Prospects and trade discussion

[Star-Lord]

Add this to the list of stuff that would've been crazy to say this time last year: Joc could end up being a fantastic lead off option with Puig hitting 2nd. I like the idea of your best hitter batting 2nd.

As far as Crawford and Ethier, best case scenario at this point is probably Crawford hitting the ground running with a hot April or May, at which point Friedman could probably find some sucker AL GM desperate for outfield production who buys the mirage that Carl's back to his old ways. I miss young Carl Crawford. He was really fun to watch in Tampa.

[Neddy]

25 men roster set. we have 7 infielders thanks to Ryu's bum shoulder. my guess is that it is gonna be Barney who still has an option going to the minors when Ryu is back. Guerrero really is gonna be our primary pinch hitter off the bench, afterall.

[Quake Griffin]

Add this to the list of stuff that would've been crazy to say this time last year: Joc could end up being a fantastic lead off option with Puig hitting 2nd. I like the idea of your best hitter batting 2nd.

As far as Crawford and Ethier, best case scenario at this point is probably Crawford hitting the ground running with a hot April or May, at which point Friedman could probably find some sucker AL GM desperate for outfield production who buys the mirage that Carl's back to his old ways. I miss young Carl Crawford. He was really fun to watch in Tampa.

you think a kid who is gonna K like he does can be a good lead off hitter?

[Neddy]

Add this to the list of stuff that would've been crazy to say this time last year: Joc could end up being a fantastic lead off option with Puig hitting 2nd. I like the idea of your best hitter batting 2nd.

As far as Crawford and Ethier, best case scenario at this point is probably Crawford hitting the ground running with a hot April or May, at which point Friedman could probably find some sucker AL GM desperate for outfield production who buys the mirage that Carl's back to his old ways. I miss young Carl Crawford. He was really fun to watch in Tampa.

you think a kid who is gonna K like he does can be a good lead off hitter?

the idea of striking out as a bad trait of a leadoff, to me is so overrated. the most important trait of a leadoff hitter is to get on base. Juan Pierre rarely struck out but with his putrid OBP, he wasn't helping. the same can be said about Dee. if Joc strikes out 100 times this season but sports a OBP of .360 or better, yeah, he would qualify as a good leadoff. if Joc strikes out 140 times but gets on base at .380 or better, he would be an excellent lead off in my eyes.

the issue to me is that Joc's got better in-game power than Yasiel. Joc is gonna hit 20 to 30 homeruns for the next 10 years. I want him to do that with someone on base, and to hit in front of somebody whom the opposing pitchers would not want to face with more runners on base, and our most feared hitter in the lineup today, is Puig. have Joc hit in the 2 hole and he will see more fastballs, but he also has speed around the bases to be a leadoff.

I woulnt be against a power hitting leadoff man, a la Rickey Henderson. but it would look real funny when the season is over and our #1 HR hitter is our leadoff man.

[Neddy]

****!

the Madres traded for and got Craig Kimbrel.

they have mortgaged their entire immediate next 5 years of future in terms of prospects but man they do have a real good looking team now.

NLW just became the toughest division in all baseball.

[Ranma]

[youtube]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lCLwP7VI9nQ[/youtube]

[Ranma]

****!

the Madres traded for and got Craig Kimbrel.

they have mortgaged their entire immediate next 5 years of future in terms of prospects but man they do have a real good looking team now.

NLW just became the toughest division in all baseball.

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[Ranma]

Following up on the pursuit of the Cuban pitching prospect discussed in this thread:

Jon Heyman, CBS Sports (4/10/15)

The Dodgers are said to be very interested in hard-throwing young Cuban right-hander Yadier Alvarez.

Los Angeles, which seems intent on continuing to be a big international player, has extensively scouted Alvarez, with team president Andrew Friedman even traveling to see him in the Dominican Republic, where Alvarez has established residency. The Dodgers signed Cuban third baseman Hector Olivera recently for $62.5 million over six years, and appear to be targeting Alvarez now.

Dodgers are Targeting Top Young Cuban Right-Hander Yadier Alvarez

[Ranma]

Jon Heyman, CBS Sports (4/10/15)

In their endeavor, the Braves identified the two best partners as the rich Dodgers and the nouveau riche Padres. But since Los Angeles made it pretty clear earlier in the winter that while they loved Kimbrel, they understandably weren't about to take Upton Jr., and thus add a third overpaid outfielder to their stable of Carl Crawford and Andre Ethier, for Atlanta it was probably the Padres or bust.
...

While the Dodgers weren't going to surrender any of their three stud prospects -- outfielder Joc Pederson, shortstop Corey Seager or pitcher Julio Urias -- they had other great prospects to trade. The sticking point there was Upton Jr.

And he had to be part of the deal.

"We were not going to separate Kimbrel and trade him by himself," Hart said.

Inside Baseball: Why Braves Traded Kimbrel and More from Around MLB

[Ranma]

Shortstop prospect Lucius Fox profiled in the article below (read for info) sounds like an intriguing possibility as either an international signing or draft selection depending on MLB's decision on his status application. Derian Cruz and Onil Cruz are also appealing international SS prospects. I've cited excerpts from the piece referencing the likely Dodgers signings.

Kiley McDaniel, FanGraphs.com (4/15/15)

I wrote up 19-year-old Cuban righty Yadier Alvarez after I watched him throw a few innings in the last open workout for new Dodgers infielder Hector Olivera. I said then that Alvarez was clearly superior to new Diamondbacks RHP Yoan Lopez, a roughly comparable Cuban talent due to age, size and lack of track record of results. Lopez got $8.25 million and signed late in the international calendar, when many teams had already spent their money. Alvarez isn’t eligible to sign yet, but is awaiting a ruling from MLB on a waiver to make him eligible immediately.

The expectation is that even if Alvarez is granted the waiver that he will wait until July 2nd to sign. This is due to the persistent rumors that the Dodgers will be blowing past their international bonus pool for 2015-2016 (starting on July 2nd), with Alvarez their top target. The Dodgers offered Red Sox 2B Yoan Moncada (Interview & Background) $35 million (more than Boston’s winning $31.5 million bid) to wait until July 2nd to sign, but he passed. The Dodgers want to maximize their haul in their year of crazy spending and if they paid Moncada when he wanted to be paid, he would’ve been their only big signing, which would draw a two year penalty of not being able to give another young international prospect $300,000.

I lay that out as the evidence that the whole scouting world is pointing to of the Dodgers’ plan, beyond the rumors of targets, and I’ll mention those below. I’ve heard from multiple international scouts that believe the Dodgers already have a deal with Alvarez for $16 million (which would cost the Dodgers $32 million total, due to the dollar-for-dollar tax by MLB on 23 and under international prospects), but his reps deny a deal is done. Alvarez can’t sign right now anyway and, while a deal may not be done, everyone I’ve talked to thinks Alvarez will end up with the Dodgers (though a number of other teams are interested), and the price is about where scouts thought it would end up, so this makes a lot of sense.
...

Starling Heredia, CF, Dominican: Rumored to be a Cubs target, then rumored to be a Dodgers target, then not rumored to be anyone’s target when it appeared L.A. would sign Moncada and now once again rumored to have a deal in place with the Dodgers, for $3.0 million. I wrote twice length about how Heredia’s mature frame and skills give some scouts pause about giving him tons of money, but he flashes plus speed and plus raw power, so he’s hard to ignore.
...

Ronny Brito, SS, Dominican: Brito is rumored to be another of the Dodgers targets and the rumor is that he’ll get a bonus of $2 million. He has Manny Ramirez-like swing mechanics (though obviously not the same hitting tools) with some bat speed and the ability to stick in the dirt, but likely not at shortstop.

The International Signing Market: Part 1

[Ranma]

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[Ranma]

While he's not Lourdes Gourriel in terms of hype and value, I'm glad to hear that the Dodgers are in play for SS prospect Lucius Fox. I've had interest in him for a couple of months and like what I'm hearing about him more than reported Dodger commitment Ronny Brito.

Kiley McDaniel, FanGraphs.com (4/23/15)

Fox is a plus-plus runner that’s added bulk since the video was taken early last summer. He projects to stick at shortstop, with feel to hit from both sides of the plate and gap power. He should have an open workout or multiple private workouts coming up as teams jockey to make final moves for July 2nd. A comparable player in the market, Dominican SS Derian Cruz, should get around $2 million but has less feel at the plate and is younger with less at-bats against high end pitching.

[youtube]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sSetHzJyedI[/youtube]

After talking to scouts the last few days, it has emerged that the Dodgers, Cubs and Rangers are the three biggest threats for Fox. The Dodgers have the most money to spend of any MLB team and have proven they will blow anyone out of the water when the want a player, while the Cubs have already committed to spend about $12.5 million this summer on bonuses and penalties (with a roughly $3.2 million bonus pool). The Rangers are arguably the most aggressive international spender in the last ten years and lately have been specifically looking for an athletic shortstop to add to their class, a type of player they’ve had success signing in the past.

All three have shown interest in Fox already and rumors have been going around in the early going with multiple teams connected to Fox and numbers starting in the mid-1’s and some going well over $2 million. The Padres, Reds and Giants have all also been mentioned in these rumors and appear to be securely in the mix, but likely with less appetite to spend than the three favorites. The Dodgers should be technically installed as favorites at this point given the new regime’s recent international history (offering Moncada $35 million, signing little-known RHP Pablo Fernandez for $8 million, signing 2B Hector Olivera for $62.5 million and three more rumored big July 2nd deals mentioned here), but it’s too early to know how this will play out over the next few months.

Lucius Fox Throws a Wrench into July 2nd Signings

[Ranma]

Jonathan Mayo, MLB.com (7/6/15)

2B: Darnell Sweeney, Dodgers (No. 7 prospect)
7 G, .379/.400/.828, 8 R, 2 2B, 1 3B, 3 HR, 6 RBIs, 1 BB, 5 SO, 1 SB

Sweeney led all hitters in total bases this past week with 24 after four multi-hit games. He homered and drove in three runs on July 3 in Memphis, after homering in each of the first two games of the week. Sweeney continues to get time at second and in the outfield.
...

OF: Alex Verdugo, Dodgers (No. 5 prospect)
7 G, .467/.469/.633, 6 R, 2 2B, 1 HR, 4 RBIs, 1 BB, 1 SO, 1 SB
While Verdugo had a 14-game hitting streak snapped on July 3, it was still a very successful week for the 2014 second-round pick. He began the week going 7-for-10, then finished by going 5-for-10 over the weekend, including two doubles and a home run.

Marlins Hurlers Headline Prospect Team of the Week

[Ranma]

Jon Heyman, CBS Sports (7/10/15)

It will be interesting to see whether Jimmy Rollins could become available, as Corey Seager, generally now viewed as MLB's top minor-league prospect, continues to show he's got big promise. One NL scout, who recently saw Seager, said, "I have no doubt he can handle major-league pitching."

Inside Baseball: Wish Lists for 23 Would-Be Buyers; More MLB Notes

[Quake Griffin]

Don't want to deal with Corey's struggles at the plate as he gets on his feet.
I think it's clear that during every step up to the next level he's kinda stunk it up for a second and then completely took off to destroying that level.

He's not good enough defensively at SS (my biggest reason for not doing this)for me to take on that problem this year.
It's something I'd rather worry about next year.


I wanted Rollins out earlier….he looked like **** at the dish….like he shoulda been in A ball or something.
But he's starting to play some decent ball in the last couple weeks. He's earned a right to continue going on for right now.

[Ranma]

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[Quake Griffin]

Ranma.

what you got on Grant Dayton?

[Ranma]

Jon Weisman, Dodger Insider (7/15/15)

Dayton has a 2.83 ERA at Triple-A New Orleans, with 35 strikeouts in his 35 innings against only five walks. His WHIP is 0.86, which would lead the Pacific Coast League if he had enough innings to qualify.

The 27-year-old has always been a strikeout pitcher in the minors, but this is the first season in which he has harnessed his walks. In his minor-league career, he has a 1.16 WHIP and 3.7 strikeout-walk ratio. Left-handed batters have gone 6 for 33 (.182) against him this year.

Dayton, who is not on the Dodgers’ 40-man roster, will be assigned to Triple-A Oklahoma City. He was originally drafted in the 11th round of the 2010 draft out of Auburn.

Dodgers Acquire Reliever Grant Dayton from Marlins for Chris Reed


Eric Stephen, TrueBlueLA.com (7/15/15)

Dayton, 27, was 2-1 with a 2.83 ERA in 25 games for Triple-A New Orleans this season, with 35 strikeouts and five walks in 35 innings. In 64 games in Triple-A over the last two seasons, Dayton has a 27-percent strikeout rate and 7.3-percent walk rate.

Left-handed batters this season are just 6-for-33 (.182) with a double against Dayton this season, with 11 strikeouts and one walk.

He was drafted by the Marlins in the 11th round in 2010 out of Auburn.

Dayton is not on the 40-man roster. He was designated for assignment by the Marlins on April 24, then sent outright to Triple-A two days later. He has used options in 2014 and 2015, and has no major league service time.

Dodgers Acquire Grant Dayton from Marlins for Chris Reed


James Bailey, Baseball America (12/12/12)

Alec (Auburn): What about former Auburn LHP Grant Dayton? He has put up very good numbers out of the pen the past two seasons

James Bailey: Love some Grant Dayton. He's on the list, somewhere in the 20 range. The Marlins tried him as a starter early this year to force him to work on his breaking pitches a little more. His fastball velocity suffered a little, but came back to 92-94 mph when they shifted him back to the pen. It's a plus pitch with late life that hitters seem to have trouble squaring up. His fastball command was phenomenal in relief. Though he mixed in a curve while starting, once back in the pen he used his power slider as his primary breaking pitch. I can see him filling a middle relief role down the road. He's good enough against righties that he shouldn't be limited to lefty specialist work (but, hey, those guys make pretty good dough, so who could really complain about that).

Top 10 Prospects Rankins Chats Scouting Reports

[Ranma]

Tim Kurkjian, ESPN (7/15/15)

They have more money to spend than any team. Their urgency to win is greater than any team, including the Blue Jays. Just making the playoffs again, and not advancing to the World Series, will not be enough. They are short on starting pitching, and sources say they covet Cueto. But they will not deal their best young kids, notably 21-year-old shortstop Corey Seager. But they're also not going to sit pat and not add at least a useful piece.

Ten Compelling Storylines to Watch in the Second Half

[Ranma]

Jon Heyman, CBS Sports (7/17/15)

The Dodgers, baseball's financial powerhouse, look like a major player this trading season, maybe the major player among the buyers. They've quietly continued having dialogue with the Phillies about ace left-hander Cole Hamels, and are also looking seriously into the rental market, with Reds ace Johnny Cueto their top target there.

The Dodgers appear determined to land one top pitcher to join with three-time Cy Young winner Clayton Kershaw and All-Star Game starter Zack Greinke in a potentially devastating playoff rotation, and one of Hamels or Cueto are most likely to fill that need.
...

Cueto, meanwhile, remains the Dodgers' main rental target. The Astros, who also have Cueto atop their list and possess many fine prospects, much like the Dodgers, had multiple scouts at some of Cueto's recent starts. The Reds signaled before the break that they expect to seriously start selling after the All-Star Game, which was a big hit in Cincinnati, and the beloved Cueto, following a blowup after his early removal from his recent start in Miami, is said to be ready to go.

While Cueto topped out at 93 in Miami, Dodgers people like him very much. "He knows how to pitch," one LA person said.

The Dodgers may consider Jeff Samardzija, too, but beyond that the White Sox are presumed likely to delay a possible sale at least a week after some much improved play, LA people figure that while Samardzija could enhance their current postseason pitching set-up, they view him as more of a "two/three" type starter. They like him, but don't love him -- at least not as much as Hamels and Cueto. Beyond that, they could look at others, too, like Cueto's teammate Mike Leake, who seems very popular on the trade market, and Oakland's Scott Kazmir.

Inside Baseball: Dodgers Aim for Cueto, Hamels; Rangers in on Cole, Too