I cannot see Detroit moving into a playoff position baseball team. So, closer to the actual deadline date (August 3), Detroit will need to move LHSP Tarik Skubal to the team with the best offer. Detroit will want pitching in return, and not A level pitching. They will want MLB or MLB ready pitching. Plus a MLB ready bat, probably OF. They want someone to roam the OF will Riley Greene and Max Clark. This is not hard figure out when looking at Detroit’s depth chart and Top 30 prospects, but someone far more knowledgeable and connected than me reported the following:
Although Heyman later stated that he does not think the Dodgers will trade for him. In his words, not a need. Too much pitching depth, and they will concentrate on other needs. There is always that RP they often need. There is some chatter that the Dodgers are interested in another Tigers pitcher…RHRP Kyle Finnegan. Yes, too many BB and not enough K.
Other contenders for Skubal could be Atlanta, Philadelphia, Milwaukee, Tampa Bay, NYY, and San Diego. San Diego really does not have the necessary pitching or prospect capital to make a competitive offer. They will try, but they will shop for a less expensive SP (Freddy Peralta?) or RP (Aroldis Chapman?).
The Braves best pitching prospect, JR Ritchie is not going to be traded for a rental, even one as good as Skubal. They might do so if they thought they could extend him, but they are not the type of organization that will pay what Skubal will want. The same with including Spencer Strider or Spencer Schwellenbach. If Atlanta believes both will be top of the rotation pitchers again, I cannot see them trading one for Skubal who would probably leave at the end of the year.
Phillies 1st round pick last year is already at AA, but in no way is RHSP Gage Wood MLB ready. After Zach Wheeler and Christopher Sánchez, Jesus Luzardo is the only other SP they can count on. What pitcher can they trade? Luzardo? Andrew Painter? Aaron Nola? Luzardo is controllable but will cost $135MM for 5 years beginning in 2027. Does Detroit want to cover that?
Most pundits are concluding that if the Dodgers want Skubal, the only team that has the ability to compete player wise would be Milwaukee. SS Jesus Made is off the table. And I do not think they have the ability to take a pitcher from their active 26 man roster. Their depth has been depleted. But if they are willing to trade Robert Gasser or Brandon Sproat, they could conceivably put together a good package. Gasser is probably Milwaukee’s #3 right now.
Brandon Woodruff is due to come off IL next week vs. Cincinnati. Can they afford to count on Woodruff for the rest of the year? They do not have any MLB ready pitchers in their system. Their top prospect is a 21 year old RHP Bishop Letson who is in AA. He is the only Brewers pitching prospect that has a 50 FV. The Dodgers have a prospect with a 55 FV (River Ryan), and 4 prospects with a 50 FV: Jackson Ferris, Christian Zazueta, Adam Serwinowski, and Zach Root.
NYY is not going to include Cam Schlitter, Max Fried, or Gerrit Cole. Carlos Rodónis not the young controllable pitcher Detroit wants. Might they include 27 year old RHSP Will Warren as the MLB pitcher? He is having a good year. Comparable to Emmet Sheehan? Would they consider trading George Lombard Jr.? He is the only top 100 non-pitching prospect who is MLB ready in the NYY system, but he is not an OF. Maybe Spencer Jones? They also have top 100 MLB ready pitching prospects, 22 year old Elmer Rodríguez and 23 year old Carlos Lagrange. NYY could put together a good package, and it would not cost them any of their top three SP, and they have enough depth. Maybe OF Spencer Jones and top 100 pitchers RHP Carlos Lagrange or RHP Elmer Rodriguez.
If the Dodgers want Skubal, they will get him, and it will not cost them Josue De Paula. There are a lot of mock trades, but the one I liked the best was Emmet Sheehan, Zyhir Hope, and SS Aidan West (ESPN). I do not think AF would increase from that offer. What if Detroit insists on getting LHSP Justin Wrobleski, keeping Detroit with a controllable LHSP to replace a LHSP?
The Dodgers under AF have never overpaid for a deadline trade. The two biggest pitchers they did trade for were Max Scherzer (2021) and Yu Darvish (2017). But those years dictated they trade for a top of the rotation pitcher.
In 2021, the Dodgers lost Trevor Bauer and Clayton Kershaw. Dustin May was done for the year in early May with a right arm injury. Mitch White was not ready to pitch in high intensity games. He was optioned 11 times in 2021. Now MLB has the Mitch White rule maximizing the number of options allowed during the year before DFA the player and exposing him to waivers.
If anyone is interested here are Mitch White’s 2021 option dates.
- March 31, May 17, June 12, June 20, July 8, August 1, August 19, August 30, September 9, September 14, October 3
Tony Gonsolin started the year on the IL with shoulder inflammation. He was activated June 9 and went back on IL July 31.
The LAD rotation was down to Walker Buehler, Julio Urias, David Price, and bullpen games. They needed a top of the rotation pitcher and Scherzer was available. Keibert Ruiz and JoJo Gray for Scherzer and Trea Turner was a no-brainer. Yes, the Dodgers had to throw in RHRP Gerardo Carrillo and OF Donovan Casey.
Scherzer was nails down the stretch. The Dodgers won all 11 games Scherzer started in August and September. But in the most important game of the year, Game 6 NLDS, he was scratched due to a tired arm forcing Buehler to pitch on 3 days’ rest, after 207.2 IP in the regular season.
Buehler was leading CY candidate going into September when he hit the proverbial wall, and was not the same pitcher in September or the playoffs. But he did answer the bell when asked, something Scherzer did not do. The end of 2021 probably exasperated his elbow and he needed his second TJ in 2022.
In 2017, Yu Darvish was a top of the rotation pitcher, and Texas needed to move him. Get what they could. But the LAD cost was minimal: RHP AJ Alexy (#17), OF Willie Calhoun (#4 prospect), and 3B/OF Brendon Davis (#27 prospect).
At the time of the trade, Zaidi said the Dodgers and Rangers had been in dialogue for weeks, but it was “within the last 15 minutes” before the Deadline that they completed the deal for the right-hander. “Having four [starters in October] is better than having three,” Zaidi said.
I do not think that it is a stretch to say that Texas was trying to get a better deal, but took the best they could get from the Dodgers, just before the deadline ended. The trade was not announced until well after the deadline. Seemed way too light of a return at the time, and as it turned out, it was.
At the time the Dodgers were trying to get Darvish, they were working on acquiring the two LHRP Tonys; Watson and Cingrani. Those were also last second closures and announced after the deadline. I remember being in the Seattle Airport on a delay waiting for any announcement. They were all announced before I boarded, so I had a happy flight back home.
AF wanted Lance Lynn in 2020, but Texas was not happy with the package and AF was not willing to up the ante, so he stayed in Texas. Maybe Texas remembered the Yu Darvish trade and dealing with AF. Lynn was every bit the Ace in 2020, not so much in 2023 when they did get him. 2020 was arguably Lynn’s best in his career. He was an All Star and finished 3rd in CY award voting.
The two times that AF had to make a deal was 2018 for a SS (Machado) and 2021 SP (Scherzer), but he did not overpay for either one.
I understand why LAD fans would like Tarik Skubal. He is arguably the best pitcher in baseball. AF likes that he is a rental. He likes rentals at the deadline. That is why I do not believe that Joe Ryan will be an option. Because of the extra year control, the cost for him will be prohibitive. That is not to say that I would not like Joe Ryan, but I do not remember AF trading for any pitcher with 1+ years of control at the deadline. Maybe this will be the year.
In the 2025 Detroit nosedive, Skubal started 4 games in September and the team lost 3 of those games, with Skubal being the losing pitcher in two. He started 2 games in the ALDS against Seattle, and the Tigers lost both, including Game 5. He left losing 2-0 in Game 2, and left leading 2-1 in Game 5.
Of Skubal’s last 6 starts (including playoffs) in 2025, Detroit lost 5. Having Skubal did not help Detroit. He did not pitch poorly but he also did not throw 6-7 shutout innings.
The Dodgers do not need Skubal. They are not going to make a trade to keep Skubal away from another team. They are not trading Josue De Paula and I doubt AF would trade River Ryan. AF will not overpay for Skubal.
But if they WANT him, they will get him.
OKC Comets 6 – Sacramento River Cats (Giants) 0
This was a well-pitched game by OKC. LHSP Cole Irvin went the first 6.0 innings. He was effective if not exceptional. He allowed 5 hits and 2 BB, with just 1 K.
RHRP Nick Frasso allowed 1 hit in his 1.0 IP. LHRP Ronan Kopp retired the first 5 batters he faced before walking the next batter. OKC brought in RHRP Griff McGarry to get the last out of the game and preserved the shutout.
C Griffin Lockwood-Powell supplied the first run of the game with his 1st AAA HR in the 2nd inning.
In the 5th, the first 3 batters reached base. CF Zach Ehrhard and RF James Tibbs III each singled. Yes, JT III is back in the OF. DH Jack Suwinski drew a BB to load the bases. Ehrhard came home on a GIDP and JT III reached 3B. JTIII scored on 1B Ryan Fitzgerald’s RBI single.
In the 7th, with 2 outs, Suwinski and LF Alek Thomas both drew BB. Fitzgerald hit a 2-run double.
OKC scored one more in the 8th. 2B Austin Gauthier and 3B Noah Miller both singled. Miller was forced out on a ground ball. Ehrhard drew a BB to load the bases. JT III was also walked to bring Gauthier home.
- Ryan Fitzgerald – 2-4, 3 RBI, double (18)
- Austin Gauthier – 2-3, 1 BB, 1 run
- Noah Miller – 2-3, 1 BB, double (9)
- Griffin Lockwood-Powell – 1-4, 1 run, 1 RBI, HR (1)
- James Tibbs III – 1-2, 3 BB, 1 run, 1 RBI
Tulsa Drillers 7 – NW Arkansas (KC) 5
LHSP Adam Serwinowski had a gem for 6.0 scoreless innings. In the 7th, the leadoff batter doubled. The next batter laid down a sac bunt, but it was thrown away with one run scored, and the batter reaching 2B. After an out, there was a run scoring double. LHRP Myles Caba was brought in. He got the first out, but then allowed a run scoring double before retiring the side.
In the 8th, C Frank Rodriguez homered putting Tulsa on the board.
RHRP Christian Ruebeck came in relief in the 8th. Ruebeck struck the first batter out. But a BB, single, and double scored 2 more.
Tulsa was down 5-1 going into the 9th. LF Josue De Paula singled and CF Mike Sirota drew a BB. After an out, 3B Jake Gelof hit a 3-run HR (14). Next batter DH Chris Newell followed with a game tying HR (10).
RHRP Carson Hobbs pitched a perfect 9th with 2 K.
Neither team scored in the 10th.
In the top of the 11th, with SS Elijah Hainline the placed runner at 2nd, Newell hit a 2-run HR (11) his 2nd of the night.
After pitching a scoreless 10th, RHRP Antonio Knowles came back out for the 11th. He struck out the first batter he faced. A WP put the placed runner on third, and he walked the next batter. He got a pop out for out number 2, and then struck out the next batter for the win.
Big comeback victory for Tulsa with 3 big HRs in the 9th and 11th.
- Chris Newell – 2-5, 2 runs, 3 RBI, 2 HR (11)
- Jake Gelof – 1-5, 1 run, 1 RBI, HR (14)
- Frank Rodriguez – 1-4, 1 BB, 1 run, 1 RBI, HR (5)
Great Lakes Loons vs Lake County Captains (Cleveland) – Postponed, Rain…Makeup game not yet scheduled
Rancho Cucamonga Quakes (LAA) 13 – Ontario Tower Buzzers 8
RC scored at least 1 run against all 6 Ontario pitchers. The pitchers gave up 15 hits (including 2 HR) and 8 walks producing the 13 runs. RC scored in 7 of the 9 innings. It really was not a good night for the Ontario pitchers.
Ontario had some of their own offense on the night. They scored 8 runs on 11 hits. In the 2nd, RF Ching-Hsien Ko led off with a single. With one out, SS Joendry Vargas hit a run-scoring double (15).
In the 3rd, C Bryan Gonzalez Garcia singled. With 1 out, 2B Mairo Martinus tripled (6) to score Garcia. Martinus scored on a ground out.
In the 7th, Gonzalez Garcia led off with a double (3). He moved to 3rd on DH Oswaldo Osorio’s single. Martinus had an RBI single. LF Brendan Tunink singled to load the bases. 3B Chase Harlan had a 2-run single. Ko reached base on a fielder’s choice E6, and the bases were loaded again. 1B Easton Shelton drew a BB to force in a run.
In the 8th, Osorio hit his 1st HR to finish the Tulsa scoring.
- Mairo Martinus – 2-5, 2 runs, 2 RBI, triple (6)
- Bryan Gonzalez Garcia – 2-4, 2 runs, double (3)
- Oswaldo Osorio – 3-4, 2 runs, 1 RBI, HR (1)
- Joendry Vargas – 1-4, 1 RBI, double (15)
ACL Dodgers 5 – ACL Mariners 3
ACL Dodgers broke out on top in the top of the first. With one, SS Reyli Mariano and 1B Matt Gorski singled with Mariano scooting to 3rd. A WP scored Mariano and moved Gorski to 2nd. Gorski went to 3rd on another WP and scored on DH Moises Boliver’s SF.
In the 4th with 2 outs, 2B Daniel Mielcarek walked and scored on C Eduardo Rojas’ triple (1).
Meanwhile 3 ACL Dodgers pitchers pitched 4.0 scoreless innings. RHSP Adriano Marrero completed the 1st two scoreless innings with no hits but 4 BB, 2 K. RHRP Wuillians Herrera pitched a scoreless 3rd with 1 BB and 2 K, while RHRP Joel Cruz pitched a scoreless 4th with 1 hit.
The ACL Mariners scored a run in the 5th.
ACL Dodgers picked up 2 more in the 6th. Gorski drew a walk and moved up to 3rd on Boliver’s single. Gorski scored and Boliver moved to 2nd on a WP. Mielcarek doubled (4) to score Boliver.
But the Mariners matched the 2 runs with 2 of their own in the bottom of the 6th.
In the 7th, the pitching completely unraveled. RHRP Aneudy Almonte entered and gave up a leadoff double. He then proceeded to walk the next 5 batters to allowing the Mariners to take a 6-5 lead. LHRP Peter Bonilla replaced Almonte with 3 inherited runners and no outs. He did not allow any of the inherited runners to score, and kept the game close.
The ACL Dodgers got 4 back in the 8th. Mielcarek drew a walk and went to 3rd on Rojas’ double (3). CF Moises Acacio walked to load the bases. 3B Yojackson Laya singled home a pair with Acacio moving to 3rd. LF Leider Padilla scored Acacio with a SF. Mariano singled Laya to 3rd and then stole 2B. Gorski hit an RBI single to score Laya.
In the bottom of the 8th, Bonilla walked one and struck out the side.
LHRP Michael Ramirez was asked to come in to pitch the 9th in a save opportunity. Unfortunately he could not save this one. He did get one out, but allowed 4 runs on 3 hits and 2 BB. This was his 2nd blown save in 2 opportunities.
DSL Mega 5 – DSL Red Sox Red 1
DSL Mega had a well pitched game. LHSP Angel Medina completed 4.0 innings allowing an unearned run in the 1st inning, and then shutting down the Red Sox for three additional innings.
In the 1st, Medina struck out the 1st batter. The 2nd batter reached 2nd on an E5. He was balked to 3B and scored on a single. Medina then induced a GIDP to end the inning.
Two RHRP completed the final three innings unscored upon. In the 5th, RHRP Derik Aquino loaded the bases on a single and 2 BB, but got out of the jam. In the 6th, RHRP Nehemias Valdez entered and fired 2.0 scoreless innings with 1 hit, 1 BB, 2K. This was Valdez’s 5th game in relief. He has completed 6.1 IP. He has allowed 1 run, 2 hits, 2 BB, 5 K. He has a .095 BAA and 0.63 WHIP. He is not dominant in any way, but he has caught my attention to follow him a bit more.
In the 6th, SS Jose Victorino was HBP and came into score with 1B Robert o Saucedo’s 1st HR. The 2-run shot put Mega up 2-1.
In the 7th, with one out, 3B Hendry Arvelo drew a BB. RF Enry Orellana was HBP. A WP moved both runners up. C Jose Rivas singled to score Arvelo. 2B Juan Macero walked to load the bases. Saucedo came through again with a 2 run single, giving Mega a 5-1 lead.
- Roberto Saucedo – 2-4, 1 run, 4 RBI, HR (1)
- Jesus Villaflor – 2-3, 1 BB
DSL Rays 9 – DSL LAD Bautista 8
17 year old German born LHSP Tom Apfelbaum pitched the 1st 3.0 innings. He allowed 2 runs (1 earned), 4 hits, 2 BB, 1 K. But RHRP Randy Maria and RHRP Eliecer Zambrano combined for 5.0 perfect innings. IN THE DSL. Maria faced 12 batters and retired them all with no K. Zambrano pitched to three batters, retiring them all, with 1 K.
Bautista was holding a 5-2 lead in the 9th. RHRP Shai Romero was summoned to close out the game. He walked the first batter, WP to 2nd, struck out the 2nd batter, then BB, BB, HBP for 1 run and the bases loaded for RHRP Ismanuel Rondon. He threw a WP allowing 1 run in and the two other baserunners to move up. A HBP loaded the bases again. The next batter hit a ground ball to SS, but it was booted for an error and another run. Rondon struck out the next batter and that should have ended the inning with a 5-5 tie going into the bottom of the 9th. But it wasn’t. A single and throwing error scored 3 more. And the batter/runner scored on a WP.
Down 2-1 in the in the 7th, Bautista loaded the bases on walks and 2B Aaron Guzman unloaded for a grand slam (1).
Down again in the 9th, 9-5, LF Willy Bergolla led off with a triple and scored on a WP. Next batter struck out. DH Rubel Arias and 3B Adrian Del Cid singled with Arias moving to 3rd. Del Cid stole 2nd. Arias scored on a ground out, while Del Cid moved to 3rd. Del Cid scored on RF Fran-Jean Haseth’s RBI single. They got within 1, but that is all they got.
- Adrian Del Cid – 2-4, 1 BB, 2 runs
- Fran-Jean Haseth – 2-4, 2 RBI
- Aaron Guzman – 1-3, 1 BB, 1 run, 4 RBI, HR (1)
- Willy Bergolla – 1-3, 1 BB, 2 runs, triple (1)
Discussion (67)
Disagree, not disagreeable
I still can’t figure out why the Dodgers can’t win a world series at Dodger stadium (1963 notwithstanding)
IT’S BASEBALL!
Go Figure! 😉
Dodgers RHP Christian Zazueta, 21, has been promoted to Double-A, per source.
LA’s 9th-ranked prospect has been excellent in High-A this season, with 66 K and 12 BB in 48.2 IP.
He was acquired before the 2024 season from the Yankees for Caleb Ferguson.
Kyle Tucker is now 26-136 at Dodger Stadium. He was 5-22 on this homestand. How much longer can he keep being this effing bad at his home ballpark?
Today the Baltimore Orioles played like they were the defending ws champions and the Dodgers were the under five-hundred team. No offense from the Dodgers! Looked like they weren’t trying to make a rally. Just popups , groundout and strike outs!
Through the years, I have noticed something about Baltimore teams: Baltimore seems to own Los Angeles teams, despite the records of the teams of the two cities The Orioles own the angels and the dodgers. Any reason why?
What’s amazing that we have the best record in baseball with so many injuries and so many guys scuffling right now.
We were 1 strike away from being swept at home by Baltimore.
Not a good weekend whatsoever for our back to back champs
Or…
One bloop away from winning 2 of 3!
Can Ohtani hit first and second in lineup? What is it with #2 spot this year. Time to move Pages out. He’s drowning!
Sheehan in a trade for Skubal. Now that’s funny……not a chance the Tigers would take him.
Maybe we throw in Tucker and eat $150 million of his contract
Now that is funny. No way that happens.
I don’t think he could have the Ward HR, but can anyone remember Pages actually timing a leap at the wall where his glove is actually abovr the wall. He seemingly always jumps into the wall. I saw Cedric Mullins almost makie a spectacular catch on Freeman HR against Tampa Bay. earlkier in the week.
Do Dodgers hitters get paid extra for swinging at pitches at the ankles or below?
Pages does a lot of things well, going after balls at the wall he can leap and catch, not so much. LA swings at way too many BAD pitches.
I say 73% chance Skubal will be a Dodger this year
Nope, not even close. I say less than 40%. Sheehan gives up a center cut homer to Ward. LA down 3-1 in the third.
After today. I now move that up to 76%
David, AF is not going to overpay for a rental, and that is all Skubal is. He has never done so, and he never will. Especially with Snell on his way back. They do not need Skubal. Not many teams have the type of player Detroit wants in return. They want MLB ready players. Not just pitching, but position players too. They don’t want prospects.
I don’t know if we’ll trade for Skubal, but there is chance that he actually is becoming a need, and not just a want or a wish to keep away from others.
Ohtani has a blister, and as we know from the Rich Hill days, nobody knows how they’ll heal or when.
Glasnow has a back issue which was supposed to be a week and now is into a month two, with no sign of return.
Snell is forever injured.
Sasaki Sheehan Wrobo might be good 2-3 inning guys in October.
We have Yamamoto who is the most sure thing.
All of the sudden, this could easily turn into 2024 when we had 1 healthy starter and 18 relievers.
Maybe it doesn’t and maybe our injured pitchers are being overly slow played. But maybe they aren’t, and they are actually injured. Skubal gives us a Game 1 or 2 starter.
Better temper Wrobleski’s innings so he doesn’t repeat Buehler in 2021.
Per Woo:
Teoscar Hernández will start a rehab assignment with Triple A OKC (in Reno) starting Tuesday. Plan is for him to play 4-5 games. If all goes well, he could be activated before the series against the A’s at the end of the month.
Will Smith won’t travel with the team on the upcoming 10-day road trip, Dave Roberts said, but is hopeful Smith will be activated off the IL by the next homestand (July 2 vs. SD). Said a rehab assignment is contingent on his progression while team is away.
MLB’s No. 39 prospect Mike Sirota reached base in his 58th consecutive game during Tulsa’s 7-5, 11-inning win against Northwest Arkansas on Saturday night at Arvest Ballpark, surpassing the D-backs’ Demetrio Crisantes, who posted a 57-game run in 2024. Sirota also got one step closer to Nick Martini’s 66-game streak set in 2018
4:10 PM ET
Orioles (36-42)
Dodgers (49-28)
SP Brandon Young R
5-2 3.18 ERA
SP Emmet Sheehan R
3-4 4.76 ERA
Confirmed Lineup
DH S. Ohtani L
CF Andy Pages R
1B F. Freeman L
SS Mookie Betts R
3B Max Muncy L
RF Kyle Tucker L
LF Ryan Ward L
2B A. Freeland S
C C. Robinson R
75° Wind 8 mph Out
Sunday Dodger Affiliates’ Schedule
10:05 a.m. PT: Great Lakes (Brooks Auger) vs. Lake County (Melkis Hernández)
12:05 p.m.: Tulsa (Payton Martin) at NW Arkansas (Hunter Patteson)
1:05 p.m.: Ontario (TBA) vs. Rancho Cucamonga (Derek Clark)
4:05 p.m.: Oklahoma City (Jackson Ferris) vs. Sacramento (Carson Seymour)
“The perception that MLB players are more fragile today boils down to several distinct factors:
The Velocity Crisis (Chasing “Stuff”): Pitchers are constantly pushing their bodies to throw harder and utilize “designer pitches” (like sweepers) with high spin rates. This extreme forearm rotation and grip pressure put unnatural stress on the UCL and flexor tendons.
Early Specialization: Many players focus exclusively on baseball year-round from a young age, leading to a narrower set of overworked muscles and early wear-and-tear before they even reach the majors.
Advanced Diagnostics: Today’s medical staff relies on detailed, high-resolution MRIs and biomechanical tracking. Players are frequently shut down for minor inflammation or micro-tears that would have gone completely unnoticed or been played through in earlier eras.
Financial Protection: With multi-million and multi-billion dollar contracts, teams now view their players as massive financial investments. Instead of risking a catastrophic, career-ending tear, organizations err on the side of caution by placing players on the Injured List (IL) early in the season to ensure longevity.
Max-Effort Culture: The rise of analytics has shifted the game into a “max-effort” environment. Hitters swing for the fences with every at-bat and pitchers throw as hard as possible for shorter stints rather than pacing themselves to pitch deep into games, placing intense, sudden spikes on their biomechanical systems”.
Appreciate the quotation marks, Andrew, but who are you quoting?
Sasaki for 5 innings and Sheehan for 4 innings could do what Skubul could do for maybe 7 playoff innings. Or, switch Sheehan and Sasaki innings pitched.
I’ve repeatedly expressed my disdain for the Glasnow trade and dislike his contract a lot more than any other Dodger contract.
I spoke too soon. Geez Sheehan.
If Glasnow isn’t available, I can smell a trade.! It might not be Skubal, but a starter is a healthy bet! I know there’s only a few of us that would trade for Joe Ryan, BUT, I wouldn’t rule it out. I know they don’t “need “ one, but they didn’t really need Tucker either! As the end of June nears, are any of us completely confident in Sasaki? And I don’t see the River flowing until next season! With Diaz and Phillips due back soon, I would prefer a starter in favor of Chapman. Nothing to do with his past. As Bear stated, he’s been a model citizen. But I prefer Ryan. Just me.
I think Will Klein is slowly pitching his way back to AAA. Or maybe quickly pitching his way back. And I still don’t trust Enriquez in high leverage situations.
Looks like the Mets are quickly becoming a JOKE! See guys, (small market guys). Money alone doesn’t guarantee championships! Well at least in a couple of years., the Mets will have the highest paid DH in the game! They can have him!
Klien has a 2.37 ERA, he’s a nice bullpen piece.
He pitched in 12 games in May and had a 0.82 ERA. That usually means that in June, stuff balances out.
42 days until the deadline. LA might need to deal, and they might not. Roberts left Sasaki in one inning too many. That is on Doc. If they do not need another starter until August, I could see Ryan getting the call by then. He will definitely get the call when the roster expands in September. The powers that be, AF, Gomes and ownership, have plenty of time to analyze what they need. With an 8.5 game lead over the D-Backs, they have plenty of breathing room. With Dryer struggling some, and Klein, they might trade for someone like Chapman. Stewart and Phillips will be okay from the right side, and eventually Diaz will be back. Tucker IMHO opinion right now is a bust. Especially at Dodger Stadium. He is hitting .197 at his home field. He actually has a higher OPS, .755 and lower BA .229 against lefties. He has a .700 OPS against RHP and a .241 BA.
I didn’t see Friday’s game. Why do you think Roberts should have taken Sasaki out after 5? Did he have an uneven 5th inning?
Sasaki was great for 5 innings. 1 hit erased when attempting to stretch for double, the 14 straight outs, then a walk and 3rd out in the 5th. He was at 76 pitches. He had two outs in the 6th before Henderson’s HR, then the Polar Bear’s HR. Alonso loves Dodger Stadium. Henderson and ALonso slug. If the Dodgers had hit wRISP in the beginning of the game, Sasaki would have got through 6.
I understand that Joe Ryan is on many fan’s wish list. For me, it’s not that I would not welcome Joe to the Dodgers, but I look at AF history. I do not remember one non-rental starting pitcher that AF acquired at the deadline. Maybe Ryan will be the anomaly. I think Peralta and Rogers are more in the AF world. The smoke is more for relievers.
I found this paragraph sad.
Buehler was leading CY candidate going into September when he hit the proverbial wall, and was not the same pitcher in September or the playoffs. But he did answer the bell when asked, something Scherzer did not do. The end of 2021 probably exasperated his elbow and he needed his second TJ in 2022.
I found Scherzer’s lack of fortitude sad. All the money he was making, and he suddenly complains of tired arm. Then he turned around and bitched because he said Roberts did not use him enough.
Yes, a different kind of sad though
HAPPPY FATHERS DAY TO ALL THE DADS OUT THERE.
Kyle Tucker IMHO had the worst at bat of his stint as a Dodger in the 9th inning last night. Took a pitch for ball one with the game tying run on third, then swung at three consecutive UNHITTABLE pitches outside the zone. Just a pitiful at bat. I give credit to Rogers for shutting down the Dodger offense, I saw way too many weak hit balls on first pitches, including Ohtani leading off the game.
No kidding Bear. That at bat by Tucker was pitiful, in a number of ways. In addition to swinging at 3 unhittable pitches, his bat sucked the energy and mojo out of the ballpark.
The ballpark was rocking in the 9th as it always is during another big Dodger comeback. Every fan was on their feet, the music blasted and the energy could be cut with a knife. The tension increased after the error in right and Freeman scored to make it 3 to 2.
It took Tucker’s negative body language and one swing to suck the life right out of the crowd. It just looked inevitable that he wasn’t going to get it done. There was an emotional drain between every pitiful swing by Tucker, instead of optimism and support that other Dodger hitters thrive on, in that situation.
Tucker was a buzz killer with each pitiful swing.
Just a pitiful at bat is right.
It’s pretty evident after last night’s 3-2 loss to the O’s that we need Will and Teo’s right handed bats against left handed pitchers in the lineup along with Kiki when they all return from the IL.
06/20/26 Los Angeles Dodgers placed RHP Blake Treinen on the 15-day injured list. Right elbow inflammation.
06/20/26 Los Angeles Dodgers recalled RHP Chayce McDermott from Oklahoma City Comets.
Last nights score could have been from the old days. The only two Dodger runs would have been on only one hit and 4 walks with Maury wills scoring both of them and stealing 3 bases. Once scoring on a sacrifice fly and the other on the one hit by Wes Parker. The Orioles got a two run homer from Frank Robinson and an RBI triple by Brooks. Weaver was ejected in the third but watched from the dugout door. Belanger smoked more cigarettes at his locker after the game talking with the press (3) than he had hits (0). It was a classic………all in my head of course.
In my opinion, Sheehan/Hope/West is a decent package but ultimately not enough to get it done.
Sheehan is good but how much does a mid-rotation SP help Detroit? Hope is the prize here so they’d have to like him. West is a throw-in.
I think for the Dodgers to get Skubal it will take DePaula or Sirota… and that’s a non-starter for me.
AF would NEVER do that deal for either one. Bet it!!!!!
Sheehan helps them a lot more than Skubal walking in the off season, leaving them with nothing. As good as Skubal is, an expiring contract does not give them lots of leverage.
I personally think that package is an overpay for a three month rental, but Skubal is a stud.
I think there’s a little bit of a contradiction in saying we will get him if we want him and we will not overpay. Sometimes, due to context, one must overpay to get what one wants. It’s called a premium and the trade deadline always seems to come with one.
AF never overpays period.
Tucker, period
Overpay in salary? Sure. Overpay with talent in a trade, not happening. He will walk away before overpaying.
Like Jeff said, salary maybe, talent never.
He overpays in signings when he feels that the team has a need,but NEVER in trades. Completely different situations,money versus prospects.
I thought period meant period
My bad,
It does Simon, just not in this case
Would be nice if the tigers would just step up and sign Skubal to a long term contract. That’s the perfect way for this saga to end. The dodgers really don’t need him, and this way no other contenders will get him! But I wouldn’t be surprised if the dodgers do get him. Sasaki doesn’t look like he’s ready to take the ball in a game 4 right at the moment. Not saying he can’t be that guy before the season ends. I’m really starting to think Glasnow may not be ready this season. Snell? Probably. Ohtani? The finger could become an issue. Yamamoto? Not worried about him. More worried about his run support when he pitches! Wrobleski? Solid! I’m more worried that the Dodgers sign Skubal to a long term deal than the couple of prospects they would have to trade to get him. Just can’t see any team giving him 350 million plus at his age . But I’ve been wrong many times before! Just don’t see the Dodgers doing something that stupid somehow got to watch 4 innings last night. I guess mlb realized that it wasn’t being blacked out in my are and quickly remedied the situation! Charlie Steiner was on the audio call and he called Yamamoto Ohtani a couple of times. I guess when you older, you misspeak. At least he was staying awake! I couldn’t, so I went to sleep! Damn blackouts!
Need to win today. Should not lose a series to the O’s!!! I guess Robinson is behind the plate today. Does a nice job back there, but the bat , not so much!
Happy father’s day to all you dads! May you spend it with your family and get something nice for your special day!
The Tigers are NOT signing Skubal,but trading him within the next six weeks.
Fully anticipating an announcement in the next couple of weeks that the Dodgers tried an epidural on Glasnow’s back but it was unsuccessful and he will soon undergo back surgery. Hope I’m wrong, but dude is fragile and made of porcelain.
Has always been injury prone. I know why LA traded for him, but right now, it seems to be a trade they did not win. TB got DeLuca back the other day. Not sure when Pepiot will be healthy. But 125 mil for a 16-9 record with just 264 innings and a post season 0-0 record in six games, and he did not even pitch in the 24 run to the Championship
Tigers won’t pony up that kind of cash. And Skubal has given them a deadline to get back into the race, 30 days.
Jeff,
Totally agree, no Skubal. BUT, after watching The Miz pitch 3 times and seeing him release the ball at 55 feet from the plate at 103 MPH, I’m sure we could use another ace, despite the cost.
Hate to disappoint Mrs Dominique, but maybe we could throw Chuckie into the deal.
Happy Father’s Day everyone.
The Miz is like Ohtani, a once in a lifetime talent. But how long can he keep throwing 105 MPH heaters before his arm gives out? And at most, he can only pitch twice in a 5-game series like the LDS.
I am in the camp that AF is not going to overspend for Skubal. If he falls into their lap like others have (Darvish and Scherzer), okay. He is not going to trade JDP or Ryan and probably not Sirota, Morales, or Quintero. I think NYY will get Skubal. They have the MLB pitching, pitching prospects, and OF to get it done. They will outbid LAD to get it done.
I think AF wants a high leverage reliever, and Aroldis Chapman fits that mold. Will SD trade Ethan Salas for him? I have no idea what a LAD comp value for Chapman might be at the deadline. But if AF is convinced he is a fit in the LAD clubhouse, I think he fits AF’s want list. Chapman, Díaz, Scott for the high leverage roles, and Hurt, Vesia, Phillips, Stewart, and Henriquez, in the middle relief/setup roles. I think that is a strong bullpen.
Other relievers that are being discussed as possible LAD targets are RHRP Kyle Finnegan (Detroit), LHRP Brooks Raley (Mets), RHRP Garrett Whitlock (Boston), and LHRP Sean Newcomb (CWS).
I mentioned a week or so ago that I thought the Dodgers might be more inclined to trade for a less expensive rental, LHSP Trevor Rogers. Baltimore also has another rental, RH bat, Taylor Ward who might help against LHP. Ward has good career splits against LHP.
Still 6 weeks to go and there are going to be a lot more mock trades being discussed.
BTW, now that Will Smith is on the IL, my wife has a new favorite…Chuckie Robinson.
I 100% agree Jeff that Skubal is NOT needed and AF will NOT overpay to get him,but will drive up the price so other teams will have to overpay for him.RP Chapman seems like a strong possibility. I would hoard as many prospects as possible to see how the new Collective Barbarging Agreement shakes out to have them available in trades to strengthen the roster or trade players like Teo and eat some of his salary to make room for a prospect. You can bet right now that AF will NOT get fleeced in any trade .
I agree with both of you. But this is baseball. Even the best of the best can be beaten. The Pirates have lost the last seven starts by Paul Skenes. Dude probably wishes he had been drafted by any other team except the Buccos.