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

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(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

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(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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Contemplating Two of the Biggest Trade Rumors Linked to Dodgers

manny-machado (1)
(CBS Sports photo)

Welcome to July! The month of July means a lot of things in baseball. It’s when the division race starts to take shape. It’s when potential MVP Candidates and Cy Young Award hopefuls start to become clear (I’m looking at you, Matt Kemp and Ross Stripling) and it’s when pennant-winning trades start to happen.

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

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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

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

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(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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The Science of the Comeback: How the Dodgers Turned the 2018 Season Around

Dodgers, Max Muncy, Chase Utley, MLB
(AP Photo/Gregory Bull)

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.

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

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

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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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