Tuesday, July 30, 2024
Copyrighted by Sarah Morris, 2024
At the trading deadline, Los Angeles Dodger president Andrew Friedman proved he is one of the best in history. He obtained everything the Dodgers needed to be competitive in the postseason without giving up the future of the Dodgers.
Before spring training began, many pundits believed it would be a world championship or bust for the Dodgers. Like any other season, the Dodgers suffered many unforeseen injuries. Max Muncy has been out since mid-May with an oblique injury, and nobody knows if he can return. Mookie Betts has a broken hand, but he will return sometime in August. Miguel Rojas has a strained flexor muscle, and nobody knows if he can return this season. Chris Taylor has a strained groin, and because groin strains are tricky, nobody knows if he will return this season.
The pitching staff is injured even though both Tyler Glasnow and Clayton Kershaw returned from the IL last week. Yoshinobu Yamamoto dealing with a strained rotator cuff hopes to return sometime in September, so he can prepare for the playoffs, but nobody knows if he can or how good he will be. Walker Buehler is on a rehab assignment, but he hasn’t demonstrated he can get major leaguers out. Bobby Miller is in Oklahoma City to regain his confidence. Both Emmet Sheehan and Kyle Hurt are out for the season with Tommy John surgeries.
Since the starting rotation has suffered many injuries and needed rookies to fill in, the Dodgers have overused the bullpen. This bullpen has been ineffective since the relievers are tired. Brusdar Graterol, currently on a rehab assignment, hasn’t pitched in the major leagues because of an inflamed shoulder. The Dodgers have been without both Ryan Brasier and Joe Kelly for most of the season. Before June 15th, Michael Grove was the surprise of the bullpen, but he has a right intercostal strain. The Dodgers expect Grove to return sometime in August.
The Dodgers obtained Ahmed Rosario for the second year in a row. He played for the Tampa Bay Rays and hit .307 with 2 home runs and 27 RBI. He can play a variety of positions, both infield and outfield. He gives the Dodgers versatility, something that they like. The Dodgers gave the Rays right-handed pitcher Michael Flynn from Oklahoma City.
To make room for right-handed reliever Michael Kopech from the Chicago White Sox, the Dodgers designated Ryan Yarbrough for assignment. The Dodgers traded Yarbrough, who struggled lately, to the Toronto Blue Jays for four-time Gold Glove center fielder Kevin Kiermaier. At the end of this season, Kiermaier will retire. This season he has struggled offensively with a .195 batting average, 4 home runs, and 18 RBI. Neither James Outman nor Andy Pages is a major league quality center fielder.
Kiermaier will save runs with his defense.
The Dodgers acquired Jack Flaherty from the Detroit Tigers for two minor leaguers. The right hander is having a great season after three injury-plagued seasons. He is from the Los Angeles area. Flaherty has played with the Saint Louis Cardinals, the Baltimore Orioles, and the Tigers. This year, Flaherty has 7 wins, 5 losses, a 2.97 ERA, and 133 strikeouts. He will boost the starting rotation.
Friedman addressed every need for the Dodgers. With these acquisitions, the Dodgers should perform in the postseason
