Dodgers: Grading the Dodgers’ 2019 trade deadline

The Dodgers went into the final day of the trade deadline still in play for a myriad of different relievers. When the dust finally settled, the Dodgers’ haul was underwhelming according to most.

Entering the final day of the trade season, the Dodgers were in play for notable relievers such as Edwin Diaz, Felipe Vazquez, and Shane Greene among others.  When the dust finally settled in the hour following the trade deadline, the Dodgers acquired one reliever named Adam Kolarek and infielder Jedd Gyorko.  Not quite the deadline haul many Dodgers fans envisioned.

While your initial reaction might be who is Adam Kolarek, the answer is that he is a very solid left-handed specialist.  With Tony Cingrani (since traded) and Scott Alexander, both down for most of the season, the Dodgers needed a southpaw reliever so they can use Julio Urias in whatever inning they’d like to, or for multiple innings.

Kolarek gives the Dodgers the LOOGY they needed even if it’s not a flashy move.  While a Vazquez or Greene type addition definitely had more appeal, LA needed a left-hander the most and that is exactly what they got. He is a groundball machine and shores up the biggest hole in the bullpen.

Factor in that since June 1st, the Dodgers’ bullpen leads MLB in average allowed (.206), on-base percentage, and wOBA, and it’s clear why Andrew Friedman felt comfortable without a blockbuster addition.  There are still young talented pitchers who can help in the postseason like Dustin May (who is being promoted Friday) and Tony Gonsolin.

Then there is Joe Kelly who was brought in to be the 8th inning guy after dominating the Dodgers in five innings of the 2018 World Series.  Kelly has started to resemble that version of himself, lowering his opponent’s average and WHIP every month of the season.  Then there is still Kenta Maeda who will help out of the bullpen in October.

Adding a Felipe Vazquez or Edwin Diaz was not going to give the Dodgers any more guarantees than they currently have, which are none. Over the last two World Series, the blame has been focused on certain players such as Yu Darvish and Kenley Jansen, but the blame falls on each department of the team. Starting pitching, the offense, and the bullpen have all helped lose two straight World Series.

The Cubs traded a highly touted prospect (Gleyber Torres) for Aroldis Chapman in 2016 and won the World Series. When you look beneath the surface, Chapman had a blown save in game seven and almost cost the Cubs their first title in over 100 years. Did the move pay off? Sure, but it wasn’t all because of Chapman, and he almost blew the World Series himself.

The addition of Jedd Gyorko is more of the usual August deadline type deal but it happened before August due to the new trade rules in MLB.  With Chris Taylor, David Freese, and Enrique Hernandez all on the IL, the move is simply a depth move that gives the club options if Hernandez or Tayor experience setbacks in their recovery.

Much like the addition of Tyler White and Kristopher Negron, the Dodgers built more depth on their roster.  Gyorko, White, and Negron are not going to play big roles on the postseason roster if all goes according to plan, they are simply placeholders to get the Dodgers by until they are at full strength once again.

More from LA Dodgers News

• Dodgers ironically sign former all-star to potentially replace Cody Bellinger
• Padres-Xander Bogaerts contract feels like Manny Machado desperation
• Aaron Judge leaving Giants directionless is another massive win for Dodgers
• Cody Bellinger avoided breaking Dodgers fans’ hearts with free agency decision
• Trea Turner spurns Dodgers for Phillies, Gavin Lux is now LA’s shortstop

While there are question marks surrounding the rotation right now, the Dodgers are expected to promote Dustin May to start Friday’s game against the San Diego Padres.  Rich Hill is still an option to return in September and Hill has been one of LA’s better postseason starters posting an ERA under three in each of the last two postseasons.

So what grade do Andrew Friedman and the Dodgers get for the 2019 trade deadline? I’d give them a “C” grade. The club’s biggest need was a left-handed reliever and Kolarek was acquired and should factor into the postseason bullpen mix.  While the rotation has some questions, the Dodgers’ depth gives them plenty of options even if Rich Hill doesn’t make it back this season.

Unless the Dodgers were going to pull off a deal for a Noah Syndergaard type starter, there was no need to acquire an average starter with Gonsolin and May waiting in the wings.  Second base is also a question mark but the team has number one prospect Gavin Lux ready at a moment’s notice.

A big move would’ve been nice but the Dodgers have the best record in baseball for a reason and there are still many impact prospects available to leave their fingerprints on the Dodgers’ season.  It was an average deadline but regardless of whether it was great or not, the Dodgers’ season will be graded by one thing only and that’s whether or not a World Series title is delivered back to LA.