Dodgers Eyeing Tigers’ Michael Fulmer
With essentially every starter hitting the D.L. this season, it’s no question the Dodgers are desperate for starting pitching. With Walker Buehler heading to Rancho Cucamonga, LA is down yet another starter, with an unknown timetable. The trade deadline is weeks away, and it looks as if the Dodgers are targeting a starting pitcher from the American League.
The #Dodgers are doubling down: They not only are aggressively pursuing #Orioles SS Manny Machado, but also #Tigers starter Michael Fulmer. The #Orioles, heavily scouting the Dodgers' minor-league system, want Class A pitcher Dustin May included in any package of prospects.
— Bob Nightengale (@BNightengale) July 3, 2018
Fulmer, 25, is in his third season with the Detroit Tigers. He was the 2016 Rookie of the Year in the A.L, after going 11-7 while posting a 3.06 ERA. His follow-up campaign was a let-down, going 10-12 with an ERA just under four. This season has been even more of a struggle for the right-hander. As of July 3, Fulmer is 3-7 with a 4.20 ERA. He’s averaging the most strikeouts per nine innings of his career (7.6). Though, he’s also averaging the most walks (2.9) and hits (8.4) per nine innings.
Analysis
It’s unclear what the Tigers would ask for in a trade. Seeing how he’s played the last two seasons, it couldn’t be too high of an asking price. In Fulmer’s young career, he’s shown flashes of great potential. More notably, he still is only 25-years old. With injuries plaguing the Dodgers all season, this might be a smart move, as Fulmer has made 67 starts since his debut in 2016. Whether it’s making a move for Fulmer or other pitching arms, expect the Dodgers to be very active at this years trade deadline.
Daniel Hudson Raising His Stock in Recent Weeks
They need to add bullpen arms as they erred in not signing Murrow or Watson. Thankfully Chargois is coming back and Goeddel had a bad couple of outings but should be able to stabilize, Hudson has been OK but allows scary contact. Fields, Cingrani, Koehler, and Baez are rehabbing.
The Dodgers do not need rotation help. Kershaw is working his way back, Maeda has been sound and Hill is also pitching better. Wood seems to have figured out his leg muscle issues and Stripling has been very good. Buehler should be back in a week. Ryu will be available after the AS Break and he was our most effective pitcher until his muscle pull. So we have Kershaw, Meada, Hill, Wood, Stripling, and Buehler available after the AS Break. That is 6 with Ryu back in maybe August, that is 7. And possibly Urias available at end of the year but certainly available next year. And next year there should be an all-out fight for a rotation slot. As Caleb Ferguson in getting big league experience looks like a solid back of rotation guy. Santana will probably be back. And if not traded May and White may also fight for rotation or a bullpen slot. Will Kershaw opt out? If he does opt out depending on the money and length of contract I would not sign him. His velocity has dropped enough to no longer have a swing and miss fastball and so far this year he is not as accurate. Plus his back is a constant question and may be contributing to his lost velocity.
This article makes no sense! Fulmer has bad stats and the Dodgers are soon to have 6-7 starters who all look better than Fulmer. I wonder why this article was even written!