April 7th, 2023 at 8:41 am 
by 0799291000348 Extrapolating data after seven games into the 2023 MLB regular season is a meaningless exercise, but…
The Dodgers have won five of their first seven games, but to date have only played the lowly Arizona Diamondbacks (winning three of five played) and Colorado Rockies (swept the two game series).
Starting pitching has been dominant. The respective ERAs of Julio Urías, Dustin May, Clayton Kershaw, and Noah Syndergaard are below 2.00, but Michael Grove, the fill-in fifth starter, hit a speed bump in the fifth inning of his first start.
Overall, the bullpen has been effective with Yency Almonte, Andre Jackson, Shelby Miller, Evan Phillips, and Caleb Ferguson shutting down the opponents hitters, but relievers Phil Bickford, Brusdar Graterol, and Alex Vesia have pitched like Forest Gump’s metaphorical box of chocolates – manager Dave Roberts not knowing what he is going to get when they take the bump.
Offensively, the team is made up of have’s and have not’s. Mookie Betts, Freddie Freeman, and Will Smith are All Star-caliber hitters – possibly Hall of Fame worthy after their respective careers. Veteran Jason Heyward appears to be rejuvenated under the tutelage of hitting coach Robert Van Scoyoc, and J.D. Martinez has been solid if not yet spectacular. Of course the rookies, outfielder James Outman and second baseman Miguel Vargas, have been electric – very early voting would have them competing for the 2023 National League ROY.
But, there are unsettling signs of offensive malaise from Austin Barnes, Max Muncy, Miguel Rojas, David Peralta, Chris Taylor, and Trayce Thompson. Whoa! One could question why Thompson is included in this list after hitting three home runs in one game? Well, those are his only hits of the season and he is striking out almost 40% of the time. Thompson continues to have reverse splits, struggling against LH pitching when he is counted upon to provide offense when the team faces southpaws.
Defensively, the team ranges from spectacular (outfielders Mookie Betts and James Outman, and shortstop Miguel Rojas) to roughly MLB average. But, third baseman Max Muncy has been awful – both statistically and the eye test. Whatever the reason might be, balls to his right turn into doubles instead of outs that fans are accustomed to seeing from ex-Dodger Justin Turner. Presently, Muncy can only be counted upon to make the most routine plays.
Seven regular seasons games played with 155 remaining. Way too early for predictions.
but…
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Posted in 
Trade Muncy to the Phillies. They need a 1st baseman.
I think Tampa is Las looking for a LH hitting first baseman and they are loaded with shortstop prospects
Quick, get AF on the phone. I like it. Now, who could use KT3?
I feel badly for Turner — perhaps another case a guy trying too hard to be a power hitter with a swing that can only hit a pitch in one location. Now that Bellinger has relocated to Chicago, Taylor has the worst swing mechanics on the active roster.
That is exactly KT3’s problem. Swings for a home run on every pitch on every count and every situation.
I think there are many bright spots. Outman and Vargas should be solid players, clearly the next generation of stars.
I think we are a decent team with only the Braves being better.
Don’t trade Muncy he will break out soon.
CT3 will improve as well.
As long as we pitch well we will be fine.
Fortunately, the schedule benefits the Dodgers through April which gives struggling players a month of games to get their games together.