It s All About Chemistry!

I keep reading that the Dodgers are in the hunt for a starting pitcher and frankly, I do not believe it.  What I mean by that is I do not think they are “hell-bent-for-leather” to get another starter.  That’s not saying that they won’t do it if the right situation presents itself, but they are simply not going to overpay to get another starter.  I think AC said the same thing yesterday.

If it ever made sense to make a blockbuster deal at the trade deadline, this is the year, because the Dodgers are clearly one of the best teams in baseball.  However, it’s quite possible that they could win the World Series and not make a single move. They are THAT deep. Other than Yasiel Puig, whom his teammates “tolerate” because he has “toned down” his act, the clubhouse is very tight.  There is a lot of good chemistry on this club, so you have to be careful with any move that is made, because it could potentially affect the chemistry.

You make deals, not when you have to, but rather, when you want to… on your terms. Starting pitching is very important and the Dodgers have a horse in Clayton Kershaw, but beyond that there are injury questions.  Even Ray Charles can see that.  As good as Alex Wood has been, you have to wonder if he can stay healthy.  The same is true with Hyun-Jin Ryu, Kenta Maeda and Brandon McCarthy.  Then there is Scott Kazmir who allegedly is coming back in a week or three after being on the shelf all season.  I have the most confidence in Rich Hill, who appears to have his blister problems solved and is back in tune.  I think he will be a 6 or 7 inning pitcher the rest of the season. However, he also has an injury history.

Then there is also Brock Stewart, Ross Stripling (whom I have heard really sees himself as a starter, so much so that it might be messing with his head), Trevor Oaks and Scott Barlow.  Count ’em:

1. Kershaw
2. Hill
3. Wood
4. Maeda
5. McCarthy
6. Ryu
7. Kazmir
8. Stewart
9. Oaks
10. Barlow
11. Stripling

That’s a plethora of starters any way you want to slice it.  I don’t care if they have a history of injuries.   I would make book that at least 6 of those pitchers will be healthy at any given moment, but you can’t help but wonder what would happen IF you had another “HORSE” to go with Clayton.  It was absolutely the right move to let Greinke walk – he used to be a horse, but now he’s just a pony.

The names we keep hearing are Justin Verlander, Gerrit Cole and Jose Quintana, but I don’t think the Dodgers would pull the string on another lefty, so I leave Quintana out of the discussion.  I don’t think FAZ wants to be that heavy on LH starters.  Justin Verlander is owed $56 million over the next two seasons and is clearly not the pitcher he once was, but maybe could be re-energized by changing leagues and playing for a contender. However, he is averaging 5.8 innings a start – I’m not sure that is an improvement.  I would not try that unless the cost was low and the Tigers paid half his salary.

Gerrit Cole is not having a great season, but is a RH pitcher who is 26 years old and would likely do well in LA, as he is from Newport Beach.  He is under team control until 2020.  He averages 6 innings a start and would slot well behind Clayton… but he would be expensive. Another guy I like is Lance Lynn (he’s from Indianapolis), but he is fresh off TJ Surgery and likely will need to keep his workload under 200 IP, so I would not think he is a possibility.  He will be a Free Agent next year and is 28 years old.

If the Dodgers were to trade for a Gerrit Cole, they could certainly afford to trade another starter or two or three.  Maeda, Ryu and Stripling could go to other teams for other assets.

WHAT IF:  The Dodgers were to trade Yadier Alvarez, Ross Stripling and prospects they get for Ryu and Maeda (I would think they could get two TOP 10 prospects for Maeda and Ryu) to the Pirates for Gerrit Cole and Felipe Rivero (OK, I can dream, can’t I?). Maybe it would take another prospect or two… I don’t know.  Rivero is to die for…

Look at this:

Rotation:

1. Kershaw
2. Cole
3. Hill
4. Wood
5. McCarthy
6. Kazmir (Pen)
7. Stewart (Pen)
8. Oaks (AAA)
9. Barlow (AAA)

Rivero would really help the best pen in baseball get even better and Stewart becomes the long guy as does Kaz!

Of course, our resident JD has been campaigning for JD Martinez, who would look good in LF with Chris Taylor at 2B.  By the way, he only likes Martinez because he has JD ahead of his name while he has JD “after” his name.  So, sue me.  😉

1. Taylor  2B
2. Seager  SS
3. Turner  3B
4. Bellinger  1B
5. Martinez  LF
6. Grandal  C
7. Pederson  CF
8. Puig  RF

That’s a better lineup.  FAZ has a lot to figure out.  Shoot, think about this.

• Trade Forsythe for a LH reliever or prospect (The Red Sox and Yanks need a 3B);
• Call up Kyle Farmer; and
• Play Barnes at 2B.  I’m telling you – he is  very good 2B. Farmer can be the backup Catcher.
• It was just a couple of days ago that I said I was not worried about Forsythe and Taylor and what happened?  Forsythe was 4-4 and Taylor got on base three times as the leadoff hitter.
• A lineup with Grandal, Barnes and Taylor is pretty dang good.
• If the Dodgers have any inclination to do that, Forsythe could be traded easily.
• The thing is:  CHEMISTRY!

HERE ARE NUMBERFIRE’S PLAYOFF PROJECTIONS.

The Dodgers are Ranked #2 in Power Rankings in MLB and Numberfire gives them a 99.9% chance of making the playoffs.  The Giants are given a 0.0% chance!

Rants & Raves

• I thought this team was going to be very good, but I did not realize they would be Super Good.  The whole is greater than the sum of the parts.
• Alex Wood should start the All-Star Game.
• Sergio Romo is nearing the end of his rope. “No Mo Ro Mo” – Copyright DodgerRick
• Grant Dayton is simply OK, but not the guy he was last year.
• Trayce Thompson is a real CF when Joc is on the bench.  He doesn’t run – he glides!
• Full Minor League Report
• It was nice to see Doc go after Andy Green.  Roberts pointed to Green and said “You and me.”  Set the tone Dave!

Austin “Freaking” Barnes.  Dee who?