Matt Kemp

Muncy as our full time 1B? No thank you! He is having a career season at the plate, to be sure. But he is not even remotely close in defense as compared to Cody. I’ve seen him whiff more than once on balls in the dirt and let’s face it, not every throw from the infield is going to be waist to chest high.

I’ve yet to see him challenged on sharply batted balls, but those are certainly going to come over a 162 game season. Bellinger has shown he could develop into one of the superior 1B in the game (if he can continue to work on his swing and pitch selection). Do we really want to sacrifice that defense for a “journeyman”?

Max has been an excellent fill-in and utility infielder for a half a season. I believe it’s WAY premature to anoint him a full time position for the future, especially when we already have a far superior player for that position on the team.

Also - RESIGN PUIG! He may be frustrating and foolish at times, but the dude is ELECTRIC and brings excitement to just about every game he plays in. He’s never going to be a clean-up basher who hits for power and average near the top half of the order. But he’s show he can and IS productive in the seven or (preferred) eight hole.

And there’s nothing wrong with that. Run production is needed throughout the order and if Puig can do 30 / 100 from lower in the order, is that really a bad thing?

GO DODGERS!!!

Agree about Muncy that he might be a one hit wonder and we won't know until the year is over what he might be. His defensive limitations are the reason the Dodgers should try to get whatever they can if possible. Some will cite Justin Turner's sudden offensive ability in his later years however the difference is that he is a very good defender at 3rd and Muncy isn't very good anywhere.

I disagree about Puig. No reason to pay him when there are others that can do what he does and possibly better. Can he be electric, yes. Is he electric enough, no. He may one day reach his full potential however I will say it won't be as long as he is here. The Dodgers shouldn't let an opportunity slip away if something can be had for him that is another opportunity since they shopped him previously.

I get it's a sticky issue for Puig fans. I wouldn't suggest trading him if I saw an affordable and dependable player going forward. He might not fetch much in a trade but I've heard that the team is looking to dump some money to fit guys that they would acquire under the threshold. I might be generous in suggesting that he might be looking at an increase to $15 mil per season or higher from his current $9.2 mil. Granted I am speculating on that but if so that for a player who the higher he hits in the lineup the worst he is just doesn't equate. Moreover his defense which is said to be his strength is not reliable enough in my opinion. He doesn't throw guys out anymore for whatever reason and then when he throws he doesn't throw the runner out at 3rd and allows the batter to take 2nd. It was said in a telecast that teams are looking to advance to 2nd when there is a base hit with a runner on 1st, that's the league's scouting report. Plus, it's been 4 years since he hit around .300, that's a long time.

As far as I know he has an arbitration year next year (2019) and then he hits free agency. I look at it in that Puig gets hurt and then we move an All- Star over to play RF who obviously is not as athletic as Puig but one that is lighter and might do the fundamental plays that aren't entertaining but help win games, that along with defensive positioning and an offensive game go a long way. This team has overcome losing or letting go some fan favorites over the years, all if not most of those have been good moves. I think it will be wise for the team to invest what would be Puig money in some other areas or pay a little more and get a better bat. I think they should move him if the opportunity arises.

There are no "ifs" for me. I'd trade him if the team could add a bullpen arm or to sweeten a deal. I will definitely agree that he is faster than Matty. But, to say that he gets to 90% more balls than the rest of the league I'd bet is highly inaccurate. Someone that likes to look at defensive metrics has cited that Puig is not worth the bang for the buck he has cited Rtot -- Total Zone Total Fielding Runs Above Avg  for Puig in RF which shows -9 in comparison to Kemp at +5 I just look at it simplistically like this Puig throughout his career has averaged 1.8 chances per game playing right field. That's a pretty low number of chances to be making boneheaded plays on.

No, I didn't say Puig would make $15 mil in arbitration. I am saying he might make that or more in free agency. I would agree that in arbitration this offseason he could make $12- 13 mil. Puig is a good major leaguer but the Dodgers have plenty of those and with what Puig will start to make it's time for him to produce more than he does. If I am mistaken and he is worth a hefty raise and every single penny of a new contract then I am sure it won't be the Dodgers picking up the bill.

I don't see Kershaw opting out. I wouldn't want Harper but would consider Machado if he can better his defense at short stop for the rest of the season or if he reasons and goes back to 3rd. 

I would say move Puig in his last year of arbitration. He is due back in around two weeks so we'll see what the team does with him prior to this deadline and if so for the rest of this season.
 

Machado is indeed intriguing and the Dodgers can certainly afford him being that Kershaw and JT are up in two years and Kemp and Hill are up after next year, that's $150 mil off the books. They don't have to worry about paying Seager and Bellinger until 2021. Seager is the more complete player but he is not considered one of the top five guys in the majors as some say about Machado. To add I don't see any of the young pitchers, while good, breaking the bank, except for Buehler in a few years if he stays the course. If the Dodgers trade for Machado I expect them to sign him. No way they lose prospects and the player they traded for. I've heard that he wants the Yankees too but a lot of players if not all want to play for that iconic franchise. If he comes here for the next two months and is given a reasonable offer I think we have a really good chance to keep him, a really good one. If he wants to stay at short then that is something to think about unless he betters his defense which is possible. Seager can go play 2nd base in the DJ LeMahieu mold while JT is up or gets moved. Then either one of Seager or if Machado reasons can move to 3rd. You might be right in knowing how the team operates that they might rather wait for Seager to come back and pass on Machado. However, if I had a choice and it were me, right now, I would try for someone like deGrom instead of Manny, lol.

Your concern about the lack of experience in Verdugo and Toles is legit. But, we can't have expensive All- Stars at every position, lol.

Totally agree that the next couple of weeks will be interesting for sure and will determine this team's fate for the rest of the year.

I am down with division titles it obviously says that the team has had a successful year. But, I would be ecstatic if they can mix in a few championships in there as you say. I often cite the 90s Braves as winning their division 10 years and showing only 1 ring for it. I understand that rings are hard to come by but I would rather accomplish what the mid 90's and up Yankees did instead of the Braves. I hope we can get one this year.