Dodgers: Right-Handed Bats That Could Help Solve Lefty Struggles

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Apr 18, 2017; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Los Angeles Dodgers left fielder Kike Hernandez reacts after striking out in the seventh inning against the Colorado Rockies during a MLB baseball game at Dodger Stadium. The Rockies defeated the Dodgers 4-3. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports /

It’s no secret that this Dodger team has not had much success against left-handed pitching. The front office added some pieces this offseason but is there another move looming to acquire a right-handed bat to help this offense?

Last season the Dodgers posted an MLB worst .214 team AVG against left-handed pitching. This offseason they made minor moves in order to help solve this predicament. Moves like acquiring Brett Eibner and Franklin Gutierrez went under-the-radar. Even the trade for Logan Forsythe wasn’t seen as a big deal because fans had their eyes on bigger names like Brian Dozier and Ian Kinsler.

Franklin Gutierrez was specifically brought in for his ability to mash left-handed pitching. Although Forsythe was brought in as an overall upgrade at second base, a big reason for him wearing a Dodger uniform is his ability to hit left-handed pitching.

As proof by the moves they have made, the front office is very aware of the inability to consistently hit left-handers. The front office made minor changes due in part to the injuries that the Dodgers’ “left-handed mashers” had in 2016. Players like Scott Van Slyke, Enrique Hernandez, and Yasiel Puig. These three are back as reinforcements against southpaws.

But if these players still aren’t able to help the team’s woes, a move for a big bat might be on the horizon. Ryan Braun has been a popular name to come up in talks for this bat, but it seems as if the asking price is hefty, so we will explore four different options who can possibly fill this void.

JD Martinez

The Tigers’ 29-year-old right fielder might be a nice fit with the Dodgers. He can play either corner outfield spot or come off the bench strictly as a pinch-hitter. He hit .306 against left-handed pitching in 2016, as well as 22 home runs.

He’d not only be starter against lefties but he might just be the everyday left fielder for the Dodgers with how special he is as a hitter. He has hit 83 long balls from 2014-2016. Granted, all this production has come in the stacked lineup that the Tigers have, so these numbers might be inflated just a bit. He has the likes of future HOF Miguel Cabrera and Silver Sluggers Justin Upton and Victor Martinez giving him protection in the linuep.

Nonetheless, he has shown the ability to hit the ball well and often. Not only would he help with struggles against lefties but he could help with the recent struggles the team has had with runners in scoring position. He hit .275 last year with RISP.

JD is in the final year of his contract, meaning one downside of trading for him is that we would have to put together a farm package for a player who will only be with the team for a few months. But the Dodgers could also have all the leverage in this situation because the Tigers could lose him to free agency for nothing if they aren’t able to make a deal.

The Tigers are an old team that looks like they can be on the verge of blowing up the team for prospect hauls. They hope to learn from the mistakes that the Phillies made earlier in the decade by holding onto their aging stars for much too long and not getting the prospects they wanted because of it. This may be the perfect storm for the Dodgers to acquire the outfielder.

Todd Frazier

Todd is coming off a year in which he struggled, but in previous years he had been one of the most feared batters in baseball. The Dodgers could have actually acquired him in a previous deal, but chose the prospect haul of Trayce Thompson, Michah Johnson, and Frankie Montas instead. Both Johnson and Montas have been sent off since then, while Thompson has shown flashes of being great, but has recently struggled since returning from an injury.

The glaring issue with making this deal is the fact that Frazier is predominately a third baseman. With that said, he can and has played in the outfield. He’d be a player that could add even more depth to what we already have and another player who can play a repertoire of positions.

This depth can be very useful as he would essentially take over the role that Van Slyke currently has but he’d also do more. He would be able to start in left field, first base, and even third base, while at the same time platooning in left and giving fellow veterans Gonzalez and Turner much needed days off.

His ability to play first base would be key. This could give the Dodgers even more opportunities to rest A-Gon against left-handed pitching while still having an RBI machine take his spot. Unlike Van Slyke, he is a proven bat to place in the heart of the lineup.

Considering the jaw dropping prospect haul that this team got for their ace Chris Sale, it would be no surprise if the asking price for Frazier is steep. This deal may have to include one of the Dodgers’ top prospects like Walker Buehler or Trevor Oaks.

Khris Davis

Many might scoff at the idea of the A’s moving rising star Khris Davis, but with the unpredictability of Billy Bean and his moneyball philosophy, anything is possible. In fact we have seen this all play out before in Oakland when they moved rising star and future MVP Josh Donaldson.

The left fielder would fit right in with this team as he’d be joining fellow CSUF Titan Justin Turner. Not only would he fit right into the clubhouse, but he would fit right into the lineup. He would slot into left and create much needed protection for Turner and Seager as a major thumper right in the heart of this lineup.

He broke out for 42 home runs last year while playing in Oakland. This is even more impressive when you consider the Oakland Coliseum in which he played in is very pitcher friendly because of its deep and high walls. Add to that the marine layer that covers the stadium overnight, which shortens fly balls, and it’s certainly remarkable.

His power is very real. This power will play anywhere, and every team needs a bat in the middle-of-the-lineup like Davis. His threat to go deep at any time will cause pitchers to have to pitch to the guys in front of him like Seager, as they wouldn’t want runners on-base when he is up to bat.

The asking price for him will be very high. In order for the Dodgers to steal him away from the A’s, they are going to have to blow them away with a package of prospects. Anyone would be in play with the exception of Urias and Bellinger, as the Dodgers seem reluctant to include those two in any deal no matter who the player is.

Lorenzo Cain

Finally, we have the All-Star outfielder from Kansas City. He is a player who has all five tools: power, speed, contact, fielding, and an arm. Adding him to the team can be exactly what the Dodgers need to fix the curse they seem to have against southpaws.

Not only is he ultra-gifted, but he is also a player who has the experience in the playoffs that the Dodgers need. He is a World Series champion and can help this team get to their first title in nearly three decades. He is perfect mix of star power and veteran leadership that the Dodgers need to get over the hump.

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He eats left-handed pitching for breakfast. In 2016 he posted a slash line of .371 AVG/ .420 OBP/.596 SLG against it. He would be the perfect fit as an everyday outfielder, whether it’d be in center or a corner outfield spot. Joc is a great center fielder but is not the quickest and might be better suited at a corner spot.

Cain is in the last year of his contract and any player who is in the final year of his contract is always mentioned in rumors and often moved. But him being moved is entirely based on where the Royals are at the trade deadline. If they are still fighting for a playoff spot, it is highly unlikely that they move arguably their best player.

Next: Trade options with Hill on DL

But if the Royals seem out of the race in a very competitive AL Central division, look for Cain to be moved or at the very least shopped around. For the Dodgers to pull this trade off they will have to send three to four of their top prospects, even though he would only be a rental. Whether or not people think it is worth having a All-Star for a couple months, it will not matter unless Andrew Friedman (Dodgers’ President of Baseball Operations) and Farhan Zaidi (Dodgers’ General Manager) believe he is and pull the trigger to bring him to Los Angeles for a potential World Series run.

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