The Bullpen: Change Is Constant
Over the course of time, the makeup of a baseball team’s bullpen has changed dramatically. Back in the beginning of the game, a pitcher who started a game was expected to finish it. If you look back at pitchers like Cy Young, their complete game totals are dramatically higher…
Over the course of time, the makeup of a baseball team’s bullpen has changed dramatically. Back in the beginning of the game, a pitcher who started a game was expected to finish it. If you look back at pitchers like Cy Young, their complete game totals are dramatically higher than those of pitchers who pitched after the early 1900s. For example, the only true modern-day pitcher who appears in the top 24 is Warren Spahn. Spahn is # 21. His 382 career complete games are 367 behind all-time leader Young’s 749. Number two on the list, Pud Galvin, is 103 back. No one else has more than 600. Unreachable in today’s game. Through the 60’s, pitchers prided themselves on finishing games they started.
Bullpens were made up of pitchers on their way down. Sometimes, as in the case of Grover Cleveland Alexander, they were truly great pitchers who had reached the end of their careers. Old Pete, as he was called, had 436 career complete games, mostly with the Cubs and Phillies. He was one of the best pitchers in the majors prior to WWI. He won 30 games in 1917. He went to war and was a victim of a gas attack. Although he won 27 in his first year back in 1920, after that, his career had a downward trend. He would win 20 again in 1923 (22) and 1927 (21), but his health after the war was always a question. Most felt his problems were from excessive drinking. No doubt caused by traumatic events. But the truth is he also contracted epilepsy from the gas attack, most likely, and that led to seizures that, at the time, most did not understand and mistook as alcoholic fits.
In 1926, Alexander was sent to the Cardinals in June on a waiver claim. At the time he was 3-3 with the Cubs in seven starts. He would pitch in 23 games for the Cardinals, going 9-7 with what was much later credited two saves. He pitched seven games out of the pen. In the World Series against the Yankees, he started game two, winning 6-2 and then winning game six 10-2. He did not expect to be used in game seven, and he was sitting in the bullpen, some say nursing a hangover, this he always denied, and relaxing when Jesse Haines, the Cardinal’s starter, ran into trouble in the 7th inning.
To his surprise, manager Rogers Hornsby had to have him pitch because Haines had developed a blister. Hanging on to a 3-2 lead, he came in with the bases loaded and Tony Lazzeri coming up. He got a 1-1 count on Lazzeri, and on the next pitch, Lazzeri hit a line drive down the left field line just foul. On the next pitch, Alexander struck him out with a fastball on the outside corner. He would pitch two more scoreless innings, and the Cardinals were Champions. He was 39 years old when he did that.
The Dodgers were stymied in their quest for a World Series win a couple of times when the Yankees used Joe Page to shut them down. He recorded a save in both the 47 and 49 World Series. Of course, the save was not a real stat then. The first pure relief pitcher to win a MVP award was Jim Konstanty of the Phillies in 1950. Konstanty had a 16-7 record in 74 games. All of those in relief. He recorded 22 saves. The Phillies edged out the Dodgers for the pennant.
In the 50s, relievers who were mainly relievers started to become younger than older, and some would double as spot starters. The Dodgers’ first true reliever per se was Joe Black. Black was purchased just prior to the 1951 season along with Jim Gilliam from the Baltimore Elite Giants for 11,000 dollars. He went 11-12 at AAA in 1951, starting 20 of the 35 games he pitched in.
He made the team out of spring training in 1952 and pretty much immediately became their closer. He was 15-4 with a 2.15 ERA. He appeared in 56 games, starting two of those. He had one complete game. He finished with 15 saves, pitched 142.1 innings, and gave up only nine homers. He struck out 85 and walked 44. He earned the Rookie of the Year Award and finished 3rd in the MVP vote. He would never come close to those numbers again, and in June of 1955, he was traded to the Reds for Bob Borkowski and cash. He was done after pitching seven games for the Senators in 1957.
His partner in the Dodger pen was Clem Labine. Labine had joined the team in 51. He was a spot starter in his first and second seasons. He started 6 of his 14 games in 51, and he had five complete games and two shutouts. He was 5-1 overall with a 2.20 ERA. More of the same in 52 when he was 8-4 in 25 games, 9 of which he started. He did not record his first save until 1953, when he had 7. Seven of his 37 appearances were starts, and he posted an 11-6 mark with a 2.77 ERA. Clem would stay with the team when they moved west. He had four straight years of double-digit saves, 55-58, and pretty much was strictly a reliever by 54. Perhaps one of his best games came in the 1956 World Series when he made an emergency start in game six and pitched a 10-inning 1-0 shutout to even the World Series. He was traded to Detroit in June of 1960 for Ray Semproch and cash.
As the 60s rolled around, the bullpen became more and more important. The First Dodger star reliever in the 60s was 1959 World Series hero Larry Sherry. He would soon be joined by Ron Perransoski. Sherry won 14 games in 1960. He saved only 7 for a mediocre Dodger team. He appeared in 168 games over a three-year period, 60-62, winning 25, losing 17 and saving 32. By 1963, he was mainly Perranoski’s caddy. Ron had become the Dodgers closer and won 16 while losing three and saving 21. He also blew eight saves, but how many of those games he ended up winning is not on his stat sheet. Perry had the only relief appearance in the World Series that year, pitching in Podres’ game 2 win over the Yankees. Koufax had two complete game wins, and Drysdale had one.
Perranoski would never reach those numbers again as a Dodger and was sent to Minnesota after the 67 season as part of the Zoilo Versailles trade. Jim Brewer came over from the Cubs in 1964 and became the closer in 68. Jim had a 12-year career with LA. He saved 126 during that time and won 61 games. He had four seasons of at least 20 or more saves. In 1969, he blew ten saves. That year, the Dodger pen consisted of Brewer, Mikkelson, Moeller, McBean, Lamb, Purdin, Darwin, and Jack Jenkins. Jim Bunning made nine starts after being acquired in a trade.
One of the more unusual relievers of the time was Hoyt Wilhelm. Wilhelm, famous for his knuckleball, was a reliever from the time he joined the New York Giants in 1952. By 1959 he was doing some starting for the Orioles. He won the ERA title that year and 15 games. He returned to being mostly a reliever in 1961. Hoyt would win 143 games and save 228 in his long career. He spent his last two seasons with the Dodgers going 0-2 with four saves.
Today, bullpens are made up mostly of specialists. You have your closers, usually somebody who throws serious heat. But that is not a pre-requisite. Some have specialized pitches. Mariano Rivera relied on a devastating slider. Jansen had his cutter. Not very often will you see a reliever relying on soft stuff. Long men are not as prevalent as they once were. But you really need someone who can go multiple innings as the game progresses. Openers were made popular by the Rays. This became prevalent in the 2020 shortened season. Pitchers did not have their normal build-up to the season. So many teams opted for bullpen games. This could be done easily because of the expanded rosters.
MLB permanently expanded the rosters to 26 a couple of years ago. No more massive call-ups in September, so the only time your prospects get looked at in the majors is if they are called up due to injury or are one of the two callups in September. Last season, the Dodger bullpen was one of the best. They had some bad outings in the playoffs against the Pads and it cost LA a chance at the World Series. This year, the reverse has happened. They flamed out early and lately have regained some ground. But the cast is continually changing and most likely will continue to do so up until the playoffs.
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Discussion (162)
Disagree, not disagreeable
Dodgers picked up a half game on both the Padres and the Giants who both lost in extra innings. Rockies game started at 9 pm Colorado time, a 2-hour rain delay. Padres blew a chance to win the game when they loaded the bases with no outs and failed to score. Rockies got a gift in the bottom of the inning when Machado dropped the ball on a tag play. After the bases were loaded, they got a force play at the plate when a ball was hit back to the pitcher. Next batter, McMahon, hit a sac fly to left and the Rockies won. Fun Fact. Padres are 0-10 in extra innings. Chances of Verlander coming to LA are very slim. He prefers going back to Houston.
Here is a list of Rule 5 available Dodgers prospects:
Landon Knack
· Nick Frasso
· Kyle Hurt
· Yeiner Fernandez
· Kendall Williams
· Edgardo Henriquez
· Hunter Feduccia
· Devin Mann
· José Ramos
· Alec Gamboa
· Gus Varland
· Carlos Duran
Assuming the Dodgers will not keep Kike, Rosario, Lynn and their expiring contracts around for next season that gives us three open spots on the 40 men roster to protect 3 guys out of the group above.
Frasso and Knack probably are no brainers to protect. That leaves one open spot.
IMHO it would be better to use some of those guys in a trade package or two to get some help for the stretch run.
Better to overpay a little by including some of the above mentioned prospects than to lose them for nothing.
Go Dodgers!!!!!!!!!!!!
The LAT’s Jack Harris mentions Eduardo Rodriguez as Plan B if the Dodgers don’t land Verlander. No mention of Mitch Keller at all.
D-Backs picked up Jace Peterson from the A’s. Trade deadline approaching fast.
I think we are targeting a starting pitcher.
Might come down to the wire.
But that’s the next play.
Vassegh says Mitch Keller more likely than Jv.
I prolly like Keller better. Cheaper and controlled until ‘25 I think
Let’s hope Verlander does for us what he did for the Astros couple of years ago.
Bellinger with another double and hitting .314, Teoscar Hernandez being shopped by the Mariners.
Anyone still
Syndergaard went 5.1 Innings and gave up 1 ER. He allowed 2 BB and struck out no one.
For fairness, I dont think trading a guy, paying his salary, and getting back a prospect is good for the sport.
Tarik Skubal
Apparently that’s the guy. Got a text out of nowhere.
Wow Giants get AJ Pollack and his woeful offense. Reminds me of the Dodgers getting Joey Gallo last year.
Eduardo Rodriguez Lane Thomas and David Bedhar that who the dodgers will get. And then see if they can beat the Braves.
JUST A HEADS UP:
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Don’t know yet what is going on….
Options for starting pitchers dwindling.
Giants getting AJ Pollock and another player from the Mariners. Candelario heading to the Cubs
Lastest rumor, the Dodgers are pushing for one of either Michael Lorenzen or Eduardo Rodríguez.
Purely hypothetical from the Dodgers Digest Discord. Would you rather:
• Dodgers win the 2023 World Series and see Shohei Ohtani sign with the Giants this winter
• LA doesn’t win and signs Ohtani this winter. Assume at least 10 years & record-breaking money (total and AAV)
I went with the second one. I am in the minority.
1. Syndergaard’s comments are not surprising. He seemed to want some team to sprinkle him with pixie dust and restore his 98 mph fastball and nasty slider. Understandably, he seemed to have a difficult time embracing the transition to pitching with average stuff.
2. Agree completely with Phil on the Dodger’s outfielders tendency to overthrow cut off men in a futile attempt to throw out runners at home. There is no excuse for it. Bad baseball. Those kind of plays get you beat in close post season games.
3. It is far too simplistic to frame the trade deadline as “go for it or go home”. There is always the balance between the short term and the long term. I am fine if they don’t acquire Verlander. The option year at 35 million would scare me off. Verlander at 42 earning 35 million in two years is not a great bet, in my mind. The Mets also evidently expect a larger prospect haul than they got for Scherzer. There is a reason reports are that no one is in serious talks with the Mets for Verlander. I think the Mets are setting the price for Verlander in hopes that someone reaches for him.
4. There are no guarantees in any acquisition at deadline. Dodgers, as presently constituted, with Kershaw returning will be the favorites to win the West and finish with the second best record in National League. Not a guarantee that they will but certainly reasonable. They would avoid Atlanta until NLDS and have homefield for first round in what has been termed a “gap year”. I would take my chances with that.
Canha traded to the Brewers. That ends the Canha to LA talk.
I think some people get the wrong impression about what I feel about Hershiser. When he was a Dodger pitcher, I liked the guy. He was Tommy’s boy. ” The Bulldog” He had a very good year in 1985 when he went 19-3 and had a 2.06 ERA. He was then a .500 pitcher the next two seasons and in 88. he had his career year. He was like Bumgarner was for the Giants when they won. He was the stopper. He had a great playoff and World Series run and the underdog Dodgers won it all. He never came close to being that pitcher again in a Dodger uniform. Despite all the accolades thrown the guys way, he was just a shade better than average the rest of his career. Basically, the same thing happened to Fernando. A few outstanding years and then borderline just ok. Hershiser won 20 once in his career when winning games was a thing. Now, wins are not as important. Fernando, the same thing, but he won an ROY and Cy Young in the same season. Nobody has done that before or since. My own opinion is that ownership now has basically forgotten the teams’ roots. Players who played for LA get more attention than the Brooklyn guys. To me, that is wrong. Players who were career Dodgers should get recognition. Especially a guy like Gilliam. Member of four World Series winners. Twice came out of retirement to help the Dodgers win pennants, 65,66. A beloved coach and mentor to many Dodger rookies. Yes, they retired Gilliams number, and did the same for Fernando this year. But Fernando got into the Legends of Dodger baseball, and entirely different honor that in my mind, should be given to Gilliam too. And he should have been so honored before Hershiser. Jim is not around of course to receive such an honor. But there are those of us who saw this guy play day in and day out being the least selfish Dodger of them all. Sacrificing his own stats for the good of the team just to help them win. Orel is who he is. He did it once. Gilliam is as deserving as he is if not more.
When Scherzer or Turner were acquired? Or even when Rich Hill or Darvish were, was it totally out of the blue or was there a trail of information in the days leading up?
I can’t remember, but I thought it was out of the blue (toh).
From MLBTradeRumors:
“ESPN’s Alden Gonzalez expanded on the Dodgers’ reported interest with some specifics on negotiations between the sides.
Per Gonzalez, a deal between the sides is “unlikely” given the complicating factor of Verlander’s 2025 vesting option, which would convert to a player option if he pitches at least 140 innings in 2024. That being said, Gonzalez notes that the Mets were willing to pay down the majority of the money Scherzer was owed in order to extract a top prospect in the former of infielder Luisangel Acuna from the Rangers. Given the Mets’ dearth of top pitching prospects and the access LA enjoys, Gonzalez indicates that the likeliest path toward a Verlander deal would be the Dodgers putting together a prospect package of young pitchers that entices the Mets to pay down a significant portion of his salary.
Such a package would certainly be feasible for the Dodgers to put together, if they so chose. Five of the club’s top ten prospects are pitchers, per MLB Pipeline, and youngsters like Emmet Sheehan, Gavin Stone, and Ryan Pepiot are either already in or approaching the majors. That list also doesn’t include young hurler Bobby Miller, who was the club’s top pitching prospect before he became a key cog in the 2023 club’s rotation. While the Dodgers surely wouldn’t consider moving Miller, dealing from the aforementioned trio of prospects could be a reasonable course of action for the Dodgers, perhaps paired with a lower-level arm like Nick Frasso or Landon Knack.“
Chickenshit M’s traded their closer.
Don’t these teams realize WC3 is out there for the taking?
YOLO