Dodgers News: Pitcher Kevin Gausman Linked to LA by MLB Writer
It is that time of the year, folks. We are now on the verge of the Winter Meetings next week and the rumors are flying all around. In the most recent edition of rumors specifically pertaining to the Dodgers, Bob Nightengale of USA Today has linked right-handed pitcher Kevin Gausman to Los Angeles.
Gausman spent time with the Atlanta Braves and Cincinnati Reds in 2019 and is just 28 years old.
The #Dodgers quietly are being aggressive this winter. They're in talks with free-agent third baseman Anthony Rendon, and starting pitchers Stephen Strasburg and Kevin Gausman. Several rivals say LA also is willing to listen to trade offers on several of their high-priced players
— Bob Nightengale (@BNightengale) December 3, 2019
In addition to the Gausman rumors, Nightengale also confirmed that the Dodgers have held discussions with top flight free agents Anthony Rendon and Stephen Strasburg — something we already knew from previous reports.
As Tim Rogers mentioned here at dodgersnation.com earlier, Gausman is an intriguing arm all by himself.
Kevin Gausman is known as a starter but the Reds put him in the bullpen at the end of 2019. He’s a two pitch guy; 95 MPH fastball and a splitter. That’s the same pitch mix as Kirby Yates and it took him a bit to become a great reliever.
As evidenced by his 6.37/3.10 starter/reliever splits, I think Gausman has the potential to play up in the bullpen and I like the fact he uses a splitter.
While he is not the sexiest name on the market per se, something he does have is a good pitch mix and intrigue. Last season, the right-hander had a fantastic 97.4 percent spin efficiency on his fastball, typically a good indicator of success with the pitch. He finished the season with a subpar 5.72 ERA, but his 3.93 FIP points to some bad luck last season. In 2019, the 28-year-old starter turned in an excellent 77th percentile average exit velocity against him, another good mark on his record.
He was once the fourth overall pick in the 2012 MLB Draft and has enjoyed hints of success in recent years.
While Gausman likely would not fit the team well as a starting pitcher, he represents an intriguing proposition for the Dodgers’ front office as a reliever. His fastball velocity ranked in the 67th percentile last season and that could easily jump into the 80th percentile or so if he became a full-time reliever. The intrigue is there and it could be a low-risk, high-reward type move if they could get him to come on a minor league pact.
Almost 6 era and likely comes cheap. A Friedman speciality .. Only thing missing is an injury history
teams keep giving him a chance and he comes up short every time. Yimi Garcia is better
Dodgers kept giving Yimi a chance and he came up short every time. Betances is better. We’re the Dodgers not the rays
and yet Garcia is still better than Gausman
Not saying much the guy gives up a homerun every single outing. His job at this level should be to give everyone else a rest in a blowout
Agreed, if you are going to take a chance, take it on Hader or Betances. Yes Bertances was hurt last year. But his numbers before he was hurt were off the charts. Gausman has never had that kind of response even at the best of health. You are right though in saying that Gausman seems like a perfect Friedman signing… But not as good as Morrow or Blanton… Gausman would be like signing another Joe Kelly, long on potential, short of production…
Not intriguing go get Cole. We have the most money yet we are messing around with 3rd tier free agents as usual
I think I’m onto Friedman NODH. He only signs reclamation injury projects, so that when ( IF) they go on the D.L., he can then bring up the Farm prospects and see if they are major league worthy. We all know he’s been doing this and it’s not a bad idea especially if your getting young players to show their worth. Problem lately is that he’s bringing all of the farm, then expecting them to miraculously be ready to play at Post season level. Another problem is that he shows these players skills so they will be good trade bait for players that can help us for the here and now, but doesn’t even do anything at the deadline. Which brings the exact results we all knew were coming. 1st round exit……….The ownership group rakes in huge profits, the team has a few playoff games, more revenue rolls in and all and well in Big Money Dodger land.This routine is exposed now and he better start accumulating some proven Fa’s and major league ready ball players because I’m not the only customer who will boycott my money going forward. I have 2 family members that have already thrown the hat in the closet and picked up a A’s cap, and they attended several games a year….
Not much more to add here but that Gausman is NOT an answer to the BP needs. Dodgers unfortunately missed out on 2 relievers that could have up graded the BP in Will Smith and Drew Pomerantz