While the Los Angeles Dodgers boasted the best record at the non-waiver trade deadline, they further bolstered their roster and starting rotation by acquiring Yu Darvish from the Texas Rangers.
The deal was agreed to with seconds to spare, and aided by the Dodgers and Rangers holding extensive conversations that were pivotal to the teams finalizing a trade. In the end, the Dodgers landed an ace they were said to be in the market for, without losing their preferred prospects.
Darvish went 6-9 with a 4.01 ERA in 22 starts this season with the Rangers. He endured a rough July, but Dodgers general manager Farhan Zaidi explained the team didn’t have any concerns over that stretch.
Darvish’s first start with the Dodgers validated that, as he recorded 10 strikeouts over seven shutout innings against the New York Mets. He struck out 10 in an ensuing start, though only managed to pitch five innings.
There were then subpar outings and a stint on the disabled list due to a lower back strain. The 31-year-old used the time he was sidelined to refine his mechanics. That didn’t immediately translate to improved results, but Darvish ultimately hit his stride in late September.
During the final month of the regular season he became the fastest pitcher in MLB history to 1,000 career strikeouts. In nine starts for the Dodgers, Darvish went 4-3 with a 3.44 ERA, 3.38 FIP and 1.45 WHIP.
He was stellar in starts leading up to the postseason, beginning with five strong innings against the Arizona Diamondbacks to earn a win as the Dodgers swept the National League Division Series.
Then in start in against the Cubs in Game 3 of the NL Championship Series, the right-hander allowed just one run to the Chicago Cubs over 6.1 innings at Wrigley Field. But Darvish faltered in the World Series, as he went 0-2 and recorded just five outs in each of his two starts, while allowing a combined nine runs (eight earned).
That one of the losses came in Game 7 added further frustration, considering the Dodgers traded for Darvish to improve their chances in the playoffs.
2017 highlight
With 10 strikeouts in each of his first two starts for the Dodgers, Darvish became the franchise’s the first pitcher since Karl Spooner in 1954 (15 and 12 strikeouts) to accomplish the feat.
Moreover, during a three-start stretch to close the regular season, Darvish went 2-0 with a 0.47 ERA, with 21 strikeouts in 19.1 innings pitched, while holding opponents to a .136/.162/.167 batting line.
2018 outloook
With Shohei Ohtani making his decision to sign with the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim, Darvish is one of two premier starting pitchers on the free-agent market. Both he and Jake Arrieta are projected to sign two of the more lucrative contracts this winter.
Should there be a robust market for Darvish, his expected contract may ultimately price the Dodgers out from consideration.
