Similar to years past, the Dodgers waited until the closing hours of the 2018 non-waiver deadline to make multiple additions to the player roster. To compliment its move two weeks ago in gaining Manny Machado, the club acquired infielder Brian Dozier from the Twins and righty reliever John Axford from the Blue Jays on Tuesday.
Continue reading “Dodgers Acquire Brian Dozier, John Axford Before 2018 Non-Waiver Deadline”
On a daily basis, relievers seem to be being dealt left and right by clubs across both leagues. The supply appears to be almost unlimited, as bullpen pieces account for roughly 1/3 of all major league roster spots, along with the fact that new clubs are joining the seller list with each passing game. Yet, as all these trades continue to be orchestrated, the Dodgers are still relatively quiet. Some believe that they will indeed make one or more upgrades to the bullpen soon, while others feel they actually have enough options in-house to get the job done in the postseason.
Continue reading “Dodgers Roster: Are Internal Bullpen Options Enough to Improve?”
Although the injury picture of the Dodgers isn’t quite as bad as it was earlier in the first-half of the year, there have been some instances recently when it has bitten the team in terms of performance, especially considering defensive play like that on Saturday evening at third base.
Continue reading “Dodgers Injury Notes: Turner, Baez, Puig, Urías & More”
Seemingly, the starting rotation of the Dodgers continues to get healthier. Many fans of the team were curious to know how management would handle an overcrowded starting five, and they got their answer when Rich Hill was relegated to the bullpen just days before the All-Star break. Now, with the rotation appearing to be at full strength, followers are contemplating whether or not there’s enough firepower to make some noise in the playoffs.
Continue reading “Dodgers 25-Man Roster: Trying to Optimize the Starting Rotation”
We say it all the time, but considering how badly the injury bug has bitten the Dodgers so far this season, it’s tough to comprehend how they’re hanging right at the top of the National League West just days before the 2018 All-Star break.
Continue reading “Dodgers Injury Notes: Puig, Buehler, Urías, Cingrani & More”
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.
Continue reading “Dodgers 40-Man Roster: What Lies Ahead for Andrew Toles and Alex Verdugo?”
The Los Angeles Dodgers are on another one of their infamous tears, having won 27 of their last 38 games after a six-game losing streak and season-low 10 games under .500 in mid-May. This is the stuff beat-writers dream of—a Dodgers team featuring an All-Star candidate in Matt Kemp that was considered a strong DFA candidate before the season began. Max Muncy is 2018’s 2017 Chris Taylor, and an almost entirely rebuilt rotation has filled in for injured stars, with Ross Stripling turning himself into Clayton Kershaw 2.0.
Continue reading “The Science of the Comeback: How the Dodgers Turned the 2018 Season Around”
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.
Continue reading “Higher Trade Deadline Priority: A Starting Pitcher, a Reliever, or a Shortstop?”
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.
Continue reading “Dodgers Roster: A Few Thoughts Surrounding the Starting Rotation”
Fans of the Dodgers everywhere expect this team to make it to the postseason each and every fall. Like the Yankees, the Dodgers are not the kind of team that needs a full Theo Epstein or Jeff Luhnow-like rebuild. The Dodgers can rebuild without ever fully falling out of contention. That’s the kind of team the Yankees are, and it’s the kind of team the Dodgers are. The Dodgers, however, are far from rebuilding and are headed at full-speed towards October. This team, how they are now, I think, could beat the Nationals or the Cubs. They could even beat the almighty D-Backs. That’s not what I’m worried about. What I am worried about is the World Series. When it comes to this game, you can’t take it one series at a time. You have to plan for any outcome. The Dodgers’ goal is to win the World Series, so in order to do that, they have to be ready for it, even if they fall short in the end.
Continue reading “Breaking Down the Dodgers’ Roster Needs Heading into July”
Think Blue Planning Committee 