When Michael Kopech was traded to the Dodgers from the Chicago White Sox in exchange for Miguel Vargas and a couple of minor leaguers, there were a few muted mumblings in Dodgers nation about how Andrew Friedman failed to land the big fish. Tanner Scott, formerly of the Miami Marlins, was the biggest fish on the relief market. After all, he held an Earned Run Average of just about 2.00. To make matters worse. Scott landed with the rival San Diego Padres, leading to louder grumblings of discontentment.
Did the Dodgers Pull off The Steal Of The Trade Deadline?
A South-Bound Team
The Chicago White Sox could set the record for the most losses in a season. Before he was traded, Kopech served as both a starter and a reliever for American League Central-cellar dwellers. He has always had good stuff but inconsistent control. He had 24 walks to go with his 4.74 Earned Run Average and five blown saves. It was middle-of-the-road at best. Could the big right-hander, under the tutelage of pitching coach Mark Prior, become the closer the Dodgers needed?
Another Joe Kelly?
The Dodgers are very familiar with a pitcher with electric stuff but have times when he has no idea where the ball is going. His name is Joe Kelly. He has a nasty repertoire of pitches that can make batters look silly. However, in thirty games this season, Kelly has allowed 14 earned runs, including four dingers and 12 walks for good measure. This is not exactly what it means to be “effectively wild” or the way to climb manager Dave Roberts’ “trust tree.” It makes for exciting baseball but isn’t exactly easy on the skipper’s stomach.
The Long Injured List
The Dodgers have had an injury-laden season this year. The starting rotation has been hit hard. Tyler Glasnow, Clayton Kershaw, Walker Buehler, and Yoshinobu Yamamoto have all spent significant time on the IL this season. As a result, the bullpen has had to keep Los Angeles afloat. Prior to the All-Star Break, Dodger relievers had logged more innings than any other bullpen in baseball. Evan Philips and Daniel Hudson were the two most effective late-inning relievers before the All-Star Break. Both could be counted on to get big outs in high-leverage situations. However, since the break, Hudson and Philips have an ERA hovering around 5 and have given up two home runs each. They’ve also issued more than their share of free passes.
Just What (the) Doc Ordered
So, Andrew Friedman got to work, and the Dodgers got Michael Kopech. He has been the “lights out” closer Los Angeles has needed and more. In 13 1/3 innings, he has given up three hits, three walks, and one earned run. One. In addition, the newly-christened closer has 19 strikeouts, three saves, and five holds.
Oh, and his ERA is 0.68. That is not a misprint. Kopech’s velocity and movement have Dodgers fans conjuring visions of Eric Gagne and dreaming of a World Series in the near future.
An Added Bonus
No one knows what will happen in October. The baseball postseason is more of a crap shoot than it’s ever been. However, the price of acquiring Tanner Scott was high. The Padres parted with two of their top five prospects for a reliable reliever who will be a free agent at the end of the year. By contrast, the Dodgers did not have to spend any prospect capital and now have one of the best closers in baseball for the rest of 2024 and 2025. A steal indeed.
