Editorials

Grading The Dodgers’ Offseason Moves: Friedman Hire Shines

Andrew Martinez-Dodgers Nation
Andrew Martinez-Dodgers Nation

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Dodgers trade Zach Eflin and Tom Windle to the Philadelphia Phillies for Jimmy Rollins



As Hanley Ramirez departed for Boston, there became a major void at the shortstop position. The Dodgers could’ve replaced him internally, opting for Erisbel Arruebarrena or Darwin Barney, but they rightfully wanted to upgrade.

The free-agent options were thin, so the only alternative was testing the trade market. There was early speculation that the Dodgers would eventually acquire Alexei Ramirez from the Chicago White Sox, but they ultimately decided to keep him, with plans on contending in 2015 rather than rebuilding.

A dark horse candidate emerged when Jimmy Rollins, the all-time hits leader for the Phillies, became willing to waive his no-trade clause to play for a contender. On paper, this seemed like a perfect match for the Dodgers because of his elite defense, above-average offense, leadership in the clubhouse, and short-term contract.

Unsurprisingly, a trade happened rather quickly but wasn’t made official until Kemp passed his physical with San Diego due to the Phillies wanting Eflin in the deal. The Dodgers also gave up Windle, a fringy pitching prospect who some believe may only amount to a middle reliever as a major leaguer.

All-in-all, the Dodgers were able to land the perfect one-year stopgap for Corey Seager without giving up much in return.

Grade: A-

Dodgers trade Dee Gordon, Dan Haren, Miguel Rojas to the Miami Marlins for Austin Barnes, Chris Hatcher, Andrew Heaney and Enrique Hernandez

First off, let me begin by saying this will go down as one of the most one-sided trades in MLB history — in favor of the Dodgers.

Gordon had a career year in 2014 after struggling to stick in the Majors for three seasons, but disappointed in the second half. After posting a respectable .742 OPS with 43 steals in the first half and making his first All-Star team, those numbers dramatically dropped after the All-Star break (.648, 21).

Gordon began walking less, thus limiting the amount of times he reached base and not being able to use his speed as a game-changer. More than likely, Gordon’s first half was a mirage and he’ll realistically only be a 1-2 WAR player from here on out.

Haren was mediocre at best last season, but his durability was much appreciated. He started in 32 games, saw his K/9 rate drop from the year before, and posted a 4.00+ ERA for the third consecutive season, essentially being worth -0.6 WAR, which was the worst of his career.

Rojas provided value as a late-inning defensive replacement, but didn’t hit much at all to ever be considered as Ramirez’s permanent replacement.

In return, the Dodgers received Heaney, a top-20 prospect in baseball; Hernandez, who is projected to have more value than Gordon next season; Barnes, a super-utility player who can play all around the infield with decent offensive upside; and Hatcher, somewhat of a “throw-in” in this deal, who quietly had a terrific season as one of the Marlins’ primary set-up men in 2014.

Grade: A+

Dodgers trade Andrew Heaney to the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim for Howie Kendrick

This trade came out of nowhere, to say the least. While some may be disappointed that the Dodgers gave up a top prospect in Heaney, who was under team control for the next six seasons, he is still an unknown quantity.

Furthermore, they received one of the more premier second basemen in the game — a position that is starving for talent.

Kendrick went on to have a career year for the Angels in 2014, slashing .293/.347/.397 and providing solid defense, being worth 5.4 WAR according to Baseball Reference.

To put that in perspective, his 5.4 WAR would’ve been tied with Yasiel Puig for highest among position players on the Dodgers. If Kendrick is indeed a one-year rental, one can make a case the Dodgers gave up too much to acquire him, but that can’t yet be determined.

Grade: B

CONTINUE READING: Grading The Anderson And McCarthy Signings

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Staff Writer

Staff Writer features content written by our site editors along with our staff of contributing writers. Thank you for your readership.

One Comment

  1. I grade this as incomplete…because there were too many changes and there are more questions than answers

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