Dodgers’ Dave Roberts on Trade Deadline Acquisitions Recent Success: ‘Players Want to Win’
The Los Angeles Dodgers snagged Kevin Kiermaier and Michael Kopech at the trade deadline. As much as the pair has made an impact for the Dodgers, being a part of this baseball club has offered Kiermaier and Kopech a chance to win.
“Players want to play, but players want to win,” manager Dave Roberts said, referring to the pair of trade acquisitions. “You put those two guys in a winning environment, and they’re ready when called upon, and teammates feed off their gratitude for being here. They come with a vengeance and we need that edginess where we are in the calendar and standings.”
Los Angeles has a reputation for reviving players who have hit a slump in their careers. A prime example is former Dodger Justin Turner.
Before he was an All-Star third baseman, Turner was non-tendered from the New York Mets. He then signed a minor league deal with Los Angeles and the rest was history. Turner soon became a beloved figure in Los Angeles. It’s still painful to see him in another team’s jersey.
Now, the Dodgers are helping Kiermaier and Kopech as much as they are helping the club. Before coming to Los Angeles, the pair were members of struggling teams who were not going to make the playoffs. Kiermaier’s Toronto Blue Jays were 14 games behind in the standings and Kopech’s Chicago White Sox were 39.5 games back at the end of July.
Now in mid-August, Kopech is making a strong case to be the Dodgers’ closer, a title that has been vacant for some time now. In a one-run game on Friday night, Kopech retired the side to save Los Angeles a 7-6 win over the St. Louis Cardinals.
His numbers as a Dodgers include 13 strikeouts, just one hit, no runs, and one walk through 8.1 innings.
Kiermaier is in the middle of revamping his impact on offense. The Dodgers wanted the outfielder because of his elite defense, but in Friday’s game against the Cardinals, he showed Los Angeles he could be a slugger too.
In the sixth inning, Kiermaier hit a three-run homer to give the Dodgers a 7-4 lead. This is his second game with multiple hits. Keep in mind, Kiermaier is also playing phenomenal defense in centerfield for the Dodgers.
Kopech and Kiermaier are now members of a club that ranks atop the National League West, which certainly has given the duo a boost of confidence, and it shows in their performances.
Photo Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports
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