LOS ANGELES, CA — Well, what do you know? With only 33 games left in the season, the Dodgers have the best record in Major League Baseball. All this has been done with as many as twenty-four (24) players on the Injured List since March. To show you how deep the Dodgers are, they just designated Jason Heyward for assignment to make room for Chris Taylor, who is coming off the IL. Heyward’s last at-bat was his pinch-hit, three-run home run Tuesday night that won the game over the Mariners.
Being released had nothing to do with his stats compared to Taylor’s; it was the fact that with Mookie Betts returning to right field, there was no place for Heyward in the lineup. Their numbers are close, but Taylor can play multiple positions.
Will Chris Taylor be an unsung hero this coming postseason for the Dodgers? – Image Credit: Emma Sharon/Latino Sports
When the season concludes, the Dodgers are poised to emerge as the team that made the most strategic decisions. Their roster moves, carefully calculated throughout the season, testify to their management’s foresight. One such move was an under-the-radar trade with the Blue Jays, where they sent LHP Ryan Yarbrough to Toronto in exchange for perennial Gold Glove center fielder Kevin Kiermaier. This trade now positions them with one of the best center fielders in baseball, an outfielder with blinding speed and an accurate 90-plus mph arm. Kiermaier could be the missing piece that fortifies their defense.
The once Blue Jay Kevin Kiermier from earlier this year is now a Dodger – Image Credit: Emma Sharon/Latino Sports
Organizations always experience ups and downs. It could be a week, month, year, or many years of frustration for fans and clubs. Sometimes, they get it right; other times, good decisions fall flat because of unforeseen injuries. It is a testament to the Dodgers’ depth in player development to be able to call so many quality prospects up to weather the storm, and storms are always on the horizon.
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