July 27th, 2018 at 8:00 am 
by Ron Cervenka With the July 31 non-waiver trade deadline rapidly approaching and with several of the biggest bullpen pieces already off the trading block, Dodger fans are getting a little anxious over initial reports that Dodgers president of baseball operations Andrew Friedman and general manager Farhan Zaidi have every intention of going after a top-tier reliever (or two) before Tuesday night’s deadline. Yet as of this writing, there has been no mention whatsoever – rumors or otherwise – of the Dodgers being involved in any such trades.
Could it be that the Dodgers brain trust sees the return of right-hander Pedro Baez on Wednesday after having spent more than a month on the disabled list for right biceps tendinitis as enough to help get them to the Promised Land? This certainly seems… well… preposterous, considering that the oft-criticized 30-year-old Bani, Dominican Republic native owns a 3-3 record and 3.31 ERA in his 32.2 innings pitched this season, including the one run, two hits, one walk and two strikeouts in the two games he has appeared in since rejoining the team on Wednesday … not to mention the fact that he is anything but a top-tier reliever.
It is absolutely ludicrous to believe that Andrew Friedman and Farhan Zaidi are satisfied with only Pedro Baez to fulfill their bullpen needs. (Video capture courtesy of Fox Sports)
Perhaps F&Z have something else up their sleeve … say like soon-to-be (on August 12) 23-year-old lefty phenom Julio Urias, who is working his way back from June 27, 2017 anterior capsule surgery on his left shoulder.
Prior to the final game of the first half at Dodger Stadium on July 15, Dodgers manager Dave Roberts sprang a little surprise on the media during his pregame scrum.
“As I understand it, [Urias] is throwing to hitters right now,” Roberts said. “Four to six weeks is fair for him to be ready to pitch for our club. I know that’s still a two-week hedge, but obviously things can change each time he picks up a baseball. He progressing very nicely.”
And then prior to Saturday’s game against the Milwaukee Brewers at Miller Park, Roberts sprang another surprise on the gathered media that suggests that Friedman and Zaidi may indeed be looking in-house for their bullpen needs rather that trading away the farm for a veteran MLB arm:
Utilizing the young left-hander out of the bullpen is a brilliant idea as he slowly begins to strengthen his surgically repaired shoulder to where he can eventually return to a starting role. And even though Urias has appeared in only 23 major league games (20 starts) and has pitched only 100.1 total innings at baseball’s highest level over parts of two seasons, suddenly springing him on major league hitters after a 13-month absence could prove to be very effective down the stretch.
According to Roberts, the plan will be to utilize Urias out of the bullpen for up to three innings.
(Photo credit – Ron Cervenka)
It’s impossible to argue that the return of Julio Urias – especially to the bullpen – could prove to be a huge difference maker with only 59 regular season games remaining (taking into consideration that “four to six weeks” thing that Roberts mentioned). But it is hard – impossible even – to believe that Andrew Friedman and Farhan Zaidi will not continue to pursue additional bullpen help between now and next Tuesday night’s trade deadline.
Stay tuned…
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I can understand the reluctance to empty the farm for a reliever, but I sure hope the plan is not to rely on Urias. It always seems to take two years to come back from shoulder injuries, hopefully Urias is ready to go next season.
Now hoping for Fields to come back soon would be a nice in-house option. Ryu is another nice in-house option, perhaps allowing Maeda to go the the bullpen.
Any word on how Fields and Ryu are doing?
Ryu is scheduled to pitch a sim game this weekend at Dodger Stadium and then go out for four rehab assignments, so he will more than likely figure into the near future. I’ll have to check further into Fields.
Personally, I wouldn’t like to see anyone like Puig being traded for bullpen help. To me, the BP, as you say, can get help from within. Actually it looks very strong as it is.
I cringe every time BAEZ comes into a game! Time to cut strings with him! Can’t believe they sent Floro down to make room for him but I think that was just to give bullpen a “fresh” arm after 16,inning giveaway! After 10 days, hope they bring Floro back! How come Yankees get Britton and Happ for basically not much??? I know we could not fit Britton’S salary under the cap! Finally, WE NEED BULLPEN HELP!!! No word on Fields or Cingfani??? Both are very vital to our BP!!!
Anyone else concerned with starting pitching down the stretch? My concern is the powerhouse lineups we would face in the world series. The one NL team I see as a threat is the Cubs unless we have a melt down and lose the division.
I’m concerned, especially when you look at the following:
Kershaw, 14 starts, 9 quality starts
Stripling, 15 starts, 8 quality starts
Wood, 20 starts, 11 quality starts
Maeda, 17 starts, 5 quality starts
Hill, 13 starts, 5 quality starts
Buehler, 11 starts, 4 quality starts
Ryu, 6 starts, 3 quality starts
A quality start is a statistic for a starting pitcher defined as a game in which the pitcher completes at least six innings and permits no more than three earned runs.
We don’t have a dominant consistent ace anymore, but the above group can be very good at times.
What starters, who are available, do you like at a reasonable price?
Front office is merely keeping their cards close to their chest. They’ll get the bullpen help this Dodger ballclub so desperately needs within the next few days. Only question now is, from what viable source???