SoCalTiger

Except he's at shortstop today so what do I know 🥸

Epic battle of the 28th versus 29th best records ! Up is the only way to go.

We have the Angels at home. Lose this series then....

McStinky is most definitely playing hurt and can not play shortstop. I have been asking the board this for weeks. It is the only reason Short is here. Who else can play shortstop at the major league level and not drown in the entire system ? Peck is not ready. Harris and Hinch are not stupid people.

its the wild card or bust . We are not catching Cleveland. They are a solid team that won't beat themselves with more talent in AAA on the way perhaps even this year. Their manager and pitching coach are as good as they come as well. Stinks but true. Teams don't overcome a 20 game stretch this bad with an inconsistent offense and troubling bullpen.

Paredes got 72 AB's in 2020 and 100 AB's in 2021 and Tampa gave him 331 in 2022 and he improved immensely and then 492 in 2023 and he was an All Star. So maybe it was Avila and not Hinch who totally misjudged his talent. But I don't see any position player getting better playing for Hinch. To be fair it's mostly talent but work the zone and play all the positions might be a contributing factor to at least consider. Tampa saw talent in Parades - chose a position and gave him consistent AB's. And they sit atop the eastern division this morning. I am not saying dump Hinch but we have had serious slumps three years running and position player development has not been the greatest.

100 %..if you are losing then you should want to play the players who could benefit from playing and improve for the future. What happened to "we're going to develop at the major league level " ? Although I do not think Colt can play third base and Hinch seems to agree that doesn't men he couldn't maybe become passable there. Just put him there everyday and find out ( as you have said) because there is nothing to lose and nothing to gain playing Short. Remember Hinch is the same manager who chose not to play Issac Parades . He chose to play Goodrum all the time.

The Dodgers probably, and rightfully so, think they can win # 3 without Tarik Skubal but if they do trade Skubs I hope you are right and the return is excellent.

Fubar

I doubt we could get the games number 9 prospect ( Depaula) for two. months of Skubal unless he agrees to an extension which Boras will not allow.

Yes you have and this season is proving you correct ...so far...and you still might get your wish, though diluted, come August. But TBF I agreed with Harris not trading Skubal the last two off seasons since we made the playoffs both years but as you maintained, the rest of the team may have indeed been a bit of an illusion thus warranting an early cash out.

Dodgers have the most talent to trade and still retain a great farm system and Harris seems comfortable trading with Friedman. I hope it does not come to this as our highlight of the 2026 season. Or lowlight.

Me to. How are your bruises healing ?

Yes I think you are right. It’s a mess

It' hard to get my head around trading Skubal. How did we get here ?

Colt Keith is a HUGE failure of this organization. I see a robot instead of an athlete and that's why I think he is pressing. the outfield makes sense to me since he can run , the arm will be lacking but it's a better compromise than his terrible infield play. Maybe left field with Greene moving to first as you mentioned ?

I was talking in general terms but with the team Hinch has now it really doesn't matter but I would play Lee everyday at second base and Verling in center for evaluation purposes to at least see if they can be useful in the future. That and batting McGonigle- Greene-Dingler 1-2-3 and the rest is a coin flip. I have a feeling McKinstry is playing hurt and can't play shortstop so if that's the case then McGonigle must play shortstop which at least does have some evaluation benefit but I see him as third baseman.

Ok assuming full health as follows : DH - Carpenter - Choosing power over Colt Keith obp (shrinking) 1B- Tork -lacking any alternatives 2B - Torres 3B McGonigle - look he can play short but his arm and reactions say 3B for the next 10 years and we can move on to fixing other spots. Decision made. SS - Baez - again slim picking until Peck is ready or this is the position to obtain elsewhere ASAP. Job 1 like its been for so long. C - Dingler - easy one LF - Greene CF - Meadows until Clark is ready RF - Verling My bench is McStinky - Colt Keith ( DH and PH and PR only) Rogers Perez Batting order McGonigle- Greene- Dingler- Torrres (second lead off) - Carpenter - Tork -Baez - Verling - Meadows The above gives us our best defense and maximizes what little power we have. I don't trust Colt Keith in the field and would look to trade him and if not convert him to the outfield next off season and spring training. He plays really tight so maybe a position change will help. He is still young.

Hurter hurt

91 middle middle ,,,,what could go wrong

Yes I agree but a 26th man like Mckinstry playing all over is the expected role.

I am not much in favor of platooning especially young players. I also don't like the constant position changes. I believe in defined roles , consistent positions and making a decision on a player that lasts longer than the next game. I guess I'm out dated but if a player knows when he will be playing and where he will be playing and that he is given some commitment to both I think they will perform better. This team plays very tight and I think it's at least partly due to thinking every at bat or opportunity might be your last.

It goes both ways. If you have a highly rated prospect but you know he does not fit or has critical flaw then move him for established talent. But it has to be done quickly before that flaw is exposed. Not easy but necessary.

Do what the Brewers do. Problem is you have to recognize talent that is not hyped and then trade for it and draft it. It really is two simple but hard abilities a successful GM or PBO must have : 1. ) An exceptional judge of talent and : 2.) Can you make decisive decisions quickly .He who manages change best wins the most.

Well in truth only three can hit - Greene -Dingler and Torres. And when you look at that group and their career statistics how could you think it's a sustainable offense when you account for the certainties of injuries and the fact management considers the others listed as platoon players. Hitters , true hitters, can hit both righties and lefties.