Here’s the latest from Chavez Ravine…
- Rich Hill’s life and incredible career turn-around is profiled by Andy McCullough of the Los Angeles Times, detailing how the journeyman southpaw went from just trying to eke out a major league job to posting some of the best numbers of any pitcher in the sport over the last two seasons.
- The Dodgers’ acquisition of Logan Forsythe from the Rays for Jose De Leon is something of an overpay for L.A., Fangraphs’ Dave Cameron opines. Cameron feels there’s risk involved in the trade given De Leon’s potential, the fact that Dodgers themselves could’ve used De Leon’s arm in the bullpen or as rotation depth, and that the Dodgers could’ve given up a bit more prospect capital to acquire Brian Dozier, a player Cameron argues is markedly better than Forsythe. Still, the deal makes sense if the Dodgers are in win-now mode and are already looking ahead to another potential playoff matchup with the Cubs in October.
- Dodgers GM Farhan Zaidi also discussed the Forsythe deal in an interview with Jim Memolo and Kevin Kennedy on MLB Network Radio on SiriusXM (audio link), noting that Forsythe was “on a very short list of targets” for the club’s second base vacancy. Zaidi described the Dodgers’ search for a second baseman as “pretty drawn-out and “unfortunately, probably more of it got out into the public than we would’ve liked.”
Sometimes to compete, you have to gamble. The Dodgers can afford to do so. So they did in the De Leon trade.
They only gave up 1 guy for a very good player
So Cameron thinks that De Leon was an overpay given De Leon’s potential and that the Dodgers would’ve only had to have given up a “bit more” to acquire Dozier? I have to agree with that assessment but I’m sure that there will be a nice long argument on here about this, and regurgitated projections and WAR will be flying around soon
I’d agree if it cost a “bit” more for Dozier. But from what I was hearing, it was quite a bit more. That’s why Dozier’s still a Twin even though there was plenty of interest AND the Twins asked for “best offers” weeks ago. My guess is the ChiSox’s fleecing of the Nats for Eaton has put dollar signs (“prospect signs” really, I guess) in the Twins’ eyes. They should understand that dumb ass overpays don’t come around that often.
So trading de leon is an overpay , and hurts their sp depth ( which they already have plenty of ) but trading way too much for dozier was a better option?? Forsythe is a much safer bet for numbers to stay consistent in LA. Doziers HR spike would be impossible to repeat here
Target field may be more of a pitchers park than LA is
It’s crazy the depth of the Dodgers system. Giving up De Leon, Holmes, Montas, and Cotton and they still have a great system.
Holmes is far away, Montas is likely a reliever (very good one though), and the Dodgers don’t have to patience right now to develop someone like JDL, who will take his lumps the first year or so. I felt like JDL was perfect trade bait, kinda like Allen Webster. Cotton might hurt them, though.
True, but they might regret giving up Cotton. He had a good Sept call-up with the A’s.
When that trade happened with the A’s I was skeptical, but in the end it probably allowed the Dodgers to resign Hill more easily. Essentially traded those guys for a year of Reddick and 4 years of Hill.
Over pay is to be determined. Zorbist for Manaea was a over pay by KC but they won a world series so it became a good deal. So now it depends what the deal gets the dodgers. A world series is worth the cost of one player.
Yes the 42 HRs is sexy. Yes people probably wanted to see Dozier’s hair in LA. Yes Dozier is an extremely good player, but I love this trade. I hate that JDL was the guy, but you have to give to get. This offseason wasn’t sexy or winning of the offseason type, but they were extremely productive. Now a reliever would be nice.
De Leon is an overpay? I agree his potential is huge and he will likely end up making a significant impact in the next few years, but he is still a prospect.
“Prospects are cool, but parades are cooler.” – Casey Stern
Unless De Leon goes on to be the ace of Tampa’s rotation for the five of the next six years (first year getting his feet wet) and posts Kershaw-like numbers and is the difference maker for Tampa winning championships, De Leon ALONE for Forsythe is a steal.
I think its a win win for both teams, De Leon can become a great pitcher for the rays for the next 5-6 years
That’s cool and all, but Logan Forscthe doesn’t guarantee that banner and really doesn’t increase their ws odds by all that much.
I think its fine or win now teams to make these kinds of moves, but your claim that JDL has to become an ace for this to bite the dodgers is nuts.
Yes, we might have over payed, but winning now is the goal. I feel like MIN overplayed their hand. They are in rebuild mode, and having two years of Dozier will not help them if he leaves after free agency. MIN just shot themselves in the foot with this one. If they end up trading Dozier it will be for a lesser prospect, and will only prolong their rebuilding years.
If Dozier hits like he did the last three years (even with the slumps along the way), then the Twins could absolutely get one pitching prospect for him at the deadline. Look what happened with Jonathan Lucroy. He had two years of team control remaining, the Brewers didn’t find a good trade, so they kept him and traded him for a good haul in July.
If Dozier hits like he did the last three years (even with the slumps along the way), then the Twins could absolutely get one pitching prospect for him at the deadline. Look what happened with Jonathan Lucroy. He had two years of team control remaining, the Brewers didn’t find a good trade, so they kept him and traded him for a good haul in July. Too early to say the Twins overplayed their hand.
Making the deal for Forsythe also opens options such as packaging Enrique Hernandez and one of the surplus outfielders (Toles or Van Slyke) for a decent 7/8 inning reliever who can also backup Jansen
Umm the dodgers realistically are not receiving much in a package that involves Kikè and SVS. So they both hold more value to the Dodgers than others. The same with Toles unless he puts up like numbers. Mid season Watson could be a good target.
If we would’ve threw in Kike with JDL I bet the Twins would’ve pulled the trigger
Hhahahhaha no. That’s not just no. The twins have multiple Kikè like players. Again Kikè holds little value to other teams.
Should have just resigned Chase Utley on a one year and call it a day.
And continue to get murdered by lefties?
It sounds like someone was looking for a story that would stir things up! There’s a reason the Dodgers didn’t pitch DeLeon that much last season. It’s a fair trade, both teams benefited, and the Dodgers are definitely better now. Utley for another year?!?!? That would be another wasted year of Kershaw… it’s time to get better or get steppin’… Dodgers need to beat the Cubs, period!