When the Dodgers chose to keep Dalton Rushing off the playoff roster instead of Ben Rortvedt, many Dodger fans (Being Olympic Champions at Jumping to Conclusions) assumed the Dodgers would trade him. Not so fast! Of course, anyone could be traded in the right deal, but the Dodgers know that catchers like Dalton do not grow in trees. They are taking their time with him and not rushing him.
Rortvedt’s offensive numbers are weak, but his defensive work (pitch framing, game‐calling) is valued. That makes him a glove‐first catcher option. Dalton Rushing is still a rookie and is now ranked #2 in the Dodgers’ Top Prospect list. “Dalton Rushing, if given the chance to play every day, could develop into a dynamic bat-first catcher.” Not my words – that’s what Baseball America just said in the latest issue!
I also believe that the “Dodgers Brass” is having many conversations as to how to utilize Will Smith and Dalton Rushing together. For a few years, I have suggested that maybe Will Smith could play 3B when a LHP is on the mound because, as Max Muncy has aged, he has not hit LHP as well. Now, do I “know” that Will can play 3B? No, I do not know that for sure, nor do I know if he is open to that. However, I think this: Will is a great athlete with an above-average arm and a glove that is very “sticky.” It is my belief that he can play the hot corner.
I have also seen Dalton Rushing play LF. It was just a few games, but I saw nothing that led me to believe that he could play there. Teoscar is getting older and could use a blow in LF (assuming that’s where he plays next season). Of course, all the ____________ out there will say: “Timmons you are often wrong,” and that is true. Nobody gets it right all the time. I was wrong about Alex Verdugo, Keibert Ruiz, and Diego Cartaya. The jury is still out on Miguel Vargas, but I was right about Michael Busch: “Let me say this: Michael Busch is a better hitter than Max Muncy and has more power (and that is saying a lot).” – 12/27/2022. I was also right about Clayton, Adrian Beltre, Corey Seager, and Cody Bellinger… long before they were Major Leaguers.
In fact, in 142 AB’s last year, Dalton Rushing hit .204 and hit RHP much better than LHP. Adrian Beltre hit .215 in his Rookie Year in 195 ABs, prompting Dodger fans to call for the Dodgers to trade for a good third baseman. My comeback was, “Listen, Morons, Adrian Beltre is going to be a Hall-of-Fame Third Baseman.” He hit .275 the following year, as he marched to the Hall-of-Fame – and it was not as a Dodger because Dumbass DePodesta let him walk for a few million… but don’t get me started!
If Rushing could give Freddie an occasional game off as well as doing the same for Teoscar and catching when Will is off (or plays 3B, which is conjecture right about now), I could see him getting 300 AB’s, and he might hit 20 big flies with that opportunity. Teoscar is too much “part of the fabric” of the Dodgers. I can’t see him being traded this year… maybe next!
The Dodgers don’t need much. I think they will drive the price up on Tucker – they are allegedly trying to do the same thing with Tucker that they did with Bryce Harper – Offer him something like a 3-Year/$160 Million Dollar Deal. It didn’t work with Harper, and I doubt that it works with Tucker either. He’s not going to leave (a guaranteed) $150 to $200 million on the table. I think all that the Dodgers need is Wilyer Abreu. He is young (26) and a Gold Glove RF’er who kills RHP – he has a .827 OPS against them for his career. Alex Call can be his platoon partner. Since LHPs only make up about 25% of MLB, Abreu would play 75% of the time. Call can be a valuable platoon partner.
The Red Sox need pitching. They have plenty of outfielders. So, I would lead with Jackson Ferris, Bobby Miller (wild card), and Landon Knack. Bobby Miller has too big an arm to ignore, and many scouts think Knack can be a useful #5 starter. The Red Sox may counter with a request for Sheehan… and I might consider that as well…
Finally, as you know, I had shoulder replacement surgery about 90 days ago, and the results are amazing. I have a full range of motion and can do just about anything. The healing and rehab process lasts another 90 days. However, five weeks ago, I had carpal tunnel and ulnar nerve surgery, and the results are not as good. I healed up in three weeks, and then the elbow (Ulnar Nerve) incision blew open, and subsequently the wound seeps, and they think there is a seroma. I am scheduled for a second surgery on Tuesday.
The upshot is that the arms and elbow pain were so intense that I had a hard time sleeping in my bed, so I started sleeping in the recliner – MY BACK PAIN WENT AWAY! Last night was the first night I slept on my new Nectar Bed, and I feel so much better. Wow! Sometimes when you get lemons, you make lemonade!
Discussion (19)
Disagree, not disagreeable
CPBL’s Wei Chuan Dragons To Post Jo Hsi Hsu
https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/los-angeles-dodgers
He would be inexpensive and another bullpen arm.
Every time I concoct at trade involving Teo… I worry that it really might happen and I’ll regret it.
Just moving him back to LF full-time would help.
And it could also ease the way for Rushing to play LF sometimes and get more ABs.
Geeez, Rick Monday in this clip:
https://www.tiktok.com/@dodgers/video/7568391037710896415
i was just joshin! wouldn’t mind it though! although i have seen rumors suggesting the dodgers are interested, and were interested last season too.
Donovan to the dodgers! as Dano would say, Book em!
Sonny Gray traded to the Red Sox.
Happy Thanksgiving to all. Hope you have a wonderful day with family.
Warren Schaffer signed to a multi-year contract to manage the Rockies.
A note to Alexander Waco: In the last thread about Mike Marshall the outfielder, you were mistakenly talking about Mike Marshall the pitcher. The outfielder’s nickname was Moose. The other Mike was called Iron Mike.
What Shohei wants….he does.
****Shohei Ohtani commits to reigning World Baseball Classic champion Japan***
Bichette would be a bargain at that price! if he would be willing to shift over to second base for a year, then replace max in 2027? sign him up!! but yeah, he’ll get more than that.
I just don’t believe the dodgers will go over 350 million for tucker. he would be a welcome addition to the outfield, but not 400+ million welcome!!
I also believe that the mets could end up with both Tucker and Bellinger. Especially if alonzo leaves. With Nimmo now gone it opens up a spot for tucker in the outfield and cody slides into first base.
if Seager doesn’t want to play in LA again, will the yankees make an offer to the rangers? That short porch in right? But the yankees already have a shortstop, right?
If the dodgers needed a starter (they don’t), I would love to see them take a chance on Michael King! i hop he goes to the American league!
i wonder if cedric mullens is anywhere on the dodgers radar? not advocating it, just curious.
Harrison Bader? possibly a dark horse candidate for the outfield. not a star, but a lot better choice than conforto!
Things should start heating up soon! it’s a fun time for baseball fans! just how heavy will the dodgers be involved. i can’t believe they don’t acquire a top tier outfielder! I’m convinced Teo is in left field opening day. Pages? probably center field. Fill in the blank will start in right!
ESPN had an FA piece in which they suggest Bichette to us for 5y/$130m. Those terms sound team-friendly. I bet he gets more than that.
Headline in SI.com:
Dodgers Predicted to Sign Kyle Tucker to $427 Million Blockbuster Deal
My intuition, both seager and his wife are from the Southeast. I read where the Braves are one of the eight teams that is on Seager’s no trade list. He’s going to get his money so I’m throwing my guess that he wavies his request of not being traded to Atlanta and goes there. I’m find with that situation. I can’t blame Seager for wanting out of Texas, I’d rather live in the North Pole than live in Texas and I hate being cold.
probably true. but if he wants out of texas bad enough, the dodgers are one a handful of teams that can take on that contract! just a thought. i would like to see him return to LA!
why not Corey to 3rd, max to utility? maybe he could play more if he moved off shortstop. and for everyone who wants to trade Dalton, there’s your chance! I’m not include that group!
A lot is going on today:
Corey Seager has requested a trade.
Tatsuya Imai does not want to play for the Dodgers; he wants to “take them down!”
Dodgers can afford Tucker. He addresses their flat offensive performance late in the season.
In terms of long-term commitments, we have:
1. Ohtani–a unicorn who pays for himself
2. Betts–a franchise face who transcends baseball
3. Yamamoto–the ace
4. Smith–the captain & a bargain
5. Snell–a recently added TOR arm
6. Glasnow–three years left now.
7. Edman–a swiss army knife
That’s it. Freeman & Teo have two years left. Kim & Sasaki don’t count. Add Tucker and wait for the prospects to hatch.
Rumors are out there about devin williams. Hope he’s not the same pitcher he was first half of the season for the yankees! If i were in charge (i’m not), i would pass!
another rumor involves jared duran coming to LA . The return would include Kim. Kim is very intriguing! if he hits, he’s invaluable!
No way should they trade Dalton, but another rumor questions him wasting away behind Smith. i believe they should hang on to him!
Hope everyone has a safe and happy thanksgiving! enjoy your family and friends! leave the nasty stuff at the door. leave the politics in the garbage where it belongs! enjoy your children, grandchildren, brothers, sisters, parents,nephews, nieces, the whole family! i know i will! A couple of health scares will wake you up!
Glad things are going well for you Mark! Need to keep you around so we all can keep cheering for the best baseball team in the world! thanks for giving me something to look forward to every morning! The last few years have been a blast! god bless you and your family!