Twenty Things I (Think I) Know

Some of our minor leaguers had great games yesterday.

Cartaya two more bombs . Miller 6 innings , giving up 2 runs on a HR but 11 Ks and no BBs. Busch 3 more hits.

Then you got the return of May throwing gas with silly movement.

Treinen obviously getting close as is The Bazooka. Rios starting at 3b for OKC.

Reinforcements are close.

The more I think about it the more I like the idea of going after Ohtani. You get 2 players in 1. An ace starter and a monster DH.

But I am still reluctant to give up Miller and Cartaya. I think both could be all stars in the future.

If there is any way to get Ohtani for a package not including those two I probably go for it.

Pepiot, Stone, Page, Vargas, Busch,Grove ?

Go Dodgers!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

No idea what “yard barker” is, but the Angels definitely should be listening to offers for Ohtani.

I recently saw a old video that reported that Ohtani’s first choice would have been the Dodgers, but without the DH the Dodgers only saw him as an SP. and not also aNa parttime outfielder, like he was in Japan. So the DH rule led him to the Angels. It has also been reported that Angels GM Billy Eppler had courted Ohtani for years and that helped–which is why the Mets could angle for him. But maybe Ohtani simply prefers SoCal.

Anyway, it’s hard to imagine the Angels becoming a contender next season, so the best way to maximize his value is to move him now when the buyer could have him for two pennant runs. The Angels have a weak farm system and need A LOT of help. The Dodgers have a deep system and could put together a big package for a guy who is both an ace-quality starter and top-tier DH with power and speed.

To replace the DH: Start with Max (a good bounce-back candidate) or Rios and add Busch. or Vargas . For good measure toss in Amaya or Leonard because the Angels need a SS).

To replace the ace SP: Start with Gonsolin (peak value) and add Miller, or maybe two pitchers like Grove and Nastrini. Toss in a catcher like Feduccia because the Angels will need a backup to Stassi.

Anyway, given the Angels many needs, the Dodgers could offer a few ML-ready players and young prospects that would quickly improve their standing. If an 8-for-1 deal seems outlandish, remember that the Dodgers traded five prospects or Machado–and he doesn’t pitch.

To simplify this, just think of Ohtani as roughly equivalent to Scherzer + Trea. The Dodgers got that pair for their top two prospects and two lottery-pick types. Could Cartaya + Miller plus two lower level types net Ohtani? No, because Ohtani is younger and of course has a marketing cachet that plays outside the lines. Ohtani will likely be the game’s first $50 million per season player. Perhaps $60 million.

With Ohtani in blue, the Dodgers would likely employ a six-man rotation, which might be a good thing..

Just imagine slotting Ohtani into the top of the lineup with Mookie, Trea and Freddie….

Yard barker is reporting that the Angels are open to listening to trade offers for Ohtani.

While OPS is a better measure of a hitters value, I still like to monitor batting average for historical comparisons.

After tonight’s game, the Dodgers have 3 of the top 4 hitters in NL by batting average.

Goldschmidt leads the league at .335 followed by Freeman-323, Trea Turner- 312, and Lux-307.

While OPS is a better measure of a hitters value, I still like to monitor batting average for historical comparisons.

After tonight’s game, the Dodgers have 3 of the top 4 hitters in NL by batting average.

Goldschmidt leads the league at .335 followed by Freeman-323, Trea Turner- 312, and Lux-307.

Hey AF, resign Trea. Forget Soto and Otani. Get bullpen help.

Tyler Anderson = Why do the Dodgers need another starter? Why?

I might have to reconsider how I feel about the games at Coors!

Yankees got better today.

Dustin May today: 3ip, 2hits, 6k. I’d love to know how hard he was throwing!

I see Rios is making a comeback in AAA ball and that is an upgrade for the offense whether it’s DH or the bench.

Jessica Mendoza on Conner Joe hitting Belli in the back on a throw to second. “It’s almost like he didn’t see him”. Really? You’re standing next to him holding him on to begin the play and you’re throwing to second trying to get him out, but you don’t see him?

Damn! It took me long enough time finding a decent stream. I guess Mad Titan is the ticket. Well see for how long.

MLBTR still has “Treinen Won’t Face Hitters For Weeks” in the most current post for the Dodgers. Roberts just said in the pre-game that Treinen will face hitters in LA this weekend.

Brusdar is also in LA this weekend and will throw a pen.

May is on the hill tonight in OKC. Edwin Rios is in the lineup batting second and playing 3B.

Mark said this:

“Danny Duffy, Victor Gonzalez, The Bazooka, Walker Buhler, Blake Treinen, Tommy Kahnle, Dustin May, and Jimmy Nelson. That’s EIGHT potentially good-to-great arms for the playoffs. They all will not make it back, but if just four or five do, the Dodgers’ Pitching Staff will be extra-extra-ordinary. Right now, it’s just extraordinary! One has to ask,” Do the Dodgers really need to trade for more pitching?” I think not.”

First thing, Nelson is done for the year including the playoffs unless I missed something. Secondly Duffy is nothing to get excited about.

For the playoffs:

Of those 6 remaining, there are 2 that would be big upgrades if they are themselves/fully healthy when they return, Treinen and Buehler.

Of the other 4:

Gonzalez has very little experience/innings in his career, I wouldn’t trust him in the playoffs, but during the regular season he would be an upgrade over certain other guys we have.

Graterol’s career stats against LHB is terrible, but this year is average against LHB, he’s an upgrade over certain guys we already have for the regular season, but I wouldn’t trust him in the playoffs.

Kahnle is an above average reliever and against both sides of the plate, nothing special, but he would be an upgrade during the regular season over certain guys we already have in the bullpen and I would consider him for the playoffs if there is room, but I wouldn’t use him in high leverage situations in the playoffs.

May has better career stats against LHB than Graterol, I’ll take May any day over Graterol. But I still wouldn’t want May as a reliever in the playoffs. He doesn’t have much experience/innings too. If there is room for May as a 4th starter in the playoffs I’d go for that, but I doubt there is room. It wouldn’t hurt to see what he can do as a reliever during the regular season because he would be an upgrade over certain guys we already have in the bullpen and our lead over the Padres is big.

As I’ve said before, Betts is a very good player, but I consider Freeman and T Turner as more valuable than Betts, and I want Friedman to try to sign T Turner.

Also as I’ve said before, all Vargas has to do is hit better than Muncy, and that is not a lot to ask for, and I think that is all we need for an upgrade on offense.

I don’t want Soto for the price in prospects nor do I want him for the dollars 2 years from now. It’s not good to pay what he will get in 1 player, you’re better off paying for 2 stars than 1 superstar.

I know I’m going to rub people wrong when I say I don’t want to pay the price in prospects for Castillo because I don’t think he’s much of an upgrade over the starters we already have and the cost for him can go to upgrading our bullpen that is ranked number 6, while our starting pitching is ranked number 1 and our offense is ranked number 1 or 2. And why throw in Drury with a career slash line of .252/.302/.431/.733? Yes I know he is having a good year with an above .800 OPS, but he’s never had an .800+ OPS year in his career until SO FAR this year.

Just my opinion and my 2 cents for the day.

Are we actually quoting tweets from guys named Ben Dover now?

What, Hugh G Rection or IP Freely weren’t available??

I think Joc is mostly a sentimental notion. But Farhan may want to flip him.

Yanks did well to get Benintendi, and now they are reportedly in on Castillo or Montas. Both could be had in packages. Can’t recall the name, but Oakland could offer a good reliever plus Pinder with Montas. But Castillo plus Drury would be better.

I’ve always like Josh Bell. He could DH while Max and JT share 3B. I think a couple of mid-level prospects might be enough, say Outman plus Rooney? And we could sacrifice Lamb.

See what I did there?

8:40 PM ET

Dodgers (65-32)

Rockies (45-54)

SP Tyler Anderson L

10-1 2.79 ERA 103.1IP 87K

Confirmed Lineup

RF Mookie Betts R

SS Trea Turner R

1B F. Freeman L

C Will Smith R

DH Jake Lamb L

2B Gavin Lux L

3B Max Muncy L

CF C. Bellinger L

LF Z. McKinstry L

35% Rain

74° Wind 9 mph Out

* Joc Pederson’s name keeps resurfacing like a bad penny. He does nothing for me as a platoon piece in left. Would the plan be for him to platoon with Trayce? With Lamb kicking a can down the road? On the surface Joc would play against right handed pitching only. He hits .238 versus righties. So Trayce would be the guy against lefties? Thompson is hitting .200 against lefties and .320 agains righties. Big reverse splits. Lamb and Joc have basically identical averages against RHP, at .234 and .238 respectively. So a platoon with Thompson and Lamb isn’t really effective and Joc brings nothing to add to this but complication.

* It looks like the Nats may have backed off trying to tie Corbin’s bad contact to any Soto deal.

* Mark wrote “Do you still want Soto? The LA Times speculates what it would take: “For the Dodgers, the list could include six of these seven players: catcher Diego Cartaya, right-hander Bobby Miller, infielder Miguel Vargas, second baseman Michael Busch, right-hander Ryan Pepiot, outfielder Andy Pages, and right-hander Gavin Stone.” No, thank you!”

Double No Thanks here too. I can’t believe this is even a consideration.

* Anthony Castrovince of MLB wrote “It’s fair for some fans to ask that in what has statistically been a down season for Soto. As of this writing, his batting average (.245) is 68 points lower than last year, his on-base percentage (.401) is 64 points lower and his slugging percentage (.485) is 49 points lower. He also grades out poorly as a defensive outfielder (first percentile in Outs Above Average).”

The comparisons with Ted Williams make me laugh. Teddy Ballgame did it for 21 years minus 3 years in the Service. I personally have no interest in pursuing Soto for anything close to what’s speculated. The potential outgoing players are who you can build a franchise on; not one player. And the Dodgers have them and aren’t rebuilding.

* My money would go into trying to sign Trea Turner for 5 years at top of the line $.

I think he’s worth it. And we know what he brings to the table. Trea makes us go. His numbers are great and he plays every day. He brings speed and consistency. Every time you look he has another hitting streak going. His defense is fine and he hits .300 falling out of bed. I envision a middle infield that would perennially have two .300 hitters in the line up with Lux and Trea. There is so much to like about this guy but it’s easy to take him for granted and just assume he’s leaving. I would exhaust all avenues to re-sign him. I know he’s 29 but I see his body holding up to 35. For me, that’s were my big $ contract would go.

I just want the trade deadline to pass. Some years I enjoy the speculation. This year it’s getting old. AF will make a move or he won’t. Might be a big name. Might be somebody most of us would have to lookup to even know who he is. But it will be in AF style.

I am curious if the news about Trout’s injury might push the Angels a little closer to consider trading Ohtani. As many in the media have pointed out, the condition isn’t terribly serious for the average person. Physical therapy. Muscle conditioning. But for an elite athlete? I don’t buy that. Most people don’t dive into the ground or a padded wall every week. Nor do they have to swing a bat thousands of times per year. Oh, and BTW… do that effectively to catch or a hit a small ball flying at you. While I don’t think this is career ending, I do think there is a strong chance Trout won’t be the same. At least not for very long. This kind of chronic condition doesn’t bode well.

I still think the Angeles will likely keep Ohtani and let him walk as a FA. Arte would rather keep filling seats over making a strategic move that would ultimately improve the team. The fans are already pissed off and frustrated. Trading Ohtani would make their brains implode. Ohtani’s star/marketing value is vastly greater than Soto. They could transform their org and prepare for the potential end to the “Trout” era. But they likely won’t.

Source: The Los Angeles #Dodgers offered Gavin Lux and top prospects, Diego Cartaya, Michael Busch, Andy Pages, Ryan Pepiot, and Landon Knack to the #Nationals, for superstar Juan Soto.

Cartaya is the Dodgers #1 prospect, and the Nats scouting department is very high on him.

** too much,too little ?

would hate give up Busch,Pepoit and Lux coming into his own. But gotta give up BIG to get back BIG !

Would be fine JD,Castillo – call it a day. AF likes swinging for the fences !!

Taylor passed his running in the outfield test and has started taking infield grounders and throwing to first base. Doc said his arm has the flexibility to throw at all angles now. After a few simulated games next week he will ready to return after a rehab assignment. To me that says Max is going to start to see fewer AB’s.

Dodgers Nation

Dodgers: Every Fan in LA Needs to Know Ronan Kopp

Brook Smith

Jul 28

Standing at 6-foot-7, you immediately notice Ronan Kopp on the field and in the dugout. The Dodgers picked up the left-handed hurler out of South Mountain Community College in Phoenix in the 12th round last year. And since then, he has carved a name for himself in the organization.

Almost quite literally. With a fastball that reaches the upper 90s and a decent breaking ball to mix in, Kopp has dominated with Rancho Cucamonga. Across 44.2 innings of work, Kopp has chalked up a ridiculous 80 strikeouts to go along with a pristine 1.61 ERA. And perhaps th best news for the Dodgers? He turns 20 years old on Friday.

At that height, Kopp gets downhill very quickly on batters. That has resulted in him averaging over 16 strikeouts per 9 innings pitched in 2022. But he does struggle with control at times too, averaging 5.6 free passes per 9 innings. But the Dodgers have proven many times that they can help guys get their control dialed in.

Ronan Kopp threw the bulk innings on Sunday for Rancho going 4, striking out 7, & walking just 1. @rkopp27 has not allowed an earned run in his last 6 outings, which is all of July, & his last 2 in June. During that span of 18.2 innings, he has 30 K’s. #dodgers pic.twitter.com/dvbck5WvpN

For the moment, the Dodgers seem to be trying to find out where they want him to pitch. Kopp has appeared in 20 games this season, and 6 of them have come as a starter. But if they can get his control dialed in a little more over the next 2 years, Kopp could very well be a part of the big league squad.

Hoping not to see Max penciled in todays line-up. He needs some time off or perhaps another IL stint. His walk first ABs are tiresome and all too often we see a center cut FB taken for strike three.

Sit’em Doc

Bringing back Joc would be fun. He would basically replace Jake Lamb in a platoon with Trayce.

Plus, Joc could give Freddie a day off

Hey, just kidding…

There has been some discussion here lately about the Trade Simulator.

There was a very interesting article about the site in The Athletic a couple of days ago. For those of you who subscribe and may have missed it, here’s a link: https://theathletic.com/3447510/2022/07/26/juan-soto-trade-values/

A couple of interesting take-aways:

1) They claim to have been accurate on 94.8% of trades that have been made since the site’s inception (meaning the simulator said the trade was within its limits for acceptability, value-wise).

2) Some front offices actually follow the site and here’s a pretty shocking quote from the article:

“It was around that time when someone in another MLB front office emailed Bitzer saying they used his site as a neutral party to check their work before trading; if the simulator spits out something that seems way out of whack, they’ll take a second look. “That’s validating,” Bitzer said. Recently, he added, he’s also seen a few MLB GMs follow Baseball Trade Values on Twitter.”

In Rosenthal’s latest piece on TheAthletic, he postulates that the Astros may be looking to trade a pitcher for a position player. He cites that the Astros have a surplus of starters, as evidenced by their going to a 6 man rotation, and it just makes sense to move one. Especially with McCullers coming off the DL.

Can someone tell me why the Dodgers (who are now using (albeit limitedly) a 6-man rotation AND have May coming back) are not in the exact same position? (pun!) A trade for a position player seems more likely to me, why am I wrong?

* Think back to spring with Gavin Lux, He’d had the second base job only to lose it. The position was still a question mark and so was Lux. Now he’s hitting .300 and is living up to expectations. Oh, I’m not forgetting an occasional yip throw. The problem with the yips is a guy can go for months without throwing one away but the vigilance never goes away. And as soon as it happens, all the questions resurface. It can last a career. But Lux has become the hitter we had hoped and I’m proud of the kid.

* It must be my day to be an old softie. After our 6th run in the 1st, I found myself feeling sorry for Patrick Corbin. He was unbelievably terrible. When it goes for some, it goes in a hurry. His boat anchor contract could probably be tied with any deal for Soto and that alone would be a deal breaker for me (along with Soto’s 1/2 billion $ asking price long term). Corbin’s problems are more than a little mechanical tweak.

* I also feel sorry for the new Bigfoot. McKinstry could be playing somewhere and not sitting every day. I don’t know where you play him on a more regular basis but his role is one of an aging veteran.

* Okay, I’m done feeling sorry for today.

I dislike Coors Field. I hope we play better there.

Okay, I think the interest in Juan Soto is real. But the price is too high and the Dodgers are not going there. Apparently the Nats no longer want to include Corbin’s contract, they want the biggest prospect haul possible. Maybe the Dodgers pursue a pitcher, but I wouldn’t be surprised if they don’t. Maybe they just go after a reliever, a less costly bat.

They should focus on signing Trea Turner.

Is Mookie a superstar? I know you guys like stats or certain stats. Mookie makes a lot of big plays in the outfield, has some power and often comes through with big hits. He seems to make players around him better. The media calls him a superstar. Will he ever have a season or two like the best ones in Boston. Probably he’ll have one or two.

I’m not sure there are any superstars. Scott Boras would argue that point. Mike Trout could be called that, but the injuries are beginning to chip away. If not for the injuries, Trout would be the only baseball player worthy of the mantle. But he doesn’t care about marketing and charisma. Then there is the reality Angels aren’t very good. No playoff drama for Trout.

Some of it has to do with charisma and Mookie has that. The media and fans love those kind of players. They deem them superstars. So maybe that is the best way to determine superstar status.

Since we’re talking about super stars and generational players, all this excitement about Soto and he’s currently hitting .243. Soto made the all-star team, but is he a superstar? He does have charisma.

Now Freddie Freeman is pretty consistent and it was a great signing. He flat out hits the ball. I think the Dodgers should continue in that mode when pursuing talent. May not have a generational label, but helps a team win. The fans love Freddie. So, no to Soto. The foundation for the Dodgers is the farm system. Why gut it?

What makes the Dodgers special, different from the rest of baseball. Year after year, they’re good, always in the chase, winning divisions and making the playoffs. Not many can do that.

The Dodgers already draw the biggest crowds in baseball so they don’t need another star. It may be LA, but the Dodgers own the city.

I’m looking forward to seeing Miquel Vargas and Diego Cartaya in Dodger Blue. Gavin Stone, the next pitching star to emerge from the minors. Some of the others likely to make the jump.

So half of baseball thinks Soto gets traded, half thinks he stays and gets moved in the winter. Whoever wins this chase will get his full services for two years and will have the pleasure of negotiating the $500 million deal in a free agent melee. Then they will look back and find their farm system bare.

That means it won’t be the Dodgers.

Minor league add ons to above:

Rooney has picked off 11 runners this year.

Pedro Baez was called twice for violating the pitch clock. One of them was before he even threw his first pitch.

So, I feel we take a stab at Soto. The offering: Gonsolin (sell high) and Bellinger (former MVP with a similar salary) and two minor league assets (not our top rated pieces). If that works, go for it. If not hold and squeeze.

News from Internet:

FanGraphs’ Dan Szymborski made up some trades!

https://blogs.fangraphs.com/lets-make-some-deadline-trades/

The San Francisco Giants acquire OF Juan Soto from the Washington Nationals for SS Marco Luciano, P Kyle Harrison, OF Luis González, OF Heliot Ramos, and the privilege of not being P Patrick Corbin’s employer.

The trade simulator says it’s a viable trade, but a minor overpay for the Nats (i.e they should get more)

Baseball America says: Teams Rarely Regret Cost Of Trading For A Star Position Player

($$$$)

https://www.baseballamerica.com/stories/teams-rarely-regret-cost-of-trading-for-a-star-position-player/

Ben Clemens Chat:

jas: Who do you see as realistic suitors for Soto? Or is there really one? Hard to see any FO giving up the pieces it would take.

Ben Clemens: I’d put realistic suitors as: Mets, Yankees, Dodgers, Padres, Mariners, Cards (tier 2), Rangers (tier 2), Giants (tier 3), Rays (tier 3)

Matt (Oceanside): Got to get my Soto trade proposal in on behalf of the Dodgers. Do you think Cartaya, Vargas, Busch, Miller, and Pepiot is enough?

Ben Clemens: probably? I like 3 of tohse guys quite a bit, and the other two are still good…

Dakota mckee: Could Cody bellinger be part of a (boring ass) dodgers deal for Soto as a potential name replacement? Or is his value completely negative at this point?

Ben Clemens: negative

Mets fan: Where does Trea Turner sign? Seems like a perfect fit for the Mets, especially if Nimmo walks

Ben Clemens: I could see that, but I think he’s most likely to remain with the Dodgers. They have some money to spend, and though I know he’s not actually a California guy, he seems like a California guy to me.

The Dodgers Undrafted Free agents

Connor Godwin, RHP, JC of Central Florida

Carter Lohman, LHP, Louisville

Livan Reinoso, INF, Tennessee Wesleyan

Christian Ruebeck, RHP, Kansas State

Lucas Wepf, RHP, Louisiana-Monroe

Woman disputes claims in Trevor Bauer’s defamation suit, denies making false allegations

https://www.espn.com/mlb/story/_/id/34278876/woman-disputes-claims-trevor-bauer-defamation-suit-denies-making-false-allegations

Baseball America’s latest top 20 prospect list ($$$$$)

https://www.baseballamerica.com/stories/hot-sheet-baseballs-20-hottest-prospects-from-the-past-week-71922/

15. Jose Ramos, OF, Dodgers

Team: High-A Great Lakes (Midwest)

Age: 21

Why He’s Here: .308/.357/.731 (8-for-26), 5 R, 2 2B, 0 3B, 3 HR, 10 RBIs, 1 BB, 6 SO

The Scoop: …He’s showing big-time power in the process. He’s slammed 12 home runs in 52 games with Great Lakes after a mid-May promotion to the level. A quarter of that total came last week. (JN)

Dodgers2080 takes a look at, and interviews Austin Gauthier

https://www.dodgers2080.com/dodgers-prospects-austin-gauthier-shaping-up-to-be-mlb-mainstay/

Against Gauthier, every pitch is a pressure pitch thanks to his advanced control of the strike zone. When you factor in his 9 stolen bases and 78 runs scored to the equation it becomes clear that he is a top-of-the-class table setter.

Put this prospect on your radar:

On Monday, Guillermo Zuniga picked up his 10th save of the year for Tulsa & stayed perfect in save opportunities this year.

His fastball is big (100), his slider is as big, and so is his competitive nature. He backs down to no one!

He may be the new pride of Cartagena, Colombia

A look at Heaney’s slider from his time with Angels vs. Dodgers

https://video.twimg.com/ext_tw_video/1552399147680124929/pu/vid/1280×720/f9govLdx1LmKDONq.mp4?tag=12

Specs on the two pitches…

LAA – 81 mph, -5″ VB, 10″ HB

LAD – 85 mph, 4″ VB, 1″ HB

Less spin-induced movement could allow him to control the ball better / “gyro stabilizes flight.” The interesting thing is that the Driveline model is more in line with the LAA breaking ball better — 99 stuff+ vs 77 stuff+.

Thus perhaps the Dodgers are factoring in other variables here in determining this new pitch was better. And so far, they’ve been spot on.

The four (4) most recent trades from the Trade Simulator:

From dayvid July 28, 2022

Angels GET

Diego Cartaya 50.6

Wilman Diaz 3.4

Brusdar Graterol 9.6

Bobby Miller 28.7

Max Muncy 9.9

Dodgers GET

Shohei Ohtani 107.6

From nostradamus July 28, 2022

Dodgers GET

David Bednar 28.7

Bryan Reynolds 77.1

Zach Thompson 5.6

Pirates GET

Diego Cartaya 50.6

Bobby Miller 28.7

James Outman 2.4

Gavin Stone 19.7

Alex Vesia 10

From sean.maitland July 28, 2022

Dodgers GET

Anthony Bass 1.7

Garrett Cooper 10.3

Pablo Lopez 45.7

Marlins GET

Michael Busch 27

Jose Ramos 10

Gavin Stone 19.7

Mitch White 1.3

From: silentbob2001 July 27, 2022

Tigers GET

Michael Busch 27

James Outman 2.4

Ryan Pepiot 18.2

Dodgers GET

Tucker Barnhart -1.3

Joe Jimenez 0.7

Jonathan Schoop -0.9

Tarik Skubal 48.5

And let’s not forget about Rios. The power is there. He just needs to tighten up his strike zone and more consistent contact. With no big signings, we could have Busch at second, Lux at short, Rios at third and Vargas in left next year. Is AF satisfied with that? Are we?

I have become a fan of Trayce. Would not surprise me if he was the regular center fielder next year. He may not be Cody defensively, but he is pretty good and is more dependable with a bat. Don’t believe the Dodgers are serious on Soto. The price is way too high.

I rarely comment on here but enjoy reading comments of others. Never know what handle to use. Since I am a retired forester and the former whistling champion of OK, I have thought of doing a Hank Snow takeaway and trying “The Whistling Ranger”. Was also the editor of the Louisiana Society of American Foresters (SAF) newsletter for 3-4 years.

Cooper is on the 10-day IL with a wrist contusion, and I dislike trading for injured players. JD Martinez would not cost much, and he hits pretty decent at Dodger Stadium as his 4-homer game when he was a D-Back attests. Bell would cost a little more, but he is strictly a first baseman and ours is pretty good. Last season when they traded for Turner and Scherzer, we did not get to see Turner for several days because he was on the Covid IL. Whomever they do end up trading for I want to see that player readily available for duty. I have no idea who AF is talking to. The rumor mill is usually full of disinformation. You can forget Nelson this year Mark. His Surgery was late last year, no way he is ready by October. Joc a Dodger? I doubt Farhan would do anything to make the Dodgers stronger that his own team. In season trades between LA and SF are rarer than Dems and Republicans agreeing on anything. As for Max, it is very painful just watching him flail away game after game. He has zero confidence at this point. He is definitely in need of an extended IL stint.

Dodgers have signed 6 of its top 9 draft picks( no first round pick) and 3 of its next 10 picks for of total of 9 signees thus far.

With Gavin Lux doing what he’s doing, and showing that he can be even better than this, I think this makes Michael Busch great trade bait.

Use him as a centerpiece for Castillo

Is Trayce Thompson finally healthy and this is who he is? What a great feel-good story.

Mookie is just a hot streak away from the superstar stratosphere.

There’s no reason that we have to cut Max. If Z-Mack can hang out on the bench and do nothing, so can Max.

If Max is out of the picture for this season, is it more imperative to get a left-handed bat to help out or a right-handed bat?

Yes, Lux crept over the 300 Ave and 800 OPS plateaus. No, we haven’t seen the best of Gavin yet. Yes, he can play shortstop.

The Dodgers need to finish what they started, turning Andrew Heaney into Andrew Miller. He’s going to be great weapon out of the bullpen later this season.

Is it too much to hope for Luis Castillo and Josh Bell? Yes, you can make the case that we don’t need either. The case is, Doc is going screw it up anyways, so it doesn’t matter if you stack the team with more stars.

Can Vargas be our Arozarena this year?

There’s no way I trade anything close to our six best prospects for Soto.

After Stone’s performance this season and the new gas on the fastball, you can certainly go ahead and rank him above Pepiot. Especially after we see what he does at AAA this year.

With Muncy circling the drain, I would rather have Josh Bell, but I’ll take any of those three. Cooper can play left field, so there’s a little more flexibility there. JD is a hitting machine, but Bell’s even better and a switchy to boot.

Mark –

Lots to chew on in you 20-point article.

The one I want to address is the last on on Trayce Thompson. You are absolutely right that he is an example of the old axiom “one never knows” in baseball. I questioned when the Dodgers reacquired him; brought him to the big club; and, put him in the starting lineup! Now he has become one of my favorites because he is such a “feel good” story.

He reminds of Sweet Lou Johnson from the 1960’s who played a very important role on the 1965 and 1966 NL pennant and World Series teams. A career minor leaguer who was ready to shine when he got his opportunity. Only in baseball does that happen! That is what makes baseball special in professional sports…

Don’t forget about the kid hitting .300 and OPS’ing over .800 at 2nd base. And more power is coming!

Everyone is streaky. Will Smith I think 1-30 lately

Yankees Acquire Andrew Benintendi From Royals

By Anthony Franco | July 27, 2022 at 10:59pm CDT

The Yankees and Royals have made the biggest move of deadline season to date. New York announced an agreement to acquire outfielder Andrew Benintendi from Kansas City in exchange for pitching prospects Beck Way, T.J. Sikkema and Chandler Champlain.