Mailbag Monday: Some questionable decisions
Answering your questions!
Happy Monday, everyone!
There’s no game today, which is a RARITY. Over the last five weeks, the Dodgers have had only like three off days. With no game tonight, what the hell will everyone be watching?! I’ll tell you what’ll be on my TV tonight. We have a brand new episode of Love Island tonight!
As always, thank you so much to everyone who asked a question this week! If you’d like to ask a question for the next mailbag, make sure to subscribe to my Substack!
Tom — Why did they send Emmet Sheehan down?
I think the Dodgers are just being extra cautious with Sheehan. I was a little surprised he got called up as quickly as he did. I thought they’d wait until he was fully built up to activate him. Another possible reason is I think they possibly don’t want him to start in Denver this week, as we’ve seen how disastrous those kind of starts can be. He can make another start in the minors, build up his pitch count more and then call him back up next week. Also, it allowed the Dodgers to add an extra bullpen arm to finish their series against Washington. If I were to guess, Sheehan will make one start with OKC and then be back with the Dodgers.
Peter Zales — Why would Roberts insist on throwing (lobbing) Kiki to close out the game vs the Nationals, when the bullpen will get a day's rest plus play the WORST team in history? The whole Kiki on the mound thing is turning into a clown show.
I personally have no issue with it. I know people aren’t huge fans of the move, which I totally get. I understand that the Dodgers had a day off on Monday, but you still want to try and preserve every arm you can. If you could save Alex Vesia from throwing 15 pitches, you take it. With a 10 run lead, I totally get using a position player to pitch. The issue with Kiké is the fact he can’t throw strikes. Most position players that come in to pitch just lob it up there and the opponents usually hit it on the first or second pitch. Kiké is walking multiple batters an outing, which you don’t want when you’re likely going to allow a couple hits as well. I’m fine letting a position player pitch in instances like this, but I think Kiké shouldn’t be the go-to option anymore. Get someone out there who can at least throw strikes.
OhioDodger — Why does Roberts continue to play KIm in CF and Edman at 2B. It is obvious that it should be Edman in the OF and Kim at 2B. Their best lineup is Edman in CF, Pages in RF, and Teo in LF.
I believe the reason is because Edman’s ankle is still bothering him. He’s not healthy enough to spend a lot of time playing center field. They also want to turn Kim into a super-utility guy, as opposed to having him strictly play second base, which I do understand. You allow Edman more time to get his ankle healthy while giving Kim opportunities out in center field. I’m not a huge fan of it currently, but when looking at the bigger picture of this team, it’ll benefit them in the long run.
Geoff Shackelford — Eric Karros called out the absurdity of batting Shohei in the leadoff spot when he pitches. I agree. Seems a bizarre and unnecessary extreme to go from mound to on deck circle, even compared even to batting him second or third. What’s do you think is the rationale?
I agree with what Karros said. When Shohei starts a game at home, I think the Dodgers should bat him second. Watching him run from the mound to the batters box in only two minutes just isn’t enough time. He should hit second in this scenario. Now, when Ohtani starts a game on the road, you can continue to hit him leadoff since it won’t be an issue. Obviously if he leads off an inning later in the game we’ll have the same problem, but I would try and avoid it when you can. I believe Dave Roberts asked Ohtani if he wanted to move to second in the order for when he starts, but Ohtani said he wanted to bat leadoff.
Daniel Cakes — Barring injury, how many innings do you think Casparius ends up throwing this season? He’s 3rd on the team in innings pitched, didn’t see that coming.
Casparius has been insanely valuable for the Dodgers this season. You could make the case he’s been the most valuable pitcher on the team. His ability to pitch bulk innings out of the bullpen, high-leverage innings out of the bullpen and starting games has been a huge ask. Although he’s already at 52 innings, I don’t think he’ll surpass 90 innings. Once Sheehan and Glasnow/Snell rejoin the rotation, Casparius likely heads back to the bullpen. I think he’ll go back to his role as a bulk guy, being asked to go multiple innings in relief.
Marilyn Fisher — I’m with Tom, it doesn’t make sense to send Emmet down. Now we have to survive bullpen games. Also, do you think that Mookie’s production is because of playing SS?
I don’t think Mookie’s production is down because of shortstop. We have to remember, he was arguably the best hitter in the National League through the middle of June of last year when he was playing shortstop. After he missed nearly two months, Betts moved back to right field where his numbers dipped. I think this is just who Mookie is now as a hitter.
He’ll still be a good hitter, but I think the days of him being a 140+ wRC+ kind of player are gone. Now, that’s not saying he’s no longer valuable. He’s been incredible at shortstop this season and is on pace to have a 4.0+ fWAR season, which is still great. Betts just isn’t hitting the ball hard. He ranks 24th percentile in average exit velocity, 23rd percentile in barrel percentage and 20th percentile in hard-hit percentage. His bat speed also ranks 10th percentile. When you don’t hit the ball hard, you won’t get great results.
He’s in a pretty big slump now, but I’m confident he’ll go on a heater sooner rather than later.