LA adds Flaherty, Kiermaier at Deadline: ‘Everyone is excited’
Kopech, Edman, Rosario also acquired in trades to address Dodgers’ needs
Juan Toribio
SAN DIEGO — The Dodgers entered the last day before Tuesday’s Trade Deadline looking to add an impact starter.
They got their man, acquiring right-hander Jack Flaherty from the Tigers in exchange for catcher/first baseman Thayron Liranzo and shortstop Trey Sweeney. In a separate deal, the Dodgers also acquired center fielder Kevin Kiermaier from the Blue Jays in exchange for left-hander Ryan Yarbrough, who was designated for assignment on Monday.
TRADE DETAILS
Dodgers get: RHP Jack Flaherty, CF Kevin Kiermaier
Tigers get: C/1B Thayron Liranzo, SS Trey Sweeney
Blue Jays get: LHP Ryan Yarbrough
With Yoshinobu Yamamoto and Walker Buehler on the injured list and Bobby Miller struggling mightily this season, the Dodgers were open about needing an impact starter. By landing Flaherty, Los Angeles accomplished that goal, as the right-hander gives the club a solid option in the rotation and could play a significant role in a postseason rotation.
“We had a ton of conversations with a lot of teams over this last week,” said general manager Brandon Gomes. “We felt like getting an impact starter was a very high priority for us, and Jack is definitely that. His command, his stuff, the swing-and-miss, we feel like that’s a real power option come October, so he fits into this rotation really well.”
The Burbank native, who grew up a Dodger fan, was having a career season with the Tigers, going 7-5 with a 2.95 ERA and striking out 133 over 106 2/3 innings. Flaherty made a pair of mechanical adjustments coming into the season and has recaptured the level of performance he enjoyed in 2019 with the Cardinals.
Since then, Flaherty has dealt with a lot of inconsistencies and injuries. He was traded by St. Louis last Trade Deadline to the Orioles before signing a one-year deal with the Tigers this offseason. With those improvements, the Dodgers will be banking on Flaherty to headline a postseason rotation that should also include Clayton Kershaw, Tyler Glasnow and Gavin Stone. If Yamamoto gets healthier, he will also fit into those plans. If he doesn’t, the Dodgers now have more depth to protect themselves from any unforeseen injuries.
In addition to Flaherty, Los Angeles was also linked to White Sox left-hander Garrett Crochet and Tigers left-hander Tarik Skubal. Neither Crochet and Skubal were moved on Tuesday, so the Dodgers pivoted to what they believed was the next best option. Left-handed reliever Tanner Scott was also a popular name, but the Padres acquired the Marlins’ closer with a last-minute bid.
“Jack, he’s a guy that’s been wanting to be a Dodger, being from the Valley, for so long,” said Dodgers manager Dave Roberts. “So to get that done, I’m really excited.”
Roberts said Flaherty is expected to join the team on Wednesday in San Diego and should be ready to make his Dodgers debut at some point this weekend against the A’s.
Kiermaier has had his fair share of struggles at the plate this season, but he gives the club an elite defensive center fielder. On Wednesday, the four-time Gold Glove Award winner announced he will retire at the end of the season.
The 34-year-old will slot in against right-handers in center field, especially while Tommy Edman, who was acquired from the Cardinals on Monday, is on the injured list.
“We’re excited to have him,” Gomes said of Kiermaier. “Talked to him earlier. He’s really fired up. We know what he brings to the team on the field. It’s gonna be double-plus defense. His speed, he’s an exceptional person and teammate on top of that, so we’re fired up to have him.”
In total, the Dodgers filled plenty of holes before Tuesday’s Deadline. Michael Kopech, whom they acquired from the White Sox as part of the three-team trade that brought Edman to L.A., gives the Dodgers much-needed depth in the bullpen.
When healthy, Edman can help provide more production from the bottom of the order. Amed Rosario — whom Los Angeles acquired from the Rays on Monday in exchange for Triple-A righty Michael Flynn — and Kiermaier give the Dodgers even more options off the bench.
It wasn’t a flashy Trade Deadline for Los Angeles, but it was one the club hopes provides enough depth to carry it the rest of the way.
“I think looking around the clubhouse, everyone is excited,” Roberts said. “We moved the needle, I think, in a lot of ways.”
