How can Dodgers’ latest waiver claim from Mets help LA?

And just like that … Jacob deGrom was a Los Angeles Dodger! Just kiddin’! Maybe in the offseason, though … you never know.

Nonetheless, on Wednesday, the Dodgers brought back one of their former pitchers in a move after they claimed right-hander Jake Reed off waivers from the New York Mets.

Adding the 29-year-old is simply a move of convenience — Reed can be optioned both this year and next, while the Dodgers have an open roster spot at the moment. With a need for pitching depth plaguing just about every MLB team, any and all help is welcome.

In 2021, Reed made his big-league debut with the Dodgers, appearing in six games before being designated for assignment following the Billy McKinney trade with … also the Mets. Reed then landed in Tampa before his stop in New York and appeared in four games (two in Aug., two in Sept.). He spent eight games at Triple-A Syracuse.

In 2022, Reed has also spent most of his time in Syracuse. His two solid outings with the Mets in May were nice, but he was then shellacked in two June appearances before making his final mound visit with the big-league club in a 10-0 blowout of the Miami Marlins last week.

New York then DFA’d Reed this past Sunday after claiming another pitcher, Sam Clay, from the division-rival Phillies.

The Dodgers swiped former reliever Jake Reed from the Mets

And now for Reed’s backstory. The former Oregon Duck was selected in the fifth round of the 2014 MLB Draft by the Minnesota Twins and spent more than five years in their minor-league system before the 2020 pandemic season forced him to hit free agency because of a unique rule.

That was supposed to help minor-leaguers, but Reed didn’t benefit. He didn’t pitch a single inning in 2020. In 2021, he signed a minor-league deal with the Angels, got rocked in Triple-A, landed with the Dodgers, made his MLB debut and got his first career strikeout before being squeezed off the roster.

The familiarity here is key, and perhaps Reed holds a special place in his heart for the Dodgers, since they were somehow the first MLB organization to give him a shot in the show. His unique delivery likely helped make that happen.

Though Reed only sports two pitches — a sinker and a slider — he generates a ton of movement. Control issues have plagued him, though, as he’s still yet to harness that command. His 3.4 BB/9 across an eight-year career in the minor leagues is admittedly a big problem.

Perhaps one last go ’round with the best pitching development crew in the business could change everything, though.

Former Dodgers prospect is quietly starting to pitch like an All-Star

The Los Angeles Dodgers traded Dean Kremer in the 2018 Manny Machado trade and after four years, Kremer is starting to put it together.