This is a really tough question and one that I probably cannot answer completely. At the very least, it will be dramatically wrong, but I will attempt to answer it anyway because I know some of you reveal when I am wrong (which is often). One poster pointed this out yesterday:
Coming into the Winter of 2024, the following players are free agents or come off of the payroll:
— DodgerRick
Urias, Kershaw, Bauer, Shelby Miller, Jimmy Nelson, Brasier, Cyr (pitchers) (Lance Lynn has a team option at $18MM, Kelly has one at $9.5MM), JD Martinez, Kike Hernandez, Rosario, Peralta, Heyward, Marisnick (position players) (Muncy has a team option at $10MM).
THAT IS A LOT! Additionally, a lot has to happen between now and then. I happen to think that Andrew Friedman believes that “You trade for a Superstar or sign them as a free agent and grow the rest!” Yes, he traded for Mookie Betts and Freddie Freeman (both superstars) and signed JD Martinez. He also signed Max Muncy (although no superstar), who is a solid player. I think that in 2024, AF would like to trade CT3 – we shall see if that happens. If Chris can be traded, then Kike Hernandez could be re-signed.
Of course, the 800-pound gorilla in the room is Othani, but I cannot see the Dodgers being the high bidder. There is no way Andrew Friedman is going to put that much money into a 30-year-old who is an injury away from being a boat anchor on an organization. I know AF would love to sign him, but it will be at a cost that is not going to hamstring the organization. It will be interesting to see how this plays out.
Additionally, JD Martinez could be re-signed (if he really wants to stay in LA). Most of the other players will walk. OK, I am going to cut to the chase. This is what I see next year:
- Betts SS (why not? He loves SS)
- Freeman 1B
- Smith 3B (catching beats him down; maybe LF is a possibility as his bat will play up)
- Muncy/Martinez DH (or maybe both are gone)
- Rosario/Busch LF (Rosario has experience in the OF)
- Vargas 2B (too much talent to ignore)
- Outman CF (I think he will continue to grow)
- Pages/Lux RF (one or both?)
- Catcher – Obtained by trade!
What say you?
Dodger News and Notes
- I have cataract surgery early today. I have no clue how I will see so… whenever!
- It looks like the Dodgers will have four players with 30+ HR. Remember the last time that happened?
- The Dodger World looked totally different when Julio Urias pitches like last night. Hopefully, he has found the Holy Grail.
- Sheehan looked great except for two pitches – Rookies!
- Muncy should platoon with Busch!
- Kiki Hernandez is rejuvenated to be back as a Dodger.
- Amed Rosario is tearing it up as a Dodger – 1.036 OPS – who knew? Andrew!
- Tonight is the biggest game of Bobby Millers’ career. If the Dodgers sweep the Padres or win the series, they are dead. No sweep by the Padres! Please, Big Dodger in the Sky!
- Ken Giles pitched an inning last night, no runs, no hits, 1 K, 2 BB – he’s getting close!
- Diego Cartaya is hitting .177. This is not good!
- Nick Frasso last night -4 IP/3 H/0 R/1 BB/8 K.
- Arizona is sinking faster than ______________
- I’d like to bury the Padres this weekend
Discussion (36)
Disagree, not disagreeable
White Sox Acquire Two Minor League Pitchers From Dodgers
By Anthony Franco | August 4, 2023 at 10:29pm CDT
The White Sox announced they’ve acquired right-handers Aldrín Batista and Máximo Martínez from the Dodgers in exchange for international signing bonus space. Both were eligible to be traded because they haven’t been on the 40-man roster at any point this season.
Both pitchers are low-level arms with no major league experience. They’d each been in the Arizona Complex League. Batista, 20, has a 3.46 ERA while striking out just under a third of opponents in 39 innings. Martínez, 19, has a 4.73 ERA with a 23.3% strikeout rate over 26 2/3 frames.
How good was Gavin Stone on Friday night? In a word, unhittable.
The Dodgers’ No. 4 prospect racked up 10 strikeouts over six hitless, scoreless innings in Oklahoma City’s 7-1 win over Round Rock. The 10 whiffs matched a season high set in May, while the six no-hit frames were a new benchmark for Stone. His previous longest outing without allowing a hit was four innings — a feat he accomplished last season with OKC and in 2021 with High-A Great Lakes.
Hey, how about that Jimmy Outman?
Hey, how about that Jimmy Outman?
Pretty good game. For starters he robs Tatis of a homer and then hammers one himself–and it wasn’t lucky at all. Then he kind of doinks one down the third place line–very lucky!–to drive in a run. Also stole a base.
And then when he’s going to come up with the bases loaded, Roberts decides to use JD Martinez as a pinch hitter, even though JDM apparently wasn’t healthy enough to start at DH.
A smart move? Not so sure.
It worked out OK because JDM walked, bringing in a run.
But was it the right move?
My guess is that Roberts turned to JDM with the thought that he could break the game open with a big hit. And JDM would have the theoretical advantage of being a righthanded batter facing a lefty, while Outman bats from the left side.
But that’s just theoretical. The empirical data suggests that Outman would have had the advantage over JDM.
Against lefties, Outman has a .288 BA and a very nice OBP of .376. (He’s goes for contact against lefties and shows more power against northpaws.)
JDM, in contrast, has a .247 BA against southpaws and an OBP of .337.
For the season, against all pitchers, Outman now has a fine .352 OBP, while JDM’s is .311.
It’s true that JDM flexes more power, but if the goal was to add an insurance run or two, the stats suggest that Outman should have batted. And this is especially true because Outman has been hot lately, while JDM has been dealing with an injury. (Rojas came in to pinch run for him.)
Anyway, it worked out because JDM got the walk . But over the last 30 days, Outman has walked 15 times against 18 strikeouts, while JDM has walked 8 times against 21 Ks. Again, advantage Outman.
Well, I guess we can hope that JDM will be back in the DH spot tomorrow.
Unless he strained himself in that at bat that should have been Outman’s.
Great win by the Dodgers!
Total team effort with huge contributions by Outman, Peralta, Kike and Rosario.
This team battles and hangs in games. Padres seem to find ways to lose despite a good lineup.
Hopefully they can get to Snell tomorrow.
What a game. What a win.
Man those kits are awful.
My most sincere condolences to you Jorge, may your father restin peace.
Hope that all goes well with the surgery, Mark.
I would take a split with Padres right now. Dodgers would be ten up on Padres in loss column with seven weeks left. When you watch this Padres line up it is hard to believe that they are in fourth place in West.
After two games with A’s this weekend, Giants start a stretch of 28 games against Angels, Rangers, Phillies, Rays , Braves (7 games), Padres and Cubs. Hopefully Dodgers can stretch that margin in West during this next five weeks.
That is a pretty good summary of AF and his approach to building Dodger rosters. He will pay for stars (money or prospects) and fill in around those keystones. (May explain why he was not willing to trade real good prospects at this trade deadline.) A roster built around Betts, Freeman, Smith, and Ohtani and a deep farm system to fill in seems to make sense.
A guess at 2024:
C. Smith
1B. Freeman
2B. Vargas
SS Lux
3B Busch or Muncy
LF. runway for DeLuca/Busch/Pages?
CF. Outman
RF Betts
DH Ohtani
I would watch out for that Giants GM he loves Dodgers players so off-season when Urias Muncy and Martinez are free agents I could see those guys going to the Giants only one I wouldn’t worry about is muncy but supposedly he had a good relationship with Kapler when he was roving instructor with the Dodgers and if the Giants got Urias with the two starting pitchers they have allready and they have a stud pitcher to coming up from AAA in 2024 in Harrison so don’t be surprised this off-season say like Martiniz and Urias go there.
It makes me laugh to see how some are afraid of those stupid clowns, and worried about the “hostile” environment. I would understand and accept it if the Dodgers were a team of children, but they are professional adults, they are leaders, they are not the ones who should be worried. And much less worried about those useless and mediocre assholes… Ha ha ha dangerous? ha ha ha… If you’re going to worry, worry about LA, or maybe SF… And then, just in case you meet in the next round, worry about ATL…
9:40 PM ET
Dodgers (62-45)
Padres (54-55)
SP Bobby Miller R
6-2 4.37 ERA
SP Yu Darvish R
8-7 4.53 ERA
Confirmed Lineup
2B Mookie Betts R
1B F. Freeman L
C Will Smith R
DH D. Peralta L
RF J. Heyward L
3B Chris Taylor R
CF James Outman L
SS Amed Rosario R
LF E. Hernandez R
0%
72° Wind 8 mph L-R
Anthony Davis just signed a 3 year $186MM ($61 MM/year) extension. A $50MM/year baseball player is not far off.
Thursday scores
Oklahoma City 7, Round Rock 6 (10 innings)
Tulsa 10, Wichita 0
Fort Wayne 10, Great Lakes 0
Fresno 4, Rancho Cucamonga 2
Friday schedule
4:05 p.m. PT: Great Lakes (Hyun-il Choi) at Fort Wayne (Austin Krob)
5:05 p.m.: Oklahoma City (Gavin Stone) vs. Round Rock (Robert Dugger)
5:05 p.m.: Tulsa (River Ryan) at Wichita (Marco Raya)
6:50 p.m.: Rancho Cucamonga (Christian Romero) at Fresno (Caleb Franzen)
Padres Shut Down Joe Musgrove With Shoulder Inflammation
By Anthony Franco | August 4, 2023 at 4:40pm CDT
The Padres are shutting down starter Joe Musgrove for three weeks after an MRI revealed inflammation in the capsule of his throwing shoulder, the team informed reporters (including Dennis Lin of the Athletic). While the club is hopeful he’ll be able to return at some point this season, he’s obviously headed to the injured list and doesn’t figure to be back until well into September at the earliest.
Dodgers sold Kole Calhoun to the Guardians for cash.
DODGERS PRESS RELEASE
DODGERS ACTIVATE RYAN YARBROUGH
LOS ANGELES – The Los Angeles Dodgers have activated left-handed pitcher Ryan Yarbrough and optioned right-handed pitcher Emmet Sheehan.
Yarbrough, 31, joins the team after being traded to the Dodgers on Tuesday, August 1st in exchange for minor league infielders Devin Mann and Derlin Figueroa. He made 14 appearances (seven starts) for the Royals, posting a 4-5 record with a 4.24 ERA (24 ER/51.0 IP) and 29 strikeouts. He has been in the Majors parts of six seasons with Tampa Bay (2018-2022) and Kansas City (2023) and he is a combined 44-36 with a 4.32 ERA (303 ER/630.2 IP) and 496 strikeouts against 140 walks. He was originally drafted by the Seattle Mariners in the fourth round of the 2014 First Year Player Draft out of Old Dominion University.
Sheehan, 23, pitched last night, tossing 4.0 innings, allowing two runs on two hits (two solo homers) and striking out three batters on way to his first career save. He made eight appearances (seven starts), posting a 3-1 record with a 5.63 ERA (24 ER/38.1 IP) and 30 strikeouts this season with the Dodgers. Prior to joining the Dodgers, he was 4-1 with a 1.82 ERA (11 ER/53.1 IP) and 88 strikeouts against 23 walks in 12 games (10 starts) for Tulsa. In three minor league seasons with the Dodgers, he is combined 14-3 with a 2.76 ERA (32 ER/137.0 IP) and 228 strikeouts in 39 games (26 starts). He was originally drafted in the fifth round of the 2021 First Year Player Draft out of Boston College University.
2024 Dodgers I have some changes why would we want Vargas at second base who can’t hit and now we have a second baseman that can hit or play shortstop so they sign Rosorio then the second base position is filled. Now third base they sign Matt Chapman it be like when they signed Freeman the big grab if the off season he is younger plays great a defense and hit well. They also resign Max Muncy and Kiki Hernandez and trade CT3 and I said Vargas and a pitching prospect for say a Bednar to be the closer okay so I’ve signed free agents which they will get a starting pitcher because I am sure Urias will go some where and rumor Giants Angles Marnier interested in him. And hope Kershaw doesn’t go to the Rangers. So your 2024 lineup here it goes.
Betts Rf of course RF and will move around just like this season
Freeman 1b always at first base
Smith LF moved to LF because we need his bat and he still can play catcher sometimes but with Rushings close they traded for Kirk from Bluejays
Chapman 3B. Free agent signing
Rosorio 2b he impressed us in 2023
Muncy DH Resigned because Martiniz goes to the Yankees
Kirk C. Trade with Bluejays fro catcher to move Smith to the outfield.
Outman CF wins centerfield job
Lux. SS. He recovers and starts at SS if he falther’s they still have Rojas
Bench. Hernandez, Rojas, Deluca, Heyward, Rushings
And there’s a more realistic 2024 LA Dodgers team
Hope your eye surgeries goes better for you than it did for me. The bastard really kowered my quality of life with my much worsen vision. I am looking to sue, But really, wish you the best.
UVA has been constantly supplying MLB with wonderful players. Excellent program and coach.
Gelofs brother was promoted to Rancho from his AZL team.
Old Friend Rich hill vs Lynn on Sunday night.
Hate seeing Rich in a SD uni….
My oldest son been to San Diego for a game, says it’s beautiful! Shame they have such ugly ass players! Amazing how the Pads supposedly were in on Max, Verlander, and others. What could they possibly have left in their farm system? After Snell leaves and Darvish is done, then Soto leaves and Tatis leaves to climb Mt. Everest on a dirt bike, what do they do? And still no World Series! Tony Gwynn rest in peace. Most of those guys don’t deserve to be mentioned in the same breath as you!
Who’s pitching for friars?
I just sent a post saying Julio topped out at 94.4 but the post disappeared.
Dodgerram: Here is an excerpt from Torino’s article on mob.com: “Overall, Urías’ velocity was down across the board. His four-seamer averaged 91.6 mph — 1.2 mph below his season average. But Roberts observed him getting stronger as the night wore on, with his fastest pitch of the night — a 94.4 mph heater — coming in the fifth. Three of Urías’ five strikeouts came in that inning, when he ended his night on a strong note by striking out the side.”
So while you were right about his overall velocity being down, he topped out at 94.4. I watched his entire 5 innings and from the start he struggled with command of the fastball. I believe he was forcing lower veto to get a hold of command.
I guess we will have to see subsequent starts to know the full story.
So how many first inning runs will Bobby Miller give up tonight facing 3 super stars in a hostile environment?
I will go first…..I say 3. (Not happy to say that either. Please don’t hate me for being honest with my opinion. Naturally I hope I’m wrong.)
Sidenote: I would have preferred Miller against woeful As at home instead of the surging Padres on the road, but I guess coach wanted to build up Urias’ confidence.
For Dodger Dad: Yes, Machado is a great third baseman. He was a better than average SS. But he is a jerk. He was a jerk when he was a Dodger, and he hasn’t changed one bit. The entire Padre team makes me want to puke. They act like they have won multiple championships, yet their biggest accomplishment since the Dodgers began dominating the West is beating LA in the NLDS last year. Other than that, they suck. Muncy got hit on his wrist last night and is day to day. Sheehan, if he sticks, will be out of the pen the rest of the season. Kersh comes back next week, and the rotation is Miller, Kersh, Urias, Lynn, Gonsolin, Yarborough. Buehler comes back on September 1 and is used as an opener for a few games to get his innings up. They go to a six man for the rest of the year until the playoffs. Buehler in the playoffs is a weapon.
Julio was good yesterday but his velo topped out at 93 mph at only a handful of pitches. Most times between 90-92 mph with the heater. That is well below what he usually is able to reach.
How this will play out vs the better lineups remains to be seen. A´s at the moment are more a AAAA lineup than a MLB lineup.
Sheehan pitched well. The first homer he gave up was a pretty good pitch but the batter put a very good swing on it. Happens.
Go Dodgers!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Definitely an opportunity to reset the roster in 2024.
No Bauer, that was a disaster. Still believe Ohtani will be in play. I could make arguments either way, but he does generate an incredible amount of revenue and that has to be taken into consideration. This is not just about the usual free agent signing. So throw out all the usual evaluations.
All big contracts eventually go bad, the exception is Clayton Kershaw who has done a series of one year deals. MLB is littered with dead money.
But I believe Ohtani is the player the Dodgers intend to land and his apparent preference for the West Coast will favor LA. Then there are all the reports the Dodgers are all in, I would be shocked if he signs elsewhere. Besides the Dodgers with all their young inexpensive talent is the reason the Dodgers can afford Ohtani and still be able to surround him with enough talent to put a very good team on the field. Most teams are not set-up to do that.
Time for the Dodgers to go all in to win a championship and more, otherwise the chorus will get louder with comparisons to Stan Kasten’s Braves. The Dodgers still haven’t had a Parade.
No question, the Dodgers win baseball games, but they fall short in the playoffs. Putting Ohtani into a line-up with Betts, Freeman, and Smith bodes well for the future. Not to mention his pitching skills and the Dodgers youth offer an opportunity to create a six man staff.
I think Clayton comes back if the Dodgers sign Ohtani.
I think Gavin Lux plays short. Time to give Michael Busch a real shot, third base? Miguel Vargas will become the player the Dodgers thought he would this year.
What to do with Max? Time to move on. Not sure about Julio. But do the Dodgers want to sink money in a big contract? Maybe he turns it around in the next two months. But I’d move on.
Remember the Dodgers have a lot of money coming off the books. Time to roll.
Jack Flaherty pitched well for the Orioles last night. Scherzer was okay, Lorenzen pretty good for the Phillies and Pittsburgh’s Keller had a bad night. Not all trades that work are about high price talent or up and coming stars.
Good luck today Mark.
1B-Freeman
2B-Vargas
SS-Lux
3B-Busch
LF-Heyward/CT3
CF-Outman
RF-Betts
C-Smith
DH-Othani
I’ll bet mine is closer than yours!
David Vassegh
@THEREAL_DV
JD Martinez likely will return to #Dodgers lineup Saturday in San Diego according to Dave Roberts.
David Vassegh
@THEREAL_DV
Dave Roberts said Walker Buehler will throw a bullpen session in SD tomorrow. #Dodgers
Win tonight! Must win the first game and send a message! A split would be ok. 3 out of 4 fantastic! A sweep? Say goodnight, Friars! I guess I could have included Manny on my most despised list, but as big an aaasss as he can be, he is a big-time 3rd baseman. Tatis on the other hand is a big talent with a lots of space in his skull! Nice to see Julio pitch well last night. Albeit Oakland still major league players. nice call to throw Emmet and save the bullpen. Probably going to be used extensively this weekend. Matt Olsen putting up big numbers, and Acuna having an unreal season, in the clutch I’ll take Freddie! I guess we all gave Eduardo Rodriguez a pass at first regarding his trade to the Dodgers. But now it seems he was playing hardball trying to get more money to waive his no trade! No, he doesn’t make my most despised list, but hope he never pitches for the Dodgers! Having a good year in Detroit, but I was never blown away when he pitched for Boston. When Julio is right there’s no competition between the 2 lefties! Afro Mark on Ohtani, spend some of that money on Matt Chapman maybe. Maybe bring in Salvador Perez for a year to allow Will to save his knees. Think that would be a nice platoon. Trade Max and resign JD. With Lux coming back should be good. Will in left most of the time with Sal catching, Chapman at 3rd, Mookie at shortstop, Lux at 2nd, if Rosario continues to rake, center fielder? Good speed. Bye bye Austin! Hey props to Barnes, got that average up to .130! Sorry, my bad. Hopefully it continues to rise cause Will struggling right now. Hope your eye surgery goes well Mark!
Does anyone know if Kershaw is starting against the Padres tomorrow?
Mark –
Good luck on your eye surgery today; from what I read yeaterday Bear is having eye surgery soon too. Hope both of your surgeries go well and thanks to both of you for LADT. It has enhanced my experience as a Dodger fan since 1955….
Freeman was acquired via FA not trade. I think Lux will be given every opportunity to be the everyday SS.
Likely AF executes the team buy out on Muncy and Busch is the 3b.
Hope you eye surgery goes well, Mark.
These days those kind of operations are routine.
Who is that Ramirez guy you have projected in LF next season ?
I would keep Smith at C one more year. Then Cartaya should be ready. Hopefully. He is in a season long slump but as you say progess is not always linear. What worries me about him is his long swing. At the moment he can not connect on the fastballs he gets.
Go Dodgers!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!