Los Angeles Dodgers Acquire Risky Starter Kevin Correia
The Los Angeles Dodgers continue to make moves after the trade deadline. This time they have acquired Kevin Correia from the Minnesota Twins for cash considerations and a player to be named later.
Despite a familiar relationship GM Ned Colletti and Correia have from their days from San Francisco, where Colletti was an assistant general manager, this move is quite the risk. Kevin Correia has simply had a pretty awful season. The 34-year-old is tied for the major league lead in losses with a 5-13 record with an 4.94 ERA. Although, optimistically one can view Correia’s numbers as simply victim of being a part of a last place team with little help to support him, there still are disturbing numbers to raise awareness and skepticism.
Correia is expected to perform long relief duty and potentially as a sixth starter. Monday he will start versus the Atlanta Braves as he is considered to be called upon to give the Dodger workhorses an extra day of rest. In Correia’s last 4 starts, he has given up 15 earned runs, 28 hits, and has only lasted at least 7 innings once since May 31st. With the rash of injuries and bullpen woes the Dodgers have befallen, Correia will feel pressure to raise the bar to assist pitching depth and occasionally the stating rotation along with Roberto Hernandez.
“Kevin gives us an additional option as a starter or long reliever. He also supplies us with more veteran pitching depth for the stretch drive.”-Ned Colletti
Correia’s arrival in Los Angeles may definitely reboot what’s been ailing him the last two seasons in the American League. Minnesota is the only American League team that he has played for in his 11 year career. With less reliance on the long-ball in the National League, Kevin Correia can definitely return to form back in familiar surroundings. While his earned run average has been little to write home about throughout his career, the Los Angeles Dodgers bats potentially may aid Correia with enough run support to get the job done.
The Dodgers opened a 40-man roster spot for Correia by designating left-handed reliever Colt Hynes for assignment. The bright side of Correia’s acquisition is that starter Hyun-Jin Ryu, who has been incredibly solid, receives luxury of being on 6 days rest along with Zack Greinke. Greinke has recently hit a slight rough patch to start the month of August with 2 consecutive losses with and may definitely benefit from an extra day off.
Ryu, winner of 4 of his last 5 starts, meanwhile has a solid reputation for performing at a higher level with 6 days of rest. This is excellent news to know considering how great he has been this season and is only getting better in his career.
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The Los Angeles Dodgers prepare for a 4 game series with the Atlanta Braves, followed by a return to Los Angeles to begin a 9 game home stand that begins with the Milwaukee Brewers, whom the Dodgers are wrestling for control with for the best record in the National League. Luckily for L.A., the San Francisco Giants are in the middle of a 4 game losing streak and behind 4 1/2 games behind Los Angeles. Kevin Correia and Roberto Hernandez will manage to take the mound in the middle of a highly important stretch for the Dodgers. The pressure may not be in full force, however, there’s an expectation for the new Dodgers acquisitions to play pivotal roles for the pitching staff.