Dodgers: 3 options to replace David Price’s spot in the rotation

Dodgers who could replace David Price in the rotation: Ross Stripling

The most obvious candidate to take Price’s spot in the rotation is podcaster slash financial planner slash reliever slash starter Ross Stripling. Yeah, maybe I should change the order of his titles, but we will let this season help decide that.

The 30-year-old thought he would be joining another starting rotation this offseason when he was almost traded to the Los Angeles Angels. The deal ultimately fell through after the Mookie Betts trade was re-negotiated, which was a bittersweet moment for Stripling, who was excited for the opportunity to be a full-time starter, while also committed to returning to the Dodgers in the team’s quest for a championship.

Stripling started 15 games for manager Dave Roberts last season, and pitched fairly well. He went 2-3 with a 3.60 ERA, striking out 71 batters and walking only 14. He also made 17 appearances as a reliever and pitched to a 3.05 ERA.

Of course, the right-hander’s best campaign came in 2018 when he earned an All-Star appearance after starting the season 8-2 with a 2.08 ERA. Unfortunately, he struggled the second half of the schedule and never won another game that year.

With Stripling, the Dodgers would be replacing Price with a veteran option who can quickly adapt to the challenging season ahead. It seems overdue for Strip to get another chance in the rotation.

Dodgers who could replace David Price in the rotation: Dustin May

The top pitching prospect in the Dodger system, Dustin May, is another promising candidate to replace Price in the rotation. The 22-year-old made his major league debut last season and looked impressive as a starter. In 4 starts, he pitched to a 1-2 record, but his ERA was below three runs (2.82) and he struck out 17 batters while walking only three in over 22 innings of work.

With the 2020 Minor League Baseball season canceled, May will be limited to pitching in the big leagues in order to keep his development path on track. An open rotation spot could help keep him on his pitching regiment while providing the Dodgers with a potential shot in the arm from one of their best young pitchers from a talented farm system.

The question for Roberts and the front office is whether it poses a risk to put May in a challenging situation of pitching over a compressed schedule after the season was forced to stop and start back up again. They can make that evaluation based on how his arm feels in summer camp.

The 6-foot-6 right-hander could be the X-factor for the team this season, if he lives up to his potential.

Dodgers who could replace David Price in the rotation: Tony Gonsolin

Similar to Dustin May, Dodgers right-hander Tony Gonsolin will need to find opportunities within the 2020 season to keep his development on the right path after making his major league debut last season.

Gonsolin appeared in 11 games for the Dodgers in 2019, starting six times, and finished with a respectable 2.92 ERA.

The 26-year-old has a plus split-finger (or split-change) and good fastball, along with several other breaking pitches. His expanded repertoire makes him an ideal starter candidate; however, his ability to strike out hitters with his split-stuff could make him an intriguing bullpen option this year.

The Dodgers could use Gonsolin in a variety of ways, but if they prefer to keep Stripling in a swing-type role, and believe May could use a little more time before he is a full-time starter in the rotation, perhaps there is an opening for Gonsolin.