Dodgers Who Need to Start Fresh with the New Year

LOS ANGELES, CA - MAY 03: Andrew Toles
LOS ANGELES, CA - MAY 03: Andrew Toles /
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LOS ANGELES, CA – OCTOBER 19: Pedro Baez /

Logan Forsythe and Pedro Baez

Both of these guys had their moments, but they will be the first to tell you that they should, and could, have done better. To be fair to Pedro Baez, he had one awful, and I mean awful month. He had a 2.95 ERA which would make you wonder why he needs to “bounce back,” but his below-average 1.328 WHIP and horrid September left more to be desired.

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He was cruising through the first five months of the season with a 1.79 ERA, shutting up his numerous doubters from 2014-2016. He has always been the scapegoat for the bullpen’s struggles, but he gave no reason this time.

Then September came, and he gave up 14 hits, seven walks, and ten runs in just 8.2 innings. That’s not a typo. You can argue that he regressed to the mean, and if that’s true, that’s a splendid way (sarcasm) and extreme way to do it. This collapse took him from the Dodgers most trusted reliever outside of Kenley Jansen to not appearing in the playoffs. And an argument can be made that his one month of horror outweighs his five months of excellence. Boy, would he like a redo.

Dodger fans have a love-hate relationship with Logan Forsythe since he was supposed to hold down the fort at second. And while he was solid defensively, he was anything but with the bat. His regular season .678 OPS is below-average and nothing to write home about. He improved in the postseason to a .742 OPS but lacked any power, slugging just .333.

Next: Trade Destinations for Matt Kemp

He is due to make over $8 million since the Dodgers picked up his option. And remember, the Dodgers gave up their 3rd-ranked prospect (at the time) in Jose De Leon, and it’s time he makes the asset and financial costs worth it. He will be entering his walk-year in 2018, so it would be in his best interests as well to step up his game and become the player the fans and front office were excited for.