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. ($$$$)

https://www.latimes.com/sports/dodgers/story/2023-07-27/nolan-arenado-dodgers-trade-talks-cardinals-mlb

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.

Twitter got rid of the bird. The new logo for Twitter is X.

* This is really not my favorite time of the season. I’m a baseball guy and I like to watch games and root for the team. I’m not a GM and that is not a burning issue for me to speculate who’s coming and who’s going. I’m always relieved when we can settle back without all the rumors flying and try to enjoy some baseball on the field and try to win a Division.

* That said it’s hard for me not to scratch my head over the few recent transactions. I have to think there will be a bigger deal in the near future. Other then ridding ourselves of Noah, I have no idea what Rosario brings to the dance? I scoffed earlier when Bradley was all over him. I also said Kike’s ship had sailed. What do I know?

* Most of you who have read my posts over the years know that I like to comment on how the game is played, coaching decisions and especially issues from a player’s perspective. These guys aren’t robots.

* Some, like Mark, like Kike and liked this deal. Not so much for me.

Kike is 31. He’s batting .222 (66-for-297) with 11 doubles, six homers and 31 RBI in 76 games with the Red Sox. I assume he was acquired by the Dodgers to face LHP. He only has 77 at bats vs lefties but he’s hitting .260 / .652 with a homer. That would put him in the platoon picture vs LHP in the outfield with Mookie, Outman and CT3. So, his first start back is at 2nd and not in the outfield. I’d much rather have Mookie at 2nd and Kike in the outfield. Now add Rosario and my mind shuts down.

* As mentioned, there isn’t much of a risk or financial cost for Kike’s deal so it’s like kissing your sister.

On the flip side Jonny Deluca is the casualty. It was fortunate timing that Jonny pulled a hammie in the 8th inning of the game prior to Kike’s arrival. He could go on the IL and the Dodgers didn’t have to send him to OKC, which I’m sure was plan B, after the muscle pull. He’s gotten in 23 games and 40 at bats. He made some outstanding defensive plays recently and has nice speed. He’s been on the 26 man since June 7th and has hit .275 / .776 and has shown nice contact skills with a K rate of 20%. He’s hit .300 / .797 vs LHP, which has been his platoon. Not that bad.

* On one hand, it can’t hurt and Kike helps us…….or doesn’t. On the surface it’s a harmless experiment. Something the organization loves to do.

* On the other hand, it isn’t harmless for Jonny Deluca. Or other mid 20’s prospects waiting their turn.

Are we, or are we not, committed to seeing the youngsters this season? This is now further compounded with the arrive of Rosario. Are we committed to giving our kids a fair look? Did Jonny get a fair look? I don’t see 40 at bats as a legit shot.

* Are we in a Transition Year? Or half of a Transition Year.

If the Braintrust is convinced that Deluca is another 25 year old AAAA player that won’t help us, then fine. Make all the moves you want at the deadline and we move forward. But, I’m not convinced. I think we are changing horses in the middle of the stream for no good reason. Why would we add expensive payroll now, with Verlander contract, when an obvious goal is to cut payroll? I don’t see that one.

And I think it’s a disservice to say we’re going to see the youngsters and assess for their futures and then dump veterans on top of them.

It’s not hard to be demoralizing if this was going to be your chance for guys like Deluca. Our prospects can easily think, WTF? Do I have a shot in this organization or not. It’s easy to figure why a prospect could think “screw it” with the Dodgers. Get me to an organization where I’ll have a fair shot to show my game.

* Players will tell you they don’t think that way. They are resigned to FATE. They will say they don’t worry about stuff out of their control. That they can only control their own effort. It sounds so mature.

They will say that in interviews to the public and try to convince themselves. All the while, I know that’s bullshit.

I have zero clue what AF is up to. But I don’t know what he’s up to or what our identity is. We’ll know soon enough.

My point today is that if you can’t get a Top-of-the-Rotation guy, you stay home!

All of the starters on the market today have warts. Stroman has a 7.00+ ERA in his last 7 starts.

Lynn – 5.95 ERA in his last 7 games

Flaherty – 4.91 ERA in the last 7 games.

Jordon Montgomery is the best of that bunch, but he has always been a middle-of-the rotation guy.

Those guys won’t make that much difference. Stay with what you have. But there is only one Ace who may be available – Verlander, and his ERA is 2.05 in the last 7 games.

Go Big or Don’t bother.

Rosario is just a flyer on an underperforming player and AF somehow got rid of Thor in the process!

David Vassegh (informed source or not?) recently opined that the acquisitions of Kike and Rosario may be setting the table to trade Chris Taylor?

Another indicator that the team is trying to get the payroll down? Idle speculation? Interesting trade component?

Just a few thoughts while waiting for Verlander….

—A few times here I’ve criticized the notion that a team “gave up” on a player after a trade is executed. But the phrase seems perfectly apt for the Syndergaard deal. Last season, Thor was a decent back-of-the-rotation starter. The Angels traded Thor to the Phillies for former No. 1 overall pick Mickey Moniak, who has finally had his breakout season for the Angels. (Perhaps fair to say the Phils “gave up” on Moniak.) Thor pitched meaningful innings for the Phils, helping them get to the WS. Then signed with Dodgers hoping that Prior & Company could help him get back to his old dominant self. But here we are: The Dodgers desperately need an SP or two, and they must be 100% convinced that Thor isn’t that guy.

–So flipping him and a few million bucks to Cleveland for Rosario seems like a pretty good deal. Rosario can platoon with Rojas and otherwise be a strong option off the bench against lefties. Last season, AF foolishly placed his faith in an untested rookie, Vargas, but it’s better to have tried-and-true veterans as role players. Rosario and Kike should be useful, especially against lefties.

–While I cling to the dream of Arenado, my hopes for a Lane Thomas deal seem misplaced. That notion was predicated on the belief that Mookie would move to 2B full-time, with Thomas coming in to take over RF. So maybe the Dodgers just aren’t ready to move Mookie, although Mookie seems ready.

–My hunch is that the Dodgers will deal for Lance Lynn, Jordan Montgomery or Flaherty and pass on Stroman or Eduardo Rodriguez, whose option clauses create financial uncertainty. Dodgers want to limit payroll commitments for the Ohtani pursuit. The exception would be Arenado’s contract, since getting a gold glover would make be extra incentive for Ohtani to wear Dodgers blue.

–Ohtani can easily command at $65mm AAV. Maybe $70 mm. Hell, that’s about what Jaylen Brown signed for with the Celtics–and he ain’t a household name like Lebron or Steph Curry Look at the money the top soccer stars are getting. Ohtani is a global superstar and will obliterate the baseball salary records.

Still loving those persistent Arenado rumors, mostly because there’s a logic to the last-place Cards doing a bold rebuild.

If they deal Arenado, they shed more than $100 million in salary over the next four years, and their No. 1 prospect replaces Arenado at 3B. Their OF talent logjam gets eased.

Most importantly, the Cards would get a handsome return for a star in his prime, which could start with Cartaya and 3 top pitching prospects with years of contract control. The Cards would get their payroll in check.

The Dodgers would also seek Montgomery or Flaherty, and perhaps return Max, since he’d lose his 3B gig. Or maybe offer JDM, with Max sliding to DH. A lot of possible permutations. Dodgers could seek an outfielder, since Heyward and Peralta aren’t getting younger.

Odds of something like this happening?

Oh.. maybe 30-1.

But it’s fun to dream a bit….

1 – What Arenado rumors? There’s almost nothing about him except for wishful thinking from some on this site.

2 – How does Arenado solve the Dodgers’ most pressing problems? They need starting pitching most. And they have a 3B already. What do they do with Muncy? Surely not 2B.

3 – Kyle Hendrick hasn’t had an ERA below 3.55 since 2016. Last year he was 4-6, 4.82. 2021, he had a 4.77 ERA and led the league in hits allowed. This year he has struck out 46 in 70 IP. He’s not a big upgrade really.

I still view this as a transitional year. The Dodgers don’t need to add payroll for 2024. They have half a lineup and half a rotation and shouldn’t go too far in the postseason anyway. They will probably lose Urias this offseason and no one knows if Kershaw’s coming back, if Buehler can return successfully as a starting pitcher after a 2nd Tommy John, if or when May returns from his second elbow surgery in 3 years. Even Lux is a question mark next year. And they don’t appear to have a 2B.

Peralta, Heyward, and JD Martinez are free agents.

In short, they will have to rebuild the rotation and outfield and the middle infield.

So don’t do anything this year that screws up the ability to rebuild next year.

The Nolan Arenado rumors are persisting. Maybe they will trade him if the return is right. Would the Dodgers be willing to pay that price? That would be the biggest trade deadline deal and would definitely shake things up.

But unless things change, the Dodgers have a rotation problem. Verlander might help, if the Mets are inclined to trade him. Right now they seem content to keep him and Scherzer and play for 2024.

But if not Verlander, who?

Jordan Montgomery or Jack Flaherty. Dylan Cease, probably not. Blake Shell is doing pretty well, but the Padres wouldn’t trade him to the Dodgers. Then there is Eduardo Rodriquez, but that’s complicated. Marcus Stroman will probably be traded, but he’s been pretty bad in his last five starts.

Perhaps the best available pitcher is Montgomery, a lefty from St. Louis. Package him with Arenado and you have something to talk about. Bad last outing, but previous eight starts were good. Lance Lynn, no way. I really like Flaherty, good outings in his last eleven starts. Or Michael Lorenzen, very good in July.

I’m guessing the Dodgers will be very active. It would nice if Julio Urias figures it out and pitches well consistently. But I won’t hold my breath.

On the hitting side, the Dodgers could use a right handed bat with big time pop. But that means Arenado. Otherwise you’re working the fringes of the trade market.

I don’t know….it seems to me the dodgers are frantically scrambling to add missing pieces and instead are adding guys with baggage and not really much better than the guys we have.

I for one am very happy with Rojas’ play this year. Great glove and does enough with the stick. Not doing much worse than Tre Turner with the stick.

I’m okay with losing Thor but we do need pitching. If you are talking about 40:year old Verlander….why would you want his contract for next year let alone the remainder of this year?

Like I said, it seems like our management is making moves just to show we are doing something. Kike and Rosario don’t seem any better to me than Rojas and CT3.

I like the Rosario trade. If only it got rid of Thor.

The Verlander idea I support. We need an ace and if VErlanders arm holds up he is that ace.

Angels holding on to Ohtani is a good thing for the Dodgers. First none of the other NL contenders get him and second we now can go after him in free agency without another team having the pole position because they traded for him.

Go Dodgers!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Hey Matt, sorry if I came across as rude yesterday about our Kershaw topic.

But, happy to debate October Kershaw anytime with you! Go Rams!!

The pool of starting pitchers who are actually available. Lynn, Montgomery, Flaherty, Stroman, possibly Kendrick and Verlander. Mets have not made up their mind yet, Scherzer if Mets decide to sell, Rodriguez of the Tigers, Greinke, Hill, and possibly any other starter on the teams that are out of the race who is on a one-year deal.

If Urias and Gonsolin don’t figure it out, then it won’t make any difference who we sign at the deadline. Who would have thought this of our starting rotation at the beginning of the year? Injured, injured, aweful, aweful and aweful!

Barnes catches and another loss to add to the pile of losses when he does.

I can only speculate about the Rosario trade, but it might be a combination of finding a way to get something for Syndergaard – and getting rid of Syndergaard solves a problem – and the Dodgers thinking they can resurrect Rosario. Rosario was once the 3rd highest rated prospect in all of baseball. He had a 65 FV rating from Fangraphs, who are stingy. He was always considered a defense first infielder, but his defense has taken a nosedive this year. He’s still only 27. Maybe a change of scenery might help. At the least, he’s a project, and even if he doesn’t make an impact this year, would be an infield option for next year if he can turn things around.

I’d take a chance on Verlander. I like Mark’s thinking here. Yeah, his K rate is way down, and his BB rate is up, but if recent trends are an indicator, maybe he’s finding his feel for the strike zone again. His fastball velo is exactly where it was in 2019 when he went 21-6 and won the Cy Young, so it’s not like age and innings have finally diminished his velocity.

Looking at that collection of pitchers, you realize what I triage ward the staff has been. Don’t hear much about Hudson, but guessing he doesn’t make it back – although it’s still a long shot, as is Trienen. Jimmy Nelson is pitching. He would be a huge boost if he came back throwing 94 MPH. He hasn’t pitched since 2021. The Dodgers are paying him 1.2 mil.

After watching Gonsolin pitch yesterday it is apparent we need SP big time. I was hoping for Giolito, but if we can get Cohen to pay some of Verlander’s salary I hope AF swings that deal.

I still think Arenado is a possibility that I put at 50/50.

Hunter Feduccia is hitting .301 with a .913 OPS.

Trading Verlander would put the Mets in a better position to land Ohtani as FA, I don’t see the Dodgers loocking for Verlander because that situation.

Andrew Friedman plays chess

Luis Rodríguez (20), Wilman Díaz (19), Josué De Paula (18) are doing very well !!!

No talk of a RH bat

Lynn got lit up again. We just got rid of Thor. I don’t have the stomach for another washed up SP. Verlander OTH, is an intriguing proposition.

I agree that we need an Ace and Verlander seems like the only possible solution.

Cohen would rather pay down half his salary and demand more prospect capital from us. He doesn’t care about the money and he won’t sell just to keep from paying Verlander’s salary.

The potential problem is that Verlander’s arm falls off the day after we get him…………………but I guess we may have to take that chance. We need to add a really good pitcher, one way or the other.

Nope

“He must have photos of someone.” – lol

Yes, Rosario a head-scratcher, but maybe he can play 2B instead of SS ?

The Dodgers are allegedly interested in bringing Joe Kelly back.

Angele acquire Lucas Gialito