With Thursday’s 3 p.m. PT Commerce Deadline approaching, MLB.com Dodgers beat reporter Sonja Chen took questions from followers in an r/Dodgers AMA on Wednesday. The total dialog may be considered right here, however beneath is a sampling of the most effective questions and solutions.
Questions and responses have been calmly edited for readability.
What strikes do you anticipate being executed earlier than the Commerce Deadline approaches?
I might count on the Dodgers to seek out some option to improve the bullpen. I might be just a little stunned, although, in the event that they make a very splashy transfer. Demand for relievers is excessive for contending groups proper now, and I do not see the Dodgers overpaying for a prime arm until they actually really feel that 1) they should or 2) that is the most effective alternative they’re going to get to accumulate somebody they have been focusing on.
The factor I like in regards to the Dodgers is that — and I is likely to be essentializing right here — many of the star gamers are fairly mild, self-effacing and non-toxic. Do you assume it is a acutely aware factor on the a part of administration? Is that this assured humbleness a part of the Dodgers’ “firm tradition?” Do this stuff matter when they’re fascinated by who to commerce for?
I feel that is completely one thing the entrance workplace takes into consideration when buying gamers. It is in all probability simpler to determine how a participant would possibly match into the Dodgers’ organizational tradition throughout free company, however workforce chemistry is vital at any level. It is simpler to win with star gamers, for certain, however having stars additionally means there are quite a lot of personalities to handle. When the Dodgers goal gamers who may very well be a superb match, it actually goes past what they do on the sector.
Which Dodger stunned you probably the most this 12 months, thus far?
I might say Jack Dreyer, who has been remarkably regular all 12 months lengthy. A part of it is because I actually did not have a lot of an concept of what to anticipate from him going into the season, and if not for the accidents within the bullpen on the finish of Spring Coaching, he in all probability would not have made the Opening Day roster. However at this level, it is a honest query to ask the place the bullpen with the heaviest workload within the Majors can be with out Dreyer.
Which Dodgers prospect are you probably the most excited/hyped for?
I actually preferred what I noticed from Zyhir Hope (Dodgers’ No. 2 prospect) throughout Spring Coaching, and it has been enjoyable following how his season has gone. The group has an awesome group of outfielders in Excessive-A proper now — Hope, Josue De Paula (No. 1), Mike Sirota (No. 5), Eduardo Quintero (No. 4), Kendall George (No. 11) — who’re all years away, however needs to be intriguing to look at going ahead.
Is the fixed demand for extra velocity and evaluation, if not over-analysis, of pitching over time, the explanation for pitchers not simply on the Dodgers however throughout the league to drop like flies, or is all of it simply rumour?
I really feel like I am unable to actually correctly reply this query briefly kind, however sure, I feel that is a contributing issue. Chasing stuff comes with a better degree of danger, and that may actually result in extra accidents.
The Dodgers have dug into their latest pitcher accidents. They have not shared lots of their findings, however pitching coach Mark Prior famous earlier this 12 months {that a} issue they’re contemplating is how pitcher utilization adjustments between the Minors and Majors, together with components corresponding to position, workload and the general degree of competitors.
It is a loaded query, however nearly each workforce is searching for the reply.
