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Mailbag: Starting Rotation, Disposable Players, and More!

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https://twitter.com/RaygozaBruin/status/750087825614254081

Jeremy Evans

Kershaw, Norris, Kazmir, Maeda, Ryu

Cesar Becerra 

Alas, our starting rotation is starting to take its shape as our pitchers get healthy. Both McCarthy and Bud Norris showed great promise in their first start of the season in a Dodger uniform and Hyun-Jin Ryu is scheduled to make his first start on Thursday. The rotation “depth” we thought we had is finally coming together. All these new additions to the Dodgers rotation signals the end to Urias as a Dodger starter for the season (barring any injuries). Roberts has already said Urias would probably be sent down as a corresponding move when Ryu is activated from the DL. I would have loved to see the Dodgers roll out a six man rotation (Kazmir, Maeda, McCarthy, Urias, Norris and Ryu) to stretch out Urias innings a little longer and buy some time until Kershaw comes back, but that doesn’t look like it’s going to happen. When Kershaw comes back we might see Kazmir possibly work out of the bullpen as a left handed long relief, he’s pitched out of the pen 3 times in his career.

Christiaan Sorensen 

Kershaw, Norris, Ryu, Maeda, Kazmir….I like the L/R/L approach, and we can pull it, once we’re all healthy…I’m pleasantly surprised by the Norris and McCarthy outings, and I hope to see the same out of Ryu once he returns, but I’m going to hold off any thoughts until we see him go 6 or so innings.  I would have liked to see Urias stick around, perhaps in the pen as long relief, but I’m pretty sure he’s near his innings limit, and that seems to be the point where they’re gonna shut him down

Brian Robitaille

Well, we have part of the answer already. It appears Ryu will take over for Urias, who the Dodgers will return to AAA, and likely shut down for the year sometime soon. We’ll have to wait and see how they handle things when Kershaw returns. The recently acquired Bud Norris may have been the logical choice to get bumped from the rotation, but with his strong first start, the Dodgers might want to wait and see if he can continue his impressive outings. Is so, maybe the 5th starter (3rd and 4th too maybe?) turns into a competition with the Dodgers going with whoever is throwing the best at the time. Whoever doesn’t start could be moved to the bullpen. I’m not sure you could guarantee a rotation spot for anyone other than Kershaw, and maybe Maeda.

I suppose there’s an outside chance the Dodgers could employ a 6-man rotation, as some teams began to do last season. This would allow more rest between starts for guys like McCarthy and Ryu who are coming off of injury. I don’t think this is likely, but it’s a possibility. Another scenario could involve some moves at the trading deadline, where the Dodgers trade one or more of their current starters.

Injury Roundup: Kershaw, Ethier, and More!

Cesar Becerra 

When we think about Dodger trades, Yasiel Puig is always the first to come to mind. His potential, age and team friendly contract make him a viable trade asset to some teams willing to gamble on his potential. But with that, I’d also have to say Joc Pederson (at the major league level) is someone’s name that could come up in trade talks. Similar to Puig, Pederson has youth, potential and very high upside. With Thompson’s emergence as a solid outfielder, teams may be mentioning Joc’s name if the Dodgers are really trying to go for an “elite, impact” player that Friedman is looking for. I’m not saying the Dodgers would be willing to part with Pederson, if the Dodgers purse arms like Sale or Archer, they may have to depart with one of their young stars.

Christiaan Sorensen

Yasiel.  Teams are always going to inquire about Yasiel.  I really wish that wasn’t the case, as we have other guys that bring talent to the table, but this discussion really does begin and end with Puig.  I want to make this 100% clear: I am all for keeping Yasiel.  Too much talent, still too much upside.  I feel his name will garner the most attention is due to what he could get; I mean, I think Joc is a great outfielder, but teams will offer up more for Yasiel than Joc, period.


Jeremy Evans 

Jonathan Lucroy and Yasmani Grandal or Jonathan Lucroy and Austin Barnes would be great catchers for the Dodgers.

Cesar Becerra 

I personally am not high on the Sonny Gray trade that many are linking the Dodgers with. In Gray’s 4th year in the majors his numbers are not trending in the right direction. He has his highest era, BABIP and Home run to Fly Ball rate of his career. Some may chalk it up as a down season, being that it is a down season, this isn’t a move that could push the Dodgers ahead of the Giants, Mets or Cubs to get to the World Series. Similarly, I’m not quite sure Lucroy is the right move for the Dodgers also. Having just traded for Grandal two seasons ago, it’s tough to see the Dodgers chasing another catcher to join an already crowded backstop with Grandal and Ellis. Although Grandal is not performing up to his capabilities, I don’t see them wasting Grandal by acquiring Lucroy, especially given the cost it would take to get Lucroy. I’d say making a move for a veteran bullpen arm like Andrew Miller to upgrade J.P. Howell’s role out of the ‘pen and give a solid 7,8 & 9 rotation throwing Miller between Blanton and Jansen. Of course, this is not the sexy move to swing the Vegas odds, but it’s an impactful trade. Also, it has been said before: “sometimes the best move is the move you don’t make.” But I understand the demand to make a big trade, truth is we’re still 5 games back with an under performing offence. But we can consider some power bats like Jay Bruce or ace quality arms like Sale and Archer.

Christiaan Sorensen

I played this game with David Price.  Johnny Cueto.  Even flippin Zack Grienke.  I’d love to see Sonny Gray, or Julio Teheran in Dodger blue, but, at what cost? Jonathan Lucroy?!  Absolutely…but, I also like having Trayce, Joc and Yasiel on our team.

Brian Robitaille

Both guys are at the very top of my personal wish list for the Dodgers. Although, we don’t know what it would cost in return either. If the price tag was too crazy, I might say “thanks, but no thanks” on either deal.

Assuming the asking price was similar for either Gray or Lucroy, it would be still a tough call. If we’re talking about only this year, I’d probably say Lucroy, simply because the catcher position is still the one area where the Dodgers aren’t getting consistent production. Also, the rotation is already deep enough, as discussed in the previous question. No one as good as Gray after Kershaw, but still plenty of capable arms. If we’re talking long-term though, Gray may be the better option, as he’s signed under team control longer than Lucroy, who can become a free agent after next year.


Jeremy Evans 

Match-ups, rest, speed, and situational hitting.  

Cesar Becerra

I can only recall Venable starting a couple of games, 4th of July being the most recent. Just may have been a case of giving Kendrick a day off. Not quite sure why Scott Van Slyke doesn’t play as much (especially given A-Gon’s struggles), but SVS hasn’t really been productive since his activation either.

Brian Robitaille

You’re not alone Beck. I ask the same question when I see him in the lineup. I think part of it is how Dave Roberts likes to use “the entire roster” as he’s said before. The injury to Joc Pederson has left the Dodgers with Venable as the only left-handed outfielder on the team right now. With Joc sidelined, I much rather see a Puig-Thompson-Kendrick outfield more times than not, with Van Slyke in there any time one of those guys need a break. But again, it’s the style Roberts has liked to use so far. You can read my recent article on that very topic here:

The Misconception of Depth

Jeremy Evans 

If Trout were on the move the Dodgers would be wise to grab him; Joc would only start the conversation.  Fernandez not tradable to Dodgers because asking price too high with Mattingly calling the shots in Miami.  Wait till he is a free agent.  

Cesar Becerra

Acquiring Fernandez would be a move that would shake up the NL for sure. But doing so would mean possibly moving Pederson, Urias and top prospect maybe even another prospect arm like (#2 De Leon, #3 Holmes or #4 Frankie Montas.). It would take a huge package to get Fernandez. I wonder if the Dodgers could make the deal centered around Urias and Puig. Including Puig in the trade would clear up space for Thompson to play regularly with Joc and would give the Marlins a promising outfield with Stanton, Puig and Yelich. If the Marlins are willing to talk about Fernandez I definitely say the Dodgers should make the deal. We’re not going to continue to see Kershaw dominate the way he’s doing for much longer than 5 years. But our window of Kershaw’s brilliance may slowly be closing so if the Dodgers don’t win a World Series during his best years, all those CY Youngs and MVP’s may be for not. Having a 1-2 punch with Fernandez and Kershaw would be the best in baseball.

Christiaan Sorensen

Ok, hold onto your seats…I’d move heaven and earth to get Mike Trout, but I might have a different reason…living deep in the OC, there is no greater pleasure than to imagine the poster child of all that is good with that red, ugly LA wanna be team, than to have their best player ever roaming center field for the Dodgers.  I’d trade Joc, Urias, my mom and Brandon Ingram just to see him in uniform.  Not to mention he’s the best player in baseball.  Jose F in Miami?  I just see Donnie putting the big NOPE on that deal, or, at least, making it unreasonable for the Dodgers to trade for him…now, if he becomes a free agent?!  Hell yeah!!!  And considering how stingy Miami has been, it’s not unrealistic to see them let him walk!

Brian Robitaille

I don’t think I’d “empty” the farm for any one player, no matter how good they were. MLB is not like the NBA, where you can assemble the best team on paper, and likely win, or at least play for a title every year. As much as I’d love the players you mentioned, I’m not sure they’re realistic options at this point. I know both Trout and Fernandez names have been thrown out there this year, but I’m not a believer that either guy is being seriously shopped. And even if they were, the price tag would likely be one that I’m not sure I’d want the Dodgers to pay.

Alex Perez

Whittier College Alumnus. Editor In Chief of Dodgers Nation. Lifelong Dodgers fan.

3 Comments

  1. You are putting Fernandez,  trout, gray and Tehran in the same sentence as Peterson,  puig, urias,,  de leon, Holmes and Montas ??? 2 outfielders who can’t hit and 4 unproven prospects? Why do we always think the other teams are dumber than us? These are not the type of players you get for a few prospects and failed prospects, and we don’t have any major league ready players on the farm. You might want to talk to a few other teams and reevaluate how you hack valued these prospects.

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