Mailbag Monday: Future rotation + guys coming back
Answering your questions!
Happy Monday, everyone!
We have a packed mailbag this week so let’s just get right into it. As always, thank you to everyone who asked a question this week! If you’d like to ask a question for the next mailbag, subscribe today!
Jim Ruland — All fans overreact -- it's our job -- but after looking at the schedule there are a lot of games to play against inferior competition. Do you think the schedule and the fact that it's only August account for what looks like a lack of urgency with this team?
I think the reason it feels like the team doesn’t ‘care’ is because they’ve been through this so many times. For the Dodgers, they just played in the World Series. I can see why they wouldn’t have the same mindset for a regular series in August. For the Angels, last week was a HUGE series for them. They HAVE to win. It IS their World Series. I’m sure we’ll see a different look from this team over the next month as the end of the season gets near.
Luke H — If the rotation is healthy at the start of the postseason - who goes to the pen or would they piggyback two starters?
IF everyone is healthy, which is a huge if, I think the four starters should be pretty locked up. Snell, Yamamoto, Glasnow and Ohtani will be the four. It’ll be interesting to see how they handle Clayton Kershaw. I can’t imagine he gets the nod over those four names and it’ll be interesting to see if they have him in the bullpen in some capacity. Maybe Kershaw could be a piggyback option to follow Ohtani since he won’t go past five innings. If Kershaw is open to that role it could definitely work out.
Joshua Child — At this point, we aren’t catching the Brewers (unless they have a full blown meltdown) so just being healthy in October is the best we’re gonna get.
Assuming health, there are some players that won’t make the playoff roster. Even with his clutch hit yesterday, if I see Conforto out there looking at strike 3 down the middle against the Brewers Crew in the NLCS, I will throw something through the TV.
So my question: 1-10 … what are the odds he’s on the roster in the playoffs and why?
Assuming everyone is healthy, let’s take a look at the locks. By my count, I have 11 locks. Ohtani, Smith, Rushing, Betts, Freeman, Edman, Muncy, Rojas, Teo, Pages and Kiké. If all those guys are healthy, they’ll be in there.
That leaves options like Kim, Freeland, Conforto and Call. I could see them wanting Kim because of his defensive versatility and his speed on the bases. I could also see them wanting Call for his glove in the outfield and speed. Unless Conforto goes on a real heater, I actually can’t see him making the roster.
With everyone healthy, I’m guessing Edman will go to CF, Pages will slide to RF and Teo will slide to LF. At that point, if you don’t plan on starting Conforto, you might as well have someone off the bench with speed, in the situation you need a pinch-runner. I doubt there’s ever going to be a scenario where you CHOOSE to use Conforto as a pinch-hitter. I think it would be more valuable to have Esteury Ruiz as the final option over Conforto, just because of his ability to steal a base.
Stan B — It was a great weekend 🧹 It doesn't get any better than sweeping the Friars in August and ending on a Machado K. However, it's still not hard to have concerns about the bullpen. Do we think Tanner Scott, Michael Kopech, and Kirby Yates will be back for the stretch run AND be effective? And what about Bobby Miller? Isn't he still crushing it in OKC as a reliever?
They’ll definitely all be back over the course of the next two weeks. Will they be effective? That is the million dollar question. With those three pitchers, my confidence ranking goes Scott, Yates and Kopech. I still believe in Scott and think he can be a true shutdown option for the playoff push. Yates I have some confidence in. I think these injuries have played a role. With Kopech, my confidence is pretty low. I’m not expecting much, so if he’s able to provide anything I’ll be pleasantly surprised.
I think Bobby Miller will get a call up at some point before the season ends. He’s been great in OKC as a reliever, though the sample size is still pretty small. Honestly, I’m shocked they haven’t given him a shot yet. Maybe they want him to get a couple more opportunities under his belt down there before throwing him into the fire up here.
Tom — Why not give Ryan Ward a shot in LF? Seems to be having a monster season in OKC.
At this point there’s some reason we may never understand. Whether it is his defense or they just don’t think the bat will translate, the higher ups believe there is some reason to not give him a chance. It sucks. I feel for the guy.
Travis — Not to get too far ahead, but the rotation for 2026 looks deep, especially for a team looking to win it's 3rd straight title (optimism!). I think Kershaw rides off into the sunset after this year. But that leaves this: Snell/Yamamoto/Glasnow/Ohtani/Sheehan, plus Roki and Wrobo. And that's without thinking about River Ryan, Gavin Stone, Gonsolin, Bobby Miller, etc. How do you think things will shake out?
It is fun to look ahead to 2026, because the options will be endless. You already have your locked in four with Snell/Yamamoto/Glasnow/Ohtani. It’ll be interesting to see if they implement the 6-man rotation. I think Kershaw retires as well, but you never know, he could return.
I think Sheehan has a spot pretty secure at this point. Obviously Sasaki will be in the mix as well assuming he’s healthy and able to pitch. Gavin Stone was fantastic in 2024 before his injury and River Ryan looked the part before he went down with injury. It’ll be interesting to see what the Dodgers do for sure, because the opportunities for those guys will definitely be there.
Travis — It's not something they would do now, but do you think the Dodgers will take a look at Rushing in left field next season, maybe let him have an offseason and spring training to see if it's something he can handle? Conforto will be gone, and all of their outfield prospects are in A ball, except Tibbs in AA. And if Boston does move an OF (Duran?), you have to figure they do that in the offseason. Do you think the Dodgers would look at that possibility? Tucker is a free agent, but that would be yet another huge contract.
I think the left field experiment has come and gone. With how bad Conforto has been, this would have been a perfect opportunity to test Rushing out there. Yet, they passed. I think the Dodgers are content with having him as their backup catcher for the foreseeable future.
I think the outfield is actually pretty set next year. I think they’ll just run it back with Teo/Edman/Pages as the three. Now I would LOVE to sign Kyle Tucker, but I agree I think the contract will be too rich for the Dodgers unless they do something creative where he has an opt-out after a couple years.
Peter Zales — I am shocked beyond belief about the the three game sweep. Didn't see that one coming!?!
My only question is, with a six man pitching staff in place, and the staff essentially only going once a week, couldn't Roberts push the SP to 100 -110 pitches to save the RP an inning or so every game?
I’m shocked…. but I’m not shocked. After that Angels series I remember telling people that the Dodgers will probably mess around and end up sweeping the Padres because that’s just the way this team is. I’ll gladly take it!
I can see the vision, mainly because the Dodgers have so many pitchers available that can cover innings if needed. The Dodgers know they need all of their starters healthy for October, so if that means saving them an inning every start I have no issue with it. We HAVE to see the Dodgers make it to October with Snell/Yamamoto/Glasnow/Ohtani all healthy.
J. Zura — What a great weekend to be a Dodger fan. Former Dodger players & prospects raking against other teams not named Dodgers. Dodgers Win & Sweep the Padres!
Who knew finally convincing my husband to wear the Dodgers boxer briefs I got him would be a good luck charm 🍀
With Freeland showing his ability as an infield depth piece. Do you think Noah Miller will see playing time in MLB in 2025?
That leads to my question for the Dodger's 2026 future lineup.
Tommy Edman(2030 w\Club Option & $3M buy out)
Hyeseong Kim(on contract until 2029\2030 which he’s got club options & 2029 has a buyout
Freddie Freeman (2028 FA)
Alex Freeland (hasn't hit Arb level 1 yet)
Mookie Betts - is here until 2032 or the Dodgers are willing to pay all of the deferred $$ from previous years as immediate paycheck upon a trade…Mookie said I let no one play with my money when I’m not around 🤭
MiggyRo is UFA in 2026
Kiké Hernandez is UFA in 2026
Max Muncy has a club option for 2026 w\no buyout
With all of these members is there room for Noah Miller on the 40-man & the lineup? Mookie has been league avg at SS; but Miller has the possibility of being as great at SS as Mookie Betts is in RF.
Who stays? Who is traded? Who isn't resigned?
It’ll be interesting to see how the lineup looks in 2026. I can’t see Miguel Rojas being back. It’s hard to imagine the Dodgers NOT picking up Muncy’s option because it’s so cheap. I would like to see the Dodgers slide Mookie back over to second base and let Alex Freeland play his natural position of shortstop. I said it earlier, but I think the outfield goes back to being Teo/Edman/Pages. With the exception of maybe a bench bat or two, the 13 position players should look almost exactly the same.
Lifes EZ —
1 - Still have 3 game series with the Padres, Reds, and Phillies. What place in the 6 team Playoffs are the odds the Dodgers finish as of today?
As of now the Dodgers are tied with the Phillies for second in the NL, though the Phillies currently own the tiebreaker.
2 - How important is it for the Dodgers to be in 1st in the NL West when the Reds come in?
That’ll be a big series next week when the Reds come to town. I don’t think it is crucial they’re in first, but hopefully they’re not going into that series with a big losing streak.
3 - What are the chances today that at the start of the 3 games series with the Brewers (6~4 of before the playoffs) the Dodgers are within striking distance of NL Best Record?
As of now the Dodgers trail by eight games. With only about six weeks left in the season I would say very slim, but we just saw the Dodgers blow a 9-game lead so anything is possible!