Los Angeles Dodgers: Five best trades by Andrew Friedman’s front office
By Jason Reed
5: Logan Forsythe trade
Second base has been a revolving door for the Los Angeles Dodgers the last several seasons. Prior to 2017, the Dodgers were on a four-year stretch of having different Opening Day second baseman. 2017 continued that trend, this time slotting Logan Forsythe into the lineup. Prior to Forsythe, Chase Utley, Howie Kendrick, Justin Turner and Mark Ellis started Opening Day.
Forsythe was brought in to fill the void that the Dodgers thought they had at second base. At the time, Utley was yet to resign and nobody knew that Chris Taylor could perform the way he is. After dealing Kendrick to the Philadelphia Phillies, Enrique Hernandez was the only option left to start at second.
As much as I love Hernandez, he is not suited to be an everyday starter. This is why getting Forsythe was so important.
Not only did the Dodgers fill their void, they filled it with the perfect candidate. Forsythe historically thrived against southpaws, something the Dodgers desperately lacked. Thus far Forsythe is batting .316 against lefties as a Dodger.
Sure, the team gave up one of their best pitching prospects in Jose De Leon, but there was no room for him. De Leon was already big league ready yet had no place in LA’s rotation. Unfortunately for the Rays, De Leon has battled injuries this season and has only thrown 2 2/3 innings.