Now that the All-Star break is over, baseball fans, and especially fans of the Los Angeles Dodgers, turn their eyes to the second half and the trade deadline.
The Dodgers made one of their first move today, reportedly signing Jake Marisnick to a major league contract.
Fans know that the team was looking for a right handed bat. But this move is a head scratcher. Marisnick has never had a great batting average in the major leagues. His best year was 2017 when he was with the Houston Astros, and then he only batted .243. Marisnick broke his thumb in September of that year, and did not play in the playoffs.
He was designated for assignment by both the Detroit Tigers and Chicago White Sox earlier this season.
One would hope that this is not the teams only move for a right hand bat, as there are a few weeks left until the trade deadline.
The Dodgers also recently claimed right hander Tyson Miller from the Milwaukee Brewers for cash considerations. Miller has a 5.79 ERA on the season.
In the corresponding move, Daniel Hudson was moved the 60-day IL.
As always, the rumors abound about who else the Dodgers are interested in. One is working out a trade with the Chicago White Sox for Lucas Giolito, and perhaps Tim Anderson also.
Giolito is currently 6-5 on the season, with a 3.45 ERA. He is from the L.A. area, and oddly, announced his impending divorce via Instagram during the Home Run Derby on Monday. Perhaps returning home and playing for a contender would be a good thing.
Anderson is having a down year, batting only .223 with no home runs, and doesn’t play exceptionally well defensively either.
Another rumor floating around is the Dodgers have interest in old friend Rich Hill, and Austin Hedges. While a reunion with the journeyman pitcher would be lovely, he is 7-9 with a 4.78 ERA, and at age 43, one wonders about his stamina through another postseason. Hedges of course is a catcher, so presumably Austin Barnes would have to moved in this scenario and that doesn’t seem likely, although stranger things have happened.
As always around the trade deadline, lots of rumors around the Dodgers, and most of them don’t end up coming to fruition. And as always, time will tell.
There is one good piece of news in the injury department for the Dodgers. Starting pitcher Ryan Pepiot is reportedly going to go out and start rehab assignments with Triple-A Oklahoma City Dodgers on Friday, when the team plays in Sacramento. Pepiot injured his oblique in Spring Training.
The Dodgers start their second half on the season on the road, with series against the New York Mets, the Baltimore Orioles, and the Texas Rangers. Julio Urías will start Friday’s game, with the rest of the rotation schedule yet to be announced. Clayton Kershaw is also expected to return from the IL very soon.
The next few weeks will determine how well the Dodgers will be positioned to make a good run at the playoffs, with series against three teams that are playing very well, and the potential additions. Stay tuned.