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MLB Free Agency 2017: 5 potential teams for Jason Hammel

By Brendan Dlubala

Jul 22, 2016; Milwaukee, WI, USA; Chicago Cubs pitcher Jason Hammel (39) throws a pitch during the first inning against the Milwaukee Brewers at Miller Park. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Hanisch-USA TODAY Sports
Jul 22, 2016; Milwaukee, WI, USA; Chicago Cubs pitcher Jason Hammel (39) throws a pitch during the first inning against the Milwaukee Brewers at Miller Park. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Hanisch-USA TODAY Sports /
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Jason Hammel
Oct 13, 2016; Washington, DC, USA; Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher Clayton Kershaw (22) celebrates with his team after the game against the Washington Nationals during game five of the 2016 NLDS playoff baseball game at Nationals Park. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports /

1. Los Angeles Dodgers

The Los Angeles Dodgers may also be a team that doesn’t have a glaring need at starting pitching but could welcome Jason Hammel with open arms. The Dodgers enter the winter with nine starting pitchers who are big league capable. Clayton Kershaw headlines the rotation but beneath him is an unsteady group of arms.

Meanwhile, veterans like Scott Kazmir and Brandon McCarthy are likely to be shopped this winter with the weak free agent market. Kenta Maeda will surely be one of five starters but Alex Wood, Julio Urias, Ross Stripling, Jose De Leon and Brock Stewart could all find places in the minor leagues or bullpen. And those final four guys could also find themselves amongst trade rumors as the Dodgers seem to be heavily active in the market.

“We just have a number of options that we feel like put us in position to have an above-average major league rotation, which allows that to be a real strength for us next year,” Friedman said. “How that’s constructed, we don’t know yet.”

Added Zaidi: “We always talk about building a 162-game rotation, not necessarily a five-man rotation. I think we have the guys to get through 162 games. Now it’s just a question of whether we can improve the quality and target some high-end guys that would really change the configuration of where guys slot in.”

Hammel could easily become part of that plan if the Dodgers do end up shocking the market with a trade involving White sox ace Chris Sale or lefty Jose Quintana. They’ll likely part with a number of young players and prospects which could deplete a portion of their depth. Enter Jason Hammel, for a number of reasons.

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Hammel will give the Dodgers some consistency in their rotation while also bridging the gap between winning now and winning in the future. He also gives them a much needed right handed arm in a rotation that featured almost all lefties in 2016. Hammel also won’t be as much of a risk as an aging Rich Hill or an unproven Ivan Nova.

Where do you think Jason Hammel signs in free agency?

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