With the PT trade deadline approaching Thursday at 3 p.m., the MLB.com Dodgers beat journalist Sonja Chen to ask questions from fans on Wednesday at R/Dodgers AMA. The full conversation can be viewed here, but here is a sample of the best questions and answers.
For clarity, the question and answers were slightly edited.
What actions do you expect to take before the transaction deadline approaches?
I hope the Dodgers find some way to upgrade the bullpen. But I would be a little surprised if they made a real splash move. Now, there is a high demand for competing teams unless they really feel that 1) they need or 2) it's their best chance to get the guys they've been aiming for.
The thing I love about the Dodgers is that I probably make most star players tender, self-hidden and non-toxic here. Do you think management is a conscious thing? Is this part of the confident modesty of the Dodgers’ “company culture”? Do these things matter when considering who to trade?
I think this is definitely something to consider when acquiring players in the front desk. It may be easier to figure out how players can adapt to the Dodgers’ organizational culture during free agency, but at any time, team chemistry is important. To be sure, it would be easier to win with star players, but having stars also means managing a lot of personality. When the Dodgers’ target players may be appropriate, it certainly goes beyond their work on the court.
Which Dodge has surprised you this year so far?
I would say Jack Dreyer is very stable all year round. This is partly because honestly, I don’t expect much from him to get into the season, and he probably wouldn’t be the opening day roster if it weren’t for the injury from the bullpen at the end of spring training. But, at this point, ask where the bullpen would be without Drell.
Which Dodgers’ prospects are you most excited/hype?
I really like what Zyhir Hope (Dodgers' No. 2 prospect) saw during spring training and it was fun to go through his season. The group currently has a large group of outfielders in High-A – Hope, Josue de Paula (1st), Mike Sirota (5th), Eduardo Quintero (4th), Kendall George (11th) – but should be far away year-round, but it should be fun.
There has been a constant demand for the speed and analysis of pitches (if not over-analytics) over the years, is it not only the pitchers fell like flies not only on the Dodgers, but throughout the league, or is it just a rumor?
I don't think I can really answer this question correctly in a short form, but yes, I think it's a contributing factor. The thing you chase has a higher risk, which will surely lead to more damage.
The Dodgers dug up their nearest pitcher and injured. They didn’t share a lot of findings, but earlier this year, pitching coach Mark Prior pointed out that one factor they are considering is how pitchers are used between minors and professionals, including factors such as role, workload and overall level of competition.
This is a loading question, but almost every team is looking for answers.