Fact: If you don’t like 29-year-old Dodgers right-hander Casey Sadler, you just plain don’t like people – period. You simply will not find a nicer guy on the planet. And if the Dodgers do not tender the extremely polite Stillwater, OK native a (pre-arbitration) contract this off-season, they will have only themselves to blame and will be making a huge mistake.

Sadler, who was initially drafted by the Pittsburgh Pirates in the 25th round of the 2010 MLB First-Year Player Draft out of Western Oklahoma State College in Altus, OK, and acquired by the Tampa Bay Rays as a free agent on January 28, 2019 (and subsequently designated for assignment by them), was traded to the Dodgers on July 3, 2019 in exchange for minor league right-handed reliever Nathan Witt. He will be arbitration-eligible in 2022 and becomes a free agent in 2025.

It was the deal – and steal – of the century … or at least of the season.

In the 24 games in which Sadler appeared for the Dodgers (once as an ‘opener’), he posted a 4-0 record with an outstanding 2.33 ERA over his combined 27.0 innings pitched. During that time he allowed only seven earned runs on 25 hits while walking eight and striking out 20 of the 115 total batters he faced. He also allowed only three home runs in those 27.0 innings of work and even picked up a save along the way.

As for that ‘steal’ part of that deal, he cost the Dodgers a whopping $555,000 – the MLB minimum for 2019 – and if retained by the Dodgers will receive a cost-of-living adjustment in 2020 and 2021. A steal indeed.

Do you see where this is going? The guy who had the lowest ERA from among all Dodger relievers not named Russell Martin (0.00 in 4.0 IP) or Adam Kolarek (0.77 in 11.2 IP) must, absolutely must be wearing a Dodgers uniform in 2020 – and beyond.

But what makes Sadler even more valuable and a huge fan favorite is what he does outside the lines (as they say) and his frequent interaction with them on social media – more specifically on Twitter (@sadler_squared) – on which he often downplays his (significant) value to the team, often to the point of near self-deprecation and humility.

This past Monday, a mere five days after the Dodgers season (and postseason) came to an abrupt end, Sadler, his wife Marin and their beautiful young daughter Kaysen had a picnic … on the grass in center field at Dodger Stadium. How cool is that!

As you might have guessed, the Sadlers are a very spiritual family and often express their love and gratitude for the blessings the Lord has bestowed on them. In other words, the successes that they have and continue to enjoy most certainly are not a coincidence, if you get my drift.

Please lockdown Casey Sadler, Andrew. And please do so soon.

…for the good of all of us.

Play Ball!

    *    *    *    *    *