Editorials

Dodgers News: Zaidi Confident Anderson Will Remain Healthy

Cary Edmondson-USA TODAY Sports
Cary Edmondson-USA TODAY Sports

By losing Josh Beckett to retirement, Dan Haren in the trade with the Miami Marlins, and Kevin Correia and Roberto Hernandez becoming free agents, the Los Angeles Dodgers needed to replenish the backend of their starting rotation.

Rather than signing a Jon Lester or Max Scherzer, or another elite starter, which doesn’t appear likely, the Dodgers instead opted for a multitude of pitchers that gives them plenty of depth — something they lacked and became an issue last season when injuries and poor performances set in.



One of the offseason additions is Brett Anderson, a young pitcher with promise but a history of injury concerns. While Anderson only managed to make eight starts in 2014, Dodgers general manager Farhan Zaidi expects him to be healthy, according to the OC Register’s Pedro Moura:

I think it’s fair to say that as far as durability goes he hasn’t been a consistent 200-inning guy year after year. So there’s some risk. I do have a difference of opinion of lumping him in with guys who finished last year with arm issues. Brett had a freak thumb issue, and a very minor back issue that we feel won’t be an issue going forward.”

Zaidi also added the Dodgers are counting on Anderson to be a regular starter:

From a health standpoint, we feel very good about him being a regular guy.”

If Anderson is able to remain healthy, he figures to be an upgrade as a fifth starter over Beckett, Correia and Hernandez, all of who had their struggles last season. The 26-year-old (will turn 27 on Feb. 1) left-hander was taken in second round of the 2006 draft and is certainly a low-risk, high-reward signing.

Should Anderson falter, the Dodgers are in position to turn to internal options such as, Mike Bolsinger or Juan Nicasio rather than needing to trade away prospects as they did for Correia and Hernandez.

Staff Writer

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One Comment

  1. Never made sense knowing the track record of Kasten and Freidman that they would go for Hamils, Scherzer or Shields IMO. Hamils is a lefty which does not fit the rotation and more importantly the Phillies reportedly wanted 2 of our top prospects which you know they are not going to do at this point. Scherzer, to me is a great pitcher but at 30 years old a 7 year 200Mplus contract does not make sense. Shields would cost you a draft pick and Anderson I think is a better risk at 5 and McCarthy a better risk at the 4 for their age and the money. Yes I know they have been broken, a lot…
    Also lets see what Greinke decides next year and there are some top FA pitchers coming out next year if we need to pick one up.

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