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 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.