The Four Worst Moves of the New Front Office

Jul 12, 2015; Seattle, WA, USA; Los Angeles Angels pitcher Andrew Heaney (28) throws a pitch in the first inning against the Seattle Mariners at Safeco Field. Mandatory Credit: Jennifer Buchanan-USA TODAY Sports

3. Trading Andrew Heaney

Again, a move that I can’t really complain about. The Dodgers took Andrew Heaney from the Marlins and flipped him for Howie Kendrick. Kendrick has been incredible for the Dodgers, but this turns into a questionable decision if Howie walks at the end of the year.

Kendrick has been exactly the same player he’s always been, which is why the Dodgers traded for him. Gordon had a lot of upside, but Kendrick has been a model of consistency for his first nine seasons with the Angels. His .294 batting average is consistent with his career .293 mark, and he’s already matched his home run total from last season. He will be a free agent in the offseason, and the Dodgers should be in the mix to sign him. If they don’t, this trade becomes a lot more iffy.

Heaney, who was rated the 25^th best prospect by MLB.com before the season, struggled for the AAA- Salt Lake Bees before being called up to the Angels. He went 6-2, but posted a 4.71 ERA and had a 1.53 WHIP. Granted, the PCL is extremely hitter-friendly and he’s completely turned it around in his three starts as an Angel. In 27 1/3 innings, Heaney has a 1.32 ERA (2.78 FIP) and a .841 WHIP against four quality opponents, Houston, New York (AL), Colorado (at Coors) and Seattle.

Given the Dodgers’ lack of pitching depth, Heaney would be a welcomed sight on the team. He’s also still rookie eligible and wouldn’t be a free agent until 2021, so the Dodgers gave up six years of a top left-handed pitching prospect for potentially one year of a 31-year-old second baseman. It’s a great move at the moment, but if Kendrick leaves the Dodgers it becomes a little tougher to swallow.