Earlier this week, it was being widely reported that the Dodgers were in talks with 30-year-old left-hander Andrew Heaney. Early Wednesday evening, the Dodgers confirmed (via Twitter) that they had indeed signed the Oklahoma City, OK native and first-round draft pick in 2012 by the Miami Marlins out of Oklahoma State University to a one-year deal for a reported $8.5 million.
This is actually Heaney’s second stint with the Dodgers, as they previously acquired him from the Miami Marlins on December 11, 2014 – along with Kiké Hernández, Austin Barnes, and Chris Hatcher – before flipping him to the Angels of Anaheim that same day in exchange for (then) 31-year-old / 14-year MLB veteran infielder Howie Kendrick.
Heaney split time last season between the Angles (18 games / 18 starts) and the New York Yankees (12 games / five starts), posting a combined 8–9 record and 5.83 ERA over his combined 129.2 innings pitched. During that time, he struck out 150, walked 41, and allowed 29 home runs.
Over his eight major league seasons, Heaney has a career record of 32–38 with a 4.72 ERA (121 games / 112 starts). Shortly after the announcement by the Dodgers, Heaney posted this on Twitter:
Although this may be the first official off-season move by Dodgers President of Baseball Operations Andrew Friedman, it definitely won’t be his last.
Stay Tuned…
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As much as I DETEST the opener in MLB, Heaney would actually be a good bulk inning reliever, a RHP opener, then Heaney can mow down left handers.
The ball doesn’t carry all that great in LA.
Fingers crossed!