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Dodgers Rumors: LAD showing interest in former Rays flamethrower

By Adam Weinrib

HOUSTON, TEXAS - OCTOBER 08: Ryne Stanek #55 of the Miami Marlins delivers a pitch during the seventh inning against the Atlanta Braves in Game Three of the National League Division Series at Minute Maid Park on October 08, 2020 in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images)
HOUSTON, TEXAS - OCTOBER 08: Ryne Stanek #55 of the Miami Marlins delivers a pitch during the seventh inning against the Atlanta Braves in Game Three of the National League Division Series at Minute Maid Park on October 08, 2020 in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images) /
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The Dodgers are showing interest in former Rays reliever Ryne Stanek.

Despite having a World Series trophy to boast about this offseason (Haaaaaaaaave you met our World Series trophy?), the Los Angeles Dodgers still got through the postseason without solving their biggest non-Kershaw bugaboo.

What’s the deal with that bullpen?

LA escaped the playoffs mostly unscathed thanks to phenomenal performances from players who have no business being in the ‘pen over the course of a full, 162-game season — Julio Urias, we thank you. But the bridge to Kenley Jansen is far shakier now than it was when the season ended, thanks to the likely departure of Blake Treinen. And Jansen himself probably doesn’t merit being grandfathered into closer status at this point, either.

So who minds the gap between Brusdar Graterol and a deposed Jansen? Looks like the Dodgers may have some interest in balling on a budget, if Thursday’s rumors are any indication.

Yes, Ryne Stanek, who was a more than serviceable arm in Tampa in both 2018 and 2019 before he was dealt to Miami and fell off a cliff — non-peripherally speaking.

Stanek’s counting stats have been rough ever since his days of being an opener for Kevin Cash ended; he went from a 3.40 ERA in the first half of 2019 with 61 Ks in 55.1 innings pitched to a deplorable 5.48 mark in 21.1 innings pitched away from the tutelage of Tampa’s pitching whisperers.

And when the Rays give up on a reliever, that’s like the Patriots giving up on a running back. Bye! Should’ve tried being less fungible!

All of that aside, though, Stanek’s FanGraphs ratings and trends from 2019 are all quite positive — and we’re choosing to prioritize that over the 10.0 innings he threw in Miami this year.

As a flyer or a minor-league deal? Stanek’s certainly worth the trouble.

But if the Dodgers consider him to be a shoo-in part of the solution during this year’s regular season, especially after already taking a risk on Corey Knebel’s bounce back, they should likely aim higher.

In other words, we raise you a Hand.

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