Dodgers News: Chris Hatcher Happy To Be In Winning Atmosphere
Perhaps the biggest question mark for the Los Angeles Dodgers going into the 2015 season will be the same question mark that they ended 2014 with: the bullpen.
One of the few bullpen acquisitions made this offseason came in the trade that sent Dee Gordon, Dan Haren and Miguel Rojas to the Miami Marlings for a package of prospects and reliever Chris Hatcher.
At Dodgers Fan Fest on Saturday, Hatcher stressed his excitement to go from a rebuilding team in Miami, to a championship caliber rebuilt team in Los Angeles.
“I feel like they’re rebuilding towards championships. That’s what this game’s about, how many rings can you put on your finger? It’s not about who’s good who’s bad, it’s about winning. And I think that’s what this team’s built towards,” he said.
The right-hander threw 56 innings for the Marlins last season, posting a 3.38 ERA while striking out 60 and walking 12.
Last season was Hatcher’s first full season as a Major League reliever after making his debut in 2010 as a catcher. He was then converted to reliever in 2011, making him the first player since the 1940s to change positions from catcher to pitcher.
Despite only throwing 89.2 innings in four seasons for the Marlins, Hatcher considered himself one of the older guys in the clubhouse, so he is looking forward to that change with the Dodgers.
“It’s kind of crazy, I was one of the older guys over there, with the least amount of experience so to speak. But coming over here it’s a little more veteran leadership. I feel like it’s a little different way of leadership over here too, with the guys here. I feel like they’re gonna lead in a different way. Nothing against the Marlins and the way they did it but, little more established guys here.”
Hatcher will look to help fix the backend of the bullpen problem that contributed towards the Dodgers premature playoff exit last season.
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