Nobody!
John Mozeliak, the GM of the St. Louis Cardinals, now says that the Cards are not trading Nolan Arenado… and maybe they aren’t. However, don’t believe anything any MLB baseball executive tells you. PERIOD! Nolan has five years and $144MM remaining on his contract and could likely have beaten that deal if he opted out of his contract… but he did not! Arenado and the Cardinals seem to have a good relationship, and he seems happy there.
What about him allegedly waiving his no-trade clause? The report on the talks with the Dodgers indicated he was willing to accept a deal only to the Dodgers, having always wanted to play for them as a Southern California native. But Arenado told reporters last night that he had not been approached about his clause. Who do you believe?
John Mozeliak is no greenhorn. He wants to make the Cardinals better. In order to do that, if he trades Arenado, he needs to make sure he gets a substantial return. Evidently, he does not like what the Dodgers offered, so the simple thing is to say, “We are not trading Aernado.” If the Dodgers want him bad enough, they will pony up. If not, then he is not on the market. Right about now, you can believe no one. In fact, don’t even believe this, but the teams are still talking! Just to be clear, I am not saying that the deal is happening; I am just saying that they are talking. It’s also possible the Dodgers will trade for Montgomery or Flaherty, but that could be last minute.
This and That
- The Dodgers were two-hit last night, but those two hits were Big Flies by Mad Max! Max Muncy should only play against RHP! Sorry, Max!
- Who wants to send Emmet Sheehan back to AAA now? Emmet was the “Flavor-of-the-Week to send back to OKC, but that all changed!
- The Phillies and Cardinals are allegedly discussing a Paul Goldschmidt deal. That makes too much sense!
- Miguel Vargas and Michael Busch were both 2-5 last night. They could still play a big role in this team’s quest for a title this year!
- Gavin Stone threw four innings, allowing two hits and 2 runs.
- Ken Giles is starting to strike out hitters. He struck out 3 in his inning last night. He also allowed two hits and 1 one run, but it is progress!
- Diego Cartaya hit his 13th HR – a 2-run Blast!
- River Ryan – 4 shutout innings with 6 K’s.
- Thayron Liranzo may soon pass Diego as the Dodgers’ #1 catching prospect. At RC, here are his stats: 236 AB/16 HR/45 RBI/.263 BA/.389 OB%/.923 OPS.
Discussion (79)
Disagree, not disagreeable
So if they went for Jack Flarethy and Michael Lorezen and Barlow and didn’t add a right handed batter you think they would be contenders or behind the braves. Or if they add Verlander Pham and Flarethy they become leaders in the national league and jump over the Braves to get in the World Series. I think there going to look to add Verlander and a closer and keep the batter they have which we know how that goes 1 thru five in lineup tough but 6 thru 9 isnt a threat. I kind of think they use Taylor and minor leaguers to get a better right-handed hitter and a starter and closer. Tommorow rumors will be interesting is it Keller and Bednar from pirates and Tommy Pham from the Mets which is basically Peralta but he hits right handed
this could be the guys?????
One last thing before I put this to bed. There are no guarantees or sure things out there on the trade market who will guarantee you a trip to the World Series. There are players who will help, and some who might not. If you look at the Dodgers major deadline deals in the past, none got them the prize. Oh, they went to the Series in 17 and 18 after huge deals bringing first, Darvish, and then Machado the following year. Both of those guys crashed and burned in the World Series. Getting Verlander, or Bednar, would make them a better team, but not necessarily improve their odds of winning or even getting to the Series or the playoffs. Baseball is a team game. It takes all 26 men on the roster and even more coming up from the minors to help a team win. The Dodgers, considering their roster makeup and the injuries they have suffered are in a position no one expected. They are leading the west albeit by a hair. But this was supposed to be San Diegos year. Anything can and usually will happen in baseball. It is simply out of the fans hands.
Since the Dodgers are off tomorrow, they finish the month at 13-10. Considering how bad the starting pitching was, 6.18 ERA, the worst since 1944 when they posted a 7.31 in July. That is not a bad month. Their lead in the NL West is down to 2 as the Giants beat the Red Sox in extra’s. Next opponent is the A’s who come in with the worst record in the majors. Lance Lynn will be the starting pitcher against the hapless A’s who have lost 77 games already. Lynn is 5-2 in his career against Oakland. He has not faced the A’s this year. He also in his career is better at home than on the road. We will also know prior to the game starting if the Dodgers have made any other deals or player moves. For fans hoping for a impactful front of the rotation type pitcher, the waiting is the worst part. Coming away empty handed would make it even worse. Plan for now is that Kershaw could return as soon as the series in Arizona following the four games with the Padres. Grove is a prime candidate to be sent back to AAA. There is no real solution at AAA. Andriese is their winningest pitcher with a 8-5 record, but his ERA is over 5. Montgomery has the most experience as a starter, but he is still building up his innings. He has a 2.86 ERA in 9 games, 34.2 innings pitched. No, improvement is going to have to come from Urias, Gonsolin, Miller and Sheehan until they figure out who is who. Urias is key. He needs to get a whole lot better than he has been. Buehler will not be used out of the pen when and if he does return per Dave Roberts. He will be used as an opener going at least a couple innings to begin with.
Not always about the players the Dodgers might have who are considered better prospects. A lot of times, it comes down to who the team trading the veteran player covets the most. Hence, Montgomery and Stratton to the Rangers. I still expect at least one more starting pitcher picked up by the deadline. Two dark horse candidates would be Keller from the Pirates and Singer of the Royals.
Angels just traded with the Rockies and got two right handed hitters, CJ Cron and Randal Grichuk. They just lost Ward to the IL with face fractures.
Let’s go Dodgers misses out on Montgomery for two minor league guys who I never heard of really you telling me the dodgers didn’t have better players then those two guys the Rangers gave up. Must be Flarethy and Arenodo hmm would think cardinals would have wanted better unless they go after Verlander and mark Cahda thinking that his power off the bench and he can play third base and the outfield or dh. Or dodgers could look at Rodriguez from Detroit and think okay prospects but tigers don’t have any hitters that the dodgers would want. And now Bellinger staying with the cubs.
Today, both Vargas and Busch were 3-6 with 3 RBI each. Busch had 2 HR and Vargas had 1.
On the year:
Busch – .318 BA/1.028 OPS – 18 HR/66 RBI
Vargas – .317 BA/1.005 OPS – 4 HR/12 RBI
Who has the current longest hit streak on the team?
Verlander might still get traded, but Houston, who has been in contact with the Mets, want the Mets to pay a significant portion of his salary. And they are a little concerned about his vesting option for 25 should he hit 140 innings next season.
Dahl just hit his second homer of the game to put OKC on top 16-14 in the top of the 11th inning. Ward stole third base just prior to the homer. Yonny Hernandez on to pitch. Looks like OKC ran out of arms. Knack had a decent start, one run over four innings. He threw 79 pitches, walked four and had 5 K’s. Yonny gets the save! Gave up a run on a sac fly. Giles gets the win despite blowing the save. OKC wins 16-15. Busch and Vargas both now hitting .317.
Montgomery-Stratton to the Rangers. Texas adds two starting pitchers and a reliever that Bochy is familiar with from when he was a Padre. Giants-Red Sox tied into the 10th. JT hit a go-ahead 2 run homer in the 8th. Giants came back to tie the game. OKC in another slugfest with Reno. 14-11 in the 10th inning. Giles now pitching for the Dodgers. Busch has 2 homers on a 3-6 day. Vargas and Ward also homered. Vargas also 3-6. Ward, Vargas, Busch and Dahl all have driven in 3. Reno just tied the game on a three-run homer by Bliss off of Giles. Giles ERA now sits at 19.80. Giants win, now only 2 back of LA.
MushersPop posted this the other day. It didn’t get much attention at the time. it seems a little more relevant today doesn’t it? Or does it?
https://www.si.com/extra-mustard/2023/07/25/dodgers-michael-grove-forced-to-change-pants-by-umps-fans-react
This was shown after his last start against the Blue Jays. Most of us ignored it, including myself . Seems a little more meaningful today though doesn’t it? Or does it?
JDM …? Will Smith…? When it rains it pours
https://www.si.com/extra-mustard/2023/07/25/dodgers-michael-grove-forced-to-change-pants-by-umps-fans-react
Really bad pitching performance by Grove. Of the 18 outs in six innings he worked, ten were by a strikeout yet he allowed eight earned runs.
I do like what AF and Gomes have done so far with the acquisitions of Lynn, Kelly, Hernandez and Rosario, but it does seem we are a bit heavy in the Swiss Army Knife type player with Rojas, CT3, Rosario and Hernandez. Would still like to see a true everyday OF who can hit both RHP and LHP and I’m very concerned we still don’t have enough SP. Was somewhat hoping for Montgomery from the Cardinals but he was acquired by the Blue Jays today.
I’m assuming any future trades will be with an emphasis on SP and RP (Verlander and Barlow) and I don’t think Arenado is going to happen. Team needs Mookie in the line-up to be competitive offensively. The three outcome offense of Muncy and CT3 is frustrating as hell. Will one of them be traded by Tuesday?
Lance Lynn save us!
Right now no way this is a WS championship team no matter who we pick up.
7 hits in last two games.
Peralta flunks as leadoff hitter
Mercifully, it is over!
Totally embarrassing
“Left hamstring tightness” for JDM.
Well, OK.
Still think the Dodgers need to shore up the catching position. Promoting Feduccia would be a start. With Barnes struggling so badly, Smith is probably the toughest player to replace in the current lineup…
Oh, an “elbow contusion” for Smith.
Come on up, Hunter!
Looks like Grove today was auditioning to be the new Bickford.
I still like Grove as the Long man in the bullpen.
The only thing I know to be true about the Arenado trade is that it’s a possibility until it isn’t. And the isn’t part doesn’t happen until Tuesday.
Austin Barnes comes through!
Not sure why he was put in for Smith and Taylor for JDM, unless Roberts has decided to give up on this game.
Or perhaps something else is afoot….
I could see the Dodgers dealing JDM for a third catcher if it’s a good one. Getting some insurance for Smith would be helpful, and the Dodgers can mix and match at DH with Smith, Muncy, Rosario….
A lot has been said about Doc but when you start three rookies for the better part of 6-7 weeks (as I recall), have CK on the IL for a month, a Julio Urias whose ERA is doubled what it was last year you really have to tip your cap to him for having the dodgers in first place through 103 games played.
Having said that, AF has to see the Dodgers do not have enough SP to make a deep run into the post season. Kids just lack the consistent put away stuff (sans Bobby Miller) experience and repeatable pitch execution to be consistently effective down the stretch and into a pressure packed post season. He has to get some additional SP. Who will it be?
After watching Grove implode, ..Lance Lynn better come as advertised and be a great innings eater.
Please. Get that poor young man out. Have respect for the fans who paid a ticket to see the major leagues. His no ready for MLB, right now. Poor fans paid a Lot of bucks to see that
Verlander or bust.
Go Dodgers!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
This is brutal
This game has been the fastest to end….It’s over
Not watching the game….
But why was JDM replaced by Taylor?
At this time of year, I wonder if it could be a trade/
This is just a royal beatdown. Ball’s in your court AF.
Pretty sure we’ve seen enough of Grove
Rangers got Montgomery
Blame Barnes, oh wait a minute!
Time to end the Grove experiment.
I hate seeing visiting teams come out of the gate like blockbusters.
I’m glad Sheehan didn’t allow this to happen like Grove did. Oh well…..maybe Grove can pitch like Don Drysdale for the remainder of the game.
Ok. I’m gonna try this again. They should send Grove down right after this start. Well, it worked for Sheehan!
Offense can look unstoppable at times, and totally inept others! I wonder if Cody would ever consider coming back. He seems happy , healthy, and doesn’t worry about platoons! Still wish he was here. One of the best defensive outfielders (1st basemen) I’ve ever had the pleasure of watching! No Yankees, no Giants, no Padres Cody! Ever!
I just read that the Dodgers are about to drop another bomb, that they are very close to acquiring Flaherty and Montgomery, not Arenado. I guess these are just rumors.
Lance Lynn assigned # 35. Bob Welch’s old number.
Dodgers end their July slate today. Team sits at 13-9 for the month.
Nice to hear from you Mark! Thought the prisoners had been left unsupervised!
Jordan Hicks traded to the Blue Jays by the Cardinals. Return to the Cardinals not yet reported
Joe stated something last night that surprised me a little. This season’s offense is the third best in Dodger history. Only the 52 boys of summer and the 1930 team better. 52 team featured a batting champ in Carl Furillo, and the 1930 squad had Babe Herman hitting .393. And he did not win the batting title. Bill Terry of the Giants hit .401.
Roberts loves platooning! He was a platoon player himself. If Rosario hits .300 against lefties and .250 against righties leave him alone! Is Barnes injured? Is he out because of a possible trade? (Haha) maybe he’s retiring! Braves look very “series” right now. But we did take 2 of 3 from them. We just need pitching to shape up and a right handed bat! ( not a reclamation project)
DODGERS PRESS RELEASE
DODGERS ACTIVATE LANCE LYNN
LOS ANGELES – The Los Angeles Dodgers have activated right-handed pitcher Lance Lynn and optioned right-handed pitcher Tyson Miller.
Lynn, 36, was acquired on Friday from the Chicago White Sox. He has made 21 appearances for the White Sox and he is 6-9 with a 6.47 ERA (86 ER/119.2 IP) and 144 strikeouts this season. He had a banner season in his first season with Chicago, going 11-6 with a 2.69 ERA (47 ER/157.0 IP) and 176 strikeouts in 28 starts for the White Sox, earning his second All-Star bid and finishing third for the American League Cy Young. His other All-Star nod was in his first full season in 2012, going 18-7 with a 3.78 ERA (74 ER/176.0 IP) and 180 strikeouts. He has been in the Major Leagues parts of 12 seasons with St. Louis (2011-17), Minnesota (2018), New York-AL (2018), Texas (2019-20) and Chicago-AL (2021-23) and he is a combined 129-93 with a 3.71 ERA (753 ER/1825.0 IP) and 1859 strikeouts. He was originally drafted in the first round (39th overall) of 2008 First Year Player Draft out of the University of Mississippi by the St. Louis Cardinals.
Miller, 28, appeared in one game for the Dodgers, allowing two runs in 2.0 innings. On the season, he is 0-0 with a 6.35 ERA (8 ER/11.1 IP) and eight strikeouts in eight games between Milwaukee and Los Angeles. In parts of three season with Chicago (2020), Texas (2022), Milwaukee (2023) and Los Angeles (2023), he is combined 1-2 with a 8.00 ERA (24 ER/27.0 IP) and 16 strikeouts. He was acquired by the Dodgers on July 12.
So we traded for Rosario, he goes 2 for 4 with a double and RBI, plays solid SS and sits for 2 games in a row?????
Today’s lineup–at least the one I’ve seen–has Mookie resting again and Peralta batting leadoff.
The lineup is always subject to change, so can someone tell Roberts to put Outman up first?
He’s on a roll–and mostly because of improved plate discipline.
Over the last 30 days, Outman has a on-base percentage of .438, which is slightly better that Freddie and Mookie. He’s batted .308, and has walked 14 times against 21 Ks. His OPS is .915 over July. (Sustained over a full season, these would be all-star stats.)
Meanwhile, Peralta has an OBP in July of .324 –more than 100 points below Outman. His BA is over .290–good!–but Outman’s is better. Also, Outman’s splits are much better.
Finally, Outman leads the Dodgers in stolen bases at 14, including 4 in the last month, with once caught stealing. He should be getting more PAs than Peralta. With Mookie resting, Outman clearly seems the best leadoff option.
On another matter: Correct me if I’m wrong, but the Dodgers have a few days to deal the DFA guys Bickford, Bruhil and Eddys Leonard. So they could be sweeteners in a deal for Montgomery or Flaherty, or maybe Tommy Pham or Brent Rooker.
We did it Bear! We got Will in the lineup! Now Michael Grove , pitch your ass off! At least 5.2 or six! Singer has pitched extremely well against the Dodgers, not sure about every body else
Love this:
Dodgers game notes list pitching probables for the next series against the A’s
Tuesday: TBD vs. TBD
Wednesday: TBD vs. TBD
Thursday: TBD vs. TBD
N.B. Dave Roberts did say Saturday that Julio Urías, Lance Lynn, and Tony Gonsolin would start against Oakland, in some order….
Not much chatter out there today, of course it is early. Should pick up a bunch tomorrow.
4:10 PM ET
Reds (57-49)
Dodgers (59-44)
SPGraham Ashcraft R
5-7 5.64 ERA
SP Michael Grove R
2-2 6.19 ERA
Confirmed Lineup
LF D. Peralta L
1B F. Freeman L
C Will Smith R
3B Max Muncy L
DH J. Martinez R
CF James Outman L
RF J. Heyward L
2B E. Hernandez R
SS Miguel Rojas R
89° Wind 10 mph Out
THE BEST PART OF TODAY”S LINEUP NO BARNES
Good news, no Barnes in today’s lineup. Max back in the 4 hole, Smitty in at # 3. Hernandez replaces Taylor at second, otherwise lineup is the same. Mookie sitting again. 5 lefties in the lineup.
I like nomar too. I also like Karros I’ll take any of the three over Mendoza! I don’t even like listening to Joe when they’re together! Want to hear something awful? Listen to the asaassstros broadcast crew! God i miss Vin!
Orel talks too much. Jessica is the worst. But Orel overkills a lot. I would rather have Nomar as the analyst any day. Thomas would be a nice addition. He is at this point in time a lefty killer.
Give me Orell any day over smiling Jess! She never stops! admittedly Orel talks a lot too, but she just blabbers on and on about anything and everything! Nice enough , but too much . Heard Washington GM on the front office earlier saying Lane Thomas is not untouchable. If not Nolan? I haven’t seen starting lineup but I assume short bat Barnes is catching. Oh well , I hope he gets a couple of knocks. He ain’t going nowhere
Cubs tell teams Belli not available in trade talks.
Driving up the price ?!
Go Dodgers!!!!!!!!!!
Saturday scores
Reno 8, Oklahoma City 3
Tulsa 4, Springfield 3
Dayton 5, Great Lakes 2
Rancho Cucamonga 5, San Jose 3
Sunday scores
10:05 a.m. PT: Great Lakes (TBD) vs. Dayton (Carson Rudd)
11:05 a.m.: Tulsa (Kyle Hurt) vs. Springfield (Logan Gragg)
1:05 p.m.: Oklahoma City (Landon Knack) at Reno (Peter Solomon)
5 p.m.: Rancho Cucamonga (Jared Karros) vs. San Jose (Manuel Mercedes)
Orel was on a roll last night. First, he was obviously moved and excited about all the festivities in his honor, as well he should be. So was Joe Davis and it was obvious how close they are as Joe was brought to happy tears. Very cool.
He also gave the best pitching clinic I’ve heard in awhile about Emmet Sheehan’s inability to command his breaking ball.
It was interesting last night to watch Emmet Sheehan pitch. He has such a nice fastball with tons of life that is a swing and miss pitch when he can keep it out of the middle of the plate, especially the arm side runner that jams up a RHB. It’s easy to see how that pitch rocketed him to the Big Leagues. But he couldn’t land any secondary pitch in the zone. Nearly all of his breaking balls were non-competitive, as was his change, which is his best secondary pitch. He actually threw one behind a LHB. He finally got a chase with one just off the plate in the 5th. He had to live with the fastball and he did a great job with it. But there are things that don’t last; dogs that chase cars, 10 footers for pars and pitching in the big leagues as a starter with no secondary pitch. He got away with it yesterday because the fastball was so good.
Joe had a great story about a coach at Nevada watching Emmet throw long-toss from a different are slot than when he pitched off the mound. He was 20 and shitty so necessity was the mother of invention. They changed his arm slot and he became a Dude.
Arm slots are interesting. My theory was to change an arm slot only as a last resort, as it was for Emmet. I think that when a caveman left his den and chucked a rock at some prey, that’s his natural arm slot. Same with pitchers.
Orel provided a great pitching analysis of what Sheehan’s problem is with his breaking ball inconsistency. The same slot that produces such movement on the fastball causes timing issues and tugging with the breaking balls. His loose wrist and fingers means he doesn’t set his wrist early and keep it that way. It means about 2 great breakers out of 10 and 8 anywhere. It was so insightful of what Emmet needs to improve on going forward. Sometime Orel can provide fantastic information and last night was one of them.
Both teams forgot how to hit last night. Thank goodness for Max.
Orel also explained how difficult it can be for a reliever to sit in the dugout and then come back out for a 2nd inning as Evan Phillips had to do. I have a quick solution; let Graterol finish the 8th. Another example of a computer predicting a needed pitching change, for no visible reason.
You may noticed I didn’t make one comment about players and the trade deadline. I have “transaction fatigue” and will be happy when all the speculation is over and we can get back to baseball on the field.
I’m no GM. Four top prospects for a closer is an overpay. Our bullpen has been lights out for an extended period of time. I still believe if the Dodgers get knocked out of the playoffs (I hope it doesn’t happen), will because someone will throw three left handed pitchers at us. It seems like LH pitchers can be AAAA minor leaguers and we make them look like Cy Young. I hope I’m proven wrong. The four prospects for the Pittsburgh reliever is a gross overplay in my opinion. Be gentle on my thoughts, I reintegrate I’m not a GM.
Someone brought this up earlier this past week, and now that the Verlander rumors are hot, it should be mentioned again.
Verlander will earn $43mil next year, and then some type of option for $35mil in 2025. Even if NYM paid a chunk of that, will that preclude us from giving a few bucks to Ohtani?
Also, does that for sure prohibit us from resigning Urias as well? Would the Verlander money be better spent on another, younger, free agent pitcher next year?
Joe Kelly Fight Club is back. Hell yea.
https://www.tiktok.com/t/ZT88pnRPg/
Someone mentioned their playoff hope of 5 innings from starters then using 4 relievers, one inning each. I think that plan has failed in the past, as one or more of those guys gets used up and blows some close games in late innings. It would be great if we could get 6 or 7 from the starter. But that not happening much this year
Grove pitching today. He needs to give them some innings.
Angels Taylor Ward to 10-day IL with facial fractures. He was hit in the face last night.
What would happen if Barnes hit 4-4 today? It would be the worst time to start producing with the bat because I think management would be forced to give it another chance!
How does Busch make a difference this year for the Dodgers? What position does he play? Trade the poor kid and give him a chance somewhere else. He and Mann and one of our young arms would make a nice package. Still say you have to roll the dice on Verlander if you want to win this year. And Mike Trout hit .220 in a hundred AB’s in 2011 and then he became a superstar next year. The true test for Vargas will be in 2024.
OKC’s winning streak ended in Reno last night. Stone went 4 innings, struck out 3 walked 3 gave up 2 hits and 2 earned runs. Rooney got the loss giving up 2 in his lone inning of work. They got 3 unearned off of Varland in his inning. Vargas, Busch, Mann and Ward all had 2 hits. Ward hit his 4th homer.
I’m one who thought Emmit needed to go back down. Shoot me! I’m also one who thought Doc should have let him pitch another inning! Shoot me again! I still laugh when Doc comes out of the dugout, like his tail feathers are on fire! Loves to make pitching changes! He’s done a good job this season! I see Lane Thomas is listed as a “Player to watch “ at the deadline. If not Nolan, why not ? We’ve done deals with nationals before! Who’s on the bump today? It matters , especially with Barnes behind the plate. Reds could run wild today. Bring on Verlander! There I said it!
David Bednar is a top closer, but the juice is not worth the squeeze!
Nail biter last night but they came through. Joe Kelly 1, Dodger ram 0. Hope the new guys keep it up. Of course, it was a typical Kelly outing. Wild pitch, walk, and then the strikeout to end the inning. Fans went bonkers when Joe came in the game. No matter how unpredictable he can be, he is at least entertaining. Dodgers win and they contained the Reds running game. Acuna stole #50 for the Braves last night. JT drove in 2 for the Red Sox in the top of the 9th to tie the game, then Jansen gave up the game winning homer to JD Davis. How many times did we see that show? Betts might be held out of today’s game also to give the ankle two more days of rest. Freddie’s ofer ended his streak of consecutive games on base. Which is weird because he scored ahead of Muncy’s first homer. He was on base because of his FC grounder. Phillips is the Dodger closer, end of discussion. Orel Hershiser inducted into the Legends of Dodger baseball and that got more chatter in the booth than the players on the field did. And it had Orel chattering like a magpie. Enough already. Congrats before the game, and then concentrate on the action.
I’m over Nolan Arenado.
The difference maker for the Dodgers would be Justin Verlander, if he’s actually available. I think he would be, the Mets seem to be moving in a different direction. Just trying to buy a championship is a difficult pursuit.
Interesting analysis yesterday on MLB TV and MLB radio on Shohei Ohtani and free agency. Everybody will want him, most can’t afford him. It’s not just money, it’s the access to young players and only teams with a good farm system need to try.
If a team doesn’t have young affordable talent most wouldn’t be able to put together a championship team around Ohtani. That, of course, eliminates a lot of teams. Want and desire are one thing, reality another. Everybody seems to agree, Ohtani wants to win. That’s why the Dodgers make the most sense.
They really didn’t do much this past winter, but lo and behold, they are again leading the NL West. They are very active trying to acquire additional pitching and role players. In order to make a run this fall. They also have a nice blend of vets and young players (James Outman, Bobby Miller, Emmet Sheehan, Michael Grove) making key contributions.
Not to mention the Dodgers have quite a bit of money coming off the books.
There is a debate about why the Angels didn’t move Ohtani this summer, but as Artie Moreno and Angels pointed out, he means another $20 million in revenue to the club between now and the end of the season. Not just a great two-way player, but one who generates a big return to the organization.
Honestly, I’m not sure how a Verlander deal would play out, maybe the Mets would cover a portion of the salary as they did for the Rangers in the Scherzer deal, probably would depend on the prospect return. But the Dodgers did pursue him last winter, thought they had a deal until the Mets jumped in with a boatload of bucks and another year.
One more thing, everyone needs to take a deep breath regarding LA prospects, it takes time to develop into a major league player. Remember, even Mike Trout was a .220 hitter his first time up.
Yes, Sheehan had a misstep of two, but he was lights out last night against a very formidable Cincy line-up. He’s got talent. I’m not moving him in a trade.
The Dodgers, ranked second, some say first in farm system rankings, have a considerable talent pool to pull from. Look no further than the AA pitchers. Other scouts are raving about those guys.
I think both Miguel Vargas and Michael Busch will make big contributions next year, that is if they give Busch a chance.
Yes it probably makes some sense for the Cards to make some deals, certainly Montgomery and Flaherty. Maybe even their first baseman, they need young pitchers. He’s older than Arenado.
But you still have to face your fan base and the Cardinal fans may not be so understanding if you unload Arenado.
How about this trade idea? Austin Barnes for HunterF!
If you’re a betting man, with Barnes in the lineup and his Little League bat and Little League throwing,arm, what’s the outcome in today’s game? Good guy or not, it’s time for AF to make a move for a backup catcher internally or outside the organization.
With the Mets in full sell-mode, Verlander will be moved by this Tuesday. The only question is who gets him.
I posted this earlier today but comments closed immediately after. I think it is a must read…lol.
I will make sure my voice is heard here loud and clearly.
I DO NOT WANT TO UNLOAD PITCHING PROSPECTS FOR NOLEN ARANADO.
I’m content with Marvelous Max. 27 HRs and 70 RBIs compares pretty nicely with 22 HRs and 77 RBIs. I know Arenado has a higher BA and OPS, but I’m telling you again…PITCHING WINS PLAYOFF GAMES. We have enough bats, including Max’s.
Don’t give up promising pitchers when most of your regular starters are damaged goods- Clayton, Walker, Dustin, Tony.
SAY NO TO AREN-ADO!
Please God, give Will the strength to catch today! 2 nice swings by Max last night. Still campaigning for Arenado though, defensively no comparison! Good luck to Phil Bickford, nice guy. He probably does a better job last night than Ferguson! Great to have Senor Joe back! Too bad we don’t play aaassstros. Again. Punky Brewster, err Bregman could use a shot in the ribs! Hope it’s just me , but Heyward looks lost at the plate last few at bats. Maybe if not Arenado then The Thomas kid for the outfield. All this platooning drives me crazy! Need to win today!
No on Arenado if the Cards insist on Bobby Miller as is rumored. Bobby has ace stuff and already has proven he can get major league hitters out consistently.
You just do not trade a potential ace pitcher with a 102 mph heater plus 4 other quality secondary pitches for a 32 year old 3b . Especially when your offense already is top 5.
Yes on Verlander. If you trade for another starter it should be someone who has the potential and resumee to make a big differnence. Montgomery, Flaherty do not fit that criteria.
Scherzer only cost the Rangers their Nr. 5 prospect in addition to the salary (and the Mets will absorb some of it) so Verlander should cost in t hat range too. Stone or Pepiot would fall in that prospect list looking at our top 30.
Go Dodgers!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!