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The Dodgers Sign Treinen in an Otherwise Disappointing Hot Stove Season

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Well, its official…The Los Angeles Dodgers have officially signed right-handed pitcher Blake Treinen to a one-year contract worth $10 million dollars. After a disappointing 2019 season where Treinen pitched to the tune of a 4.91 ERA over 58 2/3 innings, the Dodgers are hoping he can get back to his 2018 ways. He had an absolutely ridiculous 2018 season – just look at these stats:

  • 9-2 W/L Record
  • 0.78 ERA
  • 80 1/3 IP
  • 0.834 WHIP
  • AL All Star
  • 6th in AL Cy Young Voting
  • AL MVP votes as a RELIEVER

A sub-1 ERA in 80 innings is a ridiculous stat, especially in the American League with the designated hitter in play. And although he was disproportionately bad in 2019, his 2018 season showed that he has the ability to be very good. Especially with Kenley Jansen coming off the worst season of his career, the Dodgers need help at the back-end of their bullpen. 

Sadly, the Treinen news was basically the only thing that salvaged the hot stove season for the Dodgers, as they failed to make any other moves. As I said in a previous post, the Dodgers needed to prioritize starting pitching this offseason, which they have failed to do thus far.

Just a quick rundown – the best starting pitcher free agents have signed to other teams, even though the Dodgers have been in on most of them; meaning they’ve been unable to recruit free agents to Los Angeles of all places. Gerrit Cole, Stephen Strasburg, Zack Wheeler, and just today, Madison Bumgarner are no all off of the board.

I don’t know what’s wrong with the Dodgers’ front office, but they seem to be content with JUST making the playoffs. They have been so close to getting all the pieces for a championship team, but fold when it comes to signing players. They are notorious for not making serious runs at top of the line free agents, but with the talent that was available this year, I really thought they would get somebody. A.J. Pollock is their biggest signing in recent years that wasn’t just a contract extension to a current Dodgers player (Kershaw, Turner, Jansen).

While it would have been an embarrassment of riches if the Dodgers signed Gerrit Cole, they needed to make a move for another starting pitcher. However, with a guy like Dallas Keuchel still available, I haven’t lost all hope, but there hasn’t been any rumblings that they’re even targeting him, which is ridiculous.

Bottom line is the Dodgers are one of the wealthiest teams in professional sports, but they need to start acting like it. After another disappointing postseason appearance, a big free-agent signing is exactly what this fan base needed to spark some excitement. Figure it out, Andrew Friedman.

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