Dodgers: Despite Losing 2 Cy Young Finalists, LA Still Wins a World Series
It’s always a strange feeling to watch former players shine with different teams. It sort of has the feeling of an ex that you have to watch get married. That was the situation that Dodgers fans found themselves in with Hyun-jin Ryu and Kenta Maeda.
Those two guys combined to start more than 200 games for the Dodgers while they were in Los Angeles. Kenta came over from Japan and played 4 seasons with LA, while Ryu came over from Korea to play 6 seasons. Both left prior to the start of the 2020 season.
Ryu went on to play for the Toronto Blue Jays after entering free agency. In his final season with the Dodgers, he finished second in Cy Young voting after putting together a phenomenal season. Kenta was sent to the Twins as part of the Brusdar Graterol trade. And now, he and Ryu are both finalists for the American League Cy Young in 2020.
Here are your 2020 AL Cy Young Award Finalists! pic.twitter.com/80tUJeAc60
— MLB Network (@MLBNetwork) November 2, 2020
The fact that the Dodgers were able to trade away Maeda and let Ryu walk away in the same offseason is tough enough. But add in the fact that both guys are up for the award given out to the best pitcher makes it even tougher.
The good news is that the Dodgers didn’t end up needing either of them. Los Angeles walked away with a World Series title while also boasting one of the best pitching staffs in all of baseball. LA may not have had the most consistent staff, but they got the job done regardless.
The Dodgers’ veteran pitchers saw a bit of a rough start to the year in terms of health. Clayton Kershaw went down with back soreness while Walker Buehler suffered through the blister issue all season. That left room for the rookies to pick up the pieces and carry them through the season. Tony Gonsolin and Dustin May got the opportunity and did they ever come through.
Dodgers fans will always love Kenta and Ryu. And if they had been on the team, maybe their path to the World Series would have been slightly less bumpy. But we got our championship, and that’s all that matters right now. Congrats to both of them on their nomination!
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Wow, the Dodgers were 43-17 and had by far the best record in the MLB & won the WS and you aren’t satisfied with that?
The Dodger Organization is run by Kasten and Friedman they have built an organization of scouts, pitching, batting, fielding, strenght, and nutrition coaches that are the envy of the league. Listen to the interview of Gray about the difference between Cincinatti and the Dodgers. Ask other players.
The Dodgers must promote from within. They have incredible young talent and with the Rule 5 draft, they either must use them, trade them or lose them.
IF they keep Maeda they do not get Graterol. I like that trade its a win win. They received some very promising talent for Stripliing with another PLTBNL.
If Ryu is signed you close the door for May or Gonsolin. The Dodgers did not know Price, fortunately for the Dodgers would opt out.
The one thing you learn about life is constant change. Get used to it.
I’ll bet most Dodger fans are happy for Ryu and Maeda. I hope Stripling finds some measure of the same success.
I’m more happy that the Dodgers made room for Urias, Gonsolin, and May in the rotation and can’t wait to see Gray get his shot.
This was a win win win situation. Ryu does well. Maeda does well. And the Dodgers win a world series. Everyone’s happy. Just enjoy it.