Yasiel Puig's Hot Start

Yasiel Puig has hit three homeruns in the Los Angeles Dodgers first five games and this was the kind of start he needed to the 2017 season. Maybe this is the season that Yasiel Puig puts it all together and realizes his vast potential for the Los Angeles Dodgers. Puig has always had the potential to be a five tool player but it is that unrecognized sixth tool- his attitude- that has always held him back. This sixth tool is what has been tempting the Dodgers to trade Puig since the middle of last season and he was at the center of a lot of trade rumors in Spring Training. The Dodgers never received a solid trade offer, all based on Puig's potential.

All Los Angeles Dodger fans know that Puig in only an implosion away from being benched, back in the minors, or traded. As a Dodgers fan, when Puig's head is in the game, he is one of the most exciting players in the game. When his head is not in the game and he is not running out ground balls, forgetting how many outs there are, or unleashing a wild throw from the outfield, as a fan it can be very frustrating.

Here is hoping Puig puts it all together this season, becomes a 30/30 player and leads the Dodgers to the World Series, where he leads them to the title.

The Trade That Didn't Happen

The Los Angeles Dodgers didn't make a splash at the major league baseball trade deadline; they barely caused a ripple. The got starting pitcher Rich Hill (who was even on the Disabled List because of a blister problem) and outfielder Josh Reddick from the Oakland A's and relief pitcher got relief pitcher Josh Fields from the Houston Astros and Jesse Chavez from the Toronto Blue Jays. All of these players were acquired for minor league players and the Dodgers did not have to empty out their farm system of the best prospects.

The biggest news on this day was that the Dodgers finally took a hardline stance with Yasiel Puig. When the Dodgers could not package Puig in a trade deal, the Dodgers decided to option Puig to AAA Oklahoma City. Puig is not having the worst statistical season of the Dodgers outfielders but Puig has always been cursed with a world of potential but appears disinterested most of the time and has spent his fair share of games on the bench with nagging injuries. The trade for Reddick, Enrique Hernandez and Scott Van Slyke making it back from injuries, and with Trayce Thompson due back soon made Puig dispensable. Puig may have finally wore out his welcome with the Dodgers and may have taken his last at bat with the Dodgers.

Puig Returns In Style

Whenever Yasiel Puig of the Los Angeles Dodgers does anything, he does it with style. In the bottom of the ninth inning against the Washington Nationals the Dodgers trailed 3-2 and Howie Kendrick was on first base. Puig hit a single up the middle and it rolled under Nationals centerfielders Michael Taylor's glove and rolled to the warning track. Puig had rounded first base and whenever he saw the ball get by Taylor, he circled the bases in 15.2 seconds and dove head first into home plate to score the winning run. In Little League it would have been a homerun. In the Major Leagues, it was a walk off three base error. Puig is fresh off his latest stint on the Disabled List and he also ran through a stop sign by the third base coach. Puig announced his return to the roster in a style that only Puig can.

Stripling Gets His First

It was not the best game Dodgers starter Ross Stripling has pitched in his short major league career but the Dodgers offense made sure he got his first major league win. Stripling went five innings and gave up four runs and left the game in the top of the sixth inning with a 7-4 lead. The Dodgers erratic bullpen shut the Cardinals out the rest of the way pitching four innings and only giving up a hit and a walk and closer Kenley Jansen got the final two outs for his 12th save.

The Dodgers offense was led by Yasiel Puig's three hits, including his fourth homerun, and two runs batted in and Trayce Thompson's two RBI's. The Dodgers were also helped out by the St. Louis Cardinals four errors, three of those by shortstop Aledmys Diaz. Five of the Dodgers eight runs were unearned.

The First Two Weeks

The first two weeks of the Los Angeles Dodgers season has had its ups and downs and its disappointments and surprises. They are 8-5 with an early one game lead over the San Francisco Giants who they have already played seven times. The starting pitching behind Clayton Kershaw and Kenta Maeda has been inconsistent, the bullpen has been shaky at times, and the first two outings of Ross Stripling's career have been a surprise although he does not have a win to show for it. Kershaw has gotten off to a good start with a 2-0 record with a 1.64 ERA but I am almost disappointed when he gives up a run. I would also have to list Maeda has a bit of a surprise as he has inly allowed one earned run in his first 19 innings. Kenley Jansen has gotten off to a great start with five saves in his first five games and he has not allowed a run.

The Los Angeles Dodgers offense has also been up and down. Regulars Yasmani Grandal and Howie Kendrick are just now working their way back into the lineup and that should help the Dodgers as they are fifth in the league in runs scored, averaging five runs a game, but their has been a power shortage as the Dodgers only have eight homeruns in 13 games. Yasiel Puig (.356) and Enrique Hernandez (.400 with two homeruns off Madison Bumgarner) off both gotten off to hot starts at the plate. Corey Seager has gotten off to an OK start but I was hoping he would just blow the National League away with his skills. Injuries to Carl Crawford and Scott Van Slyke has opened the door for Trayce Thompson to get some playing time.

Landing With A Thud

The Los Angeles Dodgers out of this world pitching came crashing to earth with a thud in a 12-6 loss to the San Francisco Giants last night. Alex Wood gave up five runs in five innings and then the relievers came on to give up seven runs in three innings. The only reliever who did not get lit up like a Christmas tree was Louis Coleman who pitched one and one-third innings and only gave up a walk.

Adrian Gonzalez, Yasiel Puig, and Joc Pederson all remain on a tear for the Dodgers. Pederson was given a vote of confidence by Manager Dave Roberts in spring training and he hit his first homerun and now has five runs batted in in the first four games. Gonzalez his batting .500 with four RBI's and Puig is batting .533 with two triples. The Dodgers are averaging almost eight runs a game in the early going.

Kazmir Comes Through

I have to admit, I had my doubts about Scott Kazmir all the way through spring training. He got lit up in his first couple of spring training starts and the way Dodgers pitchers were going down with one injury or another, I thought the Dodgers may have to trade for more starting pitching. He started pitching better towards the end of spring training and being a veteran pitcher, he seems to have been able to flip the switch. I know that one great regular season outing is just the beginning of a long season but Kazmir took a step towards easing my doubts. Kazmir came as close as he could come to matching Clayton Kershaw's opening day performance allowing only one hit in six innings with five strikeouts and no walks. He only threw 75 pitches and 49 of those were strikes.

The Dodgers offense was not the offensive juggernaut that it was in the first game but they are never going to be confused with the 1927 New York Yankees. Yasiel Puig needed to get a strong start to the season and he has done just that. He hit his second triple in two games, driving in the first two runs of the game and scored the final run when Carl Crawford drove him in.

New Manager Dave Roberts moves have been minimal in his first two games. With the pitching the Dodgers have had in the first two games, he hasn't had to make many decisions. Outside of inserting a few pinch hitters, making a few pitching changes to keep the bullpen sharp, and inserting Trayce Thompson as a defensive replacement, the Dodgers are almost managing themselves. The offense has scored 18 runs in two games, the pitching has two shutouts and has only allowed six hits.

The Winter Meetings

At last year's Winter Meetings, the Dodgers were movers and shakers. They signed who they thought they needed to sign, they made bold trades, and they completely reshaped their roster. The Dodgers brass did what they felt they had to do and it helped to bring the Dodgers their third straight National League West title.

At this year's winter meetings, they signed a rag armed Japanese pitcher, Hisashi Iwakuma, who only made 20 starts last season due to injury and he may or may not replace any number of rag armed Dodgers pitchers already on the roster, and they re-signed a 36 year old second baseman, Chase Utley, that batted a robust .202 in 34 games after acquiring him from the Phillies late in the season. For $7 million, they might be able to coax Mario Mendoza out of retirement.

The biggest trade they made but didn't make involves what might be the hardest thrower in the history of major league baseball, Aroldis Chapman of the Cincinnati Reds, but he is being investigated by the secret police of major league baseball for possibly abusing his girlfriend. I can't really understand major league baseball halting the trade unless making him stay with the Cincinnati Reds is going to be part of his punishment.

Taking a look at the Dodgers depth chart on their website, dodgers.com, it looks like a MASH unit already and the spring training is still two months away. They need to unload some outfielders but nobody wants them with the exception of maybe Joc Pederson. They should have unloaded Yasiel Puig last season when he may have still had some trade value but they may have to settle for trading him back to Cuba for a box of cigars, maybe two if they play hardball.

Trading Puig

There has been a lot of chatter on the internet and on sports TV about whether the Dodgers should trade Yasiel Puig or not. First of all, Yasiel Puig is an amazing talent. The potential he has is off the charts. He can hit for power, he has speed, and his arm in right field may be unparalleled in baseball today. Unfortunately, baseball history is littered with players that never realized their potential.

He is one of the most analyzed players in the baseball, known almost as much for his dugout antics as well as his play on the field. Puig's is seen on Sportscenter making throws to nail a base runner trying to take the extra base and sulking in the dugout because he struck out a few innings later. One of Manager Don Mattingly's biggest jobs the past three seasons has been trying to keep Puig motivated to play at a high level every night and to keep his head in the game. It seems like Mattingly benches Puig for about a game a week to try to get his attention.

Puig was injured and missed over a month early this season and he has had a hard time getting his offensive game back on track. He is only batting .243 but his power has showed signs of coming around as of late, hitting his ninth homerun of the season against the Washington Nationals. His powerful right arm has been on display the past couple of weeks, throwing a runner out at second base from the right centerfield warning track and throwing a Pittsburgh Pirates runner out at second on a force play.

I don't know if the Dodgers had any serious inquiries about Puig before the trade deadline July 31st and the Dodgers announced the other day that they will not trade him this season. You hate to trade a talent like Puig has but at some point and time, his antics and attitude have got to be a detriment in the clubhouse.

Greinke To The Rescue

Zack Greinke came to the rescue of the Los Angeles Dodgers again as he pitched six shutout innings against the Washington Nationals to lead them to a 5-0 win. He wasn't sharp early on which led to a high pitch count (109) and led to his removal from the game after six innings. The Dodgers bullpen finished it off with three scoreless innings. Greinke improved his record to 12-2 and lowered his league leading ERA to 1.66.

Yasiel Puig was the offensive star, driving in all five of the Dodgers runs with his ninth homerun and a bases loaded triple. He broke a 1-14 slump in the process.

From Worst To First?

The Los Angeles Dodgers ran into the Philadelphia Phillies at the worst possible time. The Phillies were 13-3 after the All Star break, the best record in baseball since that point. Even after that hot stretch, the Phillies still have the worst record in baseball. I don't think a team has ever gone from worst at the All Star break to first in the division in the same season but they have still been playing impressive baseball.

The Dodgers have managed to split the first two games with them. Newly acquired Alex Wood pitched well in his first start with the Dodgers before losing it in the seventh inning and getting a loss in the first game of the series. Brett Anderson pitched well in the second game, going six solid innings and giving up one run, and he was backed by a three run Yasiel Puig homerun in the first inning. Closer Kenly Jansen came in and struck out the side in the bottom of the ninth inning on 13 pitches to get his 20th save in 21 chances. That is the Jansen I am used to seeing.

Pitching Another Eight

Zack Greinke extended his scoreless inning streak to 35 2/3 against the Philadelphia Phillies in the Dodgers 6-0 win. Greinke dominated the Phillies lineup only giving up one hit in eight innings, striking out eight. He dropped his ERA to 1.39 and made a strong statement for being the starter for the National League in the All-Star game. He ran his record to 8-2. Greinke is a free agent after this season and he is also stating his case to be one of the highest paid pitchers in the game.

Major League Baseball has not seen a first half of pitching like this since 1968. In that season, three pitchers- Bob Gibson, Luis Tiant, and Dodger great Don Drysdale- all had ERA's under 1.40 at the All Star break. Bob Gibson ended that season with a major league record 1.12 ERA and 13 shutouts.

Yasiel Puig showed signs of breaking out of his season long power slump hitting his fourth homerun and driving in four of the Dodgers six runs.

International Market Is Open For Business

The Los Angeles Dodgers got out the checkbook when the International Signing Period opened. The Dodgers are more than willing to pay huge taxes for spending over their allotted amount as they spent over $20 million the first day, well over their allotted $2.7 million. They signed three of the top 30 international players, as ranked by mlb.com.

Yadiel Alvarez, 19, RHP, Cuba, $16 million- The Dodgers invaded Cuba gain for the #2 ranked International prospect. Alvarez had a hefty price tag but he might have as just a hefty ceiling as far as being a prospect goes. He has a fastball that hits he high 90's, a slider that is a strikeout pitch, and an above average changeup. He has a power arm that all of the scouts love and one scout went so far as to say that Alvarez was the best 18 year old pitcher he had ever seen (mlb.com).

Starling Heredia, 16, OF, Dominican Republic, $2.6 million- Nicknamed "the Pit Bull", Heredia is widely believed to be the best total package player of the international prospects and is the #5 ranked player. I have never been a big fan of signing 16 year old players. What he does going forward from this point is all speculation. Scouts like his power and he models his game after Yasiel Puig.

Ronny Brito,16, SS, Dominican Republic, $2 million- The best part of Brito's game is his defense- good feet, strong arm- and he is a left-handed line drive hitter. At this point in his development, Brito is seen as providing organizational depth because scouts question his ability to hit once he gets into the Dodgers minor league system.

Oneal Cruz, 16, SS, Dominican Republic, $950,000- Cruz is also a left-handed hitting Shortstop but is very tall for the position and may end up in the Outfield. He has developing power and average speed.

Christopher Arias, 16, OF, Dominican Republic, $500,000- Baseball America described the best part of Arias's game as "raw power." Arias is 6'2" and a 175 pounds and he is seen as a power hitting corner Outfielder.

That is a little over $22 million for five prospects and all, with the exception of Alvarez, will stay in the Dominican Republic to play for the next two or three seasons. It will be interesting to track their development over the next couple of seasons, especially Alvarez.

Body Language

I did not get to see much of the Dodgers 10-2 win last night over the Giants (I only got to see the seventh inning). What I did see, I did not particularly like. I hate to admit it but the ESPN announcing crew brought it to my attention. They were picking on Yasiel Puig and pointing out every shortcoming that he has. Puig seems to be every announcers favorite target when it comes to the Dodgers. Puig had a meltdown a few games ago and his ability has not caught up to his bad attitude yet.

Puig swung and missed at a pitch and he acted like someone had just punched his mother. The Dodgers had a 10-1 lead at the time. Then there are times when Puig will make a catch or hit a homerun and he makes you think "Wow! Where is that player on a consistent basis?" Then there are times when he forgets how many outs there are, loafs in the outfield and to first, or acts like he would rather be anywhere else other than roaming the outfield for the Dodgers.and you think "When is Mattingly going to bench his ass?"

Puig wasn't the only one with bad body language. Alex Guerrero hit a fly ball and was already halfway back to the dugout in a slow trot when the ball was caught. Joc Pederson fouled out to third base and he slowly walked back to the dugout. Left handed relief pitcher Daniel Coulombe issued a four pitch walk in the top of the seventh to left handed batter Brandon Crawford and did not come close to throwing a strike. All he has to do with a 10-1 lead is throw strikes. He ended up giving up a run in the top of the eighth. No wonder his ERA is 8.53. If you cn't trust him with a nine run lead why should you trust him with a one run lead?

Reggie Jackson is an example of a player's ability far outweighing his bad attitude. His battles with the Oakland A's, Baltimore Orioles, and especially the New York Yankees, were legendary. His attitude was just as bad with the California Angels but they were never in the spotlight of the World Series so it wasn't as blatant at the end of his career. His antics on the field, arguments in the dugout, and comments off the field could all be tolerated because he produced when it counted. Jackson was also the king of self promotion. He was "the straw that stirred the Yankee drink" and "Mr. October." He did not give himself that nickname but he did take it and run with it.

Looking At The Numbers

The Dodgers have been scuffling at the plate lately. I know they went through an eight game stretch in May where they only scored nine runs. The Dodgers have suffered through a stretch of three straight shutouts at the hands of the San Francisco Giants and 42 consecutive scoreless innings on the road. These games came against the San Francisco Giants and the St. Louis Cardinals, two of the best pitching staffs in baseball.

I decided to take a look at the overall offensive numbers of the Dodgers. What I saw really surprised me. After 60 games, the Dodgers are first in Major League baseball in OBP, tied for first in home runs with the Houston Astros, second in OPS, fifth in runs scored, and ninth in batting average.

The Dodgers have racked up these numbers in spite of outfielders Yasiel Puig and Carl Crawford missing large chunks of the season and starting shortstop Jimmy Rollins being off to the worst start of his career.

On the plus side Joc Pederson has been as advertised and Andre Ethier has shown flashes of his form of five or six seasons ago. Pederson leads Major League rookies in home runs with 17 and Ethier has already doubled his homerun output from last season. Alex Guerrero's emergence as a power hitter helped lead to Juan Uribe's trade.

Where is the consistency in the run scoring? It has always been said that good pitching beats good hitting and that is how the Giants and the Cardinals are taking it to the Dodgers this season and in last season's playoffs.. The Dodgers are also missing their third and fourth starters in Hyun Jin-Ryu and Brandon McCarthy and they have been piecing together the back end of their pitching staff since Opening Day. Right now Carlos Frias and Mike Bolsinger are doing the job and Brandon Beachy should be back in about another six weeks.

Clutch Hitting

Howie Kendrick came up clutch again as he hit a walk off single with one out driving in Yasiel Puig with the winning run in the Dodgers 7-6 victory over the Arizona Diamond Backs. Puig went four for four with a walk, hit a three run homer in the second inning, and has been en fuego since coming off the Disabled List a week ago. Kendrick's heroics would not have been needed but Dodgers closer Kenley Jansen gave up a game tying homer to A.J. Pollock in the top of the ninth. That was Jansen's first run allowed this season. Yasmani Grandal also homered for the Dodgers.

Kershaw Finally Gets Win #100

Clayton Kershaw finally got his 100th career win last night. No Dodger fan thought it would take him until the middle of May to achieve that milestone. I believed he would get that in the first week of the season. His location has been off this year and his pitch counts have been high. He threw 110 pitches last night in 6 2/3 innings and his walk ratio is much higher than it was last year.

Even with Kershaw's slow start, the Dodgers are off to a 23-12 start and a solid lead in the National League West. This is due to a great start by Zach Greinke and a surprising offense that is putting up record numbers for the Dodgers and is one of the best in baseball. This is in spite of a slow start by Jimmy Rollins (.197 BA) and injuries to two starting outfielders, Yasiel Puig and Carl Crawford.

A Single Wins It

The Dodgers survived an onslaught of four Seattle Mariners long balls last night to win it on a bases loaded, walk off single by Alex Guerrero in the bottom of the tenth inning.

A Dodgers player also had another Major League first. Pitcher Brandon McCarthy became the first pitcher to strike out ten batters, have no walks, and allow four home runs. McCarthy allowed all five Mariners runs in seven innings but Dodgers relievers pitched three scoreless innings with Yimi Garcia picking up his first win on the season.

Yasiel Puig hit his second home run of the season among his three hits, Joc Pederson drove in two, and Guerrero drove in two including the game winner.

The Cuban Connection

The Dodgers used their Cuban pipeline to bat their way to a 7-4 win in Arizona yesterday. Cuban born Yasiel Puig and Alex Guerrero hit their first homeruns of the season and Yasmani Grandal had two hits and scored two runs. Geurrero also drove in four as part of a three hit performance and Rookie Centerfielder Joc Pederson had three hits and hit his first homerun of the season as well.

The Dodgers had a 7-0 lead heading into the ninth inning behind seven scoreless innings from Zach Greinke and one inning from Pedro Baez. Paco Rodriguez started the ninth inning and got one out and was credited with giving up one run, Chris Hatcher came in a gave up three runs, sending his ERA into the stratosphere at over 33. He did manage to get the second out in amongst the fireworks, and Joel Peralta got the final out and earned his second save. It took three pitchers and 46 pitches to get the final three outs in order for the Dodgers to secure the 7-4 win.

Rookie Of The Year

I am going to go ahead and start my ad campaign for Joc Pederson for National League Rookie of the Year. Joc neede to have a good Spring Training for the Dodgers and he has done just that. He is 19 for 51 and he is tied for the team lead with Yasiel Puig in Home Runs with 5. The Dodgers brass made sure Pederson got plenty of At Bats this spring and the Centerfield job seems to be his to lose.

Pederson is the Dodgers #1 or #2 overall prospect depending on which publication you choose to read but he is also the most Major League ready. He was a 30/30 player for the Dodgers AAA farm team in Albuquerque last year and while I do not expect that kind of production in his Rookie season, the skill set is definitely there.