I think all this winning is going to get old! Just Kidding! I’m not joking when I say this team might win 120 games! Even in a bullpen game against the Giants Ace, they looked dominant. With 5 HR in his first seven games, Mookie Bettes is on pace for 115 Home Runs! Yeah, that will happen! Ohtani, Outman, and Lux have not even got untracked. Hopefully, when Mookie cools down, they will step up.
And why did the Dodgers trade him for a player that they released yesterday? Issues like this are never spelled out in the media. You really can’t even read between the lines. The beat writers and team officials all know about what is happening behind the scenes, and they talk to guys like Caleb Ferguson, but if they want “access” there are certain things they simply cannot say. It is understood. Let me illustrate.
About 10-11 years ago, Jon Broxton was the Dodgers’ closer, and he had a way of coughing up the lead. I wrote a blog and called him a “second-tier closer.” A few weeks later, I was at Spring Training and interviewing Logan White, and I asked him why the Dodgers had a “second-tier” closer on camera. He acted indignant and said, “Mark, that is unfair. He is really a solid closer, and we have all the confidence in the world in Jon.“ When the interview was over and the camera was off, as we walked out, Logan put his hand on my shoulder and whispered, “Yeah, he’s a second-tier closer.” I never told that story until a bout a year ago. Hopefully, Logan doesn’t read LADT!
I am not saying that Caleb Ferguson was a bad guy, but he was left off the playoff roster, and he complained that he should be closing. He thought he was better than Phillips or that (at least) they should share the closing role. I think it was just immaturity. He had a new baby – his life changed, and stuff happened. People around baseball know all this. I knew this, and so did other bloggers. The Yankees were willing to take a flyer on Caleb and hopefully, it works out, but they weren’t willing to play much.
Or maybe you believe that Andrew Friedman could have gotten a lot more in return from Ferguson but chose to just give him away? If you think that, you are certainly delusional! However, when the opportunity arose, Cashman did make Andrew Friedman a good deal on Nick Ramirez, who may or may not be LOOGY! Ramirez averages 90.4 MPH on his fastball and has a changeup, sweeper, slider, and a knuckle curve. He’s worth a look.
This group of guys really like each other and have no bad attitudes, as you can seen in this video with Shojei and Teoscar!
Love the minor league content, Mark. Thank you.
In the next couple of days, we will have the minor league preview on each team.
you could see misery in caleb ferguson s face. never saw him smile any time the camera was on him. goodbye, good riddance. a nice lefty for the bullpen would be nice. don’t trust vesia at all. i posted earlier, wouldn’t it be nice if hitters 1-6 all hit in the same game! wish ohtani would come back! vargas heating up? a shame it doesn’t happen in the bigs! maybe some day, hope so. barnes tonight? oh well, go barnes!!!!
The umpire last night, Phil Cuzzi, was atrocious. His K zone for Webb was wider than an elephant’s ass. You look at some of those strike calls on Smith and Lux, and they are just totally out of the zone by 6 inches or more. It was not a pretty win, but a W just the same. Grove looked good his first inning, then seemed to lose his control. He also got squeezed a few times by Cuzzi who gave those same pitches to Webb. I will be heading back home to Colorado next Thursday. Trammell will find out today if he goes back on the waiver wire or is activated if they have to put Heyward on the IL.
Taylor Trammel has tantalizing physical tools, but other than Rookie Leagues and Low A at the beginning of his career, he has very seldom excelled. In 7 years, his career Minor League BA is .260… but he has the tools… just not the results.
Totally agree with that assessment. He hit .268 at AAA Tacoma last year with 21 bombs and 63 driven in. He hit .274 in his three seasons in AAA. He has 304 MLB at bats, 15 long balls, but like you said, not much contact.
It’s good to see Vargas off to a hot start. Last season was the only time he has ever experienced adversity. Unlike Trammell, he has exhibited the tools and has the minor-league stats to match. For those who discount his power, he CRUSHED that Grand Slam last night.
If they put Heyward on the IL< I still think Trammell gets the call. If not, he will be back on the waiver wire by this afternoon. Miggy will get his shot sometime this season, but next year for sure if he is not part of some trade. Marlins DFA'd Amaya.
The called third strike on Lux was criminal. I said it a few days ago, but I really like how is swing looks and I’m confident the results are about to become more and more positive. Same with Outman. Dude is crushing the ball. Just unlucky hitting it right at ’em.
Terrible calls seemingly favoring the Giants. I felt so bad for Will, looked like felt he had to chase that outside pitch or have it called a strike. Bring on the electronic strike calling system!
Voters in Missouri rejected a tax that would fund renovations to both Arrowhead and Kaufman Stadiums in K.C. Both ownership groups said the vote places the future of both franchises in Jackson County in doubt. Voters probably tired of funding billionaire’s stadiums anymore. More pressing issues seem to be important. The A’s also stated that they and the city of Oakland are far apart in an agreement to let the A’s play there until their new ballpark is ready in Las Vegas.
Chiefs aint going anywhere, now the Royals……Nashville anyone????
Similar thing happened here in Virginia. Hockey/hoops billionaire owner wanted taxpayers to support a new sports complex. Got shot down!
If Buehler comes back and can be close to the 21-20 version that is absolutely huge. He is a game 1 starter.
You line up Buehler, Glasnow, Miller, Yamamoto, that is scary right there. A lot different than a hurt Kersh, rookie Miller and Lynn….
In the Pen we could have…Kershaw, Stone, May, Sheehan….fun to think about that…
Im going to enjoy this ride all season long.
Cmon Matt, don’t get satisfied. We need to have you coming up with some of your wild trades!
scary to think that the dodgers are winning games and the offense is at around 60%!! it’s early but if heyward is down with back issues, or he can’t match last year production, what to do? kiki and taylor supply really good defense,but also a lot of swing and miss. that’s why trammel could be a diamond in the coal pile!! maybe RVS can work some MAGIC with him!! like i said earlier, it’s not the time to panic, but the bottom 3 have to produce. listening to mlb network this morning, i’m not sure but i think the Phillies won the world series yesterday! although steve phillips picked mookie as mvp this season. wow, he went out on a limb with that one! hopefully we get the sweep today! just a quick thought. if i could snatch wilmer flores from the giants i would do it in a heartbeat! good player and hits the dodgers very well.
So what would a package of Sheehan, Grove, Knack and Vargas/Pages fetch????
OK, let’s assume that Sheehan comes back healthy, Grove works out his issues, Kanck keeps it up, and Vargas or Pages hits like a beast: A whole lot! See who is out of contention at the trade deadline and make a deal.
Kings Ransom
Good win by the Dodgers! And beating the Giants twice in a row is always enjoyable! Mookie continues to amaze with his torrid start. The roster is so deep, they can win a bullpen game even when some bats are struggling. They knocked out Webb in the 4th inning, which is his second shortest start in the last two years. While Webb pitched ok in his first start, he was really bad in spring training. He had over a 12 era in his last 4 spring training starts, giving up at least 4 runs every game. His last spring training start he gave up 9 runs in the first inning. Sure that is only spring training, but now 5 of his last 6 starts have been poor.
And another Dodger villain did not fare well last night. Astros closer Josh Hader gave up a two out, two run HR in the 9th inning to blow his first save opportunity with the Astros. Blue Jays beat them 2-1 on the Davis Schneider HR off of Hader. Astros are now 1-5.
Hader is 0-2 with a 6.75 ERA and a 1.50 WHIP.
I seem to remember quite a few people on here jonesing for Hader. Me thinks we may have dodged a bullet!
How many outs did he get? Maybe we should break down how much he gets paid per out.
The Astro’s only win is from a 30-year-old Rookie Pitcher who threw a no-hitter after 7-years in the minors!
As someone surrounded by Astros fans, including a neighbor flying an Astros flag, I’m taking great satisfaction in the start to their season. A 4 game weekend set looms with the Rangers in Arlington, too. Things could get out of hand quickly. Such a shame.
Could Valdez or Alvarez be on the block come deadline time?
I doubt it.
I’m not throwing that much dirt on them quite yet. I don’t think there is anyway they would ever let us get our hands on Alvarez again.
And Valdez is a bitch. We don’t want him.
And your house isn’t covered in Dodger flags? No custom made “Trashtros” flags?
LOL! Quick Google search
https://www.google.com/search?q=trashtros+poster&oq=trashtros+poster&gs_lcrp=EgZjaHJvbWUyBggAEEUYOTIHCAEQIRigAdIBCDg0ODRqMGo3qAIAsAIA&sourceid=chrome&ie=UTF-8
LOL. I have to coexist with these people. I do wear either a Dodger hat or shirt everyday I leave the house to take the dog for a walk. Every single neighbor knows my allegiance! I’ve even got a few of them watching late night Dodger games to keep up.
Caleb Ferguson made negative remarks in the media on multiple occasions. Once he was crying about being on the disabled list. Wanted a bigger role but kept messing it up. Was not dominate against lefties. Failed multiple times in the opener roll. Like Vesia and Kelly drama every time he pitched. Mb he was a player that Muncy was referring to when he said the players who are not team first have been weeded out. He certainly is talented but I don’t miss him or c him in a high leverage roll. Friedman continues to seek lefties. Mb Pomeranz will be the guy.
If you want a reason why to bring in the Automatic Balls and Strikes System, look no further than Phil Cuzzi!
https://x.com/ChadMoriyama/status/1775354522396926107?s=20
I am posting this above.
Long overdue as far as I’m concerned.
“..but if they want ‘access’ there are certain things they simply cannot say.”
BINGO!! And that’s especially true with media and politics.
… and then there is outright lying to obfuscate the truth.
It’s one thing to lie by omission, Quite another to lie by commission.
There is a pending Supreme Court Case that is pivotal to government-controlled media.
If you are referencing Murthy, that’s not at all what the court case is about.
He’s probably referencing Kari Lake/Mark Finchem vs. AZ Secretary of State Adrian Fontes. It’s a big one to continue to help expose the lies and fraud.
That case is a joke, as per the below he is referencing Murthy. Most of the Justices did not seem to be inclined to rein in the executive office on this.
So, go peddle that weak BULLSHIT somewhere else Bluto. If they gave you an enema, they could bury you in a shoebox. You are so biased you have to drive in Europe.
I put up with your casual moral superiority on a daily basis, but when it smells like shit, I flush it.
I am sorry if I offended you… but FUCK YOU if I did!
Feel free to just go away! BYE!
What? Are you okay?
I wasn’t offended in the least.
What made you think I was offended? I just think the Murthy case is less about “Government Controlled” media, and more about the ability of the executive office to communicate with the public and regulate important messages.
Now, if we want to talk about NPR, that’s probably more rightly considered Governent Controlled media.
Most, if not all, of the Justices seem to agree what the White House did wasn’t coercive, and that’s all I cited.
Jeez.
It’s definitely a First Amendment Case. the oral argument in Murthy v. Missouri was two weeks ago. The case involves the Biden administration pressuring social media companies to block views that the White House objects to on topics including COVID-19 origins, masks, vaccines, lockdowns, the Hunter Biden laptop, climate change, mail-in voting, and election integrity. The Biden administration sought to censor free speech even when the social media companies knew the suppressed misinformation was true. (not my words – from the briefs)
I gotta humbly admit maybe I was wrong about Ferguson. Guess statistics alone don’t tell the whole story. Good point that they let him go for next to nothing, Mark. (cause he wasn’t wanted around, plus Muncy’s remarks about ‘bad teammates’). The other lefty we dumped Victor Gonzalez seemed to have lost his effectiveness. I actually love that trade. Trey Sweeney is a future big leaguer. Alex Vesia has been very ineffective since the pitch clock. Wild high all the time. I like the chances with Pomeranz better than Nick Ram. Ramirez pitched in Detroit and wasn’t consistent for even an inning. I’m pulling for Lament. He could be another Shelby Miller for us this year. Of all our 30+ RHRP, I think Kelly and Treinen have the worse chances of lasting the
whole season. Definitely missing Graterol these days..
I wouldn’t close the book on Ferguson yet. He had a 3.38 era with the Dodgers including a 1.82 ERA in 2021. He also had a career ERA of 0.00 with zero hits allowed in 8 postseason appearances. He certainly lost effectiveness in 2023, and I am not privy to the clubhouse or attitude rumors. But Caleb got a save today against the Dbacks, and has thrown 3 scoreless innings for the 6-1 Yankees so far this season.
I have not closed the book on him. I think he may do well with the Yankees. He was immature and clashed with Prior. Move on…
Actually, Vesia did very well after the All-Star Break last year – 2.54 ERA!
It’s early. Give it time.
Heyward to IL, Trammell placed on the active roster. Will wear. # 6.
10:10 PM ET
Giants (2-4)
Dodgers (6-2)
SP Kyle Harrison L
1-0 3.00 ERA
SP Tyler Glasnow R
1-0 2.45 ERA
Confirmed Lineup
2B Mookie Betts R
DH S. Ohtani L
1B F. Freeman L
C Will Smith R
RF T. Hernandez R
3B Max Muncy L
CF E. Hernandez R
LF Chris Taylor R
SS Miguel Rojas R
0%
62° Wind 9 mph Out
It’s not a platoon!
Quick question. I’m watching the game and Glasnow is pitching from the stretch with no runners on. Has he been doing this all spring and regular season ? I thought he was using the full windup in Korea.. ???
Well, it looks like a platoon to me!
Eric is a LA Outman Fan.
Not a LA Dodger Fan.
He’s only happy when his boy (James) is doing OK.
He is who I thought he was!
Hater.
Those are fighting words! The way Rojas is hitting , Lux may get platooned against righties as well!
If Orel keeps going on, he’s gonna make me cry!
It appears Miggie Ro is swinging with just a little more conviction!! Adames who??
VIVA AZUL!!!
Glasnow seems to lose his command and focus around the 80 pitch count. He needs to fight through that to be a true ace.
This umpire must hate Muncy. 3 terrible calls.
Surely not Lamet
Great job Lamet! Dodgers sweep!! Ohtani first homer against the G. …S
So far, Roberts is employing a Lux/Rojas platoon in the batting order, with Mookie shuttling from SS to 2B.
And so far, so good. Dodgers have 6 HRs from the SS position. (One of Mookie’s 5 evidently came when he was playing 2B.)
Kike took Outman’s place at CF in this game, but he recently took Max’s spot at 3B while Outman played CF. Yesterday, Kike made a great play out in LF. So I’d say Roberts is trying to keep Kike involved in multiple positions. (The other day, Roberts also inserted Rojas at SS as late-inning defense, with Mookie shifting to 2B.) Anyway, I like the way Roberts is using all this “optionality.”
With Heyward out, Teoscar takes over RF full-time… or maybe, “permanently for now.”
I assume we’ll see Trammel in LF soon, with a long-shot chance at a Cinderella story. (Trayce Thompson had one a couple years back. Fun while it lasted.) I guess Trammel makes sense for “roster management,” but why isn’t Mark’s boy Miguelito getting called up? He just hit a grand slam!
The answer, I suppose, is that the greater purpose is served by having Miguelito playing full-time in OKC, polishing his LF skills. Anyway, Trammel is a first-round talent. We can hope he’s just a late bloomer.
I read somewhere Dinelson Lamet described as a “journeyman.” True enough, I guess, but he was hot stuff a few years back, finishing 4th in Cy voting in 2000. But if he keeps this up, we’ll start thinking of him Prior’s new great reclamation success. Year after year it seems like the Dodgers breathe new life into a pitcher’s career.
Interesting that Roberts didn’t pinch hit Outman for Kike against Rogers in the 8th. Did the Giants have a lefty warming up in the pen? Seems like the runway is shortening for both Lux and Outman. Happy for Lamet. He’d be a nice comeback story. And Kelly pitched like a Porsche tonight.