Dodgers Rumors: Way too early free agent targets the team should consider

Jeremy Hellickson – SP

Jeremy Hellickson was once one of the most promising young arms in all of baseball. Previously on the Tampa Bay Rays, Hellickson was dealt to the Arizona Diamondbacks in November of 2014. Coincidentally, the team then flipped him exactly a year later to the day to the Philadelphia Phillies in exchange for a minor league pitcher.

Now on the Phillies, Hellickson’s time on the mound has been interesting. Last season Hellickson had the best season of his career, pitching to a 3.71 ERA and a 12-10 record. Not that impressive, I know, but the upside on Hellickson is huge and the Dodgers may be able to sign him for a bargain.

Thus far this season Hellickson has not been too great. Pitching to a 4.45 ERA, Hellickson has compiled a 5-3 record and an extremely low 3.56 k/9. Hellickson may not be that intriguing on paper, but because of that, the Dodgers could slip Hellickson a very small contract and grow him into the high ceiling he has.

Let’s face it, the Dodgers organization does wonders for pitchers. Pitchers can head into the Los Angeles Dodgers organization in midst of a horrible stretch and Ricky Honeycutt and his staff can turn it around. Look at Justin Masterson, he had put up even worse numbers than Hellickson, and now he is pitching to a 2.98 ERA in AAA and forcing fans to demand his call-up.

Overall, Hellickson has all the potential in the world and could best tap into it pitching at Chavez Ravine. This is a partnership that would greatly benefit both sides.