There has been a lot of speculation that the Dodgers need to put a package together for RHRP Mason Miller from Oakland. For those fans who may be counting on this as a potential reality, I think you will be disappointed.
Before Mason Miller, there was Blake Treinen, Lou Trevino, Liam Hendriks, Josh Hader, Aroldis Chapman, Devin Williams, Felipe Vazquez (Rivero), Jeurys Familia, Edwin Diaz, Derek Holland, Wade Davis, Kirby Yates, Roberto Osuna, Ken Giles, Brad Hand, Mark Melancon, Emmanuel Clase, David Bednar…There will always be a #1 reliever, but there is no Mariano Rivera out there. Miller is more likely to succumb to the TJ knife than become the next Mariano.
Since Andrew Friedman landed in LA he has not gone out and spent $$$ on relievers. He has spent on some “wannabes” and “has beens” hoping to untap that magic.
An important quote to remember from AF with regards to trading for relievers:
“I hate trading for relievers at the deadline. It’s my least favorite thing to do. The acquisition cost is totally out of whack. So I like to avoid it as much as possible.”
And he has.
In 2016, the Dodgers did acquire a low leverage reliever from Houston, Josh Fields, for IB/LF prospect Yordan Alvarez. Alvarez was signed by the Dodgers on the final day of the 2015-2016 international signing period, and signed him for $2MM. As you may recall this was the year the Dodgers signed 13 players for $46,374,500 plus another $45,674,500 in taxes for a total of $92,049,000. Money was not a concern.
The Dodgers were throwing $$$ at the International Free Agents, and nobody wanted to pay Alvarez what the Dodgers were offering. Ironically Houston was the other team most interested in Alvarez. Alvarez was assigned to the LAD DSL1 a day before the trade. He never played a game in the Dodgers organization. Fields was not the late inning reliever they needed, but he was a decent low leverage reliever for the Dodgers for 2 ½ years.
While with the Dodgers Fields appeared in 124 games. He pitched 117.1 IP, 2.61 ERA, 1.040, his record was 8-2, he had 25 holds, 4 saves and 4 blown saves.
The Dodgers did not acquire Aroldis Chapman from NYY. Instead Chicago Cubs traded Gleyber Torres to NYY for Chapman. Torres was always considered a better prospect than Alvarez.
In 2017, the Dodgers traded SS Oneil Cruz and RHP Angel German to Pittsburgh for LHRP Tony Watson. They also traded MLB OF/1B Scott Van Slyke and C Hendrik Clementia to Cincinnati for Tony Cingrani. Cruz is the SS for Pittsburgh, and is having a decent career. He is not amongst the elite players. German and Clementina never reached MLB.
In 2018, the Dodgers traded 5 prospects to Baltimore for Orioles SS, Manny Machado. Later they traded MLB 2B Logan Forsythe, OF prospect Luke Raley (#29), and MiLB RHP Devin Smeltzer to Minnesota for MLB 2B Brian Dozier.
They did pull off a trade with Cincinnati to acquire RHRP Dylan Floro and RHP Zach Neal in exchange for RHP prospect James Marinan (#22), and hard throwing RHP Aneurys Zabala.
They also acquired RHRP John Axford from Toronto for MiLB RHP Corey Copping.
But missed out on other relievers.
Other top relievers moved at 2018 deadline –
LHRP Zack Britton from Baltimore to NYY for RHP prospect Dillon Tate (#17), RHP prospect Cody Carroll (#20), and LHP prospect Josh Rogers.
RHRP Ryan Pressly from Minnesota to Houston for RHP prospect Jorge Alcalá (#7) and OF prospect Gilberto Celestino (#23).
RHRP Adam Warren from NYY to Seattle for $1.25 international bonus $$$.
RHRP Joakim Soria from CWS to Milwaukee for LHP Kody Medeiros (#20) and RHRP Wilber Perez.
RHRP Jeurys Familia from NYY to Oakland for 3B Will Toffey (#19), MLB RHP Bobby Wahl, and international bonus $$$.
LHRP Brad Hand and RHRP Adam Cimber from San Diego to Cleveland for C prospect Francisco Mejia (#1).
RHRP Keone Kela from Texas to Pittsburgh for LHP prospect Taylor Hearn (#11) and PTBNL (1B/3B Sherten Apostel).
I do believe the Dodgers were trying to get José Leclerc from Texas, but were not successful. This was actually a good year for relievers.
Entering the final day of the 2019 trade season, the Dodgers were in play for notable relievers such as Edwin Diaz, Felipe Vazquez, and Shane Greene among others. When the dust finally settled in the hour following the trade deadline, the Dodgers acquired one reliever, Adam Kolarek for OF Niko Hulsizer. Not quite the deadline haul many Dodgers fans envisioned. Although, I am sure the Dodgers are very pleased they did not consummate a trade for Felipe Vazquez.
Daniel Hudson went from Toronto to Washington Nationals for MiLB RHP Kyle Johnston. Hudson went on to have a fabulous 2nd half with Washington as their closer. He was also instrumental in the playoffs, throwing the last pitch in the 2019 WS Nationals victory. I wonder how NLDS Game 5 might have turned out had Hudson been in the LAD bullpen instead of Washington. Hudson pitched for the Dodgers in 2018, but was granted free agency and signed with Toronto instead of LAD.
There were not many decent relievers made available at the 2020 deadline. The best of the bunch.
RHRP Archie Bradley from Arizona to Cincinnati for OF prospect Stuart Fairchild (#11) and utility Josh Van Meter.
LHRP Andrew Chafin from Arizona plus cash to Chicago Cubs for PTBNL (utility infielder Ronny Simon).
RHRP Mychal Givens from Baltimore to Colorado for corner infield/OF prospect Tyler Nevin (#14), SS prospect Terrin Vavra (#7), and PTBNL MiLB OF/RHP Mishael Dison.
RHRP Brandon Workman and RHRP Heath Hembree from Boston to Philadelphia for RHP Nick Pivetta and RHP prospect Connor Seabold (#23).
The Dodgers wanted Lance Lynn, but the only trade they did do was to trade RHP Ross Stripling to Toronto for 2 PTBNL (RHP Kendall Williams and 1B/OF Ryan Noda).
For 2021, the Dodgers did pull off a significant trade. They acquired RHSP Max Scherzer and SS Trea Turner for their top two prospects, RHSP Josiah Gray and C Keibert Ruiz. But they did not pick up a reliever.
In 2021, there was one significant trade for a reliever, and a few at the next level,
RHRP Kendall Graveman and RHP Rafael Montero from Seattle to Houston for 3B Abraham Toro and RHP Joe Smith.
Next level:
RHSP Kyle Gibson, RHRP Ian Kennedy, RHP prospect Hans Crouse (#9) from Texas to Philadelphia for RHP prospect, Spencer Howard (#1), RHRP Kevin Gowdy, and RHP Joss Gessner.
RHRP Richard Rodriguez from Pittsburgh to Atlanta for MLB RHP Bryse Wilson and RHP Ricky DeVito.
RHRP Clay Holmes from Pittsburgh to NYY for infielders Diego Castillo and Hoy Park. This was a steal by NYY.
Other relievers traded: RHRP Yimi Garcia, RHRP Mychal Givens, LHRP Andrew Chafin, RHRP Hansel Robles.
For 2022, at the deadline, the Dodgers had Brusdar Graterol, Blake Treinen, Tommy Kahnle, Victor Gonzalez, and Danny Duffy all on the IL. They did make one trade for a reliever. They acquired RHRP Chris Martin from the Chicago Cubs for utility infielder Zach McKinstry. That was a good trade for the Dodgers.
There were some high level relievers that were traded in 2022.
RHRP Raisel Iglesias from LAA to Atlanta for RHRP Jesse Chavez and LHP prospect Tucker Davidson (#8).
RHRP Jorge López from Baltimore to Minnesota for LHP prospect Cade Povich (#22), MLB RHRP Yennier Cano, MiLB RHP Juan Nunez, and MiLB LHP Juan Rojas.
RHRP Lou Trevino and RHSP Frankie Montas from Oakland to NYY for LHP prospect Ken Waldichuk (#5), RHP prospect Luis Medina (#10), LHP prospect JP Sears (#20), and 2B prospect Cooper Bowman (#21). While Montas was a good addition, Trevino was who NYY was really after for that bullpen.
LHRP Josh Hader from Milwaukee to San Diego for LHRP Closer Taylor Rogers, LHSP prospect Robert Gasser (#7), OF prospect Esteury Ruiz (#28), and MLB RHP Dinelson Lamet.
RHRP Scott Effross from Chicago Cubs to NYY for RHSP prospect Hayden Wesneski (#7).
Other relievers traded at the deadline were RHRP David Robertson, RHRP Zach Pop, RHRP Mychal Givens, and LHRP Jake Diekman.
From 2016-2022, the Dodgers traded for the following relievers at the trade deadline: Josh Fields, Tony Watson, Tony Cingrani, Dylan Floro, John Axford, Adam Kolarek, and Chris Martin.
In 2023, the Dodgers acquired two relievers: LHRP Ryan Yarbrough and RHRP Joe Kelly. The cost for Yarbrough was Util Devin Mann (#29 prospect) and unranked OF Derlin Figueroa. The cost for Joe Kelly and Lance Lynn was #10 prospect RHSP Nick Nastrini and unranked RHRP Jordan Leasure.
Nastrini has been in and out of the MLB team’s rotation in 2024, while Leasure has been a big part of the CWS bullpen in 2024. In 23 games, 21.2 IP, 2.91 ERA and 1.15 WHIP. Like most LAD pitching prospect, Leasure still has some control problems with 9 BB and 19 K.
Other top relievers traded at the 2023 trade deadline.
RHRP Paul Sewald from Seattle to Arizona for MLB utility Josh Rojas, prospect OF Dominic Canzone (#22), and MiLB infielder Ryan Bliss (unranked).
RHRP Jordan Hicks from St. Louis to Toronto for RHP prospect Sem Robberse (#7) and RHP Adam Kloffenstein (unranked). They are now #12 and #16 respectively for St. Louis.
RHRP Kendall Graveman from CWS to Houston for catcher prospect Korey Lee (#7). Korey Lee is now the every day catcher for the Big League CWS team.
RHRP David Robertson from NYM to Miami for MiLB infield prospect Marco Vargas (#18) and catcher Ronald Hernandez (#21). Vargas is #8 prospect and Hernandez is #21 for NYM.
RHRP Pierce Johnson from Colorado to Atlanta for RHP prospect Victor Vodnik (#10) and RHP prospect Tanner Gordon (#28). Vodnik is in the Colorado bullpen and is having a very good year. In 23 games, 30.2 IP, 2.93 ERA, 1.47 WHIP, 12 BB/23 K. Gordon is in AAA and is not a ranked prospect.
Others traded – Keynan Middleton, Andrew Chafin, Brad Hand, Dominic Leone, Sam Moll, Jorge Lopez, Dylan Floro, Aroldis Chapman.
Yes, Mason Miller is exceptional, but he is not alone.
- RHRP Robert Suarez (San Diego) – 15 out of 15 saves, 22 games, 23.2 IP, 0.76 ERA, 0.72 WHIP
- RHRP Emmanuel Clase (Cleveland) – 17 out of 20 saves, 28 games, 27.1 IP, 0.33 ERA, 0.62 WHIP
- RHRP Ryan Helsley (St. Louis) – 17 out of 18 saves, 24 games, 24.0 IP, 2.25 ERA, 1.08 WHIP
- RHRP Kyle Finnegan (Washington) – 14 out of 16 saves, 21 games, 21.0 IP, 1.71 ERA, 0.95 WHIP
- LHRP Tanner Scott (Miami) – 7 out of 8 saves, 22 games, 22.0 IP, 1.64 ERA, 1.36 WHIP
- RHRP Kirby Yates (Texas) – 7 out of 7 saves, 18 games, 19.0 IP, 0.95 ERA, 0.84 WHIP
Compare that to Evan Phillips – 8 out of 8 saves, 14 games, 13.2 IP, 0.66 ERA, 0.84 WHIP.
Other high leverage relievers they could pursue (but probably will not):
If not Kyle Finnegan, Washington could move:
- RHRP Hunter Harvey – 25 games, 27.0 IP, 2.33 ERA, 0.93 WHIP
- RHRP Dylan Floro – 25 games, 26.1 IP, 1.03 ERA, 1.06 WHIP
If not Emmanuel Clase, Cleveland could move:
- RHRP Hunter Gaddis – 26 games, 25.1 IP, 1.78 ERA, 0.87 WHIP
- RHRP Nick Sandlin – 27 games, 24.2 IP, 2.19 ERA, 0.73 WHIP
Tampa Bay could move:
- RHRP Jason Adam – 24 games, 23.0 IP, 1.96 ERA, 1.00 WHIP
- LHRP Garrett Cleavinger – 23 games, 21.2 IP, 1.66 ERA, 1.25 WHIP
Others:
- Toronto RHRP Yimi Garcia – 19 games, 20.0 IP, 1.35 ERA, 0.70 WHIP
- Milwaukee LHRP Bryan Hudson – 20 games, 30.1 IP, 0.59 ERA, 0.73 WHIP
- Atlanta LHRP Dylan Lee – 13 games, 23.1 IP, 1.93 ERA, 1.20 WHIP
- KC RHRP John Schreiber – 24 games, 23.1 IP, 1.93 ERA, 1.20 WHIP
While it is doubtful that Oakland will trade Mason Miller, and especially to LAD, the best Oakland reliever the Dodgers MAY pursue is:
- RHRP Lucas Ecerg – 21 games, 22.0 IP, 2.86 ERA, 1.00 WHIP
But more likely AF would look toward:
- LHRP Kyle Muller – 13 games, 33.2 IP, 3.48 ERA, 1.19 WHIP
They have had good success with Ryan Yarbrough so why not another LH multi-inning reliever.
Also note how many of the above successful relievers were former Dodgers. The Dodgers chose to DFA Bryan Hudson rather than Gus Varland or Ricky Vanasco.
Garrett Cleavinger was traded to Tampa Bay for OF German Tapia, who was released March 2024.
Dylan Floro was traded to Miami for Alex Vesia and Kyle Hurt. That worked out well.
Yimi Garcia chose free agency, and LAD did not re-sign him. I do not know if they made an effort.
Let’s revisit AF’s desire in trading for relievers:
“I hate trading for relievers at the deadline. It’s my least favorite thing to do. The acquisition cost is totally out of whack. So I like to avoid it as much as possible.”
So while the high leverage relievers will be on the LAD shopping list, AF is not very likely (not likely at all) to pull off a trade for any of them. I think you will see more of Yohan Ramirez, Elieser Hernandez, Anthony Banda, Connor Brogdon, Nabil Crismatt, Dinelson Lamet, Nick Ramirez, Matt Gage, JP Feyereisen, Jesse Hahn, Michael Petersen, Kevin Gowdy…
Of all the relievers identified, Miami’s Tanner Scott will definitely be traded. I have no idea if AF will consider him. Maybe he should, maybe he shouldn’t. I will let the Dodgers MLB scouts make a determination as to whether they should or not. I do not believe the Dodgers will meet Miami’s price. Others will.
Soria was originally signed by the Dodgers as an amateur free agent in 2001. He spent 3 years in developmental leagues and was released in 2004. The Padres signed him and then KC took him in the 2006 rule 5 draft. He stayed with the Royals for several years and then was signed by Texas as a free agent in 2012. He was traded to the Tigers in 2014 for Corey Knebel and Jake Thompson. Then in 2015 he was traded to the Pirates for JaCoby Jones. After the 15 season, he re-signed with the Royals, and then in 2018, he was part of a three-team trade with the White Sox and Dodgers at the winter meetings. The Dodgers got, Jake Peter and Scott Alexander, the Royals got Erick Mejia and Trevor Oaks from the Dodgers, the White Sox got Soria and cash from the Royals, and Avilan and cash from the Dodgers. He was then traded by the Sox mid-season to the Brewers. He hasn’t pitched since the 21 season.
Well, maybe AF should rething his strategy. Might be one reason why the Dodgers did win only 1 WS under his tenure. A shutdown reliever like Mason Miller can make a huge difference in a close postseason series.
Tanner Scott of the Marlins might be the more realistic alternative though.Miller will cost a kings ransom for sure.
Go Dodgers!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!1
Just read at ESPN.com that MLB umpire Angel Hernandez has retired effective immediately. Good news for fans as he was one of the worst umpires I think many of us witnessed.
The ABS (robo ump) cannot get here fast enough. So tired of watching a game and see a Dodger hitter work a count to 3-0 only to see a phantom strike one and then a weak fly ball just when the hitter had the pitcher “on the ropes.” Now only if Hunter Wendelstedt would follow Angel’s lead.
Nice work this morning Jeff. Reads like a term paper.
I know that many here are wanting additional top end BP help. I checked the forty man roster and thought, why?
Current Bullpen:
Yarborough
Grove
Vesia
Treinen
Hudson
Banda
Possible IL additions:
Phillips
Kelly
Brasier
Graterol – minimal chance
May – I would be shocked if he returns in ’24, if ever
Minors:
Feyereisen
That’s 10 probable options with two other possibilities.
Current Starters:
Glasnow
Yamamoto
Paxton
Buehler
Stone
With Kershaw and Miller due back. And Knack in AAA.
If Kershaw and Miller join the starters in a six man rotation that could push Stone to the BP. If needed they have Knack available for the BP as well. That would further strengthen the relief staff.
Then in the postseason the starting staff is reduced to 3 or 4 and that would add even more fire power to the BP.
So, for example the starters for the playoffs / World Series could be:
Glasnow, Yamamoto, Miller, and Paxton (probably not needed).
BP: Stone, Buehler, Kershaw, Treinen, Hudson, Kelly, Grove, Vesia, Phillips.
On the 40 man that would still leave May, Graterol, Brasier, Yarborough, Banda, and Knack. There are several other rehab projects that AF has accumulated as well. As injured players return they will most likely be DFA’d. That might open up spots on the roster for current pitchers in the Dodgers’ system. Or, even a trade. But, with the current BP arms and those returning from the IL, I don’t see any season to trade any top end prospects for relief help. I would use them to obtain some position help in the OF and maybe SS/2B.
The big caveat, of course, is the ability to stay healthy.
Looking over the MLB outfielders that might be traded for my #1 choice would be
Taylor Ward of the Angels. It shouldn’t cost much in that he’s a rental. Maybe Vargas and a AA pitching prospect? I don’t have any idea when it comes to trades. Ward is 30 and is a RH bat with decent power and about 20% K rate.
Without checking stats I think he’s a good corner OF.
A less realistic player would Kyle Tucker. He’s a LH corner OF. Walks more than he K’s. He has excellent power and is very good defensively. He has one year before he hits FA in 2026. Houston may not want to pay him and they would be selling high right now if that’s the case.
I guess we’ll wait and see what AF decides to do.
Carry on.
Not a great start to today’s doubleheader. Offense still sputtering.
Pitching isnt the problem here. What we have is the exact opposite of last season. Last season they had no pitching and great hitting. Last year I told everyone here back in June, that the club had no chance, zero of winning a world series because they had no pitching whatsoever, specifically starting pitching. I stated, they would reach the playoffs but probably get swept out immediately. People laughed at me, some got angry with me. “How dare I challenge Andrew Friedman!” And then well….SWEPT.
This year, it is the exact opposite. The pitching is good, starting and relieving. The defense is also acceptable. But the hitting is atrocious. Outside of the two superstars, Mookie and Ohtani, the Dodgers have Freddie Freeman who is having a good but not great year. Will Smith is good too, and Teoscar Hernandez is doing exactly what he is supposed to be doing, hitting home runs. Muncy is a similar player, who will crush home runs and not much else. The rest of the position player roster is pathetic. Let me give you some numbers, and I’ll leave Austin Barnes off this list because he is the backup catcher.
Automatic out 1- Gavin Lux- .206.258.284.542 OPS+55
Automatic Out 2- Chris Taylor – .101.222.116.338 OPS +0
Automatic Out- 3 Andy Pages – 231.264.388.652 OPS +84
Automatic Out 4 – Kike Hernandez 200.264.291.555 OPS+59
Automatic Out 5 – Miguel Vargas-(Outmand’s Spot) 143.143.286.429 OPS+19
Automatic Out 6 – Jason Heyward – 176.216.265.481 OPS+37
That’s 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 automatic outs on the roster. That’s half the roster and I haven’t included Barnes, who is also an automatic out. As I am typing this they are being shutout again by Tyler Megill and the lowly Mets.
IT’S NOT JUST A SLUMP
Maybe one or two of those guys are slumping, but not all of them. The only way to fix this is to get most of those guys off the roster and bring in some better hitters. But obviously you cant do that right now. There isnt anyone available, and we’re a long way from the trade deadline.
YOU ABSOLUTELY CAN’T WIN WHEN YOU HAVE HALF OF YOUR ROSTER HOVERING UNDER THE MENDOZA LINE
excuse me for the all caps. Perhaps Friedman can stop being so arrogant. Another huge problem is the Dodgers stick with non-perorming players way too long. How about they start by getting rid of Gavin Lux? How many Abs, how many years are they going to give him? How much rope can you give to a guy who can barely hit above the mendoza line, has had one above average season over 5 years (1200 PA).
That was one of their biggest mistakes, going with Lux again, and he’s been such a huge disappointment. There is a fine line here, and a balance between good pitching, defense, and hitting. You have to have all of them in order to win.
I would DFA Lux, and option Vargas back to OKC, and call up Guathier, and Lipcius. Put Rojas at second base (Ha ha ha Jeff) permanently, and you can figure out what to do with the rest of the old, and declining veterans later. Pages could be sent back down if he can’t adjust.
Guathier, Lipcius, can’t do any worse than those bums. They’ll continue to lose until they take action and abandon their scripts. This losing streak could reach epic porportions.
Chris Taylor with the clutch booming bunt single to tie the game!!
I grow weary of Bluto’s condescension. Boy, you can tell how brilliant that he is.
There are some here and on other sites who post wild and crazy stuff (eg trade Taylor and a pile of phone books for Mason Miller). But there are several who have well considered opinions, but no matter what, Bluto is locked and loaded for a sarcastic put down.
Anyone who thinks that the Dodgers should make any changes are looked down upon from Olympian heights, that one should deign to make such a tawdry suggestion.
A case in point: Scott noted what all other Dodger fans have observed – that half the line up on any given day is hitting around the Mendoza line. Bluto’s first trenchant observation is to correct Scott’s spelling. Next, he insults Scott, who’s post doesn’t pass muster, apparently.
Now, I don’t agree with Scott – I wouldn’t designate Gavin Lux for assignment either. And I might well be tempted to bring Andre Lipcius up from OKC. But simply to dismiss the whole matter out of hand as the ruminations of a 5 year old (what was implied by his snarky comment), is typical of what we have come to expect from Bluto.
So, from another fan who just isn’t wise enough to grok the brilliance that is Bluto, I say, PLEASE SHUT UP.
Wow Gavin Stone is absolutely painting all the edges of the plate, like a Zack Greinke used to do.
Well, that was nice to see. At least they scored some runs, and the bullpen did their job. You have to feel good for Vargas. Still some concerns, but Freeman had 5 hits today, and got his average up to .297. Mookie leading the league now at .338.