When the Los Angeles Dodgers acquired Chris Hatcher as part of their trade with the Miami Marlins in December 2014, they envisioned him as a late-inning reliever capable of helping bridge the gap to Kenley Jansen. Hatcher also profiled as a spot closer for games Jansen was unavailable.
That opportunity came rather quickly, as Jansen underwent foot surgery in February 2015, which cost him the first six weeks of that season. Hatcher went 0-3 with two saves, two blown saves and a 6.00 ERA in 15 games during Jansen’s absence.
The mixed, often subpar results, were symbolic of what was to come during Hatcher’s time with the Dodgers. Hatcher’s tenure in Los Angeles skidded to an abrupt end Tuesday, as he was traded to the Oakland Athletics in exchange for international bonus pool money — $500,000 to be exact.
Hatcher conceded he failed to pitch to the level that was expected in spite of being given several opportunities, according to Bill Shaikin of the L.A. Times:
“They gave me plenty of leash, and I didn’t really pitch to expectations. It is bittersweet. Hopefully these guys can go win a ring, and I can be successful in Oakland.”
Dodgers manager Dave Roberts cited depth in the bullpen as a factor to the trade. “Innings and opportunities for Hatcher were going to be hard to come by,” Roberts said. “It just kind of made sense all around.
“To give him an opportunity to go to Oakland, an organization that had a lot of interest, gives Chris a new opportunity.”
Hatcher was reinstated from the 10-day disabled list last Sunday after missing 42 games due to thoracic inflammation. Hatcher’s final appearance with the Dodgers came June 22, when he allowed one run on one hit and collected one strikeout in 1.1 innings against the New York Mets.
In 26 games this season, he went 0-1 with a 4.66 ERA, 4.26 FIP and 1.34 WHIP. Over parts of three seasons with the Dodgers, Hatcher was 8-10 with four saves, a 4.64 ERA, 4.30 FIP and 1.36 WHIP in 112 games.
This season was a third with the Dodgers in which he missed several weeks. Hatcher was transferred to the 60-day disabled list in 2015 and 2016, each instance because of an oblique injury. He didn’t pitch after July 19 last season because of the injury.
