The MLB trade deadline came and went with a moderate amount of movement. No seismic shifts took place across the league, but plenty of worthwhile moves were made. The Los Angeles Dodgers were one team who had a interestingly busy afternoon. From moves they made to ones they didn’t, the team proved that even with Clayton Kershaw on the shelf, they were going all in once again on a playoff push. It isn’t any surprise that they are doing so, but the steps they are taking are.
Los Angeles began their deadline dealings with a bang. The club killed two needs with one stone with the Oakland A’s. They traded Grant Holmes, Frankie Montas, and Jharel Cotton to Oakland for Josh Reddick and Rich Hill.
The duo were probably two of the most sought after rental players on the market. Reddick and Hill are both free agents after this season and come with a roughly $4 million price tag for the remainder of it.
Reddick gives the Dodgers a full compliment of left-handed bats in the lineup. Even with Andre Ethier set to return, Reddick’s work at the plate is very much welcomed. He also upgrades the outfield defense substantially, even if injuries have brought a bit of regression in 2016. Reddick is slashing .296/.368/.449 this year for the woeful Athletics. He should thrive in the much deeper Dodgers lineup.
An unexpected wrinkle from Reddick’s arrival is the Yasiel Puig situation. Much to the Cuban’s dismay, the Dodgers told the hampered Puig to stay home on their latest road trip as he was either going to be demoted or traded. Since the former didn’t come to fruition, the latter seems definite, even more so with Reddick coming into the fold.
Reddick fills an immediate hole, but the big catch in this trade was Rich Hill. Though currently on the DL, Hill has put on a tremendous display this year in Oakland. After Boston didn’t pony up more than a minimum offer in the winter of 2015, Hill took a short term deal with the A’s. That gamble has paid off very well for the southpaw. Despite several knocks over 2016, Hill has a sparkling 2.25 ERA and 1.09 WHIP. He brings another devastating curveball to the Dodgers rotation, one that has provided him an even 50% ground ball rate, 10.66 K/9, and just two home runs allowed. Los Angeles is treading water right now behind the Giants, but getting Clayton Kershaw and Hill back in congruence would provide a huge boost in the final months of the campaign.
The Dodgers also made two moves to bolster their ransacked bullpen. Spot starter Mike Bolsinger makes his way to Toronto for right hander Jesse Chavez. Chavez’s only action this year has come out of the pen for the Jays with moderately successful results (4.57 ERA, 7 holds). But Chavez’s versatility, having started in the past, gives manager Dave Roberts some much needed wiggle room with his beleaguered staff. LA also added Josh Fields from Houston for minor league first baseman Yordan Alvarez. The once Astros closer has bounced between Triple-A and the Majors in 2016, but is an arm with experience.
The August 1st non-waiver trade deadline is a start, but the Dodgers are more than likely not done in the trade market. If recent years are any indication, there could be just as much waiver action in August. A Yasiel Puig trade could very well be consummated this month. Picking up another bullpen arm, such as Colorado’s Boone Logan or Oakland’s Ryan Madson, could also be in the cards. Either way, the Dodgers activity on August 1st proved that they aren’t ready to throw in the towel on 2016. It is a bold statement to make with so much riding on late season returns.