Dodgers designate Scott Van Slyke for assignment, but could still trade him

In a somewhat surprising move, the Dodgers on Wednesday designated Scott Van Slyke for assignment to make room for the newly acquired Skip Schumaker.

The Dodgers had a few options from which to choose -- Justin Sellers, John Ely, Stephen Fife and Juan Uribe -- but they decided to ditch Van Slyke.

The most obvious choice would have been Sellers, as he was coming off surgery and doesn't have much of a future in the majors. The guy the Dodgers traded to get Schumaker -- Jake Lemmerman -- probably has more of a future in the majors. But the Dodgers sure do love themselves some middle infielders.

Ely and Fife would have gone because the Dodgers have eleventy-billion starting pitchers now. They're more serviceable than Sellers, but it wouldn't have been a surprise to see them go.

And of course there's Uribe, but it seems the Dodgers just can't bring themselves to do the right thing.

Something else to consider is the Dodgers could still trade Van Slyke. He's on waivers and could be claimed by a team. If he is, the Dodgers and the claiming team could work out a deal. The Dodgers could also just let him go without a trade.

The Dodgers should package Van Slyke with Chris Capuano to get Joel Hanrahan from the Pirates.

From John Perrotto of USA Today:

"Am told #Pirates would want a second player in addition to Chris Capuano if they were to trade Joel Hanrahan to #Dodgers. Don't know who."

It makes a lot of sense.

The Dodgers did take an unusually long time to announce the roster move after Schumaker was officially added, so one could assume they were discussing some sort of other transaction. If all it takes is a 26-year-old likely Four-A player to pair with Capuano to get a guy like Hanrahan, I'm all for it.

Photo credit: EephusBlue, Twitter

Reports: Dodgers and Pirates talking Capuano-for-Hanrahan swap

Word broke earlier today from Mark Saxon and Buster Olney of ESPN and Mike Petriello of Mike Scioscia's Tragic Illness that the Dodgers and Pirates have talked about a deal that would send left-hander Chris Capuano to Pittsburgh for right-hander Joel Hanrahan.

This potential deal makes a ton of sense for both sides, but particularly for the Dodgers.

As solid as Capuano was for the Dodgers last season, at least one starting pitcher is going to have to be dealt this offseason to make room for a guy like Zack Greinke or Anibal Sanchez. This would be a step in the right direction.

The term "full circle" comes to mind, as Hanrahan was drafted by the Dodgers in the second round of the 2000 MLB Draft. He was once considered a top prospect as a starting pitcher. He even threw two no-hitters in the minors. However, he never made an appearance with the Dodgers before he was granted free agency in 2006.

Hanrahan, despite an odd 2012 campaign in which he gave up eight home runs (he gave up seven in the previous two seasons combined), had a 5.4 walks per nine innings and an ugly 4.45 FIP, he was able to compile a 2.72 ERA, 10.1 strikeouts per nine and 6.0 hits per nine.

Before 2012, he was on he was to elite status. I'm of the belief his 2012 was more of an aberration and his 2010 and 2011 seasons are more the norm.

The 31-year-old will likely earn about $6-$7 million in his final year of arbitration, which is a drop in the bucket to the Dodgers. Capuano is due $7 million guaranteed this season, so the salaries are almost a wash.

The Pirates need help in the rotation while the Dodgers need to free up space in the rotation -- it seems like a good match. If the Dodgers can land an arm such as Harahan for a guy like Capuano, it seems like a no-brainer for me.

While Capuano is a better pitcher than Aaron Harang and more of a sure thing than Ted Lilly, he also holds more trade value on the open market. There's no way a team like the Pirates would want Harang or Lilly for Harahan.

If the Dodgers land him, they'll have an absolutely nasty bullpen. He wouldn't close like he did in Pittsburgh, but it'd be tough to name a better seventh-inning guy than Hanrahan.

Potential bullpen

Ronald Belisario
Scott Elbert (provided his elbow is OK)
Hanrahan
Kenley Jansen
Brandon League
Paco Rodriguez

That's not even including guys like Javy Guerra, Shawn Tolleson or whoever else the Dodgers might acquire.

The Dodgers probably won't make this deal until they're sure his spot is upgraded. But it almost seems like a formality at this point. I'm all for it, if and when it happens.

Photo credit: UC International, Wikimedia Commons