Los Angeles Dodgers: Despite health on the horizon, LA still needs another starter

The Los Angeles Dodgers pitching staff has recently performed quite well considering the talent they’ve lost to the D.L. Even with the return of an assortment of hopefully healthy arms nearing; LA will still look to acquire another starting pitcher… at least.

As Ross Stripling‘s name turns household quicker than Clorox, the realization that the Los Angeles Dodgers will need to rest him grows worrisome. As most of us know, “Chicken Strip” started out mostly from the bullpen, making the occasional spot started when needed during his first two seasons. What nobody knew was just how dominant he would be this season, leading the team in Wins, (6) ERA, (1.76) and strikeouts. (78)

Stripling has thrown no more than 100 innings his first two seasons with the club. He has already thrown more than 66 thus far in 2018, good for second-most on the squad.

That’s a pace that can’t be sustained, and Stripling will need an extended rest much like Walker Buehler is currently receiving. There’s no doubt that Buehler’s micro-fractured rib has caused the young star pain, but there is also no doubt that Buehler could pitch this week if asked.

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LA is rightfully cautious with their young fireballer, and the odds of him are pitching a ton before the All-Star break is minimal. The need to rest his ribs will simultaneously, and perhaps more importantly, rest his prized arm.

Being that he’s already thrown innings in the minors this year, it is hard to imagine LA asking Buehler to throw more than 120 innings for LA this regular season. Walker already has thrown 51.1.

Luckily for the Dodgers, reinforcements are on the way in the form of Clayton Kershaw, Rich Hill, Hyun Jin-Ryu, and eventually Julio Urias. Clayton Kershaw will get the minor league assignment he needs, in an effort to slowly work his way back from his nagging lower-back injuries. If it holds up, expect a big second half from the future Hall of Famer.

Rich Hill is back, apparently with improved mechanics which he hopes returns his curveball back to its prime form. Hyun Jin Ryu, despite feeling tightness in his groin, will most likely be back after the All-Star break following a fairly gruesome injury. 

Ryu was in the midst of perhaps his most efficient season before hitting the D.L. While it remains unlikely that Julio Urias will be able to build up enough arm strength to permanently join the rotation in time, his return could provide another intriguing option for the bullpen.

Even with all the arms on the mend, one has to be thinking that this isn’t exactly the healthiest bunch around. If LA wants another earnest shot at competing, they will need to acquire another high-caliber starting pitcher.

Someone they can’t consistently count on to throw high-quality innings. As is stands, it doesn’t appear that LA has anybody on their roster of throwing more than 185 or so innings. That’s something that will need to figure out, not just for this season but also going forward.

Big names like Jacob DeGrom could be available in a couple of weeks at the trade deadline. The Dodgers have consistently hunted for pitching help at the deadline the last couple years, and expect more of the same this year.

DeGrom would cost an ungodly amount, and rightfully so with a 1.51 ERA and two more years of team control. Teaming him with Clayton Kershaw, Walker Buehler, and even Ross Stripling could provide a lethal postseason rotation.

Although he hasn’t been healthy this year, Chris Archer still possess a nasty fastball, has a consistent history of throwing tons of innings and has three more seasons of team control. Archer, while still extremely costly, could perhaps be had for a tad less than DeGrom. He’s throwing bullpens and could prove himself a valuable asset if he can display health in a couple of starts before the trade deadline.

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With a bit of maneuvering, both of these Dodgers pitchers would still keep the team from eclipsing their luxury tax mark. Both of these pitchers, however, will require something that Andrew Friedman has yet to do: deal big time prospects.

With the team in need of another starter, they can truly count on for this season and beyond, I’m willing to be this is the year Andrew Friedman does just that.