Editorials

Making Sense Of The Dodgers Reported Three-Team Trade

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Now, there’s a lot to unpack here, but I’ll start with the three biggest names involved in all of this: Olivera, Latos and Wood.

First, Olivera. If you’re wondering how high the Dodgers are on the infielder, remember we’re just over two months removed from them giving the 30-year-old a six-year, $62.5 million deal. Since then, over three minor-league levels, Olivera has slashed .342/.398/.493 with 2 HR in 19 games (74 AB).

The thing with Olivera; however, is that there’s not really a perfect position for him thanks to Justin Turner. When the Dodgers added Turner prior to last season, they never expected him to become one of the team’s best hitters and a mandatory inclusion in the lineup. Heck, they probably didn’t even assume that two months ago — which is why the pursuit of Olivera was as aggressive as it was.

With the emergence of Turner and the acquisition of Peraza, to put it simply, Olivera become expendable (and, in comparison, expensive).

Which leads us to the return he brought from Atlanta (and the centerpiece to the larger deal): Alex Wood.

For starters, he’s young (24) and cheap (he won’t become a free agent until 2020). Oh, and he’s pretty good too via Scott Coleman of Talking Chop:

Now, I want to be clear: Wood isn’t as good as Hamels or Price (duh), but he’s really good, and the team doesn’t have to worry about re-signing him (or paying him $20 million) anytime soon, and that’s pretty important. Some have speculated that Wood could be the centerpiece of a David Price trade, but if you ask me, I’d take 4+ years of Wood over 2+ months of Price, I think.

That brings us to the second pitcher (allegedly) acquired by the Dodgers: Mat Latos.

Like many guys across the league, Latos is a good example of someone whose true abilities are masked by surface-level stats like a 4-7 record or a 4.48 ERA. Beneath the surface, however, there’s a lot to like: in his last 45.2 innings, Latos has logged 43 strikeouts with a WHIP under 1.00 — all while recording six quality starts in his past seven appearances.

Even if you look at his entire season sabermetrically, things aren’t nearly as bad as a 4.48 ERA would indicate. If you take a look at FIP, Latos has a 3.34 mark — good for No. 38 in baseball among pitchers with 80+ IP. For reference, Madison Bumgarner, Cole Hamels and Felix Hernandez are No. 32, 33 and 34 on that list.

Now, before we get all bent out of shape about how Latos and Wood aren’t front-line aces, remember: these guys are replacing Carlos Frias, Mike Bolsinger, Zach Lee, Brandon Beachy and the handful of other spot starters that have started at some point this season. With the Giants closing in, it was clear that asking one of those four to pitch two out of every five days wasn’t going to fly — which is what make Wood and Latos so valuable.

And the best part? All it cost the Dodgers was money. They acquired all of this talent simply by agreeing to pay salaries (Morse, Latos), outbidding everyone for a prospect whose cost they bought down (Olivera) and then shipping out Zach Byrd (our 18th ranked prospect), alongside a young, but replaceable left-handed reliever in Paco Rodriguez.

Now that, my friends, is what we call a good deal.

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15 Comments

  1. I’m left now to wonder what it will take to actually land Price after this. I mean there are a great deal of prospects and current major league players for the Tigers to choose from, but what combination will it take? I’d say flip Wood, Morse, and Avelan as well as Van Slyke and Austin Barnes.

    1. I’d say Wood would definitely be heading to Detroit in the deal, but I certainly cannot imagine them wanting Morse, and LA needs Avelan for their own bullpen. Austin Barnes could definitely be on the move. Woods is a solid young pitcher under club control for several more seasons. I’m fine trading him if they immediately get Price extended (and don’t let Greinke walk after the year), but if Price is just going to be a rental, I’d rather take my chances the rest of the year with Woods and keep the prospects.

    2. Too much…..hopefully Price would love L.A. but what if he doesnt?.we need to keep Barnes.I think Ellis is done after this season, and I don’t think we have other reliable ready catchers right now.

  2. Well I guess it’s moot now, Damn! I thought we had him! Well, at least the Giants didn’t end up with him. I’d definitely focus on Chapman now. What would it take to land Chapman though?

      1. The Reds have said he’s available, I think he’s more likely of an option then say Kimbrel, all be it a more expensive one in terms of prospects due to the amount of team control they’d have.

  3. Now you have to wait for days before any trade is confirmed. Look what happened in New York…I felt really SAD for Wilmer…His emotions reminded me of Jackie Robinson…when he refused to report to the Giants…Robinson retired. I’m not suggesting for Wilmer Flores to retire, no way he is going to get better. What Wilmer is going to have to learn is that being traded is very much part of the baseball business. Now I’m not seeing the Dodgers making any trades…first the media announces how interested the Dodgers are in acquiring….da, da, da, da, i.e. Hamels, Price, and more da, da, da, NOTHING. Some game being played to show the fans that they are trying hard…REALLY!

    1. Jackie Robinson did not “refuse to report to the Giants”. that is a myth that Dodger fans continue to perpetuate.

      In fact Robinson was upset with the Dodger organization over the way he was treated.

      ” Robinson and Giants owner Horace Stoneham exchanged pleasant notes, the former ballplayer assuring Stoneham his decision to retire had nothing to do with the Giants.”

      http://www.dodgerthoughts.com/2013/04/11/the-myth-of-jackie-robinsons-retirement/

      http://dodgers.mlblogs.com/2014/04/15/the-myth-of-jackie-robinsons-refusal-to-play-for-the-giants/

  4. Yeah this might look like a good deal, but the important question is can they win a World Series with this rotation. I don’t believe this is enough.

  5. THIS IS EXACTLY WHAT I FIGURED THE FO WOULD DO! F up the Team early in the year NOW when we needed a Slam dunk, They go for a lay up and get SMACKED out the Gym(pardon the Pun) We are just a mediocre Team, WE Did not Get Better Than Cardinals or Giants. No One is Scared of Dodgers with this Rotation or line up . 3 out of 5 games per week we don’t score any runs for a pitcher, greinke has to pitch scoreless innings to win. I watched anderson a a decent game but lost 2-0, we been shutout a lot this year and our RISP avg is putrid and sad. WE JUST BLINKED for the GIANTS to TAKE-OVER First

    1. In fairness, Anderson did pitch against Sonny Gray. I’m sure other teams feel frustrated when they face Kershaw or Greinke. They are aces for a reason.

      Looks like we scored plenty last night.

  6. Once playoffs start its kershaw,greinke for gms 1,2,4,5, and 7. That don’t scare you? Really?

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