Considering that the Dodgers were unable to significantly upgrade their bullpen ahead of the non-waiver trade deadline at the end of July, many folks close to the club believed that a waiver trade was inevitable, especially after Kenley Jansen‘s stint on the disabled list and the inability of anybody else to successfully close out a game. Yet, with the waiver deadline arriving at the end of the week, there hasn’t been much noise indicating that the team is close to completing such a deal.
Maneuvers along the waiver wire have always been relatively quiet and kept under wraps, most specifically those which take place during the month of August. More times than not, fans have no knowledge which players are placed on waivers, mainly because clubs pull them back after they’re unable to compete a deal with another claiming club, if that player is claimed at all. So, with a few days remaining, the front office crew could conceivably be progressing towards a deal unbeknownst to the public.
Along with the deadline for waiver trades, roster expansion will take place on September 1, virtually allowing each club to recall a player who’s a member of the team’s 40-man roster. Initially, the Dodgers were a bit excited for a few of the prospective bullpen moves, as Josh Fields and Julio Urias have been hyped for weeks about bolstering the team’s suspect relief corps. However, the progress of Urias has not gone as expected, and Fields hasn’t found much success in his recent outings, either. That’s not to say Fields has been hindered, as some rehabbing pitchers sometimes stick to a set script of specific pitches, regardless of how the game is going. Nevertheless, Fields, who was initially believed to be ready much sooner, won’t be joining the team until rosters expand on Saturday.
All-star righty Ross Stripling, who was assumed to be rejoining the club before the opener against the Rangers on Tuesday, won’t be activated until Saturday because his back injury hasn’t healed as quickly as many thought. Thus, the club will be getting a little boost with the addition of Stripling and Fields, along with the prospective returns of Erik Goeddel, Zac Rosscup and JT Chargois, in addition to a possible recall of right-hander Brock Stewart.
Furthermore, the Dodgers signed veteran reliever Zach McAllister to a minor league deal on Monday and could theoretically add him to the 40-man roster before the weekend, allowing him to join the big league club after September 1. The 30-year-old righty struggled mightily with the Indians and Tigers this year, but he still has the ability to throw a four-seam in excess of 96 MPH, potentially giving the Dodgers’ coaching staff the chance to mend some of his problems and straighten out his mechanics.
Still, the performance of Jansen since his return from the disabled list has been disappointing, to say the least. There have been rumblings that Jansen attributed his ineffectiveness to drugs he was taking for his heart. He stopped taking the medication on Sunday and said he noticed an improvement; however, the All-Star closer may have looked the worst he has all year in Tuesday’s 8-4 win against the Rangers. He entered the game in the ninth inning with an 8-2 lead and quickly loaded the bases, ultimately surrendering three hits, a walk and two earned runs. Nonetheless, it was the perfect opportunity for him to try and iron out his problems, being that the situation was low-leverage.
Consequently, Jansen told reporters after the game that he expects his performance to improve soon.
“I’ll be all right. At some point, I’ll figure it out. A little amped up today. Command wasn’t there,” he explained. “Listen, people can panic like, ‘Oh God, what’s happening with me,’ but I know myself; I am going to go out there and keep competing and I will get out of this.”
But, until Jansen works out his kinks, a waiver trade could certainly benefit the club, as the team’s best closing option at the moment is right-hander Kenta Maeda, who was a starter for the majority of the season. And that’s not even taking into consideration that a bonafide, eighth-inning option has yet to emerge among anybody in the relief crew.
As good as the current four-game winning streak looks on paper, it has come against two of the worst teams in baseball. Looking back, it wasn’t long ago when just about everyone in the entire bullpen imploded against the Rockies and the Giants during a five-game losing streak. With perhaps the biggest series of the season to date on deck for this weekend, the relief corps just may end up playing a huge role in the outcome.
I really don’t see who we could pick up for the bullpen at this point that would be an improvement over what we already have on the roster. It’s not like an All Star closer is going to fall into our lap. Just like they all fell apart at the same time they could all get back on track at the same time. I’m not saying it’s going to happen, but it could. We need to look at the positives from last night. First of all, Kenley didn’t give up a homer. Secondly, after he made that great (lucky) stab on the last play of the game, he actually made a perfect throw to second. Most of the time on a play like that the pitcher throws it into center field. Glass half full guys! If it doesn’t work out, we can always throw away the glass.
You never know who is on waivers this time of the year—maybe there are a few surprises. Perhaps they could snag somebody like Matt Guerrier or George Sherrill from the pro league in Ecuador or Peru. I hear Sherrill’s throwing 98.
This is why I read your stuff Dennis. You always come up with the ideas that no one else thinks of. 🙂
Need Colletti was world-renowned for his moves during this part of the year. He’d bring 3-4 guys out of retirement every year, it seemed.
Adrian Gonzalez is available. Think he could pitch out of the bullpen?
Ike Davis certainly could.
“Ike Davis pitches an immaculate 9th inning in the 7th and deciding game of the 2018 World Series, giving the Dodgers their first World Championship in 30 years.” Has a nice ring to it.
Somebody told me that Rob Segedin is close to being DFA’d. Not exactly sure how much truth is behind it, though.
Wouldn’t be any surprise. He’s been hurt a lot and they’re going to need to clear some space on the 40-man probably sooner than later. Depending upon whom they might want to add in September, there are some other guys who should possibly be looking over their shoulder: Rosscup, Liberatore, Hudson, Axford. I’m not saying it’s going to happen, but there are a few guys they might want to add and the space would need to come from somewhere.
Apparently, the Dodgers put in a waiver claim for Ryan Madson. Sounds to me like they brought Ned in to do some side work.
I was kind of expecting this but I’m a little surprised he fell as far as the Dodgers, even though he hasn’t been very good lately. Actually he’s been very bad lately and maybe that’s why. If we don’t have to give up anyone, I’m fine with bringing him aboard. You never know. OK, let’s take a vote, as of mid September, will our 8th and 9th innings guys be Madson/Axford or Ferguson/Urias? We can use Kenley as the “opener”. It’s the new baseball!
Still no word on Madson. That probably means that Farhan is saying “He’s been hurt and pitching terribly. We’ll take him if you pay half his remaining salary.” Rizzo is saying, “You guys are desperate and even hurt and pitching horribly he’s better than half your current bullpen guys. You can have him if you pay his full salary and send us Verdugo.” We’ll know by tomorrow if either of them was bluffing.
Segedin officially DFA’d. Yimi optioned to Rancho and Fields activated onto 25-man.
I hope Segedin catches on somewhere. Always liked him although there was certainly no room on our roster for him.
Looks like Farhan and Rizzo compromised somewhere between nothing and Verdugo. Andrew Istler for Madson. Now let’s see which Madson we get.
Wow. I’m impressed with myself. A couple days ago I posted that Rosscup, Axford, Hudson and Liberatore should be looking over their shoulders. Lib just dfa. If he could get healthy he could still have a decent career for someone.