Timmy U

More hits -- Aguero, Park, Burrowes, and Gonzalez all single. ACL up 4-0.

Freeman got 2 pop outs and then walked 3 consecutive complex league hitters. He's out, presumably for pitch count reasons. Jose Rodriguez (not that Jose Rodriguez) is in.

Vera is out after 1 inning. Now the rehabbing Caleb Freeman is in for ACL Sox. Gonzalez has a single and run scored ACL leads 2-0.

Vera hit the first guy, stolen base; K's Tommy Troy; Ground out; bb; Fly out. So, not sharp command. I hope the stuff has bounced back.

The smoking wreckage of Norge Vera is starting for ACL. I'll be interested to hear what his stuff looks like.

I mean 1 expensive starter, 1 Touki, and 1 reclamation project/rotation of young guys. And to be clear that's not what I would do. But, if they think they can compete (i.e. finish around .500), I would imagine that's what they're thinking. I could also imagine them looking at the money they owe Eloy, trading that cash and using it on something else. Point is, I think we're back in a Kenny-style rebuild on the fly instead of a complete tear down scan BA's Top 100 type deal. I might not do it that way, but it's what everyone in the org seems to be saying.

I hope you are right.

I agree, but this group is not realistic. I'm not saying this is what I'd do. I'm trying to parse out what they mean when they say they plan to compete next year.

KW's instinct is never to rebuild. If he clears out enough cash and decides to build a bullpen out of Santos and spare parts, he might be planning on signing 1 bat, 1 arm (Bellinger would fit in rf, and let's say Snell). Then he could either use the prospects acquired in low leverage parts of the roster (pen, 5th starter etc) or flip some of it to get trade targets. KW loves his 3-1 deals to acquire personal favorites. I'm not saying this would work, I'm just saying I could see KW thinking along these lines.

He was also really looking forward to playing close to his family in Southern California. https://dodgersdaily.net/2022/09/12/nick-nastrini-stronger-than-ever/

Nastrini's off season plans are ruined. Check out Spring Training video where he really praises the Dodgers pitching development program.

Hahn all but said that if Leasure doesn't get completely lit up at Charlotte, he'll be an option for the 'pen sometime this year.

Sox suddenly have some depth at catching. Lee will probably finish the season in MLB. Hackenberg is at least near the bottom of their top 30. Big time arm. Quero is highly regarded. I wonder how loud the tools really are, but the industry likes him. If he's high OBP who can stay behind the dish, that's a good player. Calvin Harris is a fairly high draft pick and I think Ronny Hernandez can really hit. (Haven't heard how he looks defensively.) And in the DSL, Stiven Flores is off to a great start. Add my personal cheeseball who's never gonna start in the majors but I like anyway, Michael Turner, and ther figures to be some competition at least.

Gonzalez has his first pro hit. Park is every bit as pesky as advertised. ACL Sox up 3-1.

If they believe in Touki, they can pay 1 starter and hope to sort through a ton of options (Cueto types and rookies) to try and patch together a 5th starter. Then, if they pay for a bat, you'd could squint and talk yourself into a contending team? Kinda?

Motivated cast offs are better than highly-paid disgruntled (minus Gio) veterans?

Possibly not. But I think they are going to have a long audition process at the beginning of next year too. I think there's value in having a trusted guy at catcher to bring people along. Maybe not a ton. Will be interesting to see our pitchers when none of them have to throw to Grandal.

True. He may be the worst offensive player in MLB. However, the fact that they just gutted their entire pitching staff argues for the value of a guy who may help all their new arms break in. Perez gives you nothing. I suspect he may be DFA if they ever need a roster spot.

Perez has a rag arm and cannot catch. I like him as a person, but they didn't just trade for 2 catchers cuz they think Perez is the answer.

Woo! Is that Santos' first career save?

Hello, Santos IS your new closer.

I get that he can't hit, but is Seby a big reason Sox are shutting out Cleveland right now? Pitchers seem to love him.

I love insurance runs.

Bunt.

Ha ha. But now with one inning to cover, we may find out who the new closer is. If it's Santos, maybe Middleton is already traded.