We are within 48 hours of the start of the Winter Meetings, and the rumors are that the Dodgers will be active. In the interim, I like to scour the rosters every Winter to see if there is any potential bullpen help out there that the Dodgers might find interesting. Last year I came up with the name Aaron Bummer and found out that AF really wanted him, but ChiSox were instead throwing Jace Fry at him. That is when I locked onto him as someone I wanted to follow, and I have been throwing his name out since 2019 ST. I followed Ryan Pressly in 2018, and was all in on Brandon Morrow once he signed his MiLB contract with LAD in 2017.
So I started again this winter and thus far in my search, I have come across a 29 year old, 6’ 5” RHRP, Nick Anderson, who broke onto the Miami MLB bullpen last spring, and was later traded to Tampa Bay. In doing some research on this player, it is remarkable that he is anywhere near a ML dugout, and yet what he did last year tells me that he could be that guy before he is that guy. Yes Mark, I suspect he might be on the verge of being outstanding partially based on what he did last year. Silly me for partially relying on what has been done in the past.
Nick was a high school pitcher in rural central Minnesota, and after graduating he matriculated to St. Cloud State University (Minnesota) where he pitched for three years. In 2010 while at St. Cloud, Nick ran into trouble with the law with a DUI. He stepped that up a bit with an assault charge involving a baseball bat and alcohol in 2011, and spent 8 days in jail. He received probation with required AA and anger management therapy.
After three years at St. Cloud, Anderson transferred to NAIA Mayville State University in Mayville, North Dakota for his senior season in 2012. He went 5-2 with a 1.95 ERA. Good enough to be drafted in the 32nd round by the Milwaukee Brewers. Anderson did not sign, and chose the Independent League route (Frontier League). In 2013/2014 Anderson pitched for Rockford River Hawks/Aviators, and then signed with Frontier Greys for 2015.
In 2015, Anderson caught the eye of the Minnesota Twins and signed a MiLB contract in August. Nick was assigned to Cedar Rapids in the full season low A, Midwest League. Nick pitched in 9 games and 12 IP, and had a 0.75 ERA. In 2016, Nick started with Cedar Rapids but was promoted to Fort Myers in the High A Florida League. In 57.2 combined IP, Nick went 4-3 with a 2.65 ERA. In 2017, Nick excelled in AA with Chattanooga, where he went 4-1 in 53.1 IP with a sparkling 1.00 ERA. In his final MiLB season in 2018, Nick was in AAA with Rochester. He went 8-2 with a 3.30 ERA in 60 IP.
In November 2018, Nick was traded to Miami where he broke with the ML team after ST. He pitched 43.2 innings to a 3.92 ERA with a bad Marlins team. Miami traded Nick and Trevor Rogers to Tampa Bay in exchange for Ryne Stanek and Jesus Sanchez. Nick was particularly effective with Tampa. In 23 games and 21.1 IP, Nick pitched to a 2.11 ERA and 0.656 WHIP. He spent most of August in the setup role. Where he was specifically masterful was in those 21.1 innings, Nick struck out 41 batters against 2 walks, for an unbelievable K/BB ratio of 20.5. For the year, in 65.0 innings, he struck out 110 batters against 18 walks. He allowed 8 HRs in those 65.0 innings.
Nick is basically a two pitch pitcher. He throws an upper 90’s 4-seam fastball and a low 80’s slider. They were both plus pitches last year. He turns 31 in July and does not start his arbitration until 2022. Under the current CBA, Nick does not become a FA until 2026 when he is in his baseball age 35.
I do not think Tampa Bay has any untouchables, including Blake Snell. I would like to see AF go back to Tampa Bay and see what it would take to get Nick Anderson. He is one that I will follow all year. I have no idea if he will continue to pitch as well as he did last year. There are no guarantees, but it is kind of hard not to like what he did for Tampa, especially with his K/BB ratio.
What do u think it would take to get him AC?
I do not think that there is a match simply for Anderson. He is controllable really for the rest of his career, and as Mark said below that is exactly what Tampa thrives on. It would be an extreme overpay for a reliever, and that is not AF’s MO. But he could be part of a package. Is it possible to lure Blake Snell away from Tampa. After Blake went off on social media for trading Tommy Pham for Hunter Renfroe and some slapd— prospect (Xavier Edwards), maybe AF can offer two slapd— prospects in a package for Snell and Anderson. Snell just signed a 5 year $50MM contract for 2019-2023, so again it would be for an overpay, but Snell and Anderson may be worth it. A more possible package could be including Charlie Morton who has one more year at $15MM.
I love Nick Anderson… at least what he did last year. He is a late bloomer, pitching 6 full seasons in the minors. Last year he pitched for Miami and Tampa Bay in front of 25 people. Will he be as good in front of 50,000? Hopefully, but he’s the type of player TB loves: controllable through 2025, making only $550,000. TB is contending next year so you would have to give some kind of HUGE overpay. Maybe Rios or Beaty and de Geus… maybe more! TB would be calling the shots. He may be worth it… or not. He bounced around the lower levels of the Minors and in 2018, finally got to AAA for the first time… pitching 60 innings. Of course, TB will ask for a lot, because they have no reason to trade him, and they would certainly love Rios or Beaty and de Geus. TB might do that deal because maybe they think (like me) that de Geus will be ready soon.
I know AC likes de Geus too, but I believe he has a good chance of pitching in LA this year. This could be a case of trading away a better player than you get.
I like to offer different opinions to get people to think and discuss, but I am for Rendon and Cole being Dodgers.
The Dodgers can afford to overpay somewhat. Let’s just say that they will make $80 million a year combined (and it will be close to that). I would rather do that, than gut the farm for Lindor or Betts. Cole and Rendon only cost money and the Dodgers lose a couple of picks. The Farm stays strong and the progression to MLB stays intact.
Realistically, if the Dodgers sign both Cole and Rendon, they will have to trade Maeda, Pederson and either Taylor or Kike.
That saves them about $27 Million, so the net salary increase is $53 million. They will have to pay the luxury tax for two years, but then they can get back under it.
Beaty or Rios and Pollock will platoon in LF. Lux takes Kike’s or CT3’s place (depending upon who gets traded) and the Dodgers have at least 2 aces. I still say that if Clayton will learn a changeup, he will be dominant again.
I would love to get Rendon or Donaldson to play 3B, but I don’t like the idea of Muncy playing 2B.
I don’t like the idea of trading for Lindor for the same reason, but in addition to Muncy at second, you also have to move Seager to 3B.
I would love to acquire Betts and have him play 2B next year, but I hate to give up a top prospect for a 1 year rental.
I would love to see them sign Rendon, then package Muncy in a Betts trade without including Lux.
I don’t think AF will trade Lux, I think he’s about as untouchable as Belli and Seager were.
If the Dodgers sign both Rendon and Cole, they are going to need players like Muncy to keep the payroll down. I believe Max doesn’t hit arbitration until 2020. I thought he did pretty good at second this year. Or was I mistaken?
He hits a lot of homers, draws a lot of walks, scores a lot of runs. Doesn’t get a lot of hits or doubles and strikes out a lot. He’s got an average defender at best. He can play 1st, 2nd and 3rd. I’d rather have Turners bat at 1B, Rendon at 3B and Lux at 2B. So what do you do with him?
As far as runs scored goes, I hate to give a player full credit for runs scored because a lot of credit has to go to the fellows knocking you in. If he was a plus defender, or a 170-200 hit guy, I wouldn’t be suggesting a trade.
Speaking of late bloomers, I’d hate to see Rios traded away. After sporting a 277 .393 .617 1.010 slash line and the longest HR of the season on the Dodgers, I want to see more. I followed Rios closely throughout his minor league career and all he’s done is hit, hit, hit. Ht for average and hit for power. He never had a lot of prospect shine as he had a reputation for a slow bat and a bad glove. But, his glove has come along and a 475 ft HR in Petco doesn’t seem possible with a slow bat. He’s also a hard worker and has improved his glove immensely. IMO, he’s much better than Beaty and would be a great insurance policy at the corners.
I know you have to give up something to get something for that quality bullpen arm, I just don’t want Rios to be that guy. IMO, he’s going to wind up being better than Muncy.
Thanks for digging up that under the radar reliever AC. You’ve been pretty good at finding that diamond in the rough. I would really like to see the Dodgers grab Treinen if we only add one arm into the mix. I’d also like to see Gonsolin in the pen this year, but I just don’t see enough depth at Starting Pitcher as it stands right now. I don’t find it inconceivable that Kenley steps it up this year. I think the heart procedure and the diet might have affected him last year. It’s not uncommon for relievers to have a bad year and bounce back the next. After all, relievers are volatile. I think that Treinen provides enough insurance to take some pressure off Kenley and I think that adding one solid piece to the pen goes a long way in making everyone else better.
At the start of the off-season, hopes are high. It seems conceivable that we can sign that top Starting Pitcher and stud Right handed bat. In another couple of weeks, we’ll be happy to settle for a box of baseballs and a case of peanuts.
Near zero chance Rios is better than Muncy.
How did we miss this blockbuster signing. Bullpen fixed?
https://www.instagram.com/p/B5lAgdFAjEr/
Did you see where he was suspended by the Astros last year for going after a teammate with a bat and then coming back into the clubhouse with a knife? He seems over the top even by Astros standards.
Can’t understand how AF would sign a guy like this. One of you sleuths needs to get the back story on the signing. There must be more than meets the eye here.
I guess that will shake up the clubhouse, eh? Nothing like a bat and a knife to motivate your teammates!
Looks like we found our new team captain.
Trades are tough, free agent signings are pretty much always about money. Some times teams match up well on trades and something gets done. Friedman has been very good when it comes to trades. But for every one that gets done, four probably fall apart.
I like Nick Anderson and I’m sure you could pry him away from the Rays, but at what cost? He kinda is a perfect fit in the Tampa Bay universe where they try to bullpen games. Can go an inning or four.
Will Harris is an interesting possibility. Has been very consistent for several years, elite even. He’s going to be 35 so that might work, depending on cost and length. Kevin Gausman might be another. His hard sinker might play well in relief. Those guys will be easier to acquire than a trade where the other team will want to talk Lux and Ruiz. There is probably a trade or two for an under the radar reliever where maybe the team is looking for a veteran player or a Ríos.
I think the Dodgers bullpen is better off than some think. Tony Gonsolin could take on a bigger role, Joe Kelly has been dominant at times and I still believe he’ll end up being a good signing. His stuff is better than pretty much anybody being brought up. If the Dodgers don’t bring him out for the second inning, I suspect people would look at him differently based on the last couple of months of the regular season.
Kenley Jansen will be a year away from the heart procedure and I look for him to turn it around.
Clayton Kershaw is still a top 10 pitcher and there is a strong possibility he may get better moving forward.
I realize there is a tendency to want to make change because, well a player didn’t reach expectations, which was the case for AJ Pollock, but once he got past his corrective surgery, he had a pretty good second half. I’m thinking he has a good year in 2020.
While I would like to see the Dodgers sign Cole and Rendon, that probably is just a tad unrealistic. One thing I would want to know about Rendon is his level of interest/intensity moving forward due to his comments about looking forward to retiring from baseball early. I would want to fully understand what that actually means. Does he really like playing the game or is he just good at it and looks forward to finish his career with a big contract.
Still think Cole is the difference maker. The Dodgers are going to win the NL West so whatever the team does should be about the post season.
Between Mike Trout’s contract and stadium/parking lot deal, Arte Moreno has dropped about three quarters of a billion dollars in less than a year. The Dodgers are spending over a hundred million dollars on the stadium improvements so it’s time to keep up with the Morenos and sign Cole.
If AF strikes out on acquiring one of the big three I will be very frustrated. If he’s reluctant to part ways with the young and upcoming talent (and I completely understand that) in a blockbuster trade than a FA signing is the way to go. Yes, you forfeit a draft pick, but you get to keep the young talent that could be used at the trade deadline midseason or perhaps they ascend to the big club next year like Beatty, Smith, Garlick, May and Gonsolin did.
He has to get Rendon, Cole or Strasburg in a Dodgers uniform. JT’s contract expires after 2020, KJ and CK after the 2021 season. Pay the darn tax and get the Dodgers a co-ace to couple with Buehler or get the RH bat that compliments Bellinger, Muncy and Seager. Next year’s FA class will not look like this. The team has the financial health, the roster flexibility the right expiring contracts to strike now. AF don’t let us down!
Yes we need that #2 Ace,and RH Bat but maybe it’s not AF, maybe it’s the front office.
As I indicated above, Nick Anderson by himself is probably not a match. I agree with that. But Tampa has a way of doing strange things and if the Dodgers want to tap into one of Snell, Glasnow, or Morton, they need to make sure that Anderson is part of the deal. I beleive that is what they tried to do last year with the White Sox and a Joc Pederson trade with Aaron Bummer. I cannot fault AF for not getting Bummer if Hahn was not willing to trade him.
I have never criticized AF for his trades. I think he gets value for comp value and rarely overpays. I think he was willing to overpay for Felipe Vazquez, but thank God Neal Huntington was not a very smart baseball man and was trying to make up for all of his other bad trades for a makeup on Vazquez, and walked away. But the Hill/Reddick trade, the Darvish trade, and Machado trade were all good trades that just didn’t give the Dodgers what they wanted in the end. I know many did not like the Dee Gordon trade, but the Dodgers still have Austin Barnes and Kike’ from that trade. Certainly not stars, but serviceable backups, and a lot less expensive than Dee Gordon. The Grandal for Kemp trade is still an AF plus for me.
Where I think AF has not been a shining star is his apparent unwillingness to make that crazy a** FA signing. On the flip side, I am not sure how much freedom AF had to make any of those FA signings. His hands may have been tied by ownership. AF has been on record pointing to this year as the year he could make a splash. NYY ownership and LAA ownership have come out and said that Gerrit Cole is a top top top priority and have given their respective GMs the thumbs up on doing whatever it takes to get the job done. So if the dollars shoot up out of LAD’s ownership’s comfort zone for all three, then I hope they do nothing (except maybe Will Harris and a couple of potential game changing question mark relievers in Treinen and Gausman) and sit on their prospects and hope that somehow something changes. It is likely not to change the outcome without new personnel and perhaps personalities. If they do not sign one of the big three, then I hope they do not settle on Castellanos and Miley. They tried that last year with Pollock and Kelly, and while they both could still turn out, they both could still turn out to be busts, and we can have five more years of hearing “but those busts were not as bad as the dope-fiend contracts.” I would like the opportunity to lament a Scherzer bad FA signing, or even a Jon Lester bad FA signing.
I like the upside of Kelly and Pollock more than the upside of Casty and Miley. Miley is just not nearly as good as Ryu and I would rather stick with May, Urias and Gonzo. Casty will always be a bad outfielder. But, I would not be opposed to sticking with Turner at 3B for another year and moving Casty to 1B where he might have above average glove and range for a 1st baseman, the bat plays for the position and he’s a 6′ 4″ target to throw at. Then you have to move Muncy or he becomes a super utility guy and eases into 3B as Justin ages out. That would be a worst case scenerio and you aren’t going to break the bank for Casty.
AC, the Grandal trade was never a fait accompli in my book. Many felt we didn’t get equal value for Kemp and Grandal was criticized every season for his slumping ways and then his fielding. The irony of it all is we got rid of Grandal, re-acquired Kemp, and Kemp got us through the first half of the season and into the playoffs and WS. Of course, neither player would stick as Kemp’s contract was a heavy anchor. No, I don’t agree about the trades you mention. None of them gave us what we needed. A broken down pitcher who coulda contended, a young pitcher who melted down and has never really recovered what was supposed to be an Ace game, and a star infielder who has done little on every team he has played on at an exorbitant price, and none who are still with the team! A successful trade gives you a steady starter who is here to stay awhile. Not one of those players was that.
Dee Gordon was a productive player. Granted he had some issues but we’ve never had a leadoff hitter like him since. So we got Barnes whom very few people are excited about, and Kike, whom half of the posters have wanted to trade for the last few years. Why you continue to think AF has done well in the trade department mystifies me. Then there are all the trades that you haven’t mentioned which add up to very little, have you forgotten?
For 3 seasons now, the Dodger objective has failed. They are not a failed team and AF is not a failed FO exec, but let’s be realistic and look at the facts. He has done poorly with his trades. Where he shines is the farming, the tending of, the accumulating of, and the harvesting of the crops. That has been where all the success has lied in his tenure. He is a farmer. The FA market has eluded him. The last examples are Pollock and Kelly, shining examples of WTF? when compared to what we could have gotten and who was available. Even you admit there were others you would have went after before them. AF is a farmer, a very successful one, with little track record in big acquisitions.
I think Seager will come back and have a great year at bat and in the field, but if Lindor is acquired to play SS what would yo think of Seager moving to 1b? Muncy and Taylor as the basis for Lindor with other parts added on either side to balance it out.
I know it’s easy to criticize AF for not signing past free agents but if you look back at last 5!years or so there has been a lot of BAD results from big free agents signings crippling a lot of clubs. The exception has been Scherzer and DLM last year. Muncy outproduced both Machado and Harper. I wouldn’t want either of those contracts on our books. But I agree with Mark. I think Cole and Rendon are the exception. I see Cole as a Scherzer capable of another 5-6 exceptional years. Strasburg not so much. He used to throw upper 90’s and now down to mid nineties. If he continues to lose velocity and he’s at that age then you have another fading Kersh. Rendon may not give us 5 years of last year but I think he will give us consistent all star caliber years with both bat and glove. Trim some payroll with the trades Mark mentioned and pick up some bullpen help. Pay the minor luxury tax this year. Turner comes off the books next year and can take on a Freese roll at much reduced salary. Year after that Kersh and Janse come off the books to start signing our younger players. I know there are no guarantees but cmon our team with Cole and Rendon would be ridiculous AND we maintain a sic minor league system to trade for any holes that pop up. And like 59 I love Rios. He could have a huge breakout next year. I like him playing with JT at first in case of injury or load management for JT. Lux will be great backup in case of injury and full time 2nd base next year and Muncy moves to first unless Rios goes ballistic! Cmon AF put your ego aside and just spend the money! Your not in Tampa any more Dorothy
No one will say and that includes Friedman and the Front Office, but if AF does not go over the Luxury Tax Threshold this season, we know what is up!
Even Ray Charles can see it if that’s what happens.
If the Dodgers can only get 1 player, then I say it’s Cole.
Go ahead and give him 7years/$280 Million. That’s your dope fiend move. Do it!
If you trade Kike or CT3 and Maeda, I think you can still be under the LT.
No way I would trade for Lindor or Betts. Too many prospects!
If the Chi-Sox want Pederson, then the Dodgers get Bummer.
Maeda can get them another reliever as can Kike or CT3.
Any way that Maeda gets Bummer even up?
I think he’s controllable for 4 more years and they could use a good number 3-4 starter at a very affordable price.
They give up 70 innings of Bummer for 150 innings of Maeda.
100% agree Mark! The real collusion isn’t in Washington it’s in MLB!
Crazy trade idea:
Dodgers get: Jo Adell, Cam Bedrosian.
Angels get: Kenta Maeda, Ross Stripling, Joc Pedersen, Kike Hernandez.
Dodgers need a solid reliever and a RHH slugger. Angels are desperate for starting pitching and a LHH slugger.
No idea if this is fair, but it’s fund to speculate.
Adell is considered one of the top two or three prospects in all of baseball.
I don’t think you’re going to get him by giving up a #3-4 starter, a swing man (our # 6 or 7 starter on the depth chart), a platoon guy with one year left on his contract and a utility guy.
Try subbing Urias or May for Maeda and Verdugo for Joc and you might get their attention.
If the Rockies shop Arrenado…
There’s some home/road splits, but K’s were pretty even, same with homers (20) on the road and DJLM surprised almost everyone except AC. Road OPS was 866.
He has an opt out after 2021, so he’s only guaranteed 2 years, so the same control as Lindor, but more expensive.
He’s a fiery player, not a laid back type and he’s one of the best ever defending the hot corner.
He’s one of my favorite non-Dodgers. I’d make a play for him. I’d suggest players, but everyone would say no to my suggestion.
No! (didn’t want to disappoint you)
He’s going to cost in AAV about the same as Rendon except you’re going to have to give up some very good players on top of it.
You can’t pay too much in players/prospects because he could opt out.
Rox can’t give him up without getting a huge haul because he’s the face of the franchise.
You would have to give up someone like Belli or Buehler to get Arenado. You know it’s not going to happen.
My trade proposal for the day:
Joc, Kenta, Kike and Robinson Ortiz to the WhiteSox for Bummer or Fry, Nick Burdi and Jake Burger.
Won’t ever happen, but it’s fun to play GM for a moment.
Nick Anderson seems like he would be nice. Maybe we could trade Kolarek for him
Proven pitching, proven pitching, proven pitching, proven pitching and MAYBE a 5th proven pitching, both starting and relief is what we need.
4 or MAYBE 5 proven pitchers.
Remember the 3 batter minimum rule.
All I see who are current Dodgers that are reliable/somewhat reliable are:
Buehler
Kershaw only as a starter
Maeda
May small sample
Gonsolin small sample
Urias
Baez
Not so much that he’s reliable, but his contract is not movable Jansen.
Never mind the 5th proven pitcher. We don’t need that many. Just 4.
This could still be asking a lot but how about Cole or Strasburg, may I add Ryu, Will Harris for the 8th inning and trade for a closer.
Or
Cole or Strasburg, Will Harris for the 8th inning. trade for a closer and add a 7th inning free agent my preference Tyler Clippard.
Both of those situations only require 1 trade for a closer.
I’m different than a lot of people, I believe in our current offense.
I’m rambling sorry.
I reiterate…..……..Cole/Strasburg and Rendon/Donaldson. Trade some of the young’uns for
the bullpen relief and enjoy. If not now, when?
In a recent article by Bill Plunkett for the OC Register, AF is quoted as saying “I don’t think we need to shake things up just to shake things up.” Kind of a stupid comment to make since the fan base isn’t suggesting or hoping to shake things up to just shake things up. We’re wanting to shake things up to win a freaking WS!!!!
It’s time to get a co-ace or a RH bat to put this team over the top. If you think Buehler, CK, Maeda, May, Urias is enough to win the WS I got a bridge to sell. Sounds like AF is trying to position himself in the event he doesn’t acquire some sufficient superstar talent and will once again break out the “canned” comments along the lines of “we’ve won the NL West 7 straight years, we have the NL MVP, we won 106 games with this talent and we didn’t think it was necessary to spend or mortgage the future.”
All the while the sad saps like me will continue to pay $75.00 on a Wednesday night for a box seat, buy a $14.00 beer and a $9.00 dollar hot dog, park the car for $25.00 to admire a new DS front door while we win an 8th straight NL West crown.
Memo to AF…………..make the dope fiend move and bring home one of the big three. I’m hoping he’s using GM speak in advance of the Winter Meetings, but if he comes home empty handed I will be very disappointed.
2020 Dodger Stadium boycott gaining momentum. They’re not getting my money next year if AF doesn’t make a big move to bring home a WS championship. That’s our money he’s not spending! Status quo just isn’t good enough any longer!
Is that a thing? I was thinking about staying away if they don’t spend just today. I just didn’t want to be the one to say so on this site. I really don’t like the remark that AF made ahead of the Winter Meetings. Maybe it’s just posturing. But, if you don’t sign one of the big three, you make a trade for an impact player. If he’s not improving the team, he’s not doing his job.
That goes for gear too. I’m all stocked up, so I can go a year or two without buying anything.
So they should make stupid dope-fiend moves that have no basis in reality?
Some teams will do that.
Just like the D-Bags when they signed Greinke…
Weren’t you advocating for them to make a dope fiend move and sign Cole?
You’re not blaming Greinke for not helping them, are you? You need a whole team to get places in the MLB. I commend the Dbacks for getting him. They just couldn’t pull it together from all directions. Like you said earlier, we need to do a dope fiend move. The right one! Add a top talent!! Let’s get high.
Why make bold moves to shake things up?
It’s much smarter to assume that everybody will improve, that nobody will regress, and that 2-3 guys, especially Kershaw with some new pitch, will somehow figure out how how to step up in October.
Oh. And keep all the prospects because 80% of them will at worst be Mlb regulars. It’s that easy folks!
With that approach, Bobby, we are almost guaranteed not to win a WS. The ONLY way to really improve a very good team like the Dodgers is through FA acquisition(s). We keep our core players and add talent to the whole. Addition, not hope, is the best bet. Trades are more risky than FA acquisitions. Top tier FA’s is something the Dodgers have lacked for years, and so is a WS win! 31 years and counting, AF.