The Dodgers come home tonight after a better than expected road trip. You might look at the Dodger’s recent trip to New York and Chicago and think them losing 4 out of 7 was an unsuccessful trip. To that I say you are wrong. The trip was very successful if only because I figured they would lose every game and bottom into last place. Of course I was pleasantly surprised when they actually took two out of three against the Mets and won a single game against the Cubs. I’m not all doom and gloom. It’s all about the silver linings.
Some of you may still be buzzing over my latest piece. My polarizing yet brutally truthful article was about improving the club’s chances at contending this season by making marginal yet logical decisions. I know some of you agree with me and some of you do not. You should all know by now that I have been very even keel this year. I predicted in spring training that the Dodgers would win 90 games, but lose pathetically in the playoffs. I still stand by that prediction, but now it’s looking like the club may not even get that far. Regardless I have not been as critical of the front office as you think I have been. I just was merely pointing out ways in which the Dodgers could improve their chances of winning this season. Not by making outlandish trades, or by signing expensive free agents (I still believe they should have resigned Zack Greinke), but by using some common sense and baseball IQ.
Dodgers Lineup vs. Atlanta
Utley 2B
Seager SS
Turner 3B
Gonzalez 1B
Pederson CF
Grandal C
Thompson RF
Crawford LF
Maeda P
Julio Teheran-1-5 vs. Kenta Maeda-4-3
Game time – 7:10 PM – TV- SNLA-TBS
Simple things like not batting terrible hitters at the top of the order, or not signing injury riddled pitchers, or dumping roster spot wasters like Carl Crawford. For those of you who disagreed with me, I guess you love watching Carl Crawford bat. God bless you then. I mean hey, if you enjoy mediocrity then more power to you. Continue to watch this season and you’ll be very entertained. For others a .500 record is simply not enough. For us it’s about striving for excellence and winning championships. For others it’s just about enjoying the game and having a good time rooting for the club. For others it’s about both of those, and yet for others it’s about rooting for executives and hoping the Dodger’s payroll lowers. Whatever floats your boat I guess?
Remember that all opinions and thoughts are welcome here, whether you love the front office, or hate them, or just love to watch Chris Hatcher and his astronomical ERA. I do not however want to see any more name calling from anybody, including you Mark. No more calling people idiots or morons. Name calling is no longer acceptable over here. This is your site as much as it is my site and I appreciate all of you. I just want everyone to treat everyone else with respect.
With that said, let’s move on to today’s pitching match-ups. The Atlanta Braves are in town and I am sure the Dodgers are certainly glad to see them. The Braves are the worst club in the National League and the Dodgers should have no problem getting fat off of their terribleness. The Braves are in last place in the NL East with a 16-37 record. They play better on the road than at home like many of the teams in MLB this season. The Braves are 10-14 away from Turner Field.
Right hander and 25-year old Colombian native Julio Teheran will toe the rubber tonight for Atlanta. He’s pitched well this year but gotten zero run support from the Brave’s feeble offense. Teheran is 1-5 with a 2.77 ERA in 11 starts. He’s whiffed 62 and walked 20 and allowed 7.0 hits per nine. Teheran is 0-4 with a 5.63 ERA in 4 career starts against the Dodgers, and is 0-2 with a 7.30 ERA at Dodger Stadium. On April 20 he faced the Dodgers and got a no-decision after allowing two earned runs on 6 hits over 5.1 innings pitched. Speaking of feeble offenses, the Dodgers are anything but when they face Teheran. The boys in blue are batting .327 (37 for 113) with 3 home runs and 19 runs driven in. Yasiel Puig is still out with the strained hamstring. Otherwise it’s the same lineup that hasn’t produced all year long. Once again the futile Justin Turner is batting third and Carl Crawford starts yet again.
Teheran vs. Dodgers
| Name | PA | AB | H | 2B | 3B | HR | RBI | BB | SO | BA | OBP | SLG | OPS | SH | SF | IBB | HBP | GDP |
| Chase Utley | 22 | 21 | 6 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 5 | .286 | .318 | .286 | .604 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Adrian Gonzalez | 18 | 16 | 5 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 5 | 2 | 5 | .313 | .389 | .563 | .951 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| Yasiel Puig | 12 | 10 | 5 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 0 | .500 | .583 | .900 | 1.483 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Carl Crawford | 11 | 11 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 4 | 0 | 3 | .364 | .364 | .636 | 1.000 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| Justin Turner | 11 | 11 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 2 | .273 | .273 | .273 | .545 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| A.J. Ellis | 10 | 7 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 3 | 1 | .286 | .500 | .429 | .929 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Yasmani Grandal | 10 | 9 | 4 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 1 | .444 | .500 | .778 | 1.278 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Howie Kendrick | 8 | 8 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 4 | .375 | .375 | .500 | .875 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Joc Pederson | 8 | 8 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 2 | .375 | .375 | .375 | .750 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Clayton Kershaw | 5 | 5 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 2 | .200 | .200 | .200 | .400 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| Mike Bolsinger | 3 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 3 | .000 | .000 | .000 | .000 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Corey Seager | 3 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | .000 | .000 | .000 | .000 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Trayce Thompson | 1 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1.000 | 1.000 | 1.000 | 2.000 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Total | 122 | 113 | 37 | 7 | 0 | 3 | 19 | 9 | 29 | .327 | .377 | .469 | .846 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 2 |
The Dodgers will counter with Kenta Maeda. The Japanese right hander seems to be recovered from his sore hand after getting struck on a line drive in New York. Maeda is 4-3 with a 3.00 ERA in 10 starts. He hasn’t pitched past the fifth inning since May 6 in Toronto. However he did pitch well in New York before being taken out once his hand started to swell. In that start he tossed five innings of shutout ball. He has never faced the Braves. At Dodger Stadium he is 3-0 with a 1.91 ERA.
The Dodgers are still 5.5 games behind the Giants, but this is a perfect time to start making up some ground. The Giants just recently lost Hunter Pence for at least 8 weeks with a torn hamstring. Reports are indicating that he could require surgery. The Giants are also without Matt Cain, and Angel Pagan who also both tore hamstrings. It’s about time some Giants start pulling hamstrings instead of the Dodgers, because you know it’s usually the Dodgers. Not that I want anyone to get hurt or anything, but just saying that this is a good time to gain some ground.
Enjoy the game! Go Blue!
Not that I am the judge, I am not, but that was more like it Scott. I have been critical of FAZ but I try not to say it in a way that sounds like I am smarter than they are or say they are stupid.
I don’t like to say Turner should not hit third without saying what the entire lineup should look like, IMHO. I am always curious when someone wants to hit Kendrick third and Turner 5th who they want in the outfield because that puts Kendrick in LF. Who is out, Puig, Joc, Trayce? One of them has to be.
That same person will typically complain about platooning.
Bum
I just want Turner not to be hitting in the third
position.
And I am more concerned about the team, then Turner’s ego.
And moving Turner down, might be the best thing for Turner, himself.
Because pitchers, will not pitch Turner the same way, he is being pitched, in the heart of the order.
Pitchers, tend to let up, with hitters, farther down, in the line up.
And Turner hitting, is also best for the team!
Tonite lineup STILL has Turner in the 3rd slot. WHY WHY WHY. If Turner plays he HAS to be moved down in the order. Why not reverse Turner and Trayce in the lineup or move AGon up to 3rd and Trayce to 4th?? Is that such a bad idea? Why if so??
Trace- OPS.872(highest on the team). Turner-.656 OPS. Doesn’t it make sense for the better hitter( so far) get the opportunity for more AB’s than someone who’s OPS is more than 200 points below. Maybe I’m mistaken but isn’t the #3 hole more important than the #7 hole?
I totally agree with you Richie
I like your idea Richie!
The Dodgers will not release Crawford because Badger is subsidizing his salary for the Dodgers so that he can continue to spew his …. stuff that THE TRADE was good. If they release Crawfish, it was obviously a DEBACLE!
Honestly Mark, I am beginning to see your point about the trade hurting the club long term financially. Being stuck with Crawford for years. I still love Gonzo, but I am now seeing what you mean.
I didn’t like the TRADE. The money could have been spent on free agents.
Bum
That is no reason to not like Agone. He is a Dodger now, and he is there best situationally hitter. And I like Turner too. But he isn’t hitting like the Turner of old. And really, Turner isn’t hitting at all.
I like Agon. He helps everybody on the team and it looks like he has taken Puig under his wing. What’s not to like about Agon other than he getting at the end of his career. He is my wife’s favorite player. She calls him speedy.
His comment in the last thread made me think a little harder about that, too,
It depends if there really are financial constraints. The team is loaded, but you can’t keep burning more and more money in perpetuity. I don’t think any of us know what that hard ceiling is….if there is one. If so, just having a spending cap or pressure to get payroll down goes far in explaining a lot of the moves and non-moves this front office has done. I might be critical of the FO for not at least going after a Cueto, but if there are hard spending limits, I can understand it a little more. This is where The Trade has an impact.
Bum
That is a great name for Agone, by your wife. It fits on both counts.
Considering his name, and he sure isn’t speedy!
Well Scott and Mark, I like to see your input on what I said above.
I prefer Crawford in LF over Kendrick against a right hander. Maybe they are showcasing Crawford. If the Dodgers want to trade Crawford and Kendrick, i am okay with that but I would prefer it to be in a package that is big.
The merits and demerits of the trade have been discussed ad nauseum. I’ll take the Division Titles and move on. And do we need to go over the finances again. Crawford’s salary is not what’s hurting this team. What’s hurting the team is poor offense – and 9 blown saves.
So pitching in New York against the defending NL Champs is less pressure than pitching at home against the Padres or Braves. Ok. I don’t see it that way. And it’s not second guessing when you make your point before the event actually happens.
This is where Badger tries to throw you off with one of his smokescreens!
It’s not working…
Go to Plan B!
Mark, I don’t need you to help me think.
I assume management wants to get SOMETHING for Crawford rather than a straight release so that is why they will default to giving him more opportunities to put up some kind of numbers.
To me, what is obvious is they’re trying to build a youthful core and at THE SAME TIME, seriously contend to win it all – at least that’s the mantra. I think those two ideas are at odds. Pederson, Seager, Thompson, Urias, DeLeon, Cotton and Bellinger are all part of the upcoming core. But the (supposed to be) complimentary pieces like AGon & bad neck, Turner & knee & no Spring Training, Ethier & broken leg, Puig & hammy, all are less than 100%. Some of these guys will be back and contribute some won’t. Don’t change course now after we hung onto so many of the young core just to get to this point. YMMV.
I dig what you are saying, Dan!
Ender Inciarte is off to a horrid start and is unhappy in THE ATL. He would be a great leadoff hitter for the Dodgers.
So, trade Zack Lee (because I include him in every deal), Alex Verdugo, Jharel Cotton and Willie Calhoun for Ender Inciarte. Inciarte get re-united with his hitting coach of last year (for whatever that is worth). That’s 4 of the Dodgers TOP 21 Prospects, but they have a ton of them now. Verdugo should be a solid player as will Calhoun, but Inciarte is a perfect fit. He can play LF or CF if JOC doesn’t cut it.
Now, here’s where it gets crazy: The Dodgers trade Carl Crawford (and pay all of his salary ), Yasiel Puig, Micah Johnson and Yadier Alvarez to Tampa Bay for Evan Longoria. Crawfish ends his career with the team who signed him as a DH (crowd draw, DH if he can stay healthy, plus he’s free). Puig puts his fellow countrymen’s butts in seats and TB re-loads with two more very good prospects. TB also gets relief of Longoria’s salary.
That still leaves Turner and Kendrick, one of whom needs to be traded… maybe for another reliever.
1. Inciarte LF (L)
2. Utley/Hernandez 2B (L/R)
3. Seager SS (L)
4. Longoria 3B (R)
5. A-Gon 1B (L)
6. Thompson RF (R)
7. Grandal C (L/R)
8. Pederson CF (L)
Bench: Kendrick or Turner, Barnes, Ellis, SVS, Ethier.
OK, it’s crazy but it just might work.
That one came out of left field. Not the first comment that came out of left field today.
Another set of trades that is never going to happen…
Well let’s just hope the Dodgers take care of the Braves in this series, and the Cardinals, take care of the Giants, in there series!
If anyone thinks Crawford could be traded without the Dodgers paying at least $18 million of his salary, they are not a moron, they are not an idiot. They are sub-human!
The Dodgers should come out hitting tonight. Because it is 95 degrees at 6, and this is the hottest, it has been, in Southern California this year!
Good job laying down the law on name calling. Way too childish.
Speaking of Colombia, they are the Yanks rivals tonight as the Copa America kicks off tonight. The US vs Colombia from Levi Stadium in Santa Clara. Keep the US soccer team in your prayers. They will probably need it.
Cheers and go Dodgers and go Team USA!
MT great to read ya. On the trades though, maybe not , just an opinion though. FAZ will probably do it. Think they should carry on with their plan to ambush all the killer FAs in 2018. Few of them, Young studs under control and Kershaw. Now that’s a plan.
Puig on 15 DL, and Scotty is reinstated on the team.
My comment came out of left field?
I reside in LF!
MT has a nice little condo in LF! Lol
Re: your trade ideas, I like the first one with the exception of Cotton – yet. He gives up the long ball too much but that MAY be coachable. I’d substitute someone else.
Re: Your Longoria trade idea, I like the thoughts justifying it but I think it’s too much. Not so much the players named but ALL of Crawford’s salary AND they get Puig and Alvarez and Johnson? Don’t have a problem with the quantity or names but maybe I honk there’s less upside with him than with a name like Stanton or Fernandez instead plus give up another impact player. GULP, but maybe if Joc or SVS were included and we take the majority of his salary? Hey, we’re dreaming out loud anyway, aren’t we?! Lol
In the past 20 years, no Dodger GM has ever pulled the string on any of my excellent trade ideas! I am truly miffed!
I think that Maeda pitches better, when AJ is catching. And I am not a Grandal hater. It is just a observation.
7-1/3, 1 Earned Run
… so AJ would have had a shutout?
Another stellar start – no hits for the Dodgers after 3 innings; Maeda hit for 2 runs right away.
Wooooo!!! Thompson!!!!
The rookies, Seager and Thompson, are showing us the way.
Should Corey Seager be an All-Star?
Probably!
Cory has more HRs then Coria!
RIP – Mohammed Ali!
You were the Greatest!
Why couldn’t Jim Johnson have pitched like that for us?
Let me write this for you:
“Yeah, Blanton looked good, but….
Someone told you a long time ago what Corey Seager would be…
I remember Badger raining on that parade… which he always does.
“Another Joel Guzman.”
Yeah, that’s what he said!
Boy, when the Dodgers are doing well, you sniveling little ________________ sure go away, don’t you?
STFU!
It sure is quiet in here. No excitement because you have nothing to bitch about!
I am so sick of this.
Don’t forget to take your meds, Lil’ Red Rooster.
Maybe, just maybe, we are starting to see our 7, 8. and 9 inning pitchers.
So this Seager kid is pretty good
Trayce Thompson and Cory Seager – 5 for 7, 4 R, 4 RBI, 4 HR
rest of Dodgers: 0 for 20.
Bring on the kids!
AMEN!
Love the right left combination.
Love the way the rookies performed tonite but the rest of the team???? We can’t afford to depend on the rookies all the time and maybe what Trace did will open up some eyes and get Turner the hell out of #3.
The fantasy trade proposals for Lucroy and Braun seem palatable now although I think we should start with Puig, Grandal, and Pedersen along with Lee and a few others like Crawford + cash.
Don’t give up on Joc yet. This time last season he was being proclaimed as the consensus ROY. You don’t get to the bigs and do what he did the first half, then forget everything you ever knew about hitting.