The Light at the End of the Tunnel

The ball will unfortunately find Muncy’s defensive position at critical times in the game but his bat is back to finding the ball again at critical times.

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I am learning to like solo home runs. They have a much higher chance of scoring a run on this Dodger team.

Not raising the white flag on 2018 yet, but if KeeKee and CT 0 for 3 are both on the club next year I’ll be utterly disappointed. They are the same player, bust or boom. Austin Barnes will never be a full-time ML catcher, dude cannot hit.

I have done a complete 180 on Dave Roberts. I was once supportive, but I am no longer. I concur with Mark that Roberts is not a FAZ puppet, but if the Dodgers do not make the playoffs and Roberts keeps his job, some of those conspiracy theories are going to rise to the top. BEFORE the game started, some on this site pointed out that right handed batters cannot hit Gomber (and his reverse splits), and yet the lineup included Kike’, CT3, and Deer In The Headlights Barnes right before the pitcher. The same information (and undoubtedly much much more) that was available to Roberts, and was discussed before the game by fans, was not paid attention to by Roberts when the lineup was created, or as Mark alluded to, Roberts ignored the information because he believes he is smarter than the information. Why wasn’t Muncy in the lineup or Joc or Puig? All were better options than who played. They certainly could not do any worse than Kike’ or CT3.

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Right now there is no reason to believe that Kike’ is the next JD Martinez or that CT3 will come out of his year long slump and cure his inability to consistently put bat to ball. Time is running out, and the way the team is going there is no reason to REST players for October, because right now they will all be resting IN October. The team does not have the time to wait for September to expand the rosters and TRY something different. Option CT3 to OKC until September and bring up Verdugo. Maybe he is not the long term solution for CF, but right now he is good enough. I know MJ strongly prefers Toles to Verdugo but I still like the long term offensive potential of Verdugo. He is 4 years younger than Toles and will only get better (or should). He was getting more comfortable in his last recall. Put him in CF and DO NOT take him out. Live or die with Verdugo. FAZ is already on that train with the bullpen, might as well increase the risk.

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While not now, I do think September is a time to let Tim Locastro try to unseat Kike’ as the utility player. I keep Kike’ over CT3 because of his obvious defensive strengths over CT3, but in September, Kike’ should be a defensive substitution only and a RH pinch hitter against LHP or against MadBum. Admittedly, Kike’ would be HOF if he could bat only against MadBum.

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I think most on this site know that I am a big Alex Wood fan. Many who do not think highly of Wood try to evaluate him as if he were an Ace rather than a back of the rotation starter, which is what he is. But I am far more of a TEAM fan than a fan of the individual. I do believe that Alex would be a much better help for the team as a reliever for the next 37 games. Early last year, I wrote that I believed that Wood and Stripling could be the L-R version of Andrew Miller, and I still do. Unfortunately, pitchers like Andrew Miller need to fall on their face and get released BEFORE logic and reality sets in. That has not happened to Wood or Stripling. However, Stripling looks to have added even a #4 pitch and that should keep Stripling in the rotation. Again, because I believe in the team more than the individual, I believe that Wood has value as a starter and could be used as a lead in a winter trade package.

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In the last thread, Adam suggested that Mark and/or I look at possible fixes for 2019. I have been making my notes and working on something, but I do not want to write about 2019 until 2018 is over. I know things look bleak right now, but until the team is eliminated, I cannot give up hope. I can still vent and get frustrated with Roberts’ lineups and bullpen moves, but I still believe this team will turn things around and somehow find a way to get into the playoffs.

I agree with most of what you say. Doc just cannot put the best 8 players on the field at the same time. Doc is just too nice. He tries to keep everybody happy. It does not, nor will it work. Kiki, Joc and Taylor should not be starting. Next year, Joc, and Taylor must go. Muncey only stays if they have the DH. Verdugo should of been up a month ago, but they do not want to offend, Joc, Kiki, or Taylor. Doc does not have the guts to do what needs to be done. The fat lady will start singing prety soon. I do not know if they can pull it out in Sept. unless Doc changes. We have the players to win it all, but the wrong manager. He is too nice.

Why do managers continue to put closers in a a non- closer situation. Their mind set is coming in and closing out a game, not maintaining it. You can tell the difference just by looking at the expression on their faces. Stupid move, have a little faith in the rest of the bullpen and use the closer for the closer role!!

I don’t keep up with this stuff, but is it possible that Verdugo is being kept at OKC to limit his time with the Dodgers in an attempt to slow down his MLB clock? Or is it just a maturity issue?

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In any case, unless there’s an underlying reason, it makes litttle sense to keep a player with Verdugo’s skill set down on the farm.

We hit a lot of hard balls yesterday earlier in the game, but just right at guys. Great job coming back, but and DeJong robbed Kike of a 2 out RBI in the 5th as well. But Bellinger’s bases loaded no out pop up was weak. He was hot coming in, but was horrible last night. Hopefully he gets it back today.

We’re 2.5 out, and lots of folks here are frustrated . Enjoy the next 6 weeks!! If we don’t get to October, the rest of us will join the vent sessions with you. If we do get to Oct, then get your bp meds ready!

Andrew Friedman never done anything in Tampa Bay Farhan zaidi never accomplish anything in Oakland Dave Roberts is not a leader or a manager. This Dodger team will be watching the World Series at home like I will he doing. I am a die-hard Dodgers fan and it hurts to watch this team night after night doing the same thing over and over to lose a game we are all Dodger fans. Machado would be the spark plug like JD Martinez did for Arizona but it has not happened yet hopefully September will kick in for him I want this season 2 end like yesterday and get on with the offseason and hopefully the owners of the Dodgers will hire a good leader to get us a World Series and a parade in Los Angeles.

FAZ likes the SO, walks and HR. That is their MO. Verdugo does not fit in their thinking. I know the game is changing and I do not like it. The outfield should consist of Kemp, Puig, Verdugo and Toles. The infield is set. Barnes should only play to give Grandal a rest.

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They started to steal some bases. I am happy. However, I firmly believe the players are doing this on their own. It is nothing Doc has done. This tells me something about Doc’s leadership. The players are losing faith in Doc.

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Next year. Trade CT, Puig, Joc and Barnes. Sign Grandal, Kershaw and Ryu. Let Wood walk. Kershaw, Beuhler, Ryu, Hill and Urias for starters. Let Maeds be your 8th. Inning guy. Rework his contract. Stripling and Ferguson in the pen. That way Ferguson, Maeda, and Stripling could be starters if we have some injuries.

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Last, get rid of Doc. I think he has lost this team. He does not have the make up to be a manager. He never gets upset. Sometimes you have to get thrown out of a game. Doc is a nice guy, but that is where it ends.

Trade CT, Puig, Joc and Barnes.- might get a box of krispy kremes for this group

I like Doc, but if he is responsible for these lineups then he should be held accountable. The team is under performing. The Kenley DL trip might have been the death blow to this team after surviving injuries to Seager, Turner, and Puig.

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Muncy has a nice series in Seattle and the pitchers splits say that Muncy should be starting and either Taylor or Kike on the bench. Puig has a big situational hit Sunday vs Seattle. The type that everyone is crying for. He’s hitting .300 ish since May 1st and he’s sitting on the bench for Kemp, Kike, and Taylor. Barnes played the day before and he’s out there again. Maybe Wood likes throwing to him. I don’t know, but if you’re starting him then why in the world are you pinch hitting for him in only the 6th inning. The guy looks defeated when he walks into the batters box. I have no idea what happened to last year’s Barnes, but either sit him like you should or let him play until later in the game. Kemp, Kike, Taylor, Barnes, pitcher looks like smooth sailing for a pitcher after getting past Bellinger.

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I’m not advocating playing Muncy everyday because I do believe the ball will find him, but the numbers last night screamed Muncy to every sabremetric nerd out there. Wood wasn’t sharp last night. You could tell from the first batter. He threw two high flat change-ups to Carpenter to start the game. He was lucky they weren’t jacked out of the stadium. I don’t know how many times Doc has chosen to not pinch hit for a pitcher this year and then wind up pulling him the very next inning. It seems like a lot though.

Cubs get Daniel Murphy (we all remember him from 2015)

I agree Mark that FAZ has not traded Verdugo. However, how do you explain why Verdugo has not been brought up. Kemp and Puig are the only two outfielders who are hitting and they are not hitting much. You could bring up Toles and Verdugo to help. They will not because that means CT, Kiki, Joc or someone else has to go. They do not have the courage to make a decision. Toles and Verdugo will be up in Sept., and by then it may be to late.

Allegedly the Dodgers claimed Bryce Harper, but the Nats didn’t want to play ball.

The Cards just got Matt Adamas back!

Well the Nationals have thrown in the towel. I guess it wasn’t Dusty after all. Matt Adams, Daniel Murphy, and Bryce Harper were all placed on revocable waivers but were claimed, and pulled back. The Cubs claimed Daniel Murphy and have worked out a trade with the Nats. The Cards claimed Matt Adams and have worked out a trade with the Nats. So far there is no word on who claimed Harper.

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The way the waivers work is that, in this instance, the last place team in the NL (Padres) gets 1st shot and that continues through the NL first, and then same procedure in the AL. The Dodgers are the 8th place team in the NL, and the last seven are not real playoff contenders and are not going to claim rentals. Thus the Dodgers have the first shot at any NL contender for any NL player placed on revocable waivers. Obviously the Dodgers did not place a claim on Murphy or Adams. I am not sure how Adams helps the Cardinals. But since August, Murphy is batting .324/.343/.456/.799 for the Nats, which is more reflective of his prior three years. Joe Maddon will find a way to utilize Murphy’s bat. The Cubs are now the clear favorite with Hamels’ lights out pitching and another bat.

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I think I would kick the tires on Matt Harvey and move Wood to the bullpen. He has pitched reasonably well with the Reds with the exception of two games (Pittsburgh and Nationals) who the Dodgers do not face again. However, his last two games were wins against the DBacks and Giants. He pitched well going 7.0 against the DBacks and 6.1 against the Giants. He took a No-Hitter into the 6th against the Giants. Like Verdugo last year, and Hamels this year, maybe the veteran will get his competitive juices flowing for a playoff run for the Dodgers. RIght now, really what will it hurt?

This team is seriously run by a bunch of ass clowns!

AC might be right that Verdugo will end up being a 12-18 HR guy. But he also might produce a whole lot of extra base hits. I can imagine him hitting a whole bunch of doubles. And maybe with maturity the 22 year old gets to 20+ HRs. But last I looked he was hitting .335 with a .390 OBP. And let’s not forget his accurate rocket arm. I still like Puig, but I would trade anyone in the right deal. But it certainly wouldn’t hurt to have both those arms in our outfield.

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And if I ever get a brain scan, it’s pretty certain that they would find a perfect vacuum.

The Nationals owe Dusty Baker an apology.

Just saw the stuff about Harper after my previous post. I definitely think a deal for Harper is something the Dodgers should think about, depending of course, on the price in talent.

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If the Dodgers included Verdugo in a Harper deal, then it would be incumbent on them to seriously pursue BOTH Machado and Harper this winter. I’m not sure they would do that considering the rising costs for Seager, Bellinger and others over the next several years.

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And I agree with Mark that pursuing Dozier this winter may not be a good idea considering his age.

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In any case, I’m not an expert on Dodger finances, so really I don’t have a clue as to what they might do this winter. I leave that to FAZ, and hope for the best.

I have a good friend I have not talked to for a few months that I saw today. He is a huge Cubs fan and asked me why the Dodgers were not doing so good.

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His exact quote is “You guys have, by far, the best talent in the National League and you did it by not tanking like we did. That is amazing! What is wrong? Is it Roberts?”

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I said: “No this team was put together by ass clowns. They only assembled the best talent in the league. They are chumps.”

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(extreme sarcasm zone)

Adams was a straight waiver claim. No player going to from Cards to Nats.

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Murphy was in fact a trade from the Nats to the Cubs. The Cubs traded 21 year old infielder prospect, Andruw Monasterio, to Washington for Murphy and cash. Monasterio is primarily a 2B/SS, but also plays some 3B. Monasterio is from Caracas, Venezuela and was batting .263/.359/.336/.695 for Carolina League (A+) affiliate for the Cubs (Myrtle Beach). He has been assigned to the Potomac Nationals, also in the Carolina League. Maybe Omar Estevez would be a like comparison.

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I still think this is a big pickup for the Cubs. Murphy can play 3B for Baez until he comes back, or 2B and Baez can move to 3B. When Bryant does return, Maddon will be able to move Murphy around to 2B, 3B, and 1B. Baez can relieve Russell at SS. The toughest part will be trying to keep Zobrist happy. Zobrist is having a good year.

Intentionally ridiculous, strategically hyperbolic, unfailingly cathartic.”

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I’m into that!

Bryce Harper signed a 2 year / $35,250,000 contract with the Washington Nationals, including $35,250,000 guaranteed, and an annual average salary of $17,625,000. In 2018, Harper will earn a base salary of $21,625,000, while carrying a total salary of $21,625,000. That contract ends this year.

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Haprer is owed about $5M for 2018. Puig is owed about $2.5M for 2018. I would imagine the Dodgers would want to not absorb more than $3M of net additional salary. Would the Nats have accepted 1.25 years of Puig in exchange for 0.25 years of Harper? Or, would they also want a prospect?

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Barnes maintains a decent OBP and is a good defensive catcher. Grandal needs more rest especially this time of the year. Barnes needs to play more.

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Joc has finished each month strong this year. Need to keep him in the lineup for the rest of August sharing time in both CF and LF. Kemp and Puig can share time in RF. Taylor needs to play less. Kike’ needs to play less. But FAZ and Doc like to win as a team and that team often includes the 40 and for sure the entire 25. It’s worked but last year Taylor wasn’t leading the League in Ks.

Puig and Hundley are going to get to spend some more quality time together. Buster Posey is heading for hip surgery and is out for the year.