Playoff Roster & Beyond
In case you have been living under a rock or in some other unfortunate situation, you probably know that the Los Angeles Dodgers are never going to tell what is going on behind the scenes. They say that Clayton Kershaw does not need Tommy John Surgery, which is most likely…
In case you have been living under a rock or in some other unfortunate situation, you probably know that the Los Angeles Dodgers are never going to tell what is going on behind the scenes. They say that Clayton Kershaw does not need Tommy John Surgery, which is most likely untrue. They say that Max Muncy “may” be back. Yeah, and I might be Martha Stewart. The Dodgers under Andrew Friedman will never give you the straight news. What’s the deal with David Price? We have no idea, but there is “something.”
The point is: How can you predict a playoff roster when the Dodgers withhold all kinds of information from us? Something is wrong with David Price… what is it? What about Victor Gonzalez? Is there something bothering him? Muncy? Kershaw? We already know. For the record, I would do exactly what Andrew Friedman and Dave Roberts are doing. I would not tell anyone “jack.”
That said, some things are pretty clear, so I will make a stab at the NLDS Roster:
- Scherzer
- Buehler
- Urias
- Gonsolin
- Bickford
- Graterol
- Kelly
- Treinen
- Vesia
- White
- Knebel
- Jansen
- Smith
- Barnes
- Beaty
- Pujols
- T-Turner
- J-Turner
- Seager
- Pollock
- Taylor
- Bellinger
- Betts
- Lux
- McKinney
- The last spot boils down to Souza, Jr. and McKinstry, depending upon whether you want a LH or RH or a utilityman.
Of course, many of you predictably wanted to get rid of Cody Bellinger, but he will start every game of this series.. His defense is especially important in San Francisco. It’s clear to me that Cody had a big hand in Wednesday’s Wild Cardinal Victory. Cody’s head is in the right place, and he said this about the playoffs:
“I think at this point, it’s time to forget the season and just move on to the postseason, and try to help this team win in any way you can, offense, defense, baserunning. There’s a lot more aspects to the game. I feel good and I’m feeling healthy. Any way I can impact the game, I’m trying to impact it.”
Doc summed it all up: “My thing is that he’s going to be better going forward as a ballplayer and as a person going through this adversity this year. He’s getting to the other side, and the at-bats that he took [Wednesday], take the walk, base hit, a couple stolen bases, that’s what we need from him, to be that dynamic player, not that one-dimensional home run hitter. He’s embraced that, and he helped us win a ballgame.”
I think it will be hilarious if Cody Bellinger is the NLDS MVP! Belli Bashers, be ready to eat a heaping helping of crow!
What’s Next ?
If you have read this blog for any time at all you know that I am a busy person. I am 68 years old, in very good health, and we run a very fast-growing water treatment business. We are one of the leaders in our industry and I love what I do. I love building and growing things… and most importantly, I love helping people improve their lives (and sometimes we even save their lives) by fixing their water. I do not know “exactly” when I started LAdodgerTalk.com, but it was around 20 years ago.
You also know that I have tried to quit this gig a few times… so many times, that people think I won’t, but let me assure you that it is going to happen. This blog has been both a blessing and a malediction. It is fun and I love it. It is a burden and I hate it. I think I am done, but I can do it in my sleep, so I will not be REALLY done until after the Dodgers win the World Series. It is going to happen sometime before 2022. There is no hard schedule, but I have a book to finish, six granddaughters to help raise, a company to run, and life to enjoy.
I love the Dodgers. I used to go to Spring Training every year… for a week or two. I haven’t been in five years! I was the first blogger to sit in the press box at Dodger Stadium. Since Andrew Friedman was hired, they have never let me come back. That’s their prerogative. I may not like what they do at times, but I respect it. I am a dangerous guy. It is best that AF keep me away from Dodger brass and players. I do not play well with others. I get it… and I am fine with that.
I am not happy with making “journalist-type money.” Yes, I have a problem with lots of journalists. They are small-minded little morons. At least most of the ones I know are. Remember, I do not play well with others.. so there is that! Take it with a grain of salt.
I am living a dream, but I have also lived a nightmare. I survived and I need to let other people know that they can survive tragedies as well. The Dodgers are Sports. Water is life. My book is also life! I did LA Dodger Talk because I wanted to. Nobody made me. It is/was a lot of work, but I liked it. Now it is time to move on. No big deal. It’s life… move on, there is nothing to see here folks.
I have made a lot of friends here. I have seen my share of idiots as well. I would like to say that they are more prevalent now, but that may not be true. Maybe I am jaded! At any rate, sometime in the future, things will change here. I will keep you posted and make sure that I do not leave you without resources. This is just a “heads up” and there will be more info after the World Series Parade.
I’m Working on a Dream
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Discussion (115)
Disagree, not disagreeable
Honestly Mark, I’m amazed that you’ve been able to do what you’ve done. I fully understand how difficult it is to keep this site going. It’s hard to keep writing with new, pertinent stories that get people thinking and interacting. Agreeing or disagreeing. But running a growing company and doing all this, amazing. Being involved with family and grandkids a priority.
I spent 14 years working for a daily newspaper, seven years in sports and seven years covering government. Now I write a couple of columns a week, mostly non sports, and even then I often feel like writing -30- at the bottom and adding I will write no more forever.
Somehow, I never quite manage to do that, something keeps me going. But if you do take that step, good for you, understanding that you will miss it at times, but everything changes eventually.
I will say you’ve built the best interactive Dodger site I’ve seen. No easy task.
Blue skies and another Dodger championship.
As sincerely and simply as I can put it……… I appreciate you Mark.
Mark if you shut down LADT then I will be forced to say stupid things instead to my wife and that’s not going to end well. We’ve had our differences but I do appreciate all your time and energy keeping the site up and running. It’s been fun. I’m sure hearing about my retirement had something to do with your decision. More time to post dumb stuff! But thank you. Sure hope Jeff and Bear and the other guys would continue your legacy! But if not then let’s go out back to back!!!!!!
Mark, we all owe you a debt of gratititude. It must be a heck of a lot of work and more than a little aggravation. I began following and occasionally contributing when the pandemic started. It kept me going during those bizarre times. Fortunately, my timing was impeccable, as the Dodgers won it all for the first time since 1988. Now we’re going for two in a row. LADT has made the ride that much more enjoyable. Thanks for the ride, and also to all of the contributors. Sometimes the opinions expressed come pretty close to the line of decency and sanity, sometimes they even cross it, but somehow we keep bouncing along. I have found it entertaining, engaging, edifying, and aggravating. All in all, very worthwhile.
“I think it will be hilarious if Cody Bellinger is the NLDS MVP! ”
I think it would be awesome! Mostly because it most likely means we won the NLDS.
I have enjoyed writing for this site. It has kept me busy doing research for the stories and my passion for the history of the Dodgers has never been higher. I want to thank Mark and Jeff for helping me when I needed it most. It was great to finally meet Mark and get to know him a little better. I am pissed someone stole his luggage and got the Dodger bobbleheads I had given him. I wish him nothing but success in any future endeavor. Running this site cannot be easy. Not only trying to find subjects to discuss during the season, but in the offseason when there is little actual action, and mostly just rumors. Also dealing with the egos and opinions of so many fans. Some are quite knowledgeable. Others know little about the game. And sometimes the vitriol between different opinions has to be just too much for one person to take. Lately, and I am glad of this, the conversation has stuck to baseball, and not drifted into politics. I have a lifelong love affair with the game, and the team. I quit having favorite players years ago. I might defend a player like Bellinger because I try and understand what he has gone through. I have seen players who were healthy have pretty bad seasons too.
I respect every person who posts on here. We all have our opinions as fans. We all love the game. Some played at a much higher level than I ever did. My playing days ended when I was in the Army. I played softball and some baseball with an over 40’s team for a while, but my knees and arm would not allow me to do that for very long. I have never tried to paint myself as an expert on baseball. But I do know I am highly opinionated. My best moment as a fan was getting to sing the anthem at Dodger Stadium. For me it was a great honor as a Veteran and a fan. I am extremely glad I did not blow it. I shall probably post at least one more story on here. I have one player in mind I think I should write about. For now, it is on to the NLDS. I am hopeful, and pretty confident that the Dodgers have the talent, and at this point, the will, to beat the Giants.
I also was lucky enough to get to meet Ted when he came to my little town. He is a really great guy and a lot of fun to discuss baseball with.
After looking at the roster a little bit more, I would definitely figure out a way to have 3 lefty relievers. Bruihl and V-Gone both make my roster. Sorry Mitch White, you’re sitting this series out. The 26th spot goes to the third lefty reliever. I think I’d also rather have Souza Jr. over McKinney. You don’t always have to play the splits.
Scherzer
Buehler
Urias
Gonsolin
Bickford
Graterol
Kelly
Treinen
Vesia
Bruihl
V-Gone
Knebel
Jansen
Smith
Barnes
Beaty
Pujols
T-Turner
J-Turner
Seager
Pollock
Taylor
Bellinger
Betts
Lux
Souza, Jr.
I don’t really think you need 13 pitchers in a post-season series with 4 starters. But, the cat man is like a box of chocolates, you never know what you’re gonna get. The Gnats have a lot of pretty good lefty bats. That’s why I want that third lefty reliever. It wasn’t that tough of a decision to pick between another bench outfielder that can’t hit and a lefty reliever.
Price is done for me this year.
Only one LH reliever with Vesia. Need at least one more vs the Midgets. I would add Bruihl or Price or V-Gone instead of another utility guy.
Go Dodgers!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Mark, I am legitimately impressed to learn you are in the process of reading a book. I wish you good luck in finishing it.
Knebel will be on roster.
Great website.
Go Dodgers.
The Arizona Fall League will be back in action on October 13. There will be six teams filled with some of baseball’s top prospects. One of the six teams will have seven Dodgers prospects, including some of their top ranked guys. The season concludes with the championship game on November 20.
The Glendale Desert Dogs feature prospects from the Dodgers, Angels, Cardinals, Astros and White Sox. They will be managed by Jair Fernandez, the Dodgers’ DSL manager. In addition, their strength and conditioning coach will be Gage Cosgrove, another coach in the Dodgers’ system.
Here are the Dodgers prospects who will be participating.
Bobby Miller
The Dodgers’ No. 1 prospect, according to Baseball America. LA’s first round pick in the 2020 MLB Draft skyrocketed up ranking boards this season, and for good reason. In his first year of minor-league ball, the 22-year-old started the season at Great Lakes and finished at Tulsa. He’s a Top 100 prospect in baseball and one of the rising pitching prospects in the game.
2021 stats: 17 games, 14 starts, 2-2, 2.40 ERA, 0.94 WHIP, 56 1⁄3 IP, 70 SO, 13 BB
Landon Knack
Another pitcher rising up the ranks in the Dodgers’ system is Landon Knack. The 24-year-old was selected by the Dodgers in the second round of the 2020 MLB Draft. Just like with Miller, he spent the beginning of the season with Great Lakes but then was promoted to Tulsa to finish the season. The Dodgers have many great right-handed pitchers in their farm system and Knack is one of the best.
2021 stats: 16 games, 11 starts, 7-1, 3.16 ERA, 0.93 WHIP, 62 1⁄3 IP, 82 SO, 8 BB
Kody Hoese
Once considered a top prospect in the organization, 2021 was a forgetful season for Kody Hoese. After being selected by the Dodgers in the first round in 2019, Hoese struggled to stay on the field, dealing with injuries. He spent time in the Arizona Complex League rehabbing, while also trying to play his way back to Tulsa.
2021 stats: 69 games, .196 AVG, .247 OBP, .250 SLG, 2 HR, 20 RBI, 51 H, 59 SO, 17 BB
Jacob Amaya
Another player that slid down the rankings a bit was Jacob Amaya. The 23-year-old shortstop is still considered to have one of the best gloves in the entire system, but his offensive production was lacking this season. He spent all of 2021 in Tulsa.
2021 stats: 113 games, .216 AVG, .303 OBP, .343 SLG, .645 OPS, 12 HR, 47 RBI, 90 H, 103 SO, 53 BB
James Outman
The 24-year-old outfielder had a breakout season in 2021. After spending the first chunk of the season with Great Lakes, Outman spent the second half with Tulsa, where his production actually got better. Outman is one of the rising outfielders in LA’s system.
2021 stats: 104 games, .266 AVG, .379 OBP, .490 SLG, .869 OPS, 18 HR, 54 RBI, 110 H, 23 SB
Jeff Belge
After a great 2019 campaign, Jeff Belge struggled in 2021. He spent all of the season with Great Lakes, but just never seemed to get things on track. He was an 18th round pick back in 2019.
2021 stats: 31 games, 2-2, 5.61 ERA, 1.68 WHIP, 43 1⁄3 IP, 63 SO, 34 BB, 5/10 saves
Kyle Hurt
In case you forgot, Kyle Hurt also came over from the Marlins in the Alex Vesia trade. The 23-year-old was a fifth round pick in the 2020 MLB Draft. He didn’t see much action this season, seeing limited time between the ACL and Rancho Cucamonga.
2021 stats: 12 games, 2-2, 5.57 ERA, 1.33 WHIP, 21 IP, 36 SO, 10 BB
Please make sure Mark you find writers to keep LAdodgertalk going. You’ve done a helluva job and truly enjoy it!