The Dodgers have been among the World Series favorites since winning the whole thing in the 2020 shortened season. The years following have been quite a disappointment, to say the least, in 2021, falling short in the NLCS to the future champions Atlanta Braves and being eliminated the next two seasons in the NLDS. Spending an average of 230 million dollars during that span and only bringing home one title to LA leaves a stain on what is one of the better-assembled teams in all of baseball over this span. They took a leap of faith at this deadline and went all in to bring the Commissioner's Trophy back to LA.
Pitching Help
Currently sitting second in the NL and fifth in the MLB standings after the deadline period, the Dodgers made some massive moves to help climb the standings. The addition of Jack Flaherty, who is posting a 2.95 ERA and 32K%, gives the Dodgers the perfect 3rd option behind Tyler Glasnow and breakout sophomore Gavin Stone. With Kershaw still trying to find his footing after his first start of the season last week against the Giants and Yoshinobu Yamamoto on the 60-Day-IL with a strained rotator cuff, Flaherty will be asked to step into a big role in the rotation immediately. A sneaky add that many people overlook is Michael Kopech, who comes in with a 4.74 ERA but has a 30.9% strikeout percentage to go along with a 30.6 whiff percentage. An arm that can give you a solid two innings will be of massive value for the Dodger starter's arms leading into the playoffs.
Infield Additions
Besides Flaherty's big splash, the Dodgers have struggled with their utility fielders, who have tried to fill the void of former MVP Mookie Betts, who has been out since June, and former All-Star Max Muncy, who has been out since May. The likes of Biggio, Keke, and Ahmed have all been below-average hitters, forcing the Dodgers to go out and get utility switch-hitting Tommy Edman and bring back shortstop Amed Rosario.
With Edman expected to debut in the first week of August, he will have time to get his swing dialed just in time for a Postseason run. Rosario's return to LA and filling the interior of the infield at SS and 2B, along with his .307 batter average as an everyday starter, will help bolster up the weak bottom half of the lineup. Kevin Kiermaier is final addition will bring a lefty bat to the bench but, more importantly, a great center fielder to call on when need be.
Overview
The Dodgers lost pieces such as Miguel Vargas, who was an everyday guy for them, and some top 30 prospects in these deals. With the injury bug having been an issue for them all year and, the news of Flaherty having multiple back injections over the last month and Edman not even playing a game yet, this was a World Series Championship or Failure deadline for the Dodgers. On the other hand, if this lineup comes back and stays healthy, no batting order in baseball comes close to the firepower up and down the order to go along with a now-boosted pitching staff with five quality arms to take the mound any given night when called upon.
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