As we inch nearer to the halfway level of the MLB season, the Los Angeles Dodgers have recognized their strengths and weaknesses, together with their most woeful asset of the season, the bullpen.
With a 4.90 ERA (ranked twenty ninth in MLB) and a FIP of 4.29 (ranked twenty fourth in MLB), the Dodgers bullpen has gone from among the finest within the final 5 years to one of many worst this season. Having two blown leads up to now week, the Dodgers are experiencing one of many worst bullpens within the membership’s historical past, which ends up in followers pondering; do these gamers have what it takes to make a run within the playoffs?
If the reply isn’t any, that’s okay, as a result of fortunately for Dodgers GM, Andrew Friedman, there may be nonetheless loads of time earlier than the August 1st commerce deadline. And fortunate for him, we at DodgersNation have considered at the very least SEVEN relievers the Dodgers can decide up by way of commerce.
Dodgers bullpen (2015-2022) MLB ranks:
3.40 ERA (1)3.64 FIP (1).218 OBA (1).275 BABIP (1)
Dodgers bullpen 2023:
4.90 ERA (29)4.29 FIP (24).254 OBA (28).313 BABIP (26)
LA has gone from having the perfect bullpen in MLB to one of many worst. Friedman has work to do.
— Doug McKain (@DMAC_LA) June 17, 2023
1. Alex Lange, RHP – Detroit Tigers
Presently posting a 3.29 ERA in his third yr with the Tigers, Lange is without doubt one of the hottest relievers within the league. Identified for his potential to make batters miss, Lange is presently on tempo to surpass his single-season strikeouts (presently at 38 Ks, document is 82) and quite a lot of that has to do together with his 32.7 strikeout proportion.
The one factor that may maintain the Dodgers again from pursuing Lange is his present contract scenario. The 27-year-old out of Riverside, Ca is on the ultimate yr of his pre-arbitration contract, making him slightly out of attain for the Dodgers as they must more than likely hand over some large prospect capital with a purpose to safe this deal. Somewhat little bit of a dangerous deal, however taking one other have a look at his curveball might need the Dodgers contemplating.
2. Aroldis Chapman, LHP – Kansas Metropolis Royals
Enjoying for one of many worst groups in Baseball, Aroldis Chapman remains to be throwing one of many quickest fastballs within the sport. With a 2.70 ERA and a WHIP of 1.29, Chapman is pitching higher than he has in years and has but to permit a house run this season.
With heaps to atone for for the Royals, they’ll use some recent belongings of their rotation to maintain themselves in considerably of the AL Central image.
3. Joe Kelly, RHP – Chicago White Sox
There’s little question followers would like to see Joe Kelly put again on a Dodgers Uniform. Shoot, even the Dodgers social media squad miss Joe Kelly, however as a lot as all of us love “Mariachi Joe”, there are some truths to behold.
Regardless of holding a 4.79 ERA and a 2.79 FIP, Kelly’s pitching has been phenomenal past the stat sheet, and if there are going with the concept of getting gamers by way of commerce for the short-term, then Kelly is a person to have a look at. It could additionally assist enhance the locker room morale, having a well-known face within the clubhouse, not to mention the bullpen.
Presently within the remaining yr of his assured take care of the White Sox, a commerce for Joe Kelly may be served as a trial, and relying on his efficiency, the Dodgers can look to re-sign him to a long-term deal.
Welcome again to Dodger Stadium, Joe! pic.twitter.com/GfFrM9q1lj
— Los Angeles Dodgers (@Dodgers) June 15, 2023
4. Scott Barlow, RHP – Kansas Metropolis Royals
As beforehand said, the Royals are in final place of the AL Central and are about 17 video games again from the first-place Minnesota Twins, so they might actually use some adjustments throughout the roster.
With a 4.38 ERA, the Dodgers can see this as a low-risk, mid-reward decide up. Initially drafted by the Dodgers in 2011, Barlow has been fairly inconsistent since making his Main League debut with the Royals in 2018, however what makes him stand out is his 33.7 strikeout proportion.
There are some issues that Barlow must work on, however from a developmental perspective, this could be a dealbreaker for each Barlow and the Dodgers.
5. David Bednar, RHP – Pittsburgh Pirates
A impossible commerce concept, nonetheless, not a foul one. Working a 1.78 ERA, David Bednar has been one of many elite closers within the Majors this season. The one drawback with the commerce risk is that the Pirates have him locked down till he’s 31, and he received’t be a free agent till 2027.
To ensure that the Dodgers to drag this sort of deal off, they might more than likely must eliminate some top-ten prospects. For Andrew Friedman and the Dodgers, it may very well be a threat value pulling for.
6. Tanner Scott, LHP – Miami Marlins
With a 2.81 ERA and a 2.78 FIP, the Marlins pitcher has been one of the crucial constant relievers within the American League, making this commerce quite a lot of sense for the Dodgers. The one drawback is that the Marlins are enjoying actually good baseball proper now and haven’t given any sort of concept whether or not Scott is on the market or not.
However, it wouldn’t harm for Andrew Friedman to choose up the telephone and name Miami for an inquiry on Tanner Scott.
7. Kenley Jansen, RHP – Boston Pink Sox
Disclaimer: This was Doug’s concept.
Okay, possibly it was Doug’s concept, however as loopy as it would sound, it’s not a horrible one. A 3.18 ERA shouldn’t be essentially the most spectacular we’ve got seen from Jansen when he was with the Dodgers, however with the elevated velocity on his lower fastball, it does appear rather a lot higher lately.
A reunion with Kenley Jansen would shock the baseball world slightly bit, however luckily, that could be a resolution that the Dodgers must make.
As we attain a important level of the season, the clock is ticking for the Dodgers to make a transfer. Will the Dodgers splash some money on the commerce block? Or will this be the crew that’ll experience out the remainder of the season?
