Dodgers: Which Addition Would be Better, Corey Kluber or J.T. Realmuto?

3 of 3

BOSTON, MA – AUGUST 20: Corey Kluber #28 of the Cleveland Indians pitches in the first inning of a game against the Boston Red Sox at Fenway Park on August 20, 2018 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Adam Glanzman/Getty Images) /

The Dodgers will be departing for Arizona in a matter of weeks as Andrew Friedman looks to put the finishing touches on the 2019 roster. Which potential addition would be better, Realmuto or Kluber?

The Dodgers’ pitchers and catchers will be among the first players to report over the next couple of weeks to Glendale, Arizona. While most of the projected starting lineup and rotation are set in stone, there is always the chance that a late deal could happen. Two big names that the Dodgers have been linked to all off-season are J.T. Realmuto and Corey Kluber.

While either of the two would be a big addition to the Dodgers, the chances they acquire both are slim to none. Part of the reason is that Joc Pederson and Alex Verdugo have been linked in trade talks for both and the Dodgers are not going to deal away Pederson and Verdugo. With that in mind, the question is which player would be the better addition? Let the debate begin.

HIROSHIMA, JAPAN – NOVEMBER 13: Catcher J.T. Realmuto #11 of the Miami Marlins grounds out in the bottom of 3rd inning during the game four between Japan and MLB All Stars at Mazda Zoom Zoom Stadium Hiroshima on November 13, 2018 in Hiroshima, Japan. (Photo by Kiyoshi Ota/Getty Images) /

The Argument for J.T. Realmuto

The case for Realmuto being a better addition than Corey Kluber has to do with the quality rotation that the Dodgers have. The Dodgers’ starting rotation put together a 3.19 ERA last season which led the National League and trailed the Astros by three points for the best rotation in all of baseball. Not only do the Dodgers have one of the best rotations but their depth is arguably the best in the league with quality starters such as Ross Stripling and Julio Urias waiting in the wings.

With another starter not being an essential need, the Dodgers could use an upgrade over Russell Martin and Austin Barnes at catcher. Martin is in the twilight stage of his career and while he still provides steady defense and the occasional home run, his overall offense leaves a lot to be desired. Austin Barnes broke out in 2017 to eventually become the starting catcher during the Dodgers’ first World Series run but he was overmatched at the plate in 2018.

Barnes posted a measly .619 OPS in 2018 and the only reason the Dodgers ran him out there in the 2018 postseason was that Yasmani Grandal became unplayable due to his defense. One of the Dodgers’ main downfalls in the 2018 World Series was a lackluster offensive performance. Realmuto would put the finishing touches on a very potent Dodger offense that should have no problem averaging 4-5 runs a game.

HOUSTON, TX – OCTOBER 05: Corey Kluber #28 of the Cleveland Indians delivers a pitch in the second inning against the Houston Astros during Game One of the American League Division Series at Minute Maid Park on October 5, 2018 in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Tim Warner/Getty Images) /

The Argument for Corey Kluber

While the Dodgers could use an upgrade at catcher, the argument can be made that the most important part of a catcher is his defense. Martin and Barnes are both vastly superior to Realmuto on the defensive side of the game, and the Dodgers could use another elite starting rotation for the postseason. Clayton Kershaw has his well known postseason struggles pop up every year, and Walker Buehler is an emerging ace but the playoff rotation could use a boost.

Hyun-Jin Ryu had a very good season for the Dodgers and will be back as a projected playoff starter for the Dodgers. Away from Dodger Stadium, however, Ryu is a different pitcher as evidenced by his ERA ballooning to 3.58 on the road compared to 1.15 at home. In the postseason, Ryu posted an ERA over eight on the road and was knocked around in Milwaukee and Boston. Ryu is a very solid regular season starter but unless you start him only at home in the postseason, then he could run into trouble.

More from LA Dodgers News

Then there is the fact that Rich Hill will turn 39 years old before the regular season. While Hill does not have the typical mileage of the usual 39-year-old starting pitcher, father time is still undefeated. If Hill struggles in 2019 or gets injured then the Dodgers will definitely need to acquire another starting pitcher. The Dodgers can protect against this by acquiring Corey Kluber. and also upgrade their playoff rotation.

The Red Sox rode their two veteran starters to a World Series title and the Dodgers could do the same in 2019 by throwing Clayton Kershaw and Corey Kluber out in the first two games of a postseason and possible World Series. Walker Buehler as the Dodgers number three playoff starter would be unfair. Then the veteran Hill could bring his playoff success to the table as the Dodgers’ fourth playoff starter.

Tony Gonsolin's journey to the spotlight. dark. Next

While J.T. Realmuto would be a big upgrade over the Martin/Barnes duo offensively, the Dodgers can get by with better defense and a less potent bat with the strength of their starting lineup. The better addition would be Corey Kluber who would give the Dodgers an elite playoff rotation and three elite starters for the regular season. In a poll we ran, 58% of you agreed Kluber would be the bigger addition.

Home / LA Dodgers News