Let s Build a New Building To House All the Rumors
As usual, we fans probably don t have a clue what the Dodgers are up to. Just because we hear rumors from the media, doesn t make them true. Rumors are just that, and if you expect a straight answer from FAZ about who they are interested in, you are likely smoking something that may be illegal in certain states. I have targeted Marcell Ozuna as a player I want, while we
As usual, we fans probably don’t have a clue what the Dodgers are up to. Just because we hear rumors from the media, doesn’t make them true. Rumors are just that, and if you expect a straight answer from FAZ about who they are interested in, you are likely smoking something that may be illegal in certain states. I have targeted Marcell Ozuna as a player I want, while we have heard Andrew Friedman say he is targeting pitching. While it is likely true he is seeking a LH arm in the pen, I think the starting pitching is just fine. The Dodgers need a RH power bat – someone who can hit 5th – that’s what they need!
I think it makes a world of sense to trade Kenta Maeda for a lefty in the pen. What teams need starters and have a very good LH in the bullpen? Lots of teams! I wouldn’t mind Andrew Miller… but that’s not happening!
The Dodgers have Verdugo and Calhoun in the pipeline and both are LH hitters, so the more I think about it, the more I understand why it makes sense to trade Joc Pederson. Remember, Andrew Toles will be back next year and he’s LH as well, so moving a LH bat makes a lot of sense. Baseball people understand slumps and Joc’s value is higher than many might think.
I do think Willie Calhoun’s bat can play very well right now in the major leagues. He only has 3 errors at 2B this year, compared to 21 last year, so he has improved in some ways. He has lost weight and moves a little better but his range is very limited. I still cannot see him at 2B in the Major Leagues. He’s a perfect DH. Edwin Rios is another LH power bat who could be solid at the next level, but he’s also a 1B or DH. The Dodgers have a plethora of LH hitters and desperately need a RH power bat, but Andrew Friedman is not going to say that.
Ken Gurnick of Dodgers.com wrote this:
Manager Dave Roberts has been pretty clear that Pederson not only needs to fully recover from the effects of the concussion following his collision with Yasiel Puig and the outfield wall, but his bat needs to recover through a Minor League rehab stint and, although unspoken, possibly a Minor League option. At the time of the injury, Pederson had a disappointing slash line of .200/.309/.314. Roberts played him in 14 games against left-handed pitching and the slash was predictably worse — .174.208/.174, with no extra-base hits.
Pederson earned a fast track to the big leagues with a 30/30 season in 2014 at Triple-A. He’s stolen only 10 bases in two-plus seasons with the Dodgers. Pederson combined to slug 51 homers while playing nearly every day in 2015 and ’16. But with only two homers this year, he needs to find those 2015 skills or Taylor figures to keep the job.
Alex Verdugo went 3-5 last night with his 2nd HR and is hitting .307 with a .385 OB%. His bat may play at the big league level this year. Right now, he’s a singles hitter, but gets his share of walks as well. Willie Calhoun played LF for the second straight game and was 2-4 with a HR, triple and 5 RBI. He might be ready as well. But, that’s two more LH hitters. This makes it all the more imperative for the Dodgers to get a RH bat. Chris Taylor’s bat is in the lineup to stay. When Justin Turner comes back, Forsythe will go to 2B. Logan has been mired in a big slump, but he will come out soon and be “smoking hot.” The same is true with Cody and Corey – both of those kids show huge ability to make changes in the game and during individual at bats. I don’t worry about them. I worry about players like Puig, Pederson and Kike who don’t always make quick adjustments.
No matter what, the Dodgers are going to have to get a RH bat and Ozuna makes the most sense to me. Miami is asking for the moon as well they should. It’s going to cost the Dodgers Alvarez and two of these players: Verdugo, Pederson, Calhoun or Rios. That’s the price. Maybe even Trevor Oaks!
With each passing day, a return by Andre Ethier appears more unlikely. The Dodgers could use Verdugo or Calhoun, but one will likely get traded. I have come to expect that.
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Discussion (121)
Disagree, not disagreeable
Brandon Morrow to the 10 Day DL, my guess was Hatcher as Morrow has been very good so far. Oh well, the musical chairs continue.
I have to confess that I never had high regard for Joc. I predicted he was a 4th or 5th outfielder, at best.
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I also wanted to trade Puig after his Rookie Year. I said that his value was the highest it would be and you cannot believe the flack I took for that.
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However, if you look at talent levels, Joc can’t carry Yasiel’s jock! Puig is way more talented and with that level of talent, there is a double standard.
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It boils down to this and it’s my opinion: Yasiel is very talented Knucklehead and Joc is not nearly as talents, but also not very smart!
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Cody and Corey are very smart players… and that is the difference. Just my opinion.
2 things about this bottom of the 5th here:
1) Puig’s double was the hardest hit ball I’ve seen in a long time! Man if that was in the air it may have left the stadium
2) Utley swung perfectly in that situation: he knew he had to get a fly ball for the run, and that’s what he did. What a smart vet!
Oh, and also, Wood looks great
FYI, Joc homered again today with OKC. Willie Calhoun also homered there for the 3rd straight game and Urias struck out 8 in 5.2 IP (2 R)
4-4 : That was very ugly!
Fields cost Wood his 7th win!
Nice walk off win – always makes it taste better.
Mark, I agree with you on the four players. Seager and Bellinger are smart players. Puig is a knucklehead, but playing pretty good right now. Joc has not improved and has not changed. He is not smart baseball wise. I wish Joc would change and become a hitter. If he would do it, the home runs will come. What nice hitting by Seager last night to hit the ball down the left field line. Seager is a hitter first and slugger second. That is what Joc needs to learn. I hope he does. I hate to say anything negative about Bellinger, but I wish he would choke up on the bat after two strikes and not swing so hard. Seager chokes up on the bat.
We are still having Server issues. We can’t post new blogs. AC has a great piece prepared on the Draft – hopefully it will get fixed today.
Sometimes I read things that make me say “What the hell is he talking about?”
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I read this piece today: http://dodgersway.com/2017/06/11/pedro-baez-closing-potential-could-lead-to-the-end-of-his-dodger-career/
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I don’t even know where to start. Sure, Baez could be traded, anyone could, but boy is that flawed reasoning. Set up guys don’t get money even close to closers.
Yelich, RF
Turner, 3rd
Seager, ss
Ozuna, LF
Pederson, CF
Taylor, 2nd
Bellinger, 1st
Barnes C
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I just traded Toles, Puig, Gonzales, Forsythe, McCarthy, Oaks, and Alvarez in a three team trade involving the Yankees, Marlins, and Dodgers.
Morrow has an opt out in his contract so must have agreed to the minor league assignment. Good for him, a team player! Fields has always been prone to the long ball, I forgive the bases loaded one where he came in because Hatcher had loaded the bases with one out. The second one that game was a no no, throwing a fastball down the middle to the next batter. The one yesterday was a big no no too, and the Dodgers were fortunate to get the walk off and it cost Wood the win. Up to this point he has been very solid in the middle and set up role.
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Ryu is really struggling today and does not belong in the rotation. I believe Urias is pitching better than both Ryu and Maeda right now but may have to wait awhile longer for the opportunity to be back in the big league rotation. 6 hits and 4 ER in a 4 inning start by Ryu really puts the team in a hole, especially when they have struggled to score runs.
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Taylor looked pretty good in CF last night, and has finally fallen below a .300 BA, .298 through 4 innings today. Compared to Jocs .200 I would take that every day, however Taylor is probably not used to so much usage and could use a day off here and there. I could see Joc spelling Taylor and Puig as part of a platoon and easing him back in. I agree that hitting HR’s in 2 straight games is not the best outcome because it encourages his tendency to go for the long ball and be pull happy. Also Forsythe’s prolonged slump is not helping the lineup when he plays.
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I really like Barnes and along with Grandal gives the team one of the best catching combos in the major leagues. They both are young and pretty cheap, combining offense and defense and game calling in a nice package.
Hot take:
Team needs at least 2 of these four to get their act together:
Gonzalez
Pederson
Maeda
Ryu
Add Stripling to that list.
Horrible pitch calling. Nothing but high fastballs. With runner at 3d and less than 2 outs, call for a high pitch. Guess what? A run scoring fly ball. Next guy, another called for high pitch. Out of the yard. Grandal has his head up his ass.
This entire game has been high fast balls with Stripling and curveballs with Ryu. Terrible pitch calls all day. Ryu was pitching scared again. Afraid to throw the fastball.
Mark and everyone,
Didn’t Seager come up big again today?
And Kike and Utley did too!
That was a brilliant at bat by Kike.
Brilliant inning by LA
Wow – that was a HR fest.
Back to the drawing board for Ryu.
That was a wild game, made more difficult by Ryu’s short outing and Stripling pitching multiple innings, both victimized by the long ball. A great game for the fans with 8 HR’s combined and a very nice and scrappy come from behind win to complete the sweep. Nice games by Utley, Seager, Bellinger and Grandal offensively. The Rocks lost and Az up 11-0 in the 8th.
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With an off day to sort things out and then 3 winnable games in Cleveland and then 3 in Cincy they need to go 4 and 2 or better on this road trip before coming home to face the Mets for 4, Rocks for 3 and then 2 in LA and 2 in Anaheim vs the Angels and then 2 in San Diego. This is a very good time to make a move with a soft part of the schedule ahead.
The Dodgers’ starting pitchers have given up too many runs early. The Dodgers were lucky today to score 6 in the 8th. Good for them, but it’s not a formula for success. They have 3 consistent starting pitchers now, and that won’t get it done. I have no faith in Hill, Ryu or Maeda.
Whoa, what happened! I gave up in the middle of the 8th and went outside to get some work done.
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Guess I’ll go read and watch a recap.