Los Angeles Dodgers: Deadline trades guarantees World Series berth

The Los Angeles Dodgers made a huge splash during the MLB Trade Deadline. Now, the Dodgers’ first Pennant since 1988 is practically guaranteed.

Guaranteeing something in sports writing is a risky thing, you are practically putting your neck on the line. Yet still, the deals the Los Angeles Dodgers made during the MLB Trade Deadline has to guarantee that the boys in blue will take home their first NL Pennant in 29 years.

In case you missed it, Andrew Friedman’s front office brought in bullpen help in Tony Watson and Tony Cingrani; two Tonys and two lefties. This was all the calm before the storm as the Dodgers struck an agreement with the Texas Rangers right before the deadline hit to send Yu Darvish to Los Angeles.

The Dodgers acquiring Darvish was easily the best trade of the entire deadline, and arguably was the best trade by Friedman since becoming President of Baseball Operations.

With Darvish now in the fold the Los Angeles Dodgers have three pitchers that would be the Ace on most teams. Clayton Kershaw, Darvish and Alex Wood are all great talents. Although Wood is having a much better season this year than Darvish, Darvish will slide in as the number two pitcher behind Kershaw to help break up the L/L/L train atop the rotation.

Darvish’s 6-9 record and 4.01 ERA certainly is not what Dodger fans want to see out of a guy that many are considering a game changer. The veteran right-hander has never played an MLB game in Dodger Stadium, with his only appearance at Chavez Ravine being in the finals of the 2009 World Baseball Classic.

In that championship game against South Korea, the 22-year-old Darvish threw two innings, allowing just one run on one hit.

Although there is no data on Darvish pitching in Dodger Stadium, there is no doubt that his performance will benefit greatly from the pitcher friendly confines. Globe Life Park in Arlington ranks fourth in added runs according to ESPN’s Park Factors, Dodger Stadium ranks fifteenth.

However, Globe Life Park is historically regarded as a hitter friendly park, Dodger Stadium jumped from 29th to 15th solely because of how much the Dodgers are scoring at home. Immediately it is apparent that Darvish will thrive from the change of scenery alone.

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This now gives the Dodgers four insane options for the postseason. Alongside Kershaw, Wood and Rish Hill Yu Darvish rounds up the Dodgers rotation as perhaps the deadliest in baseball.

Then you take into consideration the bullpen help that the Los Angeles Dodgers brought it. Both Watson and Cingrani are huge left-handed options out of the pen, despite whatever bad spin you have heard about them.

Watson has thrived in Dodger Stadium during his career, putting together a career 1.86 ERA there.

As for Cingrani, he has put together a 1.08 career ERA, with the two posting a 2.58 ERA and 3.93 ERA against the rest of the NL West, respectively.

Overall, the Dodgers moves were smart, calculated and cost effective on the grand scheme of things. With what the Dodgers got, for giving up at most their fourth best prospect, you can’t help but call this deadline a win.

Next: What to expect from Yu Darvish

Not only is this deadline a win for the Los Angeles Dodgers, however, it amplifies their chances to win the World Series. One thing that is guaranteed though is the team winning the National League Pennant.

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