Dodgers Trade Targets: Relief Pitcher Department
Plus the state of the club at the traditional midway point.
Despite challenges with injuries and ineffectiveness, the Dodgers are in first place by percentage points at the All-Star break. Los Angeles sits atop the National League West at 51-38, which is .573 baseball, a hair above the 52-39 Diamondbacks (.571) and on pace for a 93-win season. Which is pretty damn good all things considered.
I say now as I always have that the injury excuse does not fly, especially in the case of a club which chooses to build a roster around the medically challenged. But 51 wins at the break is a handful, given that L.A.’s effort was hampered by the loss of six starters to the injured list (not including former ace Walker Buehler) and whatever it was Noah Syndergaard was doing was in the first half.
As worrisome as it was, the Los Angeles staff was good for some things between March 30 and July 8. Clayton Kershaw was a leader among (and of) men until landing on the IL following six shutout innings June 27. The three-time Cy Young and Most Valuable Player award winner recorded an NL-leading 2.55 ERA, a 1.049 WHIP and a 10-4 won/loss mark. Rookie sensations Emmet Sheehan and Bobby Miller, despite a few to-be-expected hiccups and less-than-glossy numbers, pitched some big games, combining to win seven of eight decisions against one defeat. The bullpen struggled famously but managed to lower its ERA from a season-high 4.90 three weeks ago to the current 4.43, with a first-half 9.5 strikeouts per nine innings pitched. I expect good things moving forward from Evan Phillips, Caleb Ferguson, Yency Almonte, Shelby Miller (if he’s healthy), Ryan Brasier, perhaps Alex Vesia, who’s been better of late and one or two new men (see below), should big boss Andrew Friedman be so inclined. And I continue to believe that a starting pitcher acquisition or two is of considerably greater import.
L.A.’s success to date was due in no small part to the batsmen, and in particular the first four men in the lineup. Mookie Betts, as he has during his four seasons in blue, provided the spark, with a .276/.379/.586 slash line (the .586 slugging percentage leads the Senior Circuit and stands as the shortstop’s career second-best) with 26 homers and 62 RBIs. And I have already pledged to walk to the yard naked if he hits 50 (you must read the responses).
Freddie Freeman, while playing every day as is his custom, has produced a .320/.396/.556 line with 17 bombs and 61 RBIs. Please note that while I promise to remain clothed for the ceremony, I have also promised that Freeman will go into the Hall of Fame as a Dodger. And while I’m mostly kidding, the 33-year-old lefty swinger boasts a .323/.403/.528 mark calling Los Angeles his home after managing only a .295/.384/.509 in Georgia. Maybe first basemen age better in the Southland than they do the Deep South. But I’m no scientist, so what do I know?
Though Will Smith has tailed off in recent weeks, he’s a better hitter now than he’s ever been, and I expect a rousing second-half performance (.273/.396/.494 in the first).
J.D. Martinez (.255/.303/.570) has already equaled his 2022 Red Sox RBI total of 62 and is on pace for 40 home runs, after managing just 16 last year. And a reminder that J.D. stands for “just dingers.”
Veteran outfielders David Peralta and Jason Heyward have inspired at the plate, with the glove and in the dugout, with the former surging since April (.295/.343/.443 in May, .365/.406/.556 in June and .364/.417/.682 so far in July) and the latter hitting .254/.348/.463 overall after slumping for the last two campaigns (.211/.280/.326 combined).
With his rookie growing pains, slumps, warts and all, James Outman’s Rookie-of-the-Month April statistics (.292/.376/.615, 7 HR, 20 RBIs) can never be erased from the record books, nor can the wins he helped his club to earlier. Recall and behold the go-ahead grand slam in April, and the one in May.
Max Muncy could afford to lose a few pounds — or 30 — but his 21 homers and 53 RBIs, like Outman’s start, matter. And yes, the Dodgers could use a right-hand bat (and I believe one is coming soon), but rookie Jonny DeLuca is hitting .250/.333/.417 in a small sample size (24 at bats) versus lefty throwers, and his 4-7, .571/.571/1.143 as a pinch hitter ain’t chopped liver.
Having enjoyed their time winning 12 of the last 17 games against the dregs-of-baseball Angels (45-46), Rockies (34-57), Royals (26-65) and Pirates (41-49), plus the Astros (50-41), the Boys in Blue begin the second half with a pivotol nine-game road trip at the Mets (42-48), Rangers (52-39) and Orioles (54-35). Los Angeles is a break-even (22-22) away from home, remember, and while a 6-3 roadie is the goal, a 5-4 may be more realistic.
Unless, of course, Friedman busies himself with some early trade making — a starter (or two), a reliever (or two) and a righty slugger (I’ll take one, and so will you).
Waiting until the August 1 trade deadline or thereabouts is for suckers. Is now, always has been. You can ask the Cardinals about that. They’ve just lost SP and trade asset Jordan Montgomery to a hamstring. Do you really think the White Sox are going to let a deal for Lucas Giolito slip through their fingers due to an injury when they can ship him to the Dodgers, or whichever club makes an enticing-enough offer for his services? Just because they might get a better return two weeks later? I don’t, but it’s up to AF to make the call. Or text.
The bullpen is not as big a concern, and there is usually a greater quantity in the relief pitcher department from which to choose. Those guys can be had right up to the deadline. Not just those guys, not just any guys, these guys, to name a few:
Here goes:
David Bednar (Pirates, right-hand pitcher, age 28). He’s great, he’s from Pittsburgh, he’s a long shot to be traded, he’s controlable through 2026 and you can forget about him landing in L.A. right now. Sorry.
Paul Sewald (Mariners, RHP, 33). He’s gone 17-7, with a 2.95 ERA, a 0.921 WHIP, a 12.4 strikeouts per nine and 48 saves between 2021 and 2023. He’s working for a $4,100,000 salary this season, is arbitration eligible after it and will be a free agent following the 2025 campaign. He strikes me as a Friedman kind of guy, despite his 16.20 postseason ERA (in 2022 and lifetime).
Andrés Muñoz (Mariners, RHP, 24). Missed two months with a shoulder stain, misses bats (13.3 SO/9 the last three years), is very hard to hit (.188 opponents batting average lifetime) and Seattle has every reason to keep him. But Jerry Dipoto likes to deal. My guess is Muñoz sticks and Sewald goes. Increasing salaries with incentives and options through 2028.
Kendall Graveman (White Sox, RHP, 32). Speaking of Dipoto dealing, his summer 2021 trade of Graveman to Houston caused a stir in the Mariners clubhouse. There will be no such uproar when the veteran reliever leaves the South Side this summer, however, and his exit is a surety. A 2.63 ERA, 1.186 WHIP, 9.3 SO/9 and 23 saves the last three seasons, with plenty of setup work mixed in with the closing. The 1.64 in nine postseason appearances is a bonus for whoever gets him. Working for $8 mil this season and next.
Keynan Middleton (White Sox, RHP, 29). Is it real or is it Memorex? I don’t know, but he’s pitching well now, with a 3.09, 1.156 and an 11.5 SO/9. Working on a $750,000 salary and will be a FA after the season. No postseason experience.
David Robertson (Mets, RHP, 38). The polar opposite of Middleton, Robertson has a long track record of success over 15 seasons (2.84 ERA, 1.149 WHIP, 11.8 SO/9, 169 SV) and in October (6-0, 2.78, 1.125, 10.5, 1). Has played for three teams in the last three years and is going to play for a fourth, I promise you. Pending FA, $10 million.
Scott Barlow (Royals, RHP, 30). Drafted out of Santa Clarita in 2011 by the Dodgers, left as a minor-league free agent in 2017 and has been a Royal ever since. Has a 4.09 ERA currently and 3.21 lifetime. A 10.5 SO/9 currently and a 12 career. Eleven saves currently and 54 lifetime. Making $5.3 mil, arbitration eligible after the season and will reach free agency after next year. Can set up or close.
Chris Martin (Red Sox, RHP, 37). Great in L.A. as a midseason acquisition last year (1.46) and in October (0.00). Solid now (1.57) but with a significant dip in strikeouts (12.4 in 2022, 7.2 now), but perhaps the Dodgers can fix it. Even with the Red Sox inching closer to a wild card spot, the $8 mil salary this year and $9.5 mil next makes him a goner in Beantown.
Daniel Bard (Rockies, RHP, 38). Began the season on the IL with anxiety. Missed seven seasons with similar issues, including the yips. Studly in Colorado (1.78 in 2022-23 with 35 saves). Only postseason appearance with Boston in the 2009 ALDS (0.00, 4 Ks, 3 IP). Might stay put as he did last year, $9.5 million this season and next.
Hunter Harvey (Nationals, RHP, 28). Really good the last two years (2.86, 1.081, 10.2). Controlable through 2025 with a small 2023 salary ($870,000). May or not be dealt, but it’s not like the Nationals can’t finish last without him.
Seth Lugo (Padres, RHP, 33, swingman). A starter this season. Dodgers were outbid by the Padres over the winter and may make another run. Difficult to imagine a deal with San Diego, but not impossible. Boasted an 11.4 SO/9 between 2019 and 2021 and has a 3.39 and 8.3 now, with a 0.00 and 13.5 in his one postseason series, with the Mets in last year’s NLDS versus SD. A $7.5 million deal for this year with an identical player option next.
Josh Hader (Padres, LHP, 29). See above re Pads. Accomplished closer (153 saves), terrible after the deal from Milwaukee last year (7.31), great this year (1.08). Misses bats (13.5 SO/9 this year, 15.1 career). A $14,1 million salary this year and then a free agent.
Matt Moore (Angels, LHP, 34). Journeyman starter, very good as a reliever the last two years (1.82, 1.081, 9.5). Lefties are hitting .117 off him this year after hitting .165 off him last year. Pending FA, $7,550,000, will be dealt.
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ICYMI:
There was an All-Star Game on Tuesday.
Threads:
It’s not about politics and I’m not choosing sides. But in an effort to stay current on social media, I’ve joined the club by signing on to the Twitter alternative, Threads, from Meta. Mark me down as unimpressed, so far, but it’s early.
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Throwing Shade:
Throwing Shade, Part Deux:
Media Savvy:
A must read annually this time of year is Jayson Stark’s “MLB midseason awards 2023: MVP and LVP, Cy Young and Cy Yuk, and more” at the Athletic.
I don’t know if this has a chance of working or not, but the mayor of Oakland asked for and took a meeting with Rob Manfred as she continues her last-ditch effort to keep the Athletics in the East Bay. By Ken Rosenthal also at the Athletic.
A fine headline — “Here’s how the billionaire owner of the Oakland A’s is planning to rip off two cities at once” — and piece by the Times’ always interesting business columnist Michael Hiltzik.
Here is “An Era of Dynamic Catchers Is Upon Us: Sean Murphy, Adley Rutschman, Jonah Heim, Will Smith and Gabriel Moreno lead a generation of catchers as good with their bats as their gloves.” By Scott Miller at the New York Times.
In case you missed it, or him, TJ Simers is back with a little blog. In two recent entries, Simers and Journalist Bill Dwyre opine about the demise of newspapers, and the Los Angeles Times in particular. And I’m reminded of a recurring “Saturday Night Live” bit with Dana Carvey.
And three from baseball historian Bill Arnold:
1. Blue Jays star Vladimir Guerrero Jr., Hank Aaron, Johnny Bench, and Ken Griffey Jr. are the only players ever to win a home run title, net a Gold Glove Award, and be named to three All-Star Teams before age 25.
2. Catcher Patrick Bailey became just the fifth Giants rookie to record at least 35 hits and 25 or more RBIs in his first 35 career games, joining Willie Mays (1951, 40 hits and 27 RBIs), Dusty Rhodes (1952, 35 and 28), Orlando Cepeda (1958, 44 and 29), and Willie McCovey (1959, 49 and 28) After his 35th game, on July 2, Bailey had 38 hits and 26 RBIs.
3. Although the Dodgers' Clayton Kershaw won't pitch during the All-Star Game because of left shoulder soreness, the Dodger ace still reaped the honor of being selected for the 10th time. Just eight other pitchers have gotten double-digit nods for the Midsummer Classic: Warren Spahn (17 selections), Mariano Rivera (13), Tom Seaver (12), Roger Clemens (11), Steve Carlton 10, Whitey Ford (10), Randy Johnson (10), and Juan Marichal (10).
Baseball Photos of the Week:
Sudden Sam McDowell.
Pie Traynor.
Rich Gossage.
Stan Musial, Gil Hodges, Jackie Robinson and Ralph Kiner.
Buster Posey.
Mickey Mantle, Bobby Murcer and Roger Maris.
Frank Tanana.
And remember, glove conquers all.
Howard Cole has been writing about baseball on the Internet since Y2K. Follow him on Twitter. Follow OBHC on Twitter here. Read OBHC online here.