Dodgers Need to Avoid Signing Former Giants

THIS JUST IN: The Dodgers could use a right handed starter to round out their rotation. Not exactly breaking news at this point, with Kershaw going down for an undetermined amount of time. Things were just going too well, weren’t they?

Apparently, the folks here at Dodgers Way (myself included) have been basking in the Dodgers Summer of triumph with a bit too much delight of late. We can thank the baseball Gods for smiting us, readjusting the positioning of our respective heads and heels, and keeping us humble as they seemingly always do. With 100 plus wins still in reach, the Boys in Blue have somehow reacquired their classic underdog status.

Now, what else will they acquire? This trade deadline and in the off-season, Johnny Cueto figures to be quite available. Although his name hasn’t been linked to the Dodgers, Cueto seemingly fits like a good fit for the Dodgers. Over the years, he’s proven to be one of the better right handed starters in all of baseball. The numbers are good. There are a couple of All-Star appearances on his resume, and he’s also been a part of World Series success. Sounds like a good fit right? Well now hear this: No.

I don’t know what witch’s spell or ancient curse assumes the souls of former Giants who then don Dodger Blue, but it’s certainly real. The Dodgers need to stay away from former Giants now, and forever. Take a look at some of the names over the past ten years, and you’ll see why.

Sergio Romo: Across the board it’s been a pretty disastrous year for Romo. In his 25 innings with the team his family grew up rooting for, Romo accumulated a 6.12 ERA and a 5.75 FIP. He was supposed to assume the setup role in the bullpen. Instead, he was shipped to Tampa for the proverbial bag of peanuts.

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Brian Wilson: The former All Star looked good in a very brief stint with the team in 2013. The problem was the team resigned him the following year. He went on to post an ERA of 4.66 and a WHIP over 1.6. Wilson would never pitch in the majors after that. I hear he is still saving his velocity for the postseason.

Juan Uribe: A bit of a mixed bag here. His first two seasons with the club were a disaster of epic proportions. Andruw Jones as a Dodger bad. He bounced back with a good 2013 campaign and two-thirds of a good 2014. Who could forget that failed bunt/game winning homer in the postseason? He would come out poorly to start the 2015 season and was traded later that year when Turner emerged. He provided some good value at times but overall underwhelmed when compared to the value of his contract and expectations.

Jason Schmidt: The poster boy example for this article. After making life miserable for LA for years as a Giant, Schmidt would sign a three year deal with the Dodgers before the ’07 season. Schmidt threw fewer than 44 innings with LA over those seasons, with an ERA around six. Not exactly the kind of return on 47 million dollars they were hoping for.

Some will say the timeline for this article conveniently leaves out the contributions of Jeff Kent. To his credit, Kent supplied the Dodgers with three good, and one so-so season. He also provided the team with zero World Series appearances, consistent clubhouse bickering and was also a part of this.

Next: Silver Lining on the Kershaw Injury

With their leader, #22, down and out, for the time being, the Dodgers need to play this smart. The team knows they need another starter now. They also know their need has taken away a great deal of leverage when it comes to deal making. What I pray they know, is to stay away from any and all players wearing Halloween colored uniforms. It just doesn’t work.