Along with the Los Angeles Dodgers looking to acquire a starting pitcher prior to the Aug. 1 non-waiver trade deadline, they were also said to be on the search for bullpen help. Los Angeles was linked to big-name relievers Aroldis Chapman and Andrew Miller, but went a different route.
One of the lesser-known relievers the Dodgers traded for was Josh Fields from the Houston Astros in exchange for first-base prospect Yordan Alvarez. Fields had spent most of the season with Triple-A Frenso, but essentially remained with the Dodgers after the trade.
Through his first 11 appearances, the 31-year-old was 1-0 with a 4.66 ERA and 11 strikeouts in 9.2 innings.
Fields then joined Triple-A Oklahoma City in late August and allowed two runs on three hits in two innings over a pair of appearances.
After once again joining the Dodgers, the right-hander posted a 0.93 ERA with 11 strikeouts in another 9.2 innings over 11 games. Fields’ owned a combined 2.79 ERA, 3.61 FIP and 1.45 WHIP, while striking out 22 and walking eight in 19.2 innings with the Dodgers.
That was significantly better than the 6.89 ERA he had in 15 appearances with Houston this season. Fields’ late surge earned a spot on the Dodgers’ roster for the National League Division Series and Championship Series.
He had four strikeouts over 2.1 scoreless innings in four appearances, splitting them evenly during the NLDS and NLCS.
2016 Highlight
A marginal reliever for much of the year, Fields pitched exceptionally well to close out the regular season. He allowed just two runs (one earned) over his final 11 appearances, and carried that success into the postseason, permitting just one hit and issuing a walk in four games.
2017 Outlook
Fields is one of nine Dodgers players that are eligible for arbitration this offseason. After making $900,000 this season, he was projected by MLB Trade Rumors to earn roughly $1.6 million in 2017.
After his impressive showing to close out the 2016 campaign, he will head into Spring Training with an opportunity to earn a bullpen spot out of camp. Even if Fields begins the year with Oklahoma City, he’ll likely join the Dodgers at some point.
