It May Be Time to Stand Down
Usually at the trade deadline, every team looks to get better so that they can make that special run and maybe, just maybe, catch lightening in a bottle. Me? I am becoming to develop a realization that the Dodgers problems are too complex and deep to solve with more deadline trades. Let s consider what the Dodger s problems might be: Kenley Jansen His velocity is down way down. If you
Usually at the trade deadline, every team looks to get better so that they can make that special run and maybe, just maybe, catch lightening in a bottle. Me? I am becoming to develop a realization that the Dodgers problems are too complex and deep to solve with more deadline trades. Let’s consider what the Dodger’s problems might be:
- Kenley Jansen – His velocity is down… way down. If you will remember, I was against re-signing Kenley, especially to a 5-year deal, but obviously his first year under his new deal was a resounding success. This year, he is showing the usual signs of someone who is headed to surgery. Yep, there I said it! I would not be nearly as concerned with Kenley, if his velocity was not down so much. That’s the concern.
- Clayton Kershaw – It’s no secret his velocity is down. His back and hip are also a problem. What we are seeing here is what you would expect from someone who has 11 years and 2,000 innings on his arm. One would believe that surgery is also in the cards.
- Alex Wood – His velocity is also down, WAY DOWN from early last season. I don’t know if he is injured or just unable to sustain higher velocity.
- Chris Taylor strikes out way too much. He struck out 25% of the time last year and now is at 32% for 2018. That is unacceptable.
- Corey Seager is gone for the year… he’ll not be back until 2019.
- Justin Turner is not right and may not be right the rest of the year. His wrist is getting better, but he may not bee 100% until next year.
- The Dodgers can’t hit with RISP. Now, to put this into perspective, the Dodgers are 17th in MLB in hitting with RISP, but they are 7th in OB% with RISP. They are 9th in runs scored with RISP. A healthy Turner and Puig along with a big bat (Machado) could change that greatly, but it’s not a given the Puig will be back and if he is, it may be like starting over in Spring Training. He was just starting to put it all together when he went down.
I acknowledge that things can change rather quickly, but Clayton and Kenley are the most concerning. I am a “Glass Half-Full” person, but I cannot ignore all of the above problems, coupled with the bullpen issues, which could be cured rather easily with another arm (pick one of the arms we know are available). Hyun Jin Ryu threw a successful 25 pitch bullpen station on Friday and may be back by the the end of July. Julio Urias is also progressing, having thrown two simulated games in Arizona and having hit 93 MPH on the gun. He may be back in early August.
But I still am beginning to feel that it may be time to stand down! On the other hand, I also believe in miracles….
Other Dodger News
- Shea Spitzbarth was promoted to AAA and after 1.1 IP sports a 20.25 ERA – It’s bound to get better…
- Will Smith hit another Jack last night, his 17th and he sports .985 OPS. He really needs to be in AAA… or higher.
- There has been a Yadier Alvarez sighting: He pitched 0.2 innings in relief and got smoked, allowing 3 runs on 3 walks and 1 hit.
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Discussion (89)
Disagree, not disagreeable
Luv that kind of talk Quas!!! Keep on keeping the faith!!!
Lets rest, eat well and get ready for the second half…
Was it really 60 years ago I was sneaking into my first Dodger games at the the Coliseum???
Kershaw, Turner and Jansen are still my heroes and they’re gonna win the World Series. I can go on, but why?
What about lux and Alvarez for machado? Needs another piece
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Alfonso soriano comp for diaz?
Tony Gonsolin got the promotion to AA. 24 year old 6′ 2″ 180 pound RHP has started for the first time in 2018, and has 17 starts thus far. In 83.2 IP, he has compiled a 4-2 record with a 2.69 ERA and 1.17 WHIP. He has 106 strikeouts and 26 walks. Not too shabby for a hitters league. He has a 4 pitch repertoire with 2 plus (fastball and splitter) and 2 above average (curve and slider). His fastball is in the mid 90’s range and touches 100. He was a two way player at St. Mary’s as an outfielder and reliever., and was the Dodgers 9th round draft choice in the 2016 draft. He signed for a whopping $2,500. A typical 9th round draft pick for LAD.
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Gonsolin has a tendency to lose focus which probably comes from the lengthy relief role he has had. But if he continues to improve his command, he could be a fast riser. This could be another Caleb Ferguson. If nothing else, his ceiling could be a late inning high leverage reliever. He needs to continue to start and see where that takes him. He is #21 Dodger prospect, and should rise to top 15 at the next publication.
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Another player I continue to talk about this year is 18 year old 3B/1B Miguel Vargas from La Habana, Cuba. He is currently in a Rookie League at Ogden and is putting up some pretty big numbers. In 46 ABs, Miguel is slashing .522/.569/.804/1.373. Combined with his AZL time this year, Miguel’s slash line is .444/.518/.653/1.171 in 72 ABs. What is remarkable is that he has 14 RBIs at Ogden and all of 2 Ks. His 4 walks indicate he is somewhat of a free swinger. Gee, go figure another free swinger from Cuba. Oh yeah, he also has 3 SB with no CS. Miguel Vargas is certainly someone to follow. I hope he gets to Great Lakes to see what he can do at that level.
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By the way, Great Lakes took a pair today and in shutout fashion. In his first start at Great Lakes, Gerardo Carrillo started game 1 and went 4.2 IP before he reached his 65 pitch limit. He gave way to Luis Pasan for 1.1 innings, and Jasiel Alvino wrapped it up with his 2nd save. The Loons won Game 1 – 1-0. The Loons were held to 3 hits, with Deacon Liput getting his 1st professional HR in the 6th inning for the game winner.
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In Game 2, Jeronimo Castro started and went 3.0 scoreless IP. A pair of 2018 draftees Justin Hagenman (23) and Steven Kolek (11) finished up, with Kolek getting his 2nd save. The Loons won Game 2 – 5-0. roman Cuadrado hit a HR (3) in Game 2, while Devin Mann and Luke Heyer each had a 2 hit game. But the offensive story today was 4 stolen bases for Brayan Morales who now has a league leading 45, with his closest pursuer at 33.
It’s hardly an original thought but could we pull off a true surprise move this deadline? Here are some candidates for what would qualify:
1. Any trade of a starting pitcher: wood is the only one who might make sense.
2. Upgrading catcher.
3. With Puig off the table, moving joc.
4. Adding another true closer.
5. Getting a 1b (abreu?) And moving bells to cf fulltime.
Interesting espn article regarding the discussion of shits on this board this week:
Open on www.espn.comhttp://www.espn.com/mlb/story/_/id/24049347/mlb-hitters-explain-why-just-beat-shiftNice play by Muncy to end the game. In fact he made several nice defensive plays today.
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This is still not the dominant Kenley we’ve grown used to.
I am going to start talking bad about them.
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They always do good when I bad mouth them.
Look at the Dodgers getting 3, 2 out singles in a row!! RISP batting avg just went up baby!!
Who is this club!!
Ump called two pitches in the box balls, and called a pitch up and out of the box strike three.
Bring on the electronic strike zone.
ok, either that strike zone box is off, or this umpire missed 3-4 pitches in this first at bat of the 8th!
I”ll guess that within the next week or so, we should expect Diaz to move to AAA and Lux/Bannon to move to AA? Lux has certainly put it together this year, and Bannon looks really good as well.
Another SOLO HR!
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haha well we just saw our 7th or 8th inning guy for the playoffs. Nice job Maeda!
Kay Bear Ruiz was hit on the hand and removed from the game.
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Dang!
FYI: The power comes later!
2 Bombs by Diaz!
He will hit 25 HR in MLB.
Wow, just watched Yusniel Diaz crush a 2 run hr ! Good for him (and us)
And is it me, but does Yusniel look a lot like Yasiel??
Lots of machado chatter. One mentioned verdugo & alvarez but dodgers holding out keibert. I wouldnt trade that guy. Sources maybe getting restless want to stoke the fires. Or it could be nothing. Seems harder and harder for him but allstar game first. Maybe agreed to before then.
Toles flashes his speed.
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He has it!
Bo Bichette looks like he is 12 years old.
Another solo HR!
Ohhhh I forgot about the futures game. Who do we have in it?
AZ lost so we have first place at the break just waiting for us. Let’s go get it