Trade Deadline Preview: Los Angeles Dodgers
Jun 29, 2014; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Los Angeles Dodgers center fielder Andre Ethier (16) rounds 3rd base heading for home plate after hitting a 3-run home run in the 5th inning against the St. Louis Cardinals at Dodger Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Robert Hanashiro-USA TODAY Sports
After a rather disappointing start to the season the Los Angeles Dodgers have stormed up the standings in the month of June and are currently tied for first with the San Francisco Giants. The Dodgers have won 10 out of their last 13 and are poised for a deeper playoff run this upcoming October.
Their starting rotation has been lights out, with the return of Clayton Kershaw helping them mightily. Additionally, the resurgence of Josh Beckett and Dan Haren has shored up their rotation with not one starter being a true end of the rotation player.
Offensively the Dodgers have been pretty solid scoring the 4th most runs in the National League up to this point of the season. Yasiel Puig is having an MVP-like season and with him playing everyday the Dodgers will always have youth and energy asserted into the lineup. However they have some areas to improve upon and will have a glut of outfielders when Carl Crawford returns from the DL.
Jun 20, 2014; San Diego, CA, USA; Los Angeles Dodgers relief pitcher Brian Wilson pitches during the eighth inning against the San Diego Padres at Petco Park. Mandatory Credit: Jake Roth-USA TODAY Sports
Three biggest needs
1. Bullpen
The Dodgers bullpen just has not been very good this season. The renaissance of Brian Wilson has not worked out very well and the offseason signing of Chris Perez has been downright awful, both own ERA’s that hover around 5.00. In fact as a team the Dodgers have the 10th worst bullpen ERA in the National League. Winning a World Series, and even making the playoffs, is going to be very difficult if the Dodgers do not find a way to bring in more reliable bullpen arms. Don Mattingly needs to trust his late inning guys and right now its tough to find a player in that bullpen that has his full trust.
2. Catcher
A.J. Ellis is said to be liked by the Dodgers pitching staff but he has not been exactly tearing the cover off the ball, with just a .230 batting average. On top of that he has been off and on injured this year and it would be wise for the Dodgers to try and acquire either a proven backup, right now Drew Butera is backing Ellis up, or if possible finding a better caliber starting catcher. Finding a catcher will most likely prove to be difficult considering the lack of talent and depth at the position.
3. Third Base
Juan Uribe seems to come up with a lot of timely and big hits but he also has been underperforming, which could be due to his age, 35, and the fact he has been nagged by injuries also this year. Uribe is solid defensively and they could do worse at the position but an upgrade would give them a lethal bat off the bench if Uribe was regulated to that position.
Jun 22, 2014; San Diego, CA, USA; Los Angeles Dodgers center fielder Matt Kemp (27) during a ninth inning at bat against the San Diego Padres at Petco Park. Mandatory Credit: Jake Roth-USA TODAY Sports
Three pieces on the trading block
1. Matt Kemp
Matt Kemp has been one of the Dodgers poster boys for the past couple of years, having almost won MVP in 2011. However, injuries have plagued Kemp and his lackluster performance as a center fielder has forced Mattingly to move him to left field. Kemp has come alive in the month of June batting .309 and
flashing the talents we were all accustomed to seeing from him on an everyday basis. In the right type of trade where the Dodgers got back major league talent that could contribute immediately it is not unlikely. however highly doubtful, that Kemp could be moved at the deadline.
2. Andre Ethier
Another player stuck in the purgatory that is the Dodgers outfield is Andre Ethier. Moving Ethier will be very difficult for the Dodgers considering he is due to make $18 million in 2015 and 2016, with an additional $17.5 million in 2017. Ethier’s numbers have dipped significantly this season thus making it unlikely any team would be willing to trade for him unless the Dodgers paid a substantial portion of his remaining contract.
3. Dan Haren
After a lackluster 2013 campaign with the Washington Nationals, Dan Haren has been a solid addition thus far for the Dodgers. However, it may be wise of them to sell-high on Haren to fill other needs. They have the organizational depth to trade a starter and not miss a beat. They also have top prospect Zach Lee waiting in the wings for a call-up, moving Haren would give Lee a chance to show off his stuff at the big league level.
Jun 25, 2014; St. Petersburg, FL, USA; Tampa Bay Rays starting pitcher David Price (14) throws a pitch during the second inning against the Pittsburgh Pirates at Tropicana Field. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports
Three potential targets
1. David Price
If the Dodgers were able to acquire left-handed ace David Price from the Tampa Bay Rays then they just must have the greatest rotation in the history of baseball. The Rays are dead-set on trading Price sooner rather then later and many teams have been rumored to be interested in his services, the Dodgers being one of them. It will not be easy acquiring a pitcher like Price because the overhaul the Rays want back is expected to be massive. However, the Dodgers are one team that could possibly have the right package if they included top prospects Joc Pedereson and Julio Urias.
2. Ben Zobrist
Another player that is likely to be moved in the Rays firesale is Ben Zobrist. Zobrist is a player that is very valuable as he is able to play all over the diamond. On the plus side he also has a very team friendly contract, $7.5 million in 2015, then again the Dodgers have not seemed to care how much money a player costs under the new ownership regime.
3. LaTroy Hawkins
LaTroy Hawkins is having another stellar year with the Colorado Rockies and could be just the veteran relief arm that would fortify the Dodgers bullpen. Due to his age, 41, and the fact the Rockies are falling fast in the standings at 10 games under .500, it might only take a mid-level prospect to acquire Hawkins. Hawkins would be a very reliable set-up man for closer Kenley Jansen and could step into the closer role if anything were to happen to Jansen.