The Dodgers have assembled quite a list of pitchers as Non-Roster Invitees to Spring Training. It all adds up to over 1000 games pitched in the majors in the hopes that one or two will stand out enough to make the Dodgers staff. All of these invitations were extended in the hopes that it would help to solve their middle relief woes that they suffered through last year.
This list is kind of like a who's who of former starters, career relievers, veterans and younger pitchers, all hoping to revive their careers with the Dodgers or make an impression enough on someone to land a Major League job with another team.
The list looks like this (so far):
RHP David Aardsma- 33 years old, he appeared in no games in 2014 but saved 69-78 games with the Seattle Mariners in 2009-10.
RHP Mike Adams- 36 years old, 408 games in relief, all as a middle reliever or set up man, most of his success came with the San Diego Padres from 2006-09. Pitched in 22 games with the Philadelphia Phillies in 2014.
LHP Erik Bedard- 36 years old, former starter with several teams, 230-241 career games as a starter. Started the Spring opener, pitched 2 innings and gave up one earned run.
RHP Chad Gaudin- No games in 2014, 344 games and 87 career starts.
LHP David Huff- 30 years old, 115 games, 54 starts, career ERA of over 5.
RHP Sergio Santos- 31 years old, 180 games all in relief. In 2011 with the Chicago White Sox, 30-36 in Saves.
RHP Dustin McGowan- 158 games, 68 career starts.
The Dodgers are hoping this group can compete with the holdovers, rookies, and trades to round out a staff of what is potentially a very good starting five. Closer Kenley Jansen is out for at least the first month so the Dodgers other relief pitchers are going to be key to if they get a good start to the season or not.
The Dodgers relievers did not fair well in the Spring Training Opener against the White Sox, giving up 5 runs in 7 innings of relief. Juan Nicasio and Carlos Frias were the most generous of the relief pitchers that were used in that game.
Saturday, March 7, 2015
Thursday, March 5, 2015
Baseball Is Back
The Los Angeles Dodgers opened up their Spring Training with a 6-4 loss to the Chicago White Sox yesterday. The wins and losses are not really important at this point, it is about getting ready for the season.
It is also an opportunity for the Dodgers prospects and rookies to work with the Major Leaguers and hopefully see how it is done. Veteran Shortstop Jimmy Rollins seems to want to assume an active leadership role with the team and he brings years of experience over from the Phillies.
Several of the Dodgers top prospects saw action in yesterday's game and none of the top prospects, with the exception of Joc Pederson, are expected to make the team out of camp. Scott Schebler, O'Koyea Dickson who hit the Dodgers lone home run, Austin Barnes, Darnell Sweeney, Alex Guerrero, Pederson, Corey Seager, and Kyle Jensen all got in some at bats. Guerrero and Pederson both went 2 for 2 and it is important that Pederson get off to a good start even though it is only Spring Training. He needs to build some confidence and show the top brass that he is ready to be in the Outfield mix.
It is also an opportunity for the Dodgers prospects and rookies to work with the Major Leaguers and hopefully see how it is done. Veteran Shortstop Jimmy Rollins seems to want to assume an active leadership role with the team and he brings years of experience over from the Phillies.
Several of the Dodgers top prospects saw action in yesterday's game and none of the top prospects, with the exception of Joc Pederson, are expected to make the team out of camp. Scott Schebler, O'Koyea Dickson who hit the Dodgers lone home run, Austin Barnes, Darnell Sweeney, Alex Guerrero, Pederson, Corey Seager, and Kyle Jensen all got in some at bats. Guerrero and Pederson both went 2 for 2 and it is important that Pederson get off to a good start even though it is only Spring Training. He needs to build some confidence and show the top brass that he is ready to be in the Outfield mix.
Sunday, February 22, 2015
A Future Contract
The Dodgers signed 28 year old right-handed starter Brandon Beachy to a one year contract yesterday with an option for 2016. He had his second Tommy John surgery almost a year ago and will not be ready to pitch until around the All-Star break. He missed all of 2014 with the Atlanta Braves and has only pitched in 18 games in the past three seasons. He has a 14-11 career record with a 3.23 ERA.
The Dodgers signed Beachy as an insurance policy for the second half of this season (that is a $2.75 million policy) and hoping he can make a comeback. It also covers 2016 in case Greinke and/or Anderson end up somewhere else. The contract option is for $3-$6 million depending on how much he pitches this year.
The Dodgers signed Beachy as an insurance policy for the second half of this season (that is a $2.75 million policy) and hoping he can make a comeback. It also covers 2016 in case Greinke and/or Anderson end up somewhere else. The contract option is for $3-$6 million depending on how much he pitches this year.
Saturday, February 21, 2015
Bullpen By Committee
The brass for the Los Angeles Dodgers would prefer to use a bullpen by committee than to trade for another closer in the absence of Closer Kenley Jansen. The options are a mixture of those with little experience and those with a lot of experience although not much of it as a closer. The candidates are Brandon League, J.P. Howell, Rookie Pedro Baez, and newcomers Joel Peralta, Chris Hatcher, and Juan Nicasio.
Brandon League has the most experience as a closer. He had 42 Saves with the Seattle Mariners in 2011 and in a brief stint as the Dodgers closer in 2013, he went 14 of 19 in save opportunities. In his career he is 74 for 104 in save opportunities. He has been inconsistent throughout his career but he had a strong season last year as a setup man for Jansen, appearing in 63 games with a 2.57 ERA.
J.P.Howell has been a left-handed specialist in his two year stint with the Dodgers and I do not see that role changing. He just may close more games out against left-handed batters in the 9th inning than he has in the past. He has 21 Saves in 32 career opportunities, 17 of those in 2009 with the Tamp Bay Rays.
Pedro Baez might be the most intriguing of the bullpen options. His career path has followed that of Kenley Jansen. He was a former minor league infielder in the Dodgers organization and even made the Futures Game in 2009 and 2010. He only has 88 games of minor league pitching experience under his belt. He impressed the Dodgers enough to get into 20 games last season with a 2.63 ERA.
Joel Peralta was acquired from the Miami Marlins in a trade this winter. He is 38 years old and has pitched in 556 games in the Majors but is only 12 for 36 in Save opportunities in his career.
Chris Hatcher was also acquired from the Miami Marlins via trade. He is 30 years old and only has 81 games of Major League experience. He did go 33 for 36 in Save opportunities in AAA in 2013.
Juan Nicasio was picked up from the Colorado Rockies and had been a starter for the first three seasons of his Major League career and throughout his minor league career. He pitched one season with the Asheville Tourists in 2009 going 9-3, with a 2.41 ERA. 69 of his 88 games in the the majors have been starts.
Brandon League has the most experience as a closer. He had 42 Saves with the Seattle Mariners in 2011 and in a brief stint as the Dodgers closer in 2013, he went 14 of 19 in save opportunities. In his career he is 74 for 104 in save opportunities. He has been inconsistent throughout his career but he had a strong season last year as a setup man for Jansen, appearing in 63 games with a 2.57 ERA.
J.P.Howell has been a left-handed specialist in his two year stint with the Dodgers and I do not see that role changing. He just may close more games out against left-handed batters in the 9th inning than he has in the past. He has 21 Saves in 32 career opportunities, 17 of those in 2009 with the Tamp Bay Rays.
Pedro Baez might be the most intriguing of the bullpen options. His career path has followed that of Kenley Jansen. He was a former minor league infielder in the Dodgers organization and even made the Futures Game in 2009 and 2010. He only has 88 games of minor league pitching experience under his belt. He impressed the Dodgers enough to get into 20 games last season with a 2.63 ERA.
Joel Peralta was acquired from the Miami Marlins in a trade this winter. He is 38 years old and has pitched in 556 games in the Majors but is only 12 for 36 in Save opportunities in his career.
Chris Hatcher was also acquired from the Miami Marlins via trade. He is 30 years old and only has 81 games of Major League experience. He did go 33 for 36 in Save opportunities in AAA in 2013.
Juan Nicasio was picked up from the Colorado Rockies and had been a starter for the first three seasons of his Major League career and throughout his minor league career. He pitched one season with the Asheville Tourists in 2009 going 9-3, with a 2.41 ERA. 69 of his 88 games in the the majors have been starts.
Spring Training Is Finally Here
The Pitchers and Catchers for the Los Angeles Dodgers reported to Camelback Ranch-Glendale this past Thursday with the first workouts on Friday. Reigning National League MVP and Cy Young Award Winner Clayton Kershaw threw 30 pitches to Catcher A.J. Ellis and was reportedly "unimpressed" by his workout. I don't know too many pitchers that are impressed by their first workout of the season.
Newcomer Brett Anderson got in his first workout for his new team and tested out his surgically repaired back. Injuries have robbed him of the majority of five of his six seasons.
One notable absence was that of Closer Kenley Jansen. He had foot surgery this past week and will miss the first two to three months of the season. Spring Training hadn't even started yet and the Dodgers have already been hit by a major injury. The Dodgers are reportedly going to look from within the organization to replace him and use a Bullpen by committee approach.
Newcomer Brett Anderson got in his first workout for his new team and tested out his surgically repaired back. Injuries have robbed him of the majority of five of his six seasons.
One notable absence was that of Closer Kenley Jansen. He had foot surgery this past week and will miss the first two to three months of the season. Spring Training hadn't even started yet and the Dodgers have already been hit by a major injury. The Dodgers are reportedly going to look from within the organization to replace him and use a Bullpen by committee approach.
Sunday, February 8, 2015
Non-Roster Invitees
This years Los Angeles Dodgers Non-Roster Invitees are the usual suspects- Rookies, has beens, and fringe players that have never quite made it past AAA success. The one intriguing player of this years Non-Roster Invitees is 26 year old Relief Pitcher Ben Rowen.
Coming into last season, Rowen was the 23rd ranked propect according to Baseball America in the Texas Rangers organization. Rowen's stuff will not blow anyone away but his submarine style produced a career ratio of 2.87 groundouts/airouts in 177 minor league games along with 21-5 record and 40 saves in 48 chances.
With Rowen's submarine style and the Dodgers new and improved infield,he may be able to sneak his way onto the Dodgers pitching staff.
Coming into last season, Rowen was the 23rd ranked propect according to Baseball America in the Texas Rangers organization. Rowen's stuff will not blow anyone away but his submarine style produced a career ratio of 2.87 groundouts/airouts in 177 minor league games along with 21-5 record and 40 saves in 48 chances.
With Rowen's submarine style and the Dodgers new and improved infield,he may be able to sneak his way onto the Dodgers pitching staff.
Other Signings
The Los Angeles Dodgers signing of Left-Handed starter Brett Anderson flew under the radar but, provided Anderson can stay healthy, might provide an important piece of the puzzle for the Dodgers.
Anderson is only 27 years old and has pitched in parts of six seasons in the Major Leagues, his first five with the Oakland A's and he got in eight starts with the Colorado Rockies last season. He has only pitched one full season in the Major's, that being his rookie season in 2009 with the Oakland A's when he went 11-11. He has a 27-32 career record in 81 starts. The majority of the rest of his five seasons were spent on the Disabled List.
Anderson is currently penciled in to be the Dodgers fifth starter. Keeping him healthy will be the big issue for the Dodgers but all of the Dodgers starters spent time on the Disabled List last season with the exception of Zach Greinke.
Anderson is only 27 years old and has pitched in parts of six seasons in the Major Leagues, his first five with the Oakland A's and he got in eight starts with the Colorado Rockies last season. He has only pitched one full season in the Major's, that being his rookie season in 2009 with the Oakland A's when he went 11-11. He has a 27-32 career record in 81 starts. The majority of the rest of his five seasons were spent on the Disabled List.
Anderson is currently penciled in to be the Dodgers fifth starter. Keeping him healthy will be the big issue for the Dodgers but all of the Dodgers starters spent time on the Disabled List last season with the exception of Zach Greinke.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)