The Four Worst Moves of the New Front Office

Jan 7, 2015; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Los Angeles Dodgers general manager Farhan Zaidi during a press conference at Dodger Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

To piggyback off an article written by fellow Lasorda’s Lair writer Scott Andes, it’s time to look at the worst moves made by the new Los Angeles Dodgers’ front office.

This was a very difficult list to compile, as most of the moves listed were still very good moves that helped the team overall. So I had to be a little picky and focus on minor aspects of each move, while still loving the move as a whole.

May 11, 2015; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Miami Marlins second baseman Dee Gordon (left) and Los Angeles Dodgers outfielder Andre Ethier before the game at Dodger Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

4. Trading Dee Gordon

Lets get this straight. The Dodgers fleeced the Marlins in this trade. Dan Haren and Miguel Rojas have been decent for Miami, but the Dodgers got an excellent return for basically a few good months of Gordon.

Given his peripherals last year, many figured a huge regression was coming for Gordon and that the Dodgers were doing the right thing by selling high. And they absolutely did. They got a top pitching prospect that they turned into Howie Kendrick. They got Kiké Hernandez, a very young, versatile player with a lot of team control and a seemingly incredible clubhouse presence. They got Austin Barnes, a versatile young player who holds nearly a .400 OBP in five minor league seasons. And they got Chris Hatcher, who struggled before being placed on the DL this year, but his .375 BABIP against and 3.18 FIP (compared to a 6.38 ERA) both suggest that he would eventually turn it around.

Replacing Gordon with Kendrick was a great decision, but the Dodgers are still missing out on a career year for Gordon. While Kendrick has been nothing but great for the Dodgers, Gordon has seemingly taken the next step and has turned into arguably the best second baseman in the NL. His .338 average is definitely aided by a .403 BABIP and his OBP is still atrocious for a leadoff hitter with that high of a batting average (.359, with only 12 walks this season). His 33 steals would be nice for a Dodger team that seemingly struggles to manufacture runs at times and only has 19 total steals this season.

As a whole, the Dodgers definitely got the better side of that trade. However, it will probably be a few years before that becomes completely clear. Gordon’s doing well in Miami, and the Dodgers could definitely use his speed on the basepaths this year.

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.

Apr 28, 2015; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Los Angeles Dodgers third baseman Juan Uribe (5) looks up for a foul ball in the first inning against the San Francisco Giants at Dodger Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports

1. Trading Juan Uribe and Chris Withrow

Finally, the one move I was actually completely against. The Dodgers had to do something at third to get Justin Turner and Alex Guerrero some at-bats. The optimist in me likes to think this trade was a professional courtesy to Uribe, to allow him to go somewhere where he will get enough playing time to earn a new contract next season. The Dodgers also acquired Alberto Callaspo, who was supposedly more versatile than Uribe…

…Except since the trade, Guerrero has played exactly zero games at third base. Turner and Callaspo have basically been splitting the position. The “more versatile” Callaspo has also only played third, while Uribe has played second and third for the Braves.

Ian Thomas and Juan Jaime added pitching depth to the Dodgers, but will probably never be key pieces. If it was a professional courtesy, I get the trade. However, the inclusion of Withrow still befuddles me. He’s coming off both back and Tommy John surgeries, so there’s a good chance he never comes back the same. If he does, he becomes the best player in this trade by a longshot.