DODGERS NEWS/RUMORS thread

I keep getting obsessed with the idea of getting Felipe Vasquez. Similar to Yu Darvish two years ago and Manny last year, it's just too perfect a fit to NOT do it. Most of it will probably fall on the Pirates to see how serious they are about it though. They sound like they really want to keep Felipe.

My tinfoil hat type of prediction is that Ruiz is at the center of the talks. Dodgers probably fine with Ruiz +very little else, similar to the Mejia for Hand trade that the Indians/Padres or Gleyber for Chapman, but Pirates probably want the 2nd guy to be May. I wonder if they could meet somewhere in the middle, something like Ruiz + two other decent specs (Gonsolin, Josiah gray, Downs, Peters) and get Vasquez + a second guy from them. Depending how the Pirates feel, a secondary piece they could trade is Liriano or Kela, or even Melky Cabrera or Marte (doubt Marte without something BIG). Dodgers could use Liriano or flip any of the other 3.

Anyways if they don't do that, the only other guy out there that is worth Ruiz being included is Thor. Otherwise, you're trading from the top 5-12 specs for 2-3 of Giles, Colome, Bummer, Givens, Diekman, Iglesias, Edwin, Givens, etc. etc. etc. Getting 2 of those guys would be good but not amazing, getting 3 could make up for not getting Vasquez. Just need 2 of 3 to be good enough for October.

 

ruiz alone should be enough for felipe, certainly with a b prospect added
we’ll probably walk away when they insist on ruiz+may
and then be infuriated when pit trades him elsewhere for considerably less
but i’m almost more inclined to go with your backup plan...
not saying vasquez will turn to crap, but less likely all three shit the bed after being traded
see dozier

 

right, Vasquez is obviously elite and would be a game changer but the only thing that can kinda sorta maybe come close for the next 3 months is getting 3 relievers that are good and/or have good stuff and see if at least 2 can give you elite innings down the stretch. Relievers are the damn trickiest thing in the world and if you aren't going to get a close-to-sure-thing in Vasquez, you need to get as much talent as possible and just pray a couple work out.

 

Ken Rosenthal@Ken_Rosenthal
2m


#Dodgers, recognizing lack of impact relievers available, also are considering starting pitchers, including #BlueJays’ Stroman, sources tell The Athletic. Such a trade would result in LAD moving current starter to bullpen. @TheAthleticMLB


Not a bad plan. We don't really have a good 4th starter right now, and we might rather have Maeda/Hill in the bullpen

 

Kershaw can still be the ace.
Start the first game and then rest for game two where Thor starts.
Come in and win the game in relief if needed in game 3 or 4 and any following games to help Ryu or Buehler from getting the loss.

1. Kershaw 6 inn = 3 of relief
2. Thor or ? 6 inn = 3 of relief
3. Ryu ? inn + relievers need rest = Kershaw 2 to 4 innings gets win or save in relief
4. Buehler ? inn = unused starters available for 2 to 4 innings + Kershaw 1 inning of relief for win or save
if game 5 needed you go back to the game 2 starter Thor and then Ryu and Buehler if it goes to 6 and 7 games.
Once the series is over he will have plenty of rest.
Starts game 1 of the next series and the pattern continues.
This ensures our starting rotation is always in line and fresh at the start of every new round/series.

 

Turn to Cubs-Brewers...3-2 Cubs bottom 10th. Kimbrel enters the game and HR Yelich, walk, 2 r HR. Brewers win 5 -3.

Kimbrel now with a 6.75 ERA. Yikes...

 

Yeah, that's an ugly number, but I think everyone expected it his first month or so as this is his spring training. The Dodgers had enough of a cushion that it wouldn't have been an issue, assuming he's ready by the playoffs. The Cubs, though, are in the thick of things and right now he's hurting their chances of even reaching the postseason.