It's Time For a New Closer
Actually, it’s past time. I am so done with Craig Kimbrel! Three letters: DFA! It’s over, done; stick a fork in him! So, who’s the closer? Let’s run down the list: Evan Phillips – Tell me he can’t. He has the stuff, and while he has never done it, he looks cold-blooded and calm…
Actually, it’s past time. I am so done with Craig Kimbrel! Three letters: DFA! It’s over, done; stick a fork in him! So, who’s the closer? Let’s run down the list:
- Evan Phillips – Tell me he can’t. He has the stuff, and while he has never done it, he looks cold-blooded and calm in these situations. I think he can do it, but can the Dodgers depend upon him because he has no experience?
- Blake Treinen – He’s not yet ready, and I think it’s too much to ask at this juncture, although he could be part of a “closer by committee.”
- Dustin May – This is my choice, but probably not the Dodgers‘ choice. If he were to do this, they should explain that this is JUST for 2022, and in 2023 he goes back to starting.
- Andrew Heaney – I think he would be great in this role, and it would put less repetitive stress on his shoulder. This is a viable choice, in my opinion.
- Kenley Jansen – Bring him back! “Uh, let me think about it…. NOOOOO!”
- Carson Fulmer – I’d call him up today. Clear Kimbrel out and replace him on the roster with Fulmer. Carson is 6-1 with eight saves at OKC. He has a 1.52 ERA and a 1.04 WHIP in 41.1 IP. He has 48 K’s, and the league is hitting .163 against him. Try him… like now!
- Ryan Pepiot, Bobby Miller, Gavin Stone – Thanks but no thanks. Gavin Stone is probably the most suited for this role.
- Yency Almonte – He’s as good as Phillips, but I think he is good where he is at. It would probably be too much to ask to have him be the sole closer.
- David Bednar – He has a 2.70 ERA with a 1.07 WHIP and has four blown saves and four losses (3 from the blown saves). I think he would be better for LA as the Dodgers have a dramatically better defense, AND the Dodgers’ Pitching Gurus could likely show him how to be more effective. He is controllable, so the Pirates would have to be overwhelmed. It would take something like Andy Pages and Emmet Sheehan to get him. I would be inclined to do it. “Andrew, Get on the phone with Ben Cherington – you know him well – work out the deal!” I give it my stamp of approval.
Rants & Raves
- Even if Trayce Thompson flames out, it has been a great story… I just don’t think he will. He’s here for the duration.
- Max Muncy raised his BA to .160. WOW! [Sarcasm]
- Will “The Thrill” is back!
- I have a new name for Julio Urias” “Bulldog.” He deserves it! 10 Wns – Can he make 20 again?
- Jake Lamb has not pulled the wool over our eyes.
- Now that Luis Castillo is a Mariner, we can stop with all that conjecture. The Dodgers did not need him.
Future Dodgers Down on the Farm
- OKC Beat Sugar Land 3-2
- Miguel Vargas was 2-5 with 2 RBI on a 2-Run Homer (his 15th), in the 10th inning for a walk-off win!
- Michael Grove pitched four solid innings, allowing two hits, 1 ER, 1 BB, and 3 K’s
- Carson Fulmer pitched the last two innings, allowing two hits and 0 ER with 2 K’s
- Tulsa Beat Arkansas 7-5
- Jonny DeeLuca was 2-4 with 2 R, 2 RBI, 1 BB and the Game-Winning Walk-Off Two Run Home Run – This guy has come out of nowhere!
- Jordan Leasure lowered his ERA to 3.94 (It was around 8.00 a few weeks ago as he got the win with2 scoreless innings.
- Great Lakes Beat the Lug Nuts 4-2
- Nick Nastrini went six strong innings, allowing four hits and 2 ER while walking two and striking out 6. He is really starting to put it together.
- Imanol Vargas hit 2 HRs to drive in 3 of the four runs, and the rest of the team had three hits. I am not sure if he is a prospect as he is 24… let’s see what he does at the next level…
- Rancho Cucamonga Beat San Jose 4-1
- 18-Year-Old Javiar Armas had 2 hits
- River Ryan pitched five shutout innings
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Discussion (79)
Disagree, not disagreeable
Rays To Acquire David Peralta
By Steve Adams | July 30, 2022 at 2:40pm CDT
The Rays and Diamondbacks have agreed to a trade sending outfielder David Peralta from Arizona to Tampa Bay, reports Robert Murray of FanSided (via Twitter).
FYI,
Chris Martin is 36 and has a 4.31 ERA this year. I’m not sure if he is an improvement over Bickford, but I guess he has experience on his side.
I don’t see any reason to pop open the bubbly stuff on this “minor” transaction though, but I am still expecting to see a much bigger splash to be made soon.
Martin strikes out 30% of hitters, something the Dodgers need. He gives up the HR more than we’d like, so will be interesting to see how/when we use him.
So, Zach McKinstry was likely told he was going back to OKC, and both he and Friedman know he has no future in LA. This is Andrew helping Zach stay in the bigs. Now, it’s on Zach. Martin is a huge reach… but you never know what might happen. He’s exactly the type the Dodger Gurus can transform.
On James Outman: This is purely a “SHOWCASE.” If the Dodgers are lucky, he will come up and hit like a madman so that he can be traded. He will be a nice 4th or 5th outfielder and he can play all three positions, but, like McKinstry, there is no place for him.
8:10 PM ET
Dodgers (67-32)
Rockies (45-56)
SP Clayton Kershaw L
7-2 2.49 ERA 76IP 81K
Confirmed Lineup
RF Mookie Betts R
SS Trea Turner R
1B F. Freeman L
DH Will Smith R
2B H. Alberto R
LF T. Thompson R
3B Max Muncy L
C A. Barnes R
CF C. Bellinger L
0% Rain
94° Wind 5 mph Out
Chris Martin is basically Phil Bickford with more innings pitched in his career. This year Chris Martin is worse than Phil Bickford. This is based on stats. This trade does nothing for me, it just gives Doc another crappy reliever to use in games that are winnable. Chris Martin is not playoff material.
The Dodgers traded with the Cubs for the wrong guy. It should have been for David Robertson instead.
I’m glad to see that some of you are now finally talking about what I’ve been talking about for a long time. The 1 part of the team that has room for improvement is the bullpen. Especially for the playoffs.
I think it was Mark that brought up David Bednar. He is my 3rd pick among the smaller pool of relievers available than previous years because of the expanded playoffs. Bednar has only been good since 2021. 1 full year and this year. Before that he was horrible in 2019 and 2020 but it was only 11 innings and 6.1 innings. The reason Bednar is my 3rd pick is because he has been good in only 107.1 innings and the price for him will be bigger than my top 2 picks that are rentals. Therefore will not cost as much and have better career stats than Bednar in much more innings pitched. Therefore are more proven than Bednar and they are doing better than Bednar this year too. But don’t get me wrong, Bednar would be an upgrade over most of our bullpen. Therefore I would be glad if the Dodgers got him. He is my 3rd pick for the bullpen.
Max’s game is complete shit right now. Can’t forget the easy out #3 in Philly he booted to give the game to the Phils and tonight he boots a routine ground ball to 3B. Stop the madness, when has Doc and AF seen enough?
Paderes offer per MLB Insider is crazy. SS CJ Abrams, LHP Adrian Morejon, McKenzie Gore, OF Robert Hassell III, #23 MLB prospect and OF Joshua Mears, Padres #8 prospect. supposedly the Nats asked for one more prospect. Teams to submit their final offers asap. Giants listening to offers for their veterans.
A friend and I were going over AF’s history of trades. He’s smarter than all of us combined.
If you look at the list of minor leaguers he’s traded, he got the best of each team that was involved. I remember names like Willie Calhoun, Jharel Cotton, Yusnel Diaz. Montas had been good.. But he had TJ and a PED suspension after that trade. Josiah Gray and Ruiz might end up being good MLB players. But I’d still make those trade in a heartbeat. About the only real miss was when we traded Yordan Alvarez before he played a single pro game for the Dodgers. But, who knew at that time he’d be what he is? Vargas, Cartaya… we’ve seen them do nothing but mash. They won’t be traded. If we do trade anybody, good luck to the team that gets was AF is willing to trade. They’ll likely regret it. Which is also why other GMs are probably reluctant to trade with him. Dodgers play chess. Everybody else is playing Hungry Hungry Hippos.
Max is an athlete. His hitting is suffering likely due to all the effort he put into dialing his defense as that is the reverse of his problems. He’s surely trying and it’s going to come, but soon enough? Stress is the issue now and he’s trying everything. You can just see that in his every expressions. Gotta feel for him.
You’re right Quas. Watching him hit right now in the ninth. He does need some R&R for a mental regrouping. Just hit a long double off the right field fence.
I hurt for Max.He is very competitive,you can see that.I know he is working really hard trying to get it back.I have been thinking he’ll brake loose all season.We are still hoping.Hang in there Maximus!
I might be the most nostalgic Dodger fan alive. I have a love for the guys who are “good guys”. I still talk to DJ Peters. He and his wife just had a beautiful baby boy. And he also got released by the Giants in the KBO. At pretty much the same time. What a mixed bag.
I love Max. But reality is a thing. It pains me.
Like the day I realized I had no chance to play division one or pro ball. It sucked. But Max needs to be told his Cinderella story has come to an end. It was a great run. But it’s over. I have all the sympathy.
Remind me of a scene from Moneyball. “Some of us are told we can’t play the kids game anymore. Some of us are told told at 18. Some of us are told at 40. But we’re all told”.