By most accounts the Los Angeles Dodgers are focused on adding to their bullpen ahead of the July 31 non-waiver trade deadline. That would fall in line with team president of baseball operations Andrew Friedman’s longstanding position of never being fully comfortable with an area of the roster he commonly refers to as “volatile.”
Through games played Sunday, the Dodgers bullpen ranks second in the Majors with a 2.94 ERA, first with a 1.11 WHIP, and second with a .640 opponents’ on-base plus slugging percentage. The bulk of reported trade interest have tied Los Angeles to left-handed relievers.
They are among several teams who reportedly contact the Baltimore Orioles on closer Zach Britton, San Diego Padres lefty Brad Hand, and Detroit Tigers closer Justin Wilson.
According to Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports, the Dodgers are willing to trade Brandon Morrow or Sergio Romo, perhaps even both, in a deal that would bring in a new reliever:
Sources: #Dodgers open to trading Morrow and/or Romo. Idea would be to clear spot for LH acquisition, create greater L-R balance in ‘pen.
— Ken Rosenthal (@Ken_Rosenthal) July 17, 2017
Morrow and Romo are both in their first season with the Dodgers, though it’s been a tale of two stories for the right-hander. Morrow, signed to a Minor League contract, has been a pleasant surprise.
The former first-round draft pick of the San Diego Padres is 2-0 with a 2.30 ERA, 1.16 FIP and 0.89 WHIP in 16 games with the Dodgers. He’s struck out 20 while only issuing two walks over 15.2 innings pitched. Morrow didn’t allow a run through his first 11 games (11.2 innings)
Conversely, Romo owns a 6.12 ERA, 5.74 FIP and 1.40 WHIP in 30 games. He’s surrendered seven home runs in 25 innings and has seemingly fallen out of favor, last pitching July 8. Romo missed time this season due to a sprained ankle that was not considered serious.
