Dodgers Add Latos, Morse, Draft Pick

[SJ20]

Take a look at Latos' stats since he came back from the DL in June:

7 starts, 2.98 ERA (1.80 in July), 43/19 K/BB, only 1 start with more than 3 runs allowed (5 vs StL). The main difference between Leake and Latos the past two months has been run support.

Wood's ratio stats aren't that far removed from Price's either. Add in the cost advantage (salary and cost in prospects in trade), not to mention years of control, and the Dodgers did very well.

That doesn't even include the needed bolstering of the bullpen and getting the Braves' top prospect in the deal. What did the Dodgers actually give up? 3 single A arms that aren't highly ranked, injured Paco, and Oliveras? That's a trade every GM would love to be able to afford. The only real negative is the wasted $$$, but the Dodgers' TV deal renders that almost moot.

I appreciate your effort in researching the difference between Leake and Latos. I'm just not sold on Latos helping us win anything of importance. The Latos of a few years ago maybe. Wood might be good going forward and I hope he is. He doesn't seem like a difference maker in the next few seasons which is when we really need to win.

 

[SJ20]

What do you care about the price tag for McCarthy? He was super cheap. About $12M/year is practically nothing to the Dodgers.

You seem like the message board poster who seems to want to argue for arguments sake. McCarthy was OK, but not the guy the Dodgers should have been looking for.

 

[LASports96]

You know you don't need 3 aces to win, right? That would've been a complete luxury as stated before.

And Wood does help us win now... since ya know he's a good pitcher.

 

[Villain]

You seem like the message board poster who seems to want to argue for arguments sake.

Character flaw. Being like this here keeps me from doing it to people face to face.

McCarthy was OK, but not the guy the Dodgers should have been looking for.

I really can't agree with that. I don't think the Dodgers needed to be going after Shields, Scherzer, or Lester. Giving up a draft pick (well maybe that didn't matter this year, the draft was pretty much a disaster) to lock into an extended deal with a guy that's entering the unfortunate half of their career. Yeah, Scherzer and Lester look great this year and the Dodgers would be a better team with either of them on the roster, but I just wasn't crazy about the long-term risk and inflexibility of having one of those guys taking up a roster spot so long.

What I liked about the McCarthy deal was that it was so low-risk. If he's on the mound, great. If he's hurt, then that sucks but he won't be taking up a roster spot. I look at Lester and Shields the way I look at Ethier and Crawford. Decent guys that absolutely are not worth the long-term commitment. Scherzer - I would've been able to get behind because he's not even showing any warning signs of impending failure and his track record was waaaaay better than that of Lester and Shields.

When you're a team with the finances that the Dodgers are, its not just about swinging your golden dick and buying all the expensive people. It's about being able to take a flyer where other people wouldn't - like Brett Anderson and Brandon McCarthy. It worked for one but not the other. The FO is smart enough that they strengthened the weakest parts of the 40-man Roster so that when the surprise Ryu and McCarthy injuries did hit, they were ready with Bolsinger, Frias, Lee, Wieland, and Beachy. They weren't perfect but they held up the back end of the rotation long enough that the Dodgers were still in 1st place for the trading deadline. This team has depth at every position. That's huge.

Think back to when Colletti was GM. These back-of-the-rotation pitching situations had been "solved" with the likes of Roberto Hernandez, Kevin Correia, Edinson Volquez, and Joe Blanton. Blegh. Things are better now.

 

[Smed55]

You seem like the message board poster who seems to want to argue for arguments sake. McCarthy was OK, but not the guy the Dodgers should have been looking for.

SJ, if you come in here enough you will learn that Villian "thinks" he has all this inside information and that he is always right about everything!!!!

He is our soup Nazi, "I'm am right because I say so, Next" is his motto!

 

[shopson67]

I appreciate your effort in researching the difference between Leake and Latos. I'm just not sold on Latos helping us win anything of importance. The Latos of a few years ago maybe. Wood might be good going forward and I hope he is. He doesn't seem like a difference maker in the next few seasons which is when we really need to win.

Leake cost the Giants their #1 prospect. Dodgers still have all of their top prospects (other than 30 year old Olivera).

 

[SJ20]

You know you don't need 3 aces to win, right? That would've been a complete luxury as stated before.

And Wood does help us win now... since ya know he's a good pitcher.

I never said we needed 3 aces to win. I'm pretty sure Detroit had 3 aces last season and failed to win even one series. Wood seems like he can BE a good pitcher. I need to see more of him and he'll have to help us actually win something before I give him too much credit. Most Dodgers fans would have felt more comfortable heading into October with Price on staff and that's for next season as well in case we lose Greinke.

 

[SJ20]

Character flaw. Being like this here keeps me from doing it to people face to face.



I really can't agree with that. I don't think the Dodgers needed to be going after Shields, Scherzer, or Lester. Giving up a draft pick (well maybe that didn't matter this year, the draft was pretty much a disaster) to lock into an extended deal with a guy that's entering the unfortunate half of their career. Yeah, Scherzer and Lester look great this year and the Dodgers would be a better team with either of them on the roster, but I just wasn't crazy about the long-term risk and inflexibility of having one of those guys taking up a roster spot so long.

What I liked about the McCarthy deal was that it was so low-risk. If he's on the mound, great. If he's hurt, then that sucks but he won't be taking up a roster spot. I look at Lester and Shields the way I look at Ethier and Crawford. Decent guys that absolutely are not worth the long-term commitment. Scherzer - I would've been able to get behind because he's not even showing any warning signs of impending failure and his track record was waaaaay better than that of Lester and Shields.

When you're a team with the finances that the Dodgers are, its not just about swinging your golden dick and buying all the expensive people. It's about being able to take a flyer where other people wouldn't - like Brett Anderson and Brandon McCarthy. It worked for one but not the other. The FO is smart enough that they strengthened the weakest parts of the 40-man Roster so that when the surprise Ryu and McCarthy injuries did hit, they were ready with Bolsinger, Frias, Lee, Wieland, and Beachy. They weren't perfect but they held up the back end of the rotation long enough that the Dodgers were still in 1st place for the trading deadline. This team has depth at every position. That's huge.

Think back to when Colletti was GM. These back-of-the-rotation pitching situations had been "solved" with the likes of Roberto Hernandez, Kevin Correia, Edinson Volquez, and Joe Blanton. Blegh. Things are better now.

Scherzer is the guy I was hoping for. Never would I have thought he'd be THIS GOOD. The Nats really lucked out. Shields scares me in the playoffs. He's like a mini C-Bills. Lester is a bit overrated. I like McCarthy. I just think about what happened to him a few years ago and how that could end his career if it happens again. With Ryu getting hurt I really wish we had done better but who knew? I was even hoping Zach Lee would earn his place. Bolsinger has really been a surprise.

Not every guy on the roster is going to be an all-star or a known player. That's obvious. We brought in some well known guys but I just wasn't sold on the offseason moves. Kendrick is playing great, but so is Dee Gordon. However, the way the team was the past few seasons wasn't winning us any titles either.

Things seem like they're better now. We all want the results. The jury is out on this new regime and they have to prove themselves with this franchise.

 

[SJ20]

SJ, if you come in here enough you will learn that Villian "thinks" he has all this inside information and that he is always right about everything!!!!

He is our soup Nazi, "I'm am right because I say so, Next" is his motto!

Haha! That was hilarious.

Seinfeld rules!

 

[SJ20]

Leake cost the Giants their #1 prospect. Dodgers still have all of their top prospects (other than 30 year old Olivera).

I'm not worried about hoarding prospects. I want this team to win a World Series in the near future. You have to give to get.

 

[shopson67]

I'm not worried about hoarding prospects. I want this team to win a World Series in the near future. You have to give to get.

Near future could have several of those top prospects in starting roles. Corey Seager taking over for Rollins, probably next year. If Kendrick leaves via free agency, they now have Peraza waiting at AAA. Urias (AA, 2016), DeLeon (AA, 2017), Holmes (A, 2018) will keep the Dodgers' rotation stocked with top young arms for the next few years.

If the Dodgers re-sign Greinke, we're talking about #4-5 starters (behind Kershaw, Greinke, and Ryu). Frias should be back soon, Arroyo could be ready in a month, McCarthy will be back sometime next year, and for now the Dodgers have Anderson, Latos and Wood in the mix as well with Bolsinger waiting at AAA.

 

[Villain]

Giants #1 prospect wasn't even that good, though. Might not even crack the Dodgers' top 10. They have a really weak system.

 

[Villain]

Near future could have several of those top prospects in starting roles. Corey Seager taking over for Rollins, probably next year. If Kendrick leaves via free agency, they now have Peraza waiting at AAA. Urias (AA, 2016), DeLeon (AA, 2017), Holmes (A, 2018) will keep the Dodgers' rotation stocked with top young arms for the next few years.

If the Dodgers re-sign Greinke, we're talking about #4-5 starters (behind Kershaw, Greinke, and Ryu). Frias should be back soon, Arroyo could be ready in a month, McCarthy will be back sometime next year, and for now the Dodgers have Anderson, Latos and Wood in the mix as well with Bolsinger waiting at AAA.

Well, Arroyo probably isn't getting his option picked up. I doubt the Dodgers would want him anyways - we'll see. I'm not sure what his role in the trade was. Also, you're forgetting Alex Wood.

For the rotation next year, you can probably count on it looking like this in April:

1. Kershaw
2. Greinke/Price/Cueto/Zimmermann/Fister
3. Ryu
4. Wood
5. ???????????

Assuming no one gets hurt, my best-case-scenario winter is probably re-signing Greinke AND signing a big FA like David Price. Who knows, maybe Latos shows that he's as good as he's used to be for the rest of the year and the Dodgers decided to try to lock him up - or someone else in that tier (Kazmir, Leake...).

If we're looking at internal options, yeah, Urias is looking close to be ready as well. Same with DeLeon. Holmes probably a 2017 guy. There's also Chris Anderson and Jharel Cotton, but I feel like they both have "AAA" written all over their foreheads. Maybe they'll be mid-season callups? All I can say is that the organizational pitching depth is phenomenal. It's almost stupid to be the team with all the money, a big league roster packed with impact rookies and veterans, AND a super deep farm system. The Dodgers are going to be the class of the NL West for a long time.

Gotta hand to Stan Kasten, he did exactly what he said he wanted to do. The only place the team is truly fucking up is with the TV channel and I'd be shocked if that doesn't get sorted before Opening Day next year (considering the buyouts of TWC and DTV). It's a great time to be a Dodger fan.

P. S. McCarthy is probably not going to be ready until summer. Lazily throwing out a guess, I'd peg him at an All-Star Break return.

 

[SJ20]

It sucks that Seager isn't here right now. Wasn't a big fan of the J-Roll trade, especially with the way he has played the past few seasons. Unless they made the deal strictly for defense and/or locker room presence? At this time, I hope they get Seager up here and keep Rollins as a mentor.

Really hope we can keep Greinke. He's been good for us. Another star pitcher might come here and not do that well. At least we know Greinke seems comfortable here. One thing is sure, he will go to the highest bidder. He's already stated that was his main reason for signing with this organization.

 

[Villain]

It sucks that Seager isn't here right now. Wasn't a big fan of the J-Roll trade, especially with the way he has played the past few seasons. Unless they made the deal strictly for defense and/or locker room presence? At this time, I hope they get Seager up here and keep Rollins as a mentor.

I think Rollins is good for a one-and-done season as a Dodger. We can at least count on him to not make any really stupid mistakes, solid defense, and quality at-bats (even if the results don't necessarily show it). I feel like Rollins is one of those veteran guys that you really want when the shit is hitting the fan.

You just know there's going to be a moment in the playoffs where he's batting against a young, bright-eyed first or second year reliever. That reliever is going to be shitting his pants (although he shouldn't be) and Rollins is going to chew him up. Those are the moments that give managers ulcers. Veteran, almost washed up, players (Bobby Abreu was the same kinda guy) who used to be really damn good and they're facing a 24-year-old that's nervous as all hell. You can live with the mediocre bat and quality defense for the course of a season, but it's those big moments when a guy like that pays off. Maybe just a walk, maybe just a single or a double, but you want a guy like Rollins in that situation.

None of this is to suggest you wouldn't want Seager. You always want Seager over Rollins. This is just me, strangly, being an apologist for a veteran even though there probably aren't any numbers or data to back it up.

I like your idea of Rollins as a mentor for Seager but that doesn't really seem realistic to me. He's in this for the glory run. Maybe this Winter or in Spring Training, if he decides to retire, he finds a willingness to stick around and show the kid a few things. I don't see it though. He has to be going back to the Phillies. Dodgers have an amazing development team so I'm not really worried about Seager needing Rollins.

Really hope we can keep Greinke. He's been good for us. Another star pitcher might come here and not do that well. At least we know Greinke seems comfortable here. One thing is sure, he will go to the highest bidder. He's already stated that was his main reason for signing with this organization.

Yeah, and the Dodgers have shown that they can out-bid anyone. I'd like to see Greinke stay as well. I like to believe that he likes being a part of this organization, being with Kershaw, and just buying into the whole vision that the Front Office has. Greinke is the kinda guy I see thriving here. Not that the Dodgers need a discount, I just see that off-the-field, big-picture stuff as being a huge appeal for him. Greinke has said some really positive things about Grandal, too. That means a lot coming from a guy who hates to spew out generic "we should try to score more than the other guys" bullshit.

 

[Smed55]

And there you go Villian, that's just "one" of the problems with your precious Sabr metrics! It's ok for you to rip everyone elses opinion on players, but than you turn around and say that Rollins "numbers" and data don't add up, but you are willing to say that because he is a winner he has that extra something!

I also don't have a problem with Rollins, his average isnt all that, but his "numbers" aren't that bad! He has come up with numerous clutch hits!

 

[SJ20]

I think Rollins is good for a one-and-done season as a Dodger. We can at least count on him to not make any really stupid mistakes, solid defense, and quality at-bats (even if the results don't necessarily show it). I feel like Rollins is one of those veteran guys that you really want when the shit is hitting the fan.

You just know there's going to be a moment in the playoffs where he's batting against a young, bright-eyed first or second year reliever. That reliever is going to be shitting his pants (although he shouldn't be) and Rollins is going to chew him up. Those are the moments that give managers ulcers. Veteran, almost washed up, players (Bobby Abreu was the same kinda guy) who used to be really damn good and they're facing a 24-year-old that's nervous as all hell. You can live with the mediocre bat and quality defense for the course of a season, but it's those big moments when a guy like that pays off. Maybe just a walk, maybe just a single or a double, but you want a guy like Rollins in that situation.

None of this is to suggest you wouldn't want Seager. You always want Seager over Rollins. This is just me, strangly, being an apologist for a veteran even though there probably aren't any numbers or data to back it up.

I like your idea of Rollins as a mentor for Seager but that doesn't really seem realistic to me. He's in this for the glory run. Maybe this Winter or in Spring Training, if he decides to retire, he finds a willingness to stick around and show the kid a few things. I don't see it though. He has to be going back to the Phillies. Dodgers have an amazing development team so I'm not really worried about Seager needing Rollins.



Yeah, and the Dodgers have shown that they can out-bid anyone. I'd like to see Greinke stay as well. I like to believe that he likes being a part of this organization, being with Kershaw, and just buying into the whole vision that the Front Office has. Greinke is the kinda guy I see thriving here. Not that the Dodgers need a discount, I just see that off-the-field, big-picture stuff as being a huge appeal for him. Greinke has said some really positive things about Grandal, too. That means a lot coming from a guy who hates to spew out generic "we should try to score more than the other guys" bullshit.

Clearly Jimmy wants to win another ring. He's seen guys such as Pat Burrell and Shane Victorino do it again. I was just saying that he seems like a good guy who would help a younger player if he were asked to do so. It wouldn't be like the whole Brett Favre/Aaron Rogers situation in Green Bay.

And I agree, Rollins is clutch and that is very important at this time of year heading into October. The guy just seems to come up with great results when needed the most. Always has.

 

[Villain]

Clearly Jimmy wants to win another ring. He's seen guys such as Pat Burrell and Shane Victorino do it again. I was just saying that he seems like a good guy who would help a younger player if he were asked to do so. It wouldn't be like the whole Brett Favre/Aaron Rogers situation in Green Bay.

Yeah, no I agree that would be really awesome for him to do that. Just doubt he'd be willing - seems like a Winter/Spring thing and I'm speculating that if he does indeed choose to retire, he'd probably prefer to go and help young guys on the Phillies instead. I'd love to have him though. I've always liked his leadership and swagger (well, I hated it when he was a Philly, but that's because he was good for them and bad for the Dodgers).

And I agree, Rollins is clutch and that is very important at this time of year heading into October. The guy just seems to come up with great results when needed the most. Always has.

Normally I don't buy into things like that - my preference for stats and empirical evidence is pretty obvious - but yeah like I said, veterans of his caliber do have some intangible value. The question is if you can live with the tangible limitations of his declining measurable stats. He's a guy who I'd vote "yes" on. Same as Uribe. Not going to carry the offense, but will run into enough to justify their existence on a team where others can anchor the lineup.

 

[shopson67]

Well, Arroyo probably isn't getting his option picked up. I doubt the Dodgers would want him anyways - we'll see. I'm not sure what his role in the trade was. Also, you're forgetting Alex Wood.

For the rotation next year, you can probably count on it looking like this in April:

1. Kershaw
2. Greinke/Price/Cueto/Zimmermann/Fister
3. Ryu
4. Wood
5. ???????????

Assuming no one gets hurt, my best-case-scenario winter is probably re-signing Greinke AND signing a big FA like David Price. Who knows, maybe Latos shows that he's as good as he's used to be for the rest of the year and the Dodgers decided to try to lock him up - or someone else in that tier (Kazmir, Leake...).

If we're looking at internal options, yeah, Urias is looking close to be ready as well. Same with DeLeon. Holmes probably a 2017 guy. There's also Chris Anderson and Jharel Cotton, but I feel like they both have "AAA" written all over their foreheads. Maybe they'll be mid-season callups? All I can say is that the organizational pitching depth is phenomenal. It's almost stupid to be the team with all the money, a big league roster packed with impact rookies and veterans, AND a super deep farm system. The Dodgers are going to be the class of the NL West for a long time.

Gotta hand to Stan Kasten, he did exactly what he said he wanted to do. The only place the team is truly fucking up is with the TV channel and I'd be shocked if that doesn't get sorted before Opening Day next year (considering the buyouts of TWC and DTV). It's a great time to be a Dodger fan.

P. S. McCarthy is probably not going to be ready until summer. Lazily throwing out a guess, I'd peg him at an All-Star Break return.

Didn't forget Wood, he was in my last sentence.

 

[SJ20]

Yeah, no I agree that would be really awesome for him to do that. Just doubt he'd be willing - seems like a Winter/Spring thing and I'm speculating that if he does indeed choose to retire, he'd probably prefer to go and help young guys on the Phillies instead. I'd love to have him though. I've always liked his leadership and swagger (well, I hated it when he was a Philly, but that's because he was good for them and bad for the Dodgers).





Normally I don't buy into things like that - my preference for stats and empirical evidence is pretty obvious - but yeah like I said, veterans of his caliber do have some intangible value. The question is if you can live with the tangible limitations of his declining measurable stats. He's a guy who I'd vote "yes" on. Same as Uribe. Not going to carry the offense, but will run into enough to justify their existence on a team where others can anchor the lineup.

We can always make him our manager, HAHA. Would probably get more out of these guys than Donnie. I really wish we would have signed Joe Maddon.