The Dodgers still need another starting pitcher
The rotation still needs help
The Dodgers needed starting pitching entering the offseason. Everyone knew that.
Well, they’ve certainly addressed that need through the first two months. The Dodgers signed the No. 1 starting pitcher available in Yoshinobu Yamamoto. They also acquired Tyler Glasnow from the Rays, one of the better starters in all of baseball when healthy.
LA now has one of the best 1-2 punches in all of baseball, arguably the best. Throw in Bobby Miller, one of the top young starters in baseball. Oh, don’t forget about Walker Buehler, who will be back on the mound for the first time since 2022. When healthy, he’s one of the top pitchers in all of baseball.
Despite a lot of potential and promise, the Dodgers desperately need to add one more starting pitcher.
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You have your No. 1, No. 2 and No. 3 starters all sorted out. Yamamoto, Glasnow and Miller in some order.
Like I mentioned, Buehler will be back in 2024…. the only question is in what capacity? There have been reports saying that the Dodgers could opt to be extra cautious with Buehler as he returns from injury, suggesting he could miss the first month or so of the season. Even if he returns in May, there’s always the chance he could hurt himself again or he just isn’t the same pitcher.
The No. 5 spot will go to either Emmet Sheehan or Ryan Yarbrough. Sheehan showed flashes during his rookie campaign, but there were also stretches were he couldn’t record outs. We have to remember he’s made more starts in the major leagues than in Triple-A! I’m sure the Dodgers would prefer for him to get a little more polished down in the minors.
The other option is Yarbrough, who was solid after being acquired by LA. Although he was great, the Dodgers didn’t want him on their NLDS roster, for whatever reason. Maybe that’s because in his final outing of the season he allowed nine runs, albeit the game was in Colorado. Prior to that outing, Yarbrough posted a 3.12 ERA and 3.57 FIP in 10 appearances.
The only reason I question Yarbrough in the rotation is because the Dodgers didn’t really use him as a starter when he came to LA. He played the Ross Stripling/Mitch White role, which he thrived in. His longest outing with LA was 4.2 innings. In his 11 outings, he averaged about 3.5 innings per appearance, so he wasn’t really providing length. I think the Dodgers would prefer to have him available in the bullpen to provide 3-4 innings when needed.
So, what can the Dodgers do to address the rotation?
Free agents
After their big spending this offseason, the Dodgers may want to find the cheapest option possible. They still have money to spend, though. They could try and find a reclamation project on the market and sign them to a one-year deal. They could also say ‘screw it’ and spend more money. Here are a few notable names that are still available.
Lucas Giolito
Jordan Montgomery
Blake Snell
Marcus Stroman
Frankie Montas
Alex Wood
Michael Lorenzen
There is only one name on there that stands out and seems like a possibility. Giolito has been rumored to the Dodgers for what feels like forever. He’s a local kid and he seems like he’d be a perfect fit with LA.
Giolito was once one of the top starters in baseball. He received Cy Young votes every season from 2019-2021. Things have been very different over the last two years, though. Since the start of the 2022 campaign, Giolito has posted a 4.89 ERA, 4.70 FIP, 1.37 WHIP and 86 ERA+ over 63 starts. He just hasn’t been good. In fact, he’s been one of the worst starting pitchers in baseball.
Despite the awful numbers, there are a few things to be excited about. Giolito takes the mound every fifth day. 63 starts over two seasons is an incredible accomplishment, especially in today’s game where making 20 starts a season seems like a success. He’s thrown 346 innings as well. There is a lot of value in a guy who can take the mound every fifth day and eat innings.
There’s also a strong possibility that you can put him in the “Mark Prior Lab” and he can revert back to the starter who was receiving Cy Young votes.
MLB Trade Rumors projects Giolito to receive a 2-year contract worth $44 million, where The Athletic projects him for a 1-year contract worth $15 million.
The one-year contract seems a lot more realistic, as I can’t imagine a team giving Giolito a multi-year contract at this rate. I think a one-year flyer at around $15 million would be perfect for the Dodgers. I mean, the Dodgers did sign Noah Syndergaard for $13 million and Giolito offers much more upside.
Giolito would be my pick in free agency, especially for one year. Jordan Montgomery would be the BEST option, but I doubt the Dodgers want to open up their checkbooks for him. There are some other fun names on there, but I don’t think any would really move the needle for the Dodgers.
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A trade
If the Dodgers miss out on Giolito, they could swing a trade. We already saw them make a trade for Glasnow, why not another? I’m not sure if any of these arms get moved this offseason, but here are some names that have come up in trade rumors.
Corbin Burnes
Dylan Cease
Shane Bieber
Jesús Luzardo
Burnes seems to be the player who has been linked to LA the most. The former Cy Young Award winner would be an insane addition. He’s been one of the best starting pitchers in baseball since 2020. There are two issues, though.
He’s under contract for only one more season.
His agent is Scott Boras
The Dodgers made the trade with Tampa Bay because Glasnow came over and signed an extension. Without that, I don’t think they would have traded Ryan Pepiot for only one season of Glasnow. A scenario like this certainly won’t be happening with Burnes. His agent Boras will certainly take his client into free agency next winter.
So, there’s a chance the Dodgers only get Burnes for one season. Once more starting pitchers are off the market, his price will only go up more. Is it worth trading away a haul for only one season of Burnes? Personally, I think it is.
The Brewers know they won’t be re-signing him next year, wouldn’t it make sense to get a solid haul for him now? I don’t think the price would be as high as people think. Although he’s a great starter, he is only under control for one more season. I mean, look at what the Yankees gave up for Juan Soto. A lot of players, but not as good of a package as you’d think for a player of Soto’s caliber.
As long as it’s not a massive overpay, I think Burnes is worth the price for one season. I mean, can you imagine a 1-2-3 of Yamamoto, Glasnow and Burnes? Yeah, give me that in a postseason series. Plus, the Dodgers could always just sign him next offseason to a new deal.
The other three names could certainly be traded, but I don’t see those names being moved. It really seems like if they’re going to make a trade, it’ll be for Burnes.
Cease has two years of control left, but the asking price is reportedly very high. He also wasn’t really good last year. With that being said, he did finish second in Cy Young voting in 2022 and has shown he’s capable of being an ace in a rotation. So the Dodgers could like his upside and are okay with the price.
Bieber is a former Cy Young winner, but has regressed every year since winning the award in 2020. His numbers weren’t awful last year, as he owned a 3.80 ERA, 3.87 FIP, 1.23 WHIP and 110 ERA+. Solid, but not close to what he was putting up a few years prior. His strikeout rate also dropped significantly, as his 7.5 SO/9 was by far the lowest of his career. Bieber’s Baseball Savant page also isn’t too encouraging, either.
He has one year left of control, so he could be the most affordable starter available via trade on this list. Maybe the Dodgers can work some things out and he can turn into a Cy Young caliber starter again?
Luzardo is an interesting name, as he’s been floated around recently. He’s been fantastic for the Marlins the last two seasons and is under contract through 2027. If you’re going to make any trade for a starter, he’d be the one. He’s under the most club control, plus he’s a lefty. I doubt the Marlins trade him, but again who knows what can happen.
My final thoughts
The Dodgers need to add another starter. There are a number of question marks and injuries happen. We’ve learned that too many times over the years. Acquire an additional arm and the rotation should be good to go.
If I were to guess, the two likeliest outcomes would be either Giolito or Burnes. Those would be the guys I’d go after and those are the names I think the Dodgers will try and go after as well.
Why do we need another pitcher . Ride with stone and Yarborough in the first half. A strong Pen can carry the load , see when Buehler rounds into shape , and if Kershaw comes back. No team is finished until trade deadline . Perhaps some of the high price tags may be reduced by then .
Yes, one more starter and maybe a righty bat - or bring up one of the kids to play. Seems like Vargas is trade bait at this point.