When I read stuff like the Dodgers don’t have the pitching to win or that Tyler Anderson should not even be on the team, or that Muncy and Bellinger should go to OKC, and it is past time for the Dodgers to make changes, I just shake my head and call the perps out. At best, it is a nonsensical, knee-jerk reaction. At worst, whoever said it, might need to be buried in a shoebox after an enema. Did I say something wrong? Look, I am not passive-aggressive like some who smile in your face but are backstabbers. I say what I mean and mean what I say (at the time). Am I ever wrong? Of course, I am, but I do get my share of “right!” I have no problem saying the same thing to your face that people say behind my back.
I have been doing this blogging thing for over 20 years. I have a pretty good following – some of the biggest Dodger websites get less traffic or about the same amount of traffic that LADT does. I could monetize it with ads, like most other sites and make a few thousand a month, but I don’t. I do it because I like it and I do it for this Dodger community. If you don’t like my style, you can leave and then I’ll leave too. But, if you like different perspective, then drop a comment or two. I love hearing from you.
My first blogging memory was being castigated by Dodger fans who had spent a lot more time following the game than me about Adrian Beltre back in 1997 or 1998. That’s when he was first called up, and I predicted he would be a Hall-of-Famer. I wasn’t wrong. But for years they told me I was.
I called Clayton Kershaw the next Koufax long before he was.
I championed Andrew Friedman when he was hired and was treated like a pariah. There were knock-down drag ’em out fights all the time, but I “got” what Andrew was doing. Most fans didn’t and it was pretty bad in the beginning. They finally came around when there was nothing else for them to do.
I said Cody Bellinger was ready when everyone else said he was a year away.
Ditto on Corey Seager.
Full disclosure: I did predict Andy LaRoche would be an All-Star 3B! (we all make mistakes)
I have never been high on Gavin Lux, but I have tried to be. Right about now, I see potential, but wonder if he will ever harness it. Mike Busch is breathing down his neck. As you already know, Busch was promoted to AAA and hit a HR last night. Will Smith 2.0?
Everyone has the right to an opinion and to express that opinion. I have no problem with that, but when I read irrational, just plain idiotic predictions that the Dodgers are not built to win and all the rest of the drivel, I am not going to stand down. If you are going to comment, just do what Jim Rome say: “have a take and do not suck!”
Every person must choose how much truth they can stand. Some cannot handle the truth. They cannot handle reality. Maybe this is not the site for you. The Dodgers lost four games in a row before winning the past three, and some fans just lost their $hit! In the power ratings, the Dodgers only dropped to #2 in them. They were still #1 in the NL.
The Dodgers have a lot of pitchers on the shelf right about now. Andrew Friedman prepared for that – some will be back. Some won’t. The news about Tommy Kahnle, Blake Treinen and Victor Gonzalez does not sound encouraging. It makes no matter – there are plenty more. Stack ’em deep!
ATTENTION DODGER FANS: This is a damn good team. I would not trade this team for any other team in baseball. The Dodgers prospects of winning are better than 29 other teams. But, they are not perfect. Dave Roberts is not perfect. Andrew Friedman is not perfect. Rob Manfred is perfect: A Perfect A-Hole! Andrew has built a team that will compete for a Championship this year and moving forward. That’s all a fan can ask. Luck, and the Baseball Gods sometimes have a different idea. Deal with it. It doesn’t change a thing!
Dodgers Notes & News
- You cannot use “Hanser Alberto” and “glove” or “defense” in the same sentence. But I love his bat and the dude can pitch (not)!
- Edwin Rios is “demanding” more playing time by shutting his mouth and letting his bat do the talking.
- David Price is back – Let’s hope the Price is Right! We will probably see a couple more moves today, but since Tyler Anderson ate some innings… maybe not.
- No matter how you malign Tyler Anderson, he has been all the Dodgers could have hoped for… and needed as the #5 or #6 starter and swingman… so far!
- I am not happy with Muncy and Bellinger – neither are they, but I would still play the…, for a while. It is not set in stone.
- I wonder why AF DFA’ed Shane Greene – I think someone will pick him up. Probably Farhan!
- Mark Kertenian’s Go Fund Me Account is up to $130K of the $150K neded.
Dodger Minor League Info
- OKC scored 13 runs as Mike Busch made his AAA debut by going 2-5 with a walk and hitting a 2-run HR. Miguel Vargas hit his 5th HR and is hitting .317 with a .932 OPS. Jake Lamb, Kevin Pillar and Eddy Alvarez remain white hot! I would love to see Alvarez! Carson Fulmer continues to shine at the back of the bullpen.
- The Tulsa Driller hit 9 HR after Mike Busch was promoted. Brandon Lewis is waking up (finally) – he hit 2. Pages got his 4th and is also looking good, but Kody Hoese is going crazy. His bat looks lightning quick and he was 4-5 with 3 runs scored and 4 RBIs. He hit 2 HRs. Can he keep it up?
- The Loons lost but Eddys Leonard continues his roll – 3-4 last night.
- At Rancho, Fresno beat the Quakes, but Cartaya was 1-3 with 22 BB. Luis Rodriguez was also 2-4.
- Goodbye Melvin Jiminez – I think this is the end of the line.
Discussion (28)
Disagree, not disagreeable
Latest On Clayton Kershaw
By Mark Polishuk | May 18, 2022 at 4:50pm CDT
There had been some indication that Clayton Kershaw could be cleared to throw a bullpen session today, but Dodgers manager Dave Roberts told reporters (including The Athletic’s Fabian Ardaya) that such a session won’t take place. Some right SI joint inflammation sent Kershaw to the 15-day injured list on May 13, and while the star left-hander has started playing catch, it appears he is still some time off from a formal bullpen.
This refers back to earlier: “I don’t make shit up!”
Opinions are just that, but if I say I “know” something, it is because I do.
You should know by now that I do not care what you think of me.
You might piss me off… but you don’t define me.
I am way too comfortable in my own skin.
Reminder, I will be in LA from May 31st to June 5th.
On May 4th I plan to catch a game with Jayne Cobb and his kid and my kid in Rancho Cucamonga.
Dodger Stadium on Tuesday.
Gavin Stone made his AA debut tonight.
5 IP
5 H
0 R
0 BB
8 K
This after he put up a 1.44 ERA at Great Lakes.
He ain’t far off!
B&P, my post had nothing to do with politics but with how rude people can be to one another with a difference of opinion. And you are the worst offender!
I had a great time at the game today! Thank you Bobby. Those seats are great. A foul ball landed a row below us and about 10 seats to our left. We drove and parked at Union Station and took the shuttle. Shuttle was free to ticketed fans. Parking was 8 bucks. A lot better than parking at the ball park. Got my brother Steve an All Star game T shirt. A little pricey, but what the hell. Place went bonkers when Turner homered. I would do that again.
OK, stop the political rhetoric.
Just stop!
Responding to the trade proposal…
I would immediately dismiss any trade with Cartaya in it. Right now, he’s still pretty young and not close to MLB ready, but he has the combination of skills to be a once in a generation type catcher with a rocket arm and immense power.
I’m still trying to figure out why guys with two more arbitration years of control AFTER this year keep getting mentioned in trade rumors. I can’t remember the last time an elite player was traded with that much control remaining.
Very excited about today’s game and we have a nice little streak going into Philadelphia. Walker was a little less than normal, but getting out of that bases load jam was incredible.
Wow, David Price came back in a big way. Especially after a prickly recent quote when he responded to “When are you going to pitch again?” with “You should ask the Dodgers”. If he’s on the freaking Covid IL for 3 weeks, why isn’t he built up to start a game and go 4? Not everything is perfect in Dodgerland. I don’t like this disconnect between him and the team. If he’s a team cancer and can’t do his job, get rid of him. But, don’t screw him around for 2 years! Price will return the most value in a trade if he’s capable of starting. You aren’t going to increase his trade value by having him on COVID IL for weeks.
Yes, I thought Shane Greene got a raw deal. But, there’s something that not a lot of people seem to understand and that is the 26 man roster, 40 man roster and options. I’ll tell you this. I’d rather they cut an old reliever that didn’t exactly impress in the minor leagues, than have to cut a high upside guy with options. That’s how we wound up with Bickford. Thanks Farhan!
I’ll say it again. You already have Walker, Urias, Kershaw, Gonsolin, Anderson and Heaney. How are you going to possibly add another to the rotation and what are you going to do if/when May and Duffy come off the IL? Who are you going to acquire who is definitely better than what we already have? Sorry, but I’m not interested in Greinke and his 88.3 average velocity four seamer. Please tell me how that’s gonna help in the postseason.
Cassidy, you aren’t fooling anyone trying to disguise your political bullshit and Bluto, you must be the dumbest person on the planet by first egging him on, then listing things that have absolutely nothing to do with the current administration and several things that are patently false.
Why don’t you keep your bullshit politics off this site. It doesn’t belong here and most people don’t like to see it and almost everyone voted against it. WTF are you having such a hard time following THE ONE FREAKING RULE on this site?
This site is so much nicer when people aren’t constantly reminded how stupid you are. If you run out of stupid baseball takes, try not posting at all.
Mark, maybe a three strike rule should be in effect…
I propose, if you start a post that turns political like Cassidy did today, you get a strike. No one that responds gets one even for overly political, bullshit, stupid, batshit-crazy posts like Bluto. Once you reach 3 strikes, you get banned for the rest of the season and playoffs. You can release everyone from jail once free agency begins.
When are we trading David Price again?
Dodger players play to casual and not aggressive enough
Roberto Ortiz, today’s home plate umpire is the first Boricua umpire in M L B. He has been quite inconsistent today to say the least.
Buehler from the first inning began his extreme diet of curveballs and sliders, in critical moments where he needs a strikeout he does not trust his diminished fastball.
Dbacks hitters .180 to .220 AVG, throwing them a diet of curveballs and sliders, he can’t get past them with his fastball.
Thank you Bluto. Eleanor Roosevelt said that it is better to light a candle than to curse the darkness.
05/18/22 Los Angeles Dodgers optioned RHP Ryan Pepiot to Oklahoma City Dodgers.
Lets hope we get the (Johnny) Walker Blue Label today.
Mark, I enjoy reading this blog. I find it to be the most informative source of Dodger news, and the pulse of the avid fans. Thank You for all your efforts.
He, I was looking a couple of hours ago MLB Central and there is this section they select the most “interesting ” trade ideas by fans.
This one was discussed:
SBeiber
For
DCartaya & JAmaya
I LLOL ( literally laughed out loud) and at the same time envisioned Mark reaction to this trade!
Starting Time 4:10ET
Diamondbacks (18-20)
Dodgers (24-12)
SP Walker Buehler R
4-1 2.81 ERA 35K
Confirmed Lineup
RF Mookie Betts R
1B F. Freeman L
SS Trea Turner R
C Will Smith R
3B Max Muncy L
DH J. Turner R
CF C. Bellinger L
LF Chris Taylor R
2B Gavin Lux L
Clear-day
0% Rain
75° Wind 8 mph Out
Insulting others with a different opinion is what drives America today! What a country we live in!
Going to today’s game with my sis thanks to Bobby’s generosity. One thing I will say about Mark. He makes you think. Like him or not, he loves the Dodgers and I know that for a fact. I was one of the ones who butted heads with him over Freidman and some of his early moves. But we settled that a long time ago. He has helped me with my writing for the blog and encouraged me to do more. Greene DFA’d. Does not really seem fair, but they are paying Price 16 mil, so follow the cash.
I don’t think sending Muncy/Belinger to OKC should be part of anyone’s discussion. But anyway in spring Muncy announced he was about 85% recovered. So at time I posted that I translated that to about 60%. So now he is saying he doesn’t think he will be 100% until NEXT YEAR. So you don’t have to translate that, it means not 100% now. OK so a lot of guys play at less than 100% and we never know because that is not published. So we know Beli helps us with his defense and we score plenty of runs. But what is Muncy adding other than walks? I guess they feel his high OBP is worth keeping him in lineup.
Nice way to bounce back and win the first 3 games of this series. The daunted Phillies offense that strutted into Dodger stadium last week and pounded out 33 runs and played stellar defensive baseball returned to earth and got shut out by Padres last night and kicked the ball around.
Please don’t give Christian Walker anything too good today otherwise he will be shooting off his six gunner when he rounds 1st base today. God that guy loves hitting at Dodger Stadium, plus it’s a day game and we all saw how the ball flies out in yesterday’s day game.
I sure do miss hearing from Phil Jones. I believe he said he was going to be away for a bit. Hope you get back soon I miss your analysis.
Hope I didn’t suck in my post, haha.
Okay, why do people, like Mark, write the columns they do? It creates dialogue and discussion. It challenges readers. It’s fun. What would people have him write? Why does Bill Plaschke write what he writes? Readers love to rail against Plaschke. Some people on this site love to rail against Mark. He enjoys that.
Now Mark Timmons and Bill Plaschke do not think alike. But the approaches are similar. Write something to stimulate discussion. It’s why this site works. Lots of thoughts and discussion.
Hey, I like Tyler Anderson. Adds depth and innings to the pitching staff, keeps the Dodgers in games.
Gavin Lux looks pretty good at times, yes he made a big error Sunday, but his hit won the game. Really like it when he goes the other way.
Sounds to me like Tommy Kahnle will be back shortly. Blake Treinen is another story.
Both Clayton Kershaw and Andrew Heaney will be back soon, unless there are setbacks, and next month sounds reasonable for both.
Cody Bellinger needs to drop a bunt at least once a game. Why he doesn’t is a mystery. Because of his speed opposing teams don’t want him on base. Reach first on a bunt, steal second and come home on a single. I’m guessing sooner or later teams move away from the shift and more balls fall for hits.
Walker Buehler needs to come up big today
“Also I guess we could have some fun and just make sh*t up. Seems to be a very popular theme around the blogosphere.”
LOL! You and Mark actually make an interesting pair. It’s a compare and contrast exercise in communication styles and personality. Mark is all confrontational bluster. What he might lack in tact and diplomacy he makes up for in directness. You know what he’s saying and where he stands and who he’s addressing.
Your passive aggressive style is the diametric opposite. You don’t directly offend like Mark’s full frontal attack. The effectiveness of your style lies in its ambiguity. It’s not immediately apparent that you mean to offend or undermine, so there is plausible deniability. In fact, most people don’t recognize the intent, which is partly the point. It is a rhetorical device that hides in the shadows. The best single word I could use to describe this particular persuasive style is … insidious.
I don’t mind Mark. You just learn to accept that he’s going to occasionally bellow a lot for effect. It’s like a Tommy Lasorda clubhouse tirade after a bad loss. You just roll your eyes and acknowledge it’s just Tommy being Tommy. It gets people riled up and commenting, which I’m guessing is the point.
That’s all well and good about what’s-his-name-whoever-sports writer-guy, and we’ll all have to take his word as gospel because he writes stuff for a living and is therefore and expert, but who is the top tier pitcher the Dodgers are supposed to trade for? Someone mentioned Chris Sale yesterday, who I hadn’t considered, but could be potentially be had cheap – because he hasn’t pitched in a year. His timetable for even returning is “months.” Not an option.
Who else? Every single attractive pitcher out there is either on a contender or is young and under team control for a while. Tyler Mahle? Ok, the Reds stink and they might want to unload him, but he’s stunk it up this year. The other Red guy isn’t even pitching.
I already ruled out Montas. He’s …. decent. He’s not a tier one pitcher. Ok, Grienke? He’s not pitching badly – not great, but not badly – and could probably be had because the Royals are terrible. If the Dodgers get desperate enough I suppose he’s an option, but Buehler, Urias, Kershaw, Gonsolin, Heaney is actually pretty darn good rotation. Why the imperative to acquire an ace. Why do you keep belaboring his point?
From Mitchell’s Mailbag:
“In my quest to give you a variety of voices to hear from, once again here is a Q&A with Times Dodgers beat writer Jack Harris.
Q: Let’s start with Clayton Kershaw. He is on the IL again, which has become a yearly tradition. With Kershaw and Andrew Heaney out, the fears of a lack of rotation depth are manifesting. Do you foresee a trade for starting pitching at some point, or will the Dodgers just ride this out? And if another pitcher goes down, what happens?
Harris: At some point, a trade for another starting pitcher — especially of top-half-of-the-rotation caliber — could make sense. I’m just not sure it’s right now.
The Dodgers are hopeful that Clayton Kershaw will be back as soon as (or shortly after) his 15-day IL stint is up. He played catch Sunday and is slated for a bullpen on Wednesday, making a quick return seem feasible. Andrew Heaney has also started throwing again and will begin bullpen sessions this week, putting him on track to return sometime in the next month or two (a return date hasn’t been finalized, but he’s moving in the right direction).
As long as neither suffers a setback, the Dodgers know their rotation won’t be limited in the long-term. Because of that, I wouldn’t expect them to be in a rush to force a trade now.
That said, this stretch has revealed the shallow nature of their pitching. Managing absences in May is one thing. But if they have more injury problems later in the season, or in the playoffs, a lack of depth could haunt them.
So yes, at some point, it would certainly behoove them to evaluate trade options (especially since they should have some more financial flexibility from the Trevor Bauer suspension). But unless there is a deal now that they can’t pass up, such a move might make more sense closer to the trade deadline.”
I think that column sums up precisely what I was trying to say regarding Dodgers pitching. Does that mean I’ll be buried in a shoe box along with Mitchell and Harris? Maybe. In the mean time I hope we can just have conversations about the team without being insulted regarding our takes. Also I guess we could have some fun and just make sh*t up. Seems to be a very popular theme around the blogosphere.
Mark, I appreciate what you do. You do a great job getting the conversation started. The reason I was drawn to this site is because you have a no nonsense style and often write about perspective that others don’t. Yeah, sometimes you go out on a limb and you’re right, and other times you swing and miss like Bellinger on a fastball 6 inches off the plate and outside. Overall, your analysis is closer to reality than a lot of guys that get paid for it and you don’t sugarcoat it. I find it refreshing.
Sure, sometimes you throw out your shoulder patting yourself on the back. But, that’s okay too.
When I was watching the last couple of games, I thought that Lux could easily match Turner at shortstop defensively. His bat isn’t there yet, but Busch looks more like Trea Turner’s replacement than Lux’s. Amaya won’t be the shortstop next year, we’ll see what happens after that.
Speaking of Lux’s bat. .258/.342/.351/.693 isn’t half bad. His defense is great when he isn’t having brain farts and he’s coming up with some big hits in crucial situations. He looks pretty good compared to…
Alex Verdugo .213/.252/.323/.575
Enrique Hernandez .180/.253/.278/.532
Keibert Ruiz .262/.316/.346/.662
It was great to see Anderson rebound after pitching batting practice in the first inning. Just what the doctor ordered to rest a weary bullpen.
I remember about a week ago when people were imagining that Betts was still injured.
Cody decided to forget how to hit again and rub his bad luck off on Muncy. Both will eventually go on tares and carry the team at times. Cody is like Kelly Leak in the outfield, so I have a lot more patience realizing that Center Fielders with pop are like unicorns. Muncy, on the other hand, is adequate at best in the field. He needs to hit!
I’m still very excited about Pepiot. The strike throwing will come eventually. It may take a while. But, there’s no denying that his stuff is filthy. No, he is not a reliever.
Another day game today. I do like the day games as it gives a break to the nightly baseball season routine.
Wow, Hoese is coming along in a big way. I don’t know why people are so quick to label guys as a bust. Hearing about Vargas is like watching the news. It’s the same story every day. All he does is hit, hit, hit. He’s a sure thing, as is Busch.
Hopefully the boys in blue bring their brooms today behind Walker.
What is the point of a post like this Mark? You are the one that comes off as a drama queen and someone who is very confrontational in general. I agree with most of what you say about people overreacting but that’s the nature of being a fan. It seems like you post something like this a couple times a season (in between your annual post stating you are done posting).