LOS ANGELES ― The Dodgers’ trade deadline was criticized in some corners for the players they did not acquire, whether they were actually available in a trade (Eduardo Rodriguez, Justin Verlander, Max Scherzer) or not (Nolan Arenado, Shohei Ohtani).
The five major league players they did acquire – Lance Lynn, Joe Kelly, Kiké Hernandez, Amed Rosario and Ryan Yarbrough – lack the star power of some the Dodgers have acquired at the deadline in years past. So far, their impact has been no less impressive. The Dodgers are 8-1 since the deadline going into their four-game series against the Colorado Rockies.
All five players had been with multiple organizations before joining the Dodgers. Not surprisingly, veteran outfielder David Peralta said all five have fit in well.
“We have really good chemistry in the clubhouse,” Peralta said. “We get along so well. Good energy. As soon as you cross those two doors, you feel the good vibes.”
More than giving the team a jolt of energy, the new acquisitions have successfully shored up two of the biggest weaknesses on the Dodgers’ roster. Hernandez and Rosario have done the bulk of their work against left-handed pitching, against whom the Dodgers had a .774 OPS (on-base plus slugging percentage) through the end of July.
In their 63 plate appearances, Hernandez and Rosario have combined for three home runs, 16 RBIs and a .254 batting average. The Dodgers’ OPS in 142 August plate appearances against left-handers is up to 1.034 through Wednesday.
The benefits of adding Kelly, Lynn and Yarbrough are harder to quantify.
Lynn won both of his first two starts after the trade, allowing only four runs in 13 innings. Kelly’s first four appearances passed without allowing a run. Yarbrough gave the Dodgers the long reliever/spot starter they have lacked since trading Mitch White to Toronto at last year’s deadline.
Between Lynn and Yarbrough’s ability to eat innings, and Kelly’s experience in high-leverage situations, Manager Dave Roberts has been able to deploy relief pitchers in a way he wanted to – but couldn’t – prior to the trades.
“Optimizing” bullpen roles is harder to quantify. For what it’s worth, Dodger relievers have a 3.97 ERA during their 8-1 stretch to begin the month, down from 4.18 before the deadline.
“Any team gets caught up in using the guys who are in the ‘trust tree’ a lot,” Roberts said. “When you have more guys in the trust tree, you can manage workload. Adding Joe, giving Yency (Almonte) a day off when he needs it, or (Ryan) Brasier a day off, or (Brusdar) Graterol or (Evan) Phillips, that’s not always easy. But we have other guys who can fill in. It makes it a lot easier. Gives other guys opportunities.”
JANG SIGNS
The Dodgers signed Korean pitcher Hyun-Seok Jang to a minor league contract with a $900,000 bonus. The 19-year-old right-hander is listed at 6-foot-2 and 185 pounds, with a repertoire scouts see as both polished and projectible. Jang’s fastball has reportedly touched 97 mph, complemented by a curveball, sweeper and changeup.
Jang decided to forego the KBO draft by signing straight out of high school. He is expected to meet with Dodgers officials, possibly at the team’s Camelback Ranch complex in Arizona, to discuss his next steps. Officially, the Dodgers have assigned Jang to their Dominican Summer League team.
ALSO
To make room for Clayton Kershaw on their active roster, the Dodgers optioned left-handed reliever Victor Gonzalez prior to Thursday’s game. He did not appear in a game after being recalled from Triple-A Oklahoma City on Tuesday. … Neither Blake Treinen nor Walker Buehler reported any issues after throwing simulated innings to hitters Wednesday in Arizona, Roberts said. … The Dodgers signed undrafted free agent pitcher Cole Cressend to a minor league contract. Cressend, 20, battled minor injuries in his just-completed junior season at Louisiana-Monroe, when he posted a 9.37 ERA in 40⅓ innings. He is the son of former major league pitcher Jack Cressend. … Julio Urías was presented with the 2023 Warren Spahn Award, given annually to the best left-handed pitcher in MLB.
UP NEXT
Rockies (LHP Austin Gomber, 9-8, 5.40 ERA) at Dodgers (RHP Lance Lynn, 8-9, 6.11 ERA), Friday, 7:10 p.m., SportsNet LA, MLB Network (out of market only), 570 AM