The Case for Teoscar and Other Stuff

Teoscar Hernandez hit the jackpot last Winter, as the Seattle Mariners signed him for $14 MM. That was an absurd amount for a player who should be in a platoon. I can make a case that the Dodgers should sign Hernandez to platoon with Jason Heyward… but only at a much-reduced rate… perhaps about half of what he made in 2023. If the Dodgers could sign him to a contract like that, I am all in.

I keep hearing, “But he struck out 211 times!” Yes, he did… in 678 plate appearances. He played 160 of the 162 games like he was a regular (well, he was because they were paying him like he was) and showed why he should be in a platoon with Jason Heyward. Teoscar walks very little. He is from the DR and evidently subscribes to the theory that you cannot “walk off the island.” So, he gets in his hacks. In his 678 PAs, he walked a meager 38 times!

However, if you dig a little deeper, you will find that he is much, much better against LHP. For his career, he OPS’s .772 against RHP and .887 against LHP. He still strikes out a lot, but he makes a lot more hard contact against lefties. He averages a HR every 22 ABs against RHP, but against LHP, he hits a long ball every 14 ABs, and chicks dig the long ball.

Look at Hernandez’s home/road splits. He hit just .217/.263/.380 at pitcher-friendly T-Mobile Park; his .295/.344/.486 slash away from Seattle was more characteristic. He typically grades as a below-average defender in the corner outfield despite above-average sprint speed and arm strength. DRS and Statcast both felt he was roughly average in right field this past season. As a RH hitter he would likely start 30 to 40% of the games (against LHP) and Heyward could spell him later in games. At around $7 MM per year, he could be a bargain! MLBTR has projected him at $80MM over four years. No way the Dodgers come close to that! But I could see a 4-year/$40 MM deal.

Justin Bieber Might Be a Better Option Than Shane

I have said this before, but I will repeat it: His velocity is way down. His spin rate is down. His control is off. These are all common symptoms of a frayed UCL. He would be a very bad choice, in my opinion. Dylan Cease? I think the Dodgers pitching gurus could bring him back to being a very good pitcher, but at what cost? The juice is not worth the squeeze. He is going to cost a lot – a whole lot. The Dodgers have three more pitchers due back next year: May, Gonsolin, and this guy named Ohtani… and while we are at it, forget Luis Robert, Jr. The only way the Sox will trade him (their words) is for a “huge overpay.”

Arguing About Dave Roberts

I am done arguing about Dave Roberts. There are a certain number of Doc Haters here who love to argue how bad he is. I just wish they would not take out their brains and leave them on the dresser before they begin arguing. I am fearful they may not put them back in properly, and then what? I am only concerned about what is best for them.

The Dodgers Do Not Need More Pitching

I suppose that if Ryan Brasier comes up at a decent price, then they should sign him, but he will be 37 next year, and I would not give him a multi-year deal. The Starting staff is very crowded. As it stands right about now, here it is:

1. Buehler
2. Glasnow
3. Yamamoto
4. Miller
5. Sheehan
6. Knack

You also have Gavin Stone, Nick Frasso, River Ryan, and Kyle Hurt all knocking at the door. It is beyond felony stupid to all more pitchers when you have those electric arms at the ready. Landon Knack is a guy who just needs the chance to show what he is. In my opinion, his ceiling is better than Ryan Pepiot’s. He is a big burley guy who used to (as in the past) eat Twinkies and Big Macs as if they were healthy foods. His conditioning and diet were poor, and this produced a number of lower body injuries. He has changed both his diet and his dedication to conditioning, and all he needs to be is a Number Five or Number Six Starter. He has a 95+ MPH Fastball and a very nice slider. His change-up and curve both came back to being plus pitches in the second half of last season. Last season, he pitched 100 innings and put up a 2.51 ERA between AA and AAA. His WHIP was 1.16, and he struck out 99 hiters. He is ready for the Show!

I have a sneaking feeling that Clayton Kershaw will come back in the summer, but if I had to sign one pitcher, it would be a Lefty, namely Hyun-jin Ryu! I think he would be a solid pickup for a year and 120 innings. Yes, he has a history of injuries. I am not counting on him for a lot of innings, but is finally healthy again and worth a low-cost deal.

Who is Chris Taylor?

That is a great question. CT3, as he is known to his teammates, was part of the Zack Lee trade with Seattle. He came to the Dodgers, and they re-tooled his swing, which turned him into a Slugger from a punch and Judy hitter. In 2017, he put up 568 ABs and hit .288 with an .540 OPS. He also hit 21 HR. In 2018, he slipped a little but still had a .775 OPS. In 2017 and 2018, he put up 4.4 and 4.3 WAR, respectively.

In 2019, he hit .262 and OPS’ed .794, and then in 2020, he put up 1.9 WAR in the 60-game season (his OPS was .842). Lest anyone forgets, like Kike Hernandez, CT3 can play any position (except Catcher) and play it quite well, so when he became a Free Agent, the Dodgers opted to let Kike walk and signed CT3 to a deal that runs through 2026. He made $15 Million in 2022 and 2023 and will make 1$13 Million in 2024 and 2025, with a $12 Million Option in 2026.

In 2017, 2018, and 2020, he was a steal! In 2021, he hit 20 HR and OPS’ed .782, but has had nagging injuries in 2022 and 2023. If you are a “glass half empty” person, you will think, “What does he bring?” If you are a “Glass half full person,” you already know that if he is healthy in 2024, he can put up monster numbers and play defense at 3B, 2B, SS, LF, and CF at a very high level. Mostly, CT3 has been worth his contract, but you guys who just want to put All-Stars at every position will always be miserable.

Today, Yamamoto will allegedly be added to the roster, necessitating a roster move. If no trade is made, they will DFA a player and have ten days to trade him. It’s easy to guess that it might be Bryan Hudson, but you never know.

Progress is Not Linear

I wrote this yesterday and I will leave you with it today because it is very important:

I am glad you mentioned Kyle Tucker! He is a classic example of why you need to be patient with prospects.

In his first call-up (72 PA), he hit .141. The next season in 72 PA (again), he hit .269.
In his 3rd callup (228 PA), he hit .268. Finally, in his 4th callup (over 4 years), he became one of the best right fielders in baseball as he hit .294 with 30 HR and put up a .917 OPS.

In parts of 5 seasons in the minors, he hit .283 with a .863 OPS.

In parts of 5 seasons in the minors, Miguel Vargas hit .310 with a .879 OPS.

In parts of 4 seasons in the minors, Michael Busch hit .283 with a .919 OPS.

Why do you always want to trade guys away? Progress is not linear… player development takes time, but good things come to those who wait. Bad things come to dope-fiends.