The Dodgers are Better But, How Much?

I just like that headline!

I do have to admit that just losing Logan Forsythe makes them better.  So, there is that. I hope Logan does well in Minnesota or wherever he lands next year, but great guy that he is, he was an unmitigated disaster in LA.  Well, In guess Manny Machado does make them better as well… yeah A LOT BETTER!

The Dodgers gave up eight, count ’em 8, minor leaguers for Manny Machado, Brian Dozier and John Axford.  That’s a huge blow to the Farm. It really is.  Not all of the prospects will be stars.  Most won’t make it, but it is a numbers game.  The more you have, the better the odds. All of the prospects that the Dodgers traded are prospects we have followed:

• Corey Copping
• Luke Raley
• Devin Smeltzer
• Breyvic Valera
• Yusniel Diaz
• Zach Pop
• Dean Kremer
• Raylan Bannon

I would not be surprized if all eight made the majors and maybe a couple could be stars.  It’s also possible all eight will be duds.  You never know, but FAZ showed they will trade prospects when necessary.  They HAD to stay under the luxury tax threshold and they did.

So, the team is better with Manny and without Logan, but what happens with Dozier and Axford may determine the Dodgers’ fate. Axford was not acquired to be the 8th inning guy.  This season he has killed lefties, so there is that, but I think Honeycutt sees something that he can do to help Axford, much like he has helped Hudson.  Hudson had a bad April and May, but from June 6 to July 7, he had 11 appearances.  In 10 of those, he gave up zero runs and 2 in the other one.  He’s still adapting, but I see progress… he’s still not our 8th inning guy.

I do not think Axford is anything special, but he could be a nice piece of the pen.  However, I am from Missouri – he will have to show me.  He has had the ability to be outstanding at times, but he’s been somewhat of an enigma.  Hopefully, Honeycutt has something up his sleeve for Axford.

The Dodgers have wanted Brian Dozier for a while now… and evidently he wants to play for them too… as his arrival during the game showed.  He did not waste time in reporting. Dozier is hitting .224 with a .305 OB% – hardley inspiring.  Maybe at 31, he was uninspired to play for the Twins. What can he do if he is inspired?  Well, last season when the Twin were doing well, he had a poor first half of the season – he hit .242 with a .328 OB%, but in the second half, he hit .304 with a .394 OB% and smacked 21 HR – he OPS’ed .985! That’s SUPERSTAR LEVEL PLAY!

Brian Dozier is now in a position to win for the first time in his MLB career.  I think the Dodgers are hoping they can have the Brian Dozier of the second half of 2017… He actually did much the same in 2016, as well, when he hit 28 HR in the second half while OPS’ing .990. I would not be surprised if Brian Dozier led off and played about everyday at 2B.   If he can come close to his second half stats of the last two years, the Dodgers might be sipping some bubbly stuff!

Getting Dozier will cut into CT3, Joc, Cody and Kike’s playing time, especially with JT coming back Thursday (hopefully).

By Thursday, this could be the lineup:

1. Dozier  2B
2. Manny  SS
3. Turner  1B
4. Kemp  LF
5. Muncy  1B
6. Puig  RF
7. Grandal  C
8. Taylor/Bellinger  CF

Dodger News

• The Dodgers are second to the Astros in team ERA, as LA’s is getting smaller and Houston’s is expanding. The Dodgers are also now second in Starter ERA and are up to 7th in bullpen ERA in the NL.  I will say this:  I believe you are going to see a lot of regression in the bullpens of the Diamondbacks and Brewers.  They will drop as the Dodgers improve. That is my opinion based upon what I feel are insustainable metrics. We shall see..
• Gavin Lux to AA.  I second what AC said: “It’s about time!”
• Striker Buehler – Dodgers #2?
• Dodgers offense: 1st in HR, 1st in BB, 3rd in Runs, 4th in OPS, 5th in OB%, 11th in BA.
• Ryu and Urias are tuning up!