Hurry Up and Wait!
In case you have forgotten, here are the three starting pitchers rumored to be on the Dodger s radar: Yu Darvish Last 14 Days: 7.36 ERA/1.148 WHIP Last 28 Days: 7.20 ERA/1.467 WHIP This year: 4.01 ERA/1.168 WHIP Sonny Gray Last 14 Days: 0.98 ERA/1.036 WHIP Last 28 Days: 1.39 ERA/0.835 WHIP This year: 3.43 ERA/1.175 WHIP Justin Verlander Last 14 Days: 3.26 ERA/1.034 WHIP Last 28 Days: 4.60 ERA/1.432 WHIP
In case you have forgotten, here are the three starting pitchers rumored to be on the Dodger’s radar:
Yu Darvish
Last 14 Days: 7.36 ERA/1.148 WHIP
Last 28 Days: 7.20 ERA/1.467 WHIP
This year: 4.01 ERA/1.168 WHIPSonny Gray
Last 14 Days: 0.98 ERA/1.036 WHIP
Last 28 Days: 1.39 ERA/0.835 WHIP
This year: 3.43 ERA/1.175 WHIPJustin Verlander
Last 14 Days: 3.26 ERA/1.034 WHIP
Last 28 Days: 4.60 ERA/1.432 WHIP
This year: 4.50 ERA/1.444 WHIP
When I look at the ages, innings and current records, I cannot see the Dodgers trading for Darvish or Verlander. Then there is Lance Lynn (a local boy who played right down the road from me – literally about 5 miles away). Lynn would cost the least in terms of prospects, but he is coming off Tommy John Surgery and already has 120 innings. How many will he be able to pitch? Here’s his recent splits:
Last 14 Days: 0.98 ERA/0.927 WHIP
Last 28 Days: 1.17 ERA/0.913 WHIP
This year: 3.21 ERA/1.102 WHIP
Of the pitchers mentioned above, I would take Lance Lynn over Sonny Gray… if I thought he could pitch 200 innings. Maybe he does a 15 day DL stint in August? In 11 of his 21 starts, he has pitched 6 or more innings. He’s a bulldog – that’s for sure. I am not sure what the Cardinals would want, but like everyone else, they would ask for Buehler… and not get him! Alvarez, Diaz and Farmer? Not sure that would be what they want…
So, we just hurry up and wait. I do know this: If the Dodgers were to trade for another starter, they could be in a position to trade Maeda, McCarthy or Ryu – maybe even two of them. It could be a 3-way deal – you never know with this bunch…
On one hand, we have the best record in baseball and and team chemistry is unbelievable. On the other hand, this is the best team the Dodgers have had in 30 years. Any trade made could impact the team adversely and getting a big name pitcher at the trade deadline is seldom the recipe for success. So…. we wait!
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Discussion (70)
Disagree, not disagreeable
Last 30 years? I believe this is the best Dodger team ever! Not because the 8 everyday players are better, but Faz has changed the model. Instead of 8 everyday players playing their positions everyday through slumps and injury we have a major league roster full of high quality pieces, many of which can be used in different positions. We have NEVER had this kind of depth and quality.
I love the type of players that Faz targets. They are above average defensively, run well and are good clubhouse guys. Offensively they collect guys with high on base percentages because they are patient and have good eyes. I love it when our guys get into an 0-2 count. Seems like every time they will take or foul off pitches until the count goes full and they force the pitcher to throw them something to hit or take their walk. There is a reason that the Dodgers have the lowest chase rate in the league.
1951 the Dodgers had a 13 1/2 game lead in mid August and lost it. So don’t count your chickens too soon. But I believe the depth we have will help to prevent any prolonged slumps.
I’d like to say hi to the many old friends who still post here. I read everyday but I still work full time so I don’t have much time and I can’t stand trying to write on my phone.
And thank you Mark for this place and all your thoughts on the Dodgers.
This is a great time to be a Dodger fan and I hope we can all enjoy this amazing season and what Faz has built for us.
Let’s replace and add from within. It’s not like we have a slim lead or are trying to catch anyone. We have the luxury of being patient and waiting for Kershaw and MacCarthy to get back. The power of DEPTH.
Lance Lynn is just too big of a health risk. The whole idea is to get a pitcher for the playoffs. The most prudent approach for pitchers the year after TJ surgery is 180 IP. HE is a workhorse, so with 11 or 12 starts left, he would be done before the playoffs. Now maybe he can go 200-210 innings. But if not, he is a rental. The Dodgers need him for the playoffs, not to get to the playoffs.
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Unless they can somehow pull off the Sonny Gray sweepstakes, I would be more inclined to go with what they have. I would prefer a good reliable RHP to slide between Kersh/Wood/Hill, but if it has to be McCarthy or Maeda, okay that is what it is. Just get the deep bullpen.
I hope the Darvish rumors are just rumors at this point. Something isn’t right, 7.20 ERA over the last 28 days!! That sucks. I’d take Gray or Lynn. I prefer Gray because of the extra two years of control.
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You are right, Gray would allow us to trade some other starters. I believe McCarthy and Ryu will be gone by next spring, because of the luxury tax problem. I also think both pitchers and Maeda have some pretty good trade value. Although I agree with AlwaysCompete, not Clint Frazier value.