is this what insanity looks like?
When you keep doing the same thing over and over and expect different results, you are a moron... and insane!
Well, the Dodgers acquired the best pitcher in baseball (allegedly), and he sucks... presumably, because the Dodgers are cursed!
Tony Jackson was thankful for a plug for the Substack platform he writes on. He intends to get back into journalism and is on his way. I will likely hook up with him in Glendale next Spring. He did have one take that I am starting to agree with (I wish I wasn't in agreement). Tony said this:
"I think we can forget about a 3-peat. This team is old, tired, and can't hit its way out of a paper bag. If they didn't already have such a big lead with such a short time to go, I'm not sure they would even make the playoffs. Both of their big free-agent signings are a bust; Ohtani is a mental mess at the plate; Mookie is done; Freddie is old. And have you noticed how the Tigers have crept back into playoff contention AFTER the Skubal trade?"
So... is that what is happening to the Dodgers? I think it is happening right before our eyes. Take a look at this chart:
Yet, Mookie continues to hit 5th. Why? Because he is getting paid $30+ million a year and is owed $167 million over the next 6 years. Where a player hits should not be a factor based upon money. It should be based upon merit! Mookie is a stand-up guy and a wonderful teammate, but all accounts, you have to be honest when looking at his decline. It's huge, it's steady, and it doesn't seem likely that it will change. The definition of insanity is doing what you have always done and expecting a different outcome. It ain't happening!
Mookie will have an occasional good game because of his experience, but the results are what you see... and they are likely to get worse. Mookie should hit #9. Sorry, but that's the cold, hard truth. Sadly, Mookie is not the biggest problem. The Dodgers are aging... big time. There are only two guys who destroy the idea that 37 automatically means you're finished:
Chris Sale at 37 is one of the best starting pitchers in baseball.
Aroldis Chapman at 38 is one of baseball's best closers.
Paul Goldschmidt at 38 and Miggy Rojas at 37 are still producing respectable-to-good offense. The 2026 MLB average OPS is roughly .721, so Goldschmidt's .758 is clearly above average, and Rojas' .728 is essentially league average before even considering his defensive/utility value.
What's striking, though, is that pitchers dominate the successful 37+ group. There aren't many position players that old still hitting at a high level.
Freddie Freeman is still productive, but will be 37 on September 12th. I love Freddie Freeman, but I don't want to see him sign another 2-year deal. Decline is absolutely certain. Freddie will be 38-years-old when his deal is up after 2027. To me, it's more important that the Dodgers win than Freddie going into the HOF as a Dodger. Also, Teoscar Hernandez and Kyle Tucker are each playing like a 4th outfielder. Both can be clocked with a sundial in a race and are both subpar defensively. Both are OPSing below .728... yet paid like superstars.
I believe that if you removed Betts, Teoscar, and Tucker from the equation, some mix of the following players would be just as effective... no... MORE EFFECTIVE: DePaula, Sirota, Tibbs III, Davalan, Ehrhard, and Miller.
Max Muncy may have another decent year in him and should be renewed. His contract is very team-friendly. Shohei is also aging... likely he will not pitch many more seasons. The Dodgers are not likely to win again this year UNLESS the pitching is absolutely healthy and they PITCH their way into it. Evan Phillips is rounding into form...
For God's sake, give Wrobo some rest! He is gassed - mentally and physically. He has more innings pitched this year than the last two combined. I'm sure he says he's fine... he's not, and the league is on to him always being in the zone. He needs to evolve... He will be in the rotation next year. Send him to the pen and get him so/me rest!
I think that on September 1st, the Dodgers should call up Josue DePaula and Mike Sirota. Put Alex Call and someone else on waivers. This might be the jolt of youth the Dodgers need.
BA's Latest DODGER'S Top 30
DSL LAD Bautista 5 – DSL Braves 4 – 11 innings
DSL LAD Bautista fell behind early. In the first inning the DSL Braves slugged a 2-run HR for a quick 2-0 lead. In the 2nd there was a BB, and errant pickoff throw and a 2-out single for a 3-0 lead.
The score stayed 3-0 until the bottom of the 8th. 2B Angel Guzman led off with a single. RF Fran-Jean Haseth drew a 1 out BB, as did CF Rubel Arias. 1B Haram Hernandez hit a 2-out bases clearing double (8) to tie the game.
Neither team scored in the 9th or 10th. The DSL Braves got a 2 out single to drive in the free runner in the 11th for a 4-3 lead.
In the 11th, the DSL Braves got a 2-out single to score the free runner.
In the bottom of the 11th, C Oliver Chapman was the free runner. He tried to score from 2nd on a WP but was thrown out at the plate. 3B Jhosman Theran walked and LF Jeibert Rondon was HBP. The runners pulled off a double steal. With 2 outs, SS Ezequiel Melburne singled home 2 for the walkoff win.
· Angel Guzman – 2-3, 1 BB, 1 run
· Ezequiel Melburne – 2-6 1 RBI
· Doubles – Rubel Arias (7), Haram Hernandez (8)
DSL Athletics 15 – DSL LAD Mega 7
DSL LAD Mega scored 1st. In the 2nd, three singles by 3B Luis Tovar, LF Rafy Peguero, and C Jose Rivas scored the game’s 1st run.
The DSL Athletics rolled of 15 unanswered runs until the 8th inning. Tovar, Peguero, 2B Juan Macero, and Rivas all drew leadoff walks, scoring their 2nd run, leaving the bases loaded. 1B Ezequiel Aparicio singled home Peguero. Macero scored on a WP, and the other 2 runners moved up. DH Antoni Urena walked to load the bases. Rivas scored on a groundout. CF Helvin Mendoza singled home Aparicio, and Tovar singled home Urena for the final run.
· CF Helvin Mendoza – 2-5, 1 RBI
· 3B Luis Tovar – 3-3, 2 BB, 2 runs, 1 RBI
· LF Rafy Peguero – 2-4, 1 BB, 1 run
· 1B Ezequiel Aparicio – 2-4, 1 BB, 1 run
· SS Luis Luna – double (15)
Discussion (105)
Disagree, not disagreeable
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Bullpen again. And Pages.
SD now in the third Wild Card spot. Yeah I know. They’re toast and will NOT make the playoffs. The thing is, they don’t know that.
And another boneheaded play by Pages. I swear he has nothing between the ears. Such an unnecessary play. He wasn’t throwing that guy out at 3rd. Set your damn feet and get the ball to the cutoff man.
Mookie says take that
Good start from Snell
Several items I found interesting (1) The starting infield for the Great Lake Loons are all listed at shortstops. (2) Eduardo Quintero when signed was a catcher. Playing Center Field for the Loons speak volumes of his athletic skill. Ranked 3 in Dodgers top prospects. (3) Mickey Stanley who played for the Detroit Tigers was the Tigers starting center fielder. Late in the season the Tigers moved home the Shortstop. The Tigers won the world championship. In 1969 the Tigers kept Stanley at shortstop but his hitting went south in a hurry. The Tigers moved Stanley back to centerfield where Stanley’s hitting picked up again. Perhaps the Dodgers with a safe but closing division lead should move Betts back to right field and see if that clears his mind and possibly his hitting greatness returns. Understanding that Betts is a very good shortstop, the Dodgers preseason deep lineup isn’t so deep anymore. I believe when (if) Smith returns the Dodgers will be considerably better. Most people will agree that up the middle, catcher pitcher centerfield are essential to a great defense. Losing for Smith we could handle, as time has gone bye we have missed Smith more and more. Even when we had Rushing, catching was a bit below average at best. My thoughts for the day.
"Los Angeles Dodgers right-hander Will Klein is on the injured list with right elbow soreness, but rather than opt for surgery, he is going to try to rest his arm and come back this season.
Klein struggled immensely, leading to an IL stint a week ago. Now, he has been found to have loose bodies in his elbow, though he is choosing a rest-oriented method instead of surgery.
He is going to start a throwing program soon, Klein said to the media, including Dodgers Nation".
08/11/26 Los Angeles Dodgers transferred RHP Blake Treinen from the 15-day injured list to the 60-day injured list. Right elbow inflammation. 08/11/26 Los Angeles Dodgers activated LHP Blake Snell from the 60-day injured list. 08/11/26 Los Angeles Dodgers optioned LHP Charlie Barnes to Oklahoma City Comets.
10:10 PM ET
Royals (49-71) Dodgers (71-48)
SP Michael Wacha R 5-8 3.44 ERA SP Blake Snell L 0-1 12.00 ERA
Confirmed Lineup DH S. Ohtani L 1B F. Freeman L CF Andy Pages R RF Kyle Tucker L 3B Max Muncy L SS Mookie Betts R 2B Tommy Edman S LF Alex Call R C Ben Rortvedt L
76° Wind 9 mph Out LINE LAD -271
Some folks in this site are concerned with the Dodgers player payroll. Well fear not, they are taxing the rich (and famous), plus the not-so-rich, every night at Dodger stadium to the tune of $6.5 million, of which $4.29 million cones from tickets for each of the 81 games and the 12 or so postseason games. I don't think the owners are eating the grapes off the wallpaper.
I’m just hoping Snell can lower his ERA tonight!
Poll: Who gets DFAd when Snell is activated this afternoon? My pick, Charlie Barnes, the proverbial yo-yo in this organization.
Hi guys, Been watching more games the last couple of weeks as time has allowed me and I do agree with Mark on the issue of the Dodgers rolling out slumping and unproductive players night after night expecting magically changed results. But in my opinion, the problems the Dodgers have had over the last 3 years or so have not changed. Here are some of the issues, and I will also list some of the good things about the club too. For what it's worth I do think the Dodgers will be fine and still make a deep playoff run even if they don't win the World Series again this year.
The Dodgers are clearly showing their age. The most shocking and obvious decline has been Mookie. His bat has disappearred since having that last great season in 2023. I think it's not a surprise that it coincides right around the time of his switch to shortstop full time. I know alot of people disagree with me and that's fine, but in my opinion shortstop is a much more physically demanding position than right field. You're constatly making throws across the diamond, constaly moving, constantly diving for balls to your left or right. Way more action and movement then playing right field. That combined with age and decreased bat speed and Mookie is no longer the same hitter he was. Bat him ninth, or maybe it's time to sit him. I still think the Dodgers should move him back to right field, and find someone else to play short. Then they could move Teo to left and send Tucker home (he's been unproductive the entire season outside of the last 2 weeks) for the rest of the season. Everyone else is old and in decline. Even Ohtani himself is not putting up the usual numbers he has the last three seasons. usually around this time he would have hit 40 home runs and driven in 100.
2. No left fielder Goes along with the decline of many of the regulars, but Kyle Tucker has been a bust, just like Conforto was a bust last year. Absolutely anyone else can come up and bat .240 and OPS 100 while playing below average defense. 3. No closer.
The Dodgers still don't have a closer. Trumpet man Edwin Diaz has been injured and innefective the entire season and there really isn't any clear closer on the roster. Best bet is too let Tanner Scott close games the rest of the way.
The Dodgers are going to have to lean very heavily on their starting rotation again down the stretch and into the postseason. There just is very little to no talent in that bullpen. I like Vesia who pitches with a lot of passion and Dryer and Kyle Hurt can be competent, but otherwise there are no relievers that strike any fear into the opposing hitters. Nobody that can give different looks to the hitters, nobody that can consistently throw strikes. Nobody that can blow guys away in the late innings. At times the relievers look ok and come in and get outs, other times they get lit up like christmas trees. Scott has been the most consistent reliever all season, but the Dodgers are going to have to find new relievers.
Here are the things the Dodgers have done well.
They are one of the best at getting clutch hits when it counts. They are hitting .268 with RISP, with 39 home runs and over 400 runs drive in. They've played a lot of close games this year and been able to get the balls to drop in.
They've ranked in the top 5 in almost every offensive category. They are leading all of baseball in batting. Top 5 in HRs BB, OPS, OBP, SLG. Mainly home runs, walks and hitting with RISP. 3. Deep and talented starting rotation The rotation has pitched the most innings, which has allowed the Dodgers to keep that mediocre bullpen off the mound as much as possible. The relievers willl be well rested this year, but the rotation will be a strength again. It also would be nice if both of their catchers didnt get injured at the same time.
I forgot to mention how much I have become a fan of Tommy Edman. The catch he made in left was spectacular. Teo would have no shot at catching that ball. He went a mile for that sure double and maybe triple. (oh yeah, Monday was quick to point out that Pages was not backing up the play and it was a sure triple if the ball got to the wall. I think that comment was bullshit, as I'm not sure Pages can be expected to be backing up a left fielder on that ball down the line - but Monday doesn't like Pages) I like Edman at the bottom of the order to set up Ohtani but back in the day, he was a perfect 2 hole hitter.
Nice win.
Excellent column? essay? post? by Eric Stephen that touches on what Phil (or Mushers?) wrote about the Dodgers and FB (I still don't understand why the team would ignore the FB and anticipate a change when the FB is the most thrown pitch, but that's probably my naivety)
Open on www.truebluela.comhttps://www.truebluela.com/los-angeles-dodgers-news-notes/121731/dodgers-hitters-fastballsAs a fan, I enjoy pulling for young players like Freeland. I can see myself rooting for Sirota. I pull for Stone, Sheehan, and Wrobleski.
Putting on a GM hat, I probably want as many proven players as I can get.
As an owner, I want attendance.
Fans generally like Betts, Freeman, Muncy, Hernandez(s), Ohtani, Yamamoto. Whoever replaces them better get fan love quickly or the Dodgers better keep winning.
Kiley M's top 10 list:
Top 10 Prospects PLAYER PREVIOUS TRENDING 1. Josue De Paula, LF 1 2. Mike Sirota, CF 2 3. Eduardo Quintero, CF 3 4. Emil Morales, SS 4 5. Charles Davalan, CF 6
6. Christian Zazueta, RHP 7
7. Chase Harlan, 3B 9
8. James Tibbs III, RF 10
9. Zach Root, LHP NR
10. Bo Lowrance, 3B NR
One thing to know: The Dodgers traded their No. 5, No. 8 and No. 15 prospects to land Tarik Skubal and still have a top-five system, despite having limited picks/bonus pools in the draft for years now. Any team could use their revenue on good coaches, scouts and tech, but many don't.
The Dodgers are constructed for slug (HR's), and it seems like the team is experiencing a seasonal power outage which is supported by the data:
HR Every X At-Bats Player 2024 2025 2026 Max Muncy 1 HR / 15.8 AB 1 / 16.5 AB 1 / 16.3 AB Mookie Betts 1 / 23.7 AB 1 / 29.5 AB 1 / 24.5 AB Freddie Freeman 1 / 24.6 AB 1 / 23.2 AB 1 / 29.2 AB Teoscar Hernández 1 / 17.8 AB 1 / 20.4 AB 1 / 26.8 AB
I think Mookie is such a perfectionist that he would retire before his performance declines become "permanent" --i.e., batting avg in low .200's and loss of power resulting in below avg OPS. I just can not see him on the team for another 6 years in decline mode -- he takes too much pride.
Mark you're turning into a negative Nelly. Let's look at the big picture. Oh, that's what you said you were doing. Well here's mine. Every year they have a swoon or two. A swoon is a small sample size for the Dodgers. Just for reference, small sample size is sss. 1. They are looking old...sss 2. They aren't hitting...sss 3. Any cherry picked stat...sss When the season is over we will have a full body of work. Then the FO will analyze and construct a game plan. I'm with George, David, Bobby and Matt. I'm gonna ride this mutha until it dies. You know, like the aging superstars. Santa Claus, Easter Bunny really? Coming from you that's funny. Being a fan is not whining about stats from the last 20 games. It about pining hard for your Boys in Blue. For God's sake, we're on the cusp of a 3peat. Oh well. If we lay an egg the choir will complain. If we win it all the choir will complain. That's life. IT'S TIME FOR DODGER BASEBALL! Book em
Oh by the way...I'm passionate! I hope that's realistic enough for you.
As of today,the Dodgers are tied with the Braves for the second seed and a bye with the exact same records of 71-48. The one problem is the Braves are 2-1 against us with three games remaining in Atlanta. If overall records are the same at season's end,the determining factor will be head to head matchup. Being the 3 seed is another round of games like last year against the Reds,the best of 3 with ALL games at the number 3's home field. I prefer the bye and less games with this older roster.
Thanks Mark for the look at Mookie's decline in the past three years. I wanted to take a look at Mookie's contract and see if the Dodgers made a good decision. Baseball Reference has Mookie making $202.5M in the next six years. So I'm going to go with that figure.
Including this season, Mookie will have been paid $190M in seven years. His WAR for those seven years is 34.3. Badger has expressed in the past that each WAR point is worth approximately $8M. Jeff, I believe, has mentioned between $8-10M. I'll go with the $8M figure. In that case the WAR of 34.3 times $8M comes to $274.4M. But, Mookie received $190M. Using the WAR analysis the Dodgers have underpaid Mookie by $84.4M so far.
So, what is the prognosis for the remaining six years? So far in 2026 Mookie has a 1.5 WAR. I'm going to be generous and project a 2 WAR average for the remaining six years. That will be a total of 12 WAR at $8M per WAR and a value of $96M. Mookie will be paid $202.5M. Therefore, an overpayment of $106.5M.
The first seven years the Dodgers underpaid Mookie $84.4M. The next six years the Dodgers will overpay Mookie by approximately $106.5M. So, over the 13 year contract the Dodgers will have overpaid by $22M. To most of us that's a lot of money. For Guggenheim, it's a rounding error. I'd say, for a 13 year contract, the FO will have done a good job in establishing Mookie's value to the team. However, it could be a painful and frustrating six years to watch.
With an average WAR of 4.9 so far with the Dodgers Mookie as a player has been worth the expense. As mentioned yesterday he has had some bad luck with injuries and illness. I believe the move to the infield was a factor in his offensive decline. The chances are high that his decline will continue, but at what degree? Mookie has a lot of pride and in 3-4 years may just retire with a settlement. He will have made over $400M in his career.
Mookie Betts arrived as a true "superstar" position player for the Dodgers and their fans. After so many postseason failures and disappointments his arrival brought a World Series championship right out of the gate in his first season with the Dodgers. Although he didn't prominently excel in the past two WS victories he was still a valuable veteran presence. It's hard to put a value on that.
Carry on.
I totally disagree about Betts. I think most of his problems at the plate are really mental right now. Lack of confidence and the fact that he has hit a lot of balls right at people. Diminished skills, maybe some, but you do not forget how to hit overnight. I think his mechanics are not in sync. As for the teams hitting, they won the last two World Series not by outhitting their opponents but by outpitching a defending them. Dodger pitching right now does have an Achilles heel. They have given up almost as many homers as the team has hit, 151-143. Saski leads the team with 21 bombs. Sheehan had 20 before he went down. Wrobo all of a sudden has 17. Dreyer's 7 leads the pen.
After looking deeper into the team's stats, here's what jumps out:
1. Mookie is the biggest problem. This isn't just a mild slump:
.214 AVG / .241 OBP / .250 SLG / .491 OPS 0 HR, 2 RBI in 58 PA
And perhaps the most shocking number: only two extra-base hits, both doubles, in 15 games.
For a player occupying a premium lineup spot, a .491 OPS is a giant anchor.
2. Tommy Edman has actually been worse offensively. He's at .170/.214/.245/.460 across 56 PA. So Mookie isn't alone.
3. Muncy has cratered too. He's hitting only .152, with a .540 OPS and an eye-popping 23 strikeouts in 51 PA. That's a 45% strikeout rate. He has driven in eight runs, but there's a lot of empty air surrounding them.
4. Ohtani absolutely is NOT the problem. He's hitting:
.345/.419/.655/1.074 4 HR 11 RBI 9 runs
He's basically carrying a flamethrower while portions of the lineup are carrying pool noodles.
5. Tucker has been very good. The batting average doesn't scream dominance, but .389 OBP, .511 SLG and .900 OPS certainly do. He's also scored 10 runs, most on the team during this stretch.
6. Freddie is fascinating. He's hitting an absurd .397, but has zero home runs and only one extra-base hit in 58 AB. So he's getting on base constantly without doing much damage. His .821 OPS is good, but a .397 hitter slugging only .414 tells you the story.
The real offensive culprit
If I boil the Dodgers' problem down to their regulars:
GOOD: Ohtani 1.074, Tucker .900, Freeman .821, Pages .787 OK: Teoscar .754 DISASTER ZONE: Muncy .540, Betts .491, Edman .460... and then add in the catchers.
That's three major everyday pieces simultaneously producing at replacement-level-or-worse offensive rates for more than two weeks.
And here's the stat I'd put in 48-point type:
Betts + Muncy + Edman since July 25: 155 AB, 28 hits, and roughly a .500 collective OPS neighborhood.
That's where a huge chunk of the missing offense has gone. Ohtani isn't the mystery. The middle of the lineup has sprung three leaks at once.
Two consecutive Cy Young awards. New team and new ballpark. Record against Royals while with the Tigers was 4-9 with a 4.06 ERA in 18 appearances. They know him. Given some time I think he will be all we hoped he would be.