One thing is for sure—the Dodgers will look to add one more quality starting pitcher to their rotation before the MLB trade deadline.
According to Jon Heyman of CBSSports.com, the Dodgers’ quest for another arm to add to the rotation will come down to the Chicago Cubs‘ Ryan Dempster, Miami Marlins‘ Josh Johnson or Tampa Bay Rays‘ James Shields.
Given that the Dodgers will need to sacrifice a nice bundle of minor-league prospects to acquire any of their targets, there will be risk involved with any one that they bring in. That being said, these three are not created equally, and each has their own positives and drawbacks that they bring to the table.
Here’s the breakdown on all three and how they fit into the Dodgers plans.
Ryan Dempster
Dempster appears to be target No. 1 for the Dodgers, as Heyman points out that the Dodgers and Cubs have already been engaged in trade talks.
2012 Stats: 5-5 2.25 ERA 1.04 WHIP 83 K’s
Positives: Obviously, Dempster has been pitching at a very high level all season, Dempster would provide the Dodgers with a veteran presence and has been consistent throughout the season.
Dempster can’t overpower batters and his 83 strikeouts this season is very modest, but he keeps the ball in the park and allows his defense to make outs.
With the additional run support he would see with the Dodgers, his 5-5 record would improve as his other stats indicate a much better record.
Drawbacks: With talks between the Cubs and Dodgers coming to a standstill, it would seem that bringing Dempster into the fold may ultimately cost too much. Dempster has pitched the best of the three targets, but he’s in a position to have the highest price.
Josh Johnson
Johnson is rumored to be a backup plan if the Dodgers aren’t able to land Dempster. At 28 years old, Johnson provides a much better option than Dempster if the Dodgers are looking to add a pitcher they could keep in the long-term.
2012 Stats: 6-7 4.14 ERA 1.34 WHIP 105 K’s
Positives: The physically imposing 6’7″ Johnson is a powerhouse pitcher that can rack up the strikeouts. When healthy, Johnson is the kind of pitcher that can take every start deep into the game and has the ability to lead a pitching staff.
At seven years younger than Dempster, the Dodgers would be adding a pitcher that could be a force on their staff for years to come if they can get him to commit long-term.
Drawbacks: Firstly, his numbers are not close to Dempster’s. Johnson’s ERA is almost a whole run higher than Dempster’s and his whip is .3 points higher. He may be able to pitch more innings for the Dodgers, but his injury-shortened 2011 season still has to be a bit of concern as the pennant chase gets closer.
According to Jerry Crasnick of ESPN.com, the Marlins have publicly shopped Johnson but that they are also asking for elite prospects in return. With the Dodgers reluctant to give up their top prospects for Dempster, it’s hard to imagine they give up much more for a pitcher who is pitching significantly less effectively.
James Shields
Shields is another backup plan if the Dempster trade doesn’t work out, according to Heyman, Shields is 30 years old and has pitched for the Rays for all seven years of his major-league career.
2012 Stats: 8-7 4.52 ERA 1.46 WHIP 134 K’s
Positives: Shields may not be as physically imposing as Johnson, but he is still a workhorse of a starter that will eat innings and keep the Dodger bullpen fresh as the season wears on. Shields has pitched 200+ innings each of the last five seasons while posting consistently serviceable numbers.
If Shields can reclaim the success that he had last season, he is capable of putting up ace numbers, he posted a 2.82 ERA in 249.1 innings.
Drawbacks: While Shields durability is one of his strong suits, he has yet to notch a complete game in 2012. After posting his best season last year, his numbers have largely returned to the mediocrity that he has been known for so there’s no guarantee that he will be able to post his 2011 stats again.
Shields may ultimately be the most lackluster of the options but he would be a serviceable innings eater for the Dodgers, and he could be had at a relatively low cost in terms of what the Dodgers give up in a trade.
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