Dodgers: It’s Time to Demote Scott Alexander for Another Lefty Specialist

The Dodgers made a shrewd move dealing for Scott Alexander in the off-season of 2018.  Alexander has been solid but it’s time to send down the struggling left-hander.

In typical Andrew Friedman fashion, the Dodgers made a shrewd move for a solid reliever in January of 2018 when LA acquired Scott Alexander from the Royals in a three-way trade.  Last season, Alexander was solid for the Dodgers and filled his lefty specialist role well holding lefties to a .172 average and .460 OPS.

This season has been a different story as left-handed batters are hitting .346 against Scott Alexander with an OPS of .870.  On Sunday, Dave Roberts hinted that an IL move could be coming as Scott is dealing with a hip issue.  The Dodgers have manipulated the IL in recent seasons but it would be a good sign if something is really going on with Alexander’s hip.  He has been a solid reliever when healthy.

Alexander does have options so he could be demoted even if he is healthy and avoids the injured list.  The Dodgers have Caleb Ferguson returning soon, and Tony Cingrani continues to progress in his return from various shoulder ailments.  Ferguson has options left but Cingrani does not, meaning the Dodgers are going to have to find a way to fit him back onto the active roster.

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With Scott Alexander struggling, he should be demoted to make room for Tony Cingrani or Caleb Ferguson.  Both southpaw relievers have strikeout stuff and would be a better fit in the bullpen as the lefty specialist.  Alexander relies on ground ball outs but when he leaves the ball up like Saturday night, batters have no issues getting base hits against him as they have done this season.

In that bases-loaded situation from Saturday night, the Dodgers would be better off with Ferguson or Cingrani in which means it’s time to demote Scott Alexander.  Given he is out of options, Cingrani should get the first crack at replacing Alexander for the time being.  Tony averaged fourteen strikeouts per nine innings last season, and in tough situations, a strikeout is the only sure fire way to prevent a run.

Julio Urias remains in the bullpen but he has dominant stuff and using him solely as a left-handed specialist would be wasting his talent.  The Dodgers need to bring either Ferguson or Cingrani up and send Alexander to the minors to work on his pitch location.  Scott Alexander will be useful again soon, but right now he is one of the weak links in a struggling bullpen.  It’s time to demote him and bring out a lefty specialist with dynamite stuff like Cingrani.