Purely a Trainwreck!

Move On – There’s Nothing to See Here Folks!  Well actually, there was plenty to see and most of it was bad.  I think that whenever a team gives up 9 runs in the 8th inning, they have an excellent chance to lose. I was having flashbacks to the Indiana Pacers game on Thursday night where they coughed up a 25 point halftime lead.  This seals the the deal for Paul George to opt of his contract and paves the way for a sign and trade to the LA Lakers.  All Larry Bird wants is the #3 pick and the #28 pick the Lakers own along with Brandon Ingram and another player.  But I digress…

Last Night’s Takeaways

• Joc Pederson had a good night, going 2-4 and scoring 2 runs.  Joc obviously changed his approach leading off the game.  I would let him hit leadoff – he has a good OB% and it might get better.
• Corey was 3-4 and drove in 3 and hit a HR (his third) and that was about it.
• Alex Wood was not at his best, but not horrible.  They got some lucky hits, but he needs to be in the pen because he is so good in that role.
• Chase Utley runs like a freaking Gazelle, but will he ever hit?  Yes he will – give it time.  Russ Martin is hitting .159, Granderson is at .167, Zobrist is at .188 and Machado just went from .170 to .200 last night.  If Chase is done, you will know it because he will walk away.  He’s THAT guy.  It’s just a horrible start for him – he will be fine.
• Chris Taylor has totally remade his swing and it looks very quick – he is a totally different player than when the Dodgers traded for him. He could be a solid performer.  Kike had better watch out.
• On the other hand, A-Gon looks old and slower.  He used to be young and slow. Is it his elbow or age… or both.  He’s also not coming off the bag to get errant throws like he used to. He is slugging .286 and is getting by on guile.  His power is gone.  Age or injury!  It’s gone.

Never mention last night’s game again!  NEVER!

Help on the Horizon

• There are four players who can help:
  • Julio Urias, who will take Wood’s spot in the rotation next week.
  • Franklin Gutierrez, when he comes off the DL, will he play a few minor league games?  I would think so…
  • Cody Bellinger is a future star, and can play the OF or 1B.  I think he can play 1B better than A-Gon right now.  He has more range and a special glove.  He can even play CF, but I don’t think he can play it on the MLB level EVERY day… maybe on occasion.
  • Alex Verdugo has amazing hand-eye coordination – I have always compared him to Tony Gwynn (maybe) but he does have some possible character issues.  To me, that is the only thing that can hold him back.  He has been playing some CF in OKC, but he is slower than Bellinger.  Scouts say he has “fringe-average speed.”  I don’t see any way he can play CF for the Dodgers.  He does have a cannon arm and profiles as a RF.
  • With all the left-handed hitters (Seager, Grandal, Toles, Pederson, Verdugo, Calhoun and Bellinger) the Dodgers would be very left-handed.  I see Calhoun and Verdugo as the top trade prospects… maybe even Alvarez because he is at least 2 years away.  A package of Calhoun, Verdugo, Alvarez and Joc Pederson could net the Dodgers a big fish… perhaps a Trout?  That’s too much to hope for… But it is exactly what they need! I know people have thrown that name around a lot, but I would add even more to that package if White, Buehler and Bellinger… and of course Urias, were not included.
• That would give us a totally different look:

1. Forsythe  2B
2. Trout  CF
3. Seager  SS
4. Turner  3B
5. Bellinger  1B
6. Grandal  C
7. Puig RF
8. Toles  LF

Good Balance!  This in not a time to panic.  It was one loss.  No more, no less… it was just ugly.  Actually, it was a trainwreck!

P.S. Has Andre Ethier played his last game as a Dodger?