How the Los Angeles Dodgers will replace each off-season loss
By Jason Reed
Brandon Morrow, Tony Watson → Tom Koehler, Scott Alexander
Well, the Chicago Cubs took another player from the Los Angeles Dodgers, signing Brandon Morrow to a two-year, $21 million contract. As good as Morrow was for the Dodgers last season, it simply is not worth paying a setup man over $10 million a season.
Plus, something tells me Morrow will not be that great for the Cubs, especially in the closer role. This happens all the time; a struggling pitcher will come to LA, Rick Honeycutt will work his magic and he will turn into a star. Then, they leave and return back to bad form. Just look at Joe Blanton.
The Dodgers had no problem replacing Blanton in 2017 when he walked to the Nationals and they had no problem replacing Morrow for 2018. Andrew Friedman arguably brought in a better arm in southpaw Scott Alexander. Alexander had a 2.48 ERA with the Kansas City Royals last season. His 73.8 percent ground ball rate was the best among qualified relievers.
As for Tony Watson, he has not exactly left yet, but may be out the door. With the Dodgers bringing in Alexander to add to a southpaw heavy rotation and Tony Cingrani, they don’t really need Watson.
Instead, the Dodgers went out and got failed starter Tom Koehler to pitch out of the bullpen. Koehler still has a lot to offer the Dodgers at 31 years old. Knowing Rick Honeycutt, Koehler will somehow become the guy the Dodgers are calling on in every game of the 2018 World Series.
The Dodgers will be just fine. This bullpen cycle repeats every year. No one will miss Brandon Morrow in July when he loses the closer role.