The Astros Ace, Justin Verlander was awesome with a 3.75 ERA and he is amazing? Dallas Keuchel (the Astros #2) had a 5.32 ERA in the World Series. Yu Darvish ERA in the World Series? 21.60. Let s sign him. Hell no! On the biggest stage in baseball, namely the
Just Say No Yu
- The Dodgers Ace, Clayton Kershaw had a 4.02 ERA in the World Series and he’s a goat?
- The Astros Ace, Justin Verlander was awesome with a 3.75 ERA and he is amazing?
- Dallas Keuchel (the Astros #2) had a 5.32 ERA in the World Series.
- Yu Darvish ERA in the World Series? 21.60. Let’s sign him. Hell no!
On the biggest stage in baseball, namely the World Series, Yu Darvish didn’t just mess up – he was deplorable. Clayton Kershaw has had some excellent outings in the playoffs and World Series, only to have it unravel in one inning (like the 7th).
Clayton Kershaw has a 4.35 ERA in the playoffs, but if you take away a couple of bad innings, his ERA is in the 2.00’s. No excuses, just fact. Yu Darvish has a 5.81 ERA in the Post-Season including a 21.60 ERA in the World Series last year. He pitched 3.1 innings and allowed 9 hits, 9 runs and 2 HR in those debacles. He had two opportunities to win the World Series for the Dodgers and in both cases, not only could he not get it done, but he was worse and badder than bad. Yes, “badder.”
Kobe was a killer. Michael Was a Killer. Mad Bum was a Killer. Clayton wasn’t and Yu Darvish was a baby pitching to men. I don’t care if he was tipping his pitches, with his stuff, no one should hit him like that. Yu Darvish is not a killer and he will block some of our kids. Hopefully, FAZ is just runnng up the price on Yu. Darvish? NO!
By all accounts, Yu Darvish is a wonderful person. He’s a great guy! His teammates love him. Clayton wants him back. The problem is: He’s not a killer. He comes up totally empty on the biggest stage! Move on – there’s nothing to see here folks. Darvish will not be a Dodger.
Get Used to Matt Kemp
For those of you who think Matt Kemp will not be on the team at the start of the season: You may be right… or not! The Dodgers have tried to trade him, but they have a figure in mind, and so far, no one has agreed to it. If you think some team will trade for Matt Kemp and assume some salary if the Dodgers throw in Wilmer Font, you are delusional. If you think the Dodgers are going to release Kemp before Spring Training, you are delusional. If you think the White Sox will trade for Kemp, you are delusional. However, the Dodgers are not delusional.
They owe Kemp $43 million over the next two years, and unless some team wants to pay at least $15 million of that, they have nothing to lose by seeing what he can do. Actually, the Dodgers are probably asking for a team to pay 50% of his salary. Maybe some team will step up, but I doubt it. Yes, I have heard that Kemp is a defensive liability, but I do not believe that! I believe that if Matt Kemp WANTS to play defense in LF, he can play at least up to league average… probably better.
Friday night, I watched the Indiana Pacers give up 49 points in the first quarter. Last night, they gave up 27 points in the first quarter. Their head was not in the game Friday night. They are human. Matt Kemp’s head probably was not in the game playing for Atlanta or San Diego, but given a shot at redemption back in LA, he just might surprise you as a defender. This is a case of where you forget the stats.
Unless the Dodgers are overwhelmed with an offer, Matt Kemp will have every opportunity to be the Dodgers left fielder in 2018. I am not delusional – he will never win a Gold Glove in LF, but he can be serviceable. In fact, barring injury, I expect Matt Kemp to be the starting LF on Opening Day. I would not even be surprised if Kemp put up some monster numbers…
He’s in great shape and would like to be a part of a winning team. They say you can never go home, but Kemp is home and poised to deliver. Very few players can help a team like Matt Kemp. Conversely, very few players can destroy a team like Matt Kemp. Thus… Chase Utley! Chase Utley is vitally important as the locker room Policeman. Kike, Justin, even Cody and Corey can hold their own and Yasmani Grandal is quietly an enforcer.
Many fans, beat writers and national correspondents say that Kemp will be cut or traded. Timmons says no. Let’s see who is right!
Wilmer Font
This guy could be big part of the Dodgers pen in 2018. He approaches triple digits and has a rising fastball. Look out for this guy!
Trades
Trayce Thompson, Ross Stripling, Kyle Farmer, Joc Pederson and Rob Segedin are all being shopped. Only the right deal will move them.
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Discussion (60)
Disagree, not disagreeable
Rosenthal suggested this morning that Marlins might be willing to trade Realmuto to the Nats for Carter Kieboom, a shortstop that is ranked as #3 Nats prospect.
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Maybe the Dodgers could reduce payroll if they could include Grandal and Wong in a three team trade with Wong and Kieboom going to Marlins and Grandal going to Nats and Realmuto to the Dodgers.
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Realmuto or Barnes could be moved in 2019 or 2020 to make room for Smith or Ruiz.
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Dodgers save payroll.
Dodgers have two catchers that can help the team against lefties which is good because they already have solid hitters against righties besides Grandal.
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Wong and Carter Kieboom is a better return for Realmuto than just Carter Kieboom.
Nats might have to add another player to keep the Dodgers out of the deal but the Dodgers could add another player again to stay in the deal. A chess match that all starts with how much the Dodgers want to reduce payroll.
I’m not brave enough to call Matt Kemp a lock on the Opening Day roster. (Injury aside) It’s my belief that Kemp will be traded, if it is deemed, he brings more value to the club elsewhere. He’s like that mountian climber on that Price is Right Game…
Wrong song
above .
Enjoy your day, folks…
Baseball Prospectus has their 101 Prospect list:
21. Walker Buehler, RHP, Los Angeles Dodgers
25. Alex Verdugo, OF, Los Angeles Dodgers
41. Yadier Alvarez, RHP, Los Angeles Dodgers
54. Keibert Ruiz, C, Los Angeles Dodgers
69. Dustin May, RHP, Los Angeles Dodgers
73. Yusniel Diaz, OF, Los Angeles Dodgers
86. Mitch White, RHP, Los Angeles Dodgers
That’s 3 International Signings.
Old friend:
43. Willie Calhoun, DH, Texas Rangers
I wouldn’t be the least bit shocked if Darvish signs for one year with Dodgers. Not that I think that will happen though I’d like it to happen. And it wouldn’t be the first time something along the same lines to occur. If Darvish would showcase his value this would be the best route it seems to me. I know the only thing he needs to prove is he’s far better than the last impression in the WS. Nolasco raised his stock with that formula.
Eric Longenhagen and Kiley McDaniel have put out the Fangraphs top 100 prospects:
Open on www.fangraphs.comhttps://www.fangraphs.com/blogs/2018-top-100-prospects/27 Walker Buehler
48 Alex Verdugo
54 Yadier Alvarez
64 Will Smith
Other Prospects in Consideration Include:
Keibert Ruiz, C
Old Friend Will Calhoun is listed as a DH at 46.
More anecdotal information:
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Quite a few guys did a good job of keeping the ball in the yard last season. Some, not so much. Some notable 2017 HR/FB rates:
Buehler: 13.6%
Santana – 6.9%
May – 6.5%
Ferguson – 5.6%
Yadier – 5.3%
White – 4.5%
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Quite a few guys did a good job of keeping the ball in the yard last season. Some, not so much. Some notable 2017 HR/FB rates:
Buehler: 13.6%
Santana – 6.9%
May – 6.5%
Ferguson – 5.6%
Yadier – 5.3%
White – 4.5%
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Of note, in that article, for Yadier Alvarez:
“The industry has begun talking about Alvarez’s makeup after he looked out of shape early last spring, but he’s in Arizona already working on his changeup command in preparation for the season.”
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“In the last year, Will Smith has altered his stride in a way that has increased his in-game power rather significantly. He’s an Austin Barnes sequel who’s perhaps two years from the majors.”
That is great news about Alvarez. If he gets serious, he has #1 stuff… especially if his changeup looks like a fastball when it leaves his hand.
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It’s time for Clayton to master the changeup. It can make his unhittable.
Archer’s value is diagnosed here: https://www.mlb.com/news/chris-archers-trade-value-difficult-to-gauge/c-265935958
I spotted a license plate while in line to get me some french fries last night – DGER FN – Idaho recognizes – Dem Boy’s are big-time now!