Rumors: Dodgers in on Free Agent Garrett Richards
The hot stove has been cooking the past few days as teams return from their Thanksgiving lull. The Dodgers have been involved in just about every rumor imaginable, but this may be the most interesting one. It has been reported that Los Angeles has made an offer to free agent pitcher Garrett Richards, a former Angels starter.
Sources: Garrett Richards has offers from the Dodgers and Padres. Dodgers are making a push.
— Jon Heyman (@JonHeyman) November 29, 2018
Richards is phenomenal when healthy, but he just had Tommy John surgery this year. There is a chance he could start to throw later in 2019, but he would likely be a candidate for the 2020 starting rotation. Richards has battled a number of injuries throughout his career, starting just 28 games since 2016. He owns a career 3.45 earned run average and has shown some elite stuff when he has the opportunity.
In 2014, Richards started 26 games and pitched to a sparkling 2.61 ERA. His strikeout per nine innings was close to nine and his walks per nine innings were under three. He tore his patellar tendon covering first base in a game in Boston during August and did not return until April 2015. Richards also underwent elbow surgery in 2016 for a torn elbow ligament, but it was not Tommy John. He obviously comes with some concerns, but his stuff is sharp.
Perhaps the Dodgers are looking at him as a potential bullpen piece in order to limit his workload. Regardless, his arm would likely come at a great bargain price since he will be sitting out the 2019 season. Richards features a fastball that sits in the mid-’90s and a great sinker that he cranks up to about 96 mph.
My response? Thanks but no thanks since he won’t really be available until 2020. Dodgers need not to spend money on a player that won’t even be playing in 2019.
This FO loves reclamation projects i.e. pitchers coming off TJ surgery. Yes Buehler looks like a front-line starter, but they are not always successful.
I think it’s a safe bet though. He won’t cost very much at all, and at his peak he’s phenomenal. Low-risk, high reward.
Thus that would be a key element here…he won’t cost much then and should not block up too much $$$$ available for 2019, wss
The Friedman special
I see this signing as the exact same reclamation project we undertook with Brandon Morrow….a highly-touted prospect who had a history of injury issues. DO IT! When healthy, Garrett Richards stuff is electric. And, Rick Honeycutt can fix almost any pitchers’ mechanical defect that may have contributed to their injuries as, the Angels have always had the WORST pitching coaches since Marcel Lachemann retired.
All a mute point now, as Richards apparently has signed a 2 year deal with the Padres.
From Dodgers MLBTR….
3:59pm: It’s a straight two-year deal for Richards, Passan further tweets. With incentives, the contract can max out at a total of $18MM.
Paul,
Its DodgerLou!!! I have been trying to find out what happened to the other posting board but to no avail. I hope all is well with you and PD Jr. Just when the WS began, the “old” board went down. Have you heard from Steve and the other regulars. Regardless, hope you have a great holiday season.