Hindsight: 20/20
Looking back today on the trade that brought Rich Hill and Josh Reddick to the Dodgers for Frankie Montas, Grant Holmes and Jherel Cotton, I thought it was a good bet at the time, but if Friedman had it to do over, he wouldn t. He wouldn t, not because it was bad deal, but he wouldn t because it did not win a Championship. Holmes may be toast and Jharel Cotton might
Looking back today on the trade that brought Rich Hill and Josh Reddick to the Dodgers for Frankie Montas, Grant Holmes and Jherel Cotton, I thought it was a good bet at the time, but if Friedman had it to do over, he wouldn’t. He wouldn’t, not because it was bad deal, but he wouldn’t because it did not win a Championship. Holmes may be toast and Jharel Cotton might be back from TJ surgery in June, but Frankie Montas (FRANKIE MONTAS?) is looking like he may have evolved into a quality starter. Well… maybe the trade doesn’t look that bad. Rich Hill has been solid and can Montas keep it up?
How about AJ Alexy, Brendon Davis, and Willie Calhoun for Yu Darvish? Alexy and Davis look like… well… toast and Willie Tree Trunks is what we thought… a hitter without a place to play, so he’s perfect in the AL as a DH. Would Friedman do that trade again, knowing what he does now? Of course not. But he didn’t know it them. It was a decent risk and if failed.
It’s like Jeren Kendall. He was a risk and it doesn’t look like he will pan out, but Buehler, Lux and other later picks did… and Mike Grove may be close behind. Additionally, there are a multitude of players in the Dodger organization who have considerable talent, thus their ranking as aTop Five Farm System.
The Anti-Friedmans point to Micah Johnson, Hector Olivera, Yasiel Sierra, Yadier Alvarez, and Yordon Alvarez and Oneil Cruz (the last two got away). They point to Scott Schebler, Jose Peraza (who?) and others… even Dee Gordon. However, they forget Muncy, Taylor (who was very good once), Hernandez, Barnes, Grandal (got Preller to take Fatt Kemp), Morrow, Blanton, Floro, Ferguson, and Freese, to say nothing of their cadre of prospects.
The biggest deals, however, may have been the ones they didn’t make. They didn’t trade Urias, Seager, Bellinger, Pederson, Turner, Jansen, Kershaw, Stripling and Baez. They just kept winning, getting better, building the farm and are working their way back to a third World Series. What more could a fan ask for? Oh yeah, that Championship Trophy. Like I always say, “If you are good enough to get there, you are good enough to win.” You just have to figure out and players have to execute.
To say Friedman has done nothing is absurd! With the changes in the hitting instructors, the Dodgers have dramatically improved their strikeout rate, improved their hitting with RISP and have added almost a run per game. The pitching is again outstanding, but the bullpen is not where he wants it to be. Of course, he will try and address the issue. I am sure he would love Leclerc, Vasquez, Greene, and others, but if they insist on Gonsolin, White or May in return, then what?
As AC mentioned yesterday, Jose Leclerc is rounding into form. Would they take Will Smith and Dennis Santana for him? Would Friedman do that deal? Would you? I believe that those two prospects would bring back a Greene or Leclerc… maybe not Vasquez.
I think the Dodgers are looking at relievers and another RH bat. They have a plethora of Lefty Bats in the system in Beaty, Rios, Reks, Lux, Ruiz, and others. We are playing checkers and Andrew Friedman is playing chess. I doubt that we can predict what move(s) he makes, but I do believe it will happen. He wants a Championship as much as we all do.
Dodger News
- It appears that there is not enough evidence to charge Julio Urias with a crime. As usual, the DA’s have a different agenda and MLB was unable to acquire access to video of the alleged incident. Then the MLBPA got involved and asked that Urias be reinstated. I think they have no recourse to do that. It is “innocent until proven guilty” and it appears there is no proof. I think an announcement by the DA dismissing the charges is imminent. Just my opinion…
- We will see the DH tonight… who will it be? Freese, Muncy, Turner, Pederson, Garlick, Beaty – all are candidates, but Garlick and/or Beaty could be gone.
- Clayton Kershaw versus the TB Rays “opener.”
Minor League Report by AC
Three games played and three wins by the Dodger affiliates. Two wins with some outstanding relief work.
OKC Dodgers 10 – Omaha Storm Chasers 5 (KC)
Everybody in the Dodger lineup had at least 2 hits except Drew Jackson who drew an 0-4 night. Zach Reks led the 17 hits with 3. Connor Joe had 2 hits, both HRs, and 3 RBIs. Cameron Perkins had 2 with a HR. Shane Peterson had 2 hits with a double. Edwin Rios, Daniel Castro, Errol Robinson, and Rocky Gale also had 2 hit nights. The Dodgers scored in 6 of their 8 offensive innings.
While I loved the offense, for me the bullpen was fantastic. RHP Rob Zastryzny started and went 6.0 innings allowing all 5 runs on 4 hits, 3 walks, and 6 strikeouts. The big blow was a 2 out 3-run HR by Erick Mejia in the 5th. But it was Tony Cingrani, Josh Sborz, and Shaggy going a perfect inning apiece and notching 4 strikeouts. That’s the way a game should go when you have the lead after 6.0 innings.
Tulsa Drillers 5 – Springfield Cardinals 2
The Drillers were down 2-1 when they came to bat in the 7th. Gavin Lux led off with a single. DJ Peters walked. Cristian Santana singled to load the bases. Cody Thomas walked for the tieing run. Keibert Ruiz singled for run #2 in the inning. Chris Parmalee doubled for the final two runs. Jared Walker walked and the Drillers were then shut down, but not before scoring 4 runs on 4 hits and three walks to take the lead 5-2.
Journeyman RHP Michael Bowden started and went 4.0 innings. He surrendered 2 runs (1 earned) on 5 hits, 0 walks, and 3 strikeouts. Bowden was followed by 4 relievers who did not yield a run. Chris Nunn was first up and pitched 1.0 inning allowing only a hit. He did not issue a walk and got 1 strikeout.
Yordy Cabrera pitched 1.0 inning, allowing a hit and walk, but no runs. Nolan Long went 2.0 innings not allowing a baserunner and getting 2 strikeouts. Finally Layne Somsen finished the game to earn his 3rd save. He pitched 1.0 inning while giving up one hit.
RC Quakes had a travel day and did not play.
Great Lakes Loons 8 – Lansing Lugnuts 7 (Toronto)
The bullpen was not as stellar in this game. Up 7-3 going into the 7th, the Lugnuts scored 3 in the 7th and 1 in the 8th to tie. The Loons broke the tie in the 10th when Romer Cuadrado singled home James Outman to break the 8-7 tie. Brett de Geus finished the game to get the win and take his record to 3-0.
Miguel Vargas Jair Camargo, and Dillon Paulson each had two hits, with Camargo hitting a double (4th). James Outman hit his 3rd HR on the season, while Niko Hulsizer hit his 8th including 3 RBIs.
Jeronimo Castro got through 4.0 innings before giving way to Guillermo Zuniga. Castro allowed 3 runs (all earned) while Zuniga also allowed 3 runs (2 earned) in his 2.1 innings of work. Jasiel Alvino allowed the tieing run in his 1.2 IP, before giving way to Brett de Geus to pitch the final 2.0 innings and the win.
The Loons are 1.5 games ahead of the Lake County Captains (Cleveland), and 2.5 games ahead of the South Bend Cubs and Bowling Green Hot Rods (Tampa Bay).
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Discussion (61)
Disagree, not disagreeable
You’re right AC. He’s a good guy. Wish him the best. Hope he gets healthy
AC, when Wood had that incredible first half in 17 his fastball was in the 93 range. Since then it came back to the 89-90 range and he was nowhere near as effective. There is no place for him in our rotation and he was a disaster as a reliever.
AC, I certainly agree with you on Jansen. It did not look good. I am an old catcher, and I would of been upset. I did read where they had a meeting after those incidents. We will see. He did get the outs. Honey said they want him to use all of his pitches especially since he lost some speed. Maybe that is why he is throwing at 95 lately.
If Taylor and Kike do not hit, I can see Muncy playing second. To many left handed batters though. If we need a right handed bat, Joc is the only one you can trade to solve the problem.
Interesting 4 game series got under way last night between the Mets and Nationals. This could very well decide who will be the first manager to get fired this year…Mickey Callaway (Mets) or Dave Martinez (Nats). The Mets got the first win last night. If I am a Nats fine, I would be calling for Martinez to be gone. How does a team with Max Scherzer, Stephen Strasburg, and Patrick Corbin as starting pitchers and Sean Doolittle as their closer start out at 19-28 for the season? It is certainly a head-scratcher. If they fail again this year, does Strasburg opt out?
“He wants a Championship as much as we all do.” I couldn’t agree more.
One name that you left off in your trade acquisitions was Alex Wood. I know some like to dismiss Alex, but not me.
I have always maintained that we should judge trades with the information at hand at the time of the trade. It is easy to critique after the fact, but was the foundation solid? Maybe Josh Reddick did not set the world on fire when he first came to LA. Okay he was bad, I was trying to be kind. But his September and post-season were not as bad as were many others. It was just clouded by the bad August. Not quite Chris Davis bad, but close enough.
The Dodgers needed another starting pitcher, and not knowing what Andre Ethier was going to be able to do, they needed another LHH OF. What other starting pitchers or LH bats were available for what the Dodgers gave up? What other starting pitchers or LH bats who would also be difference makers were available? We can be critical, but none of us know all of the factors involved. Presidents of Baseball Operations/GMs are judged on how many championships they win, not on the analysis of individual trades or free agent signings, that we as fans hold them responsible for. Many will look at 10 trades, 9 of which turn out great, but they will harp on the one that was a lemon.
I know it is fashionable to say how much money the Dodgers have and that they should not be obstructed by the CBT. Easy for us fans to say, but what have the owners told AF about what their financial restrictions are? We do not know what constraints he is under. I was critical last year that the Dodgers did not acquire some top-notch relievers. All three of Ryan Pressly, Keone Kela, and Brad Brach were traded and their cost for August and September combined would have been $2.6MM. Instead they got John Axford and Ryan Madson for a combined $1.7MM. So it could not have been the money. It had to be who was requested in return. I truly beleive that the Dodgers could have offered more than what was eventually given up, but it is only a belief, not a known.
I do not know what the Dodgers MAY be looking for. Maybe a RH bat and relief help. But i do not want AF to make a trade just to make a trade. It has to make sense. It has to be a difference maker. It has to be a positive in the clubhouse as much as it is in the field. It has to make financial sense. And they cannot give up too much of their future. AF has to take all of that under consideration. With respect to your trade proposal above…Would I trade Dennis Santana and Will Smith for Jose Leclerc? As much as I like Dennis Santana and Will Smith, I would. The Dodgers have others who can take the place of Santana and Smith. The closest the Dodgers have to an 8th inning bridge is Pedro Baez and Joe Kelly. I think Baez would be lights out in the 7th, and I do not yet trust Joe Kelly. Leclerc could turn out to be a huge bust and Santana and Smith could turn out to be perennial All Stars. But this year, the Dodgers need an 8th inning bridge, and IMO Leclerc could be more lethal in that situation than as a closer. He certainly was for Keone Kela before Kela was traded.
50 year fan stated, “I don’t know if its possible to have a lock down bullpen in the playoffs.” Well Matt Barnes, Nathan Eovaldi, Heath Hembree, and Joe Kelly came pretty darn close last year. In 17.1 IP, they allowed 2 runs (1 earned), 12 hits, 3 walks, and 21 strikeouts. Both of the runs were allowed by Eovaldi in his 6 innings of relief in Game 3. What that does not say is that if the usually sure handed Ian Kinsler does not make an error in the 13th inning, Eovaldi gets the win, and none of those four would have given up a run. Even the two relievers who did give up runs were not impactful. Kimbrel gave up 2 runs in the 9th with a 9-4 lead, and Ryan Brasier gave up 1 meaningless run in Game 1. I do not know how much more lock down you can be. We do not need to go into the Dodger relief numbers. Too tired? Or just not good enough? We all have our own opinion, and I have made mine known.
One final thing on relievers. I know that Yasiel Puig got a thorough bashing by fans when they learned that Puig tore up scouting cards and said that he was going to play RF the way he wants to. Someone please tell me what is so different with what Kenley is doing IN THE GAME to both Barnes and Martin. We can read between the lines. This is not being well received by the catchers or management. I am usually in favor of allowing the player some more reign as they are the one playing. Unfortunately we now know that Puig’s insistence on not playing a hitter as was instructed cost the Dodgers in the WS. I am not saying they lost the WS because of that one play, but it did have an impact in that one game. The time for Kenley to make the case for how he should be pitching is in the clubhouse with the coaches. Not on the field showing up his catchers.
If you just look at the stats, Will Smith is probably a better choice than Ruiz for the future of the Dodgers. But, when you consider that K-Bear is 4 years younger and only a level behind Smith, K-Bear is indeed the better prospect. I wouldn’t want to trade either as Will would be a great backup to K-Bear eventually and especially since he can play multiple positions.
Of course, when Pollock comes back there will be a numbers crunch again in a crowded outfield. We haven’t seen the best of Pollock and it’s premature to say we made a mistake by signing him. While Verdugo is certainly proving himself to be a valuable piece, he’s still a rookie and there’s no guarantee that his production will continue at its current clip. It’s obvious to me to move Belli to 1B and Muncy to 2B based on offensive production when Pollock returns. It makes no sense that keeping Belli in RF will protect his health. Yes, you probably dive more often and more awkwardly at 1B. But, he played 1B his entire career without the need to put him in the OF to protect his shoulder. Remember that he mangled his ankle in RF during his rookie season.
If the Dodgers are dead set at keeping Bellinger in RF, he sure looks like a good right fielder to me, then they will need to trade Joc. I’ll be a little sad when that happens, but you can’t keep everyone. It sure seems like Verdugo is intent on keeping a starting job and IMO, he is the better all around player when compared to Joc. He exceeds Joc in every tool except for power, which he will never come close. Maybe Joc can return that setup guy we desperately need.
I looks like the Urias thing is just about behind us thankfully. I hope everything works out with his workload and bullpen usage. We certainly don’t need him in the rotation at this point, but he is a budding ace and could be a big weapon in the post season. I don’t care much to look too far ahead as to speculate who will be moved to the pen when he rejoins the rotation because there is so much regular season remaining. But, more good arms is better than less good arms.
Re the discussion on previous post on opening the game with a reliever–that would seem to work best if the Manager tended to let in-game relievers pitch to at least 3 batters and finish the inning they were in.
Mark, we will not agree anytime soon on Will Smith. I like him a lot more than you do and I would trade Ruiz before I traded Smith. And, if the Dodgers have fewer righty bats than lefty bats, why trade one (Smith) of the righty bats?
The Dodgers have added a young prospect every year beginning with Pederson and followed by Seager, Belinger, Buehler. They are a fairly young team and all that is making it easier for Verdugo to fit in and thrive. Contrast that with Kemp’s and Loney’s arrivals who were greeted by Kent, Gonzo, Lowe who wanted players in their prime to help them win a championship while they were in their twilight years.
Urias had a learning experience and should be able to take that experience to his advantage. Welcome back Julio. Another young player that keeps the Dodgers young.
I think the Dodgers prefer to keep Bellinger’s speed in RF and for now, keep Muncy at first base but if Taylor and Hernandez don’t hit better, there is a good chance that Muncy goes to second and Belli to first. Remember when the Dodgers tried to put Loney in RF to take advantage of his arm and he ran into the fence and banged himself up? They moved him back to first as it was a safer position. Remember Bellinger’s head first dive, long slide, and catch in RF during the World Series? It’s crazy to think RF is safer for Belli than first and Belli is a Gold Glove first baseman.