March 13th, 2019 at 10:15 am 
by Ron Cervenka Try as we may, it is impossible to figure out many (most) of the decisions and moves made by Dodgers president of baseball operations Andrew Friedman and Dodgers manager Dave Roberts.
Case in point: Last spring, I asked Roberts what former Dodgers and now Cincinnati Reds catcher Kyle Farmer‘s role was going to be for the (then) upcoming 2018 season. Without hesitation, the Dodgers skipper answered: “Kyle is going to be our third catcher, and being a third catcher is a really good place to be.”
Kyle Farmer was not the Dodgers “third catcher” in 2018, except for two innings of one game on May 8, 2018 against the Arizona Diamondbacks at Dodger Stadium. That’s it … TWO innings. He did, however, appear in 22 games at third base and one game at first base.
Kyle Farmer is no longer the Dodgers “third catcher” – or even a Dodger anymore. Instead, he will, in all likelihood, be the Cincinnati Reds Opening Day – and everyday – catcher.
(Photo credit – Ron Cervenka)
In no way is this meant to be a knock on current Dodger catchers Austin Barnes or Russell Martin. In fact, if the 29-year-old Barnes can continue doing in the regular season what he has done thus far this spring, he could have the best season of his soon-to-be five-year MLB career and pick up a Gold Glove and/or Silver Slugger award along the way.
However, the 28-year-old Farmer could prove to be Barnes’ main competition for both awards in 2019 if he supplants 28-year-old Tucker Barnhart and 30-year-old Curt Casali as the Reds primary catcher.
In the 10 spring training games that Farmer has appeared in for the Reds thus far, he is slashing .407/.433/.926/1.359, with two home runs, two triples and four doubles, while driving in seven.
Barnhart is slashing .053./182/.105/.287 with one double and zero RBI in the nine spring training games in which he has appeared, and Casali .333/.333/.333/.667 with two singles and no RBI in the three spring training games in which he has appeared.
As for Barnes, he is slashing a very impressive .304/.385/.391/.776 with two doubles and eight RBI through nine spring training games, and Martin .300/.300/.400/.700 with one double and three RBI in the three spring training games in which he has appeared, while dealing with a sore lower back.
Do you see where this is going?
Although what is happening up at Goodyear Ballpark has little (or nothing) to do with what is happening at Camelback Ranch, from March 28 on, what happens at Great American Ball Park could have an effect on what is happening at Dodger Stadium, should the two teams win their respective divisions. And you can bet that one-time Dodgers and current Reds Kyle Farmer, Yasiel Puig, Matt Kemp and (eventually) Alex Wood will have a lot to do with it.
Then again, there is no use in crying over spilled milk, right?
…or is there?
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Not using Farmer last season was a head-scratcher for me. Have no idea why he fell out of favor with Roberts and/or the front office, as if he was persona non grata.
Likewise.
Kyle was my closest friend on the team, along with Ross. None of us could figure it out.
I told Kyle when the trade went down that I would miss him terribly, but this was the absolute best thing in the world for him. He WILL do well.
In an ideal world micro-manager Roberts’ would be the bench coach in Cincinnati and Farmer would be raking along Barnes at Camelback. Sadly, for whatever reason, Dimwit Dave is still at the helm and the Dodgers will struggle to get any offense from the catcher’s position. Thanks to wonder boy Andrew and his dedicated stooge, reaching the World Series a third straight time has become even more of a stretch. Wonder when Dodger owners will finally “own up”?
Doc is still managing the Dodgers because he manages as Friedman wants him to. You addressed that in your post.
Do you really think Doc had anything to say about the trade to Cincy?
I didn’t mean to imply that Roberts had any input regarding the Puig trade. Of course not, but I’m sure he didn’t put up any resistance either. He never knew how to deal with the eccentric Puig. Alex Cora – a former Dodger – showed what it takes to be a manager that inspires a team and management let him do it “his way”. Friedman is an overrated nerd and Roberts his “fake news” windbag… Sad.
I doubt that Doc has much input on anything. I just don’t agree with blaming him for everything.
Friedman is the problem. He has shown his skill at building a team for the long term but he tries to manage it too. He isn’t so good at that.
Before I can criticize Doc’s management style I need to see it. I believe it’d be much different than what we’ve seen.
Any other manager under Friedman would show us the same thing.
The Dodgers lead the National League in Home Runs last year, but how many were with the bases empty? I haven’t been able to find a stat for average number of runs per Home Run but I’m betting the Dodgers would rank near the bottom. They have proven that depending on Home Runs can get them to the World Series but it hasn’t helped them win it.
Last year the Sox went through the two teams with the most Home Runs in baseball on the way to the championship.
You hit on the key: management let him do it “his way”.
I don´t think Farmer was ever in the Dodgers plans for 2018 and especially going forward for 2019 and beyond,as for what Roberts says it usually amounts to a lot of nothing.
For whatever reason Roberts seems to speak to soon or is misleading. For example, saying that Kershaw is your opening day starter before he even throws a pitch is premature. Let everyone get in their work and then declare who your opener is, giving the impression that he is ready and has just earned it.
It will be interesting to see how Austin Barnes and Russell Martin turn out for the Dodgers and I’m sure many of us will be keeping an eye on how Kyle Farmer does for the Reds, along with how Puig, Kemp and Wood also do for the Reds.
I think it would be hard to ignore them as the season progresses.