When the 2023 season started, fans of the Los Angeles Dodgers were underwhelmed with who made up the team. Now after the trade deadline, they also might feel underwhelmed about the moves that were, and more importantly, were not made.
If the Dodgers were still at full strength and not incredibly bitten by the injury bug, the Dodgers would not need to make a big splash at the trade deadline. But the team was very much in need of staring pitching.
A lot of extenuating circumstances went into this trade deadline. There were few very good starting pitchers on the market, and teams knew that the Dodgers were in the position to perhaps overpay a little.
For their part, the Dodgers Front Office reportedly did their best. They were in on all of the big names, from Lucas Giolito to Justin Verlander to Eduardo Rodriguez.
The Angels jumped early, and got Giolito. It was down to the Houston Astros and L.A. for Verlander, and he used to his no trade clause to go to Houston. Rodriguez used his same clause to stay closer to family and stay in Detroit.
The issue is that the Tigers apparently did not discuss with, or know that, Rodriguez had the Dodgers on his no-trade list because of geographical reasons. A deal was in place at 4:50 pm for a trade, and then taken to Eduardo. Perhaps if they had known ahead of time, the Dodgers could have pivoted to someone else more quickly.
Regardless, the Dodgers did acquire a pitcher right at the end. Announced after the deadline, the Dodgers acquired left hander Ryan Yarbrough for minor leaguers Devin Mann and Derlin Figueroa.
The 31 year old has made 14 appearances with the Kansas City Royals this season, amassing a 4-5 record with a 4.24 ERA and 29 strikeouts. Where he fits into the Dodgers rotation remains to be seen.
The one thing the Dodgers did do before the deadline was trade a bunch of recently DFA’d players for cash considerations. Phil Bickford and Adam Kolarek were sent to the New York Mets; Justin Bruihl went to the Colorado Rockies; and Eddys Leonard went to the Detroit Tigers.
So now, we sit and wait to see how the revamped team performs down the stretch and hopefully through the playoffs. It starts Tuesday night for the starting rotation when Lance Lynn makes his Dodgers debut.
We will go into further depth about the team in future weeks, but for now the team feels a little underwhelming for a first place team. Let’s hope they catch fire and surprise us.
Think Blue Planning Committee 
I am probably in the minority but I am fine with what they have. They didn’t overspend. U must be careful in a sellers market. The Dodgers have had too many injuries to cover all the holes. So they must rely on the young guys and the new guys to team up with the team. And hope Kershaw can help along with Urias getting better and Sheehan progressing.
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I agree. They were in a tough position. They just had too many holes to fill. Because of injuries they had to commit to a youth movement. While that hasn’t worked out so far, it’s a opportunity to see what their future looks like. This farm system is aging and they can go into the off season with a better idea of what they have, because next year they will probably need 2 outfielders, a whole new infield ( except first) , a backup catcher and maybe a whole new starting rotation. Doesn’t look pretty from my chair, but I can see why they didn’t make any moves.
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It was incredibly unprofessional and stupid that they (Detroit) did not know that Rodriguez wouldn’t approve a trade to the Dodgers. It is also partly the Dodgers’ fault that they did not confirm his willingness to come to LA. The fact that it was so close to the deadline, meant that the Dodgers really didn’t have to opportunity to focus on an alternative. Also, because it was so close to the deadline, the alternatives were already taken.It’s a complete fiasco.
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We may never know exactly how this went down, but I hold each team equally responsible.
Yes, the Tigers should have confirmed that he would waive the clause, but the first question out of AF’s mouth should have been will he waive the clause. Both guilty as far as I’m concerned.
And although Rodriguez had absolutely no obligation to speak up early himself, he knew they would try to trade him and so it would have been nice to alert everyone to his mindset.
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A total disconnect by everyone involved. I am curious what the Dodgers were trading for Rodriguez.
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We’ll probably never know, but it would certainly be interesting to find out.
In the meanwhile, for those who wanted us to get Giolito, he had a so-so first outing for the Angels and then gave up 9 runs in 3.2 innings today.
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Re: Photo above. What a clean cut looking, young guy. He’ll look good in Dodger Blue (Will Smith is another example of that).
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We already know he looks pretty good in Royals blue so it isn’t a far stretch to Dodger blue. 🙂
He and Will could be related.
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With Justin Turner likely to decline his player option next year and become a free agent. Should we? I honestly think it’s not just a maybe, it needs to be one if their top priorities in the off-season along with getting Ohtani by hell or high water. I think Friedman knows he probably screwed that one up scared because of JT’s age. He’s still middle of the order productive and at least an average 3B in the field still. I think this goes beyond stats though. Turner was the heart of those great teams these last few years and it hasn’t felt the same with him gone. I would look to unload Max Muncy to offset some of the financial cost but I really think JT probably wants to come back home as well after seeing Kike’ return too. He might just let us sign him on a 1 year deal too. We will almost surely be moving on from JD Martinez in order to make room for Ohtani to be the DH assuming we land him. Adding Ohtani, Turner and getting Lux back at the expense of losing Martinez and Muncy would be an extreme upgrade. Miami might be the only wrench in getting Turner since they tried signing him in the offseason and trading for him at the deadline I imagine they will give him at least a 2 year contract.
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I’m a big JT fan as well, Alex, but I see a couple of roadblocks to bringing him back next year.
Let’s assume he’ll opt out of his option for next year so that’s a good start.
However, he’s played about 60% of his games at DH this year and only 40% in the field. He’s actually only started 7 games at 3B this season with the rest at 1B and 2B, but as I said, the vast majority of his games have been at DH.
I don’t expect Martinez to return because I think someone will give him a 2 or possibly even 3 year deal and I don’t think that someone will be Andrew Friedman. But, if we actually sign Ohtani that would mean that all of JT’s games would most likely have to be at third because we have Freddie at first and all kinds of other options at second.
Next year will be his age 39 season so if DH isn’t his primary position, I just don’t see him playing a lot of games at third base at the age of 39 when he’s hardly played any games there this year.
So you’ll have to either hope for Ohtani or for JT but I don’t see them both on the roster at the same time.
Other impediments for playing JT at third would be Michael Busch who, since he hasn’t been traded, may very well be given a shot at that position next year, or if for some reason they decide to move Lux back to second next year, they may decide to give Vargas a shot as the third baseman.
Then, we have the fact that Mr. Turner might not be thrilled with the way the Dodgers handled him last off season, more or less telling him to wait until they took care of other stuff and then they’d get around to bringing him back. That turned out to be a bunch of hooey because they never brought him back.
All in all, I don’t expect to see Justin Turner wearing a Dodger uniform again as an active player. I just hope that he doesn’t hold a grudge forever and we’ll see him back here when he’s no longer active. I think he’d make a great future bench coach or manager.
JMO and I hope I have to admit I was wrong about all of this on opening day next year.
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Jeff you have never been wrong before. Oh wait.
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I am providing space below for you to list the 25 times I’ve been wrong…………………just in the last month.
Let me know if you need more space. 🙂
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More space please.
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