Dodgers News: Dave Roberts Says Bullpen Won’t Have Forever to Figure it Out
It appears that big changes could be coming to the Dodgers pitching staff if their struggles continue as we get closer to the trade deadline.
Currently, the Dodgers bullpen is one of the worst in baseball as the team has a 4.74 ERA, the fourth highest in the sport, entering Wednesday.
Not only are the Dodgers near the bottom of the ERA leaderboard, the team has also given up the fifth most earned runs and the fourth most home runs in relief this season, also entering Wednesday’s game.
If the Dodgers continue to perform below standard, manager Dave Roberts says that there could be some changes in the bullpen by the trade deadline.
“You can always get better. But what I will say, is the guys that we have, they’re going to get opportunities to perform. And if they don’t realize expectations or their performance, then we’ll have a decision to make as an organization. But right now, for me, that’s the least of my concerns — it’s just too far out for me.”
Via AM570 LA Sports Radio
The Dodgers have been rumored to be looking for some help out of the bullpen through trades. White Sox pitchers Liam Hendricks and Joe Kelly have been rumored as targets for the Dodgers, among others.
The disappointing bullpen has been a struggle for both fans and Roberts to watch. So far this season, the Dodgers have only converted 15 of 21 save opportunities, and endured three consecutive losses via a walk-off last week.
“You know, it’s difficult. We’ve had injuries, like all teams but, to catch a lead and to not close it out, things like that, it’s frustrating for everyone. So we’re doing everything we can to kind of try to figure out what we need to get better at,” said Roberts. “But the bottom line is that our guys understand that once they’re out there, this is an opportunity for them. And it’s not for a lack of effort, but it’s something that’s very unique to what we do as far as preventing runs. Very unique.”
Via AM570 LA Sports Radio
As the trade deadline approaches on August 1, it will be interesting to see how the Dodgers will try to turn its bullpen around.
Do you think the Dodgers need to make a trade to bolster the bullpen? And if so, for who? Sound off in the comments below!
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I don’t understand why teams (Dodgers) talk about the “trade deadline” to improve their roster. It seems to me that the games lost now count as much as the games lost after the “trade deadline”.
While Old Dave gets a forever pass to “figure out!!” LOL
These same bullpen pitchers were good last year. What would cause all of them to underperform this year? One or 2 I could understand, it’s hard to repeat, but all of them? You have to look at other factors like coaching or not having set roles maybe?
Can they trade Roberts and Fraudman and Gomez?!?!
I’d wonder if the bullpen implosion might be what ends Doc’s time in Dodger Blue but I know better. Friedman obviously doesn’t see a problem with the bullpen so there’s no reason to be displeased with his manager.