It should not be lost on anyone that the Dodgers brand of baseball is subject to peaks and valleys, and it should also not be lost on anyone that the Royals scored nine runs on the Dodgers yesterday WITHOUT a single home run! The Dodgers seem to only score on the long ball. When they don’t hit home runs, they don’t win. What do you do? Trade the team away? Trade the Farm away? Well, the Dodgers have five All-Stars which is more than all except three other teams, so they have stars. You can’t fire all the players, so what do you do? Here are some options:
- FIRE THE ENTIRE TEAM – That is very problematic, and I do not see it happening. However, I have been wrong before.
- FIRE ANDREW FRIEDMAN – Are you crazy? The only way he leaves is if he wants to. Guggs and Company are not going to show him the door.
- FIRE DAVE ROBERTS – That actually could help as a manager has a “shelf life,” and Docs’ may have expired. I am not a “Doc Basher,” but it could be time for a new voice. It worked with the Phillies last year. If you think the Dodgers have pitching problems… check out the Phils.
- FIRE ROBERT VAN SCOYOC – This is also a case where maybe RVS’s shelf life has also expired. JDM came to LA to resurrect his career, and RVS has helped him do so. The Dodgers were one of the pioneers into launch angle and all the rest of the science of hitting what chicks dig – the long ball! However, baseball continues to evolve – is RVS’s way a dinosaur?
- FIRE MARK PRIOR – You may disagree with me, but there is something to why suddenly the Dodgers pitcher ERA has jumped almost two points. I still think that a pattern of sorts has been figured out by some teams. I talked to someone from another organization about this, and they did not want to discuss it – that means that they found something! I do not know what it is, but it is real. You will read about it after the fact!
Most of those things will not happen. I would guess that firing Dave Roberts is a possibility… but not just yet. Would Andrew Friedman reach out to Joe Maddon? Maybe! I know Joe’s brother, and it does not appear there is any bad blood between them. One never can say “never!”
What I do find funny is that so many fans want to fire Doc or RVS, and yet they talk about how bad this team built by Andrew Friedman is. You can’t have it both ways. If this is a good team, then they may need to be fired. If not, then we got what we paid for. That’s the conundrum!
Rants & Raves
- Tony Gonsolin could hit 94 MPH when he wanted yesterday, although he stayed around 92 MPH. I have felt that it is his arm, but it could be mechanical. I guess we shall find out.
- Max Muncy and Julio Urias are in shape! Round is a shape! P.S. Go back and look at them in past years… they were around then too.
- Hyun-il Choi is back after being the Dodgers Minor League Pitcher of the Year in 2021 and then only pitching four innings in 2022. At the start of 2022, he was determined to add velocity to his fastball but missed almost the entire season. The Dodgers are close-lipped about him, but he is still only 23 years old. He allegedly missed most of the 2022 season with a “forearm injury.”
“All truth passes through three stages. First, it is ridiculed. Second, it is violently opposed. Third, it is accepted as being self-evident.” — Arthur Schopenhauer, Philosopher
Discussion (34)
Disagree, not disagreeable
Phillip Raven, I wish I could buy you for what you are worth and sell you for what you think you are worth. I’d be right up there with Gates and Musk. You evidently think the overuse of words somehow makes you appear smarter. Perhaps you are compensating for something, but all I know is that I control you. How does that feel?
You are my puppet!
In case anyone wondered, Phillip Raven has identified as an Ass Hole We wondered. Now we know. And to top it off, you are a pompadour dumbass.
Additionally, he spends so much time thinking about me that it is really sinister. Stalker?
I did not read Catcher in the Rye, wasn’t required reading when I went to school. I was made to suffer through Two Years Before the Mast though. I read a lot. Usually books dealing with history, or historical novels. I like a really good mystery too. If the subject matter is not something I would enjoy, I just do not read that book. We all have different triggers. I know I have mine. If I think something has no chance of happening, I believe it won’t. Baseball is the one real enjoyment I have along with music. But I can’t play music every day since there just are no that many venues for live music anymore. So, I write for Jeff’s and Mark’s blogs, spend a lot of time on research, and then later on, sit down to enjoy the game. Lately the games have not been all that enjoyable. They did pull off a win tonight and Max got two hits, one of them a homer. As for open carry, only a couple states have that. I wish I lived in one of them. But I do live in a state where getting my concealed carry permit is relatively easy. Two days of class, One in a classroom and the other on the range. I think a vast majority of the posters who do contribute here genuinely love the game and the team and most are well informed and make very logical suggestions. We all have our opinions and that is all they are. I have zero inside information, any knowledge of the game I have has come from observing the team and the game for close to 70 years. I no longer have favorite players. Free agency killed that for me. Loyalty is something that is very foreign to baseball anymore. The game has changed so very much since I first picked up a ball and threw it. The rules have changed drastically. Hitting philosophy has changed. When I played, taking a third strike looking and not protecting the plate was a huge no no. They teach launch angle now. Get the ball in the air with power. I was a line drive hitter when I played. Softball, baseball, did not matter. All I wanted to do was hit the ball hard.
Pompous and pathetic
Follow up…Duke, I wonder if Mark has actually read “Catcher in Rye” or “Lord of the Flies.” Although they were required reading about the time he was in high school he seems have little interest in aesthetics or the humanities, perhaps considering them efffete compared to becoming a rabid capitalist. He may have passed on college too because the first day lecture in English 101 tells you to avoid cliches. All college professors tell you not to use cliches. They are a sign laziness and unoriginality and immediately identify the user as a weak writer. Or, to transfer TimmonsSpeak to academia, only “morons” use cliches. But Mark seems proud of his use of cliches and boldly states he will continue to use them. He’s pretty tone deaf and may not be capable of reflection or have the desire for improvement. He’s a little burned out and writing everyday is probably a burden, especially for a non serious writer like himself. The pictures from Alaska were a delight and depicted a more human side of Mark—having a good time in a beautiful setting. I’m thinking he could retire in Bali, or perhaps Bangkok, start to meditate and practice unconditional love. Yoga might help his back. *
I’m kidding of course. Those locations don’t have “open carry.”
Rather pompous.
Damn. I’ve been in repentance for being so critical of Mark in my last post. It was just so easy. I’ve got another ten pages of negative notes about him that I’ve collected over the past few months that I’m going to have to discard. Ah, such guilt. And since we all love the dodgers (a tribal bond of blue unites us) I’ve decided to write about some of his positive characteristics. I promise not to mention his generally sour demeanor and assumption of male privilege; or the lack of vitality in his writing that resembles the fat and fluff posture of Yoda; or his fawning daisies and buttercups promotion of dodger brass and his militant glee at stepping on the neck of lower profile people. Or that his closet religion appears to be a pugnacious form Social Darwinism; or that he thinks “the sun never sets” on the Dodger Empire and that the “other” teams are really the “Other” and simply colonies and outposts for the Dodgers ultimate benefit. Or that the persona of his rhetoric is stained with Bad Faith, in the Sartrean sense. Or that he keeps a tinted photograph of King Leopoldo of Belgium in his wallet and claims they’re related. (OK, i think my barber made that one up). I absolutely refuse to bring those subjects up. This is a day for healing…and in the spirit of praising Mark Timmons here’s what I have to say: …. …
…. … …
Duke, thanks for the salute. Keep up with your objective and original insights into this year’s rather disappointing edition of the Dodgers. I enjoy reading your commentary; especially the veiled subtexts clever innuendoes.
Where is Badger? Did Little Leopold run him off?
Is it just me, or did it look like Max didn’t swing as hard on that home run.?
Bob Nightingale is writing that the Mets will not make Verlander or Scherzer available at the deadline, nor will Alonso be available. They will instead try to trade Pham, Canha, Carlos Carrasco, and relievers Robertson and Brooks Raley. Cardinals DFA Carlos Mercado an outfielder. Mercado is hitting .290 in very limited action. In the vein of perhaps we got rid of him too soon, Kimbrel was named the NL reliever of the month. In other news, the Lakers are making a ton of moves.
Hey Mark, I know you are probably not home yet, but Ron Bohring on twitter posted that picture of you and Maddon’s brother there with a link to this post.
I doubt Kershaw will return on July 15th, the soonest he can, I would suprise if he is back before August. Unless we start to fall way behind this may be the most prudent move. I see us as a lock for the wildcard, despite the injuries, as our current talent is better than any other team in the National League besides the Braves. And we have enough minor league depth to make some key moves at the deadline.
I’m a Roberts basher. He is no better or worse than usual this year.
There has been so much player turnover that most players haven’t been around long enough to be tired of his act.
There were a couple of times earlier in his career where he made bad blunders in the playoffs. He didn’t get fired then. I don’t expect him to be fired anytime soon.
Don’t flame me out on this. Roberts babies his pitching staff. More than once he’s pulled guys in the middle of a no hitter because that’s not important. That arm needs to be saved for the playoffs. That’s not working.
I’m all for pulling a starter early if they are bombing. Would it be better to leave a guy in longer if he is having a good game ?
answer me this: This season there have been more stolen bases than in previous years. The new rules played a part in this strategy. What I don’t understand it seems this season I’ve seen less pitchouts than any season that I can remember. Someone please solve this riddle.
Sunday scores
Oklahoma City 8, Sugar Land 2
Tulsa at Amarillo, postponed
Great Lakes 4, Lansing 2
Visalia 3, Rancho Cucamonga 2
Monday schedule
10:05 a.m. PT: Great Lakes (Justin Wrobleski) vs. Lansing (Mitch Myers)
2:05 p.m.: Tulsa (River Ryan, Ben Casparius) at Amarillo (Chad Patrick, Deyni Olivero), doubleheader
4:35 p.m.: Oklahoma City (TBD) at Sugar Land (Kyle McGowin)
6:30 p.m.: Rancho Cucamonga (Jared Karros) vs. Visalia (Yoscar Pimentel)
How many years has it been since Kersh avoided the IL?
Given the fragility of the Dodgers’ rotation, it wouldn’t surprise me if AF goes after a pair of SPs, not just one. Maybe a frontline like Giolito and a wily vet like Hill or Greinke.
Yes, he could call up other prospects like Knack and Hurt, but some proven high-quality SPs ??? could be in play.
10:10 PM ET
Pirates (39-44)
Dodgers (46-37)
SP Mitch Keller R
9-3 3.34 ERA
SPMichael Grove R
0-2 7.54 ERA
Confirmed Lineup
RF Mookie Betts R
1B F. Freeman L
C Will Smith R
3B Max Muncy L
DH J. Martinez R
LF D. Peralta L
CF J. Heyward L
2B M. Vargas R
SS Miguel Rojas R
clear-day
73° Wind 8 mph Out
Dodgers place Clayton Kershaw on injured list with left shoulder inflammation
Michael Grove (starting Monday) and Gavin Stone recalled from Triple-A
So far, so good for Jahmai Jones with the Brewers!!!
https://www.mlb.com/news/jahmai-jones-hits-game-tying-three-run-double-in-win-over-cubs
He is a 25-year-old guy who plays 2B, LF and CF. Not sure if he can play third. At any rate, while Jones was crushing in it OKC, he had to watch Busch, DeLuca and Yonny get called to LA.
Belatedly, allow me to salute Phillip Raven for his commentary the other day.
Yep, Mark has created a really engaging Dodgers website. I’m not sure it’s “despite himself,” because it’s fun to critique his bluster and gratuitous insults.
That bluster included Mark’s declaration that Phillip had procliamed Catcher in the Rye to be Mark’s favorite novel. Actually, Phillip did nothing of the sort. What Phillip said was that he’d guess that Mark probably preferred Lord of the Flies.
And that is pretty damn funny.
Content Ideas:
1. Bradley’s Trip the the MLB. Once a week, Bradley picks an MLB team and writes up trade scenarios depending on that team.
2. Crossfire: Once a week. Bear and Bradley go through five players and the pros and cons of the Dodgers trading for them.
3. What I think about player X and what it means: Once a week Eric picks a Dodger minor-leaguer and just goes to town on him.
4. Bluto’s silliness: Once in a while, I post just amazing videos like this one:
https://www.newsflare.com/video/472915/penguin-wanders-off-from-the-pack-ice-breaks-and-it-narrowly-escapes-being-split-from-family
Robert’s is not going anywhere, maybe after next season if they fail in the playoffs this year and next. All manager’s have shortcomings, he is an average in game manager but plus everywhere else.
Roberts, the pitching coach and the hitting coach has done so much for our organization it would be a shame to sack them in the middle of the season. If management thinks they need a new voice, and that could be the case, Roberts should get a job upstairs as an advisor to the GM Or President of the Dodgers. He’s earned that right.
Announce it, Kershaw to the DL, we are a lock for the postseason, no need to screw around here, see you after the break all timer.
What the Dodgers need is the fans to be patient and the pitching staff especially the starters to get healthy. A solid right handed hitting outfielder wouldn’t hurt. The outfielder needs to be a bat first outfielder. We will be fine and our young players will get better as they mature. Back in my coaching days the saying was “the best thing about a sophomore starter is he will be a junior next season.” Patients is a virtue. Sometimes it’s difficult but usually the best answer. We will be in the playoffs.
Bradley, would you trade the entire Dodger team for Arizona’s?
You say you want to get younger.
Arenado is 32 years old. Doesn’t sound like a youngster to me. That said, I’d love to have him here.
Carlson is at best an average player. I can’t understand everyone’s infatuation with him.
Flaherty has had an up and down year so I’m not sure how much he’d add to the rotation and then he’s a free agent.
Bradley, you listed five prospects you’d put into the deal for those three Cardinals:
Cartaya has had a pretty miserable year.
Pepiot has been hurt all year.
Busch, Vargas and Stone haven’t performed at the MLB level.
What makes you think the Cards would be willing to trade Arenado plus two others for 5 prospects who haven’t proven anything?
Dylan Carlson Jack Flarethy and Nolan Arenaldo yep I would take that get younger and two better hitters then what we have in the minors. Thumbs up yes I would do it for cartaya Busch Vargas stone pepiot. Moves Muncy back to second base adds Arenaldo and Carlson to the lineup. And next year Lux comes back now that’s a major trade.
The real problem is that:
1 – This is a transitional year. The Dodgers were always going to look at some of their prospects this year to see what they had and what they might need going forward.
2 – They have been hammered with injuries, especially in the rotation. No Gavin Lux was unexpected. Being without Urias, Gonsolin, and May for big chunks of the season was unexpected.
3 – The prospects that have played mostly haven’t played well.
Outman – .232/.314/.404/.718, .3 bWAR
Vargas – .199/.302/.374/.676, 0 bWAR
Busch – .200/.294/.267/.561, -.2 bWAR
DeLuca – .231/.310/.269/.580, -.1 bWAR
Pitchers
Miller – 4-1, 4.23 ERA, 1.252 WHIP .7 bWAR
Grove – 0-2, 7.54 ERA, 1.595 WHIP, -.8 bWAR
Sheehan – 2-0, 2.65 ERA, .824 WHIP, .6 bWAR
Stone – 0-0, 14.40 ERA, 3.00 WHIP, -.7 bWAR
Jackson – 0-0, 6.62 ERA, 1.415 WHIP, -.1 bWAR
Robertson – 0-0, 7.04 ERA, 2.087 WHIP, -.4 WHIP
The combination of rookies who have played are at -.7 bWAR for the season. Not even replacement level. Sheehan and Miller have been bright spots in small samples.
4 – This has nothing to do with Roberts, Prior or Von Scoyoc. It is a transitional year and they have been forced to rely on more untested rookies than anticipated and mostly they haven’t been very good yet.
What does this mean going forward? I wouldn’t think that the Dodgers make many deadline deals. Not only are fewer teams making players available, but what really is the point? I expect the braintrust to evaluate what they have and make decisions for 2024. They will probably need to replace Urias in the rotation. Maybe Buehler will be back, but it’s hard to say after a 2nd Tommy John. (Ask Daniel Hudson – he never returned to the rotation after his 2nd TJ.) Maybe May needs another one too? And who here is optimistic about Gonsolin’s effectiveness. And will Kershaw be back?
Hayward, Peralta, JD Martinez are all free agents next year too.
Next year’s Dodgers will look different from this year’s team.
1. I would not trade 3 or 4 prospects for David Bednar. In my opinion, this team is not a closer away from being on the Braves’ level. Even if they were, that is a lot to give up for any closer. Rangers just got Aroldis Chapman for a whole lot cheaper.
2. If Gonsolin is not injured, maybe he should be transitioned to the pen. He has performed much better in his first time through an order and has long been thought to be better used in the pen.
3. I think they will need another starter at the deadline, obviously. Friedman has said as much. Giolito or Flaherty would be my preferences due to their impending FA. Assuming Urias and Kershaw are healthy for the stretch run and Miller and Sheehan continue to grow (with Pepiot and Grove in reserve), I think they will be okay without dipping too deep into prospect pool.
3. I do think the Dodgers have done a better job of developing pitchers under AF than hitters. Seager, Will Smith, Bellinger (early on), Lux, Verdugo. Can’t think of another off the top of my head. Five in 7 years ? I would consider dealing from our starting pitcher depth in the minors to acquire a young hitter like Dylan Carlson, Lars Nootbaar from an organization that needs young starting pitching.
4. Yesterday, the Dodgers line up included Barnes (batting about .110), Muncy batting below .150 since May 1, and Vargas who under .100 in his last 45 at bats. Outman has improved his average and is not striking out as much but has not hit for any power to speak of since early May. They are overly reliant on Betts, Freeman, Smith, Martinez and, of late, Peralta. I would expect them to add a right handed bat on an expiring contract like Randall Grichuk, Tommy Pham, or Ahmed Rosario.
5. Were the Dodgers caught flat-footed by these rules changes? This is a very non-athletic team, relatively speaking, and it is very apparent when you watch younger teams like D-Backs, Reds, Pirates, etc. With the running game more important and defensive range more necessary with elimination of the shift, they look old and slow.
6. The Dodgers have not been able to make a dent in other teams running games. They will have a difficult time winning games in the post season if every single, walk, error, bloop, swinging bunt turns into a double. That is surprising that this organization seems helpless to improve this in the least.
Lets not forget Peralta!! He has been contributing big time lately. Seems everyone left him off their comment stream
The REAL problem. Barnes, Muncy, Rojas, Vargas, Outman, Taylor, Thompson, Busch, Urias, Gonsolin, Kindergardner, Stone, Miller, Grove, Vesia, Bickford, Almonte, Gonzalez, Ferguson. The solution. Be better, much better!
Have safe flight Mark.
To your options:
If I had my way I would probably fire Roberts and hire indeed Maddon if he is interested. OTOH I would be okay with Roberts finishing this season looking how it rides out. If the team disappoints I would fire him at the end of the season . looking for the best guy available then.
RVS I would fire immediately. TEams needs a shakeup and if it is between him and Pryor I fire RVS. Pryor IMHO has earned a very long leish and the opp to right the ship. I am confident he will just do that.
At the trade deadline I would try to aquire the closer of the Pirates. Shut down closer, relatively young and cheap.
I´d be willing to offer a package of 3-4 blue chippers not named Miller and Cartaya.
A bona fide closer would immediately upgrade the pen. Enables us to shorten the game considerably with him , Phillps, Ferguson, Graterol and Hudson as high leverage guys. That also helps the injuries in our rotation.
If May and/or Buehler can not return I try to sign an innings eater like old friend Hill to lighten the workload on the two rookies and Clayton for the postseason.
The Dodgers still have a shot at the postseason and maybe a title, but they will have to shake some things up to improve their chances. I do not believe that this roster as it is currently constructed has a legitimate shot at a title unless everything begins to click quickly , e.g. Vargas and Outman starting hitting, Muncy returning to his old self, Betts and Freeman keeping up their torrid paces, JD continuing to rake, starting pitchers returning and playing up to their level of play of former years (Urias, Gonsolin, May, Buehler). But how likely is that all or most of it to happen ?
Go Dodgers!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Getting ready to leave for the airport in Anchorage..
Enjoy your day!
The real problem we have two rookies that aren’t producing and alot of older guys passed there prime why other teams are younger and faster and I guess know how to hit in certain hitting situations. The Dodgers have always had a group of about five stars that Carry’s them an dthen the rest produce as well so we have Betts Freeman Smith JD Martinez and Kershaw all producing like they should but after that it’s off in on with players one sya there hot and the next three no show. That is not Dodgers baseball they usually have the same infield play or outfield but now each day different lineups. This is what happens when you count on rookies to produce and they don’t. And injuries happen to your starters so that’s where we are today. And those five players are your key Dodgers so help them add some more players when you have talent you go and get it.
* I posted before the Royals series how they drafted 4 college pitchers in the first round of the 2018 draft and how they have underachieved. That included Danial Lynch and Brady Singer……Nevermind.
* I think that we can all see Max Muncy’s struggles and feel for him. We would love to see him break out and hit. I have stated that I think he takes too many pitches and misses too many mistakes. I don’t think he’s been his old self since the elbow injury in early October of 2021. His numbers bear that out; Batting .189, OSP .774, 19% walk rate, 32% strike out rate. He has hit 39 home runs in 1.5 seasons since the injury. That and his walks keep him around with the hope that he will find it. We’ve kept .200 hitters around before, like Bellinger, hoping they break out. But Belli provided stellar defense.
So what’s the future for Muncy?
Due to the Dodger’s loyalty, the likely plan is he keeps playing and bats in the 3 or 4 hole. We wait and hope he gets hot. He gets unlimited rope for the remainder of the season. His $13.5 million contract will be up at the end of the season and a team option for 2024.
I’m going to throw out a completely off the wall idea.
With Max’s .189 average, he does have noticeable splits. He hits .139 versus LHP. But he hits a better .210 vs RHP. Maybe, just maybe, he could platoon and bat against RHP only and see if he improves. I generally dislike platooning but not as bad as I hate Max hitting .139 against lefties.
So, I started looking for who his righted hand hitting platoon partner might be and I came up with…………………… Nobody
CT3 is out, Vargas is at 2nd, Will Smith, not yet. Yonny Hernandez hits .182 v LHP. There’s nobody left. Mookie could do it I bet. He can do anything.
Okay, so who’s playing third in OKC? Turns out 3 guys have filled that role; Yonny Hernandez, who’s right on our bench. But, as mentioned, he’s hitting .182 v LHP. No help there.
The next guy Michael Busch who has many supporters here. The problem is Michael hits left handed and doesn’t face LHP. Again, no help.
The 3rd guy is Devin Mann. A guy who has gotten damn near no mention and is on no prospect lists. I saw him in spring training and noted
“Devin Mann – looks good at 1st. is another guy who can play all over the field and is starting to show his ability this Spring. He is on just about nobody’s radar.”
Turns out Devin has 20 more games at 3rd in OKC than either Hernandez or Busch. He’s hitting .317 / .997 in almost 250 at bats. As a RHB, He’s hitting .313 vs LHP. He does have a 30% K rate so maybe that’s the rub.
So why haven’t I heard of this kid and why haven’t we seen him get a shot like the 7 other rookies?
So…….. ready for this one? Bring Mann up to platoon with Muncy at third. Give him a try. Hernandez goes to OKC and we see how Mann does. If he can hit .189, he stays for a while.
Like I said, the chance of this happens is nada, but it’s an idea, as Muncy is killing us in the middle of the order and he’s not much of a defender.
So why is Mann so under the radar. I pose that question to Bear, and others here who keep track and are more familiar with the organization’s prospects than I am.
So what’s the book on Devin Mann?