Is it Verlander Time?

Catching help? How about VCaratini?

Getting pessimistic (and bored) about Arenado, et cetera. But I’m ready to name the 2028 lineup, which will be another “transition year,” featuring three rookies!(Another transition year.)

Kendall George CF…. Purest leadoff hitter since Wills. Sprays the ball, dazzling speed.

Freddie 1B The elder statesman at 38, closing in on 3,000 hits and a first-ballot HOF selection..

Shohei DH The 34-year-old four-time MVP is expected to platoon a bit more this season, while still pitching every 6th game, angling for his first Cy Young Award

Mookie 2B At 35, the de facto captain is already a 3-time all-star at 2B. The rare player who moved from OF to infield and from leadoff to cleanup

Will Smith 3B Digging deep into LADT archives, the Dodger brass realized that Timmons was right and decided in 2025 o move Smith from catcher to make to make room for the two-headed monster that is …

Cartaya/Rushing C A righty/lefty power platoon who occasionally give Ohtani the day off at DH

Josue De Paulo LF A sensational spring has scribes calling this 22-year-old “the new Juan Soto.”

Andy Pages RF Slowed by injury early in his career, Pages’ power and big arm have finally pushed Dodger brass to realize that Timmons was right: Outman is a 4th outfielder.

Jeondry Vargas SS Just 22, the rangy 6-4 rookie “will get some runway,” Dave Roberts says.

Marlins just snagged David Robertson from the Mets. Another target off of the board. 2 minor leaguers back to the Mets per Ken Rosenthal.

Yonny Hernandez is back at OKC. He is starting at 3B tonight. Trayce Thompson is 2-2 with an RBI. Both hits were doubles. He is hitting .714 in his two games. Gamboa is in the game in relief of Nelson. Nelson went 2/3rds of an inning and issued 3 walks. Montgomery started and went 5 scoreless giving up 2 hits and a walk. Game now in the top of the 7th inning. 2-0 OKC. Rosario not yet listed on the MLB roster. That should change tomorrow. Looks like he might be wearing # 31. Tulsa, Great Lakes, and now Rancho all lost. Well Rancho is down 10-0 so they will probably lose. Nastrini lost for Tulsa and Bruns took the loss for the Loons.

Dodger Nation is saying that the Dodgers are also exploring backup catcher options.

Ohtani now has 38 homers. with 4 days left in the month, he could finish July with at least 40 homers. It has been done 11 times so far, Ruth, Bonds, Sosa twice, McGwire, Maris, Luis Gonzalez, Griffey Jr. , Jimmy Foxx, Reggie Jackson and Matt Williams. Bonds, Judge, McGwire and Sosa are all tied at 42 for the most HR’s prior to August 1st.

1. The rumor of Cartaya, Pepiot, Busch, Muncy, and Taylor makes no sense from Cardinal’s perspective. They have been very public about wanting young, cost-controllable, starting pitching. Jordan Walker may ultimately be a DH and Nolan Gorman will move to his natural position of third base and they just signed Wilson Contreras to a big contract to catch for them. The more reasonable rumor, to my mind, included three of Miller, Sheehan, Stone, and Pepiot plus Muncy and Taylor.

2. I would be shocked if Dodgers traded for both Robertson and Bednar. Robertson makes much more sense since he is a rental and would not require much prospect capital. Ponying up two or three of your top 15 prospects for David Bednar is a bad investment, to my mind.

3. If an Arenado and Montgomery trade is not possible, I could see Dodgers making a run at Blake Snell. He is the type of difference maker Friedman would spend prospects to get.

Angels DFA’d Jared Walsh.

Randy Meisner, one of the Eagles’ founding members, is dead at 77.

R.I.P. Randy!

I heard also Luis Severino of the Yankees is on the market why not him as a ace starter. The Yankees might want Muncy and I think the only way we get Arenado is if Muncy goes to St Louis. But really heard the reds might get Severino really for two prospects.

If they keep on bringing back ex dodgers what about rich hill or Grienke or Kente Mantea. As a fith starter veteran for this playoff run would like those guys over Gonsolin and stone or Sheehan.

I heard the rumor Muncy Taylor pepiot and cartaya and Busch to cardinals for Arenado and Montgomery the dodgers get. Then Robertson from Mets and Bednar from the pirates but haven’t heard for which players. But that be a three headed monster in the bullpen with Robertson Bednar and the guy now closing games with Bednar taking that closer role. And maybe a right-handed outfielder like pham or Carlson who is a switch hitter centerfielder. So they could have a lineup like this

Betts rf

Freeman 1b

Smith c

Arenado 3b

Martinez dh

Rosorio ss

Hernandez 2b

Outman lf

Carlson cf

Pretty good lineup because it improve the seven threw nine batters who can hit for the top of the lineup . But is the bench deep with Rojas heyward Peralta Barnes Marisnick for a playoff run.

All this talk about Arenado amuses me…..can he pitch?

So…Game 1 of doubleheader vs DET: Ohtani throws complete game one-hit shutout. Game 2 of today’s doubleheader: Ohtani has hit two HR and counting.

Then pulled out due to cramps.

Cramps!

I’ve only read that he is willing to waive, not that he has waived his no trade clause. I can see why his agent would want to clarify that. I’m sure his representatives will want to use the no trade clause as leverage; perhaps, negotiate additional years or higher salary?

Per MLTBR the Dodgers are talking to the Cardinals regarding N. Arenado.

So, the LATimes and Jorge Castillo have an update. ($$$$)

They indicate the Dodgers and Cardinals have engaged in talks, not sure how serious.

Going BACK to St. Louis would be a package that INCLUDES Muncy and Taylor.

This is to leave the opportunity to pursue Ohtani intact.

Young pitching also included.

Arenado’s agent is on record as saying that reports that Arenado has waived his No-Trade ONLY for the Dodgers as incorrect.

Not only does Barnes kill the bottom of the lineup it hurts the top also. With Will out of the 3 spot it kills any rally like yesterday in the first inning . 2 on and no one out, Will is the perfect number 3! JD and Muncey are not nearly as good in the 3hole. I know he needs a day off but that’s not just the issue. Another quality bat in that lineup would make a huge difference. Barnes is not providing anything offensively or defensively! I just don’t think he’s ever been an average catcher. Serviceable prior to this year, but needs to be replaced! At least give him some time on the injured list and give the kid Hunter a shot!

The acquisition of mediocre middle IFers like Rosario and Kike tells a bigger story. It shows the LAD front office has little confidence in our in-house options.

Amazingly, MLBTR is reporting that teams are checking in with the Giants about their starters. I find that a little hard to believe that SF would even consider trading one of those guys.

Lot of good discussion again today.

1. I would not trade for Verlander. Cost is prohibitive. Dodgers seem to be sticking to the script they signaled in the off-season and that is holding down costs, clearing salary for 2023 and building from within. If signing Verlander makes it more difficult to sign Ohtani, more of a reason to pass.

2. Their two trades to date have been in line with that approach. Two rentals at very low cost (in terms of prospects and money) to address a specific need vs. left hand pitching. A trade of Chris Taylor makes sense in light of these two acquisitions. It would reduce payroll for next season and they can cover his loss with Rosario/Hernandez. It seems in keeping with their approach this season.

3. If I am the Dodgers I am trying to do enough to win the West and avoid the Braves until the NLCS. Maybe you catch lightning in a bottle. The Dodgers are up 3 on the Giants (who have a difficult August schedule coming up) and it seems the Diamondbacks are finding their level. Don’t think Snakes have the staying power to win the division.

3. At a minimum, Dodgers need to get Kershaw back, get Urias to pitch more consistently, and figure out Sheehan’s spot in rotation. That could be Ryan Pepiot or it could be a trade for a more reliable starter. The Rays and Dodgers both have interest in Lance Lynn – two organizations with a history of getting a lot out of pitchers. Gonsolin has an ERA of near 8 in his last 6 starts. Whatever we think of Lynn or other options on market, they have all pitched better recently than Gonsolin and Sheehan. I am not as encouraged by Gonsolin’s start yesterday as Mark – gave up a lot of hard contact, ten base runners in five innings, fastball velocity was down again, and difficulty putting hitters away. Roberts’ comments after the game were pretty blunt, by his standards, but exactly right regarding Gonsolin’s performance.

4. Hopefully Dodgers address the Austin Barnes situation after the trade deadline. Their margin for error is not so great that Austin Barnes should be catching every third or fourth day.

He is batting about .100, has one of the weaker throwing arms in baseball, and his pitch framing and ability to handle a staff can’t possibly make up for his deficiencies. Once the trade deadline passes and the dust settles on the 40 man roster, maybe we see Feduccia in the majors.

The Pirates have double down on their desire to listening to offers on Bednar. With the market for top of the rotation starters being so weak.. Why not go all in on getting 2 shut down back of the pen pitchers (David Robertson and Bednar) instead.

MLB named Landon Knack as the “Hottest Pitching Prospect in the Dodgers Farm System.”

Imagine an injury to Smith and Barnes having to play most games.

Is Barnes just having a bad season or has age just caught up with him ???

Carlos Santana is being traded to the Brewers. Pirates get a minor leaguer in exchange.