It’s no secret Andrew Friedman will do something and all the pieces in his energy to make the Los Angeles Dodgers a World Collection contender on an annual foundation.
There have been quite a few examples through which he’s aimed to enhance the ballclub previous to the commerce deadline. Some situations have concerned engaged on the fringes with minor strikes. Different conditions included huge swings for all-star stage abilities.
Whether or not it’s unearthing a hidden gem, buying a reclamation challenge/discarded participant, or touchdown a longtime one, the percentages are that Friedman will but once more make a transfer (or extra) inside the subsequent couple of months.
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A lot of the rumors have had L.A. related to Chicago White Sox outfielder Luis Robert and — to a lesser extent — St. Louis Cardinals third baseman Nolan Arenado. Since each gamers have been analyzed advert nauseam, let’s take a look at three different potential commerce targets that might be attainable and life like for the group.
Isiah Kiner-Falefa, Utility Man, Pittsburgh Pirates
Kiner-Falefa can be an instance of the Dodgers engaged on the fringes. Having stated that, he does match the archetype in what Friedman appears to be like for in a participant.
For one, Kiner-Falefa has immense positional versatility — seemingly a prerequisite for any L.A. place participant. He’s presently the Pirates’ beginning shortstop, although the 2020 Gold Glove winner also can play third base, second base, and the outfield. Historically, Kiner-Falefa can also be a man who hardly ever strikes out.
Possessing this stage of flexibility plus being able to place the ball in play looks as if an ideal match for what the Dodgers wish to do, in addition to being a invaluable chip to make use of in postseason play.
Coming into Could 17, Kiner-Falefa is hitting a decent .276 with a .673 OPS. He would probably be a rental given his contract is up on the finish of the yr. That might make him much more engaging for the Dodgers given the truth that it probably wouldn’t value all that a lot to acquire the 30-year-old.
On the very least, he’d present cowl for Mookie Betts, Hyeseong Kim, Max Muncy, Tommy Edman — and can be an improve over Chris Taylor.
Lane Thomas, Outfielder, Cleveland Guardians
Granted, that is an out-of-left-field chance. If you happen to squint laborious sufficient, there might be one thing right here.
Cleveland is infamous in not spending a ton of cash. Relying on who you ask, the considered re-signing Thomas to a multi-year deal may not sound all that appetizing from the Guardians’ standpoint.
He will likely be a free agent at season’s finish, and in the event that they do plan on letting him stroll, it might be prudent to nab one thing in return for him.
That is the place the Dodgers are available. L.A. is greater than snug in taking over a rental assuming the participant may help them inch nearer to a different World Collection title.
Thomas has been out since April 22 with a bone bruise on his wrist. Whether or not urgent together with his impending free company developing, or just a stretch of poor play, Thomas has been very unhealthy within the early a part of this yr. In 45 at-bats, Thomas is hitting .156 with zero residence runs and two runs batted-in.
Once more, we now have to take a look at the profile of the participant and see how he’d slot in with the Boys in Blue. Thomas possesses an above-average arm in centerfield. He’s one of many quicker outfielders within the recreation, and by proxy is a really environment friendly base runner. Thomas additionally doesn’t chase — a real staple of the Dodgers’ offensive philosophy. He ranked within the 87th percentile on this class a yr in the past.
Cleveland is true within the hunt for a playoff spot, and figures to be extremely aggressive in making an attempt to win the AL Central. On the identical time, with out Thomas, they’ve performed very properly. If he continues to flounder, might the Dodgers poach him with the hopes {that a} new scenario with completely different instruction could unlock one thing in his case?
An in-form Thomas would immensely enhance L.A.’s protection in middle, thus enabling Tommy Edman to remain at second base the place he’s finest from a fielding standpoint. That will additionally permit for the bench to probably get stronger with Hyeseong Kim and certain Michael Conforto making method within the lineup for Edman and Andy Pages/Teoscar Hernandez, respectively.
Gregory Soto, Left-Handed Reliever, Baltimore Orioles
The Dodgers don’t all the time search bullpen assist by means of the commerce market (although buying Michael Kopech final yr proved to be extremely vital). As Friedman has talked about earlier than, there’s usually a excessive premium placed on relievers. The Dodgers even have the boldness in believing they’ll rehabilitate discarded pitchers and/or make the most of arms from the farm system that may evolve into impression gamers come postseason time.
On this case, the lefty from Baltimore might be somebody the group appears to be like into. Like Kiner-Falefa and Thomas, Soto will likely be a free agent at yr’s finish. He’s an influence pitcher from the left facet with some intriguing underlying analytics. Based on Baseball Savant, Soto ranks within the 96th percentile in barrel share. He additionally averages 96.6 mph on his fastball.
When hitters do sq. him up, Soto has allowed some loud contact. He’s ranks within the tenth percentile in common exit velocity by the opposition (91.5 mph). Bear in mind, Kopech had dreadful numbers on paper when acquired from the Chicago White Sox. Evidently, he grew to become a serious x-factor for the group down the stretch.
Anthony Banda has not regarded overly spectacular this yr. With Tanner Scott assuming the high-leverage function, and Alex Vesia being a man who can face each righties and lefties, Soto might be a man pegged as a potential improve over Banda because the hard-throwing lefty utilized within the sixth and seventh innings (and in left-on-left conditions).
Baltimore is dead-last within the uber-competitive AL East. Solely the White Sox have much less wins in all the American League. As such, a fireplace sale might happen with the O’s prior to later.
Soto is perhaps the basic ‘change of surroundings’ case the Dodgers repair.
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Picture Credit score: Denis Poroy-Imagn Pictures
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