The Los Angeles Dodgers have frequently been identified as a possible landing spot for a starting pitcher before the trade deadline, but they may consider making a move to bolster to bolster their bullpen as well. FOX Sports’ Ken Rosenthal pointed out the recent struggles of L.A.’s relievers:
Rotation isn’t #Dodgers’ only issue. Since May 15, team’s 4.55 bullpen ERA is 2nd-worst in MLB, ahead of only #Tigers’ 4.63, per STATS LLC.
— Ken Rosenthal (@Ken_Rosenthal) July 22, 2015
He went on to mention that without closer Kenley Jansen, that bullpen ERA jumps to 4.90 since May 15. Juan Nicasio (3.15 ERA, 9.7 K/9) and J.P. Howell (0.33 ERA in 27.2 IP) have also been effective relief arms, but outside of them the picture looks a lot murkier.
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The Dodgers are locked in a fierce NL West division battle with the San Francisco Giants, currently holding a three-game edge on their rivals. If they want to outlast the reigning World Series champs and march into the postseason with the division crown, they will need to sort out their relief pitching quickly.
Fans need only look back a couple days to see evidence of the Dodgers’ weakness. After fighting back to level their game on Monday night against the Braves at 4-4, relievers Adam Liberatore and Joel Peralta handed the lead right back to Atlanta. During the fifth and sixth innings, they combined to give up five hits and three earned runs. L.A. would go on to drop the contest, 7-5.
The Dodgers will have a variety of options to consider as they try to strengthen the bridge to Jansen. If the Tigers indeed decide to sell, Joakim Soria could become an intriguing name on the trade market. Soria is turning in a nice year as Detroit’s closer, picking up 21 saves with a 3.19 ERA. The eight-year veteran has experience as a setup man as well, making him potentially even more appealing to Los Angeles. He is also due to become a free agent at season’s end.
With the Padres continuing to fade, they might consider doing intra-division business to unload some of their assets. Reliever Joaquin Benoit, another impending free agent, has been mentioned as a possible trade chip. Though he is turning 38 in a few days, Benoit continues to be a dependable setup arm. He sports a 2.43 ERA on the year, allowing just 20 hits over 40.2 innings of work.
Lefty Neal Cotts of the Brewers should be available, as well as Francisco Rodriguez if the Dodgers are willing to go the closer-as-setup man route.
If the Boys in Blue really want to make a splash, however, they could aim to land both a frontline starter and reliever in the same package. They have already been linked to Phillies ace Cole Hamels. Why not acquire their want-away closer Jonathan Papelbon as well? Papelbon would likely prefer to close games, but he seems so desperate to get out of Philadelphia that he may make a compromise to join a contender.
In a similar scenario, the A’s could pair Scott Kazmir with Tyler Clippard in a deal. Obviously it would mean a steeper price for the Dodgers, but if they are serious about making a championship run this year, this would be one way to significantly brighten their chances. Convincing the Reds to do the same with Johnny Cueto and Aroldis Chapman is probably much more of a long shot, though.
Zack Greinke‘s masterful scoreless innings streak may be garnering most of the attention in L.A. right now, but Dodger pitching as a whole has its share of question marks. They will need to strengthen their staff for those days when Greinke or Clayton Kershaw aren’t starting if they are to pose a more viable threat down the stretch and potentially into the postseason. Adding the right piece (or two) to the bullpen should be among their priorities as the trade deadline nears.