The Dodgers announced Tuesday that they’ve designated veteran outfielder Steven Souza Jr. for assignment in order to open a spot on the roster for right-handed reliever Jake Reed, whose contract has been selected from Triple-A Oklahoma City.
Souza, 32, joined the Dodgers on a minor league deal back in mid-April after he was unable to win a roster spot with the Astros in Spring Training. The Dodgers called the former Rays slugger to the big leagues last month after he posted a mammoth .279/.444/.603 batting line with six homers, four doubles and 16 walks in 90 Triple-A plate appearances. Souza has functioned as a seldom-used bench piece and pinch-hitter, however, tallying just 28 plate appearances in 13 games and posting a .160/.250/.360 batting line in that time.
The past few years have been a roller coaster for Souza, who missed much of the 2018 season with pectoral injuries before suffering a catastrophic knee injury during Spring Training with the D-backs in 2019. Souza suffered tears of the ACL, LCL, PCL and posterolateral capsule in his left knee during a play at the plate and missed the entire season recovering from the subsequent surgery. That he’s been able to return to the Majors at all after such a devastating injury is a testament to his determination, but he’s yet to get a legitimate look with either the Cubs (for whom he played last summer) or the Dodgers, who now have a week to trade Souza, place him on outright waivers, or release him.
For the 28-year-old Reed, this will mark his first call to the Majors after eight years in pro ball. The former Oregon Duck was a fifth-round pick by the Twins back in 2014 and long rated as one of the organization’s more promising bullpen prospects. He posted video-game numbers in the lower minors before beginning to stumble at the Double-A level, although after spending a few seasons both there and in Triple-A, Reed’s numbers began to come around. He never parlayed that into a big league appearance with the Twins, however, and he’s now split the 2021 season between both L.A. clubs after first signing with the Angels as a minor league free agent.
Since being released from that deal and signing with the Dodgers, Reed has pitched 10 1/3 innings in OKC, holding opponents to three runs on 12 hits and just one walk with 11 punchouts. In parts of five Triple-A seasons, he’s pitched to a 3.89 ERA with a solid 26.1 percent strikeout rate, a slightly elevated 9.8 percent walk rate and a 41.4 percent ground-ball rate in 185 innings of relief.
Jake Reed is apparently a faceless sprit with no physical being but does play the infield in college.
Ha, thanks. Auto-linker grabbed the wrong Jake Reed. It’s updated now.
The wrong link. He is 28 and is a reliver not in college.
What does this have to do with the ad for “Q” that I keep getting on here
Souza will be back. The Dodgers can’t go too long without a veteran trombone player.
That’s tuba be determined.
Nah he’s gone. Dodgers brass already gave him his marching orders.
Oboe, here we go again!
Surprised he woodwind up getting DFAd.
When they asked his agent how to contact him, he replied, “Euphonium.”
The peripherals looked ok but the harmonics just didn’t fit.
Thank you for Euphonium, that hit hard on 3 or 4 different valves over here! Cheers to another fun pun run!
He couldn’t even make the Astros roster in ST, they’re insanely deep.
He really phoned in his performance.
https://www.baseball-reference.com/register/player.fcgi?id=reed–002jac
The Pirates should be in on him, they’ve tried everyone else. Has to be better than Rule 5 Kai Tom, and his sub .150 average.
Yeah, also since they’ll probably trade Reynolds and Frazier. Hope he gets an opportunity to play somewhere
Reynolds isn’t going anywhere this year
Souza can come back to DC to team with Trea Turner.
Nationals might need him if Schwarber is long term
Souza needs to land with an AL team so he can DH. My guess is Seattle.
DH? DH is for aging sluggers with no wheels or sluggers with no gloves. Souza can play D. All Souza needs is regular AB’s and some time to get comfortable. I believe he will eventually be a very nice pick up for anyone with the foresight…
Just curious as to what the chatter is amongst Dodger fans in regards to Trever Bauer.
If true, I want him gone.
We won a championship without him, we don’t need him.
I’m sure some Dodger fans may feel differently though.
Id just like due process but more than likely we are getting a payout on the side for the Civil case and will never know-
Doubt Pasadena opens a criminal case
“Id just like due process but more than likely we are getting a payout on the side for the Civil case and will never know-
Doubt Pasadena opens a criminal case”
That’s because he could have not committed a crime and still be liable for civil damages. They consented to the act, so even though it’s not a crime, she’d likely win for unexpected lost work, medical bills etc.
This IS due process. For Bauer as much as the woman. You just may not like the result. But if you’re going to complain about the law at least understand what youre complaining about
He could have not committed a crime or be liable for civil damages and still be subject to disciplinary action from MLB under the joint policy, and it seems all but certain that he will be. I probably would not be responding to this question here if it wasn’t for the fact that the Dodgers will now have to use a parade of mediocre relievers like Reed to fill the gap Bauer created.
Even if she consented he can still be charged with a crime. You can’t just beat someone up whether they asked you to or not. Its still a crime.
McCourt- ???? Complain ??? I’m aware of the process, I’ve got no complaints, just speculating how it will all ultimately go
I think you might be projecting here, not sure why
I’m more or less like streaking Blue below, Id rather not know nor do I think its my business- This should all be closed courtroom ….but its 2021. My allegiances only lie in a fair due process system, Dodgers and fandom be damned so be it
That doesn’t seem right. I could be wrong, but that is a terrible precedent if that’s the case. She already declined to press charges, so not too sure how the police could still charge him.
You made it sound like it’s going to be a coverup for an athlete just because he’s an athlete
Based on what we know. That’s not going to be the case. What’s been released doesn’t support that
That assumption was what I’m replying to. Didn’t mean to offend, but at the same time I’ve read it a lot over the last week and it’s not really justified. So maybe I read too much into what you said. Again. If that’s what you meant, it’s a moot point, I misread
“ Even if she consented he can still be charged with a crime. You can’t just beat someone up whether they asked you to or not. Its still a crime.”
If you had two consenting adults agree to some rough sex fantasy, no he is not necessarily criminally liable for injury sustained while doing the act. Are boxers liable if they give their opponent a brain aneurysm mid fight? No. They both consented to the act. Same principle
This is TORTS in law school. If you’ve ever known person in law school, they probably complained about this class. Youre required To take the class in your first year. Someone can be civilly liable without being a criminal. Again. This is due process
It kind of amazes me after so many examples of how the MLB joint policy works that anyone can still find a way to go full Perry Mason every time one of these come up. No, it isn’t a court of law. No, it doesn’t require a crime to have be committed or even alleged. No, it doesn’t require a finding of civil liability. No, it doesn’t involve due process. No, rules of evidence do not apply. It’s a policy, agreed to jointly by MLB and the players and administered by the commissioner. How can any serious baseball fan not know all of this by now?
Yea, idk, misread then…if anything I want anything but preferential treatment for Bauer….but I also strongly believe in innocent until proven guilty….
These things are never as simple as I think you make it., Innocent people settle outta court all the time in civil suits for various other reasons than guilt. Meanwhile felons skirt the laws on technicality’s . I’m not interested in Tort Law, just interested in a fair process for all parties
The process is described in the joint policy. It is not a court of law. How many times….?
Due process is for criminal and civil courts.
This court of public opinion, there are no laws or due process.
My comment on due process is regarding the police investigation and waiting for the facts to come out before deciding someone deserves a suspension
I’ll answer about the policy below. But I think you need to take your own advice and read it word for word
My comment was as well ;
I think Blueskies is mixed up here, nobodies talking MLB joint policy
– I think everyone can agree that’s a blindfolded game of pin the tail on the donkey so no need to speculate what they might/will do
I would like for facts and a solid thorough investigation done before opinions are formed as well ….but it is 2021
Would suck from a baseball only perspective. Would make the Dodgers need to go into trade market for a SP. Also, could drive up price of trade return.
A championship? You won an exhibition season, it’s like winning spring training but with less fans.
I’ll take a 2020 championship over any year.
That was the year baseball brought back some normalcy to the world.
You’re just jealous and it shows
If the allegations are true, he’s gotta be gone. Hell, even if it happened exactly as his side says, he showed incredibly poor judgment (that isn’t surprising to me, at least).
But as said by another, the result will almost certainly be out of court settlement, and his already questionable character issues will only be more of a concern, not to mention any chance of opting out for 2022 will be gone no matter how his season finishes.
I find hid actions reprehensible. I gave him the benefit of the doubt when he signed with the Dodgers in regard to his so-called “problems with females” and/or “female reporters.” But this is beyond the pale, and unquestionably confirms misogynistic behaviors which need therapy and recovery. Nobody’s talents should be more important than dangerous and violent character issues. The Dodgers have a moral imperative to get him help and remove him from the 2021 roster. His final two years on his contract should be contingent or void. Dodgers fans will not abide a man who treats a woman in such a violent manner, no matter what S&M or BDSM “consent” might have been agreed upon. That’s my response & thoughts. I’m sure more will become clear as more information becomes available.
I’ll just say you should read comment threads on True Blue LA blog; based on that, almost everyone who comments there wants him to never throw a pitch again for LA or anyone. Lots of disgust and anger about the stories coming out. That’s just me reporting the overall feelings on that one blog. And certainly the women Dodger bloggers I follow all feel the same.
If the allegations can be established as more likely than not (civil measure) the Dodgers could (and should, if it were up to me) invoke the morals clause and void the contract.
Just because someone finds something appalling, doesn’t mean a crime was committed
He’s been creamed in the Media’s Court of what they claim they would never do. But again, doesn’t mean in the eyes of the law he did anything illegal. I’d rather wait for the latter to do their job before joining the former. Consenting adults is very powerful in the eyes of the law. No matter what people think of Bauer, both were consenting adults as far as we know, everytime they “interacted”
We will never fully know (nor care in my opinion) what truly occurred, or what was really consented to. I truly would love to never hear what occurred it’s not my business. I wish there was that privacy in these types of incidents. I am a Dodgers fan, and if Trevor plays again for Dodgers will still have me cheering for them. The only caveat would be if he was a predator, or did a proven heinous crime. If this case is simply an agreed upon fantasy situation then not for me to know really or hold against. I don’t like how society has been portrayed via the media as no due process, and no privacy. These are private individuals doing private activity that doesn’t harm others.
Really hard to be a predator when both parties agreed they consented
That’s a really dirty word in today’s world. It’s been thrown around a lot for Bauer and it’s unjustified, at this point based on what we know
At issue is what was consented to, but that’s the legal question, when the baseball question that should concern us is whether he will be disciplined under the joint policy. Does anyone seriously believe, knowing only what we know today, that he won’t be suspended, and possibly for much of the remaining season? Will that not have a tremendously negative impact on the team’s chances this season? Will he ever be able to walk into the Dodgers clubhouse, or any other for that matter, and have his teammates respect him? Are we as fans required to respect him no matter how poor his judgment has been, so long as he hasn’t committed an actual crime?
I’m not sure it’s such a guarantee he’s disciplined like you think it is
It took MLB 3-4 days to even put him on administrative leave. This isn’t an open and shut thing imho. There’s no drugs. There’s no gun or weapon.
What are you suspending him for, and what precedent are you setting? Again just because you find something appalling doesn’t mean he did anything “wrong” by his contract.. people gotta take emotions out of this and look at the facts. Maybe I’m wrong. But can you think of anyone in MLB suspended for what happened during a consensual act when both parties agree it was agreed upon beforehand? That’s a mouthful, but that is a summary of this case. Further I really struggle to see an excessive suspension. There HAS to be some reason to suspend someone, more than OMG did you read that?
Again, you are completely ignoring the question of what consent means, when that is the only one that really matters here. Your other questions can be answered by reading the policy itself.
content.mlb.com/documents/2/9/2/296982292/Major_Le…
After reading it I think you will have to agree that it isn’t a matter of whether Bauer is suspended, only of how long. The other issues I raised aren’t addressed by the policy, but they will be by the players and the teams and will figure into whether Bauer has wrecked his career as surely as he has wrecked the season for the Dodgers and their fans.
….did you read the policy? Or just find the link?
“ The other issues I raised aren’t addressed by the policy, but they will be by the players and the teams and will figure into whether Bauer has wrecked his career as surely as he has wrecked the season for the Dodgers and their fans.”
The policy reads: The Commissioner may discipline a Player who commits a Covered Act for just cause
So whatever else you feel doesn’t matter if it’s not in the policy. Let’s start there. Important threshold commissioner needs to achieve to punish him. Covered under the policy
It’s not domestic violence. The policy states there needs to be a pattern of abusive behavior. They had 2 consensual encounters. Doesn’t hit that threshold
Sexual abuse? Entire policy is regarding NONCONSENSUAL contact
“ Sexual assault refers to a range of behaviors, including a completed nonconsensual sex act, an attempted nonconsensual sex act, and/or nonconsensual sexual contact. Lack of consent is inferred when a person uses force, harassment, threat of force, threat of adverse personnel or disciplinary action, or other coercion, or when the victim is asleep, incapacitated, unconscious or legally incapable of consent.”
Doesn’t apply. Amazing. You insult me claiming I haven’t read the policy before speaking on it, yet the policy is right in line with what I said not you….
So they have to punish him for something covered in the policy, but neither apply to him.
Look man. You don’t like the guy. Clearly. Doesn’t mean he violated the policy. Keep huffing and puffing and calling me names.
But it’s in black and white buddy. It’s your link I quoted! I’m Fully justified to think there’s a reasonable chance he’s not suspended, based on the wording in the actual policy
They should trade him to a team in Japan, they like that kinda thing there.
They must have really liked Steven to hold on for soo long, I thought it was rather odd carrying the 5 bench bats for soo long when there was need for a fresh arm in the pen for awhile. Glad they just ripped the band-aid off today and said Good-bye
This Dodger team needs some length outta the pen by the deadline, a meh pitcher like Jose Urena would be nice as a spot starter/long Rp
Souza is not a good hitter vs major league arms
If you want a high batting average Souza isnt the guy. But he has had some pretty good pop before the injuries. Finally getting healthy, the power will follow for any team that can give him play time.
It’s been a banner year for Souza in terms of health. I don’t know that he’s ever gone this deep into a season without landing on the IL, so kudos for that.
I would take him over no hit Nomar Mazara.
So there isn’t a way for the Dodgers to assign the player (if) he clears waivers that he could be sent outright to the Minor Leagues?
Doubt he clears waivers, upside is big enough someone will likely (a) claim him off waivers, or (b) work a trade if they are afraid a team with higher priority will snap him off the wire.
If he gets past all that, he could accept an assignment if offered.
With his service time he’d have to agree
Souza for deGrom
Dodgers lose another tough one to a mediocre Marlins team. Sloppy defense and inconsistent bats has been a common theme for the Dodgers this year. A little bit concerned with Smith’s defense. The bat hasn’t been the same but still solid. You’d expect some mean reversion with the bat on a longer sample size but the defense is a bit worrying. He got bailed out in the 9th for letting the ball go right through his legs and then made the inexcusable late errant throw to 3rd base in the 10th. Walk offs on errors is ugly. Little league stuff. In general, this year he’s made more errors and the passed ball rate more than double previous years.
Smith didn’t start being a catcher until college and even when drafted he was always a work in progress defensively. That wasn’t that long ago. The bat is what has brought him here, he’s learning on the job