I wasn't thrilled when we got Stanton - wasn't sure about his attitude fitting in with the team. Call me old-fashioned but I don't accept the idea that a K is better than hitting into a DP. At least making contact with the ball gives you a chance for something productive to happen. Got to the point when Stanton was at the plate I expected a K more often than a hit and with Hicks if anybody was on base I really expected DP. With Gardy and Sanchez (strange but even though he had a horrible season), I had hope they would do something - a better chance of them making contact.
As for a trade with LAD, we don't want Kershaw - he's been a great pitcher but I really think watching him age is beginning to catch up along with his back - spends time on the DL with it. I would go for a middle rotation pitcher and top prospects. We don't need more All-Stars we need reliable blue-collar, down'n'dirty players who will grind every ab; every pitch.