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LA Dodger Talk

The Joc Pederson Era Needs to End

Let me start this off by saying that I believe Chris Taylor is a better Centerfielder than Joc Pederson RIGHT HERE, RIGHT NOW! Joc is much slower than Chris and maybe he runs better routes, but he is in no way an elite CF. Chris has had little outfield experience but has become a very good LF and lets not forget the first catch he ever made in CF. Joc

By Mark Timmons2 min read73 comments

Let me start this off by saying that I believe Chris Taylor is a better Centerfielder than Joc Pederson RIGHT HERE, RIGHT NOW!  Joc is much slower than Chris and maybe he runs better routes, but he is in no way an “elite” CF.  Chris has had little outfield experience but has become a very good LF and lets’ not forget the first catch he ever made in CF.  Joc seems to be always fighting a “slump.”  As fans, we are always hoping he gets better.  But, I think he is who we thought he was, and we should let him get away!

Look, this is a very good team, but any team can get better.  If Joc had 40 HR and a .220 batting average, I could dig it, but he has just 11 HR, is a poor baserunner and looses concentration frequently in the field and to top it all off, he is not smart or savvy! Send him to OKC like SVS and move on.  Chris Taylor needs to be the everyday CF.  Send Joc to OKC and call up Henry Ramos.

I don’t know how he will do, but the Dodgers may have another Chris Taylor on their hands with Henry Ramos…  but I think Ramos is worth a shot.  He is a 25 year-old switch hitter who, in 121 AB’s, is hitting .406 with a .460 PB% and 1.104 OPS. The dude is knocking on the door (actually he is kicking the door in) and Joc is not showing anything. Doc is loyal to his guys, but the time has come to move on. Send Joc back to OKC and let him work on his swing, just like Chris Taylor, Yasiel Puig and Henry Ramos.

Maybe Joc can do what Yasiel did when he was demoted last year.  I hope so… but I am not holding my breath.  We don’t need two all-or-nothing players in the lineup everyday (Joc and Yasmani) and Joc is the odd-man-out because of Grandal’s defensive value.  I thought this would be a breakout year for Grandal.  His BA is better but his power numbers are down and his OB% has declined.  Still, there is  a lot of time left.

Rants and Raves

  • Yadier Alvarez’ line last night: 5 IP/2 H/3 ER/6 BB/3 K – his AA ERA is 3.57.  He might need better control….. ‘ya think?
  • Is anyone still looking for regression in Chris Taylor?
  • The Natural just keeps taking what they give him.
  • If the ump refused to move last night for Utley, them he is dead wrong and should be suspended. That’s just dumb!
  • After Ryu struggled through 5 last night, the pen held fast.  Watson is good as a middle guy, not a high leverage guy.
  • Chris Freakin’ Hatcher?  Hopefully knows something we don’t!
  • Great story about Dennis Santana

 

Discussion (73)

Disagree, not disagreeable

Be civil — moderation is real. Links may need a moment of review.

  1. BobbyAugust 14, 2017

    Wow, I just logged on and saw some long post with nearly 5000 words by Bluto.

    Dude. WTF was that?? Meanwhile (and more importantly), if we go 26-19 the rest of the way, we set the all time NL wins record

    • Mark TimmonsAugust 14, 2017Reply

      It wasn’t Bluto!

      • blutoAugust 14, 2017Reply

        I couldn’t write 50 words!

        • BobbyAugust 14, 2017Reply

          haha sorry man, I can barely read 1 word! Bum, not Bluto!!!

  2. Brooklyn DodgerAugust 14, 2017

    One other thing about Farmer being sent down. It’s possible that the Dodgers want him to get regular playing time over the next few weeks, rather than spending his time mostly on the Dodgers bench. Might as well keep himself sharp. I still think he could be a valuable piece in the postseason.

    • Mark TimmonsAugust 14, 2017Reply

      Excellent point!

      • MJAugust 14, 2017Reply

        Buehler struck out five hitters today, in two innings, to get his first save, for the season.

        He threw 22 strikes, and eleven strikes were swing and misses.

        Our secret weapon for the post season, we now have a very good, set up guy!

  3. Watford DodgerAugust 14, 2017

    Dodgers looking good from here in Portugal.

    I’m glad Ant & Dec got a mention Bums.

  4. BlutoAugust 14, 2017

    Does Pederson have options remaining?

    • Ron Fairly fanAugust 14, 2017Reply

      According to True Blue LA’s payroll tracker Joc still has 3 options left.

  5. Brooklyn DodgerAugust 13, 2017

    Mark, I’m beginning to think you’re right about Joc. Even with my limited gray matter I could figure out that it’s not a good idea to keep hitting ground balls into the shift. I would think that by now Joc would have figured out that by cutting down on his swing, and trying to hit the ball up the middle, would result in hits all over the field, depending on how he was pitched. But what do I know? Maybe Joc is just a misunderstood genius.

    I don’t know anything about Dennis Santana, but reading that piece from TBLA reminds me about Drew Jackson. I remember that when he was acquired from Seattle during the spring, I read that he had a very powerful arm. Having looked at his underwhelming minor league hitting stats, I have wondered whether or not the Dodgers have considered converting him to a pitcher. He’s still young at 24, and it would appear that he probably has the aptitude to make a change given that he’s a Stanford graduate. Anybody know if he’s being considered as a candidate for a change, since it doesn’t appear that even with his power, that he’ll ever be much of a hitting prospect.

    I have no comment about Henry Ramos, since other than numbers I don’t have a clue as to what kind of prospect he is, nor anything about his readiness to compete at the MLB level at this time.

    Regarding the Hatcher move, and the demotion of Kyle Farmer, I couldn’t really understand the reasoning behind it. Maybe it’s just temporary to provide some additional pitching before rosters are expanded in September. I liked the idea of carrying a third catcher who also has the flexibility to play the infield, especially since Farmer showed poise at the plate at bat after at bat. I like having the option of using one of the catchers off the bench to hit without having to worry about one of them getting hurt late in a game. But maybe it’s temporary, and that the Dodgers have the intention of carrying a third catcher during the playoffs. Or maybe Hatcher has undergone a transformation that none of us is aware of. Since I trust FAZ, I have to believe that there is something perfectly plausible in their thinking.

    I don’t know what Agon will offer in the final month+, but with their commanding lead in the standings, and home field advantage in every playoff series, including the WS, virtually assured, the Dodgers have room to experiment. If anything, should the Dodgers manage to get to the WS, Agon, if he is performing well with the bat would be a really good choice to DH in the AL park. And even in NL parks, a lively Agon bat would be welcome, assuming he can play adequate defense at 1B with Bellinger shifting to LF and Taylor to CF. The only thing that I worry about is Agon clogging the bases with his sloth-like speed (although, “speed” is a misnomer).

  6. BumsrapAugust 13, 2017

    1. The list was too long.

    2. I didn’t cherry pick the list to find negative duos. It is merely famous duos, all of them.

  7. Bobbie17August 13, 2017

    Baseball America has Grandal top 3 defensive catchers in the league. That surprised me. I’m not convinced AGon is more than a .250 hitter right now. I don’t know what it will accomplish to insert him in the lineup on a regular basis. Unless he shows he can drive the ball again, he should be a bench player or occasional platoon player. Still a good guy to have around though. Who goes down? Pederson?

    • RichieFAugust 13, 2017Reply

      I wish

  8. Vegas DodgerAugust 13, 2017

    Looks like I spoke to soon as another fly ball sneaked out to LF for a 2nd 2 run HR for Spangenberg and after a walk Roberts had seen enough of Maeda today and goes to the pen. At least it’s not Hatcher coming in.

    • RichieFAugust 13, 2017Reply

      Who did Hatcher replace on the roster?

      • Rudy ByrdAugust 13, 2017Reply

        I believe it was Farmer.

  9. Vegas DodgerAugust 13, 2017

    Give Maeda credit, he has settled down nicely and is piling up the K’s and keeping his pitch count down, he may go 7 innings today.

  10. Vegas DodgerAugust 13, 2017

    The ball is flying out today and Perdomo is a ground ball pitcher. The Dodgers are trying to hit the ball in the air, which will work but you have to let the ball get deep and stay behind it against this type of pitcher. Maeda is a fly ball pitcher and he will have to mix his pitches up better and the outfielders are already getting a workout after 2 innings.

    • Rudy ByrdAugust 13, 2017Reply

      Good call, Vegas.

  11. IdahoalAugust 13, 2017

    Well said Dodgerrick. Posters on this board are not followers. They are very capable of thinking for themselves. We do it without being nasty.

  12. Mark TimmonsAugust 13, 2017

    Yes, I think we are starting to push the envelope.

    Let’s disagree without being disagreeable.

    What Rick said!

  13. dodgerrickAugust 13, 2017

    I am hopeful that posters here can/will express intelligent, informed opinions without personalizing things or being rude to others who don’t share their opinions. That has largely been what has occurred thus far; please don’t revert to name calling, fun making, rudeness, etc.

  14. BumsrapAugust 13, 2017

    I think jonah and package are quite the duo. Here are some others.

    .

    Abbott

    and

    Costello

    Abercrombie

    and

    Fitch

    Clothing Store

    Adam

    and

    Eve

    Famous first couple

    Amos

    and

    Andy

    Situation comedy popular in the United States from the 1920s through the 1950s.

    Ant

    and

    Dec

    Anthony McPartlin and Declan Donnelly, popular presenters of light entertainment television programmes in the UK.

    Anthony

    and

    Cleopatra

    Astaire

    and

    Rogers

    The famous dance pair of Fred and Ginger

    Asterix

    and

    Obelix

    Barnes

    and

    Noble

    Booksellers

    Barnum

    and

    Bailey

    Circus magnates

    Batman

    and

    Robin

    Beauty

    and

    The Beast

    Ben

    and

    Jerry

    Ice Cream Makers, with flavors like Cherry Garcia. Headquartered in South Burlington, Vermont.

    Bergen

    and

    McCarthy

    Edgar Bergen and Charlie McCarthy – Ventriloquist and dummy. Father of Candice Bergen (Edgar, not Charlie).

    Bill

    and

    Ben

    The Flower Pot Men.

    Bill

    and

    Ted

    From the movie ‘Bill and Ted’s Excellent Adventure’

    Black

    and

    Decker

    Tool Company

    Boaz

    and

    Ruth

    Major figure in The Book of Ruth in the Old Testament of the Bible. Boaz is Ruth’s second husband.

    Bob

    and

    Ray

    American comedy duo from the 50s and 60s

    Bogart

    and

    Bacall

    1940’s movie duo and married couple

    Bonnie

    and

    Clyde

    Brahms

    and

    Liszt

    Cockney rhyming slang for intoxicated

    Brooks

    and

    Dunn

    Singers

    Bubble

    and

    Squeak

    Potatoes and scallions [onions]

    Burns

    and

    Allen

    Burton

    and

    Taylor

    Butch Cassidy

    and

    The Sundance Kid

    Western

    Cagney

    and

    Lacey

    Cain

    and

    Abel

    Cannon

    and

    Ball

    Comedy Duo

    Captain

    and

    Tenille

    1970’s Band that sang “Love Will Keep Us Together”

    Castor

    and

    Pollux

    Celestial stars which are named after the twin sons of Zeus and Leda. Both Stars in the constellation Gemini.

    Chas

    and

    Dave

    Cheech

    and

    Chong

    Starred in the movie “Up in Smoke”

    Chip

    and

    Dale

    Cod

    and

    Chips

    Cupid

    and

    Psyche

    Currier

    and

    Ives

    Damon

    and

    Pythias

    Dastardly

    and

    Muttley

    David

    and

    Goliath

    Dharma

    and

    Greg

    Doctor

    and

    Nurse

    Dolce

    and

    Gabbana

    Donny

    and

    Marie

    Osmond

    Dumb

    and

    Dumber

    Ernie

    and

    Bert

    From the Sesame Street TV Show

    Fact

    and

    Fiction

    Ferdinand

    and

    Isabella

    Royal Cousins married in 1469 and started the Golden Age of exploration

    Flora

    and

    Fauna

    Frankie

    and

    Johnny

    Ballad about a lovers’ quarrel ending in murder. Recorded at least 250 different times (don’t quote us on that).

    French

    and

    Saunders

    Comedy Duo

    Gilbert

    and

    Sullivan

    Gumby

    and

    Pokey

    Claymation characters

    Hale

    and

    Pace

    Comedy duo

    Hall

    and

    Oates

    Hanna

    and

    Barbera

    TV Cartoon Producers

    Hansel

    and

    Gretel

    Hatfields

    and

    McCoys

    Classic Feuding families from USA

    Hollywood

    and

    Vine

    The most famous intersection in Hollywood

    Holmes

    and

    Watson

    Jack

    and

    Jill

    Famous hill climbers; not so good at making their descent.

    Jeeves

    and

    Wooster

    Jekyll

    and

    Hyde

    John Smith

    and

    Pocahontas

    Johnson

    and

    Johnson

    Ken

    and

    Barbie

    Kylie

    and

    Jason

    Neighbours Australian soap fame. Kylie Minogue and Jason Donovan. Played characters Charlene Mitchell and Scott Robinson.

    Lady

    and

    The Tramp

    Disney dogs who romantically shared a plate of spaghetti

    Lancelot

    and

    Guinevere

    Laurel

    and

    Hardy

    Comedian Duo

    Laverne

    and

    Shirley

    TV show

    Leda

    and

    The Swan

    Lennon

    and

    McCartney

    Lenny

    and

    Squiggy

    Lewis

    and

    Clark

    Lilo

    and

    Stitch

    Little

    and

    Large

    Comedy Duo

    Live

    and

    Let Die

    Song by Wings from the James Bond movie of the same name.

    Lone Ranger

    and

    Tonto

    Lucy

    and

    Charlie Brown

    Lucy

    and

    Ricky/Desi

    Mario

    and

    Luigi

    From the video game Mario Brothers

    Marks

    and

    Spencer

    High street retailer

    Mary Kate

    and

    Ashley

    The Olsen twins

    Mason

    and

    Dixon

    Masters

    and

    Johnson

    Mickey

    and

    Minnie

    Cartoon

    Morecambe

    and

    Wise

    British comedian duo

    Mork

    and

    Mindy

    TV Show

    Mutt

    and

    Jeff

    Mutt and Jeff was an American newspaper comic strip, created by Bud Fisher that ran from November 15, 1907 to 1982.

    Oscar

    and

    Felix

    The Odd Couple – played by Jack Klugman & Tony Randall on TV, Walter Matthau & Jack Lemmon in film.

    Ozzie

    and

    Harriet

    Parsley

    and

    Thyme

    Peaches

    and

    Cream

    Penn

    and

    Teller

    Magicians

    Peters

    and

    Lee

    A successful British folk/pop duo of the 1970s, comprising Lennie Peters and Dianne Lee.

    Pinky

    and

    The Brain

    Cartoon characters who have starred in the American animated television series Steven Spielberg Presents Animaniacs, Steven Spielberg Presents Pinky and the Brain, and Steven Spielberg Presents Pinky, Elmyra & the Brain.

    Pinky

    and

    Perky

    A children’s television series first seen on the BBC in 1957.

    Popeye

    and

    Olive Oyl

    Porgy

    and

    Bess

    Posh

    and

    Becks

    Procter

    and

    Gamble

    Punch

    and

    Judy

    Classic beach puppet entertainment which was suprisingly violent

    Ren

    and

    Stimpy

    Rhubarb

    and

    Custard

    Richard

    and

    Judy

    British TV presenters

    Rocky

    and

    Bullwinkle

    Rodgers

    and

    Hammerstein

    Rod Hull

    and

    Emu

    Comedy Show ’70’s

    Romeo

    and

    Juliet

    Romulus

    and

    Remus

    Twins brothers who were the founders of Rome

    Rosencrantz

    and

    Guildenstern

    Sage

    and

    Onion

    Salt

    and

    Pepper

    Their central role in western cuisine dates back to the court of Louis XIV, where salt was thought to whet the appetite and pepper was the only spice not considered vulgar.

    Samson

    and

    Delilah

    Sears

    and

    Roebuck

    An American mid-range chain of international department stores, founded by Richard Sears and Alvah Roebuck.

    Siegfried

    and

    Roy

    Famous Las Vegas stage show with their white tigers

    Simon

    and

    Garfunkel

    Simon

    and

    Schuster

    Publishing Company

    Siskel

    and

    Ebert

    Movie Reviewing Duo

    Smith

    and

    Wesson

    Gun Maker

    Sonny

    and

    Cher

    1960’s singing duo and 1970’s variety show couple

    Spongebob

    and

    Patrick

    Stanley

    and

    Livingstone

    Starsky

    and

    Hutch

    US cop show

    Stiller

    and

    Meara

    Jerry Stiller and Anne Meara, a husband and wife comedy team, were a big hit in the 1960s and ’70s. Parents of comedian Ben Stiller.

    Tarzan

    and

    Jane

    Thelma

    and

    Louise

    Tippeecanoe

    and

    Tyler Too

    Tom

    and

    Jerry

    Great Cartoon Cat & Mouse

    Torvill

    and

    Dean

    Ice Skating Fame

    Tracey

    and

    Hepburn

    Troilus

    and

    Cressida

    Tweedledum

    and

    Tweedledee

    From Alice in Wonderland

    Waldorf

    and

    Statler

    Muppet show!!

    Wallace

    and

    Gromit

    Will

    and

    Grace

    TV Sitcom

    William

    and

    Mary

    Cousins who married and jointly ruled as king and queen of England from the Stewart dynasty

    Yin

    and

    Yang

    Zig

    and

    Zag

    • Rudy ByrdAugust 13, 2017Reply

      What a waste of space.

      • Mark TimmonsAugust 13, 2017Reply

        I give him an A for Affort!

      • jonahAugust 13, 2017Reply

        An apt description of Bumsrap, a waste of space….

        • dodgerpatchAugust 13, 2017Reply

          What are you doing?

    • package206August 13, 2017Reply

      Atta Boy Bumsrap, Make it personal!

      • Rudy ByrdAugust 13, 2017Reply

        Really, Bumsrap. Get a life.

  15. the truth hurtsAugust 13, 2017

    Taylor

    Seager

    Turner

    Bellinger

    Utley

    Grandal

    Pederson

    Puig

    • jonahAugust 13, 2017Reply

      I really can’t understand this fixation on Puig hitting 8th. I would rather he hit 5th or 6th, and I would give him a try in CF, too.

      • package206August 13, 2017Reply

        I agree Jonah, there is a lot of concern to moving Puig but none to moving Cody or Chris or others. Strange. If you don’t want to mess with success then don’t change the current lineup. We will see what the W/L record is with these changes.

        • jonahAugust 13, 2017Reply

          Have you noticed how, when the GM or Manager does something, most posters immediately latch on to it as a great idea and really harass any posters that disagree with them? Then when the GM or Manager gets around to changing his mind and makes a counter move, once again most posters think it’s a great move and completely forget they used to be against it. That is the definition of a follower.

          • dodgerpatchAugust 13, 2017Reply

            It’s called credibility. When leadership has it, then decisions made are accepted, especially is there is a logical and convincing foundation for that decision.

            You know what I notice? I notice some people tend to take an opposing position in spite of nigh overwhelming evidence that they’re wrong simply to be a contrarian; that somehow doing so makes them an independent thinker, more objective ….a realist. Actually, the opposite is true. Folks who doggedly hold on to a discredited position are like flat Earthers.

          • MJAugust 13, 2017Reply

            Puig has had problems for a long time, hitting in the clutch, especially at the top of the line up.

            Because he puts to much pressure on himself, and he often over swings, because of this.

            And Roberts has experimented with Puig, higher in the line up at times this year, but when Puig has been moved up in the line up, he hasn’t been able to produce, like he has, hitting eighth.

            It isn’t like Roberts, hasn’t tried that!

          • HawkeyeDodgerAugust 14, 2017Reply

            Puig is not the same hitter he was in the past. Less anxious and isn’t pressing as much. He’s won some battles in clutch situations the second half of this season and to think he can only do that in the 8 hole is ridiculous. I hate seeing innings or games end with Puig on deck because Utley, Forsythe, Grandal, or Joc are getting more AB’s.

            If it’s not broke don’t fix it, right? Well, the 5 hole is broke. I’d rather see Forsythe drawing walks there than what Joc is doing, but I’d rather see Puig there and I find out now if he can handle it or not.

      • RichieFAugust 13, 2017Reply

        Hitting Puig 8th seems like a confortable place in the order with him this year since he has the highest BA in that position. I would not hit him 5th since he is only hitting .033(1-30).

  16. IdahoalAugust 13, 2017

    I agree with you Mark. If Utley asked the ump to move and he was thrown out for that reason, the ump should be suspended. It was wierd. It looked like they were just having a conversation. It is going to be the interesting today to find out what really happened.

  17. IdahoalAugust 13, 2017

    I think we all agree we have a better option than Joc. Taylor can play second. There is no question about that. It is just a question where you want to put everyone. Utley is looking pretty good to me. Platoon Utley and Forsythe. Put Agon on first. Taylor goes to center and Bellinger to left. Taylor and Bellinger are going to play regardless. Let Either be the DH and pinch hitter, if he comes back strong.

    I would never move Puig from batting 8th. Why mess with success. Grandal should bat 7th and Agon 6th. Let the two slow runners bat at the end of the line up.

    I would like to see Ramos have an opportunity. I hope they call him up in Sept.

    Hatcher has been reinstated. I hope he is on a short lease. Let him throw about four times. If no good, let’s end it. If good, let him throw some more. Put him in high leverage situations. It may cost us a game or two, but we need to know.

    • MJAugust 13, 2017Reply

      Idahoal

      With the point you made, and others have made, about our slow runners, hitting at the back of the lineup, I was thinking, maybe it would be better, to hit Puig ninth, and hit our pitchers eighth.

      This way, Puig would be a second lead off hitter in our line up, and then he wouldn’t be blocked, by any slow runners, that are hitting, or running, in front of him.

      And Puig should not feel any more pressure hitting ninth, then he feels, hitting eighth, like he has, most of the year.

      But I am still a little leary about moving Puig out of the eighth position, and trying to over analyze, the line up, and possible messing, with Puig’s, current success.

  18. norcaldodgerfanAugust 13, 2017

    If Agon and Ethier hit when they return there will be no need for Joc on a playoff roster. Eithier can pinch hit and play corner OF moving CT3 to CF or Cody to LF when Agon plays in the field. I agree Joc looks completely lost and out of sync with his swing. His AB’s are woeful and non-competitive.

    He’s probably also looking at a trade in the off season for more puzzle pieces to improve depth. Joc, Kazmir, BMac, maybe Ryu might be on the trading block in the off season just to deepen the farm and to further complete the plan by FAZ to acquire MLB ready depth at nearly every position.

  19. MJAugust 13, 2017

    Mark

    If they are going to have Taylor play centerfield, he needs to start playing it, everyday now.

    Because that will give him more experience in center, before the post season begins.

    He needs to get use to playing in the different stadiums that we will be playing in, until the end of the regular season.

    I know Grandal hasn’t been hitting as well lately, but he did work hard in the off season, and he is doing much better this year, and he is throwing out runners better too, so I give him credit for that.

    I like Barnes a lot too, but we don’t know for sure, how well he will hit against rightie pitchers, since he doesn’t play or hit against righties, to much.

    And we don’t know how well he will hold up, playing everyday, but I agree, he is a player!

    I just don’t understand why Roberts is hitting Joc and Forsythe behind Cody, in the line up.

    I would bat them seventh, like where Roberts batted Chase, last night.

    And I do think Chase is a much better option against righties, then Forsythe is..

    To Cody’s credit, having these weak hitters hitting behind him, hasn’t effected his hitting, because he is still hitting, and hitting in runs.

    And I do think we are seeing a better Chase this year, at this point in the season, because he has not over played to much, and wore himself out.

    And Chase has made a pretty good adjustment, coming off the bench, so I think Roberts should give him, more playing time, against righties.

    Because I think Forsythe has been given more then a chance, to hit righties this year, and he is still not hitting rigthies, at all!

    And I don’t think Forsythe and Joc, trying to over work their counts, is helping them hit any better, so I think they need to change their strategy, and stop watching good pitches go by.

    They need to attack any good pitches that they get, instead of waiting until they have two strikes, and become easy outs, for pitchers!

    • Vegas DodgerAugust 13, 2017Reply

      I agree about Utley MJ, he has been making solid contact, and deserves a few more starts against RHP. His defense is still good and he’s an excellent base runner. Forsythe has trouble with a hard slider from RHP just like Kike and neither should face them until they adjust their swings.

      Joc spends more time out of the box than in it while hitting and still does not seem ready when the pitch is thrown. He has become an easy out and either pops up or rolls over for a ground ball to 1st or 2nd unless he is just missing the pitch completely. He is trying to pull everything and seems in a deep mental funk right now.

  20. dodgerrickAugust 13, 2017

    Here’s why Cody shouldn’t move to LF: his splits:

    1B – .309 (BA), .385 (OPB), .713 (SLG), 1.098 (OPS)

    LF – .202, .276, .430, .706

    Leave Cody at 1B. Let Gonzalez come off of the bench.

    Joc isn’t the only regular having a bad season. What about Forsythe?

    Forsythe: .236, .363. .312, .675

    Joc: .219, .333, .426, .759

    Really – a .312 SLG.?

    • the truth hurtsAugust 13, 2017Reply

      When he moved to 4th in the lineup, is the same time he moved to first. When he played LF, he hit all over the lineup when called up. I think batting order had more to do with it.

      Forsythe is not doing well, but replacing Joc with an Agon will hopefully impact the team, if Agon shows up of course. Bat Forsythe 8th.

      • dodgerrickAugust 13, 2017Reply

        I don’t think that the numbers bear out that batting order position has significantly affected Cody’s offensive performance. His best OPS is batting 6th. Check out his splits and see what you think.

        https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/split.fcgi?id=bellico01&year=2017&t=b

      • BobbyAugust 13, 2017Reply

        Exactly. Those stats are quite misleading as Belly hasn’t played LF in a long long time.

        If he was playing both positions consistently for the last 8 weeks, then those stats would have some relevance. But right now? Meaningless

    • MJAugust 13, 2017Reply

      Rick

      When Cody was playing in left field, it was also his first two months, or less, in the majors, and he was just learning to adjust, so I don’t know if his stats while he was playing in left, are a true reflection, of where he was playing, or they were more a reflection of him, just learning to adjust, to major league pitching.

      And when he has played in leftfield, he didn’t look uncomfortable at all on defense, so I don’t see that, as any connection, with his hitting.

  21. the truth hurtsAugust 13, 2017

    I’ve never agreed more with a post then this one! Joc must be a good person, but does not help this team.

    Puig has earned at least a shot to move up, Agon is the last person we want running in front of the wild horse. Like Mark, I agree Agon should bat 6th for aging and for being a left handed behind Bells does not work.

    Taylor

    Seager

    Turner

    Bellinger

    Puig

    Agon

    Grandal

    Forsythe

    Hell, try the Ramos kid out until Agon returns, just end the Joc era already, it’s been way to long

  22. TherealtenAugust 13, 2017

    Totally agree on joc. Grandal is very streaky. He goes into deep slumps but also can get red hot! He and Barnes are a terrific catching tandem. I think our biggest deficiency is second base with Forsyth. Apparently Taylor is not the answer defensively. I don’t know that I am just getting that vibe from posters. Forsyth may be solid defensively but he definitely has no business in the fifth spot of the batting order. How about Barnes at second? Might have to try the wild horse another spot in batting order as teams are not pitching to him now. Against lefties: Taylor cf, seager, turner , bellinger 1b, Hernandez cf-lf, Barnes c, puig, Forsyth the strikeout king. Against right handlers: Taylor cf, Seager, turner,bellinger left, Gonzalez first, grandal, utley, puig

  23. SpokaneBobAugust 13, 2017

    Look for Adrian to be activated to DH against Detroit next weekend.

  24. SpokaneBobAugust 13, 2017

    I am beginning to like Barnes over Grandal.

    • package206August 13, 2017Reply

      I also like Barnes. He is definitely the future in my opinion.

      • Mark TimmonsAugust 13, 2017Reply

        Our future at catcher is Kay Bear! Will Smith is good too, but Kay Bear was “special” written all over him.

        We have another year of Barnes and Grandal. I like both. At the time the Dodgers traded for them, I said so and many disagreed with me.

        Lots of Dodger fans dislike Grandal, but I guarantee 3/4 of the GM’s in baseball will be lined up if he goes on the market. He is still TOP 10, maybe TOP 6 in baseball.

        I said in Spring Training that Cody was ready… and he was. I would love to have his defense and speed at 1B, but if A-Gon is healthy, he has to play. Maybe his decline was from injury more than declining skills.

        With Logan at 2B, the Dodgers have a great defensive infield. I also don’t get the dislike of Logan. In all of baseball, among 2B with 250 or more AB’s, Logan Forsythe is #6 in OB%.

        DJ LeMahieu (last year’s batting champ) is hitting .310 with a .372 OB% while Forsythe is hitting .236 with a .363 OB%. Do not underestimate Logan’s value to this team!

        • dodgerrickAugust 13, 2017Reply

          but a .312 slg?

        • MJAugust 13, 2017Reply

          Mark

          Forsythe hasn’t hit righties at all this year, and there are far to many rightie pitchers in baseball, to carry an everyday player in the line up, that doesn’t hit righties at all.

          Forsythe seems like he is a sure handed defensive player, but he is not a defensive savant, so that is not a reason, to have him in the line up everyday, when he isn’t contributing on offense, much at all.

          Taylor will play second just as well as Forsythe would, if he is playing there, most of the time, next year.

          And Taylor is younger, and he would be a great addition to are mostly all young infield.

          And I don’t think Roberts is doing any favors for Forsythe, by hitting him, fifth.

          But Forsythe does hit lefties much better, then he hits righties, so his bat against lefties in the post season, might be valuable, for the team.

  25. SpokaneBobAugust 13, 2017

    I see Adrian hitting behind Cody for protection and not to clog up the bases for the speed we have at the top.

    • package206August 13, 2017Reply

      I agree with Jonah putting Adrian down in the lineup exactly for the reason you stated. Speed. Agon is extremely slow.

    • package206August 13, 2017Reply

      I agree with Jonah putting Adrian down in the lineup exactly for the reason you stated. Speed. Agon is extremely slow.

  26. SpokaneBobAugust 13, 2017

    Don’t worry Cody and Chris will both be in the line up. The point is that we would be better with Chris in center, Cody in left and Adrian at first. I know Cody is a better defensive first baseman than Adrian who is good and Cody seems to hit better at first. But we will need a productive Adrian through the playoffs. In the series Adrian would DH. This would make our amazing offense even better.

  27. package206August 13, 2017

    Where in the lineup does Agon hit?

    • jonahAugust 13, 2017Reply

      Six or seven, maybe fifth if he’s doing well… I would put Puig behind Bellinger, then Agon- the catcher, then either Joc or For-shit and the pitcher.

      • package206August 13, 2017Reply

        I hope this is the last year of Forsythe.

        • jonahAugust 13, 2017Reply

          It will be. He has an $8 MM option for next year, with a $1 MM buyout. Even FAZ isn’t crazy enough to pay him $8 MM next year, but some of the people here think so because Timmons said so….

          • Mark TimmonsAugust 13, 2017Reply

            Timmons also said Barnes would be very good, that Bellinger was ready, that FAZ were geniuses, that the rotation would be a strength of the team and that the Dodgers would go to the World Series this year. Where did you stand on all of that? Don’t make me look it up!

          • package206August 13, 2017Reply

            I too believe that this is all of Forsyth. If FAZ is truly genius they will not spend 8MM on him with so many other options.

  28. package206August 13, 2017

    Sorry, I should have also commented on todays post. I agree with Mr. Timmons that Joc should return to Oklahoma City to find his swing and I also think that Ramos should have an opportunity at some point. Chris Taylor has done done an outstanding job and should remain in the lineup in my opinion.

    • jonahAugust 13, 2017Reply

      Some sentiment to putting Agon on first, Bellinger to LF, Taylor to CF, and Joc to OKC…

      Another option is Bellinger to LF, Taylor to second, Forshite to the bench. Other options also. General consensus is Agon has more to offer than Joc or Forshite.

  29. package206August 13, 2017

    I know the return of Adrian has probably been discussed a good deal here but I would like to know how everyone feels about it now that it has become very close. In my opinion to take Bellinger out of the lineup would be like taking a lot of the fire from the team. I also feel that change for the sake of change is not good. Bellinger is hitting better than I think Adrian can hit at this point in his career. This change is not good in my opinion. Not for any games. Bellinger does not need the rest that Roberts thinks he needs. So goes Bellinger, so goes the Dodgers.

    • Mark TimmonsAugust 13, 2017Reply

      If A-Gon is healthy and productive, he should play. Cody goes to LF. Cody is better at 1B, but Adrian’s bat could be huge… if he is healthy.

      • package206August 13, 2017Reply

        Taylor in Center?

  30. jonahAugust 13, 2017

    Harper’s Injury:

    http://www.sportsnet.ca/baseball/mlb/nationals-harper-leaves-game-vs-giants-apparent-knee-injury/

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