Six Weeks to Decide

Predictably, the Dodger fandom is restless. By the time Spring Training started, many fans had pronounced the Dodger’s Off-Season as a colossal failure, and some even said that the Dodgers would not even make the playoffs. When that was proven false, the same fans are now clamoring for the Dodgers to make some epic, “gut-the-farm” trades. Trayce Thompson is on the IL, and his return is far from certain. He was needed to hit LHP, which he could not do. Fans have been calling for Chris Taylor to go away for some time now, but in the past seven days, CT3 is hitting .333 with a .455 OB%. He is tied with James Outman for 5th on the team in home runs with 9 (in 50 fewer at-bats than James) and is one home run away from Freddie Freeman. CT3 is starting to look like he did in 2021… not like he looked in 2022. Yes, he is going to strike out, but if he can keep that BA and OPS trending up, then he is an asset.

On December 17, 2022, I suggested this:

“The Dodgers could do worse than have CT3 at SS. He was coming off elbow surgery last year, and without the shift, I look for him to have a better year offensively. He’s not Ozzie Smith, but he’s solid and has a good arm that should be better a year removed from surgery. Let’s not forget that in 2021 CT3 had 507 ABs (that’s “Regular Status”) with 20 HR, and 13 SBs (caught once), with a .254 BA and .344 OB%. Why could his bad year in 2022 not be related to his elbow surgery and rehab? The more I think about it, the more I see CT3 as the SS in 2023. CT3 would be a solid choice at SS. Lux might be Gold Glove at 2B, Freeman is close at 1B, and CT3 ain’t a chump. Max Muncy is merely average. I can live with that.”

Well, Andrew Friedman was determined to have options at SS, even though he proclaimed that Gavin Lux was going to be the SS – I did not believe it them… and I do not believe it now. But, he traded for Miguel Rojas who is as advertised – a defensive wizard! He gave up Jacob Amaya who had no future in LA and I am OK with that. Next year, Gavin Lux will be back and what AF has planned for him, I have no clue, but he is entering the prime time of his career.

I admire what Jason Heyward has accomplished, but I can’t shake this feeling that in his next at-bat, he could lose it as quickly as he recovered it. Maybe that’s just me. He has been a boom against RHP, and now that Trayce Thompson is gone, Jonny DeLuca was called up to do one thing (at least right now): MASH LHP! For those of you who think that is easy and that if you can do it in the minors, you can do it in the majors, you have no idea how incredibly hard this is.

Before the season, the stats said that Miguel Vargas, James Outman, Jonny LeDuca, Michael Busch, and Gavin Stone were ready and that Bobby Miller was not. Stone was not ready, but Miller was. Outman and Vargas are works in progress and will have the next six weeks (as will JonnyD) to show what they have. Busch might have headed to the mountains, as we have not heard from him in a while.

David Peralta has worked his BA up to .242 and should keep it going North. If he can get back to that .285 BA/..800 OPS mark, he will be an asset. He is there just to hit RHP. Personally, I think David Peralta is near the end of his career. He is coming off back surgery after hitting 12 home runs in the first half of 2022 and none in the second half. He is in great shape, but I can attest that the mental part of back surgery recovery is as difficult as the physical part. I look for him to get better and better and maybe be a guy who hits 15 HR after the All-Star Break.

It All Boils Down to the Rookies

Bobby Miller, James Outman, Miguel Vargas, and Jonny DeLuca are the linchpins of the Dodgers’ 2023 season. As they go, the Dodgers will go! In case that is a term you are not familiar with, other words for “linchpin” are essential, foundational, keystone, mainstay, pillar, and anchor.

Bobby Miller – It has been a long time since a rookie pitcher has burst upon the Dodgers and pitched like Bobby Miller. It might go back to Fernando. I have not checked, but not even Clayton had this kind of success. Progress is not linear, and with his four pitches, 100 MPH Fastball, and dang-good control, he should stay in the rotation… even if that is at #5.

James Outman – His early success and late troubles are like reading a different book. He is dangerously close to being sent back to AAA, but the Dodgers need him and are going to give him a lot of leeway! I have always been of the opinion that if you can do it once, you can do it again! He HAS to cut down on the strikeouts. I have said it was unsustainable, and it is. MLB pitchers have discovered certain pitches he cannot hit. The Dodgers are working feverously with him to do so. The conclusion of this has not been written, but I am hopeful that he can take the steps necessary to stay in CF for years to come. This is the biggest challenge of his life! His defense is not in question.

Miguel Vargas – Miguel Vargas’ defense is also not in question, but his two early injuries have made him less aggressive at the plate! His .744 OPS gives us hope, but he needs to deliver. If he can get his OPS at about .800, then he will stay. If it drops, it might be time to head for the mountains of Busch!

Jonny DeLuca – He is supposed to be a Lefty Killer. All we can do is watch and see!

If things go as planned (and they always do – Ha, Ha!), then this is the Dodger’s best lineup:

• C – Will Smith
• 1B – Freddie Freeman
• 2B – Miguel Vargas
• SS – Mookie Betts
• 3B – Max Muncy (he has worked hard to make himself an “above-average” 3B)
• LF – Platoon – David Peralta/Chris Taylor
• CF – James Outman
• RF – Platoon – Jason Heyward/Jonny DeLuca

That lineup looks good on paper… but they don’t play the game on paper. So, we wait for the next six weeks to see if the Dodgers will make a move or two at the Trade Deadline (which is August 1st this year). By then, they may have an idea if May and/or Buehler will be back, as well as Alex Reyes, Daniel Hudson, Ryan Pepiot, Jimmy Nelson, Blake Treinen, and JP Feyereisen. Some will, and some won’t. Now, we watch and learn…

Heading to Cincy for the game tonight. The Catman can!