July 31st, 2017 at 3:45 pm 
by Ron Cervenka After weeks of speculation and amongst a flood of rumors, the Dodgers pulled off yet another walk-off win to add to their 2017 résumé, this one a mere 15 minutes before Monday afternoon’s 1:00 pm PT MLB non-waiver trade deadline when they landed arguably the most sought-after trade deadline prize, soon-to-be 31-year-old Texas Rangers right-hander Yu Darvish.
Although Darvish posted a 6-9 record and 4.01 ERA with the Rangers this season, the Dodgers are counting on him to fill the much-needed right-handed void in the Dodgers rotation down the stretch – especially with the Dodgers league-leading offense behind him. (Photo courtesy of SI.com)
In exchange for Darvish, the Dodgers sent Oklahoma City Dodgers top second base prospect Willie Calhoun, Great Lakes Loons right-hander A.J. Alexy and Rancho Cucamonga Quakes shortstop Brendon Davis to the Rangers, all three of whom were ranked high within the Dodgers farm system. That being said, the immediate addition of Darvish to an already very good Dodgers starting rotation could very well be the push that they have needed to finally bring a World Series trophy back to the City of Angels, something that is not lost on several current Dodgers.
In addition to Darvish, the Dodgers also acquired 32-year-old left-handed reliever Tony Watson from the Pittsburgh Pirates in exchange for 21-year-old Loons right-hander Angel German and 18-year-old Loons infielder Oneil Cruz. They also acquired 28-year-old left-handed reliever Tony Cingrani from the Cincinnati Reds in exchange for 31-year-old beloved longtime Dodgers outfielder Scott Van Slyke and 20-year old Ogden Raptors catcher Hendrik Clementina.
Although additional roster moves will be needed throughout the Dodgers minor league system to fill vacancies created Monday’s trades, the Dodgers have announced that they have designated Tulsa Drillers outfielder Peter O’Brien and OKC Dodgers infielder/outfielder Mike Freeman for assignment, with additional roster moved pending.
In the simplest of terms, it certainly appears that Dodgers president of baseball operations Andrew Friedman, general manager Farhan Zaidi and director of amateur scouting Billy Gasparino hit a home run with these trades.
… a two-out, bottom-of-the-ninth walk-off home run, that is.
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Tony Watson and Tony Cingrani must have something that can’t be seen with the naked eye this year. Watson is an expensive free agent following the season so is most likely a rental. I doubt the Dodgers will pay him $5M+. Will be 33 next May and looking for a 3-year contract.He has been on a downhill slide.
Cingrani has been marginal at best.
Looks to me like FAZ stuck their toe in the shallow end of the pool instead of playing boldly as the team is doing.
I don’t mind trading the guys they did and am pleased for Willie Calhoun. However, I don’t think they hit a homer with the two relievers. Might even be a double play.
Darvish is interesting and perhaps a rental. However, he could be the missing piece this year. What happens as free agent next year is anyone’s guess. His acquisition is to win this year.
I’d be curious to know what better moves you think F&Z could have made without giving up the farm.
I know how anti-Twitter you are, Harold, but there were many outstanding posts about the overall perception of the trades that the Dodgers made, including several by some of the best baseball minds out there. Nearly all of them call the moves made by the Dodgers brilliant.
Here is a link from one of them that details exactly how the last minute trades by the Dodgers went down. It is a fascinating read. No double plays in this one:
Inside the frenzied 12 minutes that led to the Dodgers’ deal for Yu Darvish
The Dodgers were in on Zach Britton all the way up until the point the Orioles decided they would not be trading him. They shifted to Cingrani and Watson once it was clear they couldn’t get Britton. As you said their current numbers are not very impressive to the naked eye. They have been successful in the past though and both ranking in the top of all of MLB in exit velocity allowed in addition to a couple other metrics that suggest they are actually performing better than it appears on the surface. When it comes down to it the Dodgers did not give up very much for them. I’m a little bummed about losing Cruz but I’m the big scheme of things it’s not a big deal. I’m sure that the Dodgers thought after not being able to get Britton was to pick up these two leftys as plan b. Hope one of them turns it around. If they bust it’s not a big deal either. Just cut bait and move on. They’re not in very deep with the acquisition cost. As Ron said I’m not sure who else the Dodgers could’ve gotten without emptying the farm. Oriole’s made Britton unavailable and Padres basically did the same with Hand by asking for the moon and the stars.
The Dodgers could’ve have done absolutely nothing today and still have been the favorites to win it all. It’s very hard to improve a team as stacked as the Dodgers. They found a way to do it though by adding a frontline starter that was arguably the best pitching upgrade available and two left handed reliever projects that they hope one of or both can turn things around. All while not even making a dent in their lush farm system. The team was already the cream of the crop and now they just hedged their bets today to make sure they distanced themselves even further. If they turn Watson or cingrani around today wasn’t just a walk off homerun, it was a walk off grand slam.
lol! Walk-off grand slam was my original title but I didn’t want to sound greedy.
I’m glad the Dodgers made this trade. They want to win now….. World Series or bust! Remember, us older Dodger fans aren’t getting any younger.
I agree 100 percent, TBW. As Alana Rizzo told me just last week: “If they don’t do it this year, they never will.”
I’m going to miss Scotty the most. It was apparent that Van “Slick” wasn’t in the team’s plans any longer. I wish him luck and hope he gets more playing time with the Reds.
Makes me a little nervous when BlueNose Dodger isn’t on board.
However, I’m hopeful Dodgers now have the left-handed relief pitcher depth that it is likely someone will step-up. I am high on a guy named Ryu to make an impact in the playoffs. Even though his splits haven’t been good.
I’m on board Boxout but not grand slam on board. Darvish is a key to the whole thing and I think a good one. Has already had his TJ surgery and coming to a contender. The other key is that FAZ didn’t really diminish the strength of the farm system. Those are fine young players and I surely wish them well, but the system has other players to fill their spots and the top prospects are still on board. Very, very pleased for SVS and Willie Calhoun. I don’t think either had a future career in LA.
I’m just am not as enthused with the Tony’s as you guys. They are lefties, which is good, but lefties have to produce too. Left-handers are hitting Watson .308 this year and Cingrani .293. Watson in on a down year for sure although better in July but still had a 1.59 WHIP and .318 batting average against. Cingrani in July – 10.00 ERA, 1.78 WHIP,.342 batting average against. On the season 5.40 ERA. If Watson can return to his 2015 form then we will have an Earl Weaver homer.
I am not sure either will be with the Dodgers next year but for this year perhaps they will do that new team thing and play very well. You know, where guys get hot with a new team. For both coming to the Dodgers should be like a new lease on life. I surely hope so.
I am totally optimistic with Darvish but more wait and see with the Tony’s.
In any event, it solves one problem for Ron. He now won’t have to call Grandal – “Granny” – with Cingrani on the roster.
I didn’t think of that, Harold! I reckon I’ll have to start calling him “Yaz” like everybody else, even though there’s not a “z” in his name;)
Otherwise, I’m with you on the rest. As always, good or bad, I take a wait and see attitude, figgerin’ those guys know stuff I don’t.
I agree they didn’t appear to give up too much. Like many Dodger fans I’m sorry to see Scott go, but this could be a good move for him. The performances of young Dodgers, particularly Chris Taylor, have decreased Willie Calhoun’s value to the Dodgers. I’m sure he’ll do well elsewhere.
Early in the season I posted that we’d be seeing the old Hyun-Jin by his 16th start (disclaimer: I might have said “game” but since I hadn’t considered that he’d have a relief appearance my thought process was game=start). Either way, this was his 15th start, 16th game.
Of course, this was only one game. He has to build on it, which I believe he will.
I don’t know how important it is, but I’m glad to see another right hander in the starting rotation.
I am too OBF.