The Comment That Saved LADT

Ninety percent (or more) of the commenters on LADT are knowledgeable and have strong opinions. I run LADT like I run my real company (US Water Systems): Everyone understands that my door is open, and they can walk in and openly disagree with me, but if you disagree, “Have a Take and Do Not Suck.” That simply means that if you disagree with what I say, then clearly articulate why and leave it at that. It’s even fine to say, “Well, I just don’t agree with that.” That’s fine. However, when it turns personal, then I will revert to my “street fighter” persona, and it will be on.

The last post started like this:

I very much appreciated what was said to the person who called me small-minded, and I received several e-mails and even a couple of phone calls from people talking about the blog. I was reminded that several thousand people read here every day, but only a few post. I get that! However, the Post that truly saved LADT was this one:

Thank you, T Robb. People come here for a reason. They want to hear things about the Dodgers that they may not read elsewhere. I am an independent thinker and have strong opinions about many things. I am wrong frequently, but I do get it right a lot. The comments are not open just so that you can agree, but they are open so you can disagree.

Dialogue is important. Disagreement is fine…as long as you can disagree without being disagreeable. Emotional arguments do not work with me. I will usually question silly statements and when people get the maddest is when I am usually touching a nerve. As an example, here are some of the things I have taken the most flack for:

• “Adrian Beltre will be a Hall-of-Famer” (said when he was a rookie);
• “Andy LaRoche will be a Hall-of-Famer.” (yeah, I missed on that one)
• “Joc Pederson is a 4th or 5th outfielder;”
• “James Outman is a 4th or 5th outfielder;“
• “Miguel Vargas will be an All-Star,” (the jury is still out)
• “Andrew Friedman is a great hire.“
• “Dave Roberts is a better choice as manager than Kapler.“
• “Gavin Lux cannot play SS.” (I took a ton of flack for that and little did I know that he couldn’t hit either.

Don’t get me wrong – I do get plenty wrong, too, but I have a good eye for talent, and I learned the game about 40 years ago from an old-time writer who was one of the initial writers for Baseball America. I have forgotten his last name, but his first name was Bill (God Rest his Soul). We used to talk for hours before, during, and after games. It was later that I became friends with Tony Jackson and spent a lot of time with him. One evening we were having dinner, and he had just cut into his steak when his phone rang, and he jumped up, chugged his beer, and as he ran out he said, “Manny Ramirez is going to be suspended“.

I was the first blogger to sit in the pressbox at Dodger Stadium almost 16 years ago. I was in the press box during the game after Manny was suspended, and in the first inning, Matt Kemp hit a Grand Slam. I almost came unglued. It was electric! I spent a 4-game series in Chicago 14 years ago with full pressbox access as well as on-field and lockerroom access. That was when Clayton signed a ball for my son (the one who is now our CEO).

I used to go to Spring Training for two weeks every Spring. Roger Sobin (God Rest his Soul) and I teamed up to do it a lot.

The guy on the left is Badger. I’ll withhold his real name on account of his being wanted in 37 states. Those were the days, but about the same time as Andrew Friedman was hired, my business started blowing up and I could no longer go to Spring Training without the family for weeks and still vacation with them, so I choose the family and I have never got another press pass. I have maintained a few contacts and count Josh Rawitch, President at Cooperstown as a friend (there he is by Ned Colletti).

The others I keep in contact with are writers, scouts, and ex-players. I used to talk to Ron Perrinowski and Faye Vincent frequently. As time has passed, we tend not to stay in touch as much. I have been tempted to call Logan White a few times but never have. I used to. I also realize that you are not going to get much from them except boilerplate and hyperbole.

Posters have come and gone on this board. Many have died, some got pissed off and some were trolls. Bulldogs and Penguins was perhaps one of the best and most knowledgable. I wonder what happened… Ted Raymond is back… and I am glad. I wonder about Jayne Cobb and Dodgerpatch. There are so many names and many I forget and then remember late at night. I really don’t know how long I will do this, but it is a day at a time… and I am, doing it now. When the pain of staying the same becomes greater than the pain of change, then I will change.

Back to LA Dodger Talk

There is rampant speculation that the Dodgers are kicking the tires and even making offers for players like Bo Bichette, Cody Bellinger, Randy Arozarena, Garrett Crochet, Luis Rengifo, Taylor Ward, and others. Let me remind you to believe none of what you hear and half of what you see. I am all in on Crochet, Bichette and Bellinger but I will also remind you that it takes two to tango. The best catcher in the Dodgers’ system could be Thayron Liranzo, not Cartaya or Rushing. Wrobleski could be the equal of Crochet. Bellinger, Crochet, and Bichett would be a nice trio to trade for, but. #1 The other team have to value your players; and #2 They have to value them more than what other teams are offering. I believe the Dodgers have the pitching they need, regardless of what we are seeing just about now. However, you can never have too much pitching.

Bradley is a “Serial Trade Concoctor.” It’s in his jeans genes. He likes it. It’s his way of “brainstorming.” Some days when you brainstorm, you look like a genius… other days, not so much. Keep it coming, Bradley. If the Dodgers can get Bichette, then Betts will move back to 2B, and Gavin Lux is ….? I would prefer to get Bichette and Bellinger and leave it at that. Crochet is going to cost Wrobleski, Hurt and/or Ryan. I am averse to that. With May, Yamamoto, Kershaw, Buehler, Grandal, Kelly, Brasier, et al. on the IL, the cavalry is ready to charge. Maybe the Dodgers need pitching if most of those players do not return as expected, but if they do, I would not gut the farm. Just my opinion! MLBTR says this about Crochet:

“Crochet isn’t an ideal fit for a team seeking consistent, bankable innings — as the Dodgers currently are. This year’s 101 1/3 innings is more than Crochet, a 2020 draftee, had thrown in his entire professional career combined prior to the ’24 campaign. There are questions about how the left-hander will hold up down the stretch, and The Athletic trio suggests he’s not a lock to spend the remainder of the season pitching in a regular rotation role if he is indeed moved…”

— The Athletic

The Athletic Power Poll

Here’s what they say this week:

3. Los Angeles Dodgers
Record: 52-33
Last Power Ranking: 4
Trade deadline prediction: Luis Robert Jr. and Erick Fedde in a package deal
They’ll try to get Garrett Crochet instead, but they will be rebuffed. They’ll ask again and get re-rebuffed. So Fedde it is, and they’ll be fine with that. He’s been excellent in his first season back from Korea.
It will take a lot of shiny prospects and young players to make this happen, but don’t worry, the Dodgers will make more of them. Their only real cost will have to be the overtime pay to the people working the prospect assembly lines. The Dodgers don’t always go big, but this is one of the offseasons where they go a little nuts. You can’t have the offseason they had and limp into the postseason with on-hand roster fixes.

— Grant Brisbee

By the way, I can see Dave Dumbrowski absolutely gutting the Phillies and getting Mason Miller and others to go all-in to win this year. He will be fired later, but that is what he does.

Here’s what The Athletic said about San Diego:

Preller has already made the best deadline move of the year in getting Luis Arraez. Maybe he’ll flip Arraez for prospects, then trade those prospects for relievers, then trade those relievers for different prospects? Then he’ll take those prospects and get an impact hitter, someone like Arraez. Could work.

— Grant Brisbee

They are obviously mocking Preller.

X-Cites

James Outman goes deep in the desert! pic.twitter.com/Bp3t6YgRsm

— Oklahoma City Baseball Club (@okc_baseball) July 2, 2024

Per Source: Dodgers are acquiring Alan Trejo, who was DFA'd by Colorado, cleared waivers, outrighted to Albuquerque, but chose Free Agency instead. 434 MLB At Bats .228/.276/.610. Told he won't be a 26 man add, but will be active with AAA OKC as early as tomorrow. #dodgers pic.twitter.com/W6dJQCRuR4

— Dodgers Daily (@dodger_daily) July 2, 2024

#Dodgers Joendry Vargas ambushes a first pitch fastball and laces it down the line for an extra base hit! Really showing the bat speed and in game speed with this one! #LetsGoDodgers @FutureDodgers pic.twitter.com/reB6Q8AJ75

— Prospects Worldwide (@ProspectsWorldW) July 2, 2024

The Dodgers were never going to DFA Chris Taylor. They owe him $20+ MM, he's a postseason gamer, he's beloved by his teammates, he's the versatile Chris Army Knife. Riding it out until he figured it out was always the move. Great to see him break out.

pic.twitter.com/5bYf822WzS

— Doug McKain (@DMAC_LA) June 30, 2024

The Kenley Jansen, Dodgers trade rumors have hit our timelines once again!

What would you be your immediate reaction if you saw LA made a move to reunite with their all-time leader in saves?

(H/T @JonHeyman) pic.twitter.com/94I0ndai29

— Dodgers Nation (@DodgersNation) July 1, 2024

Dave Roberts said he is going to give Chris Taylor more of a “runway” to play third base. #Dodgers

— David Vassegh (@THEREAL_DV) June 30, 2024

https://twitter.com/DodgersNation/status/1807839532450222297