Dodgers: What Jimmy Nelson means for the rest of the pitching staff

The Dodgers continued their ways of finding low-risk high reward pitchers with their addition of Jimmy Nelson.  What does it mean for the rest of the pitching staff?

Andrew Friedman is at it again.  The Dodgers’ President of Baseball Operations and acting GM signed starting pitcher Jimmy Nelson to a one year deal that comes with an option for 2021.  The money is minimal if the transaction doesn’t work out as Nelson is guaranteed just $1.25 million in 2020 with a $500K buyout for 2021.  So if the deal turns into fools gold, the Dodgers only risked $1.75 million for a potential high-reward move.

What makes Jimmy Nelson an intriguing flier for Los Angeles?  For one, Nelson is still relatively young as he will turn 31 years in June.  Jimmy was also the Brewers’ best starting pitcher before he hit injuries including his slide at first base that wiped out his entire 2018 season.  While Nelson’s 6.95 ERA in 2019 doesn’t instill any confidence, he did battle soreness and any pitcher coming off a long layoff will struggle at first.

There is a chance this turns into another injury-plagued project that doesn’t pan out but there is also a chance this low-risk move, ends up the next big move that puts the Dodger rotation or bullpen over the top.  Here is what Jimmy Nelson could mean to LA’s rotation and starting rotation in 2020.