Who are the Buyers or Sellers?

I’m looking forward to the Smith/Ruiz era.

When was the last time the Dodgers had a decent all round Catcher?

Don’t say AJ…..

BTW, Lux played 2B tonight and had two hits. Gonsolin got shelled. Keibert had two hits.

Man, I don’t see it this way at all. At the 2017 Trade Deadline, Darvish looked like a better pitcher between the two. On July 24, Verlander’s ERA was a full run higher than Darvish. Verlander was NOT traded at the deadline, but was traded after it through waivers. So, the Dodgers grabbed the best pitcher available at the deadline and the Astros got lucky. None of the prospects that Houston sent to the Tigers are on the roster, they’re all sucking in the minors. How’s that prospect huggers?

We got the biggest prize last year in Manny Machado and did pretty well with Rick Hill and Josh Reddick.

I don’t know why people keep saying Andrew is too cheap to pull off a big trade. What team has done more at the deadline the last three years?

A recent article at MLB.com indicates that Houston and Washington are very interested in Felipe Vazquez, along with the Dodgers, and as was mentioned above, the Braves. Not only does Vazquez seem as sure a thing as one can be in terms of available relief pitchers, but if we did not get him, and he went to any of those teams, particularly the NL ones, it would certainly be detrimental to our title chances. So I hope that we have the will, and the willingness to go over the luxury tax for next year, to get him. We really don’t need one of the better teams in our league to end up with one of the best relief pitchers in the game. I would assume that we would play at least one of Atlanta and Washington in the playoffs. I hope that we don’t end up with another Verlander situation. And the issue goes past this year to the next two, as well.

With respect to Thor…“The Mets “want to move” Syndergaard in a trade, a rival evaluator tells ESPN.com’s Buster Olney (Twitter link). The feeling amongst many outside evaluators is that the Mets are “fully intent” on dealing Syndergaard. As to The Athletic’s Marc Carig hears from a rival executive, the asking price on Syndergaard is something in the range of a top-30 prospect “and a couple of other solid pieces.”

That does not sound like May or Ruiz need to be involved.

I know I have been an advocate for keeping Barnes behind the ML dish, and I felt it was justified when I wrote it. But after the errant throw, I think Austin is just trying too hard, and is fighting it. His confidence has been shot to a significant degree. I am okay with Barnes being optioned, but now that everyone has their wish, when Smith starts to struggle (and he will), I am wondering if everyone is going to jump on him and insist that K-Bear take over. Smith is going to be the primary catcher.

Admittedly I do like Austin Barnes, and maybe the best thing for him is a change in environment. Travis d’Arnaud got out of NY and has magically become a significant contributor for Tampa Bay. All three of the Tigers catchers are hitting worse than Austin.

John Hicks – .184/.218/.306/.523

Grayson Greiner – .162/.2311/.279/.510

Bobby Wilson – .098/.140/.122/.261

SF Giants – Buster Posey is going to need to play more 1B, Stephen Vogt is in his FA year and will be 35 next year, and Joey Bart is at least 2 years out. Farhan traded for Austin once before, maybe he will again. How about Barnes, Estevez, Garcia (or Floro), and an A level lottery pick for Tony Watson and Sam Dyson? Then the two Santana’s (Dennis and Cristian) for Ken Giles.

I have no idea if that would interest the Giants or Toronto. Maybe Shaggy has to go to Toronto. Simply thinking out loud on how to improve the bullpen and not hurt the future. The Dodgers may also want to hold onto Barnes as a backup for Smith next year. I would love to be in their meetings to understand what they are thinking.

I bet Stripling to dl for White. We don’t need a 5th starter until 7/30 and it lines up for a Gonsolin spot start.

It will be interesting as to who catches Kershaw and Buehler with Barnes gone.

Austin can’t complain and neither can the pitching staff. They gave him every opportunity but for whatever reason, he couldn’t do it. I believe he is a major league catcher… maybe he needs a change of organization.

Not every hitter will respond to RVS’s program. Maybe Austin needs a different plan. Is Kike going on the DL?

Not to worry, the Dodgers do have another SS on the roster: One Russell Nathan Coltrane Jeanson Martin Jr.

The Dodgers optioned Austin Barnes today and Will Smith will rejoin them tomorrow in Washington.

Is oficial: Barnes down, Smith up…..

According to Jorge Castillo of the Los Angeles Times, the Dodgers have optioned catcher Austin Barnes to Oklahoma City. In the corresponding move, they have recalled catcher Will Smith. It’s expected that Smith will join the club this weekend in Washington D.C.

Thank God we can put that to rest.

Gonsolin,Ruiz, Stripling, and 2 lottos for Thor and Diaz who says no?

Actually maybe have to include gray as well and only 1 lotto

Gonsolin,Ruiz, Stripling, and 2 lottos for Thor and Diaz who says no?

Tyler White is on the 40 man roster but not on the 25 man roster.

?

Saw a post on TBLA that mentioned Austin Barnes is not listed on the 25 man roster on the Dodgers website. Sure enough checked it out myself and the only catcher listed is Martin. Barnes has been optioned to OKC. That organic switch from Barnes to Smith is happening!!!!!!!!

A lot has been said about the hitting at OKC compared to Tulsa. Just 100 miles apart, why would the difference be so dramatic? With the hitters doing better at OKC compared to Tulsa, how do we explain Dustin May being better as well on the hill?

With all the talk about Smith and Lux being promoted, there almost as much talk about May being on the verge of promotion as well, maybe before rosters expand. Wow!

Put Belli in there as well. His last 50+ games are way down. About .265. Both he and Muncy chasing that down and in breaking ball again and not squaring up those middle fastballs And JOC has been in a rut as well. Boy we need Seager to be Seager again by post season if we’re gonna win this thing

Mets are now looking to move both Syndegard and Edwin Diaz. I hope we’re on the phones asking the price

If we pay attention and remember what we generally say then it won’t surprise anybody that I may be the least enthralled with Muncy and Verdugo. So Mark, we would have different lineup projections if I were to throw one out.

I would like to see Lux and Smith play. Kike’ and Taylor are hurt and Barnes and Martin continue to not hit. The last 30 games have been below average for Muncy and Verdugo who are both striking out at a higher rate and getting on base less.

Is Verdugo tiring or is he getting figured out?

Could he be part of a trade?

This is the kind of transaction that appears frustrating. Tyler White is out of options and has to be on the 25 man roster, so whose place is he going to take? Perhaps David Freese is sufficiently hurt that a return to the IL is necessary. If not, that means Matt Beaty goes back down. It cannot be Kike’ going on the IL because there is nobody else who can play SS. I am guessing that Russell Martin or Max Muncy would be the emergency SS. But if Kike’ goes onto the IL, then Lux has to be called up.

Is White going to be the 1B or just a RH bench bat? He does not provide any help with LHP, as he has significant reverse splits. Against LHP he is batting .162/.267/.243/.511. Joc is hitting .182/.182/.212/.394 against LHP. I am not seeing any real improvement. Beaty’s numbers against LHP are worse than wither White or Joc.

I do not know anything about White defensive abilities, but he has split his time between 1B/DH, so I am surmising that he is more of a bat than a glove. And that bat is not that good.

The cost is a potentially good relief pitcher, Andre Scrubb. Yes he was one that I have been following since he was drafted in 2016 (8th round). He was normally progressing and is 24 at AA doing fine. For his career, Scrubb has been in 108 games and has a 21-6 record. He has 175 IP with a 2.37 ERA and a 1.25 WHIP. 95 BB and 201 K. He has allowed 9 HRs in those 175 IP. If he can cut down on his walks, he could go from a decent middle reliever to a potential setup guy. He misses a lot of bats, but too many times it puts them on base. I am guessing that Brent Strom can work some magic with him.

Maybe Tyler White is this year’s Steve Pearce. It is not a transaction that looks like a winner for me, but I do not know the whole story. If White can somehow help this year, I am fine with it. But a 28 year old journeyman 1B is not a long term option, and he has a lot to prove to show that he will be a benefit this year.

Would Hundley be an upgrade at Catcher for rest of season?

Available now.

Since Gavin Lux is coming, can I say that he’ll be the 2nd coming of Daniel Murphy (with better defense at 2b of course)

Ken Gurnick is reporting.

“With David Freese’s health an ongoing concern, the Dodgers bolstered their right-handed bench on Thursday by acquiring first baseman Tyler White from Houston for Minor League right-handed pitcher Andre Scrubb. Dodgers management sees White as right-handed depth for a bench that is heavily left-handed. The best right-handed role player on the roster is Freese, who has been hobbled by knee and hamstring issues since before the All-Star break.”

.162 .267 .243 .511 vs lefties this season.