Analyzing the Dodgers’ Underwhelming Trade Deadline
Photo by Erik Williams/USA TODAY Sports
Expectations heading into the trade deadline for the Dodgers were astronomically high, per usual. It has become an annual media circus when the best players in the sport become linked to Los Angeles in the most recent year’s pursuit of another championship. This year, the circus was headlined by superstars like Shohei Ohtani, Justin Verlander, and LA-native Nolan Arenado. However, the hype… was just hype. Ohtani and Arenado stayed put; Verlander landed in Houston. In the final minutes, the team was set to acquire LHP Eduardo Rodriguez from the Tigers… only for him to veto the trade.
In comparison to the sky-high expectations of whom the Dodgers could have acquired, their “haul” was underwhelming on paper. However, on the field, five of the following players have flipped the switch and changed the trajectory of their new team’s season. Since the August 1 trade deadline, the Dodgers are 17-2 and enjoyed an 11-game winning streak.
Lance Lynn (via White Sox)
Pre-Deadline Stats: 119.2 IP, 6-9, 6.47 ERA, 1.46 WHIP, 144 K
Post-Deadline Stats: 25 IP, 3-0, 1.44 ERA, 0.88 WHIP, 25 K
Initially, this move was a head-scratcher. Lynn’s season prior to the deadline was nothing short of horrid with the highest ERA among qualified pitchers. The 2x All-Star was one of the many reasons the White Sox were vastly underperforming and was thrown into the team’s fire sale to replenish their farm system. Since the Dodgers acquired Lynn, his first-half statistics are hardly recognizable: in 21 starts with Chicago, Lynn earned a game score higher than 60.0; he achieved the same feat in his first four starts with the Dodgers and all resulted in wins. In hindsight, the acquisition of Lynn might be one of the best [and underrated] trades from the 2023 deadline.
Joe Kelly (via White Sox)
Pre-Deadline Stats: 29 IP, 3-0, 4.97 ERA, 1.31 WHIP, 41 K
Post-Deadline Stats: 3.2 IP, 1-0, 0.00 ERA, 1.09 WHIP, 7 K
The first of two members from the 2020 World Series Championship team acquired at the deadline, Kelly had four scoreless outings with the Dodgers before landing on the injured list with elbow inflammation. It’s too early to jump to conclusions, but it is fun to see Kelly back in blue. If you don’t believe me, search “Joe Kelly vs. Fernando Tatis Jr.” on YouTube.
Enrique Hernandez (via Red Sox)
Pre-Deadline Stats: 86 G, .222/.279/..320, 66 H, 31 RBI
Post-Deadline Stats: 22 G, .282/.325/.423, 20 H, 11 RBI
The second member of the 2020 World Series Championship team, Hernandez was struggling immensely in his third season with the Red Sox and desperately needed a change of scenery. Turns out, the super-utilityman is exactly what the Dodgers needed on offense and his personality is an added bonus in the clubhouse.
Amed Rosario (via Guardians)
Pre-Deadline Stats: 94 G, .265/.306/.369, 102 H, 40 RBI
Post-Deadline Stats: 19 G, .237/.250/.458, 14 H, 12 RBI
The Dodgers needed to address the center of the infield at the deadline and Rosario has been able to fill the role well. His hitting numbers aren’t good, but he has provided stability in the infield and a positive WAR (0.4). Rosario, an unrestricted free agent at the end of the season, had 180 hits a season ago and was a smart flier to trade for. Given that the team gave up another expiring contract in Noah Syndergaard (who had been struggling immensely) in return, this move could show greater returns in September and October.
Ryan Yarbrough (via Royals)
Pre-Deadline Stats: 51 IP, 4-5, 4.24 ERA, 1.20 WHIP, 29 K
Post-Deadline Stats: 12.1 IP, 2-0, 1.46 ERA, 0.41 WHIP, 10 K
Yarbrough is the most under-the-radar acquisition on this list, but he has been sneaky good and has compiled more WAR (1.2) than some other notable pitchers: Jack Flaherty, Cristian Javier, Joe Ryan, and Yu Darvish. The left-hander is also under team control through 2024, and the Dodgers barely gave up much in return.
Walker Buehler (via Dodgers)
2021 Stats: 207.2 IP, 16-4, 2.47 ERA, 0.97 WHIP, 212 K
Surprise! Buehler was not a deadline acquisition, but he will be an addition coming off Tommy John surgery and is expected to join the team around September 1. The 2x All-Star is expected to provide much-needed aid for the pitching staff, even if that means a relief role in the postseason. His career numbers of 3.02 ERA, 1.04 WHIP, and 690 strikeouts through 632 innings are stellar.
The Dodgers sit atop the NL West at 76-47 with a comfortable 11.5 lead over the Giants and are four games back of the NL-leading Braves.
