Dear Poor Dodger Fans,
Your season is over! You are so screwed! The end is here! The Dodgers will finish last in the NL West. Forget about the season. It’s all over now. This is too horrible to contemplate!
Signed,
A World Class Moron!
Yes, that is what some people think, but they are sooo wrong if you think Miguel Rojas cannot be the SS of a Championship team. I also told you that it was Lux’s knee… not his ankle. For now, I pencil in Miguel Rojas as SS. He is underrated because he has played for the Marlins for most of his career. According to Baseball-Reference, his average year is .260 BA/.314 OB% and just 66 strikeouts. He puts the ball in play. He also has a knack for the big hit. Put him at #9 and leave him alone. The Dodger HAVE to get PRODUCTION out of CF and LF. If they do, they will be just fine. I am also counting on Miguel Vargas to be the ROY. When is he ever going to swing the bat? 😉
At this moment, we don’t know how bad Gavin Lux’s knee is, but I am sure the Dodgers do, and they will tell us in due time. My only question is, “was it the ACL or both the ACL and MCL?” Gavin knew it was bad, and while there is no crying in baseball, he is allowed to sob in a case like that. It’s a horrible thing to happen, and it might be the end of his career at SS, but I wish him a full recovery (and I hope I am wrong). I am not a Doctor, but I play one on the internet.
So, as it stands right about now, here is the lineup:
- Betts RF
- Vargas 2B (why not?)
- Freeman 1B
- JDM DH
- Muncy 3B
- Smith C
- Peralta/Taylor LF
- Outman/Thompson/Hayward CF
- Rojas SS
Bench: Barnes
I am not convinced that Thompson and /or Heyward will make the team. That’s just from an early read, and it is a small sampling. Some fans try to make a case for Outman based on a small sampling from last year. I am not going to argue with them – let’s let the scoreboard decide… after a couple of hundred at-bats. I hope Outman makes it and becomes the everyday Centerfielder. He looks great on defense (maybe better than TT and certainly Heyward). I like his story and backstory.
The jury is out on LF too. Typically, David Peralta will kill RHP, and Taylor hit .297 with a .837 OPS against LHP in 2017. So, LF could produce 35 HR… or more… or not! It remains to be seen. I doubt that there will be any trades or signings right about now. The only SS on the market right now is José Iglesias, and while it would seem that he is an upgrade over Miguel Rojas, there is something about Jose… something people don’t discuss. He is not well-liked – I can tell you that. Why? I have no clue, but if AF signs a player, it’s because he is a good teammate as well. I don’t know anymore, so I will leave it at that. Here’s what will likely happen:
Andrew Friedman will wait and see how things shake out around the All-Star Break. He will see how Rojas is doing at SS and evaluate which teams are in or out of the race. They will keep an eye on Milwaukee and Pittsburgh as well. If the Pirates can’t sign Reynolds and the Dodgers need a CF’er, I have no doubt the Dodgers can close the deal. Adames from the Brewers will be of great interest to the Dodgers if the Brewers are out of the race (and they will be).
In the meantime, you play the hand you are dealt. No excuses. I feel bad for Gavin Lux – this may have been his only chance to play SS, and while I was convinced he could not play too well, I like him as a player and a Dodger and wish him nothing but the best! It’s a damn shame, and he was 2-3 yesterday. By the way, I told you Lux would not be the SS! It’s an ugly way to win.
Yesterday’s Game
- It was another crazy game.
- Betts, Heyward, Outman, and Martinez were 0 for 9. However, former “Fat Boy” Brandon Lewis (who used to weigh close to 300 lbs.), hit a double, and Luke Williams hit a HR, and with a lot of luck (the Dodgers need it), the rookies came back and beat the Friars. I love Bradon Lewis’ story. I don’t think he has the talent to make the Show, but no one ever expected him to get this far.
- Will Smith and Gavin Lux (God rest his soul) both had two hits.
- Andre Jackson looked great with two strikeouts in his one-inning pitched. He is in the mix to start the season with the Dodgers.
- Marshall Kasowski still needs another pitch.
- Tanner Dodson has an electric arm and is as wild as a monkey!
- Today it’s the Reds!
Discussion (38)
Disagree, not disagreeable
For those you who think playoffs are a crapshoot and luck are just making excuses for the years dodgers weren’t good when it mattered most. And anyone who thinks asstros weren’t best team out there last year send me some of what your smoking and bear I don’t get how so many are saying Shelby Miller is a lock for to make team. Dude sucks
There’s a big difference in best team in regular season and best all around team built to win playoff games
Forgot about Luke Williams. He has a shot at the roster if he has a big spring.
He and others should get a lot of reps at SS.
For some time I’ve been pushing for trades to shore up SS. The Rojas deal was a positive move, but it cost the the Dodgers the only decent, near-ready SS prospect they had.
The Orioles and Reds are deep at SS, but thin at pitching, a Dodger strength.
One guy I like is the O’s starting SS Jorge Mateo, a spectacular fielder with spotty offense. His OPS was .646, but with 13 HRs and 35 steals (caught nine times.) The steals could go up with the new rules.
The O’s rookie sensation Gunnar Henderson can slide from 3B to SS–with another top SS Jackson Holliday –a No. 1 overall pick–in the wings.
Dodgers could start by offering Grove or Jackson. Grove might be a 5th starter for the O’s.
There’s no reason to rush, but the Dodgers now have Rojas backed by Taylor backed by a question mark. Right now, I’d prefer Mateo to Rojas. More upside. More excitement.
When Barnes starts at C, the Dodgers’ starting lineup could feature Vargas and 8 guys in their 30s.
So much for getting younger…
Why not Vargas batting second?
Maybe someday.
But so far, his career OBP against major league pitching is .200, that’s why. Not in five ABs, not 10… but about 50. He has a lot to prove, especially given these great expectations.
Freddie, with one of the best bats and OBPs in baseball, up near .400. With Mookie and Freddi at the top, there’s an excellent chance that Smith, Muncy and Martinez would step to the plate with one or two runners on base.
When JD essentially replaced JT as DH, I initially thought he should bat 3rd or 4th, given his reputation. But he is 35 and actually Will has been the superior hitter lately, with more power. He’s also pretty fast–and not just “for a catcher.” So I’d slot JD behind Max, who is primed for a bounce-back–and runs better than is commonly percieved. (Pretty sure he’d smoke JD in a footrace.
I have no problem with Rojas as the starting SS and Taylor backing him up. It’s a shame that Lux is out, of course, but Rojas is solid, especially on D. A good guy to bat 9th.
But what do the Dodgers have after Rojas and Taylor?
None of the shortstops in the farm system are knocking on the door. And what if either Rojas or Taylor go down with injury?
I guess Yonny Hernandez would be next in line, but this is not exactly an exciting option. Signing Iglesias is a possibility. The Yankees have 3 shortstops battling to start; perhaps Isiah Kiner-Falefa could be had in a trade. But both IKF and Iglesias would just seem like insurance…
We talk about “the emergency catcher.” If the Dodgers don’t include another UT guy on the roster, who would be the emergency shortstop?
I have the answer: Mookie. He came up playing 2B, and he’s a freaky great athlete. The presence of Pedroia moved Mookie to the OF. When I think about it, it’s almost bizarre that Mookie isn’t a shortstop now. At 5-9 and 175 or so, he’s not a prototypical rightfielder like JHey, even though Mookie is probably the best.
So yeah, I think Mookie should be taking more infield practice… just in case.
There is no reason to panic, but AF might want to make a boring more for Iglesias. It would be the safe move.
The Dodgers can reassess their needs at midseason. Perhaps they’ll go after Adames, or maybe Reynolds. Maybe both.
And perhaps the trade package includes the guy who needs knee surgery. That might seem cold, but it could happen.
Peralta is the left fielder Timmons. Yes I left him out. Opps moron… Still say if Vargas can’t and Outman can’t then what? It will be along year then. Wow a Reynolds and Addames added to lineup would change slot if people’s minds about this year. Isn’t that what every Dodger game is used to. Fans saying wow your lineup is stacked. Look at this lineup by adding these two players.
Betts. RF
Addames. SS.
Freeman. 1B.
Martinez. DH.
Muncy. 3B.
Smith. C.
Reynolds CF.
Taylor LF
Vargas 2B
Bench
Barnes
Heyward
Rojas
Peralta
Roster Resource lists Yonny on the bench. Come at me, Bear.
Prayers to Gavin Lux for a full recovery. It was heartbreaking to see his interview this morning explaining the injury.
Gavin had worked hard this off season to prepare for this opportunity at SS. Many forget that he was hitting 297 with a 812 OPS when he was hurt in late August. In his interview he thanked the players and coaches for their support, especially Dave Roberts. It certainly seems like they are a close knit group and Lux is a great guy. Although I often criticize Roberts for strategic on field decisions, I think he is great in the clubhouse and is a caring and supportive coach. And his leadership skills are outstanding.
I think the Dodgers need to add some depth at SS by signing Iglesias or Villar as free agents. Rojas can be an everyday SS, but he is coming off a wrist injury and Taylor is coming off elbow injury. Depending on how the season progresses, the Dodgers can also add a better hitting SS at the trade deadline. I still think Dodgers can win the division, but losing Lux is a big blow to the lineup.
If Vargas doesn’t hit does that mean Betts moves to second base then Rojas at shortstop Peralta in LF Taylor in CF and Heyward and Outman in right field dies that make the lineup better without Vargas that’s if he doesn’t hit.
Let’s see
Betts2b
Taylor cf
Freeman 1b
Martinez dh
Smith c
Muncy 3b
Outman RF / heyward
Rojas ss
All this trade talk is way premature. They are and should not be in any big hurry to make any kind of decisions on trades. If they decide they need to get a SS, it probably won’t be until the deadline at least. Rojas is going to get the majority of the starts there and that is because he is the better defender. Taylor might have more pop in his bat, but he is not the glove there that Rojas is. And despite what some here think, defense is important to a pitching staff. Jordan Yamamoto is pitching himself right off of this team.
Julio looked like he’s in ace form! Great lesson for our younger starters. Trust your stuff and throw strikes.
Wishing a speedy recovery to Gavin Lux. Tough loss. Go Blue!
Mark was spot on when he stated it was a knee injury.
Look forward to your return next year Gavin better than ever. It will seem like a great post season signing! You’ve got a lot of great youngsters to lead into the Dodger future!
2B Betts
1B Freeman
C Smith
DH Martinez
3B Muncy
SS Oneil Cruz
RF Heyward
LF Taylor/Thompson
CF Outman
Right now the Orioles have a better lineup then the Dodgers. But the Dodgers have to pitching. Looking at lineups I did and you go okay cubs dodgers about even and also red Sox and dodgers even. Better then Rockies and better then Giants and D-backs. But Orioles Mariners Padres Mets Braves Yankees Astros Cardinals all better. Lineups that is. Thank god they don’t play on video games. Because the lineup I put in there today that the Dodgers will use normally gets blasted by the Yankees in MLB2023. 22 to 5 with Kershaw vs Rodon.
Dee Gordon’!!!!
I was sure hoping it was his ankle. Very disappointing.
That said, if there is a silver lining it’s that this happened in the third game of spring training and not the third game of September. Lux will be back next year, lets just hope his knee will return to 100%. Dodgers have plenty of time to evaluate their situation by the trade deadline. We will be fine on defense but I was counting on Lux to have a .290/.350/.450 season with 20hrs and 20 stolen bases. That will be hard to replace. But we don’t necessarily have to replace that production at SS. Way too early to speculate how the fist half of the season will play out and way too early to speculate who will be available at the trade deadline. And how much the ask will be on whomever is on the block.
I have faith that AF will be his usual creative self and make the best move available. We still have a lot of prospect capital in the system. Some of which would have been moved even if Lux hadn’t blown out his knee. If we aren’t solidly in first place (or very close) by the deadline, I see AF making a big move. I didn’t think that would be the case 24 hours ago.
All this talk about playoffs being a crap shoot and it comes down to luck is hogwash. There’s a element of that to it but the best all around talented team playing good ball when it counts wins the ring. I’m trying to think of a team that’s not really good lucking into a crapshoot championship and I can’t
Now that Lux is lost for the season I like this offense even less than before. This is a middle of the road offense at the moment on paper.
A lot would have to go right to make them top 10. At least two out of Vargas , Outman and Busch would have to deliver solid numbers.
The Dodgers will only go as far as their pitching will take them.
If I had to predict their record I would give them 88-90 wins with the current roster.
Close call to make the playoffs.
There is always a chance for a blockbuster trade with all those top prospects though.
Go Dodgers!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Bill Plunkett
@billplunkettocr
Dr. Neal ElAttrache will perform surgery on Gavin Lux in LA March 7
You can trust in him, all I’ve seen recently is a crap bottom of lineup and bench. When the pitching and top of lineup can’t carry us and return to earth for a game or two we’re done. He’s made some great acquisitions in Betts and Freeman. I’ll take those two over any other two in baseball position wise but made some big time flops to. Gallo comes to mind among others. He sure has gotten outplayed so far this offseason like a bunch of has beens in another suck bottom of order gonna take us far in October. Sorrow my optimism gauge with lux not having a all star caliber year like I was betting on went way down
No trade proposals from me, because I’d hate to see the Dodgers lose any top pitching prospects and Outman, but the Dodgers are not going to be as good because:
Taylor is being discussed for SS. So besides Betts, that leaves Outman, Peralta, Heyward, Thompson to fill 2 spots in the outfield and all of them besides Outman have proved they can’t hit LHP and Outman might be the same. So once again the Dodgers look like they will struggle against LHP. Not to mention 2 of the 4 guys are past their prime and 1 is a journeyman. And if you don’t like rookies, 1 is a rookie (Don’t forget Vargas is a rookie too). So hitting against RHP is not a given either in 2 outfield spots. Although I think that will be fine.
The alternative is Rojas at SS and that means no bat at SS. A BIG downgrade from T. Turner.
Either way is not good.
Busch is skeptical against LHP.
Pages and Deluca hit LHP really good in the minors. But 1 is looking like repeating AA (I may be wrong) and the other hasn’t finished a full year in AA.
But the good thing is, all you got to do is get to the playoffs and I think that is still intact.
We will still have a decent lineup. Not the best but better than most. And maybe nobody else gets hurt. And maybe Syndergaard, Kershaw, May, Gonsolin all get 30 starts and 175 innings.
And, there is the deadline.
“IN ANDREW FRIEDMAN WE TRUST”
David Vassegh
@THEREAL_DV
Dave Roberts said Gavin Lux has a torn ACL and will be out for the season. #Dodgers
David Vassegh
@THEREAL_DV
Dave Roberts said Chris Taylor will start a throwing program to play more SS. Mookie Betts playing more second base this season is also being discussed. #Dodgers
Two names:
Oneil Cruz
Liover Peguero
3:05 PM ET
SP Noah Syndergaard R
Confirmed Lineup
LF Chris Taylor R
1B F. Freeman L
DH J. Martinez R
3B Max Muncy L
C A. Barnes R
RF D. Peralta L
CF T. Thompson R
SS Miguel Rojas R
2B M. Busch L
Clear-day
0% Rain
58° Wind 8 mph Out
If Rojas Taylor Thompson and Heyward all get regular playing time my beloved Dodgers are in trouble and that’s my optimistic take on it
I think that Luke Williams might be the utility infielder guy. A bench player to ce in late in games or start to give aguy a rest. Taylor will start at short LF and CF even 2b and Rojas will be SS when Taylor is not. Vargas batter hit at second base or ouch. Then what. In the outfield it could be Peralta Heyward and Betts opening day with Outman Thompson Williams and Barnes and Taylor your bench Muncy 3b Rojas SS Vargas 2b Freeman 1b and Smith C and Martinis DH there’s your 2023 La Dodgers.
Padres right-hander Joe Musgrove sustained a broken big toe in his left foot during a weight room accident yesterday, the team announced to reporters this morning (Twitter link via Dennis Lin of The Athletic). The Padres have not yet revealed a timeline for Musgrove’s return.
Rojas will play SS against LHP with Taylor in CF but I think Taylor gets the bulk of innings at SS against RHP. I’m sorry but Rojas has had exactly one above average year with the bat and that was in 2020. In the past we could carry a bat like that but not this year with what is already looking like a bleak bottom of the order. It also doesn’t instill must confidence given the fact he hasn’t even been cleared to swing a bat yet.
The Padres and the Mets have left the Dodgers in the dust yet Fraudman is allowed to destroy the roster!
Freidman and Gomez Adams have destroyed the most dangeroous roster in the big leagues in 2 years while allowing the Padres and others to surpass them by light years!! Our current roster is more than Ohtani away from a World Series Title!! This roster has to be one of the oldest in baseball!
When the knee buckles inward like it did for Lux it’s usually the ACL. Hopefully other ligaments were not also injured. The pop he heard was most likely the ligament pulling off the bone. Brutal!
Miguel Rojas was brought here, and paid very little, to be a utility player. If he’s not injured again he might play enough to put up 2.5 WAR and rank toward the middle bottom in ML shortstops.
“I also told you that it was Lux’s knee… not his ankle.” in bold emphasis.
Yes you are the resident genius, of which we are often reminded, and the rest of us, and CBS Sports, who saw the ankle roll are morons. I bow to your superior intellect. Please forgive my insolence but if memory serves it’s the PCL that prevents the tibia from sliding behind the femur. All of us, morons and geniuses, have to wait for the MRI results to know for certain. I choose to remain hopeful.
Maybe cramps are common in Spring Training but this is the first time I’ve ever seen a player leave a Spring Training game because of one. I hope it’s not a harbinger.
A lot of question marks this morning and we will all continue to guess. I still prefer Thompson/Outman over Heyward. I guess for now anyway Taylor plays short and Peralta is every day in left. Luke Williams is next on the depth chart at MLB. Jason Heyward at ESPN, Heyward and Outman at fangraphs. I would think moves will be made
Nope, no reason to panic, but I see plenty of reason for concern.
Andrelton Simmons is still a free agent, but he is not an upgrade over Rojas. Former Angel CF, Albie Pearson passed yesterday. RIP. Also, a favorite actor of mine, Tom Sizemore, had a stroke on the 18th of the month. His family was told they need to make an end-of-life decision as there is no possibility of recovery. Sizemore was one of the stars of Saving Private Ryan and Pearl Harbor,
Mark–I think you are truly on an island with your Trayce Thompson take. Most people consider him a lock.
Still enough talent to get to the crapshoot. Sure looked like an ACL injury so Lux is probably gone for the year. Dang shame for the young man. He worked so hard this off season and I heard he was really fired up to prove Mark wrong!
We’ll rally around Miguel Rojas and we’ll play good baseball!!!!