*** OFFICIAL *** MLB 2023 Thread

[Dan Druff]

Probably is time to get rid of Prior, though.

Did you know he's only 42? Seems like he'd be older, but he's not. He could still be pitching today, had he been the opposite of real Mark Prior, injury-wise. Interestingly, he had a 6-year, on-and-off minor league career from 2008-2013, but did not see a Major League game during that time! His last Major League appearance was 2006, at the age of 25.

Anyway, when you have a team full of starters who are either injured or pitching far below expectation, it's usually time for a coaching change.

This is the first year since 2009 where I look at the Dodgers and wonder how the fuck their pitching will get them through the postseason. And it doesn't look like this final night before the deadline is going to see them acquiring any help.

In other trade news:

Arizona got Sewald from Seattle, ending their parade of shit closers.

The Mets dumped annoying left wing activist Mark Canha (his interviews are so cringe) -- a mediocre player who has always overestimated his own ability. He thought he would hit 20 HR this year. He couldn't even stay in the Mets starting lineup. He's now with the Brewers, whose hitting is so bad that Canha will indeed be in the starting lineup.

Jemer Candelario moves from the Nationals to the Cubs, who are trying to make a serious run at the Central, and might just do it. This is an upgrade from Nick Madrigal, and they seem to have little patience for Patrick Wisdom. Wisdom is one of baseball's better power hitters, but he can't hit for average, and the Cubs have also somewhat mishandled him. They should trade him. I'd love to see Wisdom on the Dodgers bench.

Rays pick up Aaron Civale from the Injuns.

Giants get former Dodger AJ Pollock, who went to the White Sox for lol Craig Kimbrel last year.

The Reds got reliever Sam Moll and the Diamondbacks got infielder Jace Peterson, in minor moves with the A's.

Fairly quiet trade deadline year overall, presumably because more teams are in the pennant race than usual, and even the sellers don't have that many pieces they want to (or can) get rid of.

[Sanlmar]

@gut

Cleveland fixed Noah Syndergaard in two days? Complete game shutout? Maybe

The number for Cleveland was climbing all day today. Folks must have seen the results.

Further proof wunderkind Dodger pitching coach Mark Prior is an over rated fraud.

Weighted balls with Buehler in his hospital gown. Funny gut

5 great one-hit innings, tired out in the 6th, gave up a run, was pulled.

I'm not convinced this was anything but an aberration.

Don't worry.. the Injuns still managed to lose the game.

Thor was pulled on a come-backer to the leg

Injury

[Sanlmar]

Xander Boegaerts shortstop Padres will be regarded as one of the all-time bad contracts.

He went from All Star to also ran in one year. It has to have at least a little to do with the clubhouse.

[Sanlmar]

I listen to a lot of LA Dodger media for the lulz. Compared to East coast sports talk it’s like listening to the innocent chatter of children at recess. Simple and unsophisticated. There is never a shred of self doubt or introspection. Obviously this appeals to the shallow audience or broadcasters would change.

You are on the cutting edge with your Prior thoughts. There is such a mystique that surrounds this guy. It’s crazy. Listening to the fawning over Prior’s alleged magical skills is part of the fun for me. He will prolly be around for a long time

Remember McGuire as batting coach? Similar fun. Good times.

I remind you that Cleveland’s line rose all day long with Syndergaard the listed pitcher. People knew

Look at Joe Kelly after the Dodgers. Much better.

AM 570

[Dan Druff]

Xander Boegaerts shortstop Padres will be regarded as one of the all-time bad contracts.

He went from All Star to also ran in one year. It has to have at least a little to do with the clubhouse.

Even before he declined with the Padres, it was a fail contract.

He's a guy with a .810 or so career OPS, who had a few big years in the late 2010s where he was OPSing around .900.

But you take a look at 2022, and he hit just 15 HR in 557 AB, stole just 8 bases, and achieved an OPS of .833. Sure, he hit .307, but aside from that, he was nothing special offensively. In 2021, he had an OPS of .863 with 23 HR, but was clearly trending in the wrong direction.

In 2023, after 377 AB and 100 games played, his OPS is .744, and his once-reliable .300-ish batting average sits at .265.

I have to say I saw this coming. I mean, he was due decent money, but not a monster contract. That's MLB's big problem. Non-great players are getting great player money.

You go back to the Dodgers, and at least you can say Mookie and Freddie were legit great players who were highly likely to keep performing for several years. Yeah, at the tail end of Mookie's contract, he will probably struggle somewhat, but it was likely the Dodgers would get a lot of excellent years out of him. Freddie Freeman is as consistent as they come.

The Padres seemed to just be randomly firing money at anyone who was available. They also had the Angels problem of a lacking supporting cast.

Francisco Lindor is another player who was good-but-not-great, and got great player money. The signs were already there in the short 2020 season, when his OPS was .750. He then proceeded to put up similar numbers with the Mets. Still hasn't had an OPS of .800 in the three years in NY. Brtual.

What a time to be a baseball player.

[simpdog]

Padres picked up Rich Hill and Ji Man Choi.

[Sanlmar]

Eduardo Rodriguez says “good god no” to Dodgers trade.

Embedded Tweet

https://twitter.com/twt/status/1686479802201518080

[Dan Druff]

Wonder why he didn't want LA.

How could that not be an upgrade for both lifestyle and team, from Detroit?

Bizarre rejection. Maybe he's an eastern US guy and doesn't want to be far from his famly. That's why Trea Turner did not want to re-sign with the Dodgers, which looks like it was fortunate for them.

[Sanlmar]

Wonder why he didn't want LA.

How could that not be an upgrade for both lifestyle and team, from Detroit?

Bizarre rejection. Maybe he's an eastern US guy and doesn't want to be far from his famly. That's why Trea Turner did not want to re-sign with the Dodgers, which looks like it was fortunate for them.

You serious?

:

[Dan Druff]

The big story today is Verlander going back to Houston. Too bad the Mets can't move Lindor!

Among others:

Michael Lorenzen is now a Philly.

Paul DeJong, in the final year of his 6-year contract, is moving from St. Louis to Toronto.

Brad Hand to the Braves.



So after everything, the Dodgers stood pat on pitching, aside from Joe Kelly and Lance Lynn. 2023 is not a serious year for them.

[JohnCommode]

As for Eduardo Rodriguez, I think it's hilarious that he, for the moment, chose the Tigers over the Dodgers. The obvious answer might be location-location, but sports talk radio in Boston has suggested that he might be afraid of soiling himself and his 2.95 ERA in a high pressure World Series run that could damage the value of his next contract. The whole thing is like an NBA player choosing Charlotte or Washington over the Lakers or Heat.

[Dan Druff]

Wonder why he didn't want LA.

How could that not be an upgrade for both lifestyle and team, from Detroit?

Bizarre rejection. Maybe he's an eastern US guy and doesn't want to be far from his famly. That's why Trea Turner did not want to re-sign with the Dodgers, which looks like it was fortunate for them.

You serious?

:

As much as you hate the Dodgers, I'm still sure you'd choose LA over Detroit if you were a player right now.

I think JohnCommode is right. He's probably worried about fucking up in LA (especially the playoffs), and ruining his future contract value. As I always say in poker tournaments, if you're going well, you do not want to move tables.

[Dan Druff]

Anyone who wants Kolten Wong... he's up for grabs. Just got DFA'd by Mariners.

[gut]

Wonder why he didn't want LA.

How could that not be an upgrade for both lifestyle and team, from Detroit?

Bizarre rejection. Maybe he's an eastern US guy and doesn't want to be far from his famly. That's why Trea Turner did not want to re-sign with the Dodgers, which looks like it was fortunate for them.

You serious?

:

Sounds like Verlander, essentially, rejected the Dodgers as well.

[Dan Druff]

Sounds like Verlander, essentially, rejected the Dodgers as well.

I think they didn't want to cough up major prospects. I believe the Dodgers see this as a year they're unlikely to win it all, so they aren't taking the deadline seriously.

This seems to be more of a, "Squeak into the playoffs and hope we get hot/lucky" year. Unlike last year, which was a huge fail in the postseason given their 111 win season, this year won't be a huge letdown if they fail to win the NL. They're still the 2nd best NL team, though. Unfortunately it's a distant 2nd -- both in standings and talent.

[BCR]

Valdez with no hitter going to 9th against my Tribe.

[BCR]

Got it. Just completely dominating. One walk. Got DP and faced the minimum. Under 100 pitches. Helps Tribe stinks

[Sanlmar]

You serious?

:

As much as you hate the Dodgers, I'm still sure you'd choose LA over Detroit if you were a player right now.

I think JohnCommode is right. He's probably worried about fucking up in LA (especially the playoffs), and ruining his future contract value. As I always say in poker tournaments, if you're going well, you do not want to move tables.

It’s more disrespect than hate but let’s not quibble. Let’s agree they are perpetually overrated.

With all due respect to an apparent fellow Bostonian and you Druff, the take is dumb

ERod has dominated every level of competition since he was a child. This is the story for 99.5% of all professional athletes. As well, you must possess ego and confidence to step on a mound and face the best hitters in the world. There is nothing in his experience that says otherwise. If you lack fearlessness you will fail - even in the regular season. How else can you throw a strike?

Even Simp’s Manoah doesn’t lack self confidence. I promise you.

Whatever trials ERod has had in the majors can be written off to his balky knee and not his talent. At least that would be his rational

ERod would love to play with the best. Getting maybe one turn in a Dodgers playoff (wildcard) run is not any bargain

Let us focus instead on how bloody stupid and unprepared Friedman was in the Earod negotiation. How did he not know ERod’s list? How does he waste his time and energy in this way? Then again perhaps Fraudman did and this was a charade.

How many championships would LAD have if Epstein was running the show, JohnCommode? There is no excuse

[gut]

Atlanta getting Nicky Lopez for a guy they literally claimed off waivers a week ago is the ultimate heist this deadline.

Royals really are another down-low retarded franchise. They are running on the pass you get for winning 1 world series last decade.

[Dan Druff]

Got it. Just completely dominating. One walk. Got DP and faced the minimum. Under 100 pitches. Helps Tribe stinks

Injuns the team to do it against. Offense so bad. About to lose again. Must be maddening to watch as a fan, especially since it's a weak division and the division is up for grabs.

Speaking of bad hitting, did you know the Padres have allowed 66 FEWER runs than the Dodgers, despite playing 3 more games than LA? And yet the Padres are 8.5 back. Their hitting has just been really inconsistent, putting up bunches of runs in some games and getting shut down in many others. They're 53-55 with a +64 run differential! Whole situation is embarrassing, given all the stars they have in that lineup. They've allowed the fewest runs in the NL and still under .500.