The Los Angeles Dodgers have stretched out a 2.5 games lead over the San Francisco Giants in the National League West. Impressive though their run has been, they still might be looking to make moves to improve their roster between now and September 1st.
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This week general manager Ned Colletti indicated that he is still working the phones and trying to make a deal as he has done in the month of August in past seasons. He would specifically like to add a bullpen arm or bat for the bench, according to Ken Gurnick of MLB.com:
"The Dodgers are trying to make waiver deals for a reliever and power bat off the bench. If general manager Ned Colletti’s track record in August is an indication, it’s likely to happen.“We’re always looking to make the team better, even if it’s a slight upgrade,” Colletti said. “After the All-Star break, players get tired, they get hurt, they get mentally tired."
Colletti’s track record with August deals might explain his relative lack of urgency in the weeks and days leading up to the July 31st deadline. Furthermore, it sounds like he might actually have a preference for August deals because they allow him to send a message to his team later in the season.
"“Adding a player in July and August to a contending team sends a message into the room that we appreciate what they’ve done and we’re all on the same page to make us as good as we can get. It can give the club a burst of energy and focus. I think it’s important, which is why we’ve done it every year but one.”"
It is easy to appreciate that sentiment; Colletti might find it difficult to execute, however. The deals that might be available to him do not seem like the types of deals that will move the needle much, but it should be interesting to see how he handles things and how splashy the Dodgers get.
Deals for bench bats are seldom exciting, but Colletti could still find a big name for the bullpen. For example: Jonathan Papelbon might as well be entering games with a “For Sale” sign around his neck. Would the Dodgers dare go that route? It might seem unlikely, but the Dodgers have gone big this time of year before and they might do it again.