Los Angeles Dodgers: J.T. Realmuto’s two bad traits should prevent trade
By Jason Reed
1. J.T. Realmuto is terrible against left-handed pitching
Deciding to take a look at how Realmuto performs against left-handed pitching came after debating whether or not it was worth trading Cody Bellinger (it’s not) one for one for Realmuto. Bellinger’s struggles against southpaws was used as an argument against him and it became evident why Realmuto isn’t a good fit.
Bellinger has struggled against southpaws, it is hard to deny that. Bellinger hit .226 against left-handed pitching last season with six home runs in 186 at-bats and a .681 OPS.
J.T. Realmuto was even worse. In 118 plate appearances against southpaws, as a right-handed hitter nonetheless, Realmuto hit .204 with a .651 OPS and three home runs.
Realmuto was great against right-handed pitching, which evened out his stat line and makes him a respectable bat at the dish. However, the last thing the Dodgers need is another bat that struggles against left-handed pitching.
We all saw the absurd platoons that the Dodgers had to run in the World Series and J.T. Realmuto would only be adding to that equation. He has the same reverse-split as Yasiel Puig and wouldn’t help the team’s lack of left-handed specialists. Why give up pieces for someone that does not add anything new?