Wheelin’ and Dealin’

Earlier in the week, there was a little difference in opinion with respect to the Billy McKinney acquisition. I continue to read how porous LAD’s defense is, and with a gimpy Mookie Betts who may need late inning defensive help to get him off his hip, a slowing AJ Pollock, questionable defense of Matt Beaty, and the need for CT3 to spend more time in the infield, AF went out and got a decent defensive OF to fill a need THIS YEAR. Carlos Rincon was never going to be anything but a DH, and the Dodgers have multiple MiLB players to fill that role, so AF goes out and spends a lesser AA version of Reks and Raley with minimal defensive skills, to get defensive help. To me it is a win. But apparently I am in the minority because I do consider defense as critical in winning a championship. I do not know how much of Carlos Rincon any of you have seen, but since I watch a lot of Tulsa games, I have seen a lot of him. He is a DH, and I hope he makes it. He is a good kid. But he is maybe a top 40-50 prospect. Is it too much to spend a 40-50 prospect for help in 2021? I will certainly continue to follow him, as I have Oneil Cruz. In 2017, the Dodgers traded a much higher rated prospect in Oneil Cruz to acquire LHRP Tony Watson. Watson was not able to get the Dodgers past the Cheaters and he is now struggling with the LAA. OTOH, Cruz is a top 100 prospect with Pittsburgh. Worth the trade? IMO, YES. If the Dodgers find another OF, they can always DFA McKinney.

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