With a little over a week until the August 1st trade deadline, I do not believe that the Dodgers’ fortunes hinge upon getting a quality starter or two. I believe that the Dodgers’ fortunes turn upon what happens with their own pitchers. Of course, it would be nice to get another RH bat, but that is not essential. In fact, it is possible that the RH bat could already be in the Dodger’s system, namely Miguel Vargas or Jonny DeLuca. Either player could be just what the Doctor ordered down the stretch!
Many of you assume that because you trade for someone, they are going to help you. If you truly look at hitters that might be available, do you really have confidence that Dylan Carlson, Tyler O’Neill, Randall Grichuk, Kris Bryant are going to deliver the juice that makes the squeeze worthwhile? Lane Thomas looks to be the best of the bunch, but he has never performed in Hollywood in the past. Sometimes, the bright lights are too much for some players.
I am not saying that Andrew Friedman will not trade for a hitter. Shoot, Nolan Aernado is possible… if you want a huge overpay, but I do not see the Dodgers trading for a RH hitter that will be a huge difference maker. I also do not see a big difference maker in pitchers who are available. Giolitio is the best, but he has warts and is not the Prince the Dodgers might need. The rest of the bunch, except for Blake Snell (whom the Padres will not send to the Dodgers), are Frogs. I am not into kissing frogs! The Dodgers have the player collateral to trade, but should they?
I think the Dodgers Championship hopes hang on the following:
- Whether one of Miguel Vargas or Jonny DeLuca can be the RH bat the Dodgers desperately need;
- Whether Julio Urias can return to his form of previous years;
- Whether Tony Gonsolin can flash the form he did last year;
- Whether Thor can return and pitch like a #5;
- Whether Clayton Kershaw can return healthy and pitch like he did all season;
- Whether Bobby Miller can continue his growth and pitch like we know he can;
- Whether the bullpen can continue pitch as they have since June 20th – THE #1 BULLPEN IN BASEBALL!
- Whether one of Michael Grove or Gavin Stone can step up;
- Whether a couple of Shelby Miller, Jimmy Nelson, JP Feyereisen, Daniel Hudson, Blake Treinen, Walker Buehler, and Ryan Pepiot can return from the 60-day IL;
At their best, a rotation of Urias, Kershaw, Gonsolin, Miller, and Thor is potentially devastating. Not everything above needs to happen, but some of it does. There comes a point where you have to have confidence in and dance with the one who brought ya’!
JUST SAY NO TO DOPE-FIEND MOVES!
I believe that Andrew Friedman will make a move or two, but I also think it is something that none of us see coming. Who saw Mookie Betts? Friedman says that the Dodgers will be aggressive – do you actually believe that… or is he just driving up the cost of these players? Maybe a little of both! It’s posturing, that’s for sure!
Discussion (35)
Disagree, not disagreeable
It seems like the Dodgers are in an enviable position. First place after a rough patch earlier. Still have a couple of underachieving hitters who may (or may not ) improve. Or prospects that may make an impact. Relief pitching has improved although relievers can be fickle. Can probably cobble together four starters for the playoffs.
Then with all the prospects they have the flexibility to make whatever kind of trade they think is necessary.
We lead mlb in most runners left in scoring position per game.
Max is also batting .327 with RISP.
There you go Max!
Max is 24th among MLB players in strikeouts and his strikeout % is 27.8%.
Of this, I am certain:
Dave Roberts does not unilaterally decide to bat Muncy 4th without a lot of input from the front office. For a cleanup hitter, OPS tops BA!
But Max’s OPS is higher than every batter who follows him. And he’s gotten hot, with 3 HRs and a 1.059 OPS over the past seven days.
Yesterday somebody here groused that Max followed his slam with three Ks.
Outman used to Mark’s Dangerfield. Now Max is the new Dangerfield. Gets no respect, no respect at all…
He could wind up hitting 40 HRs with a .800 OPS…. and people will complain about his batting average.
Hard to believe that the movie, “Tombstone” is 30 years old. Wow. Where does time go>???
Doc just keeps putting Muncy in the four-hole. I just don’t think that is very smart.
10:10 PM ET
Blue Jays (55-45)
Dodgers (57-41)
SP Jose Berrios R
8-7 3.39 ERA
SP Michael Grove R
2-2 6.40 ERA
Confirmed Lineup
2B Mookie Betts R
1B F. Freeman L
C Will Smith R
DH Max Muncy L
LF D. Peralta L
RF J. Heyward L
SS Chris Taylor R
CF James Outman L
3B Y. Hernandez S
78° Wind 8 mph Out
Hey, guys. I think I might have missed something. J.D. was not in the lineup yesterday and he’s not starting tonight. Does anyone know if he’s injured?
Unless the Dodgers face Atlanta in the first round, they would be the team to beat.
Hmmmmm a big trade to shake things up Friedman said which he has done before. Okay who needs a third baseman first baseman or dh like Muncy look at the teams in the playoffs chase who would you like for Muncy and some prospects? I could see the cardinals and they go after Arenodo and trade Goldschmidt some where else like to either angels or Giants and the cardinals get some prospects in from the dodgers fo Arenado Montgomery and Tyler O’Neil. That would be a shocker then Muncy can play third first or Dh. What about Seattle? Don’t they have Suarez 3b Hernandez LF and some starting pitching. I could see Muncy going there with some prospects as well. Or get this. Dodgers they send Muncy and prospects to Chicago for Stroman p Bellinger OF and Wisdom3b. All three of these teams are possibilities at the trade deadline. And nobody knows with Friedman. But he said something big will happen.
I read Fabian’s article earlier today. I can’t understand under any circumstances why we would have an interest in re-engaging with Kike. That ship sailed long ago.
Remember the little ping pong balls that popped out of the hopper for the draft lottery years ago? I think that’s still in use for some of the names popping up as trade rumors.
https://www.mlb.com/news/dodgers-rumors-latest-trades-and-signings
Maybe Gauthier is the CT3 replacement in waiting when Taylor’s contract is up in a couple of years. The timing would be just about perfect.
Dodgers Digest has a new and fun prospects list out, going all the way from No 1 to 55.
Some of the usual suspects, of course, with Cartaya still at No. 1 but Rushing up to No. 2 here, which makes sense to me. Busch is at No. 4.
The fun part is the optimism for prodigies like 19-year-old Josue de Paula, who is way up at No. 3, and 17-year-old Jeondry Vargas, a 6 foot-4-inch SS, at No. 12. Wouldn’t it be great if one of the young guys break through early the way guys like Trout, Acuna and Soto did?
So there is depth and also youth in the system. I was happy to see that a relative oldtimer, 24-year-old Austin Gauthier, has finally made a prospect list. He was signed as undrafted FA out of Hofstra and is now playing alongside Jorbit Vivas and Eddys Leonard in Tulsa.
DD’s summary:
“Austin Gauthier has been great since he was signed by the Dodgers as an undrafted free agent in 2021. His advanced approach and ability to get on base showed through right away, but he has added a new facet to his game in 2023: power. Gauthier has roughly doubled his home run rate from last year while still walking more than he’s striking out.
“Gauthier has moved all over the diamond defensively, playing third base and both corners in the outfield the most. He is capable of playing second base and shortstop as well. Gauthier has quickly turned himself into a high-likelihood big leaguer, even if he is eventually limited to a bench utility or platoon role (he has an OPS above 1.100 against lefties this season).”
The depth is one reason why the Dodgers shouldn’t be too shy about using their prospect capital to improve the the major league roster. If Busch winds up hitting 30 HRs for the White Sox or Cards or Nationals next year, we can just ask why he didn’t get a legitimate runway in ’23.
Jon Heyman reports the Pirates are now listening on Bednar.
Trade Simulator says Busch plus Stone would be a slight overpay. Anyone who gets Bednar will have to overpay.
I’m in.
Bednar has an excellent track record, is controllable for 3 years after this one and isn’t overly expensive. Do it.
The Pirates are open to listening to offers on Bednar.
The Pirates have announced that they are open to listening to bids on Bednar.
Think id rather have Edman than O’Neil….
Google news had a story that said the Dodgers would be interested in a potential big trade with the Cardinals. The pieces mentioned, were not named Arenado and Goldschmidt. It was Carlson and O’Neil, Montgomery and Flaherty. The package would consist of one of each. One RH hitting outfielder and one starting pitcher. Cardinals want young pitching so at least two of the Dodgers minor league pitchers, or maybe Grove or Pepiot would need to be included. O’Neil is having a bad season and has been injured most of the time, pass. Carlson is not that impressive and in reality, not much better than anyone we have on the roster. But I would take Montgomery over Flaherty. Simply because he has been better lately.
Hanging on to some of that minor league collateral will just reduce their value.
Michael Busch is not a hot young talent. He’s a guy in his mid-20s who has earned a major league shot but has no clear path to the Dodgers roster, especially if Mookie becomes ensconced at 2B. (And why shouldn’t he? Great place for the team’s unofficial captain to be positioned.) Of course Mookie’s move also creates an obstacle for Vargas, who I guess is still valued more highly than Busch, perhaps because Vargas is younger.
Lane Thomas had a pretty fantastic game for the Nats yesterday. Check out the highlights. He’s been good all season, compiling an .835 OPS. By that measure, the only rightfielders listed ahead of him are named Acuna, Betts, Kyle Tucker, Tatis and Adolis Garcia–every one a star, or “superstar.” (I assume Judge would be there too if he hadn’t had that crash in LA.)
Assuming Mookie’s move is permanent, perhaps AF & Associates will decide that Thomas, age 27, could be The Answer for rightfield. His contract is under team control for a couple more seasons so he wouldn’t come cheap, but a package that starts with Vargas or Busch and an SP like Grove or ?? could get it done.
Next season, Jorbit Vivas, Eddys Leonard and Austin Gauthier could all move up to OKC.
Certainly the Dodgers could get a rental like Grichuk or ?? at a lower price. And since SP is the top priority, perhaps this will be the decision.
But I’d rather see AF swing for the fences this week. If you love your prospects, set them free! Go after both a frontline starter and Lane Thomas. You don’t have to be a dope fiend to make an offer that is hard to refuse.
* Sheehan will eventually be a bullpen piece down the road. 2.5 pitch guy, maybe. I don’t see enough stuff for 2 times through.
* We have to see these young guys play. It’s painfully to endure the rookies struggles. But we need to see them under fire. All of them. It has to be an adequate sample size. It will look like AAA sometime.
This is, READY…………., a transition year. It’s frustrating but when we mention patience, this is the patience we need; with these kids.
* Aroldis Chapman is a DUDE. I have always loved to watch him. How the f*** do you throw 105.8?
When he was a kid with the Reds, I slowed down his video for the first time, and my jaw dropped. His “separation” was awesome. His bellybutton was facing the plate and his shoulders were so closed, you could see him coiled like a giant spring. He uncoiled and his arm speed was a blur. 105.8.
That was 13 years ago!
More young pitchers have evolved now who throw 100+, but he was a model.
Now the man is 35 years old. A dinosaur for relief pitchers. He’s’s gone though a few teams and had his ups and downs. But the thing that’s been consistent is HE IS DARTH VADER.
He’s gotten a little thicker since he broke in 13 years ago. He doesn’t have the same back flexibility. He can’t “separate” like he did.
But he now makes up for it with leg strength and some mechanical tweaks. With less separation, he generates his power…from his ass. And his arm speed stays the same, in the elite category.
He still hits 103…..at 35. Remarkable.
Braves have traded for Pierce Johnson of the Rockies, a RH reliever. Colorado gets two minor league pitchers in return. The Braves also acquired lefty Tyler Hearn from the Rangers. Hearn was DFAd the other day.
The only must to me is a RH OF. With Peralta, Outman, Heyward starting most games we need a dependable guy to start, pinch-hit, etc.
Yes starting pitching scary. And we can’t count on scoring all those runs in playoffs.
Spending prospects on a player who will be a free agent for a 3 month rental doesn’t seem like a good idea. Spending prospects to get Arenado would have a tremendous impact on the team and I believe that Andrew is trying to work it out. If it happens it won’t be until right before the deadline when the Cardinals decide they have gotten the best deal possible.
Nolan would stabilize and improve the infield and give us the right handed bat we need.
Go Andrew!
Our starting pitching is in shambles right now with way too many ifs in your analysis. In fact they’re all ifs! We need help and I believe AF will deliver. And you can’t really believe there’s any hope having Syndegaard pitch any more, unless it’s in Tulsa.
Noah Syndegaard was worse than bad (I’d think a 7+ ERA is worse than bad, but maybe others saw some promise in that).
Now, because we like to believe he might be better, therefore he will be better? This isn’t 2022, where we had the best record in baseball at the end of July with like a 10+ game lead on everybody. We’re only 4 games up on 2 teams and we can’t be giving starts away the last 2 months of the year because Syndegaard was good 8 years ago and we hope he’ll be good this year.
I’d rather go get someone who’s 1) better than Syndegaard, and 2) isn’t one of 3 straight rookies in our rotation.
Plus, if we do get to October, what do we have? 1) Kershaw, who’s ERA is double in the postseason than regular season, 2) Urias, who’s been a post season stud for us in the past but has had his worst year of his career to date, 3) Gonsolin, who hasn’t been great in October and hasn’t been great in 2 months, and then 3 rookies, Syndegaard and his 7 ERA???
We need someone who can pitch in October, on the road, in SF, or Cincy, or Atl, and not scare the hell out of us. Not all of our right handed starters in AAA and AA will be top of the rotation guys. 1-2 of them can be dealt for someone who will help this year.
Reds have put johnathan India on the trade market. Not a bad idea
Noah as a #5 would be ideal.
the only two RH bats that would be a sure fire upgrade (or at least as close as it gets) and who might be available are Robert from the White Sox and Arenado. In both cases it will have to be a overpay. How much of an overpay ?
That might be the million dollar question. Both guys are signed for couple more years and might be worth such an overpay if it has to be.
Pepiot, Stone, Pages, Busch, ? Would that be enough ?
Vargas batting average at OKC is sinking like the Titanic after a hot start. I have not much confidence he will be the answer.
DeLuca on the other hand is showing some signs he could be .
On the starting pitching side I agree with Mark. The answer probably are within what we already have.
I´d be okay with CK, JU; TG and BM as the 4 starters in the postseason. If Buehler would be good to go or Thor returning to his old ways (very unlikely IMHO) that would be a bonus.
I hope we get 1-2 high leverage bullpen arms . In the past we have seen that a overpowering bullpen will go a long way in the postseason. Especially when your starters are questionable to give you a quality start.
The Springsteen concert yesterday in Munchs Olympic Stadium was a blast (literally) . The Boss was at his very best. 3 hours of entertainment at the highest level, great weather. My personal highlight; The River . When he played the intro you could hear a pencil drop and then 70.000 voices singing along. What immortal lines from that song:
Is a dream a lie that don´t come true or is it something worse ?
Now those memories come back to haunt me, they haunt me like a curse.
Made me remember a love I had in the summer of 83 when I was 18 years old (exactly 40 years ago). I was so in love with a girl from our school and everything started out great but all of a sudden the girl did not return my calls and did not want to see me. I never asked her why and when we accidentally met a few times after we did not talk to each other again.
Go Dodgers!!!!!!!!!!
Mark,
That’s a lot of wishful thinking in your 9 bullet points. Obviously based on unknowns. I would add to it -Which Max Muncy will we see and can our age 30+ roster of hitters avoid the injury bug in second half.
“The market is still developing, as there are a number of teams still on the fence, but we expect that to crystallize more in the next week,” said Andrew Friedman, the Dodgers’ president of baseball operations. “We will be aggressive in our efforts to add to this roster, and there are different obvious and potentially creative ways to do so.”
We always say we don’t know what AF is thinking or going to do. So now you have it!!
So continue opining your preferred trades. ‘Stand pat’ seems NOT to be his preferred choice.