Two days ago, the Dodgers acquired three players for 6′ 8″ LHP Bryan Hudson. More about those players in a minute. But first, Bryan Hudson was signed by the Cubs for $1.1 million in 2015 as the 82nd overall pick in the draft. He flamed out as a starter because he had no dominant pitch while his fastball was 93 MPH TOPS. He has difficulty controlling his other pitch – the curveball. Essentially, he is a taller version of Justin Bruihl with less control, but he is enticing, and the Brewers bit on him, especially since he has two options. Goodbye Bryan – we hardly knew ya!
The Dodgers received three players from the Brewers: the proverbial PTBNL and LHP Justin Chambers, as well as LHH Justin Chambers. He was the number one ranked LHP out of Arizona and was #63 nationwide (out of 461 overall). He can pitch and hit, but it seems like the Dodgers want him for his arm and not his bat. He is 6′ 3″ tall and weighed 190 pounds at 17 years old when he was drafted. He is now up to 215 pounds, his fastball is in the low 90s, and he is in his second season from Tommy John. The Brewers paid him a bonus of $547,000 to sign. I think as he matures, his fastball will hit 93-95 MPH, and it seems that he has a feel for the game.
He might see some time at Rancho this summer. This was a typical Andrew Friedman move: Trade a prospect you can no longer use for a lower-level prospect. Kind of like Mich White or Ross Stripling…Only time will tell. At this juncture, I have no opinion.
Discussion (10)
Disagree, not disagreeable
The Covenant is an excellent movie.
Deadline this season will be the 30th of July. That is a couple of days earlier than last season. Raley to Seattle trade is official.
For the record, I’m for trading Rojas and Margot to make room for Vargas and Busch, but not as starters. Instead for pinch hitters, back ups for injuries and occasional starts to give guys rest days. I’m for getting an every day offensive proven outfielder and that’s Hoskins. Taylor can be Heyward’s platoon partner and if needed back up SS among other positions and when Taylor is backing up someone leaving Heyward without a platoon partner, insert Vargas platooning with him temporarily until the injured player returns and Taylor can go back to platooning with Heyward.
Ohtani has averaged 131 games per year in 5 years with Angels (not counting Covid year). Muncy has averaged 140 games a year in 5 years with Dodgers (not counting 2020). The Dodgers should make it a point to rest Freeman and Betts more often this year. I know that Freeman and Betts take pride in playing every day but it may not be in the best interest of the Dodgers. Betts, especially, was slumping in September last year and has struggled in the last two post seasons. Could be fatigue. Regardless, there is no reason not to give them 10 to 12 games off in a season. My point is that there are plenty of at bats for Michael Busch between Muncy, Ohtani, Freeman, and Betts off days/injuries and left field in place of Vargas.
Would like to see Vargas get the bulk of the at bats in left field to start the year. I would not platoon Vargas. Dodgers need right handed bats and Vargas needs another opportunity. One of the benefits of a line up headed by Betts Freeman Ohtani Smith and Muncy is that you can afford to give at bats to players like Busch and Vargas. In my opinion it is way too premature to throw in the towel on Busch or Vargas.
Trading for another starter like Cease or Burnes is blocking guys like Sheehan, Stone, Knack and eventually Ryan or Frasso. Especially Cease who has two years left. Can’t see them doing that.
I could see them signing Manaea as a bulk guy when they need to use a 6 man rotation which may be a bigger consideration given Yamamoto’s history in Japan, Buehler’s return from TJ again, and managing innings pitched for young starters like Miller, Sheehan, and Stone. But they may view Yarbrough as a fit for that role.
Sure don’t see the rationale for Hader. I am optimistic about the potential of this bullpen with veterans like Hudson, Treinen, and Feyereisen returning, young guys like Hurt, Frasso, and Vanasco on the horizon, and the holdovers.
Vanasco or Feyereissen. Who makes a bigger impact in 24?
Giants trade DeSclafani and Haniger to the Mariners for Robbie Ray. Mariners also said to be working on a deal with Tampa.
Michael Brantley has decided to retire from baseball. One of the better hitters in the game, he has been plagued by injuries the last few seasons. Rumor mill has Snell wanting to sign with the Yankees. Works for me.
The deadline to submit salary figures for arbitration for those eligible is 1/12. The Dodgers have been a “file and trial” team, so typically, they reach agreements with most players before that deadline. If they settle afterwards, it has been for multi-year deals. I suspect that the front office is busy working on making deals.
The Dodgers have 11 arb eligible players: Buehler, Yarbrough, Ferguson, Almonte, W. Smith, May, Graterol, Phillips, Lux, Feyereisen, and Vesia.
With our prospect depth of talent it’s hard to believe that an AF trade isn’t soon in the making. Who is the most likely target? Burnes, Cease, Luzardo or a big RH bat? And cmon AF, at this point what’s another 100 mil, sign Hader!
The new Shoehei – hits and pitches.
Maybe AF is taking his liking for versatility to a new level – possibly a prerequisite going forward??
Really hoping that we give our young homegrown players a decent runway to see what they can do.
Vargas, Busch, Sheehan and Stone havnt got anything to prove at AAA so let em play. How Walker returns will probably determine whether we need to act at the TD.
My area of concern is our depth at Catcher, and not because I’m a Barnes detractor.
We have already seen Will miss considerable time due to concussion protocols and the cynic in me expects nothing different this season. Austin is no Spring Chicken himself, and if we are being honest (and serious), he is not an everyday Catcher of a WS winner.
Gary Sanchez is out there, and he’s a massive upgrade. Forget the chat around his poor receiving, his numbers are trending the right way, and of course he’s got proper pop. Austin is out of contract after 24 so we are gonna need a replacement anyway. Sanchez makes a lot of sense now. Yes he’s not cheap, but the Dodgers seem to be in win now mode and as someone once said. “Let’s be pigs”. His second half with SD last year was very impressive. He would also be a great Bench Piece.
Happy new year everyone. Let’s hope it’s a good one.