When Mookie Betts went down earlier this season with cracked ribs, the Dodgers were looking for help with a right-handed bat in the outfield. Several names were thrown around, and eventually, the team settled on Trayce Thompson from the Detroit Tigers for cash considerations.
A familiar name among Dodger fans, the 31-year-old Thompson returned to his second stint in L.A. after bouncing around the league for a couple of seasons. At first, it seemed he’d be a fill-in until Betts returned.
But what Thompson has done since his arrival may warrant him a roster spot as the team gets deeper into the season. In only 84 at-bats this season, Thompson has hit for a .262 batting average with three homers and 16 RBI. He’s been able to provide a spark in the lineup and has made a couple of highlight plays.
Thompson, since joining the Dodgers, however, has a batting average of .300, a slugging percentage of .543, and an OPS of .923. All three of his homers have come with the Dodgers. He’s played above his expectations; fans can’t help to be happy for him
Now there are endless talks about the Dodgers possibly trading for Juan Soto; whether that occurs or not is still up in the air. But Thompson has made a case for himself to warrant himself a spot on an MLB roster.
Thompson’s role with the Dodgers will be interesting to look at as the Dodgers will need to open up roster spots when several players come back from injury. He can strictly start on days when a team begins with a left-handed pitcher or can be used as a late-game pinch hitter, depending on matchups and availability.
The most games Thompson has appeared in one season is 80, back with the Dodgers in 2016. Something about being a Dodger is where Thompson has seen his best moments. It will be intriguing to see his role as the season continues.
The Dodgers finally dropped a game after an eight-game winning streak, as the Washington Nationals managed to win the opening game of a three-game series at Dodger Stadium. Tony Gonsolin recorded his first loss of the season.
Right-hander Mitch White will look to get the Dodgers back in the win column on Tuesday. So far this season, he’s 1-2 with a 3.78 ERA. He will face Josiah Gray, who made his debut with the Dodgers last season before he was traded to Washington in the Max Scherzer and Trea Turner deal.
Gray is 7-6 with a 4.40 ERA in 2022.
The first pitch for Tuesday night is scheduled at 7:10 p.m. Pacific.
Think Blue Planning Committee 
Much as some of us have been waiting for the other shoe to drop with our starters and their amazing success this year, I have the same feeling about Trayce and Lamb. They’ve both been a huge help since they arrived, but I just can’t imagine them continuing this for the rest of the season.
I predict that by the end of August at least one of them, quite possibly both, will have been dfa’d. In the case of Mr. Thompson, I very much hope I’m wrong, but as Jose points out there’s going to be quite a roster crunch when some of the wounded come back and even more so if we should happen to wind up with Soto.
They should put poor Zmac out of his misery and trade him to a team that will give him some regular at bats, so he’ll be off the 26-man, one way or the other, as soon as CT3 returns. As far as the rest of the roster goes, we’ll know a lot more a week from today at 3:00 PM west coast time.
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I am encouraged watching Thompson at bat. He is not chasing very often and is making contact. He has even had some hard line drive outs. Thompson was having a solid season at AAA and appears to have turned a corner as far as understanding about making contact and power will come from it. Plus Thompson is a very good outfielder. I know the odds are these guys will revert but I think both Thompson and Lamb have shown definite staying ability. I hope Thompson sticks. I am very optimistic about him.
I can argue both sides on a Soto deal depending on who they would trade. Not Vargas or Lux unless they sign T Turner making Lux available.
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I’m really not anxious to trade Lux and now they’re saying that May might have to be part of a Soto trade as well.
Yes, he’s a once-in-a generation player, but I’d still rather have Trea and Lux and find a third baseman for next year (be that Vargas or someone as a free agent or in trade).
If we want Ohtani or Soto, I’d wait until they become free agents (next winter and the following winter, respectively) and then go after them without spending the prospect capital. Yes, if either or both are traded, there is always the chance that their new team gets them to sign an extension, but I’ll take my chances.
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I agree Jeff. I would not trade May, Vargas or Lux. Lux has shown the talent he displayed in AAA. As I have stated previously this isn’t basketball where one guy dominates unless it’s a hot pitcher. May is a special talent as I believe is Vargas. No one position player is worth 3 very good starters. I believe as do most baseball people that Vargas is a sure MLB impact hitter.
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I have always liked Thompson. I think he is one of the more athletic players on the team. I think the back problem he had the first time he played for the Dodgers really messed up his mechanics for years. He is playing much closer to his abilities now. Deadline is in seven days. I care less about prospects because until they do it at the MLB level, they are merely suspects. Dodgers have traded quite a few the last five years and not one of them has come back to haunt the team. That being said, Lux is untouchable at this point since he is the only SS capable of replacing Turner if he decides to play elsewhere. Anyone else, the Reds and Nationals can have em. I want Soto and Castillo for the foreseeable future. AF has shown that he can keep stocking the farm with quality players. I am more concerned about winning at the MLB level and developing players so they can get help when needed and not depend on free agents. Freeman is by far the best free agent signing they have made in many moons., IMHO.
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Your point about Trayce’s back problems hampering his productivity when he was last year is a valid one, Bear. I really hope he can keep up this type of production because I’d love to see him become a permanent part of the roster.
I was comparing Trayce and Cody the other day as I watched them both bat. I view them as similar types of player, both taller than average and good fielders. But at the plate, there is really no comparison. Cody stands upright, and looks like he couldn’t hit the ball if he knew what was coming. Trayce’s stance is aggressive and he just seems as though he’s going to smack any pitch near the plate. That has to affect how the opposing pitcher views them as well. Trayce just looks much more imposing up there.
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You guys listen to the Bear. He knows. Prospects are only suspects. Lol
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That’s incredibly short-sighted and teams that think that way like the Angels are always second or third-tier teams. Every player in the MLB was at one time a prospect. Some prospects have much better odds of making it than others and stats, baseball is a game of stats can predict that with enough data. Granted many players need time at the MLB level to break through. Gonsolin and May were slowly acclimated to the MLB level and have flourished. Lux the same, injuries affect that also. If you look at Lux’s numbers and all of the scout’s predictions he had a good chance of performing. Read all of the scout comments on Vargas. Vargas can make contact. He is gifted. Cartaya reportedly has better contact skills than Ruiz. The trade talk for Soto so far has players like May and Lux going to the Nats along with Vargas and Miller. That is crazy. No one player is worth that. Look at Trout he is rated as possibly the best player of his generation. How many playoff games has he been in? Ohtani has even more impact as he also pitches. Has he been able to drive the Angels to a playoff spot? NO! Has Harper as good as he is gotten the Phillies to the Championship? They added Realmuto to a big contract so both of them powered the Phillies to win their division right? The Phillies are third in the East. The Dodgers have invested heavily in their Farm system so you say as prospects have little value that is not a good idea? Baseball insiders and management disagree with you guys. The entire baseball business model is built on a controlled contract by bringing in Prospects!! It’s only with young players (Prospects!!) being paid a controlled salary for many years that enable established stars earn mega contracts. The Dodgers can sign big contract deals with stars because they have players still in arbitration. The rotation next year probably is May, Gonsolin, Buehler, Urias, and Kershaw?. Can Castillo crack that line-up? I don’t think so. …So Why? I think the days of the Dodgers paying huge penalties and losing draft choices and draft position are over. The Dodgers are owned by a financial fund it has to make solid profits.
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All you really have to do is look at the top 10 prospects from 5 to 10 years ago. Awfull lot of suspects. End of story.
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