As the Dodgers prepare to play the Padres in Slam Diego this weekend, it occurred to me that maybe there is a team sitting on a bad contract that the Dodgers might target to get rid of Chris Taylor. I have not had time to consider who that might be, but I’ll bet there is a longer, bigger, bad contract that the Dodgers might take a flyer on. Have fun! Are there any deals that might work for the Dodgers? If Heyward is activated this weekend, something has to give, and I think Outman will be back at OKC.
There’s a piece in The Athletic today on whether the As will trade Mason Miller. In part, it says:
Thus, if the Padres wanted Miller at this early stage, the A’s likely would ask for rookie center fielder Jackson Merrill. Other teams would be hit with similar requests. Baseball Trade Values estimates a fair deal with the Baltimore Orioles would involve two of Keith Law’s top 100 prospects: corner infielder Coby Mayo (No. 27) and outfielder Enrique Bradfield Jr. (No. 64).
It doesn’t appear likely he will be traded!
Down on the Farm
OKC BASEBALL CLUB – OKC scored 22 runs. Austin Gauthier was 3-4 with his first AAA home run. Hunter Feduccia was 4-7 with 6 RBI, Andre Lipcius was 3-4 with 4 RBI, and they still aren’t pitching to Miguel Vargas, who was 1-3 with four walks. They are trying to make him chase outside of the zone. Ben Casparius won his first AAA game, going five innings, allowing but three hits and no runs. He struck out five and walked three. Casparius hit 97 MPH on his four-seamer. Tanner Dodson (converted outfielder) pitched two hitless, scoreless innings. He has a 1.62 ERA and 16 strikeouts in 16.2 IP. His WHIP is 1.62 because he has walked 14 batters.
TULSA DRILLERS – Tulsa lost 9-5 as Kendall Williams continues to struggle in AA. He went five innings, allowing seven hits and seven runs (8.49 ERA). I have never been impressed with Kendall and I have seen him in person several times. He’s “meh” to me.
GREAT LAKES LOONS – The Loons won 5-3, behind Jake Gelofs‘ first A+ home run – a three-run shot. Liranzo was 2-3 as he is getting a handle on A+ pitching. I am very high on Jake Gelof, who I see as a Max Muncy-type player, except that he is RH and with better bat-to-ball skills. His defense is criticized, but the more I watch him, the more convinced I am that he is a ballplayer! Maddux Bruns started and went four innings, allowing three hits and no runs. He struck out six and walked two. His ERA now sits at 1.04. Lucas Wepf got his fourth save. He has a 2.63 ERA and a 0.95 WHIP. He also has nineteen Ks in 13.2 IP. He’s a move-up candidate.
RANCHO CUCAMONGA QUAKES – The Quakes lost 8-6. Nothing to report here.
ARIZONA COMPLEX LEAGUE DODGERS – The ACL Dodgers lost 8-1 – Move along…
DOMINICAN SUMMER LEAGUE DODGERS BAUTISTA – No game.
DOMINICAN SUMMER LEAGUE DODGERS MEGA – No game.
In case you are wondering, I do not think there is value in giving you a game summary. You can find that in plenty of other places. Why duplicate other’s work? A blog is generally an “opinion piece.” This is my subjective opinion of players who are real prospects. You will not see me write about players who are not really worthy of the Show (Kendall Williams). That’ what you get here.
Discussion (13)
Disagree, not disagreeable
Tough loss. But there is reason to kvetch.
Treinen threw 14 pitches and got two Ks in a clean 8th.
But of course Roberts didn’t use him in the 9th because that 15th pitch would surely make his arm fall off. So Michael Grove, not exactly a high-leverage guy, was brought in.
Grove gave up a double, got a strike out and then gave up the game-winner to Luis Arraez, the Pad’s new lead-off hitter, a Gwynn-like master of making contact.
Funny how Hader got a lot of heat–rightfully–for his determination to pitch just one inning and never more. But Roberts, or maybe the full Dodgers brain trust, often seems allergic to the idea.
Oh well. The bullpen is now missing Phillips, Graterol, Brasier, Kelly and Hurt. To me, that would be another reason to send Treinen out for the 9th, assuming he felt OK.
While Mark thinks the A’s won’t trade Mason Miller, the speculation is intensifying. Fangraphs has a piece listing five or six teams with the prospects to theoretically swing such a deal–none of which are the Dodgers.
I would certainly add the Dodgers to that list. While I fear that the Braves or Phillies could get Miller to face the Dodgers in the playoffs, the Orioles could have a major interest because they now know what Dodgers fans learned: Craig Kimbrel just isn’t very good these days.
I’d wager that the A’s deal Miller this season for a few reasons:
–First, they can get the maximum value for Mason sooner rather than later. He’s only in the second year of his contract; the acquiring team would have him for four more years. Waiting a season reduces his value and increases the risk of injury.
–Second, the A’s cannot be expected to contend for a wild card this season. The new players could put them in a better position for the future.
— Third, the A’s owner has already alienated the fan base.
I have no idea what the A’s would want for Miller, but the Dodgers could surely put together a competitive mix of hitters and pitchers.
Great game tonight, tip your cap to both pitchers . Little step brothers down south always treat our games as a World Series , but even with the loss we hung tough and battled. Glasnow is a beast! Love how we didn’t pack it in. Still feel like this team hasn’t even reached its stride yet. Also don’t forget. A lot of teams , including San Diego, are going to align their pitching staff to put their top 3 guys out there whenever the Dodgers come to town, we will always get that teams best shot. Comes with the territory.
Phillips (hamstring) was out on the field playing catch Friday, David Vassegh of AM 570 LA Sports reports.
Phillips was placed on the 15-day IL on Sunday due to a Grade 1 right hamstring strain he sustained May 3 against Atlanta. He is eligible to return May 19, and the right-hander could return to action when his minimum IL stint is complete. Phillips has eight saves with a 0.66 ERA, 1.02 WHIP and 17:4 K:BB over 13.2 innings this season.
The Giants have traded ex Dodger right-hander Mitch White, who they designated for assignment earlier this week, to the Brewers for cash considerations. His third team in a month, Toronto, Giants and now the Brewers.
On August 2, 2022, White and Alex De Jesus were traded by the Dodgers to the Toronto Blue Jays in exchange for Nick Frasso and Moises Brito.
Friday Dodger Minor League Schedule
3:05 p.m. PT: Great Lakes (Jacob Meador) vs. Lansing (Mitch Myers)
5 p.m.: Tulsa (TBA) at Midland (TBA)
5:05 p.m.: Oklahoma City (Eduardo Salazar) at Sugar Land (AJ Blubaugh)
6:30 p.m.: Rancho Cucamonga (Cam Day) at Visalia (Roman Angelo)
Tulsa game notes say the Drillers will likely start either Hyun-il Choi or Yon Castro
9:40 PM ET
Dodgers (26-13)
Padres (20-20)
SP Tyler Glasnow R
6-1 2.70 ERA
SP Michael King R
3-3 4.29 ERA
Confirmed Lineup
SS Mookie Betts R
DH S. Ohtani L
1B F. Freeman L
C Will Smith R
3B Max Muncy L
LF T. Hernandez R
RF Andy Pages R
2B Gavin Lux L
CF James Outman L
64° Wind 8 mph L-R
on the days will doesn’t catch of course he can pinch hit. i. was just making the point LA had a 3rd catcher who could play other positions he might be useful. i doubt Feduccia is a worse hitter than Barnes . And if say Will hit for Barnes late in the game , Hunter could catch . it’s just a thought! Couldn’t be any worse than the space Taylor is occupying right now! But as Bear said earlier, he can’t play anywhere y so it doesn’t matter.
To dodgerram – this is a baseball blog – shots across the bow on some ridiculous position should be saved for those other sites that cater to that stuff.
Appreciate the understanding going forward.
Mark – As always appreciate the links to the minor league stuff and definitely agree that you do not need to waste time on the Dodger game summary.
Looking forward to the next 6-games – as I live up in the Northern CA area I am enjoying listening to the Giant fans go crazy about the season so far. I will admit that they have the potential to have a superior starting staff if their pitching injuries are resolved. However, I do not see how they bats get a whole bunch better.
Currently they have six teams in front of them for the final Wildcard position.
You just just never know, Enjoy every minute of every day.
Former big league infielder Sean Burroughs passed away this week at just 43 years of age, Bob Nightengale of USA Today reports. Tragically, the former Little League World Series hero and No. 9 overall draft pick collapsed while coaching his son’s little league game.
well mr . bluto, it would allow doc the luxury of pinch hitting for Barnes late in games he started without bringing smith in. it would allow smith to be a pinch hitter and still have a backup catcher . but. since. hunter doesn’t play any other positions it really doesn’t matter.
Thanks Bear! I know Barnes can play some 2nd, but that doesn’t help much. Can’t hit any way. Not ragging on Barnes , just curious. Of course if Ohtani were to play some left field that would keep Wills bat in the lineup. Heard the talk, just don’t know if the dodgers take a chance with that arm!!!
Can Feduccia play any other positions besides catcher?? If so , any chance they could bring him up as a catcher/utility player? I’m pretty sure Kiki is the emergency catcher. Might be nice to carry 3 catchers, opens up a lot of options. Just wondering.
Cool stuff, Mark. Appreciate the minor league content.