Dodgers News: Ned Colletti Discusses Improving Team

The Los Angeles Dodgers have already acquired Kevin Correia and Roberto Hernandez in waiver deals, but are reportedly in the market for more additions.

Although it’s unlikely the Dodgers will land a player the caliber of the some who were available prior to the July 31 non-waiver deadline, general manager Ned Colletti sees value in trades, even if minor, reports Ken Gurnick of MLB.com:

We’re always looking to make the team better, even if it’s a slight upgrade,” Colletti said. “After the All-Star break, players get tired, they get hurt, they get mentally tired.

Colletti also offered some reasoning behind his history of being active on the trade market:

Adding a player in July and August to a contending team sends a message into the room that we appreciate what they’ve done and we’re all on the same page to make us as good as we can get. It can give the club a burst of energy and focus. I think it’s important, which is why we’ve done it every year but one.”

As for the Dodgers big trade in August of 2012, Colletti pointed to the importance it carried for the franchise:

That trade brought life and freshness and instilled credibility in the franchise,” Colletti said. “It was really a statement deal. For the most part, the bigger deals come in July, and in August you look to shore up a weakness. You usually can’t change the dynamics as dramatically, but you can change.”

While the Dodgers moves thus far in August were considered minor, their importance and value has quickly risen. The starting rotation is now dealing with injuries to Josh Beckett, Hyun-Jin Ryu and Zack Greinke, who may have an elbow issue.

Beckett is hoping to make his way back this season, though an abdominal injury may prevent that from occurring. The Dodgers to this point have been mum on Greinke and the team is hopeful but uncertain as to when Ryu will recover from his strained gluteus muscle.
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