Dodgers Reaction: Missing Out On Aces Doesn’t Spell Doom
Coming into the season, Los Angeles Dodger fans were looking forward to watching Clayton Kershaw and Zack Greinke dominate at the top of the rotation. But, in the back of many fans’ minds, there was another piece to be added, another arm to be had. For some, it was Philadelphia Phillies’ ace and Southern California native Cole Hamels. For others, it was former Dodger draftee and then Detroit Tiger David Price. And, it was assumed, the Dodgers would have their choice of either southpaw when the trade deadline approached.
So, July 31 crept nearer and Dodger fans began hearing the rumors swirling: Dodgers favorites to land Cole Hamels, executives and evaluators were convinced Price was headed to LA. Yet, when the dust settled the day before the deadline, the two pitchers ended up in completely different parts of the continent. What happened? What went wrong? And why should Dodger fans still be optimistic?
It has been long rumored that the Phillies would unload Hamels. The 31-year-old lefty has been one of the best pitchers in the majors since he debuted in 2006, ranking eighth in fWAR over the past 10 seasons. And he was in the middle of Philly’s World Series run in 2008, starting the first and last games of the series. But the team has fallen out of contention in recent years, with Roy Halladay’s abrupt retirement and Cliff Lee’s injury woes playing an integral part in the club’s collapse. So it was a foregone conclusion that a rebuilding effort would begin with Hamels’ departure.
The Dodgers were reportedly asked for six non-Corey Seager/Julio Urias prospects in exchange for Hamels, though the price seemed to drop as the deadline approached. Then the Rangers appeared, with a loaded farm system of their own, willing to deal a number of prospects for an ace. As it turned out, the Phillies were high on some of the Rangers young hitters, which led to a deal that included catcher Jorge Alfaro and outfielder Nick Williams. These types of players weren’t ones you’d find in the Dodgers’ farm, which, naturally, gave Texas an edge in negotiations. When all was said and done, Hamels went to Arlington and a lot of young talent went back to Philly.
When the first deal went down, fans shifted their focus to Price, though it was unclear if the Tigers would move him. When GM Dave Dombrowski finally gave the word that Detroit was selling, everyone just assumed the Dodgers would be the counterparts to Detroit’s rebuilding effort. But, at the last minute, the Toronto Blue Jays, fresh off of a trade for Troy Tulowitzki, swooped in and offered their top prospect (among others) for the impending free agent. The Dodgers, who have placed enormous value on developing prospects, declined to beat the offer and Price headed to Canada.
So, what does this all mean for the Dodgers? Is the World Series out of the picture? Does the front office care more about prospects than winning? In a word, no.
While it would have been nice to add another frontline starter to Kershaw and Greinke, it was never a necessity. In the three way trade with the Marlins and Braves, the Dodgers added two mid-rotation starters and a pair of reliable bullpen arms. Sure, another ace would have been nice, but it wasn’t needed.
And while some fans believe the team’s World Series hopes have been dashed, just take a look at the rotations from last year’s championship. Sure, the Giants got a historic showing from Madison Bumgarner, but the rest of their World Series rotation included Jake Peavy, Tim Hudson and Ryan Vogelsong. The Royals had James Shields at the top of their rotation, along with a young, hard-throwing Yordano Ventura, but the back of the rotation was filled by Jeremy Guthrie and Jason Vargas.
The Dodgers don’t need another ace. They need to stay healthy and play smart baseball. With the depth they’re about to receive, it’ll make getting to the postseason that much easier. Once they’re there, a little talent and a lot of luck goes a long way.
Thanks for reading! What do you think? Should the Dodgers have gone all out for Hamels and Price, or are the Dodgers wise for holding on to their top prospects? Let me know on Twitter @JaredJMassey
I’m ok with not paying an exorbitant price to Philadelphia, and then a top prospect for what amounts to a rental with David Price. I would worry that if LA had acquired Price that they might be tempted to let Greinke walk this offseason, which would be a grave mistake. The Latos/Woods deal looks like a swindle to me, and possibly means that LA will be able to retain Justin Turner after this season. I expect Howie Kendrick to depart, and if LA had retained Oliveras, then there really wasn’t a place for Turner in the starting IF next season, if you assume Seager will be at 3B. LA possibly got next year’s starting SS from the Braves in this deal, so it really looks like a winner. Even if they had acquired Price, it wouldn’t guarantee that this team can get past STL or SF in the playoffs, because you have to score runs to win ballgames, and this LA lineup is always a threat to be shut out.
Peraza better at 2nd, and I think that is why they got him
I agree with you, Jared. The greatest needs for the Dodgers to advance to the World Series is a reliable leadoff hitter, and clutch hitting from veteran players like Gonzalez, Kendrick, and Rollins. They already play great defense, and the pitching staff is going to be fine. I also think Grandal is going to be a big key to a Championship.
Why go after Price now when it’s going to cost you big from the farm system when all you have to do is wait a few months and all it will cost you is a bunch of money? Which, hey, the Dodgers owners have a ton of that. I like our chances of landing Price in the offseason,I’m just really hope that it’s not at the cost of letting Greinke find a new home. Am I dreaming to think we could have a rotation that includes Kershaw, Greinke, and Price?
I hope the team is going to be willing to pay 3 ace-level salaries, but given all the dead money they’ve taken on lately, it may be either Price or Greinke, but not both. In which case I would elect to stick with our own guy. Ryu makes relatively little and should be back next year, but remember that we’re still stuck with Brandon McCarthy’s salary, even if we don’t want him back. I think Latos is probably a rental, unless disaster strikes and Greinke walks away and Price signs elsewhere.
Don’t forget, next year we won’t be paying haren, Gordon, Wilson, and league. That’s 20-30 million that could go towards a third ace.
They need big time help in the pen. Go get Chapman while you still can. Never thought for one minute that, only if we had Latos the Dodgers would finally win a title. Never crossed my mind. The front office did a terrible job once again and now they are trying to spin it as if now the Dodgers are ready to take it all. Don’t be up by one in the 7th of a playoff game. That’s a sure loss with your bullpen Andrew! Fire the front office. Not ready for the big time yet. Tampa was a good place for them!
The Red’s owner doesn’t want to deal Chapman, and their demands for him have been unreasonable. They’d probably start by asking for Urias, and it just isn’t worth that, unless he’s going to supplant Jansen as the closer.
I would put Kenley back in the 8th inn. right now if I knew I had Chapman to come and sew it up in the 9th. Hope like hell the starters can go 7 and you damn near have a win every night. If Rivera can set up John Wetland for the Yankees when they won, I’m sure Jansen won’t have a problem either. Just tell what size to make your series ring Kenley!
I liked the dual-closer scenario we had when the Beard took the 8th inning and Kenley took the 9th. With Chapman being a lefty, we could actually flip-flop the two depending on hitting scenarios. I’m not sour about losing out on Hamels and Price because our biggest need is in the bully (to support Kenley).
Chapman has been my #1 option since the deadline approached. I was hoping to get Chap and Cueto in a package … and, yes, I would have parted with Urias in that scenario.
I think the people like 3 Kershaws and 2 Greinkes. Greetings from Argentina
Jeez, six non-Corey Seager/Julio Urias prospects … for Hamels. I would have pulled the trigger. Our recent (poor) playoff performance has come down to not having a reliable 3rd/4th starter, over-taxing Kershaw, mismanaging the bullpen (which Donny had little confidence in) and non-clutch hitting. You can’t change the last issue in July (or at all), but you can address your weaknesses. Not landing a 3rd Ace when we had the chance (if this report is true) makes it even more imperative that we drastically improve the bully (read: GET CHAPMAN!!!).
I’m relieved they didn’t part with Seager and Urias for a mere 2-month rental. I honestly believe Seager will be instrumental in their post-season success. That trade did improve the pen and I, like you, hope they can pick up an impact arm before the calendar flips to September. They’ve got the financial means to take on another big money contract, it seems. Perhaps they claim Chapman off waivers… in our collective dream, huh?
In any event, they’ve improved their starting rotation and the pen. Let’s all hope for the best and support our boys in blue!
Yes I did not want them to part with top prospects for two months of player. They can if they want buy them at the end of the year. Seager is supposed to be a special talent as is Urias and DeLeon. Also Sweeney, Schebler, Barnes and Janson look pretty good also. There is a lot of very talented players just a year or two away. Which will keep the team from dropping to badly in the next few years.
I think all of the bad contracts like Crawford’s are gone by 2018.
I’m hopeful they add Price in the offseason, then re-sign Grienke after he sees ownership’s commitment to improving the rotation. I believe Johnson and Avilan help to improve the pen, and it’s still possible they add another arm in late August.
Both Peraza and Seager will help the offense in September when the rosters expand, and then we’ll all be happy they didn’t give up Seager to get Price, as well as see the beauty of acquiring Peraza along with serviceable starting pitchers and support for the pen. I feel like ownership made the right decisions and it’ll all pay off in early November.
Dodger blue true and true…
I completely agree with you. Every team in the playoffs has a chance to get to the WS. I do not think anyhone outside of SF will tell you the Giants had the best Team in baseball last year. It is all about who gets hot and a little lucky. And yes a little luck is with every winner.
I think next year and the year after we are even better as some of these amazing prospects come up and some of the money comes off of the books.
I still wonder if they sign Kendrick.
I’d like to see him re-signed. It’s likely Peraza starts out with the big team next spring… let’s say at SS. Where does Seager play… 3B? And, what about Turner? If they don’t re-sign Kendrick, Peraza can man 2B and Seager can play SS. If that’s the case, hopefully he’s not too much of a defensive liability there, since they say he’s better suited for third. It’s likely they let Kendrick walk to avoid an infield logjam. Nice problem to have, I suppose. ????
Yes nice problem to have. We get a compensation pick if Kendrick leaves. Supporters say Seager fields SS very well which is surprising as he is a Giant for a SS.
I didn’t realize he is a good fielding SS, especially because of his size (as to which you alluded). I recall reading an article that stated otherwise, or maybe I’m confusing it with someone else. In any event, I appreciate our “conversation”.
I appreciate the conversation also. I agree that picking up Price and if they can keep Greinke would be an amazing rotation. Especially with Ryu coming back. It is incredible to me that Ryu has pitched with a torn labrum which as my daughter had one I can tell you it is very painful. Not only did he pitch! He pitched very well.
I believe the Front Office will not buy any big name pitchers with long contracts. I think they believe they have Urias, DeLeon, Holmes and a couple of Cuban and Dominican pitchers coming in the next two years. The Kasten model is to use Home Grown cost controlled talent whenever possible to maximize profits. And then buy/sign what is needed to be competitive. I think they will go after Greinke as they can probably just extend him. I would think they have Wood in their plans. If they have Kershaw, Ryu, Wood signed and extend Greinke I believe they will use a young guy in the other slot that is cost controlled like Frias or possibly re-sign Anderson.
Do not misunderstand I think it would be incredible to sign Price and I want them to. Also with Friedman’s connection it is very possible I just think they are on a Home Grown phase and low cost pick up/ wait for the Farm kids phase. But they do know they need to remain competitive.
Urias is no later than 2017. DeLeon is older so he may be next year. Holmes also 2016 or 2017.
I agree: LAD FO rightly added what was needed while retaining valued prospects. Very much hope they re-sign Grenke if he’ll accept a large pay bump but not if it requires an extended contract, 5 or 6 yrs. Similarly, hope they could sign Price for 5yrs (but not 7yrs). Unfortunately, likely that both will get such too-long offers elsewhere. If he has a good finish, wonder if Latos would sign a 1 yr extension to help him set-up UFA and LAD might get a compensation pick after next season.
If Latos can continue to pitch well into the post-season, I wouldn’t mind the front office signing him to a one-year extension, as well as set up the possibility of a compensation pick (as you stated). I’m hopeful that Beachy can return to the starting rotation next season. Imagine that rotation with Grienke returning and Price getting signed, along with the return of Ryu. Wow! ????