Since being hired as Los Angeles Dodgers president of baseball operations in November 2014, Andrew Friedman has placed an emphasis on organizational depth. He’s also focused on stockpiling starting pitchers, both in terms of prospects and retreads capable of providing spot starts.
Friedman’s regularly stated two areas he’s never fully comfortable with are pitching depth and the bullpen, considering the volatile nature of both. Prior to and during Friedman’s tenure, the Dodgers have amassed a bevy of young, talented pitchers.
Outside of Rich Hill, Scott Kazmir and Brandon McCarthy, Friedman has not signed a starting pitcher to a significant multiyear contract. The Dodgers’ decision to not re-sign Zack Greinke following the 2015 season drew criticism.
Friedman recently explained his view on the starting-pitching market, highlighting the value of depth, via ESPN’s Jim Bowden:
“Starting pitching has become the most overvalued in the industry because, outside of the aces, they are pitching less innings, with less starts as more depth is needed,” Friedman said. “We have a tremendous amount of depth on the prospect side and at the major league end by design. Quantity is just as important as quality in today’s baseball.”
Last season the Dodgers used 31 different pitchers, which tied a franchise record that was set in 2015. Of the 31 pitchers, 15 were starters, which ranked second-most last season.
The Dodgers reported to Spring Training this year with essentially 10 options to fill out their starting rotation. Clayton Kershaw, Hill and Kenta Maeda were the only locks, health permitting. Brandon McCarthy and Hyun-Jin Ryu earned the final two spots, while Alex Wood was placed in the bullpen.
However, Wood quickly returned to the rotation — though perhaps for just one start — when Hill was put on the disabled list with a blister on his left middle finger. Although the Dodgers have recently traded the likes of Jharel Cotton, Jose De Leon and Grant Holmes, pitching prospects Yadier Alvarez, Walker Buehler and Trevor Oaks are waiting the wings.
There’s also Brock Stewart and Julio Urias, both of whom gained valuable experience last season.
