Trades & More
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…
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.
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Discussion (89)
Disagree, not disagreeable
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!!!!!!!!!!!!!!