With the 2021 MLB trade deadline now in the review mirror, a few thoughts, observations, and opinions:

• Dodgers definitely were bold at the deadline, including their number one and two-ranked prospects (catcher Keibert Ruiz and pitcher Josiah Gray) in the trade for Washington Nationals stars Max Scherzer and Trea Turner — two of the very best players in MLB today.
• It was surprising that the Nationals did not get one of the Dodgers middle infield prospects as part of return package.
• While being bold for a starting pitcher and shortstop, the team blundered badly by not acquiring an established, late-innings reliever.
• Brusdar Graterol throws 100 mph fastballs, but they appear to have little movement.
• Pitcher Tony Gonsolin throws strikes as frequently as Cody Bellinger gets hits.
• Gonsolin appears to have the yips (inability to throw the ball accurately) and continuing to put him on the bump hurts him and the team.
• Cody Bellinger has the worst swing mechanics of any Major League position player, and apparently is too stubborn to change. Sending him to the Dodgers Camelback Ranch Arizona training facility is overdue.
• Mookie Betts is scheduled to return to the Dodgers lineup on August 1, and hopefully Trea Turner sometime late the same week.
• Zach McKinstry doesn’t look like the same hitter we watched early in the season. He, too, should go to Camelback Ranch to work on his hitting mechanics.
• Claiming catcher Chad Wallach on waivers was a desperation move by the team for an emergency catcher, but his stay will be short. Veteran catcher Tim Federowicz is playing for team USA in the Olympics and will be back in 10 days.
• The Dodgers need Clayton Kershaw and reliever Corey Knebel sooner rather than than later.

Let’s go, Dodgers, pick it up! Two months left in the regular season, winning the NL West to avoid the one-game Wild Card play-in game is imperative.

  *  *  *  *  *  *