The problem is, if not Hatcher, then who? Pedro Baez has appeared in 18 games so far this year but has a 4.67 ERA, which is better than Hatcher, but still not desirable. J.P. Howell has been worse than both of them, with a bloated 7.84 ERA in 14 appearances.
The only two relievers who have been “ok” so far this season are Blanton and Louis Coleman. In 19 appearances, the 35-year-old Blanton has a 3.20 ERA and 0.92 WHIP. His success has led to the right-hander shifting from a long reliever to trusted late-game option for the Dodgers.
As for Coleman, he owns a 3.31 ERA and 0.98 WHIP in 18 games. Although the duo aren’t markedly improved options on the surface, they are All-Stars when compared to the likes of Baez, Hatcher and Howell.
The status of the starting rotation is no better. The truth is, the Dodgers have no second or third starters. Behind Kershaw, they have four pitchers who are at best fourth- or fifth-starters in a normal rotation, and even that might be charitable.
Three of the four, Scott Kazmir, Stripling and Alex Wood, are sitting with an ERA above 4.00, with Kazmir and Stripling dangerously close to 5.00 ERA. Kenta Maeda has an acceptable 2.87 ERA, but it’s somewhat deceptive as he’s faded in recent weeks.
Most fans are excited by the everyday players the team has assembled. Joc Pederson, Corey Seager and Trayce Thompson are young men with seemingly bright futures. They are surrounded by solid veterans, Howie Kendrick, Justin Turner and Chase Utley, among others.
However, the problem is, without a much stronger pitching staff, the Dodgers are unlikely to make the playoffs this year. The silver lining very clearly is found with rehabbing starters Brandon McCarthy and Hyun-Jin Ryu. Brett Anderson is also expected to return at some point.
The trio presumably would improve the Dodgers’ rotation and likely bump Wood to the bullpen. The gamble in that, of course, is the danger in putting too many chips on players to return from significant surgeries. Hitting the trade market to address their multiple needs isn’t much a viable option, but certainly something the Dodgers should pursue.
Talented as Kershaw and Jansen are, they simply can’t shoulder the entire burden of the staff.
