Sometimes I believe that some fans over exaggerate the importance of certain players. It has always mystified me as to why so many have been against Austin Barnes, even though his pitchers and teammates love him. He is a BACKUP CATCHER, whose sole purpose is to manage the pitch game and give the starting catcher a break. He is not there to challenge JT Realmuto for NL dominance. If he gets a hit, great, but certainly not game changing either way. Barnes has already helped Smith with his framing (although he still has a long ways to go). Barnes is in the 67th percentile while Smith is in the 24th percentile in framing.
Maybe now Barnes can help Smith with blocked balls. Barnes is a better catcher at blocking balls than is Smith. In Statcast Blocks Above Average:
- Barnes – +3 and 80th percentile
- Smith – (-7) and 1 percentile
It is a 26 man roster, and sometimes backups are simply…backups.
That being said, it probably is getting to the time when Hunter Feduccia should be considered for that role. I am guessing that he will get that opportunity in 2025. Barnes has a team option for 2025. Austin will be 35 next year and probably ready to become a coach. At least I hope that is what he wants to do next year.
It seems that most fans have now succumbed to accept Austin’s role. But fans have to have someone else to blame for the Dodgers problems. That torch has now been passed on to Chris Taylor, who I still refer to CT3.
For me there is a difference between CT3 and Austin Barnes. Taylor plays a position where he is expected to produce offensively. We know he is streakier than most streaky hitters. We know his swing is not conducive to inconsistent PA. We also know that CT3 has been electric in clutch playoff games, and is capable of carrying a team when his bat does catch up to the pitch.
That being said, a player with the CT3 role must produce. I am not looking for Manny Mota or Andre Ethier bench role production, but something north of .150 BA, .400 OPS and 0 OPS+ should not be standards that are too high to reach.
So yes, I do think it is time for the Dodgers to DFA CT3. But he does not warrant the venomous animosity that some seem to believe he deserves. He should not get saddled with being Carl Crawforded. Carl Crawford was never truly a Dodger. While CT3 has been a fantastic Dodger player and teammate. He does not deserve to have his nickname altered to KT3.
Right now he is not a MLB player. I get that. But he does deserve respect for what he has done and how he has shown himself to be a Los Angeles Dodger. However, CT3 has appeared in 37 games this year. The team is 23-14 in those games, for a .621 winning percentage. The team is 18-12 (.600) in the games CT3 has not appeared in. That certainly does not indicate that CT3 is a reason for LAD losses. May not help them in wins, but is not a reason for the losses.
I do not want him to accept a MiLB assignment. He is not going to OKC to block anyone. He would end up in Camelback to work on his swing. But he needs consistent PA to be successful. I want him to be DFA so he can land with a team where he might be able to turn his season around. And if he does land on another MLB team I hope it is with a team where he plays at Dodger Stadium, and he gets a standing ovation in a possible return.
I cannot answer as to why Miguel Vargas is not getting a longer runway this year. But it kind of indicates what the Dodgers do think of Vargas, doesn’t it? Is his ceiling with the Dodgers that of a reserve OF? If that is indeed his role, so be it. I have zero problems with the 25th or 26th man on the roster.
My primary concern with Vargas in that role is that he was considered for a regular role for LAD. Now he is a reserve OF. What does that do for his trade value. Say what you want about AJ Preller, but he sure knows the right time to trade prospects, and get value in return. And after emptying his farm system, he rebuilds it very quickly.
This is my 8th year writing for a blog. And many out there know why this besmirching of players bothers me. While my son was never going to get the opportunity to become a regular at the MLB level, he was still a valuable player with the Phillies, Red Sox, and Blue Jays organization, even as depth at MiLB. He kept producing at MiLB for the teams to keep him and promoting him, but was still castigated by ignorant fans and a certain sportswriter for the Phillies. The name calling is what gets to me. He (Austin Barnes, Chris Taylor) did (do) something that most out there have no ability to do.
My son did something that Carl Yastrzemski, Ted Williams, Dewey Evans, Fred Lynn, Jim Rice, and Carlton Fisk were never able to do while with Boston, and nobody commenting on this blog or any other blog can say. He has a World Series ring. And so do Austin Barnes and Chris Taylor. That in and above anything else deserves respect for getting to the point where you play on a Championship team.
My son was playing for Toronto in 2005 when he was recalled. The team was playing in Minnesota, so my wife and I hopped on a plane to see him. When Andy got to the hotel there was a box from the Boston Red Sox waiting for him. It was his 2004 World Series Ring. Andy always felt comfortable around the elite players, and they respected what he had done to get to the pinnacle. So what is the first thing he does when he gets the ring? He heads over to Doc Halladay’s room. He tells Doc, “I know you are a great pitcher with a CY and probably headed to the HOF, but do you have one of these?” And shows him the ring. Doc laughed and then kicked his ass out the door.
The 25th and 26th man on the roster deserve respect not disdain. I will never tell anyone not to criticize or denigrate players, or even subject them to name calling. I do not like it when fans say Taylor should be Carl Crawforded, or have his nickname changed to KT3. Of course everyone has the right to do so, and I will never edit it out or block anyone because of it. The players are all big boys who get paid handsomely to play a game. They can take the crap dished out. I choose to respect them. That is my choice, and I guess it is my blog, and I can write whatever I darn well please.
Okay, now it is time for me to get off my soapbox and get back to watching the greatest team in all of Sports. Yes…including fútbol.
Tuesday Power Display and a classic Miguel Vargas take.
The Dodgers just put on an absolute masterclass at the plate against the Rangers in the 6th inning and now lead 14-1.
Home run after home run got us running out the house right now 🔥 THEY’RE ON FIRE!
🎥: @SportsNetLA pic.twitter.com/DIX3sKS88X
— Dodgers Nation (@DodgersNation) June 12, 2024
The Dodgers' 6th inning:
Out
Mookie Betts walk
Shohei Ohtani two-run home run
Freddie Freeman home run
Will Smith single
Teoscar Hernández two-run home run
Out
Andy Pages single
Jason Heyward two-run home run
OutI cannot believe what I just watched. Neither could Miguel Vargas pic.twitter.com/Hm0CtLuuA1
— Noah Camras (@noahcamras) June 12, 2024
MiLB GAME SUMMARY REPORTS
OKC Baseball Club 11 – Sugarland Space Cowboys (Houston) 2
Landon Knack started and gave up a 2-out, 2-run HR in the 2nd. After he got the first batters out in the 5th, Knack was pulled after 74 pitches. Why? My speculation is that after it was determined that Bobby Miller was going to have another rehab assignment, Knack was put on a strict pitch count so that he could be available to start Sunday in LA vs KC. I have no idea if that is true, but that is what I am going with.
Kevin Gowdy, Nick Ramirez, and John Rooney shut out the Space Cowboys over the final 4.1 innings.
In the first, Drew Avans and James Outman both singled. Avans scored and Outman moved to 3rd on a Kody Hoese single. Outman scored on a Trey Sweeney force out. Ryan Ward drew a BB. Sweeney and Ward pulled off a double steal and Austin Gauthier singled them both home giving OKC a 4-0 lead after 1.
OKC scored one in the 5th on a single, balk, and double.
OKC scored 4 in the 6th and 2 in the 9th to finish off the scoring.
OKC had 11 hits but only 1 XBH, a double by Kody Hoese.
- Drew Avans – 3-5, 3 runs, 2 RBI
- Kody Hoese – 3-5, 2 RBI, double (14)
- Austin Gauthier – 1-2, 3 BB, 1 run, 2 RBI
Some CF defense
James Outman only plays one way in center field: With all-out effort. pic.twitter.com/yVIFnHT43s
— Oklahoma City Baseball Club (@okc_baseball) June 12, 2024
Tulsa Drillers 5 – Arkansas Travelers (Seattle) 4
Before the game, we learned that RHRP Edgardo Henriquez was promoted to Tulsa. Edgardo really cannot be that far away from real consideration for a Big League promotion.
For the actual game, the Drillers were on the losing end of a 4-2 score in the bottom of the night when they got off the floor and walked off a 5-4 victory.
After 4 excellent starts, Justin Wrobleski had a mediocre 4 inning start. He allowed just 2 runs on 6 hits (including 1 HR) and 1 BB to go with 4 K.
Tulsa got the early lead on a Dalton Rushing solo HR (9) in the first inning.
#Dodgers top C prospect Dalton Rushing hit his 9th homer of the season
He has a .930 OPS in Double-A pic.twitter.com/1IjO6kckRh
— Bruce Kuntz (@Bnicklaus7) June 12, 2024
Michael Hobbs relieved Wrobleski and retired the side in order in the 5th. But in the 6th, Hobbs walked the bases loaded and gave up a 2-run single.
Tulsa got one back in the bottom of the 6th on an Austin Beck solo HR (10).
No team threatened until Tulsa came to bat in the bottom of the 9th. José Ramos led off with a BB. Brendon Davis followed with a single. After Ramos stole 3B, he scored on a Bubba Alleyne double (6). With runners on 2nd and 3rd with nobody out, Damon Keith was called in to PH for Yeiner Fernandez. Keith delivered a walk off 2-run single for a 5-4 Tulsa win.
Juan Morillo just hit 100.3 on the stadium gun, Slider hit 90. That was fun to watch. #dodgers pic.twitter.com/tp0SDSGLgV
— Dodgers Daily (@dodger_daily) June 12, 2024
Dayton Dragons (Reds) 4 – Great Lakes Loons 3
Payton Martin made his first High A start, and I am sure that he wishes that it had gone better. He threw 39 pitches (22 strikes) in completing 1.2 innings. Martin retired the side in order in the first, and got the first batter in the 2nd. Then it fell apart. A walk, double, walk to load the bases, a sac fly, and another walk to re-load the bases, before Payton was lifted for Brandon Neeck. Martin left the game with the score tied at 1-1.
Three 2-out singles in the 1st gave the Loons a 1-0 lead. In the 4th, the Loons got a 1-out single by Kyle Nevin, a HBP, WP, and a Jake Gelof sac fly to give Great Lakes the 2-1 lead.
It was a short-lived lead as the leadoff hitter, Carlos Jorge, hit a game tying HR in the bottom of the 4th off Brandon Neeck.
Neeck gave up a 2-run HR in the 5th, which would prove to be the winning run.
In the 7th, Gelof led off with a double. Yunior Garcia reached on catcher’s interference. 2 ground balls scored Gelof. But that is as close as Great Lakes would get.
- Dylan Campbell – 2-4, 1 run
- Kyle Nevin – 2-4, 1 run, 1 RBI
- Noah Miller – double (10)
- Jake Gelof – double (5)
Fresno Grizzlies (Colorado) 7 – Rancho Cucamonga Quakes 3
None of the three Quakes pitchers were particularly sharp. Okay they were not good. The offense was not a lot better. Logan Wagner went 2-2 with 2 BB including a solo HR (3). Wilman Diaz had the only other XBH with a double (7).
Turn the page on this one.
ACL Dbacks 16 – ACL Dodgers 1
Nothing to see here. Joendry Vargas had 2 hits. The other point of interest is last year’s 17th round pick, Luke Fox, LHP from Duke was in his second appearance since returning from TJ surgery. It was his 2nd scoreless outing.
That is two LAD 2023 draft picks who are just coming back and could become steals in the draft…Fox and fellow lefty Wyatt Crowell. That does not include 3rd rounder Brady Smith who has not yet pitched for the Dodgers due to injury, and 4th round pick Eriq Swan who has been slow played also due to injury.
The look on Vargas’s face after Heyward’s bomb was classic. Bottom of the lineup set the table for the big boys. Nice to see. Lux is improving. Only Rojas did not get on base.
Fully agree with all the sentiments you’ve expressed here regarding Barnes and Taylor.
I think the Angels have a couple of players who help the Dodgers. Luis Rengifo is having a great season as a UT guy and his lefty bat would complement Kike’s righty bat. As I recall it, the Dodgers wanted Rengifo as part of the Joc-Stripling deal that Arte Moreno nixed. I assume the Dodgers would still be interested.
The Dodgers have a deep farm system, and Angels’ farm is weak,in part because they rush players like Neto and Schanuel to the majors. There are several guys in the Dodgers system who have little chance of making to LA–but they might have a chance of making it to Anaheim.
Would the Angels flip Rengifo for a good prospect and Taylor, with most of his salary covered by the Dodgers? Arte Moreno may hate the Dodgers, but he might like the idea of the Dodgers covering the cost of one of his players.
Taylor could stay in SoCal and perhaps the change of scenery and coaching could help him revive his game. What would the Angels have to lose? The Angels are a young team, and Taylor could provide some of that positive “veteran presence” that I suspect is missing from a guy like Rendon. Worst case: the Angels DFA Taylor but have a good prospect on the way up.
I really don’t think the Dodgers have to do contortions to give Taylor a decent exit. And yeah, the Dodgers fans should always welcome him back with a standing ovation.
Last night was an example of what it looks like when it’s working.
Depth is important. All the way to 26 and further. That’s true in every sport.
I couldn’t access the OKC Box Score link. Do we have a legitimate Taylor replacement there? I would sure like to know before the deadline.
I keep thinking Vargas will be traded. He doesn’t appear to be needed here. I believe the outfield move is to bring Outman back.
Dodgers in agreement with Toronto on a trade sending Cavan Biggio to the Dodgers for a minor leaguer. Someone will have to go down or be released. Biggio has played 1B, 2B, 3B, and LF this season. Hitting .200 with 2 homers.
Braydon Fisher is the player being sent back to the Jays. Hey Jeff, you know your kids baseball card on Ebay is selling for almost 30 bucks??? An autographed one that is. His card from 2000 and 2002 are selling for around 2.50. Those are minor league cards.
Cavan Biggio? Why? He’s no help.
Trade KT3 for Eugenio Suárez.
I am now the proud owner of a Andrew Dominique rookie card. I also have a friend, Pam Loe, whose son, Kameron pitched in the majors for a while. He gave me a signed card from his AAA days with the White Sox.
Minnesota just DFA RHRP Diego Castillo. How long before AF tries to swoop him up.
Nice article Jeff. I’m as guilty as anyone when it comes to being critical of Barnes and Taylor. Barnes is al least having competitive AB’s this season. I didn’t realize that Smith had such poor stats with blocking pitches and framing. His throws on stealing attempts has to be pretty good though. Smith’s weaknesses are Barnes strengths and visa versa. Criticism of CT3 is warranted. It painful to watch him struggle. He has to be mentally crushed with how he is playing. For the team, CT3 and the fans he should be DFA’d ASAP.
I agree with Bear in Lux’s swings seem to be made with more authority and resulting in some line drive hits. He has been getting better offensively the last couple of weeks, but the contact wasn’t solid or exit velocity very low. Up to .223 and still doing well at 2B. How Scott A wants to DFA him is a head scratcher.
What a offensive onslaught last night. I turned the game after Mookie’s hit and missed all the HR’s in the 6th inning. Heyward’s blast was something crazy. I don’t know why, but I enjoy watching him hit. I didn’t realize he had that kind of power.
Cavan Biggio? Why? If he is on the 26 man roster and I was Lipcius I would be pissed. AF loves his prospects and depth. Until he doesn’t. I guess that puts every position player in the Dodger minor league system on notice that playing for the LA Dodgers is probably never going to happen. They are going to stay in AAA until they are no longer a prospect or being developed to be traded. Can someone help me understand the Dodgers’ front office’s thinking on this?
Great thoughts Jeff on respecting ballplayers for even being on a Big League roster and being successful enough in the minor leagues, to get even a cup of coffee. Sometimes fans forget that these are real people with real emotions and a real life outside of baseball.
I played in a town where one guy must have walked up to ticket window and asked if I was playing that night. He was devoted to just heckling the shit out of me. And he had impeccable timing. He would wait until it was pretty quiet so everybody could hear his one-liners. Some were pretty funny too. It got so bad that some of my teammates tried to find the guy. I didn’t bother but at times I fantasized about sitting down with him in the stands and have a chat. I wanted to convince him that I wasn’t such a bad guy, personally. I was just a young kid trying to make it in the game I loved. The funny part is while I ignored it, I still remember it 53 years later.
I’m guilty of expecting hustle and quality play from MLB players, especially with fundamentals. It’s a hard game and I get that. But the players know better than any of us that this isn’t the rec league. You produce or you don’t have a job. There are legit expectations. Barnes is meeting those expectations from the Dodgers, apparently.
I’m not hard and unfair with my criticisms. But I like players who want to be coached hard and aren’t satisfied with mediocrity.
I need more information on acquiring Gavin Biggio. Is there a DFA coming up? Why would we need another utility guy who can’t hit? He turned down a trip to the minors with the Jays and took the DFA instead. So I don’t see him satisfied to go to OKC. Please tell me he isn’t going to be dumped on top of a prospect who needs a shot.
Do we just collect these guys like bobbleheads?
Just checked the Dodgers web page, Biggio is on the 40-man.
Basketball great Jerry West died. He was 86.
A couple of additional queries.
Just how hurt is Max Muncy? If he is going to be back in a couple of weeks, what happens to Biggio when they want to activate Muncy? Seems silly to give up Braydon Fisher for a player you are going to DFA in a couple of weeks.
Do they really need three utility players on the 26 man? It is sad that you feel compelled to add another utility player who is hitting .200/.323/.291/.614 and an 80 OPS+, and is better than the two that are already on the 26 man. Seriously, you do not see a flaw in this roster construction?
Really, do they need a utility player other than Miguel Rojas?
Have the owners told AF that he cannot acquire any additional players with a salary above the MLB minimum?
What is Miguel Vargas’ trade value? James Outman? Diego Cartaya? Dalton Rushing?
Having trouble accessing Mark’s site. Is it down in protest to Vargas being sent back to AAA?
I accept that Mookie Betts is an exceptional athlete. I also acknowledge the necessity of Mookie moving to SS because of a flaw in the LAD roster construction. Good for Mookie. But for those who truly believe that Mookie is a good defensive SS, here is a tweet from Blake Harris. Blake Harris is another Dodger blogger who is very positive about the Dodgers, especially the MiLB players, but he is also not afraid to point out factually unimpressive stats. A trait I truly appreciate.
https://twitter.com/BlakeHHarris/status/1800619763733070205
What a bonehead play by Pages. Ran thru the stop sign at 3rd. Unacceptable.