The Los Angeles Dodgers have made 10 trades in just 26 days, overhauling much of a roster that won the National League West in 2014. Some of that was necessitated by the departure of shortstop Hanley Ramirez to Boston, but many of Friedman's moves were unexpected. Here is a breakdown of Los Angeles' major transactions.
Dodgers Receive: Yasmani Grandal (C), Joe Wieland (P)
Padres Receive: Matt Kemp (OF), Tim Federowicz (C)
The Dodgers dealt away their top power hitter in Matt Kemp, for a solid catcher and some pitching depth. They sent $31 million San Diego's way to help cover some of the cost of Kemp's massive deal, which runs through 2019 and pays him $21-21.5 million a season.
Kemp's power is unquestionable, and will likely translate to any ballpark, even one as spacious as Petco Park. He has also experienced a shocking decline in his outfield defense, and expressed unhappiness with moving from center field. He also has injury concerns, and is on the wrong side of 30 years old.
That said, true power is rare these days and the Dodgers traded a source of raw power away. They cleared up an outfield glut, and improved at catcher while dealing a star. If Kemp can stay mostly healthy, the trade will likely be a loss on the field. However, it's a big win financially, and may set up further maneuvering.
Dodgers Receive: Andrew Heaney (SP), Chris Hatcher (P), Enrique Hernandez (2B), Austin Barnes (C)
Marlins Receive: Dee Gordon (2B, SS), Dan Haren (SP), Miguel Rojas (SS)
This move was very interesting when it happened. Dee Gordon led MLB in stolen bases last season, hit .289, and scored 92 runs for one of MLB's best offenses. Haren was a quality starter.
Those seemed worthy pieces in exchange for Heaney though, a major pitching prospect that many believed would form a two-headed monster with Jose Fernandez atop Miami's rotation. The Dodgers have been linked to a number of big pitchers this offseason, and this deal appeared to address that more cheaply than trading for a Cole Hamels type. Overall, seemed like a win until...
Dodgers Receive: Howie Kendrick (2B)
Angels Receive: Andrew Heaney (SP)
So that was short-lived. Heaney sort of blew up in his first go-round at the MLB level, posting an 0-3 record and unsightly 5.38 ERA in five starts.
Kendrick is about a stable a player as there is in the sport. He can be counted on to hit in the high-.200s, show a little pop, and play excellent defense. While there's not doubting the value of a rock like that in the lineup and on the field, it is questionable to surrender such a highly-thought of prospect to acquire him.
SWN is unsure Andrew Friedman made the right call here.
Dodgers Receive: Jimmy Rollins (SS)
Phillies Receive: Two pitching prospects
So that's how they'll fill the Ramirez hole. Some may scoff at this acquisition because of Rollins' advancing age, but he proved he had plenty left in the tank in 2014. His speed seems like it will never leave him-Rollins stole 28 bases last year-and managed to bang out 17 home runs. The power could fade for good as soon as this season, but his speed and defense (worth 9.5 runs in 2014 per Fangraphs) will remain.
This is a veteran addition to a team full of vets. It's a good move.
In all, the Dodgers didn't really get older or younger. They shifted some pieces around and in a way appeared to remain at the same level. Friedman, speaking with USA Today, predictably would disagree.
"We obviously traded away some very good players tonight," Friedman said. "But we feel with the totality of the moves ourselves, we made ourselves a better team.''
If this completes the movement, SWN would have to grade the offseason as a C in totality. If anything, L.A. is now relying on prospect Joc Pederson, admittedly one of the best prospects in the sport, to deliver from the outset. They lost speed (Gordon), and a ton of power (Ramirez, Kemp), and replaced it with some speed (Rollins) and overall capability (Kendrick).
The money cleared up may allow them to pursue a big time pitcher that would let them relegate Wieland to a swing pitcher role, in which case this offseason would be a slam dunk. If nothing else major happens, however, they'll be in another dogfight come September.
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