13 Nov 2018 15:40:08
TB: 2B Joey Wendle and RP Chih-Wei Hu

LAD: SP Ross Stripling

With the Dodgers facing some financial limitations and with a plethora of starting pitching options on their roster, they could prefer a cost-saving upgrade. Their starting options are Kershaw, Ryu, Hill, Stripling, Buehler, Urias, Wood, and Maeda, 5 of which are set to make 80 million alone.

Wendle and Stripling are both entering their age 29 seasons after breaking out this past year.

Under control for 5 more years, Wendle finished the year with a 148 wRC+ in the second half and 3.7 fWAR overall. Wendle would give the Dodgers a classic lead off hitter and the type of positional flexibility that the Dodgers appreciate just as much as the Rays.

With four years of control remaining, Stripling was able to finally have sustained success as a starter after spending most of his time in the bullpen and at AAA since breaking into the majors. In the second half, however, he dealt with some leg and back issues that forced the Dodgers to leave him off their postseason roster.

In a vacuum, I think the trade makes a ton of sense for both sides.

1.) 16 Nov 2018
16 Nov 2018 00:41:36
I like it as far as value. It appears to be a pretty even deal. I'm just not sure there's room for Wendle on the roster though. I guess they could try and use him in a Kike Hernandez type of role. Chih-Wei Hu is a good kick-in to replace Stripling. Even though the Dodgers could potentially have some difficult roster decisions, I like the value of the deal for both teams.