We’ re a long way from the World Series. About 60 more regular season games, then the playoffs begin. But today I want to congratulate the Dodgers. After trying to succeed on the path to the World Series the last four years with inexperienced starting pitchers they made the move Monday that was necessary.
They gave up their No. 4-rated prospect, 22-year-old Willie Calhoun to acquire Yu Darvish, a four-time Major League all-star. There’ s no guarantee he’ s going to be the pitcher who allows the Dodgers to get past their playoff opponents. But it could be and it will be refreshing to see the Dodgers match up with elite starting pitchers in baseball’ s grand show. Someone besides Clayton Kershaw I mean. The 31-year-old Darvish is a rental, a baseball term meaning he’ s going to be a free agent after the season. Let’ s not forget that the Yankees on Monday got the other heralded pitcher, Sonny Gray, who becomes their property for two years after this one. But the Dodgers already have Kershaw and now they’ ll have Darvish, who had 148 strikeouts in 137 innings for the Texas Rangers this season.
The Dodgers also acquired two lefthanded relief pitchers, Tony Watson from the Pirates and Tony Cingrani from the Reds at the trading deadline. The Dodgers traded outfielder Scott Van Slyke for Cingrani. But after working on Darvish for weeks the Dodgers got their wish at the last minute, closing the deal without having to give up their two highest rated prospects, outfielder Alex Verdugo or pitcher Walker Buehler. “I’ m happy that I won’ t have to bat against Darvish anymore this season,” said Dodger hitting star Cody Bellinger.‘ I think our acquisitions will definitely be an emotional boost for the team, not that they need it,”said General Manager Farhan Zaidi referring to the fact the Dodgers have the best record in baseball. Darvish is scheduled to make his Dodger debut Friday in Atlanta.
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