The Rumors are called that for a reason
Who predicted the Rosario-Syndergaard trade? No one saw that coming! Of course, the Dodgers weren’t really looking to trade for Rosario, but somehow, they found a team that wanted Thor, and they took the bait. I would have never believed it. Over the winter, the Dodgers signed…
Who predicted the Rosario-Syndergaard trade? No one saw that coming! Of course, the Dodgers weren’t really looking to trade for Rosario, but somehow, they found a team that wanted Thor, and they took the bait. I would have never believed it. Over the winter, the Dodgers signed Syndergaard to take the spot Tyler Anderson left when he signed with the Angels (by the way, he has been almost as bad). Noah was eager to come to the Dodgers because both sides thought he could be “fixed.”
The problem was that the Dodgers wanted to fix him by adding a sweeper, cutter, and a better breaking ball to his repertoire, while he wanted them to sprinkle “fairy dust” on his arm and make him the “Mighty Thor” who threw 150 MPH again! The Dodgers wanted to make him a pitcher; he wanted to be the guy he was five years ago. They had divergent interests, and I always said, “If the Dodgers bring him back from the minors, it’s because they believe he can be salvaged. They ain’t stupid!” It turns out they weren’t! They obviously did not believe that and thank God for the Indians’ belief in Thor. Whatever Ramirez does is icing on the cake.
I know that the Dodgers are talking to the Cardinals on Nolan Arenado and Jordon Montgomery. I know that Bobby Miller and Dalton Rushing are part of what the Cardinals are asking. Miguel Vargas and Michael Busch are also in the conversation along with Jorbit Vivas. Muncy and Taylor are in the deal. That’s a lot to pay. In one fell swoop, you gut the farm of its best pitching prospect and its two best infielders.
Now, these are just rumors. They are like other things, and there are lots of them. I hear they are building a huge building to house all the rumors… bada bing! I would propose that the Aernado/Montgomery trade looks like this:
- Ryan Pepiot
- Yenier Fernandez
- Jorbit Vivas
- Landon Knack
- Emmet Sheehan
- River Ryan
- Muncy
- Taylor
That gives the Cards four good arms, a second baseman, a catcher who has a shot at being good, and Muncy and Taylor to balance out the cash. Who knows how the Cardinals value the Dodgers prospects? No one is asking about Diego Cartaya right about now. He went from the penthouse to the outhouse… almost overnight. I still say there is a story behind this… I also say, “Do not write Diego off yet!” His talent is immense, his quickness is amazing and his power is legendary! Talent like that does not grow on trees.
The Marlins traded for David Robertson. The cost was their #20 Prospect and another one that was unranked. The Dodgers could have done better, but like I have been telling you: They do not need relief pitchers. They have enough. David Bednar is not coming either. I still think Verlander is possible, but if the Dodgers don’t get him, I say, “Stay Home!” There are better options on the Dodgers ‘ roster!
Saturday, Sunday, and Monday will be busy days leading up to the deadline. There will be rumors of rumors and more rumors. A lot is BS. Many are conjecture. Believe none of what you hear and half of what you see! Rich Hill was nice a few years ago. I do not see the fascination of a pitcher who has almost a 5.00 ERA. Come on! We have better “in-house Options!”
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Discussion (169)
Disagree, not disagreeable
Both San Francisco and Arizona lost also, so blew a chance to put more distance between them. Liked what I saw from Rosario! Adding Arenado would make the lineup much more even to Atlanta. Taylor was awful on the bases last night! I wasn’t thrilled with the Lynn trade at first, but the more I think about it , it makes sense. Clayton should be back soon. There’s 6-7 innings a start. Julio will be fine, there’s 5-7 innings per start . Bobby , 5-6 innings per start. Lynn, 6-7 innings. Tony? Mark said earlier in the season, he ain’t right! He does not resemble the Tony from last year. He’s afraid to use his fastball,& his splitter is all over! Emmit needs to go down before he loses his confidence. Grove? Relief pitcher nothing more. Good stuff for 2-3 innings then goes wrong way! If the move for Nolan can be made, do it! With his bat and more importantly his defense we can win it all! Max needs a change. He needs to play first or full time DH.. if Taylor and Max are part of a package so be it. Look at all the swing and miss you get rid of . Like them both but it’s time! Our farm system is full of good prospects, but our major league roster needs an upgrade now! Go get Arenado!
Didn’t think we would win…..just had a bad feeling. Of course, I look to see who is pitching for us first and foremost. Miller, Sheehan, Gonsolin….sigh! So I know this will come off as a Debbie Downer but unless we score 7 or more runs, we probably won’t win. Our SP….all of them…..pretty much stink right now. (Clayton excluded of course)
And I never feel good if opposing team is throwing their ace against us. Like right now, I think Padres manhandle us again like they did in the playoffs last year. Their pitching is 10x better than ours.
Okay, I got that out of my system….you may pick up your rocks now…I can take it.
TM (said while ducking)
Bad loss. Bobby Miller made one mistake and it cost him 2 runs. Other than that the Reds only had soft contact that somehow dropped in and then they were off to the races, which is their game.
Almonte ? Hmm, could Kelly take his place in the pen ? Or will it be Bickford ?
Trade for Lynn and Kelly in the end cost us among others our Nr. 9 prospect (Nastrini) and it forced us to DFA our Nr. 15 prospect (Leonhard) .
Don´t like it all.
Go Dodgers!!!!!!!!
10:10 PM ET
Reds (56-48)
Dodgers (58-43)
SP B. Williamson L
2-2 4.60 ERA
SP Bobby Miller R
6-1 4.28 ERA
Confirmed Lineup
RF Mookie Betts R
1B F. Freeman L
C Will Smith R
DH J. Martinez R
SS Amed Rosario R
3B Max Muncy L
LF Chris Taylor R
CF E. Hernandez R
2B Miguel Rojas R
81° Wind 8 mph Out
Dan O’Dowd, MLB TV, expects the Dodgers to land another pitcher. Mets now expected to move Justin Verlander. A trade match?
Thinking about it, and looking at Lynn’s stats over the years, he might not be a bad 2 month gamble:
1) he has the type of talent to get hot and dominate
2) he’s more likely to get us at 6+ innings over the next 2 months than either Grove or Sheehan (let alone Gonsolin), which saves the bullpen down the stretch
3) he has playoff experience so he won’t be phased by the pennant race in LA
4) he has the type of arm and strikeout ability to be a really good 2 inning type guy in October
5) we dealt from a position of strength, which is our minor league right handed starters: Between Knack, Stone, Hurt, Ryan, and including Miller and Sheehan and Grove who are already here, Nastrini is likely on the bottom end of that list
Today’s line up. Betts, RF, Freeman, 1B, Smith, C, Martinez, DH, Rosario, SS, Muncy, 3B, Taylor, LF, Hernandez, CF, Rojas, 2B, Miller, P.
DODGERS PRESS RELEASE
DODGERS ACQUIRE LANCE LYNN & JOE KELLY
LOS ANGELES – The Los Angeles Dodgers acquired right-handed pitchers Lance Lynn and Joe Kelly from the Chicago White Sox in exchange for outfielder Trayce Thompson and right-handed pitchers Nick Nastrini and Jordan Leasure. In order to make room on the 40-man roster, the Dodgers designated infielder Eddys Leonard and left-handed pitcher Justin Bruihl.
Lynn, 36, has made 21 appearances for the White Sox and he is 6-9 with a 6.47 ERA (86 ER/119.2 IP) and 144 strikeouts this season. He had a banner season in his first season with Chicago, going 11-6 with a 2.69 ERA (47 ER/157.0 IP) and 176 strikeouts in 28 starts for the White Sox, earning his second All-Star bid and finishing third for the American League Cy Young. His other All-Star nod was in his first full season in 2012, going 18-7 with a 3.78 ERA (74 ER/176.0 IP) and 180 strikeouts. He has been in the Major Leagues parts of 12 seasons with St. Louis (2011-17), Minnesota (2018), New York-AL (2018), Texas (2019-20) and Chicago-AL (2021-23) and he is a combined 129-93 with a 3.71 ERA (753 ER/1825.0 IP) and 1859 strikeouts. He was originally drafted in the first round (39th overall) of 2008 First Year Player Draft out of the University of Mississippi by the St. Louis Cardinals.
Kelly, 35, returns for his second stint with the Dodgers after going 7-4 with a 3.59 ERA (42 ER/105.1 IP) and 121 strikeouts in three seasons with Los Angeles. This season, he is 1-5 with a 4.97 ERA (16 ER/29.0 IP) and 41 strikeouts in 31 games for the White Sox. He has been in the Major Leagues parts of 12 years with St. Louis (2012-14), Boston (2014-18), Los Angeles (2019-21) and Chicago-AL (2022-23) and he is 52-37 with a 3.98 ERA (352 ER/796.2 IP) and 713 strikeouts in 439 games. He was originally drafted by the St. Louis Cardinals in the third round of the 2009 First Year Player Draft out of the University of California, Riverside.
Thompson, 32, has been on the injured list since June 4 after appearing in 36 games for the Dodgers. He hit .155 (11-for-71) with five homers and 14 RBI. He has been in the Majors parts of seven seasons, hitting .216 (184-for-853) with 44 homers and 123 RBI. He was originally drafted by the White Sox in the second round of the 2009 First Year Player Draft out of Santa Margarita Catholic High School.
Nastrini, 23, appeared in 17 games for Tulsa this season, going 5-3 with a 4.03 ERA (33 ER/73.2 IP) and 85 strikeouts. He has been with the Dodgers parts of three minor league seasons and he is a combined 11-7 with a 3.83 ERA (87 ER/204.1 IP) and 286 strikeouts against 99 walks in 51 games. He was drafted by the Dodgers in fourth round of the 2021 First Year Player Draft out of UCLA.
Leasure, 24, was 2-2 with a 3.09 ERA (12 ER/35.0 IP) and 56 strikeouts in 29 games for Tulsa this season. He has been with the Dodgers since 2021, going a combined 5-4 with a 3.46 ERA (40 ER/104.0 IP) and 153 strikeouts against 43 walks in 86 games. The right-hander was originally drafted in the 14th round of the 2021 First Year Player Draft out of the University of Tampa.
Whatever happens, it’s an absolute must for the Dodgers to get an outfielder by the deadline who certifiably hits LHP well. The in-house platoon options for Heyward & Paralta just won’t cut it.
Well, if you look it at a whole, MLB pitching has took a real dive this year. Just look Alcantara, Our own Urias and Gonsolin, Verlander, Schelzer, the Toronto last year all star that was optioned to AAA. When you said MStroman have been bad, you just have to go uffff!!
There are 6 pitchers under 3.00 era and 22 under 3.50, MStroman is 23.
If you ask me, that was a good trade. Kelly just subs PBickford and Lynn go for Sheenan. The kid just will continue to tired as the season goes by. We need an inning eater because Urias and Gonzo going 4 innings is the worst part of the rotation.
I don’t understand why so much criticism of the trades made, none is to be the savior of the team, and the team doesn’t need a savior either, the key word is TEAM, they became part of the team, not the stars of the team. Possibly another catcher will arrive with unspectacular numbers and criticism will rain down again that it will not be a Salvador Pérez and more. The bench had to be strengthened and that is what is being done… And by the way, I never said that I want to trade Will Smith!
1. That proposed trade for Arenado is crazy. Moving Vargas, Rushing, Miller, Busch as centerpieces for Arenado would be a dope fiend move. Plus, Cardinals need and want controllable young starters. Mark’s trade suggestion is a bit better but still too much. Pick one of Sheehan or Ryan and it becomes more reasonable but I would pass on that as well. Trade for the rental in Montgomery, make do with Muncy at third, and revisit in the off season if needed.
2. The crazy thing is that AF and the Dodgers have telegraphed their approach this year since the end of last year. They have traded for rentals and signed players to one year deals last winter to fill holes in roster. Certainly appears they are clearing salary for 2023. By all accounts, to make a run at Ohtani. Not likely to sign Urias, May be looking to get out from under Taylor and Muncy contracts now or in the off season. Not sure why anyone was expecting them to go all in at deadline and moving top prospects to go for it. Ask the Padres how that went last year and so far this year.
3. Not sure how any of these acquisitions will work out. But, Lynn can’t be any worse than Sheehan or Gonsolin has been recently, Kelly may or may not help but he has a better track record than Bickford, Bruihl, Tyler Miller, etc. and Rosario and Kike are better bets to succeed in their role than Yonny Hernández, Johnny DeLuca, etc. That is exactly what it means to improve at the margins of the roster. Rumors suggest they are still interested in Pham or Canha from Mets and I think they may add another starter – Montgomery?
4. I don’t think the Dodgers regarded Nastrini as one of their top 5 right hand pitching prospects. Pretty sure they value Miller, Stone, Sheehan, Pepiot, Knack, Ryan, and Frasso more highly. So including him in a deal is definitely trading from a position of strength. They will create room for the Rule 5 eligible players they want to keep when the time comes.
5. If, it is likely a big if, a reasonable trade for Arenado or some other impactful, controllable player is presented I have no doubt Friedman will make the move. But short of that, I think he is executing the same plan he has followed since last November.
Justin Bruihl and Eddys Leonard DFAd to make room for Lynn and Kelly.
I thought Dodgers did well getting Kike and Rosario for very little. Both provide good bats against LHP and versatility in the field including SS.
I understand adding Lynn and Kelly, but it seems that the Dodgers gave up a good prospect in Nastrini, and had to release Justin Bruihl to add these two. Bruihl has been a useful reliever to me, and hate to see him released just to add a struggling Kelly.
It seems the Dodgers gave up almost as much to get Lynn and Kelly as the Angels gave up for Giolito and Lopez. I would have preferred Giolito and Lopez, but maybe Prior can fix Lance Lynn.
Friedman usually makes the right moves, so let’s see if Lynn outperforms Giolito.
Lance Lynn and Joe Kelly sounds like a dope fean move to me.
Well Lynn and his era fit in perfectly with our existing staff! Still waiting for the big one!
Steven Nesbit of The Athletic said it best ….
Lynn has been one of the most perplexing starting pitchers in baseball this season. A two-time All-Star with a 3.52 career ERA entering 2023, Lynn’s ERA this season quickly ballooned north of 7 in April and now sits at 6.47. He is, as Grant Brisbee wrote mere hours before the trade, “an anthropomorphic coin that reads ‘strikeout’ on one side and ‘soul-crushing dinger’ on the other.” The knee-jerk reaction to reports Tampa was closing in on a Lynn deal Wednesday was to shrug and say, “The Rays are going to somehow turn him back into vintage Lynn, aren’t they?” But that trade never transpired, and a non-vintage Lynn served up seven runs in 4 2/3 innings that night. Kelly piggy-backed that start and joined the implosion with this inspired sequence: steal, strikeout-wild pitch, steal, hit by pitch, walk, walk. His updated ERA: 4.97. And that was how both Lynn and Kelly ended their White Sox careers.
One thing about Joe Kelly, he is definitely entertaining. Batters will have to stay loose when he is pitching. If, and this is a big if, he has his control, his stuff is super nasty. When he is wild, best bet is to hide in the clubhouse. Lynn will eat innings if nothing else. I still think they will add one more starting pitcher and maybe a bat. I also have to believe that Rosario will now become the starting SS. He is such a better hitter than Kike or Rojas. The best SS option for me would have been Mookie.
I think my post went to jail.
Interesting Trade. TT wasn’t going to make it out of AAA this year. So that’s not surprising. But as Bluto pointed out, neither of the other two were rule 5 eligible, which I find curious. But I’ve said all along the Dodgers needed to clear out some room in the system. It’s a good problem to have such a deep minor league system, but the flip side is that you have to do periodic housecleaning.
Prior must see something in Lynn that is fixable. He’s been been a two outcome pitcher this year. Strikeout or crushed.
I like bringing Joe Kelly back. They know his limitations. But he brings a fire to the bullpen that has been missing. I think he can help some of our young arms gain some confidence. Joe might get lit up one day and come out, literally, ready to brawl the next day. There is something to be said about that.
There is a reason the Dodgers are targeting former players. They know what they can do and know what they can’t. But they also know them personally. What they’re made of. That was something missing last year, big time. The fire in the belly.
Dave Roberts isn’t the kind of manager that will get ejected to fire up the team. But Joe Kelly can certainly fill that role.
So when the dodgers add lance Lynn and Jordan Montgomery to starting rotation who goes to the bullpen I think Gonsolin does unless they do a six man rotation.
Kershaw
Montgomery
Lynn
Urias
Miller
Gonsolin bullpen reliever or sixman rotation.
From The Athletic: “Andy McCullough: The Dodgers have revealed their strategy for this deadline: Acquire players who were pretty good in 2021. They can add Lance Lynn and Joe Kelly to a pile that includes Kiké Hernández and Amed Rosario. “
Well, this Dodgers/White Sox trade confirms it.
AF, Doc & Co. are really, really, really, really worried about their in-house pitching options for the rest of this season.
Trade doesn’t move the needle much, but it’s obvious AF had to get additional SP. Feel much better starting Lynn over Sheehan in a pennant race, but not by much. Nastrini’s future is a relief pitcher in the big leagues and TT is what we saw over the first half.
What the last two trades highlight for me is the failed offseason evaluation that Syndergaard and TT were both ready for big time roles in the starting rotation and as a platoon OF. That AF could get the Guardians and CWS to take them in trade to lessen the salary impact is a stroke of genius.
All-in-all the trades to this point improve the margins of the roster and don’t appear to be impactful moves. Far from standing pat that some thought might be the approach to the trade deadline.
Clearly, AF is not trading for Verlander.