Farhan Zaidi: Dodgers Won’t Pursue More Starting Pitching
Heading into the offseason, the Los Angeles Dodgers needed to address their bullpen, overcrowded outfield and perhaps to a lesser extent, the starting rotation. It’s taken some time and hasn’t necessarily come in the form many expected, but the Dodgers have thus far addressed those areas of concern.
Their most recent transaction is the signing of free agent left-hander Brett Anderson to a one-year deal, which was officially announced Wednesday. With Anderson joining Brandon McCarthy, the Dodgers starting rotation rotation is tentatively set with Spring Training just over two months away.
While Max Scherzer and James Shields remain available, Dodgers general manager Farhan Zaidi said the team doesn’t intend on adding more starting pitching, according to the LA Times’ Bill Shaikin:
Zaidi: Bolsinger and Wieland are the extra pitchers to protect against injury to Anderson or others. No plans to pursue more.
— Bill Shaikin (@BillShaikin) December 31, 2014
As the Dodgers have been tied to the big-name free agents, Zaidi further elaborated by adding the focus will continue to be about depth:
Zaidi: "Our focus on the SP side is going to be depth options." He won't say no Scherzer or Shields, but that's what he means.
— Bill Shaikin (@BillShaikin) December 31, 2014
Along with Anderson and McCarthy signing with the Dodgers this offseason, they’ve acquired Mike Bolsinger, Juan Nicasio and Joe Wieland via trades; all three pitchers have experience as a starter with Nicasio also serving as a reliever for the Colorado Rockies last season.
Zaidi’s claim that the Dodgers won’t pursue other starting pitching options should be taken with a grain of salt when considering how he and Dodgers president of baseball operations Andrew Friedman have operated.
Friedman often refuses to reveal little of the Dodgers’ intentions or thinking, and one day after Zaidi claimed Dee Gordon wasn’t being shopped, the All-Star second baseman was dealt to the Miami Marlins.
If a similar situation is to unfold, Cole Hamels may be a likely candidate to wind up in Los Angeles if it isn’t Scherzer or Shields.
The backend of the Dodgers’ rotation was a question mark last season due to injuries Josh Beckett suffered and Dan Haren’s struggles. Although Anderson and McCarthy also come with injury concerns, the Dodgers are in a better position to handle a similar situation in 2015.
The one eaerly birthday present “THE BRASS” can do is bring me an experienced right handed fireballer to cover for lossing Greinke next year,,,, Pleaseeeeee P.S. Scherzier sound s great thank yuo
If we lose Greinke next year.
Hmmm, wasn’t the purpose of dumping Kemp and his salary supposed to make room for acquiring another good starting pitcher?????
any chance we can pursue a new GM?? you are not working out so well