Scott Miller's Starting 9: World Series Pressure Has Dodgers Hunting Blockbuster
1. Starting Pitcher _______ Headed to Dodgers
This is arguably the biggest baseball week in Los Angeles in the past 27 years. Think that's outrageous? Consider this: The Dodgers still haven't played in a World Series since 1988.
Their $272 million payroll this season is a record for a North American sports franchise in any of the four major sports. It is the highest in the game this season by a wide margin, and the Dodgers are burning money like jet fuel in their frantic effort to return to a World Series.
TOP NEWS
Predicting MLB All-Star Roster Selections 🔮
1 Fun Fact About Every MLB Team Thus Far 😀
Red Sox Owner on Upset Fans
Co-ace Zack Greinke can opt out of his contract at season's end, and given his dominance this season, it is nearly a foregone conclusion that he will.
That will make Los Angeles weaker in 2016 unless the new baseball brain trust—president Andrew Friedman, right-hand man Josh Byrnes and general manager Farhan Zaidi—waves a few magic wands in restructuring things.
Yes, ace shortstop Corey Seager is on the way and could give the Dodgers consecutive Rookies of the Year—Joc Pederson this summer, Seager next—but the Dodgers' proverbial window is as wide-open right now as it's going to be for a while with Greinke and Clayton Kershaw both doing their thing.
The problem is what comes after. The steep rotation drop-off currently has the Dodgers pegged as industry favorites to acquire Cole Hamels from Philadelphia, in the view of multiple industry sources.
It is no secret that the Dodgers have been actively pushing hard to acquire pitching help for the past few weeks, and sources have told Bleacher Report over the past few days that the Dodgers still have the pedal to the metal in trade talks.
They were in on Johnny Cueto before Cincinnati dealt him to Kansas City on Sunday in a major coup for the Royals, who boosted their chances at a repeat World Series appearance (provided Cueto stays healthy).
The pitcher everyone is watching this week is David Price, as the Detroit Tigers decide whether to buy or sell at the deadline.
Some in the industry think the Dodgers will acquire two starting pitchers by Friday, though even with Los Angeles' vast resources (both financial and in farm-system chips), Hamels and Price together in Dodgers uniforms by week's end is probably a fantasy beyond the wildest plots concocted by Steven Spielberg in Hollywood.
The Dodgers need to land either Hamels or Price by Friday's 4 p.m. ET deadline, though. Their once-solid lead in the NL West has melted in recent days as the amazingly resilient San Francisco Giants continue to ascend.
Having won nine of 10 games and five in a row heading into this week, the Giants were just one game behind Los Angeles going into Monday, and Giants GM Brian Sabean has a history of making impactful July deals.
With Brandon McCarthy and Hyun-Jin Ryu shelved for the season due to injuries, it's a wonder that the Dodgers have held up as long as they have. Brett Anderson and Mike Bolsinger have chugged along, and the Dodgers have gotten more than they should in spot starts from guys like Carlos Frias.
The way things are shaping up at the moment, there are a couple of nightmare scenarios building up in the distance like storm clouds in Los Angeles: As of Monday, the same five teams that made the playoffs last year in the National League would be in again.
That means the "oh no, not them again" Cardinals will have the opportunity to bounce Los Angeles from the playoffs for a third consecutive season if the standings hold. Even Kershaw hasn't been able to stop the Cardinals in October.
And it means that the hated Giants, who have won three of the past five World Series, will have yet another chance to humiliate a Dodgers organization that has watched rival crown jewel franchises San Francisco, Boston and the New York Yankees return to the Fall Classic again and again since 1988.
Meanwhile, all the Dodgers have to offer up since then are old videos of the ol' Bulldog, Orel Hershiser, Kirk Gibson and Tommy Lasorda.
Hamels is a Southern California native who will leap at the chance to come home, and he is signed for the next three seasons at $23.5 million per year. That's a drop in the bucket for the Dodgers, especially if Greinke opts out and they can't re-sign him. The Dodgers consider their prospects a greater cost, and sources insist they will not deal Seager or pitcher Julio Urias.
Price, Texas' Yovani Gallardo, Cincinnati's Mike Leake and the White Sox's Jeff Samardzija are all viewed strictly as rentals, from whom the Dodgers (or others) would get two months of service before they hit the free-agent market.
At the All-Star Game in Cincinnati earlier this month, Greinke all but came out and said, as things stand, last year's Dodgers team had a better chance at the World Series than this year's club. He's right.
"I think both teams have their strengths," Greinke said. "Having Ryu healthy is big difference. He was such a good pitcher. There were three elite pitchers [last year]. Brett [Anderson] has done a terrific job, but Ryu was a different level."
Riveting stuff, all of it, as the Dodgers search hard for a path back to the World Series. Big week? Absolutely. It isn't every season that the Dodgers have a legitimate shot at a deep October run. And fewer yet are the seasons when they actually, you know, are still playing in late October.
1(a). Jays Acquire Tulowitzki in Stunning Overnight Deal
It happened so late, and was so big, we've got a separate column on it. Spoiler alert: I don't like the deal for Toronto. Here's the link.
2. David Price: Farewell to Motown?
Oh, irony.
How about the fact that as the draining hours force the Tigers to make a decision on Price's future once and for all, they are in Tampa Bay this week?
Price had played all of his career there, you'll recall, before the Rays shipped him to Detroit at the deadline last July 31. Price, an intelligent, likeable and obviously talented young pitcher, was shook. He had never been traded before, Tampa was home, he was tight with then-manager Joe Maddon and it took him a while to emotionally adjust to the trade.
Now, he says, he's older, wiser and ready for anything.
But back in Tampa, you have to wonder what hometown landmarks will trigger another swirling batch of memories from this time last year for Price.
"I don't think about that stuff," he told B/R a few days ago. "I've done it now, so I know what to expect."
Furthermore, Price said, as a guy who watches what goes on around the game, he's marveled at the work Tigers GM Dave Dombrowski has done over the years. It's just that, for the past decade, Dombrowski has usually been a buyer at this time of year. Which is why some in the industry still have a hard time picturing Detroit waving the white flag and selling.
"They've done a great job over the years," Price said. "I remember when I wasn't a Tiger, sitting back and watching their moves and saying, 'Oh my gosh.' It's always impressive what Dave is able to do.
"He's going to do what he thinks is best for this organization, now and for the future."
Still, last Thursday in Detroit, catcher James McCann couldn't help wondering if it was the final time he would catch Price at home in Comerica Park.
"We all grew up playing the game because we loved it, and that's why we still play the game," McCann said. "But at the end of the day, baseball is a business and we all understand that.
"Whether we agree, disagree or are indifferent to it, we all respect the business."
3. How Much for That Doggie in David Price's Window?
Before he acquired Scott Kazmir from Oakland last week, Houston GM Jeff Luhnow admitted he was pushing hard to acquire a starting pitcher and joked that maybe he would land Price because he was well aware that Price's dog's name is Astro.
"Hmmm, that sounds about right for Astro," joked Price, who hadn't heard about Luhnow's quip until I shared it with him.
Which, of course, led me to press Price: This being the trade deadline and all, what kind of package would it take to acquire Astro?
"Well, he just got his first-ever dog-food endorsement," Price said. "He got his first shipment right before the All-Star Game."
Uh-oh, sounds like the price has skyrocketed.
"I'd say I love recycling my plastic water bottles, but that's Astro's favorite dog toy," Price said. "Maybe a bunch of plastic water bottles. That would be enough for Astro.
"Oh, and definitely a Dog Day at the Park at least once a homestand. I love watching all of those dogs at the park."
4. Latest with Miguel Cabrera
I don't want to cause Tigers fans to contemplate jumping off of the Ambassador Bridge or anything, but there is this bit of breaking news: As Price and I were talking in Comerica Park late last week, injured (and playful) slugger Miguel Cabrera walked by.
"They're going to trade me, too," Cabrera insisted. "Write that. We're a package."
Let's see if that shows up on MLB Trade Rumors.
5. Kansas City Smokin' with Johnny Cueto
Trades are always gambles, even the ones considered "no-brainers" for one side or another. So it is with the Royals and Cueto, who had two starts pushed back this season because of elbow issues.
Cueto's health is the key to this deal for Kansas City. If his arm is sound and he is the Cueto we expect—and multiple industry sources say that they would take that gamble—then Kansas City has its Game 1 starter and a top-of-the-rotation upgrade over James Shields a year ago. No question.
The cost was steep, considering pitchers Brandon Finnegan, John Lamb and Cody Reed all have what it takes to one day pitch as major league starters. Finnegan, a product of last June's draft, was a key member of Kansas City's bullpen last autumn but regressed this year when he showed up to camp overweight and was shipped back to Triple-A Omaha. He's played from behind ever since.
But just because the cost was high doesn't mean this was a deal Kansas City shouldn't have jumped at. The Royals came so close to winning their first World Series title since 1985 a year ago, and with Cueto, they are a better club now than they were then. You have to give up something to get something, so credit Kansas City GM Dayton Moore with a job well done.
6. Scott Kazmir, Houston and Skeeter Patrol
Considering that Kazmir was with the independent league Sugar Land Skeeters the last time he pitched in his hometown of Houston, and that the Astros passed on him before Oakland resuscitated his career, Luhnow not only thinks Kazmir's upside remains high, but that he will pitch with a chip on his shoulder the rest of the way.
Like Kazmir, Houston still has something to prove. And the Astros already proved one thing quickly: Finally in position to win, they're nimble enough to make smart, quick deals.
Kazmir was dominant in his first start with Houston on Friday, throwing goose eggs over seven innings in a 4-0 win over Kansas City. American League Championship Series preview? Well, let's not go there quite yet.
So far—for reasons both obvious (his talent) and not so obvious (the Astros' young team is welcoming and eager to greet newcomers who can help them win)—so good for the Astros and Kazmir.
One little-known fact is that Houston shortstop phenom Carlos Correa was a teammate of Kazmir's in a Puerto Rican winter league a couple of years ago as Kazmir was putting the finishing touches on his comeback. Correa was one of the first Astros to greet Kazmir when he joined them last week.
7. Biggio and the Coach Who Changed His Life
It didn't create headlines, but one of the nicest moments in any of the four new Hall of Famers' speeches Sunday in Cooperstown, New York, came when Craig Biggio gave a well-deserved tip of his cap to longtime Astros coach Matt Galante.
When the Astros decided to convert Biggio from catcher to second baseman early in his career, Biggio had to be talked into it. For one thing, he had made the All-Star Game as a catcher. For another, he had never played second base before. Galante was the coach who worked with him.
"We had six weeks to learn it in spring training," Biggio said. "No pressure, huh, Matt? A typical day with Matty was, we started at 7 a.m., go to a half-field when the sun was coming up, work for an hour and a half until 8:45 or so, then go practice with the team from 9 till around noon, grab a sandwich, go to the half-field again, get some more work done.
"Then we go back, play the game. When the game was over, we went back to the half-field again. We did that every day in spring training for six weeks. I thank God for Matt Galante, and I'm so grateful."
Upon winning his first Gold Glove, Biggio gave the trophy to Galante. Much like former Oakland third baseman Eric Chavez did with his old coach, Ron Washington.
8. Weekly Power Rankings
1. Trade Deadline: That time of the year in which your team's GM fuels himself with coffee, Five-Hour Energy drinks and candy bars while working around the clock to try to deliver a winner to you, the ungrateful miscreant who will immediately demand his firing if your team tanks over the next few weeks. Ah, gotta love it.
2. San Francisco Giants: If they're not careful, they're going to screw up that odd-even thing they have going on in which they win the World Series in even-numbered years and stink in odd-numbered years. If manager Bruce Bochy can pull that off, he really belongs in the Hall of Fame.
3. Go Set a Watchman: Harper Lee's new novel is flying off of the shelves, just like her years-ago masterpiece, To Kill a Mockingbird. Note to seamheads: It has nothing to do with setting your watch, man, for Friday's 4 p.m. ET trade deadline. Just sayin'.
4. Kelly Johnson: The offensively challenged Mets immediately installed him as the No. 4 hitter Saturday night after acquiring him from Atlanta. "Wait," the confused Braves say. "A cleanup hitter? We didn't trade a cleanup hitter, did we?"
5. Philadelphia Phillies: OK, here's how it works, Phillies: There is this trade deadline, see. And to get better, you need to trade some of your players for packages of prospects or young major leaguers before the clock strikes the trade deadline bewitching hour. Got it? Wait, whaddaya mean what time Friday is the trade deadline?!
9. Chatter
• It mostly slipped by under the radar, but St. Louis made another brilliant move in scooping up closer Steve Cishek from the Marlins. The Cardinals have won before in October with fortified bullpens. See: Octavio Dotel in 2011.
• The Astros and Angels have nine games remaining against each other, beginning Tuesday night in Houston. How will the AL West be won?
• One name to keep in mind when the Padres begin searching for a permanent manager to replace interim Pat Murphy (and fired Bud Black) this winter: former Boston catcher Jason Varitek. There is a relationship there from when San Diego President Mike Dee worked in Boston, and many have Varitek pegged as future managerial material.
• Assuming he isn't named manager of the Padres, many expect to see San Diego hitting coach and longtime outfielder Mark Kotsay managing somewhere one day. "I think he's going to be good wherever he ends up," one longtime scout says.
• There's another reason why manager A.J. Hinch is such a good fit in Houston right now: He was interim GM in San Diego this time last year and worked trades for Chase Headley, Huston Street and others, and he has a good feel for some young prospects in other organizations. So when Houston GM Jeff Luhnow talks trade, he has not only a sharp manager in the dugout, but another valuable resource.
9a. Rock 'n' Roll Lyric of the Week
Hall of Fame Induction Weekend in the rear-view mirror? Not quite. Yes, we remember the late Catfish Hunter.
"Lazy stadium night
"Catfish on the mound.
"'Strike three,' the umpire said,
"Batter has to go back and sit down.
"Catfish, million-dollar-man,
"Nobody can throw the ball like Catfish can.
"Used to work on Mr. Finley's farm
"But the old man wouldn't pay
"So he packed his glove and took his arm
"And one day he just ran away.
"Catfish, million-dollar-man,
"Nobody can throw the ball like Catfish can.
"Come up where the Yankees are,
"Dress up in a pinstripe suit,
"Smoke a custom-made cigar,
"Wear an alligator boot.
"Catfish, million-dollar-man,
"Nobody can throw the ball like Catfish can.
"Carolina born and bred,
"Love to hunt the little quail.
"Got a hundred-acre spread,
"Got some huntin' dogs for sale"
—Bob Dylan, "Catfish"
Scott Miller covers Major League Baseball as a national columnist for Bleacher Report.
Follow Scott on Twitter and talk baseball.
.jpg?w=600 "Breaking News")