Tough Decisions
AND SOME OF THEM MIGHT NOT BE POPULAR. It was said that the entire Dodger team watched Walker Buehler throw a simulated game yesterday he s not just another arm. His stuff is electric and he should ready to start next weekend against the Angels. I have heard that he likley will not have a cap on his innings this year (within reason). I expect to see him log
… AND SOME OF THEM MIGHT NOT BE POPULAR.
It was said that the entire Dodger team watched Walker Buehler throw a simulated game yesterday – he’s not just another arm. His stuff is electric and he should ready to start next weekend against the Angels. I have heard that he likley will not have a cap on his innings this year (within reason). I expect to see him log 180 total.
There are going to have to be some hard decisions made as more pitchers get healthy. When Buehler returns to the rotation, this is what it looks like:
- Kershaw
- Stripling
- Meada
- Buehler
- Hill
- Wood
While the Dodgers may run a six man rotation for a short while, it is less than practical. Someone has to go to the pen. Rich Hill has offered and maybe he should, but I think Alex Wood could be Andrew Miller out of the pen (AC suggested that). The thing is: Alex will not like it. He sees himself as a starter and relieving could cost him a lot of money when he hits the open market in 2020. As much as I like him in the pen, I think he would be a problem if moved there – and I can’t blame him.
Ryu will be back fairly soon as well (allegedly) as will Julio Urias. The Yankees need another starter. Alex Wood might be their man. What would the Yankees part with for Wood? Would they give up 2 of their 3-8 prospects ands 1 of their 10-15 prospects? Oh, by the way, this is a 4-way deal in which Joc Pederson goes to Seattle for 2 prospects as well. Manny Machado goes to the Dodgers along with Britton and Logan Forsythe goes to Baltimore to balance the $$$$. All the prospects go to Baltimore.
So, the Dodgers get Manny Machado and potentially another closer in Britton without trading any prospects. This is what the team might look like in August:
- Verdugo RF
- Manny SS
- Turner 3B
- Muncy 2B
- Kemp LF
- Bellinger 1B
- Taylor CF
- Grandal C
Bench: Barnes, Utley, Hernandez, Toles
Starters: Kershaw, Stripling, Hill, Ryu, Buehler
Pen: Ferguson, Urias, Floro, Alexander, Hudson, Britton, Fields, Maeda, Jansen
Puig on the DL.
By the way, it’s a tough decision to move Maeda to the pen – he and his agent aren’t going to like it!
Thoughts? You got a better idea?
Fort those of you who think Manny should sign an extension BEFORE the Dodgers trade for him – it ain’t happening. Why would Machado do that… unless you want to give him 10 years/$500 million… and that’s not happening? I would hope that the Dodgers could convince him to sign a 10 year/$350 million deal and move to 2B. Sell him on the fact that at 2B, he could go down in history as the GOAT!
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Discussion (64)
Disagree, not disagreeable
Robert’s is a perfect manager for toles to become a major league cf and possible lead off man.
I love Mark’s notion to manufacture prospects with Wood and Joc (or Puig) to trade for Manny. Time to give Toles and Verdugo their chance. I too think there is a bunch of disinformation going on. After the DBacks scored with Martinez last year, should the Dodgers miss Manny and he helps the DBacks win, they will be second guessed big time. Time to make something happen!!! I also get the Clayton sentiment. He’s my favorite player but if he opts out, I’d say he’s OUT!
I noticed last night Ferguson hit 95 on the gun. His curve is so much better than it was when he first came up. This guy is going to be good! (or he’s going to be good trade bait). His progress will make it easier to trade one of our stud young arms in the next few weeks.
Kershaw will throw less fastballs and more sliders and curve balls and will do well. If his fastball gets back up to 93 he will throw more of them. For now his fastball will not be his strikeout pitch. He is still an ace.
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If Toles can stay on the field he will be fun to watch and easy to root for. He is likeable.
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I’v been living on the east coast for the last 10 years and plan to move to Oregon next year. If Mark trades Joc to Seattle, that works for me. Seattle’s new park is very nice and unlike the tomb they used to play in.
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The Dodgers are still in the market for a second baseman. Unless they plan to move Bellinger to CF and keep Muncy for 1st base, I can see selling high on Muncy.
MINOR LEAGUE RECAP by AlwaysCompete
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AAA is on their All-Star Break until Thursday, and there was limited action elsewhere. There were two winning streaks continued and yet another loss for Great Lakes.
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Tulsa – 8-1 Win over Frisco RoughRiders (Rangers)
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The Drillers won for their 6th consecutive game. Yusniel Diaz (who should be at AAA) followed his 4 hit night with a 3 hit night. Will Smith (who should also be at AAA), hit his 15th HR on the season. Smith has now homered in 3 consecutive games, and 8 in the past 13 games. DJ Peters went 2-4 and Jacob Scavuzzo hit his 11th HR. Errol Robinson got another bases loaded 2 run single.
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Kyle Lobstein improved his record to 2-0. He started and went 6.2 IP allowing 1 run on 2 hits, 1 walk, with 4 Ks. Nolan Long and Devin Smeltzer finished the final 2.1 innings allowing 0 hits and 1 walk, with 3 Ks.
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Rancho Cucamonga – 5-4 Win over Lancaster JetHawks (Rockies)
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Leo Crawford started, pitched 4.1 innings, and surrendered 4 runs on 9 hits and 1 walk and 6 Ks. The Quakes found themselves down 4-0 and in danger of losing for the first time after 13 consecutive wins. But with the aid of 3 HRs, the Quakes put up 5 and won for their 14th consecutive game. Jared Walker slugged his 2 HR of the season, a 3 run shot, to put the Quakes in the lead for good. Connor Wong (12) and Cody Thomas (11) each hit solo HRs. Wong went 3-4 and is showing some signs of life after his great start was followed by as long slump. Gavin Lux also had another multiple hit night going 2-4.
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Ryan Moseley, Logan Salow, and Andre Scrubb picked up for Crawford and shut down the JetHawks holding them scoreless over the final 4.2 innings. Moseley got the win, while Scrubb got his 1st RC save. With RC, Andre has now pitched 9.1 scoreless innings, allowing 3 hits, 1 walk, 1 HBP, with 12 Ks. He has had a good start to his High A promotion.
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Great Lakes – 5-0 Loss to Dayton Dragons (Reds)
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Great Lakes has had a couple of good seasons of late, but this season has not been kind to the Loons, as they lost yet again and now have a record of 27-60. I was looking forward to last night’s game as 21 year old Dominican pitcher Jeronimo Castro was due to start his 1st game at Great Lakes. He was dominant in his 10.1 innings with AZL. It did not go as planned for the young RHP as he went 4.0 IP allowing 2 runs on 4 hits and 1 walk, and striking out 4. Three relievers followed allowing 3 additional runs in their shutout loss. The Loons managed 2 hits with Eric Peterson tripling (1) and Luke Heyer singling.
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Both DSL Dodgers teams lost yesterday.
To the Bluto.
Martinez crushed the second half last year for the DBags. Don’t know what they gave up but that deal made them a factor. This year it’s a dog fight to win the NL West. Time to use some tools in the shed to get a new edge. If Manny can be as impactful in the second half as Max was the first….. what if both cylinders were hitting!
Go Dodgers be creative
2019 lineup:
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Verdugo RF
Toles CF
Turner 3B
Seager SS
Taylor 2B
Bellinger 1B
Smith C
Pederson/Hernandez LF platoon
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Traded away:
Puig
Kemp (unless NL gets DH)
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Free agents leaving
Ryu
Grandal
Forsythe
Prospect question:
Assuming both Ruiz and smith survive the purge, AND smith is the long-term answer at C, what other position could Ruiz occupy in the future?