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Los Angeles Dodgers could turn Jose Urena into next Tyler Anderson

By David Hill

Sep 22, 2022; Denver, Colorado, USA; Colorado Rockies starting pitcher Jose Urena (51) pitches in the first inning against the San Francisco Giants at Coors Field. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 22, 2022; Denver, Colorado, USA; Colorado Rockies starting pitcher Jose Urena (51) pitches in the first inning against the San Francisco Giants at Coors Field. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports /
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The Los Angeles Dodgers have a knack for turning unexpected players into assets. Such was the case with Tyler Anderson this season.

A 32 year old journeyman with a career 4.62 ERA over six seasons entering 2022, Anderson was expected to serve in a long relief role for the Dodgers. Instead, he emerged as one of the biggest surprises in baseball, posting a 2.57 ERA and a 1.007 WHiP over his team leading 178.2 innings, striking out 138 batters with 34 walks. He made his first All Star Team, and, as an impending free agent, is set to cash in.

Jose Urena could be next Los Angeles Dodgers reclamation project

Anderson’s likely departure, as well as other questions in the rotation, will leave the Dodgers looking for more depth. Chances are, they would look to take a chance on another reclamation project, someone who could be a perfect fit and resurrect their career at a lower cost. Jose Urena could be that exact player.

Urena has not had much success over his career. He has been worth 1.5 bWAR while posting a 4.80 ERA and a 1.401 WHiP over his eight years in the majors. However, if there is one place where Urena has had success, it is Dodger Stadium. While it is a smaller sample size of 14.1 innings, he has a 1.26 ERA and a 0.907 WHiP in Los Angeles, holding the Dodgers to a .200/.245/.260 batting line in their home park.

He also has the type of arsenal that the Dodgers can work with. Urena has been an extreme ground ball pitcher in his career, with 47.8% of all batted balls being grounders. He has worked to improve his slider and changeup, making those far more effective weapons. However, considering he has spent most of the year in Colorado, his performance does not match what he could be.

That makes Urena the perfect type of arm for the Dodgers to look at in the offseason as a cheap option for the fifth spot in the rotation. They would have competition as the Rockies want him back, but the chance to win could make a difference. If he heads to Los Angeles, Urena could be a surprising success, the 2023 version of Tyler Anderson.

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The Los Angeles Dodgers turned Tyler Anderson into an All Star. If they look for another reclamation project, they could do the same with Jose Urena.

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