Questions and Answers
Why are Dodger Fans so Critical? I think I play the “long game” but even I have called for the heads of CT3, Outman, Kike, Lux, Roberts and others at times. In most cases, it was stupid (except for Biggio). As fans, we forget or don’t understand in the first place just how hard…
Why are Dodger Fans so Critical?
I think I play the “long game” but even I have called for the heads of CT3, Outman, Kike, Lux, Roberts and others at times. In most cases, it was stupid (except for Biggio). As fans, we forget or don’t understand in the first place just how hard this game is to play. This is, and always has been, a “game of adjustments,” but today, with all of the analytics, video, extreme velocity, and ridiculous spin rates, it takes hitters longer to effect change. We are starting to see Gavin Lux, Kike Hernandez, and even CT3 show signs of life. If you are basing your experience upon how baseball used to work, you are way behind.
This happens every single year: A player hits a bad stretch, and the fans lose their minds. Most fans can only see what is in front of them at this juncture. They have sight but no vision and act like it is their first rodeo every time a player stumbles. I have just come to accept the silliness. It is not going away.
As I was watching the Hall of Fame Introductions yesterday, I was reminded of how, over twenty years ago, I was very high on Adrian Beltre and was told by many that he was not all that. I was even told that he could never play 3B, and I said that Adrian Beltre would be in the Hall of Fame. Boy, that brought on the ridicule! I have taken lot of heat for championing Miguel Vargas (but I have never said he will be a Hall of Famer).
Some of the people who blasted me about Adrian Beltre are still around, and all I can say is:
Why do the Dodgers Love to Sign Retreads Like Nick Anderson?
Duuuuhhhh… maybe because it works! Brent Honeywell is one of the latest projects, but already he has shown great promise. The Dodgers have a few weeks to try and weave the magic they did with Heaney, Anderson, Morrow, Blanton, and others. To me, that is one of the smartest things you can do. If you think it’s a bad thing, I think you may need a check up from the neck up!
Why Do the Dodgers Bring Back Pitchers Before They Are Ready?
That is a question many fans ask, but then there are other fans and baseball people who say, “Why do the Dodgers wait so long before bringing players back?” I guess it depends upon your perspective and whether or not you are operating under the misconception that you are more qualified than the Dodgers to make those decisions. I do believe that some of you think that and if so, you are simply delusional.
Some of you think the Dodgers brought Bobby Miller back too quickly, and when he quickly failed, you quickly became convinced that you have some type of “special powers.” There are four main reasons why the Dodgers brought Bobby Miller back when they did and why they will also bring Clayton Kershaw back on Thursday:
- Oklahoma City is in the Pacific Coast League, where a pitcher is really challenged because of the thin air in places like Albuquerque, Las Vagas, Reno, and even Round Rock. Round Rock is 735 feet above sea level, while LA is 305 feet above it. Round Rock is where Clayton pitched his last PCL Game. His pitches will play very differently in LA. Clayton’s next game will be in Houston, which is 79 feet above sea level. In case you don’t know, the thinner the air (the higher of elevation) the less bite pitchers like Kershaw and Miller have in their curve balls and sliders. Of course, Clayton has always had trouble in Denver, which is 5,280 feet above sea level;
- When pitching in AAA, it sucks when you are an MLB pitcher and have to pitch to hitters you know are not of your caliber, so the adrenaline is scant;
- Right about now, the Dodgers need pitchers even if they can only go 3, 4, or 5 innings, and
- It also doesn’t hurt to see what Miller or Clayton has before the trade deadline.
You want a pitcher to return healthy. He can be “built up” over three or four starts. Pitching to minor leaguers tells you very little about a rehabbing pitcher’s stuff. Ned Colletti once told me that all he wanted to see was that a pitcher was healthy and that he did not care if he could get minor leaguers out. He said the only thing he was concerned about was health because MLB hitters know they can get AAA pitchers out, and their hearts are not really in the game. I think it is a general feeling that if an MLB pitcher is in rehab and throws four innings at AAA, he is ready to get the call.
What is Wrong With Evan Phillips?
He’s struggling! Especially with LH hitters. It puzzles me why many Dodgers fans do not like Phillips. Maybe it doesn’t look intimidating enough. But here is his ERA over the years:
- 2020 – 5.02
- 2021 – 3.48
- 2022 – 1.14
- 2023 – 2.05
- 2024 – 3.77 (It was below 2.00 until this month when it is now 11.37)
He has converted 41 out of 48 saves in his career and has a 1.13 career WHIP after a 0.76 WHIP in 2022, and a 0.83 WHIP in 2023. David Bednar of the Pirates started out badly this season and currently has a 5.13 ERA. This happened to just about every closer… except Mario Rivera. It’s just a bad spell. Let him work it out. Don’t freak out! Hudson and Treinen are capable, as well as are (Maybe) Kelly, Vesia, Honeywell, and Graterol. Even Mason Miller has blown two saves and has lost a game. Until July, Phillips had a better ERA than MIller. Miller will command more than Skubal and Crochet. I’m not saying that the Dodgers will not get another bullpen arm, but it is not imperative.
Dodger News
- So, the Dodgers swept a very good Boston team.
- I saw that JP Feyereisen pitched an inning last night and struck out two with no hits or runs or BB. Where there is life, there is hope.
- Michael Grove and Brusdar Graterol both pitched their first inning after their IL stints at OK and did OK.
- I am not saying that Miguel Rojas’s “forearm” injury is serious, but forearm tightness is sometimes a precursor to UCL Surgery! Just saying!
- Yoshinobu Yamamoto told reporters that he’s been playing catch as he works his way back toward the mound. He described pitching again this year as his “goal,” noting that he was trying to return as soon as possible. Though Yamamoto did not specify a specific timetable for his return, the Dodgers are “hoping” their star rookie will be back on the mound for them in late August or early September. So, we wait!
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Discussion (80)
Disagree, not disagreeable
Somewhat surprised by the Paxton release, but his starts were a “roller coaster” and the definition of winning with “smoke and mirrors.” Hoping Ryan is for real and Glasnow and CK come off the IL and look good.
AF will undoubtedly make a big move. He has an embarrassment of riches from which to deal from. Next year he will have the following pitchers (minus anyone he trades at the deadline) who can all contribute to the rotation in no particular order:
Ohtani
CK
Yamamoto
Glasnow
Ryan
Miller
Wrobleski
Sheehan
May
Gonsolin
Frasso
Knack
Stone
Hurt
Grove
I don’t think he comes away from the trade deadline without an impact SP (Crochet or Skurbal) or someone else not previously rumored. This is not the year to shop in the “blue light special aisle” and coming away with the likes of Joey Gallo or Lance Lynn.
It takes two to dance, but AF will indeed try to go BIG!
Six of those pitchers are coming off Tommy John surgery (depending on the Kyle Hurt injury) and Clayton Kershaw’s future next year is also questionable. Grove is a reliever. I don’t want to be pessimistic about the crop of pitchers next year but these last two years have been eye-opening in the depth of starting pitching needed to get through the year. But your point is a good one.
I am still leery about the pursuit of Crochet. He had TJ surgery two years ago, this is his first year as a starter, he has doubled the maximum number of innings pitched in any prior season, and his use this season may be limited to a bullpen role. If they think they need help in the rotation this year to provide quality starting pitching and give them innings in each start, a Fedde, Flaherty, Eflin,or maybe Kikuchi makes more sense. If they do acquire Crochet this season it would indicate to me that they are confident that Yamamoto will return, Miller’s mechanical issues can be fixed and/or Clayton Kershaw can give them quality starts on a consistent basis. (Or they acquire Crochet and a starter like Fedde or Flaherty. This would reduce the prospect capital needed to acquire a bat or two.) A lot of moving parts and like everyone else, I am interested to see how it turns out.
Nice to see Gavin Lux perform well this weekend. Maybe he is starting to find his footing at the plate. If he can be just a league average hitter at second base these last 60 games, maybe the Dodgers will feel comfortable adding just one impact bat like Robert or Paredes.
They have found Vargas in left field. Maybe they should try hiding him at third base.
Rosenthal puts the chances of Robert Jr., given his injury history and current year performance, at 40%.
Gomes goes on the record on the DFA with Plunkett and here with The Athletic: ($$$)
Open on www.nytimes.comhttps://www.nytimes.com/athletic/5652044/2024/07/22/dodgers-james-paxton-trade-deadline/Nice save by Vesia but his velo was down. Impressive first showing by Ryan. I guess that’s why Paxton was let go. Still want Robert jr.
Feel like we are all overlooking how much a healthy Muncy not being there affects the lineup. Yeah, batting average is low, but he always carried the hammer, always a threat to go yard late in the game, plus the top of the lineup saw better pitches because the last thing the opposing team wanted to see was 2 or 3 guys on with Munc Man at the plate. Makes the lineup way more dangerous.,Don’t forget the guy cranked 35 homers last year. He’s just been gone so long he’s the forgotten man.Plus he has some Dog in him , that edgy personality this team is lacking, Need to get him back and on track by September. Everything im reading says the oblique is a tricky injury. We really need him back, like yesterday.
Teoscar is a man of destiny this year (ala Lou Johnson – 1965)!
Love his energy on the field and his clutch hitting!
AF — please get a veteran bat in the lineup behind him!
Ortherwise , he will rarely see a strike in October!
AF sign Teo to a 3 year extension NOW!!!!! He wants to be a Dodger. Trade for Flaterty from the Tigers a local product, and Arozarena from the Rays.He brings experience in the playoffs and enthusiasm No need to trade for bullpen help with reinforcements coming in Graterol. Grove, and others. Won’t have to gut the farm with those two trades,
Betts (hand) has been cleared to swing a bat, Fabian Ardaya of The Athletic reports.
“Betts continues to take steps in the right direction after landing on the injured list June 17 due to a fractured left hand. If all goes well, he’ll likely progress to hitting off a tee in the near future. Manager Dave Roberts noted that Betts is still “some time away” from a return, but he’s pleased with the progress of his star shortstop, per Juan Toribio of MLB.com”.
Buehler (hip) will throw a bullpen session Monday, Juan Toribio of MLB.com reports.
“Manager Dave Roberts said he had a positive conversation with Buehler following his time away from the club while on the mend from right hip inflammation, and while a plan for next steps isn’t yet set in stone, the right-hander is expected to make a few rehab starts following Monday’s side session. The team should have a better idea of Buehler’s rehab plan over the next few days”.
Manager Dave Roberts stated Monday that the club could deploy Phillips from the seventh inning on, Mike DiGiovanna of the Los Angeles Times reports.
“Roberts didn’t explicitly say that Phillips is no longer the closer, but his struggles over the last three weeks or so can’t be ignored, especially with Daniel Hudson proving that he’s capable of getting the job done. The Dodgers will likely choose Phillips’ spots carefully going forward in an effort to build his confidence back up. The right-hander has now allowed at least one run in four of his last five appearances”.