Los Angeles Dodgers: Ross Stripling isn’t letting rumors get to him

There has been a ton of speculation and rumors surrounding the Los Angeles Dodgers this offseason, none of which are affecting Ross Stripling.

The Los Angeles Dodgers are a much different team now than it was entering the offseason. Old fan favorites have been traded and new faces and old friends now grace the roster.

Out is Yasiel Puig, Matt Kemp, Alex Wood, Kyle Farmer and Yasmani Grandal and in is Joe Kelly, Russell Martin and A.J. Pollock. While the Dodgers have been busy, I would not expect the team to be finished.

Especially with all of the rumors surrounding the Dodgers. The Pollock signing eases those rumors but there is still the possibility of the Dodgers trading for J.T. Realmuto and trading Joc Pederson separately.

One of the pieces that the Los Angeles Dodgers front office might be inclined to trade is Ross Stripling. Stripling was an all-star last season after dominating as a starter but might not fit into the Dodgers’ starting rotation.

Stripling definitely has value and is someone that the Miami Marlins should want to add. Heck, Stripling reportedly was nearly dealt earlier in the offseason to the Pittsburgh Pirates for Francisco Cervelli.

None of this is bothering Stripling, who appeared on the Within the Lines podcast to discuss the Dodgers’ offseason moves.

"“It’s just kind of business as usual around here,” Stripling said. “Your offseason is about getting yourself ready to play baseball and obviously I expect it to be for the Dodgers and if it is not I’m going to show up ready for whoever it is.”"

Stripling also brought up the often said mantra that if a team does trade for him it means that team obviously wants him. However, he made it clear that he enjoys his time with the Los Angeles Dodgers and does not want to leave.

And while he prefers to be a starting pitcher, he is ready to perform in whatever role that Andrew Friedman and Dave Roberts want him in.

"“That’s what Andrew Friedman loves,” Stripling said. “Guys like Kiké (Enrique Hernandez) that can play in multiple positions. That can get guys out in multiple different scenarios: can go five innings or can get you an out in the eighth inning against a righty.”"

That is, at the end of the day, what makes Stripling so valuable and is why the Los Angeles Dodgers should avoid trading him. Sure, there might be a surplus of starting pitching but Stripling has shown that he can fluctuate from the bullpen to the rotation almost seamlessly.

For guys like Kenta Maeda that is a little bit tougher and the Dodgers are going to miss that if they deal Stripling. There is still room in the rotation for Stripling to be the fifth guy if Maeda goes to the bullpen or even if the Dodgers run a six-man rotation, which would be beneficial for everyone on board.

Stripling also ranked his top three favorite chicken strip places (in honor of his Player’s Weekend nickname, Chicken Strip) and said that he would let Tommy Lasorda win in a race around the bases. You can listen to Stripling’s interview on Spotify in the initial link above or on SoundCloud here.