Dodgers: 5 Moves That Will Instantly Improve the Team

The Dodgers seem to have finally hit their stride. Before Sunday’s game, they had won 12 of their last 15. The jump start is largely owed to the outstanding contributions of Cody Bellinger and Alex Wood. With Andrew Toles’ injury and Wood’s resurgence, there are certain moves the Dodgers should make to maintain their high ride.

The Dodgers‘ front office has been reluctant to give out lucrative contracts in free agency or make the “big splash” via a trade. This method has proven to work so far.

Keeping Cody Bellinger rather than trading him and Jose De Leon for Brian Dozier looks to have been proven success in the early going. Acquiring Alex Wood is also proving its worth.

Not only does this save money, but it also provides roster flexibility. With fewer big names, players can move around on the field and on and off the roster. This has proven to be crucial with all the injuries the Dodgers have faced so far. There is a “next man up” mentality to this team that has been absent for a long time.

Everything seems to be clicking right now, but there is no doubt that the Dodgers can take it up a notch. Here are five ways Los Angeles can improve, or at least keep up their momentum.

Do not trade for big name

The first move the Dodgers need to make is in fact not a move at all. Even with Toles down, the Dodgers do not need to go out and acquire a big name from what it looks like at the moment. The outfield is fine because Cody Bellinger was the emergency plan in left. Los Angeles seems to have a fluid starting rotation as well finally so looking for an ace should not be a priority. The Dodgers have a tremendous farm system which they should rely on from here on out, not deplete it.

The Dodgers went into the season tempted to shop for a right-handed bat if they continued to struggle against left-handed pitching. However, they seemed to have improved. The Dodgers are third in runs scored against southpaws, fourth in hits, and second in doubles. This is not a limited sample size as they’ve predictably seen the third-most lefties in the majors.

A big reason for the success is the right-handed hitters for Los Angeles are doing their jobs. Justin Turner, Logan Forsythe, Chris Taylor, and Franklin Gutierrez are all hitting at least .300 against lefties. Even Cody Bellinger has surprisingly held his own against them.

If they continue their success and get a big bat like Corey Seager to improve against the lefties, there is no need to shop for another bat. However, that doesn’t mean they shouldn’t shop for a right-handed bat at all. There are still a few positions where the Dodgers have not found a solution to left-handed pitching in house. A rental option for a part-time bat, like Franklin Gutierrez, should suffice. At this point, the Dodgers should focus on getting younger since they’ve tied themselves up with the off-season re-signings, who are over 30 or quickly approaching it.

Answer the Yasiel Puig question

Oh, the ever-present question of what to do with Yasiel Puig. It’s true that he’s improved this season, but the question remains if he should be a mainstay in the Dodgers’ lineup. He’s shown power, hitting seven bombs and about a dozen other “almost bombs.” He also leads the team in RBI and is second in walks. However, he is also first in strikeouts, and all of his success has come off right-handed pitching. He’s hitting below the Mendoza line against lefties.

There’s no question he’s been productive but is it enough from a corner outfield position on the Los Angeles Dodgers? It’s still early to tell, but Dave Roberts is letting the Cuban showcase his abilities. He trails Seager by eight plate appearances for the team lead.

His arm is irreplaceable, but it’s not right to have a right-handed outfielder produce so little against left-handed pitching. Unless improvements are made, the Dodgers may need to find a better replacement. A possible solution may be to use Puig against righties and Franklin Gutierrez against lefties. If the Dodgers decide to search the market, the front office has proven its ability to find the best bang for its buck. Some names to throw out there are Hunter Renfroe and Aaron Altherr. There is also the Andrew McCutchen alternative which seems unlikely and ill-advised given his steady decline since his MVP season.

Solidify starting rotation with Alex Wood

The Dodgers starting rotation this year has been somewhat of a carousel. Seven different qualified starting pitchers have made starts this year. However, other than Clayton Kershaw and Brandon McCarthy, Alex Wood has been the only one to make a case to be a mainstay.

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He was brilliant in Spring Training but struggled when facing lineups more than once at the beginning of the season. However, he’s been nothing short of fantastic in his last three starts. In those 16 innings, he’s struck out 29 batters while only walking three. In his last two starts he hasn’t given up a single run, and one of those starts came in hitter’s haven Coors Field.

On the season, he’s pitched 35.2 innings, racked up 48 strikeouts and has posted a 2.27 ERA and 1.009 WHIP while doing so. Pretty elite numbers. He’s also been dominant particularly against right-handed hitters, limiting them to a .179 average and holding a 0.70 ERA.

Dodger fans may have scratched their heads when Wood first came over from Atlanta. His fastball barely hovered at 90 mph. However, a big reason why he’s found success is his velocity has increased dramatically. With a power sinking fastball, Wood’s changeup and slider have been devastating. If Wood can keep his stamina up and go six innings consistently, the Dodgers may have an unexpected number two.

When McCarthy and Hill return, that should give the Dodgers four legitimate starters. Kenta Maeda has improved after a slow start, so he should reclaim his spot after he returns from the DL.In the meantime, the Dodgers will use Hyun-Jin Ryu and Julio Urias, though both may move to the bullpen if they continue to pitch like they did in the last starts (albeit the struggles were in Colorado).

Keep Yasmani Grandal left-handed

Following a slow April, “Yaz” is heating up in May. He’s in the midst of an eight-game hitting streak in which he’s raised his average by over 50 points. During Spring Training, I predicted that Grandal would hit around .290 with less power, and his May hitting is shaping up to be that way. There is a problem though; all of this production is coming from the left side of the plate.

Grandal hit homers from both sides of the plate on Opening Day, but since then that’s been it as a right-handed hitter. The ex-San Diego Padre has found most of his success as a left-handed hitter throughout his career, which makes one wonder if he should just stay that way.

Offense is not the priority for catchers, so it’s hard to suggest him splitting time with another catcher who hits lefties better, but it may be an option later in the season.

The Dodgers’ front office proved they were willing for Grandal to share time when they brought Carlos Ruiz over last year. So far, Grandal’s been the shot caller behind the plate, with Austin Barnes serving as his backup. The Baltimore Orioles and Chicago White Sox each have two catchers that can hit lefties, but it may be hard to pry them away. The addition of a backup catcher also provides Dave Roberts flexibility with his bench which he demonstrated in the 2016 Postseason.

Barnes had done relatively well, hitting .275 in 40 at-bats with his highlight being a dramatic walk-off against the Pittsburgh Pirates. If Barnes keeps his numbers up, he could be the guy against lefties in September and October.