The Dodger Players Spoke
Last night the Dodger players spoke without saying a word. Their four errors showed that they might have been somewhat distracted and understandably so. But they maintained their composure until they got Max Scherzer out of the game and proceeded to destroy the Nationals bullpen. The Dodger players were laughing and having a great time for the most part except for the defensive lapses. I can understand it. The White
Last night the Dodger players spoke without saying a word. Their four errors showed that they might have been somewhat distracted… and understandably so. But they maintained their composure until they got Max Scherzer out of the game and proceeded to destroy the Nationals bullpen. The Dodger players were laughing and having a great time for the most part… except for the defensive lapses. I can understand it. The White House, the Bauer Debacle and everything in-between. All things considered, the Dodgers have said: “Let’s Roll!“
I was going to address some of the stupid things that are being said about the Trevor Bauer Debacle, but I am not going to waste time debating idiots who think he is guilty or think he is innocent… without all the facts. I have no opinion. He will either be convicted or exonerated or something in-between. I don’t know what I don’t know… and neither do you, so I am just going to assume that Trevor Bauer’s Dodger Career and maybe his MLB career is over. Maybe it’s worse than we think. Maybe it’s a sham! WE SIMPLY DO NOT KNOW!
Now the police allegedly say that “this bigger than we thought!” Of course, we can take that to mean that there are more allegations OR could it be a part of a bigger shakedown? Again, I have no opinion. There is just so much we do not know that it is a waste of time and air to speculate. From a baseball standpoint, I have moved on from Trevor Bauer. I was never all in with his signing, but of course, I never envisioned this.
The Dodgers can trade for another starter – there is no question about that. Do they need to? Probably… but not today! Let the dust settle – let the facts be compiled and if he is arrested, no matter what the outcome, his Dodger career is over. That’s all I have to say about it. Even if he is not guilty, the Dodgers do not need the Trevor Bauer Three-Ring Circus. Too much distraction.
There are lots of possibilities of pitchers to take Bauers’ spot in the rotation. Let’s look at them:
- David Price – It would seem that he could be “built up” rather quickly and since has has been a starter his whole career, that is a possibility. However, as I said yesterday, I do not think we know the whole story about David Price. I think there is some underlying issue we do not know about… by design and if the Dodgers do not try this option, then they are hiding something. That said, I think Price starts Sunday and sees haw long he can go.
- Mike Kickham – He is still at OKC and has a 3.19 ERA. Last night, he went 5 innings and allowed 1 ER, on 8 hits, 3 K’s and 0 Walks. He doesn’t miss many bats, but he could be a temporary fix.
- Andre Jackson – His stats don’t really warrant it, but he is on the 40-man roster. His ERA is 3.91 at Tulsa, but his WHIP is 1.07. I could see him making a start, if for only being on the roster.
- Gerardo Carrillo – He is of course on the 40-man roster and in fact, pitched 4 scoreless innings for Tulsa last night.
- Edwin Uceta – The same is true with Edwin. He’s on the roster. Otherwise, there would be no reason.
- Mitch White – I guess I have to list him as a possibility, even though I see him as a reliever.
- Ryan Pepiot – The Dodgers are bringing him along slowly, although he will be 24 next month. He is just a few months younger than Julio Urias. His stats are eye-popping: 34 IP/46 K’s/17 Hits/17 BB. He has a 2.08 ERA and a 0.98 WHIP and the league is hitting .148 against him. I do not think they will call him up right now, but he is tantalizing!
No one jumps out at you, but I suppose they could ask three pitchers to try and go 3 innings each and then shuttle them back to the minors the next day. There is no Fernando Valenzeula sitting at AA ready to take the NL by storm and like him or not, you could count on Trevor Bauer to pitch deep into games. That whole dynamic has changed. Maybe they take a flyer on Ryan Pepiot?
I do not see Max Scherzer coming to LA because I cannot see Andrew Friedman signing him to another 2 or 3 year deal which is what he wants. There are lots of pitchers that will be available, including John Means of the Orioles, but the Dodgers would have to give up a package of players including Ruiz or Cartaya. Jose Berrios is a possibility, but the Twins will ask for the moon. I am sure there are lots of ptchers that could be available, but at what price?
Is it time to say “It just wasn’t meant to be this year and play the hand you are dealt?” I am not ready to concede that and I doubt that the Dodgers are either. The choices are to run and hide or stay and fight. Last night, I think the Dodgers bats spoke as to what they intend to do…
Dodgers Minor League News
- Mark Washington pitched 1.2 innings for Tulsa last night and his ERA now sits at 1.38.
- Brandon Lewis hit his 1st High-A HR last night and was 3-5.
- Scott Alexander is ready at OKC after another scoreless inning (1.93 ERA) and 2 K’s.
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Discussion (123)
Disagree, not disagreeable
I was amused by the comments about Alanna and Kirsten. Alanna seems more professional, more knowledgeable, better prepared. Kirsten seems to have trouble balancing the looks requirements and trying to learn baseball on the fly (didn’t she come from a football assignment?). I just think she’s out of place. It’s a shame the role is so limited by the powers-that-be. I wish they’d hire someone with an athletic background who can do meaningful analysis. I’d settle for someone who looks like Nomar!
Nice relievin’, boys.
Polllock just can’t hit that down and away slider from a right hander
Or should I say he can’t lay off of it makes him a bad every time
Bucks and Suns in the NBA finals….. Gotta admire Pujols hustle. Had he just loafed down the line, they might not have taken the lead.Tony Cingrani purchased and activated by the Cubs, Pads lose to Phillies again.
Cameron Gibbens just now pitched 2 scoreless innings to close the game for Great Lakes Loons. Out of the 6 outs he got 5 of them were strike outs.
Coming into the game he had a 1.03 WHIP and a 17.7 K/9 rate. This guy needs to be promoted to AA or AAA. I’m high on this guy.
Looks like the rain just stopped. Also looks like rain again in under an hour.
Everybody fall asleep ?
Looks like Kershaw was upset with Smith, you can read his lips he said I can’t hear you with a pissed off look on his face
Shaddup, Smoltz.
This offense grinds mediocre pitchers down.
Lux has a sweet doubles swing.
Schwarber has a significant strain. Dontrelle was asked who’s gonna win, he says the Dodgers pay him so he’s picking the Dodgers. Maybe the Dodgers should make a donation to the Pasadena police dept. **Kidding**
Game is on Fox. Don’t go to SportsnetLA.
She might have great career stats but I still don’t enjoy watching her. Sorta like Barry Bonds for example.
Just my opinion; I’m not trying to alter her career or change anyone’s mind.
I don’t know why so many of you dump on Watson and think Alanna is so great. I watch High Heat some and I think Alanna is subpar at best. Her replacement, the few times I’ve seen her, seems to be poised and vibrant. By the way, I have enjoyed Tim Neverette the last few games. A lot of background about the players and his Maxwell with the Silver Bat comment was great.
For $40,000,000 per year, you’d think your employee would have a fair amount of common sense relative to their behavior away from work. Apparently not!
Allana had personality. She also had a rapport with the players
I thought Allana was attractive, she just didn’t always present herself that way
A couple of days ago, I was suggesting the Dodgers trade Barnes to try to parlay him into a reliever. A lot changes in a week, eh?
Bauer is in Limbo, Gonsolin is injured for the second time in 3 years, Kershaw is on an expiring contract, Gray is injured, May won’t be back until half way through next year, apparently Price is no longer a starter, most think that Urias is fading. This pitching staff has more question marks than The Riddler’s onesie.
Regardless of the Bauer situation, Scherzer would be a coup de gras if we were able to acquire him. A two year extension seems reasonable for a guy that’s pitching the way his is but, he’ll be 39 at the end of those two years. He’s also had some health issues as recent as last year.
Beyond Scherzer, there’s no other obvious ace types on expiring deals. In fact, it’s hard to imagine there will be many if any pitchers that have the upside of our own David Price, who coincidentally is pegged to start that bullpen game tomorrow.
Washington seems to very thin in the catching department at the minor league level making them a good trading partner.
Personally, I have always loved Scherzer and his crazy eyes are just the icing on top. He’s cut out of the Curt Schilling mold, a tough and vicious competitor. Like PJ says, he’s has immaculate control and has wicked movement to go along with it and enough heat to get the job done. I would trade for him in a heartbeat regardless of Bauer’s future and I’m sure AF has already spoken to the Nats about him.
Now we just need to keep sweeping them into sub 500 territory to nudge them into the seller column at the deadline.
Alanna Rizzo has been named to the board of directors for the Roberto Clemente Museum. Congrats on that. They really need a new girl to replace Watson. She is a terrible interviewer and bland as they come.
Tonight’s winning lineup:
RF Mookie
2B Max
3B Justin
CF Cody
C Will
1B Albert
SS Gavin
LF AJ
P Clayton
Well Matt Kemp did not make the Olympic team, but 2 exe Dodgers did, Scott Kazmir and Edwin Jackson. Todd Frazier made the team too. It is being managed by old friend Mike Scioscia.
If LA wins the next two, when they leave DC the Nats will be a sub .500 team. I thought during the winter that the Dodgers should kick the tires on Tajuan Walker. He is currently 6-3 and today he is throwing a no hitter through 5 at the Yankees. Yankees are reeling. Ohtani hit 2 more dingers last night in the Angels walk off win and scored the winning run. He now has 30, a new Angel high before the All Star break. Lots of minor trades going on right now. The Rays have been really active making another with the Marlins today.
Seven in a row going into tonight with our ace on the mound.
I think we keep the ball rolling and are officially out of our offensive doldrums.
Pen is fairly rested too.
Bauer is in my rear view mirror. His problems are his and not mine. He is in the public eye, so the whole thing is going to be not only a shit show, but a circus. Although I doubt they will, Scherzer, if DC is selling, makes some sense. A 2 year extension would take him to age 38. Verlander was 34 when he left the Tigers for Houston, and he pitched great after that. Who’s to say that Mad Max would not shine with an offense that can put up runs in bunches? What ever happens you can bet that AF is already looking for solutions. Joseph Kelly stole the show at the White House yesterday with his Mariachi jacket. I only read two blogs regularly, this one and Think Blue Planning Committee. Dennis is a good writer and we have become friends. He sends me rookie cards once in a while, and he has a lot of knowledge about the Dodgers for a guy who lives in Pennsylvania. I think Lux will still be the starting second baseman once Seager is back simply because it allows them to use Taylor in his utility role. But I like his bat in there every night myself.
You know after watching the entire Astros fiasco, and the TOO BIG TO NAIL response from MLB , I’ve come expect MLB to take care of business at the expense of any true justice. And because that’s the bottom line I fully expect to see Bauer piitch again someday. Probably not this year but he will pitch again.
Scherzer to the Dodgers? All depends on how the Nats play over the next few weeks. They play SD and SF for a total of 10 games before their schedule gets easier. Their minor leagues are not well stocked so moving him is very possible. I could easily see AF going for him.
Thinking back there were people in the media who rang alarm bells about Bauer. Sports radio host Mike Francesa in New York was vehemently outspoken in his opposition to Bauer coming to the Mets. I distinctly remember him calling Bauer a nutcase and saying no way would he want Bauer on the Mets. Course I thought Francesa I was full of s*** and thought it was great when the Dodgers signed him.