With Clayton Kershaw and Max Scherzer among the group of Los Angeles Dodgers free agents, president of baseball operations Andrew Friedman acknowledged focus would be placed on the starting rotation this offseason.
Most presume that to be interest in re-signing Kershaw and Scherzer, but the Dodgers were first linked to Andrew Heaney. The left-hander went a combined 8-9 with a 5.83 ERA and 1.32 WHIP in 30 games (23 starts) for the L.A. Angels and New York Yankees this past season.
Heaney was designated for assignment during the first week of October and elected free agency rather than accepting an outright Minor League assignment.
Now the 30-year-old has agreed to a one-year contract with the Dodgers, according to Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic:
Free-agent LHP Andrew Heaney in agreement with Dodgers on one-year contract, pending physical, sources tell @TheAthletic. Deal is for more than $8 million – the amount Robbie Ray got from the Blue Jays a year ago. Heaney, as @JoelSherman1 noted, viewed as similar upside play.
— Ken Rosenthal (@Ken_Rosenthal) November 8, 2021
The signing represents a reunion as the Dodgers previously acquired Heaney as part of a trade with the Miami Marlins in December 2014. However, Heaney’s time with the organization lasted all but a few hours as he was then traded to the Angels for Howie Kendrick.
Heaney remained with the Angels until being sent to the Yankees at the trade deadline this year.
What role will Heaney have with Dodgers?
Adding the left-hander is more about depth than a potential replacement for Kershaw and Scherzer. Although Heaney hasn’t met expectations as a former No. 9 draft pick, the Dodgers have a history of succeeding with helping pitchers revive themselves.
What signing Heaney undeniably does support is Friedman’s stance of the Dodgers being willing to reach agreements with free agents prior to the current collective bargaining agreement (CBA) expiring and leading to a potential lockout.
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