The Dodgers have picked up recently designated righty Casey Sadler in a trade with the Rays, per club announcements. Minor-league hurler Nathan Witt is headed back to the Rays in return.
To create 40-man space, the Los Angeles org shifted southpaw Rich Hill to the 60-day injured list. He has been sidelined for about two weeks already with a flexor strain and obviously is going to require a lengthy respite before trying to ramp back up.
Soon to turn 29, Sadler sported a 1.86 ERA and 54.1% groundball rate in 19 1/3 innings with the Rays before getting the boot. His 11:5 K/BB ratio was less than impressive, though Sadler’s 8.9% swinging-strike rate was better than it had been in his prior efforts at the majors.
Sadler will open his tenure with the Dodgers on optional assignment at Triple-A. He’ll represent a depth option if and when a need arises. More significant relief upgrades remain a clear possibility this summer.
The Rays obviously fielded interest from some other teams since they were able to come away with something from the deal. Witt has only advanced to the Class A level at 23 years of age, but does carry 11.8 K/9 against 2.7 BB/9 in his 23 2/3 innings there this season.
Why? Just, plain, why?
Inexpensive pitching help for the second half and he has a sub 2.00 era.
Small sample size with only 19 innings this year. Every year before has been in the 8 era area
Yup, I see someone with a career 4.07 FIP and a 1.41 WHIP and think, that’s exactly what a team with a weak bullpen needs to win a world championship. I think, he’s cheap. So I think, well worth the roster spot.
My name is Andrew Friedman, and I approve this message.
If you want, maybe the Giants and Dodgers make make a trade, Zaidi for Friedman?
The Giants would want a couple of top prospects to balance out the deal. (Sorry, hard to resist.)
Those numbers say ok maybe take a shot on this guy. Unlike Rosscup who should never pitch another game for the Dodgers.
They probably saw something they could change or teach him. We need a lot of different lotto tickets to be able to hit on one. We gave up someone who would probably be taken in Rule 5 soon anyway. Rather have the guy who is ready now.
I mean why not.
Are you going to miss young Nathan Witt?
So I guess my question is that you have a previously journeyman pitcher (at best, with a lifetime 4+ ERA) who suddenly has become effective this year (sub 2.00 ERA and sub 1.1 WHIP in 19+ innings). Why trade for him unless you think he has finally permanently matured into this newly effective pitcher? But if you believe that, why put him in the minors straight away with all the deficient relief pitching in the Dodger bullpen? Like you, I am puzzled.
What the hell is this?!
Why was Sadler designated in the first place? I mean I get that he isn’t an established P or anything but it’s not often a player is designated after posting a sub 2.00 ERA over 19 innings.
This is prob a handshake deal given Friedman used to work for the Rays and their head baseball guy is his understudy. As for Richie, we knew he was gonna be out a while.
More dumpster diving by Friedman to address pen woes. They will get hammered in the playoffs.
I bet you’re fun at parties. Wow.
[DOWNVOTE]
On the way to the World Series…..
Its not July 31st
Sadler’s not much; periphs are lousy and he can’t break glass with his fastball. Still, it was strange considering Rays still have Roe, who must know where the bodies are buried. No other reason for him to be on a MLB roster.
And many of Friedman’s dumpster dives have performed been more than OK. It’s a worthwhile shot.
Witt”s still pitching in Low-A, 3 years after being drafted as a college player. In other words, flotsam.
Someone needs to hire this man and put him in charge out scouting and president of player development
Get you a friend that trades with you like the Dodgers and Rays do.
Aww I wanted the Mets to grab him
Sadler is a good depth player who does not have the raw ability that most have but has pitched decently in his few ML chances.
In this age of numerous pitchers injuries it is good to have guys like this around.
I was under the impression that he did not options left and that is why the Rays cut him.
I doubt that the Dodgers see much that they can improve upon as he has gone from the Pirates to the Rays and he has limited pure natural ability.
All in all though even minor moves like this one are one of the reasons why the Dodgers have the best team in baseball.
Not all trades are intended for immediate ML roster. Sometimes they just improve depth in the system somewhere or are precursors of more to come.
Stroman would be good fit.
My thinking based off previous Friedman trades, will be to include Sadler in a bigger deal or have protection when they sell the bigger prospect arms included in a future deal. Maybe less than a week away from a major move here. Vazquez has to be the target in order for a substantial upgrade.
Haven’t you heard, LAD has the smartest most forward, outside the box thinking front office in MLB. Just look at the hardware they’ve ……. never mind
There is no trophy for regular season success and playoff roster construction has remained elusive for LAD. The new hard trade deadline is going to be prove problematic for the LAD who really like to “over” manage their 40 man roster.
What type of MLB ready depth does this team have to have to make another run to the WS? The health of their starters and performance of their bullpen are both problematic. They’ve never replaced Morrow, not coincidentally neither Jansen nor Morrow have been the same after 2017 season.
Pitching aside can a team that is so HR reliant in their offense grind out runs in the post season. Just not sure they’re built that way, playoffs is just so SSS.