The Los Angeles Dodgers weren’t as active as many of us thought they would be, but they still made up some key moves that will definitely help this team through the rest of the season and into the postseason. Let’s grade and talk about these trades.
Grading the 4 Deadline Moves the Dodgers Made
3-Team Trade with the Cardinals and White Sox
No. This trade wasn’t to acquire Luis Robert Jr., but they still got some great players in this trade and one that could definitely make an impact for the Dodgers in the postseason. Here’s what the deal looked like.
Cardinals receive: RHP Erick Fedde, OF Tommy Pham, and cash
Dodgers receive: INF/OF Tommy Edman, RHP Michael Kopech, and RHP Oliver Gonzalez
White Sox receive: INF/OF Miguel Vargas, INF prospect Jeral Perez, INF prospect Alexander Albertus, and a player to be named later, or cash considerations.
The Dodgers need a guy like Tommy Edman, as simple as that. He can take on a bit of a utility role, so when Mookie Betts comes back (that’s probably the time Edman will come back himself), Betts can go back to the outfield where he’ll stop making errors, and Edman could slide to shortstop. Or, if the Dodgers still want Betts at shortstop, Edman can slot in Center Field.
Getting rid of Vargas was also needed. The Dodgers brought him up just a few weeks back and he really showed that he could stick around in the major leagues. The Dodgers were not in the right position for that, and with the chance to upgrade right in front of them, what do you think a team like the Dodgers would choose?
With this trade, the Dodgers upgraded the bullpen and got the outfielder that they needed.
GRADE: A-
Amed! Welcome back!
Ryan Yarbrough is one of the slowest pitchers in the game with his average fastball coming to about 86.5 mph. Yet, he still survived as a great bullpen arm for the Dodgers. In fact, he was acquired by the Dodgers last year at the deadline. He was traded mainly because he was on a huge downswing. In his last 10 games, he had a 5.83 ERA.
It was time for a change and with the Dodgers tackling the bullpen in the trade for Tommy Edman, it was time for them to part. More important things were needed anyway. Such as a middle infielder.
Amed Rosario has been doing pretty well this season. Last year, the Dodgers acquired him at the exact same time. Because of his poor performance down the trade, he was not re-signed. Hopefully, he does better this time. This season, he’s batting .307 in 264 at-bats.
Many reporters related to the Dodgers say that they did this to help their friendly trade partners, the Tampa Bay Rays. I think this is true too. Rosario’s great and all, but while his stats show that he’s a great player, he’s not going to help this team as much as acquiring another shortstop would’ve. Hence, my grade is…
GRADE: B
Jack Flaherty to LAD
This pitcher was linked to the Dodgers at the deadline from last year. Great move by LA to secure a guy who they know can pitch (they’re currently having some problems with that now). We still don’t know if Walker Buehler is going to be himself. Neither do we know that about Bobby Miller. Clayton Kershaw might get injured again. Will Yoshinobu Yamamoto come back? There’s so much uncertainty around their starting rotation that they had to go and get a pitcher. Skubal wasn’t available and the Dodgers just couldn’t come to a deal for Crochet. Flaherty was still an amazing option left, so they went to get him.
I love this trade. Jack has a 2.95 ERA this season with 133 strikeouts. This is the kind of guy the Dodgers needed. His WHIP stands out at 0.96. All in all, a great addition. While you gave up some of your top prospects for just a rental, he’s 28 years old which means you can sign him to an extension. The Dodgers have basically just spend as much as they want, so that should be pretty easy.
You can’t grade this thing anything but an A+. What a deal in the last second before the deadline.
GRADE: A+
Time to Win. NOW. Kevin Kiermaeir to LAD.
Blue Jays faithful were pressuring Ross Atkins to give away Kiermaeir to a winning team. Why? He’s retiring and he deserves a World Series Ring. Why? In his two years on the Blue Jays, he’s made a great impact on the team.
I love this trade because it brings more veteran experience to a team that has young players too. Plus, while Kiermaeir is struggling this year, like I said in my other post, this is a team that fixes veteran guys. Jason Heyward. David Peralta. Those two were just last year. While LAD wins a lot, they certainly prioritize development.
What a deal. It’s not an A+, but it’s worthy of an A.
GRADE: A
Main Image: David Richard-USA TODAY Sports
