Author: Dennis Schlossman

Matt Kemp, Kenley Jansen Selected to 2018 National League All-Star Squad

Published on by Dennis Schlossman1 Comment

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Major League Baseball announced on Sunday afternoon that right-handed pitcher Kenley Jansen and outfielder Matt Kemp were named to the National League All-Star team, which will be managed by Dodgers‘ skipper Dave Roberts. Jansen, who was selected via player balloting, and Kemp, who was a fan-elected starter, will both be making their third All-Star appearance. Major League Baseball’s 89th All-Star Game presented will be played on Tuesday, July 17 at Nationals Park in Washington, D.C. and will be televised nationally on FOX.

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Which Prospects Would Dodgers Sacrifice for an Elite Pitcher?

Published on by Dennis Schlossman5 Comments

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With the 2018 non-waiver trade deadline now only a few weeks away, pundits around the league are still only speculating about any potential moves from the Dodgers, as the club’s front office continues to appear relatively calm, despite the team’s obvious need for one or more roster upgrades.

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So Far, Max Muncy’s 2018 Season Has Been Monumental

Published on by Dennis Schlossman22 Comments
muncy
(Photo by Denis Poroy/Getty Images)

While there have been many fantastic storylines that have come in the first-half of 2018, none has captured the hearts of Dodgers fans more than the emergence of utility man extraordinaire Max Muncy. By no means am I saying his overall statistics are monumental—his home run output is very close, though—but considering where he was on the organizational ladder last winter, his ascension to becoming the Dodger’s top slugger has been colossal. It’s almost reminiscent of the under-the-radar advent of Chris Taylor in 2017, but in a much smaller span of time.

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Dodgers, Reds Complete Four-Player Trade

Published on by Dennis Schlossman14 Comments
floro
(Photo by Jamie Sabau/Getty Images)

The Dodgers got the ball rolling during early trade season on Wednesday afternoon, acquiring right-handed pitcher Dylan Floro, minor-league right-handed pitcher Zach Neal and international signing bonus pool space from the Cincinnati Reds in exchange for minor league right-handed pitchers James Marinan and Aneurys Zabala.

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Dodgers 40-Man Roster: What Lies Ahead for Andrew Toles and Alex Verdugo?

Published on by Dennis Schlossman18 Comments
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(Mandatory Credit: Jon SooHoo/Los Angeles Dodgers)

After Monday’s convincing 17-1 victory over the Pirates, not many fans of the Dodgers are in the mood to discuss any potential roster moves as the club readies themselves for the second-half of the 2018 campaign. However, there are a handful of players on the upper levels of the farm who are conceivably worthy of a spot on a big league roster, whether it be for the Dodgers or somebody else.

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Series Preview: Dodgers Host Pirates in Final Leg of Homestand

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(Mandatory Credit: Joe Camporeale/USA TODAY Sports)

Heading into the final series of their current homestand, the Dodgers are still lingering in second place in the West division, currently sitting 2-1/2 games behind the Diamondbacks. In the first two contests against the Rockies over the weekend, the club’s offense was dormant; however, in the finale, the bats woke up and the Boys in Blue were able to salvage a 6-4 victory.

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4 More Players Dodgers Could Pursue at 2018 Non-Waiver Trade Deadline

Published on by Dennis Schlossman11 Comments
Keone Kela
(NBC Sports photo)

While some fans of the Dodgers believe the club should pursue offensive help as the summer trade deadlines approach, I’m still among those who believe that pitching—most specifically several upgrades in the bullpen—are necessary to make a run at the 2018 postseason. Yes, the team has struggled with the lumber in the weekend series against the Rockies, but I still feel there’s enough firepower on the 25-man roster to do the job scoring runs.

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Dodgers Prospects: A Conversation with Rancho Reliever Zach Pop

Published on by Dennis Schlossman9 Comments
zpop
(Photo Courtesy of University of Kentucky Athletics)

While there have been many conversations this season surrounding the big league bullpen of the Dodgers, many fans have taken it upon themselves to scour the depths of the farm system in search of any rising arms that stand out. In the past, it was rare to find a true reliever who was developed in the bullpen, because most of the pitchers with the highest values are often groomed as starters regardless of their pedigrees. However, in the newest generation of prospects, pitchers like Joe Broussard, Shea Spitzbarth, and Marshall Kasowski have been developed as relievers since day one and have been rising to the top very quickly. Add Rancho Cucamonga reliever Zach Pop to the aforementioned crew, and it’s not difficult to see why the organization is extremely excited about the bullpen talent that’s ready to emerge.

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Higher Trade Deadline Priority: A Starting Pitcher, a Reliever, or a Shortstop?

Published on by Dennis Schlossman23 Comments
manny-machado (1)
(CBS Sports photo)

Up until yesterday, there really hasn’t been much chatter linking the Dodgers to any prospective blockbuster trades with rival clubs anytime soon. Sure, there have been a few whispers about a bullpen upgrade or two, but for the most part, the juicy, eye-opening rumors have been non-existent. However, after Bob Nightengale of the USA Today published a story stating that the Dodgers are the favorites to land Baltimore shortstop Manny Machado, quite the stir began to circulate among Los Angeles fans everywhere.

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Dodgers Roster: A Few Thoughts Surrounding the Starting Rotation

Published on by Dennis Schlossman16 Comments
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(Mandatory credit: Orlando Ramirez/USA TODAY Sports)

For as long as the starting rotation of the Dodgers has been bitten by the injury bug so far this season, to say that it’s relieving to see the crew getting healthier would be an understatement. Furthermore, based on the current state of all the available starters in the organization, many fans are wondering if the front office will be searching for another starter to add to the mix as the July 31 non-waiver trade deadline approaches.

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