OK, First I am going to talk about yesterday’s debacle (it wasn’t a game) for a minute (60 seconds). Max Muncy cost the Dodgers the game with his lack of hitting and fielding. I know it, you know it, Max knows it, and Ray Charles sees it. The fact that Max lost the game has nothing to do with his ability to play 2B. Max is an average to above-average 2B. Max is not a Gold Glove 2B (not many are), but he did make a couple of excellent plays earlier in the game. It is indisputable that he lost the game for the Dodgers, but enough with “he can’t play second base.” Max can’t do anything right… right about now. Knee-jerk reactions are silly. I am not sure what to do with Max right now. He does need something. I just don’t know what… and he has no trade value, so forget that! Maybe hitting rock bottom will give him the impetus to soar with eagles again. OK, NEVER MENTION THIS AGAIN.
Forget Trading for a Starting Pitcher
Trading for a starting pitcher is not only unnecessary, but it is also counterproductive to having a robust farm system with a multitude of arms. However, parroting that the Dodgers need another starting pitcher seems to be the popular thing, After all, Walker Buehler has been deemed to be impaired by many. Julio Urias doesn’t seem to be what he was last year, Clayton Kershaw is on the IL for who knows how long, and Andrew Heaney is also on the IL and was “much-maligned” before that, but the Dodgers keep winning. Trevor Bauer will not pitch this year because of the moronic, self-righteous, judgemental, idiot in the commissioner’s office (whom I believe will lose his job soon). The one bright spot in the rotation has been Tony Gonsolin… a guy many Dodger fans were down on or felt was better in the bullpen.
On March 26, 2022, I wrote this regarding Tony Gonsolin:
“I think he will break out like Julio did last year”
On March 30, 2022, I wrote this:
“Tony Gonsolin was beaten like a rented mule last night. It should have been so much worse! I am not in the least worried about him.”
Then, last week I wrote this:
“I have been telling you that Tony Gonsolin just needs to pitch. He needs to build up, and he is. I think we will see him pitch into the 7th inning soon. He has four very good pitches, but remember 3 or 4 years ago when he used to touch 100 MPH? He has turned it down a notch and is not that high-effort thrower. He is typically at 93 to 94 and is much more effective.”
Like it or not, that all happens to be true. Tony Gonsolin should be 5-0 with a 1.62 ERA and 0.97 WHIP, were it not for a bad play that I will never speak about again. He still has that ERA and WHIP but he is only 4-0, not 5-0. At 28-years-old, Tony Gonsolin has realized his potential. He is the Dodgers’ #3 starter, having pushed Clayton Kershaw to #4. You can see him gain confidence and command with every start.
Here’s why the Dodgers should not trade for another starter: HELLO! They have the solution in their system. Heaney and Kershaw will be back. Mitch White is a pitcher to be reckoned with and Ryan Pepiot, Bobby Miller, Nick Nastrani, Landon Knack, Clayton Beeter, Andre Jackson (I am not negative about him), and several other starters are all possibilities. “THEY ARE NOT READY YET!” Before Sunday’s game, many said that Peopit was not ready, but 5 IP, 1 H, 0 ER, 1 BB and 6 K’s to go with his 1.72 ERA at AAA say otherwise! Elite players play up to their competition. Progress is not linear. Ryan Pepiot will be a big part of the Dodgers’ pitching THIS year! Book it! I may very well be wrong that he can’t be a starter, but boy, can he pitch!
To those who say Bobby Miller is a year away, I say the same thing I said when they told me Cody Bellinger was a year away – the year he won the Rookie of the Year Award! “Maybe, but maybe not!” If you asked Bobby Miller to deliver one clean inning, I would bet he could do it. That could be valuable in the playoffs. We saw what Miller did to the Angels in the Freeway Series. I am not saying that Bobby is ready TODAY, but progress and growth are not always predictable.
The minor leagues of the Dodger system are loaded with power-pitching prospects. Progress is not linear and sometimes the best ones do not always have the best stats or pedigree. The main reason not to trade for a starter is that what you are looking for may have been in your system the entire time. I sometimes think that Tyler Anderson and his $8 million dollar salary were not necessary. At this stage of the game, promote from within. The arms are there. Find the right one and ride it (Ryan Pepiot).
By the way, this is part of the joy of baseball. Players whom no one expects, just show up, step up, and shut everyone up. We have seen pitchers who appear to be unhittable in the minors and come up to be used as a batting practice pitcher and the opposite is also true: some guy whose minor league stats are just so-so, come up and pitches like an ace. Go figure! Personally, I would like to see the Dodgers be a little more aggressive in promoting young pitchers. Just my opinion.
Dodger Minor League Highlights
- Ryan Pepiot is 3-0 with a 1.72 ERA at AAA -m nothing more to learn here… Move on!
- Miguel Vargas was 2-4 with his 7th HR. (.311/.933).
- Brett de Geuss sucks – I can’t believe I liked him at one time. I was a moron!
As time passes, this section will get smaller as I will only focus on “legitimate prospects” – not just “feel good” stories. I get that, I like those stories, but we are focusing on the players who actually have shot at the show. Harold and Jeff at LA DODGER CHRONICLES can tell you all about the other guys… and that is important too. I just can’t cover everything.
LA Trip
My youngest son and I will be making a business trip to LA on May 31st to June 5th. It’s all business but we will be to at least two games (maybe more):
- Tuesday , May 31st @ Dodger Stadium – We will be in the RF Home Run Seats. We are arriving early.
- Saturday, June 4th @ Rancho Cucamonga – Allegedly Jayne Cobb, Bear, and Bulldogs & Penguins will also be there. We plan to be early.
- We have an Air B & B in Pasadena and may have some evenings available. Not quite sure yet!
Here is who to look for:
Discussion (34)
Disagree, not disagreeable
They should give Muncy a few days off to try to get his head right.
He’s been looking a pitches he used to hammer. I imagine they’ve been showing him film and using other tools. But letting Rios play more could be helpful.
FWIW, I’ve been pleasantly surprised by his play at 3B. Looked to me like there was indeed a tricky hop–and he should have been a step closer to short-hop the ball. Errors like that happen–but this one happened to allow two runs to score in OT. Painful.
Best thing about that game was JT’s deke on the play at 3rd. Just beautiful.
And another strong game from Gonsolin. Always liked Catman and that was one reason I didn’t like the signing of Bauer.
And now Anderson delivers 8 strong innings. Not bad for the guy who started the season in the pen.
All the Tyler Anderson haters: Wash your mouth out with soap.
Me: This soap tastes bad!
Lux is starting to look like he belongs! Another benefit to the Freddie signing!
Ha ha! No offense taken! Love your passion!
I think I’m in grumpy mode today, but Tyler, don’t get excited, because you won’t be allowed to pitch perfect game.
Muncy will make an error and you will lose it… Ha ha ok ok, I accept it, this was already very exaggerated!
Heck, Muncy is hitting over .300 in his comeback! Got your back Max! And stupid is a compliment for me lately! Thx Jorge. I’m not comparing him to Muncy. Just saying don’t think I’d give him 40 mil a year
please, don’t start with the “Soto made a mistake, they should bench him” it would be bullshit to want to compare Soto with Muncy.
So that’s the guy we’re gonna give 500 mil to?
You were right about Muncy, he’s already getting better, he made contact and didn’t strike out. That’s improvement!
As a fan, I already feel better and more confident
There was no way Doc was going to sit Muncy tonight. Just not the way he manages.
When a player has his worst game, that’s when Doc runs him out there again the next day.
He did it with Kenley and he’s doing it with Max.
I think yesterday will change Muncy’s attitude from tentative and confused to just plain angry. That will be the beginning of the cure.
Doesn’t mean that Rios can’t get more at bats because CT3 and JT don’t need to play every day. The rotation will just be expanded by one player.
If Max can’t get untracked in the next few games, he’ll probably sit for a while, but I think he starts hitting as of tonight.
I’ll be at Dodger Stadium May 31.
Yes, Max Muncy missed an easy grounder. He also struck out with the bases loaded. Maybe he hasn’t quite recovered from the injury. Maybe he takes off soon. Maybe not. But he’s hitting .150 something. Time to come up with a new plan, sit him down, way too many swings and misses. Wait for him to show that he belongs out there. Yes, they stuck with Cody last year, but he is a top defender with speed and a great arm.
As to coming up with another starter in trade, limited choices. Maybe Montas or someone similar. More likely to bring somebody off the farm. May is due back mid season.
I do like what we’re getting from Rios. Maybe he needs more playing time.
Nice article on Trea Turner in the LA Times this morning. Still believe the Dodgers need to extend him.
Maybe it won’t sound good, but I think for the good of the team, I hope Muncy strikes out 4 times today, so Roberts or whoever is in charge finally starts using Rios instead of him. And I say this because Ríos is better than Muncy, at least until today, and that’s why it would be for the good of the team.
So…. Come on Max, we need another error and more strikeouts, do it for the team!
Personally, I believe Muncy needs to sit for a while, He looks totally lost at the plate. About the same way Bellinger looked last season. I do not think he is 100% or even close.
As fabulous are our 1,2,3 hitters, sigh, uninspiring indeed are our 6,7,8 strikeouts gang.
I am for leaving Max in there tonight. Hopefully, he gets his mojo back, but if he is 0-Fer, I am running out of steam.
Muncy, Belli, and CT3 – The next .400 Hitter (combined).
7:05 PM ET
Dodgers (27-13)
Nationals (14-28)
SPTyler Anderson L
4-0 4.04 ERA 35.2IP 34K
Confirmed Lineup
RF Mookie Betts R
1B F. Freeman L
SS Trea Turner R
DH Edwin Rios L
C Will Smith R
3B Max Muncy L
CF C. Bellinger L
LF Chris Taylor R
2B Gavin Lux L
Cloudy
19% Rain
69° Wind 5 mph
On Yadier Alvarez:
All I can tell you is that he is active. He is not on the IL or restricted list.
I would not hold my breath on him. He has a 4.76 ERA, a 1.94 WHIP. He has pitched 6 innings, walking 5, hitting 2 batters, and striking out 2.
Tyler Anderson scheduled to pitch today. At 4-0 who would have thought that was going to happen. If Andre Jackson doesn’t get it together he gonna get traded or get designated for assignment. Who’s going to be promoted? Miller not exactly setting the world on fire.
In the words of Bobby Knight that can apply to Dodger manager Dave Roberts: “I’ve forgotten more about baseball than Roberts will ever know!
I don’t understand why to simply sent Muncy to the bench is not an option.
Question on Yadier Alvarez:
Have not seen him in the box scores for OKC for a week now. He is still listed on the active roster though.
Has he an injury ?
Kid has still a big league arm and could be helpful at some time this year if he continues his comeback.
Go Dodgers!!!!!!!!!!!
Muncy got to sit. He is really costing this team and it culminated yesterday. Can not do anything at the dish and then the game losing error at 2b. At some point Doc has to act though I understand he is willing to give Max all opportunity to regain his stroke. But after 40 games and hitting .150 enough is enough. If it is true that Max himself said he will not be 100% before next season it is clear to me that someone else should get more playing time.
Along wth JT and Belli also hoverin around the Mendoza line that is three big bats in our daily lineup that just are not delivering .
OTOH Rios has to play. He has earned the right to do.
Go Dodgers!!!!!!!!!!!
Go Dodgers!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
* I must be in an agreeable mood. Last winter and spring I changed my mind about pursuing free agent pitching. I thought we had the talent within the organization to bridge the gap to the 2023 season when the young arms are expected to show up. Why not push a prospect into a starting role instead fo trading away prospects or breaking the bank to overpay a veteran.
I haven’t changed my mind on this at all and totally agree with Mark. At the quarter pole, I don’t see pitching as a problem.
* I’m still wondering why Doc went to Bruihi after Vesia yesterday and before Almonte. Seemed like a higher leverage situation than Justin can handle. And we did escape – barely, with Almonte coming in to get the double play. I’m not sure Bruihi is my guy in that spot.
* I agree that we need to see way more Rios.
* with no back-up left fielder when may we see Pillar who’s hitting .309 in OKC or even Jake Lamb with 10 bombs in 35 games? No panic time but it’s a production business and Muncy needs to get it going. Brutal AB in the top of the 10th yesterday with the bases juiced.
Trevor Bauer Hearing:
1. The list of witnesses is confidential.
2. Both parties (Bauer & MLB) have unlimited resources.
3. This will be like a Federal Court Trial, except they will not adhere to the Federal Rules of Evidence.
4. MLB will have a difficult burden of proof.
Cody Bellinger is hitting 50 points higher than he did last year. He has half as many homers as he had all last year. He is striking out too much, but he is also making more solid contact than he did earlier in the season. He is about one year removed from shoulder surgery. His speed has not been hampered by the broken leg he suffered last season and his defense is top drawer. He is progressing. Max Muncy is not. He rarely makes solid contact. He takes way too many pitches that are right in the middle of the strike zone. He is probably way more frustrated than we the fans. Chris Taylor is a whiff machine. He is also much better as the Swiss knife than as an everyday starter. Bring up a real outfielder and put Chris back in the role he was born to play. He will be better. Kike failed badly as an everyday player. Taylor is not that bad, but has these streaks where he cannot hit water if he fell out of a boat.
I mean at what point does Rios start taking AB’s away from Muncy? If not now when?….It seems the guy hits a dong every game he plays in. He needs to be in the lineup right now against RH pitchers.
You forgot a big name in the pitching discussion. It was reported that Ginger Thor is already facing batters, is way ahead of schedule, and is being built up as a starter.
I can’t remember if I commented on Muncy yesterday. Mark summed it up well, except the above average second baseman part. Yes, he cost us the game. He probably shouldn’t have been at second base late in a tied game. Doc didn’t need to pinch hit for Lux, but did anyways, so that burned CT3. Hanser was still on the bench and should have been at second base at that point in the game. Doc f’d it up by not having his best defence in place with a one run lead and three outs to go.
You can easily make a case that Muncy shouldn’t be on the field right now. Rios is again hitting homers at a record pace. But, Muncy is a very good player and the team is in first place. Doc wants to get Muncy going, so this is where we are. We have the luxury of letting Muncy play through it.
I would much rather see Lux and Hanser mostly handle second base and Muncy / Turner Rios mostly handle 3B and DH. I think Muncy’s and Rios’ playing time should be reversed at least until Muncy gets going. Hopefully, yesterday will be a tipping point for Muncy and he goes back to banging bombs and taking walks. He’s a lot more passable at 2B when he’s putting them in the seats, or in the water.
In another week, we will need to make a change to the 26 man roster when the 13 pitcher limit comes into play. We need to bring up an outfielder so we’re not as dependent on CT3. I don’t know if Kevin Pillar is the answer. He’s a lifetime I'm with Mark in that I would much rather see our own guys try to grab the open spot(s) in the rotation rather than use those same guys to trade for a more established pitcher. Right now, there isn't great options available. There might not be any options available with teams preferring to see if they're close to a playoff spot at the deadline. By the time pitchers are made available, we might not need pitching. Maybe a good team turns bad by the trade deadline and a good pitcher becomes available. Then, perhaps the story changes.
Bauer starts his arbitration today. The "experts" think the Dodgers will cut him even if he wins his appeal. The "experts" all thought that May would be back at the end of the year and used in the pen. I would like to think that the Dodgers, or any team would value winning above all else. But, I'm not 100% convinced.
I'm also of the opinion that if you F-up, you do your time, you are forgiven and get another chance. I will never subscribe to the thinking that it's okay to banish someone because of a mistake. Pete Rose has a lifetime ban, but the HOF has plenty of his personal belongings on display. This seems hippocrytical to me.
It sucks that the Quakes and Dodgers conflict for Mark's game. I generally don't miss Dodger games for other events, I'll make an exception to have a beer with Mark, Bear, Jayne and the others who show up.
Damn, I wasn't feeling well yesterday and took my temperature in the afternoon. Cough, congestion, fever. I hope I don't have the VID again.
Not worried about Muncy long term. He’ll get over this funk and then get hot, just like Justin Turner has. Yes he cost us yesterday, but whatever; it happens.
Bellinger is a different worry, as it’s gone on for a couple of years now.
Ever since we heard that Muncy and Belly were working on bunting and then Max got a bunt hit, I don’t think I’ve seen either of them try another bunt.
I also like the stuff I’ve seen from Almonte; this year’s Bickford?
MT on the IL with a pulled rotator cuff from patting himself on the back once again.
Is .2 WAR, .156 BA, .279 SLG, .610 OPS and 76 OPS+ through 122 AB’s a knee jerk reaction to thinking Max needs to sit and/or, an IL stint? Competition is the best motivator for professional athletes and a Michael Busch call-up just might be what Max needs to be “kicked in the butt.”
Production is the name of the game in the big leagues. Produce and your name gets penciled in the line-up, continue to suck and management will find someone to take your place. Jut ask KJ about game 6 in the 2020 WS when Doc used Julio to close it out with KJ watching from the BP. Loyalty and sentimentality can only go so far, It’s all about production and Max needs to sit, get his elbow checked out or see a sports psychologist . I’ve seen enough of the center cut FB’s with his bat on his shoulder to convince me of that.
Draft Kings World Series Odds:
Dodgers 4.5:1
Yankees 5.5:1
Astros 8:1
Mets 8:1
Earlier in the year, when Lux was experiencing “the Yips” or something close, you could see him pressing in the field and at-bat. Happily, it went away and you can see the resurgence.
Muncy is also pressing. Maybe yesterday is the tipping point!
25 pitchers used in 3 games, and 14 more games without a day off.
Taylor and Muncy could both use some time to reflect.
My sixty seconds about Muncy. You say there is NO OTHER option on the team or in system that could do better than him? He already said he won’t be 100% til next year. Let him sit on the IL, and bring up someone else to bat .180 or above
“We’ll see” said the Zen Master.