NEWS/RUMORS/AROUND MLB Thread

Discussion in 'Los Angeles DODGERS' started by irish, Feb 15, 2017.

Thread Status:
Not open for further replies.
  1. rube

    rube DSP Legend Staff Member Administrator

    Joined:
    Nov 2011
    Messages:
    15,460
    Likes Received:
    8,213
    Trophy Points:
    198
    Exactly. Its just part of life.
     
  2. Fall Winslow

    Fall Winslow McRib

    Joined:
    Sep 2015
    Messages:
    25,538
    Likes Received:
    9,526
    Trophy Points:
    228

    Some definitely piled on Puig when he 1st came up, but you have to admit that the love was coming in strong as well. The highlights were good for TV..the lowlights were good for TV. He was crazy and people loved/hated it..he was 22. But now, like Sherman, you and I have said - he's basically prospect status with the production, so nobody wants to see the foolishness.

    And here's the thing.." nobody " includes his teammates, which is important. A lot of times there are consequences for doing some of the things that get done by these young punks and so their teammates absolutely have to be supportive because they'll be the ones charged with clearing the dugout and rushing the field when retaliation for some foolishness comes about..and some of that BS can absolutely be avoided. I'm talking guys potentially getting suspended and missing important games/losing game checks..look, the shit needs to be worth it. And for a guy like Puig, who's on his last chance, he needs to pipe down and walk the straight and narrow for sure. Nobody on this team needs to get HBP, suspended, etc. because of Puig and his BS at a point in his career when his production is questionable. When he was an all-star..hey, the guy is producing..protect him at all costs whenever he fucks up or against head-hunting pitchers and bitch umps, it's worth it. Now? Not so much. It's hurting more than it's helping. This is the reality..not some little league, everyone gets a trophy BS. Everyone's not afforded the same. I remember when somebody wondered why Yasmani could get away with something Puig couldn't..ummm, because Yasmani is basically our star QB? Lol He's going to be treated differently.



    Lol Of course the LAD fan thinks his guy isn't the underdog, and that the Cubs were what?..the Duncan era Spurs/just slurped by the media, fans, and anybody breathing? Come on, man. Sure, Puig is gifted, but basically every cuban defector story is a ready-made underdog story for obvious reasons and when he was doing great he had that behind him. There was even going to be a book or movie or some shit.

    As for the Cubs, I'll give you the media..they definitely slurped the Cubs, but the fan hate around the league for that corny Cubby shit was going toe to toe with all the love. They were basically the Showtime Lakers..both slurped and hated at the same time and a dream for the league. You were onto something initially, though, I believe because Baez has a scrappy story..even though he is super-talented as well. Don't let the scrappy story fool you, Baez is a plus athlete with a plus power tool and plus defensive potential..he is no bum. We're talking about a 1st round/9th overall selection that was pretty much immediately vaulted into Top 100 spec lists. Shit, Baez was making as much or more noise than Puig in 2012, before Puig made the jump and took MLB by storm the next year..all to say that Baez was ballyhooed for his raw skill set himself. So yeah, I don't agree with Baez being this underdog..the scrappy story of him working so diligently to somewhat polish his raw skill set is a sort a facade. Baez is a douche and also a competitor..Baez is alternate universe Jeff Kent? Either way, there a good amount of people around the game that were waiting for Baez to figure it out, so I do agree that he was having his cock sucked a good deal, just for finally giving glimpses of his plus talent.
     
    Last edited: Mar 19, 2017
  3. BlueMouse

    BlueMouse 2020 World Champions

    Joined:
    Nov 2011
    Messages:
    12,445
    Likes Received:
    14,570
    Trophy Points:
    198
    It's possible the treatment of Puig and Baez is the same, and by that I mean 2013 Puig and 2016 Baez. It doesn't feel like they've been treated the same. But I suppose being a Dodger fan could be why it seems different.

    I fucking hate Baez tho. Hate anything in a Cubs uniform. Hate weeds growing on an outfield wall... trim that shit... and while you're at it don't make an outfield wall out of brick. Fuck the Cubs.
     
    Chiefdodgerslkrs24 likes this.
  4. irish

    irish DSP Staff Member Administrator

    Joined:
    Nov 2011
    Messages:
    53,208
    Likes Received:
    40,790
    Trophy Points:
    278
    they're both douchey
    but while baez plays hard every day and seems to grasp the team concept -- knowing his place behind bryant, rizzo, arrietta, etc
    puig is all about puig, and cares only about himself
    neither player is the star of their team
    baez knows this, puig does not
    i doubt most dodger fans would be upset if [hypothetically] we were able to acquire baez for puig straight up
    cub fans, on the other hand, would be calling for epstein's head
     
    fsudog21 likes this.
  5. irish

    irish DSP Staff Member Administrator

    Joined:
    Nov 2011
    Messages:
    53,208
    Likes Received:
    40,790
    Trophy Points:
    278
    Yasiel Puig‏ ✓@YasielPuig 2 minutes ago
    @irish why so much hate bro? #PuigYourFriend

    Javier Báez ✓@javy23baez 1 minute ago
    @YasielPuig because you suck... bro #DodgersBetterWithoutPuig
     
  6. irish

    irish DSP Staff Member Administrator

    Joined:
    Nov 2011
    Messages:
    53,208
    Likes Received:
    40,790
    Trophy Points:
    278
    Seager nearing return to Cactus League games
    by Matthew Moreno | Dodger Blue — 19 minutes ago

    In similar fashion to last year, the Los Angeles Dodgers have been without Corey Seager for much of the spring. He played in the team’s first Cactus League game on Feb. 25, but only started two games after that.

    Seager was slowed by a bruised right shin as a result of fouling a pitch off. He was sent for x-rays, which came back negative, and returned March 3 after missing three games. However, Seager’s return to the lineup was short-lived.

    He reported upper-back tightness that was a byproduct of making an awkward twist and throw to complete a double play against the Arizona Diamondbacks. Seager’s injury was then said to be more of an oblique issue.

    Throughout his period of inactivity the Dodgers and Seager have dismissed any concern. According to Bill Plunkett of the O.C. Register, manager Dave Roberts indicated the 22-year-old shortstop is nearing a return:

    Bill Plunkett ✔@billplunkettocr
    Dave Roberts said he wants to "put eyes on" Corey Seager
    during workout today before determining what's next in recovery
    from oblique strain
    10:29 AM - 19 Mar 2017 · Scottsdale, AZ

    Bill Plunkett ✔@billplunkettocr
    Roberts did say he expects Seager to play in games "soon."
    Seager returned to full workouts Sat
    10:29 AM - 19 Mar 2017 · Scottsdale, AZ

    Roberts himself returned to Camelback Ranch on Sunday after leaving camp Friday to be with his family in the wake of his father’s death.

    Assuming Seager makes a return this week, it would leave him with more than enough time to log at-bats in preparation for the regular season. The Dodgers could also send him to the Minor League side of camp for additional work at the plate, which they did last year when Seager worked his way back from a mild knee sprain.
     
  7. irish

    irish DSP Staff Member Administrator

    Joined:
    Nov 2011
    Messages:
    53,208
    Likes Received:
    40,790
    Trophy Points:
    278
    from espn's "the player each mlb team should want up with the game on the line" article:

    Los Angeles Dodgers: Justin Turner
    Turner doesn't often get credit for how good he is at the plate, but over the past three years, he has been the Dodgers' most valuable hitter. Subjectively speaking, most of us would take Corey Seager, and the numbers might arrive at the same conclusion with a monster sophomore season from the shortstop.
     
  8. Chiefdodgerslkrs24

    Chiefdodgerslkrs24 Among the Pantheon

    Joined:
    Apr 2014
    Messages:
    18,438
    Likes Received:
    6,234
    Trophy Points:
    208
    Clearly should be Puig :sarcasm:
     
    BlueMouse and irish like this.
  9. Fall Winslow

    Fall Winslow McRib

    Joined:
    Sep 2015
    Messages:
    25,538
    Likes Received:
    9,526
    Trophy Points:
    228

    Baez's classic path to the majors probably helped some there, they groomed him properly.
    And then of course Baez is basically playing for chump change right now, so he's probably gonna continue to show at least some professionalism until he's properly compensated, whereas Puig's rolling around in a Bentley and shrugging @ having his mansion robbed these days.
    Agreed, Puig only cares about himself out there..more than likely one of the reasons why teammates/management keep leaking his transgressions to the media.
    Why truly have Puig's back when he doesn't have theirs?
    We don't hear a peep about Baez's issues..no leaks about anything..nothing about him constantly being late, nothing about confrontations w/teammates, nothing negative about his work habits, etc.
    The most we got on his behalf was trade rumors and that was just because the Cubs had so many positions locked up that Baez's role wasn't clear at the beginning of last year
     
    irish likes this.
  10. ColoradoKidWitGame

    ColoradoKidWitGame DSP Legend Administrator

    Joined:
    Jul 2013
    Messages:
    11,710
    Likes Received:
    10,087
    Trophy Points:
    198
    - AGon tweaked his elbow and needs at least a day of rest... really hope this is not early indications that this guy is breaking down. I like Bellinger, but the dude still has a good bit of work to do to be big league ready. AGon playing out his contract as an above average performer would be ideal.

    - Ethier is having back issues that are gonna take him getting an X-Ray. This may open the door for Toles as Roberts has said that Gutierrez is here for the lefties.

    - Urias had strep and is now back with the team. Roberts has said that he will likely not be breaking camp with the team as his innings are not where they need to be right now. Doesn't help that Kershaw, Hill, Maeda, McCarthy, Ryu and Wood have all looked good or have sizeable contracts. Wood it sounds is a realistic option now for the rotation.
     
  11. ColoradoKidWitGame

    ColoradoKidWitGame DSP Legend Administrator

    Joined:
    Jul 2013
    Messages:
    11,710
    Likes Received:
    10,087
    Trophy Points:
    198
    According to Bill Plunkett it does now appear that the Dodgers are lining up their rotation as such, Kershaw, Maeda, Hill, McCarthy and Wood. Ryu is expected to join Kazmir on the DL to start the season. One thing that could be interesting is if Wood builds on what he was doing last year before getting hurt. It would be very hard to take him out of any rotation.
     
  12. irish

    irish DSP Staff Member Administrator

    Joined:
    Nov 2011
    Messages:
    53,208
    Likes Received:
    40,790
    Trophy Points:
    278
    at the very least
    i believe we're approaching the precipice of agon's demise
    he can still be productive
    but there's no way he should continue to hit in the middle of the lineup, particularly cleanup
    bellinger does still need some refinement
    but he's not that far away

    bummed about ethier
    dude is an absolute gamer
    but a platoon of toles/gutierrez isn't all that bad
    we might also have trayce in the mix so...

    urias' illness doesn't concern me
    in fact it might be a blessing since we're still looking at an innings limit
    i personally wish kazmir would go away
    throwing in the low 80's is great if you're a high school freshman/sophomore
    but it's not going to cut it in the bigs
    we still have a surplus of starters
    problem is after #1 and #2 we have a bunch of #5's


    still don't like splitting kersh and hill
    feels like something mattingly would do
    i'd understand it [more] if they were similar pitchers
    but they're vastly different
     
    THINKBLUE likes this.
  13. Fall Winslow

    Fall Winslow McRib

    Joined:
    Sep 2015
    Messages:
    25,538
    Likes Received:
    9,526
    Trophy Points:
    228
    TBT, I wasn't expecting to see Kaz hitting 94 last year
    If Wood starts pitching like a #2 again I wouldn't be mad if they swapped Hill and Wood in the rotation order and just gave the old man #5 scraps.
    They have to monitor the hell out of gramps Hill anyway, just be easier that way
     
    irish likes this.
  14. irish

    irish DSP Staff Member Administrator

    Joined:
    Nov 2011
    Messages:
    53,208
    Likes Received:
    40,790
    Trophy Points:
    278
    • Dodgers outfielder Andre Ethier has a stiff back and will have an MRI today, Ken Gurnick of MLB.com tweets. Ethier himself does not seem particularly worried about the situation and says the team simply wants more information so that it knows how to treat him, tweets Andy McCullough of the Los Angeles Times. Nonetheless, Ethier has already missed time due to back and hip issues this spring, and he collected just 26 plate appearances last season thanks to a broken tibia.
    LINK
     
  15. spanky006

    spanky006 DSP Legend

    Joined:
    Nov 2011
    Messages:
    1,449
    Likes Received:
    672
    Trophy Points:
    153
    Is Ryu really hurt, or is this made up BS to stash a player. I don't recall hearing he got hurt, so if this is made up crap, I would rather have Ryu in the rotation with Wood and have McCarthy on the DL......the guy got lit up today and has been shelled in 3 of his 4 spring games.
     
  16. irish

    irish DSP Staff Member Administrator

    Joined:
    Nov 2011
    Messages:
    53,208
    Likes Received:
    40,790
    Trophy Points:
    278
    fwiw

    2017 Preview: Los Angeles Dodgers
    By Bill Baer | NBC Hardball Talk — 51 minutes ago

    Between now and Opening Day, HardballTalk will take a look at each of baseball’s 30 teams, asking the key questions, the not-so-key questions, and generally breaking down their chances for the 2017 season. Next up: The Los Angeles Dodgers.

    The Dodgers flexed their payroll muscle over the winter not to bring in new talent, but to keep talent in town. The club re-signed starter Rich Hill to a three-year, $48 million deal in mid-December. It inked third baseman Justin Turner to a four-year, $64 million contract just before Christmas. Closer Kenley Jansen agreed to stay with a five-year, $80 million deal. The Dodgers also acquired infielder Logan Forsythe from the Rays in January, signed reliever Sergio Romo to a one-year, $3 million deal, signed outfielder Franklin Gutierrez at one year, $2.6 million, and brought second baseman Chase Utley back at one year, $2 million.

    The Dodgers went 91-71 last year, finishing first in the NL West. They advanced past the Nationals in the NLDS into the NLCS where they were stopped in six games by the eventual champion Cubs. One can understand GM Farhan Zaidi’s reluctance to alter the roster in a significant way.

    Going into 2017, the Dodgers’ success starts and ends with Clayton Kershaw. There’s not a better pitcher on the planet and his ability to make 33 starts or not will play a big role in whether or not the club makes it into the postseason. Not just because of Kershaw himself, but because the Dodgers don’t have the most reliable pitching depth health-wise. Last year, Kershaw was bothered by a back injury and made only 21 starts. But when he was on the mound, he was his usual dominating self, finishing with a 12-4 record, a 1.69 ERA, and a 172/11 K/BB ratio in 149 innings. Had Kershaw not gotten injured during the summer, he almost certainly would have won his fourth National League Cy Young Award.

    Kenta Maeda slots in behind Kershaw. The right-hander had a terrific debut in Major League Baseball in 2016, winning 16 games with a 3.48 ERA and a 179/50 K/BB ratio in 175 2/3 innings. The Dodgers don’t have a lot of reliability in the rotation, but after his first season in the bigs and given everyone else’s health issues, Maeda is the most reliable starter at the moment.

    Hill returns into the middle of the rotation. Due to a blister issue, Hill made only six regular season starts for the Dodgers after they acquired him from the Athletics on August 1. The lefty put up a sterling 1.83 ERA with a 39/5 K/BB ratio in 34 1/3 innings, continuing his remarkable reinvention which started in September 2015. The 37-year-old lefty was in independent baseball as recently as two years ago and now has a lucrative multi-year contract under his belt.

    Scott Kazmir is tentatively in the rotation. He’s been bothered by a hip issue this spring and has had limited action as a result. He recently made a simulated start but his fastball velocity was in the low-80’s, concerning manager Dave Roberts. Kazmir will throw in a minor league game soon and the Dodgers hope he’ll be ready for the start of the regular season. Obviously, it’s no guarantee. The left-hander last season finished with a disappointing 4.56 ERA with a 134/52 K/BB ratio in 136 1/3 innings.

    The last spot in the rotation is up for grabs. It won’t go to Julio Urias, as he has not been stretched out this spring and will almost certainly begin the year at Triple-A Oklahoma City. Brandon McCarthy appears to be the favorite for the job but he has A) not had a great spring; B) has been injury-prone during his 11-year career; and C) has been ineffective for most of the last three years. Hyun-Jin Ryu is also under consideration after missing the entire 2015 season and making just one start last year. Brock Stewart was a candidate but he was recently shut down due to tendinitis in his right shoulder, so he won’t be ready for the start of the season. Ross Stripling will likely be used as rotation depth as he posted a 3.96 ERA over 14 starts and eight relief appearances last year.

    Jansen returns to his role as the Dodgers’ closer. He’s racked up 180 saves over the last five seasons, something only two other relievers – Craig Kimbrel (209) and Aroldis Chapman (181) – have done. Despite playing in L.A., Jansen flew under the radar until last year, when he finished with a 1.83 ERA and a ridiculous 104/11 K/BB ratio in 68 2/3 innings. He made his first All-Star team last year and he’ll likely get there a second time in 2017.

    Romo will set up for Jansen assuming he’s healty. Romo has been bothered by a back injury lately in spring training. The right-hander pitched nine outstanding years with the Giants, ascending to the closer’s role in 2013, but a shaky ’14 cast him out of favor, but he rebounded with a 2.98 ERA in ’15 and 2.64 last year. Romo is 34 years old and sits in the mid- to high-80’s with his fastball, but the Dodgers found quite a bargain in signing him.

    Pedro Baez has been battling a thumb injury this spring but is expected to be ready for the start of the regular season. He’ll handle the seventh inning ahead of Romo and some occasional eighth innings. The right-hander posted a 3.04 ERA with an 83/22 K/BB ratio in 74 innings. Jansen-Romo-Baez makes for a scary back of the bullpen.

    On offense, let’s start with Turner at the hot corner. Turner reinvented himself several years ago after floating from the Mets to the Dodgers and has become one of the best at his position despite still never having made an All-Star team. Since joining the Dodgers for the 2014 season, Turner has hit a combined .296/.364/.492 with 50 home runs and 193 RBI in 1,383 plate appearances while playing quality defense. As a result, Turner has the sixth-most Wins Above Replacement among third basemen in that period of time, according to FanGraphs. The only knock on Turner is his durability. Despite playing 151 games last year, he played in 126 in ’15 and 109 in ’14.

    Corey Seager returns to shortstop after winning the NL Rookie of the Year Award in 2016. He hit .308/.365/.512 with 26 home runs and 72 RBI in 687 PA. He’ll turn 23 at the end of April which means we likely haven’t seen Seager’s final form yet. He was the best at his position in a field that included the likes of Francisco Lindor, Carlos Correa, and Xander Bogaerts. Seager could follow Kris Bryant’s footsteps in winning the ROY one year and the MVP the next.

    Forsythe will handle second base for the Dodgers as one of the few new faces in camp. Last year with the Rays, he hit .264/.333/.444 with 20 home runs, 52 RBI, and 76 runs scored in 567 PA. Veteran Chase Utley will back Forsythe up and may get the occasional start against a right-handed pitcher.

    Adrian Gonzalez, of course, will handle first base for the Dodgers again. Going by adjusted OPS (OPS+), 2016 was Gonzalez’s worst offensive season since he became an everyday player in 2006. Still, he was productive, batting .285/.349/.435 with 18 homers and 90 RBI. Almost 35 years old, Gonzalez is likely hitting the decline phase of his career, but he still has plenty left in the tank. There is one issue – Gonzalez has been dealing with an elbow injury and won’t play in any spring games until at least Thursday. The Dodgers expect him to be ready for Opening Day, however.

    Yasmani Grandal will catch and handle the pitching staff on a regular basis. Now 28 years old, the veteran of five seasons is coming off of a campaign during which he hit .228/.339/.477 with 27 HR and 72 RBI, setting career-bests in the latter two departments. He’s one of the best offensive catchers in the league at a position that really isn’t relied upon for offense, so that will serve as a big plus for the Dodgers again. Austin Barnes will back Grandal up behind the dish.

    The Dodgers’ outfield is in a state of flux. Andre Ethier played in only 16 games last season due to a broken leg and he’s currently battling a back injury. Yasiel Puig was demoted to the minor leagues last year. Joc Pederson is completely lost against left-handed pitching, putting up a .469 OPS against them last year. Beyond Pederson starting against right-handers and Puig getting a shot to prove himself, nothing else is set in stone in the Dodgers’ outfield. Andrew Toles, who impressed with an .870 OPS in 115 PA last season, may get more time in the outfield corners. Gutierrez put up a solid .780 OPS in 98 games last year, but he has long been a health risk. Scott Van Slyke had the worst season of his career and then underwent wrist surgery last August.

    Needless to say, health will be the primary factor in the Dodgers’ ability to rediscover success in 2017. At near or full health, the Dodgers are one of the best teams in the National League. Without the likes of Kershaw, Hill, and Gonzalez, they are a slightly above-average team. I’ll make a perhaps foolish bet on most of their key players missing minimal amounts of time, allowing them to stave off the Giants in the NL West.

    Prediction: 93-69 record, 1st place in division
     
  17. THINKBLUE

    THINKBLUE DSP Gigolo

    Joined:
    Nov 2011
    Messages:
    41,873
    Likes Received:
    24,572
    Trophy Points:
    228
    Those baby blue seats at Dodger Stadium right now are not going to be a real thing, right?
     
  18. ColoradoKidWitGame

    ColoradoKidWitGame DSP Legend Administrator

    Joined:
    Jul 2013
    Messages:
    11,710
    Likes Received:
    10,087
    Trophy Points:
    198
    They're the new seats. The players are THRILLED as a matter of fact.
     
  19. THINKBLUE

    THINKBLUE DSP Gigolo

    Joined:
    Nov 2011
    Messages:
    41,873
    Likes Received:
    24,572
    Trophy Points:
    228
    Did the yellow distract them or what? Why would they care
     
  20. ColoradoKidWitGame

    ColoradoKidWitGame DSP Legend Administrator

    Joined:
    Jul 2013
    Messages:
    11,710
    Likes Received:
    10,087
    Trophy Points:
    198
    Ryu is not hurt, but they are not expecting him to be fully stretched out for the start of the season. They will probably do that "10 Day DL- Elbow Surgery Recovery" thing. If he is healthy, McCarthy will be in the starting rotation and I would definitely not called what has happened to him this Spring as getting shelled. Multiple errors aren't the pitchers fault, like what happened today. We have no clue what the coaching staff is having them do on the mound. Sometimes a pitcher will work one part of the zone over and over again and the other team is keyed up. It is why "spring stats don't matter" is a thing.
     
    rube likes this.
Thread Status:
Not open for further replies.

Share This Page