Emilio Lacques-Zapien
Heading into Spring Training this year, Dodgers fans were excited about possessing what looked on paper to be arguably the best starting pitching rotation in baseball; Led by reigning National League (N.L.) MVP Clayton Kershaw and Ace #2 Zack Greinke, followed by solid Korean lefty Hyun Jin Ryu, and veteran newcomers Brandon McCarthy and Brett Anderson. But, alas, just as in 2014, the injury bug bit the boys in blue again. Before the season could even kick into full gear, Ryu and McCarthy went down, requiring season-ending shoulder and Tommy John surgeries, debilitating a rotation that looked stacked and ready to compete for a full season with N.L rivals like the Giants, Cardinals, and Nationals.
This left a huge gap to fill, but President of Baseball Operations Friedman and GM partner Zaidi were ready to weather the storm. They worked diligently as soon as they came into power this offseason to stack pitching depth as insurance policies in the case of unforeseen circumstances. It has worked to a degree so far, as guys like Mike Bolsinger and Carlos Frias have come in and done a substantial job to fill the void, alongside Brett Anderson who has stepped into the #3 starter role with grace.
But as the Dodgers push into another late-summer stretch run, we must remind ourselves of the most important ingredient that a club with hopes of winning a World Series must possess: pitching, pitching, and more pitching. Fantastic pitching, and enough runs. Unfortunately, the Dodgers stop-gap bottom of the rotation is just not strong enough to win a title, let alone create separation in the N.L. West from the charging defending World Series champion Giants (ouch!). The injuries to Ryu and McCarthy, the looming opt-out clause for N.L. Cy Young front-runner Zack Greinke, and the looming free agency of now #3 starter Brett Anderson creates a possible recipe for chaos this offseason for the front office and future of the Dodgers pitching rotation. The last thing the Dodgers need going into this Winter is facing a possibility of a starting rotation that reads #1 Clayton Kershaw, followed by four question marks.
Left handed ace Cole Hamels’ is once again being dangled by the Phillies, but this time around they seem serious about finally moving him. His services would provide one massive piece of the puzzle to solving this current pitching conundrum. He has a career 3.30 ERA and has tossed at least 300 innings for the last five seasons in a row. Hamels would help give L.A. a legitimate shot at the World Series now, and an insurance policy that would provide extra protection for the rotation for at least the next few years. Hamel’s contract extends into 2018, with a team option for 2019, which at age 31, gives what suitors can project as at least three seasons of ace-type, prime starting pitching into his early 30’s. There is no doubt in the baseball world that the Dodgers can afford Hamels’ $23 million per year salary, and with the hefty pay day and years Ace #2 Zack Greinke will command this offseason, there are no guarantees he will return.
Hamels also is a proven World Series champion as his Phils beat the Dodgers en route to the Fall Classic in 2008 (ouch!), and he exhibits the makeup and poise to win big games under the bright lights of October. Cole is also from San Diego, CA and has openly stated he would embrace the chance to come back-back to Cali-Cali to win another ring, if given the opportunity. Oh, and he just threw a no-hitter on Saturday against the Cubs.
The big hurdle, of course, is what Phillies GM Ruben Amaro will demand in return. The Dodgers have already stated they will not part ways with top prospects and possible 2016 opening day roster candidates Corey Seager (SS) and Julio Urias (SP), so the question remains, who else is in play, and will it be enough to sway the Phillies to part with their most valuable asset? Are the Dodgers ready to part ways with Yasiel Puig? Is some combination of other prospects Grant Holmes, Jose De Leon, Chris Reed, Alex Verdugo, Scott Schebler and Darnell Sweeney enough? Either way, the Dodgers need to get a deal done and pull the trigger, and the clock is ticking. The MLB trade deadline is Friday, July 31 at 1:00pm Pacific time.
UPDATE: The Dodgers landed 27 year-old right handed starting pitcher Mat Latos from the Marlins this morning along with 1B/OF Mike Morse. Latos will provide some much needed stability for the rotation as his numbers haven’t been great over the course of the season with a 4.48 ERA, but since his return from the DL with left knee inflammation, Latos has posted a 2.98 ERA with 45.2 IP, 15 ER, 33 H, 43 K, 9 BB (http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/l/latosma01.shtml). And in July he has been even more impressive with a line of 1.80 ERA, 20.0 IP, 4 R, 11 H, and 19 K to only 3 BB. But Friedman and Zaidi are most likely not done, and still expected to make a late surge for Hamels or David Price. Price will be a free agent at the end of this season, so Hamels is still the top prize.
-Author: Emilio Lacques-Zapien
