Note: I am not back, but I am not gone either. The morons have two strikes on them. Whether they stay or go is on them. I don’t know how much I will post, but the thread will be open daily. Have at it.
Cavan Biggio was released by the Toronto Blue Jays after hitting .200 this season. The Dodgers have had some success in “fixing” certain players, so they took a flier on Mr. Biggio, who, by all accounts, is a great guy. The only problem is that this is the fourth year in a row where he can’t jump out of a boat and hit water. In fact, his progression as a hitter has been trending down, not up, over the past four years. He is hitting .167 as a Dodger. The solution is simple: DFA Biggio and call up Andre Lipcius! End of story. Give him a shot. When Muncy gets back, you have your platoon partner as well. Maybe the Dodgers don’t think he can play 3B? After all, his fielding percentage there is .935, which is not much better than Miguel Vargas (and he has no business playing 3B).
All I know is that Kike Hernandez is hitting .195, Cavin Biggio is hitting .167, Chris Taylor is hitting .150, and James Outman was hitting .147 before he was sent down. BTW, Outman has cooled down considerably, and his return may be in question. Lipcius for Biggio is an easy call… maybe it won’t work either, but what’s the hurt in trying?
We saw the Dodgers score seven runs in the top of the 11th last night as the Dodgers bullpen saved Glasnow’s butt! I think Tyler Glasnow has “hit the wall.” I think he is completely healthy… maybe for the first time in his career, but he is within 17 innings of having his career-high in innings pitched. What is happening to him is the same as what will be or is happening to Garret Crochet: He is fatigued. He needs some rest. The best thing for Tyler is to go on the 15-day IL and recoup. The Dodgers also need to go to a six-man rotation.
Justin Wrobleski is ready to step in as a starter. Before I consider Crochet or another starter, I would like to see what Justin has. Yesterday, Justin went 5.1 innings at Reno, allowing five hits, two ER, walking two, and striking out five. Ok, but not great… RIGHT? It is the PCL, and it is Reno. It’s not as bad as Albacquacky, but it’s a hard place to pitch. He did good. I watched – I had both games on.
BTW, Gavin Stone is also going to hit the wall soon, as he has 89 IP. Buehler, Yamamoto, and Knack may be available in a week or two. Kershaw is likely after the All-Star Break. The Dodgers remain the top offense in the NL (even with Kike, Biggio, and CT3), and they are #2 in MLB in team ERA at 3.29. The Phillies are at the top with a 3.04 ERA. The Dodgers bullpen ERA is #2 in all of baseball at 3.03. The Indians are an “otherworldly” 2.44. These are the Dog Days, and you have to push through.
Landon Knack, Justin Wrobleski, James Paxton, Ryan Yarbrough, and Bobby Miller may have to carry the torch as starters for a couple of weeks. Glasnow and Stone may need rest. To me, this is the beauty of baseball. I love to see the “next man up” and what he has. Heliot Ramos of the Giants is an example of how a young player might progress. He was a bust in 2022 and 2023 but has now blossomed into a good player. It’s time for the Dodgers to get Miguel Vargas more at-bats. Cavan Biggio has to go. Bye-Bye.
I am so glad the Dodgers did not sign Matt Chapman. Do something… even if it is wrong!
HOLD ON
The Dodgers just have to hold on during these “dog daze” like Brittany Howard of Alabama Shakes sings:
DODGER NOTES
Cody Bellinger, anyone? How about Miguel Vargas and another prospect to the Cubs (who are going down the toilet) for Cody Bellinger? He’s not great, but he would be solid at #7 and play a great CF. That may be the trade to make. Check this out:
- Betts SS
- Ohtani DH
- Smith C
- Freeman 1B
- T. Hernandez LF
- Muncy 3B
- Bellinger CF
- Pages/Heyward RF
- Rojas/Lux 2B
X-CITES
It’s Official
My youngest son was just named CEO of US Water Systems at a company pool party. Now, I take a back seat!
Discussion (46)
Disagree, not disagreeable
Don’t quit, Mark!
Predicting trades is fun and then you see which ones happen it’s that time of the year. Seeing if they get the guy you want or what team ends up with the guy.. Robert Jr and Crochet made sense but it hasnt happened. There has to be a centerfielder they have there eye on. But who? Wasnt there a pretty good Centerfielder that was with the Nationals last name Taylor. Where is he at. With what team. I think he was with the Royals and there having a good year that team. If I had my choice I woild go with Ward Refirgo and Anderson or Adell from the Angels. Those three or four players would fit in good with the Dodgers. Just a matter if the GM would trade with the Dodgers. Shoot if they want to shock the league. Go get Trout and Anderson.
I was just saying a hypothetical trade to see the reaction. Do they the dodgers blowup the team or just add some pieces. Just to see what people said if they traded Muncy. And got a better thirdbaseman and get a every day outfielder. The Cubs could be a really likely team with Bellinger a pitcher and a thridbaseman. And then some how get Bichette for shortstop. They have done it before. Roll the dice and trade a bunch of prospects . All to get that world series ring. They need a legit starter Flarethy is out there. But who to trade to get him.
I’m just waiting for us to get fire in our bellies like we do every October! Bradley just posted so I just wait for Bear’s response. Fun to watch every time. It seems the blood pressure goes up.
Okay the dodgers could do this then fans would be like what the heck!!!
First trade they trade to tge Detroit Tigers for Baez, Flarethy and a minor leaguer. The Dodgers send to Detroit Kiki Hernández River Ryan and a minor league outfielder. Another trade the dodgers send to the Cubs Lux Muncy and outman and a minor league pitcher Erik karros son and get from Cubs Bellinger, Hornier, , and Kendrick. And now the last trade we send Baez and tge outfielder that is in okc or double A DeJose and Knack to Bluejays for Bichette, Kirkiji, and Springer okay so now the new look Dodgers!
1b Freeman
2b Betts
3b Hornier
Ss Bichette
Lf Teo hernandez
Cf Bellinger
Rf Springer
C W. Smith
Dh Ohtani
Starters
Glasgow
KendricK
Kirkiji the guy from Bluejays
Stone
Miller
Flarethy
A six man rotation we got rid of lux Kiki Muncy who is always injured Knack Karros outman now bench has taylor Heyward Pages Barnes and Rojas. There that would be the ultimate shakeup of the dodgers. Use Muncy to get a good fielding third baseman who can hit and nico hornier can play every day your infield could play every day and you have outfielders to platoon.
I am not against or for RVS, but if the Dodgers fired him, about 25 teams would be lined up.
Like it or not, the RVS concept is being adopted all over baseball.
like it! but is Lux ever gonna hit? i like him a lot! but sooner or later he has to hit! a game here or there just isn’t good enough! if not for ohtani, freddie, and mookie , the dodgers would probably be at the bottom of hitting in the national league! i’ve said before, all 3 of the big 3 could hit when they got here! RVS can take no credit for that!!
Bellinger makes a lot of sense IF there is no bad blood between him and the front office.
Belli solves a lot of problems. He is a CF. Pages is not. Outman is better.. but raw and has to platoon.
Pages and Heyward can man RF.
Teoscar in LF.
Vargas and other prospects. Maybe Outman, whoever…
the dodgers aren’t going to win the world series with Taylor playing every day! Or kiki, or barnes, or biggio, or probably not heyward! a center fielder that can actually hit and another infielder that can hit .280 plus! And we may have to count Lux in that group. I see no problem at the moment with Pages. Probably not a center fielder. at this time. Max? Who knows. he may be great. He may be .185 Max. … listening to mlb earlier, some think the padres might catch the dodgers. they lead the league in hitting and era is very good. think they will be ok, but hope AF doesn’t wait too long before energizing the offense!
Dodgers all ready have the best CF in the MLB. His name is Mookie Betts. His legs will be fresh and the dude is a superstar at most positions and center field is one of those positions
If Taylor has truly straightened himself out, are the Dodgers best served by having him play CF (once Muncy returns) and have Pages platoon with Heyward in RF?
Ryan McMahon he could play thrid bass and second base and that kid Doyle runs down every fly ball fir the Rockies I am sure the Rockies would like a package of Vargas Outman Lux and like pitcher Rivers or there’s always Charlie Blackmon a guy that gets on base and would yell at people. Well that would be the logical trade or with the Angel’s but who knows what will happen.
Here’s who I want the Dodgers to get for what it’s worth. (1) we need to get in the lineup one of the top players in the game. Oh we have Mookie Betts coming back. (2) we need a power hitting third baseman. Oh we have Max Muncy coming back. (3) we need starting pitching. Oh we have Kershaw. Yatamato, Miller, Buehler, etc
Rooker leads the American League in being struck out. No thanks
Bear, I would like to hear what you feel the Dodger’s greatest needs are and who you would target at the deadline?
Is it just me, or does anyone else feel there’s no fire in the bellies of this team?? now i’m not saying they can’t win the whole thing, but there’s no passion in most of the team. Rojas is excluded from that ! He’s by fired up most of the time! They look like nuns at a rock concert!! Afraid to let it go! I know it’s a grind,162 games, but where’s the fire coming from? It damn sure ain’t coming from Doc! He’s as stoic as they come! Yesterday was not worth turning on! One question. How did the Giants pound our starters but our bullpen pretty much was flawless? ….. Who knows what trades AF pulls off? A lot of people want Tommy Pham. Fire? absolutely! Head case? pretty much. Don’t believe it happens. I can’t imagine Cody comes back though i wouldn’t mind it. Bichette? yeah i believe it will happen. I know he is hitting .240ish. but that could change quickly! Look at yesterday’s box score. with substitutions counted, after Freddie only Pages was over.230! kiki, heyward,barnes, taylor, biggio! that shit don’t scare nobody! …. In a non baseball comment, Bear, enjoy your retirement! i’m 30 days from my own! I am not a veteran, but admire and respect all that were! Thanks! Don’t quit posting here! Not agreeing is ok! Your opinions and facts are more than welcome with me. A little less tension and hostility in these times would go a long way towards a better future and culture! Talking sports is a personal privilege for me. I love baseball, college football and basketball and baseball! Love nascar too! Can’t watch the NBA at all, and very little NFL. Try to avoid the news at all costs! So this is my outlet! Love the posts from about 90 % of you guys! No need for nasty!! I’m always believing the Dodgers will win! Yesterday? game over after 2 innings! turned it off! We can start calling Sunday games , The “let the guys who can’t hit “ day! Go Barnes!
Well 3 months in the book and so far we have had a winning record each month.
March 4-2
April 15-11
May 17-10
June 16-10
July looks to be a tough month with series at home against
DBacks – 3 games
Brewers – 3 games
Away against
Phillies – 3 games
Tigers – 3 games
All star break
After Break
Home
Redsox – 3 games
Giants – 4 games
Away
Astros – 3 games
Padres – 2 games
Looks like this will be our toughest month of the season. Padres have started to play well and are creeping up in the division. Be nice to get some reinforcements back from the injured list and I am sure we will make some additions/subtractions with the trade deadline.
Yamamoto is not even throwing yet and there is no timetable for his return. But you can never have too much pitching. Right now, LA has Kershaw, May, Buehler, Yamamoto, Gonsolin, and Sheehan, all starters, on the IL. Right now, the rotation consists of Paxton, Miller, Glasnow, Stone and Knack. They play 12 games in the next 14 days before they get four days off for the All-Star break. I think they could use at least one more healthy starter since there is no timetable for Yamamoto, Kershaw or Buehler. Buehler, if he is right, and Yamamoto, would make the team much stronger in the playoffs, but they need more consistency at the plate. Hernandez is slumping and swinging at bad pitches again, but he should still be able to maintain what he has done so far. Mookie will probably not be back until August, but Max should be back some time after the All-Star game. He is now taking swings. A middle infielder might be something they go after, but I believe they need a power hitting outfielder. Preferably one who can play center field better than Pages can. He is not a center fielder. They just have to wait and see who is available and who is willing to trade.
I have been gone all day: Granddaughter’s graduation party was in Ft. Wayne.
I did listen to the debacle, however.
I will be out most of tomorrow.
Probably post Tuesday.
Okay Bradley, where did you see the Rooker-Wood rumor? I read MLBTR, X, and many other sites including yahoo and google sports which get a lot of inside info. I watch MLB channel, and I have never seen a Rooker-Wood rumor anywhere. Rooker I can understand. Wood is on the 60-day IL, and he is not close to being as good as he was several years ago. 1-3 record, ERA over 5. Why in the world would the Dodgers want someone who isn’t even as good as their worst pitcher? So, they traded for Rosario, and I said they wouldn’t. I was wrong and I admitted I was wrong. Rosario was who you wanted as a replacement SS for Rojas. He rarely played SS in LA. He mostly played at second. And he was not good enough for them to keep, so they let him become a free agent. That trade was a trade of convenience for both teams. Dodgers got rid of Syndergaard and Cleveland got rid of an excess infielder who no longer figured into their plans. If Rosario was so good, how come the only offer he got was a one-year deal with the Rays for only 1.5 million? The Dodgers could have easily offered more. But they chose not to, why? As for me sitting around all day, listen bud, I worked my ass off for well over 45 years. Hard jobs too, no easy stuff. I drove semis for close to 23 years. I earned my fucking retirement. I have time to research and write stories for a baseball blog now and am damn happy I am healthy enough to do so. So don’t go crying to me about having to work. Your info is not always accurate. If you want to see a player’s contract status just got to baseballreference.com. Type in the player’s name, and the contract stuff is at the bottom of the page. You can also see how they have performed over the last few games and even pull up their seasons splits and career splits. Now I gave you another outlet to check. Don’t worry about responding, I won’t be back to check it. I have decided to move on from here and only post on a couple of other sites I like. Mark is a great writer, and I love his site. But I just do not need the aggravation anymore. I like the quiet.
Starting pitcher shortstop and outfielder that’s players dodgers need and should look at teams that have these players. So that would be angels Tigers Pirates Whitsoxs Marlins Astros bluejays As Cubs and Rockies twins.
Look at centerfielders around the league who would be good Dodgers. And the top onesI list would be reachable targets for the Dodgers at deadline. .
Bryan Reynolds pirates
Luis Robert Jr whitesox
Jazz Chizholm marlins
Byron Buxton twins
Taylor Ward angels
Cody Bellinger cubs
Lane Thomas nationals
Jessie Winkler nationals
Jeff Doyle rockies
George Springer bluejays
Dalton Vasho bluejays
Dylan Carlson cardinals
I don’t recall much buzz about the Dodgers considered Chapman, since Max had 3B locked up.
But I still think the Dodgers whiffed when the Blue Jays snagged him from the A’s.
Back then, Max was playing 1B, and a platinum-glover at 3B would have been sweet.
Which reminds me: Max rarely gets credit for his versatility and willingness to move from 1B to 2B and 3B. We’ve seen other players struggle with challenges–and even guys struggle in positions they grew up playing. Much-maligned Max wont win gold gloves, but he’s a grinder and usually makes it work.
Still, it would be nice to see Lipcius before Max returns…
Tough game to watch today.
Not sure who was talking, but earlier today on MLB radio it was said that the Dodgers were getting closer to a potential trade with the Blue Jays for SS Bo Bichette.
Will see, but if true that would be very good news and the 1st of potentially 3 moves they need to make before the deadline.
We also really do need a center fielder as Pages is strictly a corner defender. If not Robert Jr, Bellinger or Outman, I think a good move could be Tommy Pham.
Good bat and if you look at this year and in his career he really is an excellent defensive CF.
And he has played CF a ton.
Adding a SS and CF will also directly improve our bench as few current bench players will need to go.
And of course 3rd is a quality starter. Who that is I don’t know.
I know STB mentioned that the Dodgers may have already made an initial offer on Crochet.
That would be the type of starter we need.
Go Dodgers !!
in a rout like this one, I doubt the Giants pitchers were being careful with guys around the Mendoza line. Still, the signs of life from Kike and Taylor are a good thing.
And it’s been reported that the Sox considered and rejected a Dodgers offer for Crochet.
I assume the Sox management is considering a few offers, and hoping some team may sweeten their bids as the deadline approaches. So maybe this is just the Dodgers first offer.
Another injury can change things.
My goodness. Paxton and Glasnow made Giants look like best hitting team in baseball. Pages is not a CFer. Teo is a lot like Muncy. White hot flashes, followed by long stretches of blah. Today’s lineup is not only bad offensively but also defensively. Time for Kike to pitch.
Glasnow and Paxton made Giants look like best hitting team in baseball
Actually Bradley did ask for Ahmed Rosario for a while last year, and that deal did happen.
Jessie Winkler and CJ Adam’s would look great in Dodger blue. Just saying that and the Dodgers like to trade with the Nationals. Wow! Christian Yelich made the Allstar team as a starter. Now, think back when Bear said no way to pick him up from the Brewers in the off season. Ohhh I remember that.
Exactly how do you know that Glasnow has “hit a wall”, Mark, as opposed to having a crappy start where none of his pitches were working?
In his previous 2 starts, he pitched a total of 14 innings, giving up 5 hits, 1 earned run, while striking out 19. That didn’t sound like a guy who was desperate for a rest.
If he follows this bad start with another one or two then, absolutely, sit him down for awhile, but even HOF pitchers have bad starts. Eventually, he’s going to need some rest before the playoffs, but it doesn’t necessarily need to come right now. It would be better if he could wait until Kershaw or Buehler were ready to replace him in the rotation.
Bellinger – he has an OPS of .748, absolutely nothing special, but I imagine the Cubs asking price would be fairly steep. JHey, who isn’t exactly having a spectacular year, has an OPS of .726, not all that much worse and I doubt too many here would say we want another JHey to add to our outfield. On top of that Belli can opt out each of the next two years, meaning if he has a good year he waives bye bye but if he has a poor year you’re stuck with him. And he has reverse splits this year and we already have a good outfield to face lefty starters with Teoscar, Pages and Vargas. We need another outfielder to start against righties.
Right now I’d rather have Vargas play third without a glove than Taylor, Biggio or Kike. Congrats to your son Mark. Now you have more time to makeup with your morons.
day game loser lineup
what! no Biggio? that’s the last piece of the puzzle!! Why do they do this to me every Single Sunday???
4:05 PM ET
Dodgers (52-32)
Giants (40-44)
SP James Paxton L
7-1 3.39 ERA
SP Spencer Bivens R
1-1 3.00 ERA
Confirmed Lineup
DH S. Ohtani L
LF T. Hernandez R
1B F. Freeman L
CF Andy Pages R
RF J. Heyward L
2B Gavin Lux L
3B Chris Taylor R
SS E. Hernandez R
C A. Barnes R
67° Wind 10 mph Out
Not a very good lineup today!
As for Cody, It seems when we bring back guys for second time it just doesn’t seem to work out. Orel, Kike, Maddux. Or the second year of some reclamation project–Heyward. Others that I can’t remember. I am sure that some do work out.(Kemp) But anyway.
The best version now and forever of a song called “Hold On” is by Tom Waits, although the Aimee Mann cover is also top notch
While the others are swirling down the toilet, CT3 was batting less than .100. So I guess he is moving in right direction
A couple of days ago I read about this idea of trading for Bellinger, and it seems to be a good idea, the bad thing is that the Yankees have more need to get him, and who knows, maybe it will be between him and Soto in the race to see who would be signed by NYY next season….
And about that, Vargas and someone else for Bellinger? Sounds like a lot to me, maybe Lux for Bellinger. Lux will have no place on the team next season, and maybe not even this season when Betts returns.
And the other day when I commented that whoever, besides Glassnow in the rotation, that’s what I was referring to, he and Stone (Who I completely forgot about) are reaching their limit. Right now I don’t see anyone “for sure” for the playoffs…
I wish Othani could play outfield, so that it would be a possibility to go for Bichette and Vlady on the trade dateline
Oh Mark, forgot to mention….
Congrats to your son on his promotion and to you on your “back seat.” Building a successful company is something that most of us corporate wage slaves can barely comprehend. And then to be able to trust it on to your son… Quite an achievement!
And while I often mention the Book of Moron, i sure wish AF had paid attention to you regarding Lux’s ability to play shortstop. Perhaps the single best trade AF made in recent years was the one for Miguel Rojas.
Mark –
I like your idea on Bellinger and the Cubs may be very interested in more Dodger prospects. After a couple of months, Busch hits second in their lineup at .262 with 10 homers and 30 RBIs. Cody would be a good fit for the Dodgers…
I would love to get Cody back. He is a better center fielder than anyone else on this team and is a PROVEN post season performer.
pages in right and Teo in left because of arm strength.
Mr Timmons, there are many here on this terrific site with ASTUTE observations. please don’t let the few with ASS-TOOT observations ruin your day. Thank you for all the work you do to bring joy to this Dodger fan. Living on a small island in the chesapeake bay, this site is the first opened early each day and the last seen each evening. Not sure how you manage to provide us with all this relevant information, but keep working your magic. Peace.
pages in left. bellinger in center. teo in right. Now we’re cooking with gas!!
Biggio and kiki. opposite side batters, same results. although kiki is a bit better. Chris Taylor has a buffer as long as those 2 are on the roster. The dodgers need an outfielder period! Heyward is hitting the ball “hard “ every one says. But no results. Teo is very streaky and can’t hit a slider. , but has been a godsend! Pages is doing ok, not an all star type performance, but adequate. I said earlier i don’t think Outman is coming back this season, and his numbers prove that. Why not go to the angels and try to pry ward away? Now i’m beginning to believe AF doesn’t give the white sox what they will ask for Robert jr. But, another outfielder that hits and plays solid defense is an absolute necessity! It may very well be Bellinger! Would be a sweet reunion wouldn’t it?
Agree on the Biggio situation. DFA him already.
Also agree on some rest for both Glasnow and Stone. Both guys could use some rest . Just dont give it to them simulatneously . Around the ASG would be the ideal spot.
Do not agree on Vargas having no business playing 3b. A .920 fielding percentage sure is no GG caliber defense at the hot corner but IMHO good enough to give him an occasional start there until MM returns. As you said Lipcius fielding percentag ist not that much better, same for Kike and Biggio. Vargas bat will help the team more than his glove hurts it. Vargas has several hundred innings under his belt in the minors so the position is not something new for him. With a few days of infield practice you should be able to plug him in there once or twice very week. You can also replace him with a defender in the late innings to even more reduce the risk of his glove.
Go Dodgers!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Why would you let small minded people determine your course? You are too much of an independant thinker to allow that to take place. I am not a huge internet user but I come to your site first every day because you have a wonderful talent that I enjoy. Please rethink your decision.
Ira