There are less than thirty days until the trade deadline, and Dodgers fans are clamoring for Andrew Friedman to make some trades. Of course, many are thinking Aernado, Flaherty, Burnes, Beiber, and others. I would be surprised if any of those players become Dodgers. The Dodgers could use a starting pitcher and of course, a RH-hitting outfielder. I would love to see Luis Robert, Jr., but the cost would be HUGE. The White Sox also have some pitchers but the price there would also be crazy. I believe Shane Beiber is damaged goods., but I also know that Andrew Friedman is looking at players we may not have talked about. Here’s the crux of what is happening:
- Well, Doc found out that using Evan Phillipps in back-to-back-to-back games may not be a good idea. Yep, not a good idea. I do not blame him for trying. Just don’t do it again!
- Dustin May will undergo surgery on his right elbow to repair the flexor tendon later this month as well as undergoing a Tommy John revision for a Grade 2 UCL sprain. He will be out for at least a year! This is terrible news. Dustin may be destined for the bullpen.
- Expect Landon Knack to get the call from OKC soon. His last outing was exceptional.
- Andrew McCutchen is not a good fit for the Dodgers. Jason Heyward is LH and can platoon in RF with a RH hitter who hits lefties. McCutchen hits RHP to the tune of .292 this year but hits .250 against LHP. Besides, he says he wants to stay in Pittsburgh.
- David Bednar is a very good RH Relief Pitcher who has 16 saves in 17 chances this year to go with a 1.44 ERA and 0.89 WHIP. He is controllable through 2026, but the price would be very steep for him – like Kopp, Frasso, and Robertson. The Dodgers have Evan Phillips, who has 12 saves in 13 chances and a 1.85 ERA, and a 0.75 WHIP. They are essentially the same guy. Additionally, Daniel Hudson is back… and healthy. David Bednar will not be a Dodger. They have other needs.
- It was no surprise that Jahmai Jones opted out of his contract with the Dodgers. The Angels, Orioles, and now the Dodgers have given up on him – they think he’s an AAAA player. The Brewers are desperate and need another bat. Maybe they can catch lightning in a bottle. Jones was primarily a second baseman.
- Next, the Dodgers traded for 30-year-old Pat Valaika, who can play anywhere in the infield and is stashed at OKC – he is not on the 40-man roster. It is a mischaracterization to think Valaika took Jones’ place. Valaika can play anywhere, while Jones is a 2B.
- Devin Mann is making a great case to get called up. He can play anywhere and is hitting .324 with a 1.003 OPS.
- If Michael Vargas is going to be sent down, it should be sooner than later. His confidence is totally shot. Send Vargas and Hernandez back to OKC and call up Busch and Mann!
- James Outman had his first multi-homer game since April. He is starting to get it. Let’s hope he can continue his hitting and fielding progress.
- Gavin Stone has the ability to be a “multi-inning lockdown reliever,” but he needs to be more efficient in his pitches. All of his problems are self-inflicted.
- The Dodgers Bullpen is slowly but surely moving up. They are now 25th and climbing… last night notwithstanding.
- Trades… Anyone?
- BTW, We saw Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny last night. I give it a 10 out of 10. It was true to the Indiana Jones Franchise and gives you a peek into Indy’s soul and his life.
Discussion (35)
Disagree, not disagreeable
I can’t believe we won this game! They had so many opportunities to punch us out and for some reason they couldn’t . All those bases loaded no outs…..wow….well, we should have won the night before, so I guess it all balanced out.
Daniel Hudson didn’t look good but somehow got out of the mess. I’m getting concerned seeing all these walks by our bullpen. Please, please, please LA, get 1-2 quality reliable bullpen guys at the deadline. I don’t care what prospects you give up- chances are, they aren’t that good anyhow.
I’m okay with Miller giving up 4 runs if he can go 6 innings. I don’t expect him to be much better seeing he is still learning how to pitch in the big league.
Graterol probably next on IL
Very stressful game but an important win nevertheless.
Bobby Miller made that one big mistake on the 3 r HR but at least he worked 5.2 to give us a chance.
Once again he lost his composure in one inning and gave up 3 runs. Got to get more consistent and bear down when things are going not smoothly.
Brasier IMHO the man of the game. What a job.
I would give Knack a look on Saturday. With the ASG coming up and Sunday off it would be the best time to slot him in. Pen desperatlely needs a break. This has desaster written all over it if the workload can not be reduced.
Go Dodgers!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Yes!! This staff is on fumes, we are going to need a couple additions after the break, Knack needs to get a look as well.
Cody Bellinger had two hits tonight to raise his BA to .284. He is just below .800 in OPS. Belli is only 27.
Nice to have a grown-up Dad-type in the pen like Daniel Hudson.
This game made my stomach hurt
They’re killing me Whitey, they’re killing me
Hudsons got huevos like cannon balls
I have seen enough of Phil Bickford. He throws hard, but that’s about it. I’ll let the Dodgers figure out how to replace him, but I think it’s near time that they do.
How does Bickford allow two hits and two walks in 1/3 of an inning and not charged for any runs? This is one reason why I say the E.R.A stat is flawed.
JD and the Train. Nice
Mark, I think you might have been a tad off when you predicted JD to hit 35 hr this year.
Only 35????
Dodgers not the favorite to win the World Series. They are 13-2 to win. That puts them behind the Braves and Rays.
Suwinski seems like a Dodger killer. Dangerous.
And early in the year he robbed Mookie of a HR…
Future doesn’t look as bright as it did at beginning of year
Just looked this up.
Justin Turner was a very late bloomer. He was 29 when he joined the Dodgers and reinvented himself into an all-star and clubhouse leader.
Max was a not-so-late bloomer. At 25 he was released by the A’s organization and signed a minor league contract with the Dodgers–and then reinvented himself into an all-star.
Perhaps Jahmai Jones, age 25, could be a late bloomer too.
Plate ump was terrible last night. Vargas really got screwed. However, a trip to the minors right now could benefit him. He just looks like he has no confidence in his hitting.
10 rookie umps is quite a bit. Dare I say there could be a chance for technology to replace the plate ump?? I hope not.
One more Tommy Davis commentary: I was there the night in 1965 when Tommy broke is ankle against the Giants. Tommy D was never the same. I believe Tommy would have won several more batting championships, and possibly had a HOF worthy career. I saw Tommy at several CIF Track and Field Championships in the mid-2000s and he was very knowledgeable about track and field, and a nice person. Rest in Peace, Tommy D.
DODGERS RECALL BRYAN HUDSON
LOS ANGELES – Los Angeles Dodgers recalled left-handed pitcher Bryan Hudson and optioned right-handed pitcher Gavin Stone.
Hudson, 26, returns for his second stint with the Dodgers after allowing three runs in 2.0 innings with two strikeouts in his first stint. He is 4-0 with a 1.83 ERA (7 ER/34.1 IP) and 57 strikeouts in 29 games for Oklahoma City this season. He is a combined 36-27 with a 4.19 ERA (229 ER/491.1 IP) and 425 strikeouts in 179 career minor league games (74 starts). He was drafted by the Cubs in the third round of the 2015 First Year Player Draft out of Alton High School (IL).
Stone, 24, pitched last night, allowing one run in 2.0 innings with three strikeouts. In four games with the Dodgers, he has allowed 17 runs in 12.0 innings with eight strikeouts. With Triple-A Oklahoma City, he is 2-4 with a 6.71 ERA (40 ER/53.2 IP) and 64 strikeouts against 30 walks in 12 starts. Last season, he was named the 2022 Dodgers Branch Rickey Pitcher of the Year after going a combined 9-6 with a 1.48 ERA (20 ER/121.2 IP) and 168 strikeouts between High-A Great Lakes, Double-A Tulsa and Triple-A Oklahoma City. The Arkansas native has been in the Dodger system since being drafted in the 5th round of the 2020 First Year Player Draft out of the University of Central Arkansas and he is a combined 13-12 with a 3.31 ERA (98 ER/266.1 IP) and 370 strikeouts.
10:10 PM ET
Pirates (40-45)
Dodgers (47-38)
SP Osvaldo Bido R
0-1 4.74 ERA
SP Bobby Miller R
4-1 4.23 ERA
Confirmed Lineup
2B Mookie Betts R
1B F. Freeman L
C Will Smith R
3B Max Muncy L
DH J. Martinez R
LF D. Peralta L
RF J. Heyward L
CF James Outman L
SS Miguel Rojas R
Clear-day
69° Wind 8 mph Out
Whatever happened to that devastating change up (I think change up) that Stone had in spring training? Or am I taking my eyes off the TV screen when he throws it.
A lot of calls here for Vargas to be sent down. I called it in the offseason. I see deer in headlights. I’m not going to get into his future, but I always said he was brought up too early and needed at least another half year in AAA and maybe more.
Hoping for the best for Sheehan, Stone, Miller, Outman, I’m high on all of them.
Muncy hitting 4th again. When will the insanity end???????????
TELL IT LIKE IT IS !!!!!!!!
https://twitter.com/CubsZone/status/1676421191429398528?s=20
Oh, man, what a frustrating game. In the bottom of the 9th, with men on 1st and 3rd and only 1 out, I thought that the Dodgers had a good shot of getting back in the game. After all, in my mind, they had Martinez and Peralta coming up to bat. Oops, I forgot that Vargas had pinch hit for Peralta earlier in the game. After J.D. flew out my heart sunk. Vargas K’d looking on 3 pitches. I sure have to agree with most other posters. Vargas should be sent down to OKC now!!
On the brighter side, it was great to see Deluca get his 1st ML HR and to see Outman hit 2 out of the park.
* I remain a huge proponent of ABS and last night was another reason why. DJ Reyburn was awful. He took the bat out of Vargas’ hands on 2 at bats and at critical times. Vargas needs to be in swing mode with 2 strikes but those pitches were clearly balls. On the day, Reyburn called 10 strikes on actual balls – 82% accuracy rate. That’s just unacceptable and we should all expect better for a 15 year MLB veteran umpire.
Reyburn was umpiring in the Dominican League in 2009-2010 when he became the center of media attention on January 16. He ejected Licey Tigers catcher Ronny Paulino for arguing balls and strikes, then was attacked by Licey manager José Offerman. Offerman had to be removed by the police and was banned for 3 years from the Dominican League for the assault.
I agree that the umpiring in general has been poor. There are 10 new full-time umpires this season replacing retired veterans. That means a whole set of new replacement umpires as well. Some have been very good and an improvement over the fat old bastards who had become complacent, but other newbies have been poor. But the overall grade for HPU is a D, in my book.
* Looks like we get Clint Vondrak tonight. He shows terrible accuracy, missing strikes up and expands both rivers.
* It’s time for ABS and NOT including some unworkable “challenge system”. Just get it right, full time.
* I agree with Mark on Devin Mann who is making a great case to get called up. As Mark stated, he’s is hitting .324 with a 1.003 OPS. I stated last week that I would bring him up to platoon with Muncy at 3rd. We would have to clear a spot on the 40 man roster but AF could think of something. Was Jones on the 40 man?
* I also agree on sending Vargas and Hernandez back to OKC and call up Busch and Mann.
* Pirates Luis Ortiz has amazing splits. RHB are hitting .242 against him while LHB are hitting .392. Our LHB should be sprinting to the bat rack against this guy. He gave up 6 earned in 3.1 and still got a no-decision. Happy 4th, Luis.
* Evan Phillips is still my guy in a closer type role, if we have one. He and Hudson are good in high leverage, late innings. So we learned that Evan shouldn’t go 3 straight days. And the questions as to why he pitched when he did, making it 3 straight, are spot on.
Good or bad, we really need to see this group of young arms pitch, for many reasons.
A couple of comments on trades you suggested, Mark:
Bednar – Kopp, Frasso and Robertson wouldn’t even begin to get it done. Bednar has been excellent for 3 years running now so he doesn’t seem prone to the off and on seasons that so many relievers go through. He’s proven his value. He’s only making $745,000 this year and has 4 more years of control remaining. Furthermore, the Pirates now consider themselves very competitive so would have no reason to trade their closer (who happens to be from Pittsburgh). You’d have to offer them something like Miller or Sheehan and Cartaya or Rushing to even get them to think about it.
Luis Robert Jr. – I’m with you. Would love to make him our center fielder. It would take a boatload of prospects, but hey, AF is going to have to move some prospects or lose a bunch of guys in the Rule 5 this winter. Only problem is that in four years with the Sox, he hasn’t yet been able to stay on the field enough to get even 400 at bats. This will probably be the year he does it but that will only make him harder to trade for.
There is an old saying:”a coach gets to much blame if the team loses and too much credit when they win.” With the veteran leadership the Dodgers have the wake up call should come from them in a manner they choose, players only meeting, someone charge the mound, etc. We have great leaders on our squad, Kershaw, Freeman and Betts to name a few. Perhaps they have tried to bring the team together and it hasn’t made it to the press. I still feel that you don’t want to make trades under distressed, that causes mistakes. We can win with our roster, a tweak here and there is okay but not at the expense of our minor league system.
I saw some writers saying tatis was one of the biggest all star snubs. Why should someone was suspended 60 games last year and 1st 20 games this year for p e d s be rewarded with an all star appearance? Oh and maybe roberts should try that fire thing before they try that fire thing on him!
How many anal sex jokes did Indy’s sidekick make?
I traded for Bednar 2 seasons ago (to quote the great man – “before he became David Bednar”). Too late now.
Just a suggestion but could we trade The Raven for a Penguin?
Would be a huge upgrade in every department.
Although it sounds great, I don’t know if you can expect guys in there 30’s to now change their approach. So I don’t expect these guys to now start bunting or giving themselves up by hitting behind runners. And certainly they are too delicate too start trying to steal bases. On the other hand I would say if Outman, Vargas, Deluca get on first base they should try to steal EVERY TIME. And as for Roberts–Same thing if he is not a ‘light the fire guy’, he is not going to change now.
Bad umpiring in last night’s game. Part of the onus is on Phillips, But the ump’s zone was inconsistent and he gave calls to the Pirates pitchers that the Dodger pitchers did not get. Vargas was called out on two really bad calls.
Been silent on Roberts lately, BUT! I also don’t understand why Phillips was used Sunday in that blowout! Isn’t a snowball chance in hell Dodgers come back and win that game. There was no life in that team in Kansas City! I’m not saying fire doc, but sometimes a blowup or getting tossed, or not worrying about who’s in the stands might help. It’s not ok to hit .190 and bat cleanup. It’s not ok to hit .175 and play 2nd base. It’s not ok to never manufacture a run (especially in extra innings). Get after them sometimes. He can’t hit or pitch for them, but he is the manager! I still feel like the dodgers are the team to beat in the west, but they must stop blowing games! A Dodger team scoring 7 runs should not lose! Injuries play a big part in losses and struggles, but this team has the resources to not be in this position. Too many reclamation projects and not enough quality relievers. Start a fire Dave Roberts!
I thought the Jones movie was okay not great. Needed a better story line and better writing. Ford was his usual and I could watch him in any venue.
With the underwhelming performance of our rookies, it’s got to make opposing GM’s reevaluate the value of our prospects. Gonna cost AF even more to find some help. We could use a playoff caliber starter, a closer type bullpen addition and a right handed bat. That’s a lot in a very tight market.
If the cost for Bednar is Kopp, Frasso and Robertson I would do the trade in a heartbeat. I gave the arguments the last couple of days so I do not have to repeat them.
Phillipps had no business being in that blowout on Sunday in KC. I put this squarely on the manager.
Likely Cost us an important W last night . But another argument for trading for Bednar or another reliable closer.
Feel sorry for Dustin May. What a tough break for the young man. Could be career threatening. If he comes back : How about trying him as the closer ala Gagne ?
On the minor league front: Josue dePaula had 3 more hits yesterday, raising his average to .248 after starting very slow in A ball. Kid just turned 18 couple months ago and is the youngest player in A ball if I am correct. Holding more than his own against older competition.
Need a solid game from Bobby Miller today. 6-7 good innings would be huge giving how taxed this pen already is.
Go Dodgers!!!!!!!!!!!!!!