Los Angeles Dodgers outsmart the competition yet again
The Los Angeles Dodgers were part of a three team trade on Thursday night. As seems to be the case in every deal they make, the Dodgers came out ahead.
Give Los Angeles Dodgers general manager Andrew Friedman credit – he seems to be playing chess while the rest of the league is playing checkers.
In his latest Jedi Mind Trick, Friedman and the Dodgers took part in the three way deal with the Chicago White Sox and the Kansas City Royals. It was a trade that achieved something for all three teams – the Royals got salary relief, the White Sox added a possible closer, and the Dodgers bolstered an already solid bullpen.
This deal certainly makes sense for all three teams. The Royals have been looking to get out from some of their bad contracts, and were able to part ways with their former closer in Joakim Soria. Meanwhile, Soria lands on the White Sox, where he is the presumable favorite to take over in the ninth inning. The Dodgers, meanwhile, get a controlable arm in Scott Alexander, who may turn out to be the key piece in the trade.
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Despite being 28 years old, Alexander emerged as a weapon in the Royals bullpen last season. Armed with a devastating power sinker, Alexander posted a 2.48 ERA and a 1.304 WHiP, striking out 59 batters in his 69 innings. That is a strong performance for a young starter, especially a young lefty still under team control for the next five years.
As strong as those numbers are, Alexander may be even better in Los Angeles. His sinker resulted in am incredible 73.8% ground ball rate, a number that is certain to draw the attention of any front office. With the Dodgers travels to Colorado and Arizona, having a key lefty with such a devastating pitch can make a huge difference.
This trade also provides additional depth for the Dodgers bullpen. Tony Cingrani is still in Los Angeles, but had been the only lefty in the relief corps. While he pitched well for the Dodgers after being acquired in a trade, his overall 4.42 ERA and 4.68 FIP are not exactly numbers that inspire confidence.
The Los Angeles Dodgers made a three team trade with the Kansas City Royals and the Chicago White Sox. Yet again, the Dodgers have come out ahead.