The Price is Wrong

Maybe I am just the overly-sensitive type, but David Price just rubs me the wrong way. Of course, we all know that he was part of the Mookie Betts trade and his first season with the Dodgers was 2020. I had COVID-19 twice that season at age 67, but he opted out of the season because ________________________ (you fill in the blanks). I have no clue why he did it… and I probably don’t care! David Price might be a guy you would go to a tea party with, or maybe to a fashion show, but no one in the history of the world would want to go to war it David Price.

David Price is making $32 million this year. The Dodgers only have to pay $16 million of that, but by my calculations, that is about $20 million too high. David Price doesn’t really seem to care! He has made his money… and is still making it. He is talking about retiring after this season, which indicates he might have already checked out. His ERA sits at 3.63, but he is the highest-paid pitcher in the game of baseball that you cannot count on. Well, actually, you can count on him to choke when you need him the most. Bring him in in a 4-runs game and he can hold the lead. Ask him to keep the team within a run and that is too much to ask! The Price is wrong. Andrew Friedman needs to get it right!

Sooner or later, all pitchers struggle, but Mitch White struggled mightily last night and while I hesitate to say it, I will: “His struggles are between his ears.” I don’t mean that in a bad way – it’s just that Mitch White needs to get mentally tougher. He could learn a thing or two from Max Scherzer who “snarls” when he gives up a baserunner. Mitch has excellent stuff… but he just needs to raise his “snarl response.” That was an ugly outing but the Dodgers could have still won it if the Price was right!

Justin Turner is hitting .423 in his last 7 games, .385 in his last 15 games, and .290 in his last 30 games. That is something the Dodgers can live with. He may not be a superstar, but he is solid and so is his defense. On the other hand, Max Muncy is hitting .143 in his last 7 games, .140 in his last 15 games, and .170 in his last 30 games. Cody Bellinger is hitting .217 in his last 7 games. .184 in his last 15 and .211 in his last 30.

Max Muncy and Cody Bellinger are what their statistics say they are. The Dodgers can live with Bellinger and his elite defense, but they cannot carry both players. Unless Max says he is injured and needs to go on the IL, the Dodgers are going to have to cut him. What other options are there? The team simply cannot carry that bat. The Dodgers should not wait any longer. Find out if Miguel Vargas is ready three weeks before the trade deadline and if he is totally overmatched, then you have time to make a deal. I think he is ready! It’s Sad Max!

BTW, Andrew Heaney threw a simulated game yesterday in St. Louis and is headed to Rancho on July 16 where he will throw 3 or 4 innings. It seems to me that they will be limiting his pitches and that he might not be a starter… at least this season. Still, that guy can be very valuable.

MLB Draft

AS you know, the MLB Draft starts on Saturday. Everything you need to know about it is HERE.

Future Dodgers Down on the Farm

• OKC Dodgers won 15-4
  • Miguel Vargas was 2-3 with 3 BB
  • Mike Busch was 4-6 with 2 doubles
  • Jacob Amaya, Ryan Noda, Janie Martin, Hunter Fedducia, and James Outman all had 2 hits.
  • Eddy Alvarez was 3-4
  • Ryan Pepiot went 5.2 innings (99 pitches) and is now 7-0. He struck out 7 but walked 2 and allowed 4 ER
• Tulsa lost 7-6
  • Kyle Hurt did not get through the first inning
  • Brandon “Former Fat Boy” Lewis was 2-4 and hit his 8th HR. He is still hitting .181.
  • Ryan Ward hit his 20th HR.
• Great Lakes won 14-9
  • Diego Cartaya was 1-5 (a double)
  • Eddys Leonard was 2-5 with his 23rd double
  • Alex De Jesus was 2-4 (.302/.858)
  • Jose Ramos was 3-5 with 7 RBI with 2 HR
• Rancho Cuc won 13-8
  • Luis Rodriguez was -12 with 4 BB
  • Madison Bruns pitches 2 scoreless innings, allowing 2 hits, a BB and 2 K’s.

CALL UP MIGUEL VARGAS