CheezWizHed

Just please keep JT from the Bears or Vikings... I think I'd cry to see him in those colors. Probably wouldn't work for Salary cap reasons, but would you trade Jones for JT straight up?

I'm pretty convinced Heath is going to be the 5th WR at this point (Wicks still making the squad at 6th). He seems to have a bit more speed than Lazard... though maybe that is just watching him vs backup CBs. I wouldn't be surprised to see him get playing time this year in 3 or 4 WR sets so they can still do running plays. Safety... ouch. Neither Ford nor Owens has done much... Johnson is contributing as much as these two with much less experience. But that doesn't make him starter material yet. Seems like Moore has fallen behind and his injury isn't giving any chances of catching up. Yeah, I'm hoping Gute can pull out some old Wolf magic and trade for a starting safety for a 7th round pick. Savage/<mystery pickup>/Ford/Johnson would be "ok" this year. But still weak unless the pickup somehow comes through huge. I have fears that Wooden and Brooks turn into pumpkins in the regular season against starting OL because they can't stop the run... But still, it is encouraging to see them playing well. There is certainly some talent there.

I'm guessing Toro would be the insurance policy. But I do think it was more than the arbitration number next year. He certainly fell out of favor... whether it was injuries, attitude, or ??

In regards to the premise of starting your best defender first... I think the point is the loss of flexibility. If Monastario is clearly the better overall player (O and D combined), you want him in there the most. Then you replace him when his offensive contribution is minimized (i.e. late in the game when it is unlikely for him to hit again). If you do the opposite, you are forcing an early switch (i.e. 3rd inning when they come to bat) and lose a player for the rest of the game when you might want to use them for the best situational play.

Monastario's current season is nearly a cookie cutter of Urias' MLB norms; both in batting and fielding. Urias: .235 .333 .390 .723 98 Monastario: .258 .340 .365 .705 94 94.8% vs 94.6% fielding percentage at 3B and similar D-WAR. Yes, not the best metrics, but I was too lazy to look up the advanced D-metrics. Plus, the eyeball test seems to say the same. Feel free to prove me wrong with your favorite D-metric. 😉 Both turned 26 years old this year (4 days apart even). Given the aforementioned upcoming arbitration and Luis' injury history, it seems smart to me to go with Andruw over Luis.

Nah... Just Prince Fielder...😂

Thoughts by position: QB: Love doesn't play much, but looks pretty solid out there. Nice arm, and good decisions. Clifford is the surprise here though. Really looks comfortable, strong decision-maker, understands our offense, and really has a good arm. Better than Brett Huntley ever was. Better than Love looked like as a rookie. Looks like he is under-drafted as a 5th rounder instead of over-drafted as many thought. Will be a good backup with starter potential. RB: Goodson's injury is at a bad time. 3rd RB looks like a fight between Taylor and Wilson. I'm cheering for Wilson TE: Kind of quiet night. Musgrave is ok at blocking. WRs: Toure looks decent at KR/PR, but I wonder if his tendency to cross the field is getting us holding penalties. Heath is really fighting to make the team. Reed looks more like Cobb than Rodgers as a slot WR. He should have a nice impact this year. OL: Walker looking good out there. Nijman and Myers seem to be regressing... Rhyan was out there without any big issues. 3rd rounder without much competition probably means he makes the team. DT: Brooks really had a nice night. Wooden also looked good. Hopefully, they don't turn into wall-flowers when all the starters are out there. OLB: Engebare... wow. Nice night, good improvement. Van Ness just being "ok". Seems to be in position mostly, but not making any big plays. Hopefully that will come. ILB: Not much from anyone out there. Walker was just "ok" at best. CB: Valentine was really up and down, but I love his aggression and not giving up when he makes a bad play. A keeper. Thomas had some flashes also. S: Really a lot of mediocre. Johnson getting a lot of play out there. Not doing much yet, but I think he has the best upside. Owens batted down a pass; Ford had a couple of nice tackles; no one is really grabbing the job. ST: Carson had a nice night. I think the kid will be good, but it will take some patience. Seems to be improving.

We suddenly look not interested in this game...

That camera angle was giving me motion sickness though...

Getting in the 2 runs is more than we normally get... (and now a 3rd as I type.

I think you need to work hard to convince us of that. 😉

Texas' D != Dodger's D

Close, but that was better! 😀

Well nice try....😂

Rowdy wanted to hit one... should've walked yet again.

I just stepped into the thread and the same could be said about half the comments on this page.

MLB system rating had us as the #3 system right now (#2 based on top 100 prospects alone). That is with Wiemer and Mitchell removed. I also find it hilarious that the last time we had so many top 100 ranked MiLB players (headlined by Lewis Brinson)... a bunch were traded for Yelich and almost none of them turned out at the MLB level. This certainly feels different. https://www.mlb.com/news/mlb-pipeline-2023-midseason-system-rankings I did note however... that 4 of our top 5 (and all position players) are under 6'0"...interesting. Have we found a market inefficiency as other teams focus on taller players?

Sure, there is a clear gap between the Dodgers/Braves and the rest of the league. But all it takes is a hot streak (or cold streak on the Dodger's behalf) to have surprise endings. I mean how often does the most likely team win the WS anyway?

I mean it was clearly what CC should've done...

I'd almost be tempted to walk Hernandez....

Make him look foolish one pitch... groove the next one for a double. That is Houser...

When Houser is on, it is a thing of beauty, but he always seems like he is right on the edge of disaster (or sometimes over the line).

Maybe you are in the wrong cults? 😂

Oh, it is interesting stuff... sometimes comical... I've seen a couple times where the old "I was hanging out with my buddy <insert name> and they told me all these private plans and things that I will now share on the internet" and I have to wonder... if what were actually true, how long with that person be friends with that person? If I suddenly shared all my company's plans and secrets on the internet, I'd be quickly fired.

Both Black and Chourio have far too great a chance of starting next year at AAA for them to be added to the 40-man roster now. When they force the club's hand at playing they will be added, but not before. Less of a problem for people that probably aren't longer term prospects - Huira or Dorrian