Nathan Eovaldi makes the Dodgers look smart for not signing Roy Oswalt

Look, there's no debating the illustrious career of Roy Oswalt, but perhaps it was a good thing he didn't sign with the Dodgers.

Oswalt signed with the Rangers on Tuesday -- 1 year, $5 million plus $1 million in incentives. That's a pretty decent price and I wouldn't have been opposed to the Dodgers picking him up on a similar deal. But when Nathan Eovaldi has a season debut like he had against Milwaukee, it makes losing out on Oswalt -- who really didn't want to play in Los Angeles -- much more bearable.

Eovaldi threw seven innings of two-run ball last night. The only mistake he made was to Ryan Braun, the reigning National League MVP. The fact the Dodgers couldn't give him any run support is not his fault.

I was also impressed he was able to go seven innings on 90 pitches in his first big league start of the season. His longest outing in the minors was seven innings and was the longest of his Major League career. Not only that, he did it while averaging 95 MPH on both of his fastballs. That's impressive.

He was, however, surprisingly even on groundouts and fly outs (9-9) after posting a 1.75 rate with Chattanooga this season. But he was able to keep the Milwaukee bats in check.

Granted, the Brewers' lineup isn't as good as in years past, thanks to the loss of Prince Fielder and the struggles of Rickie Weeks, but Eovaldi had little trouble dispatching with some solid hitters.

If Eovaldi can step in for Ted Lilly admirably, the Dodgers can focus their resources on improving the offense -- something that is more pressing than another starting pitcher.

Of course, teams like the Mets and White Sox need to stop winning so guys like David Wright and Paul Konerko become available.

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Here's my latest "Down on the Farm" report at ChadMoriyama.com. Here's an excerpt:

"Can there really be a Pitcher Of The Week when the staff allowed 57 runs in seven games? Sure. This week, it’s Ely. Elymania posted a great line this week: 14 IP, 11 H, 3 R, 2 ER, 3 BB, 13 K. This is his second POTW honor, and it’s really surprising to see such a good performance from him in a week the team allowed so many runs. In fact, if you take away Ely’s three runs allowed, the rest of the Isotopes staff allowed 54 runs. That’s … ugly.

After a rough start to the season, Ely has put up some great numbers in an extreme hitter’s league: 3.58 ERA, 1.28 WHIP, 0.7 HR/9, 2.2 BB/9, 9.7 K/9, 4.33 BB/K and a 1.85 groundout to flyout rate. He wouldn’t be nearly this good in the majors, but it’s nice to see him pitching well in case the Dodgers need an emergency starter later this season."

John Ely is having a fantastic season for the Isotopes and is renewing faith in myself (for whatever that's worth) that he can be a decent emergency starting pitcher option, if needed.

Dodgers make offer to Roy Oswalt, Lilly's shoulder an obvious concern

This is not the first time I've written about Roy Oswalt and the Dodgers. In 2010, the Dodgers were looking to upgrade the rotation and Oswalt's name frequently came up. Now, nearly two years later, Oswalt and the Dodgers are connected again.

Tim Brown of Yahoo Sports tweeted this earlier today:

"The Dodgers have made an offer to Roy Oswalt. Rangers, Oswalt's likely preference, still in mix, among other clubs."

No word on what the offer might be, but Oswalt was reportedly asking for a prorated salary of $7.5 million for the rest of the season. The Dodgers also reportedly said Oswalt's demands were excessive.

Roy Oswalt, future Dodger?

So, why the need for another starting pitcher? When the news broke yesterday of the Dodgers' interest in Oswalt, it made me scratch my head.

The only way an Oswalt deal makes sense is if Ted Lilly's should injury is deemed to be serious. He went on the disabled list today and Michael Antonini was recalled. That doesn't preclude Nathan Eovaldi from taking Lilly's spot in the rotation on Tuesday, as another two roster moves will need to be made -- a spot cleared for Eovaldi and a spot cleared for Matt Kemp.

Well, the first move has been made: Antonini was literally just optioned back to Albuquerque by the Dodgers. The next presumable move, not announced until tomorrow, is Eovaldi officially being promoted.

Next, one of the two right-handed hitting corner OF/1B Scott Van Slyke or Jerry Sands will be demoted. At this point, I have no idea which one. It doesn't matter much because whoever doesn't go back to Triple-A on Tuesday will later in the week when Juan Rivera is activated. I'll just guess Sands is the odd man out tomorrow.

But back to Oswalt. He's on the Roger Clemens plan right now: Sit out the first couple months, come back for the remainder of the season and potentially the playoffs while making a pretty penny.

Oswalt is said to prefer a team closer to Mississippi, which the Dodgers certainly are not. The Rangers seem to be the Dodgers' main competition for Oswalt.

If the Dodgers can get Oswalt for a decent price (not because the Dodger ownership can't afford it, mind you), then go for it. Oswalt is better than Aaron Harang and has the ability to be better than Lilly, despite Lilly's fast start (including his most recent appearance).

The Red Sox had checked in on Oswalt earlier in the month and the Phillies, Oswalt's most recent team, will always be in the mix.

The Dodgers obviously feel concerned enough about Lilly's health to make this move, so I'd expect some bad news on that front tomorrow. It's too bad as Lilly had been lights-out this season, despite some strange peripherals.

If the Dodgers can get Oswalt to replace Lilly, then it could be a wash. We'll see what happens.

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My latest piece at ChadMoriyama.com is on Matt Magill and his great performance with the Lookouts thus far. Here's an excerpt:

"By comparison, he outperformed Dodgers top prospect Zach Lee at the same level. Magill bested Lee in ERA, WHIP, H/9, and K/9. Granted, Lee was 19-years-old, but it’s only a one year difference.

Yet, Magill isn’t talked about among the Dodgers best prospects, and I’m just as guilty as the rest. I ranked him No. 11 heading into the 2011 season, but just No. 46 heading into this season. Chad named Magill his 25th-best prospect in the system after a rocky 2011 season with the Rancho Cucamonga Quakes in the notorious California League.

While there, Magill’s hits per nine rate skyrocketed to 10.1, where his previous career high was 9.1 in his debut season in the Gulf Coast League (as an 18-year-old). This season, it’s at 6.4. His home runs per nine rate is at an all-time low — 0.2 — as he’s allowed just one home run in 48 innings so far in 2012."

Photo credit: Matthew Straubmuller, Flickr

Oswalt traded to Philadelphia

Houston's RHP Roy Oswalt was traded to the Philadelphia Phillies today for LHP J.A. Happ, OF Anthony Gose and SS Jonathan Villar. The Phillies are also getting $11 million to cover the remaining $23-$24 million left on his contract.

Really?

The return is about as bad, if not worse, than what the D-Backs got for Dan Haren.

What did the Phillies do to deserve all this good fortune? Why are teams willing to bend over backwards to get a trade done with Philadelphia, but they ask for the world from the Dodgers (i.e. Kemp, Loney, etc.)?

So the Phillies traded an overrated LHP in Happ and two Class-A prospects for one of the best pitchers available this trade season. Wow.

The media always throws the Dodgers' farm system under the bus for not having quality prospects at the higher levels, yet these other teams can trade Class-A prospects and people don't think twice about it? Give me a break.

Not only that, the Astros are sending $11 million. You're telling me the Dodgers couldn't somehow make this work?

I guess my trade scenarios for Oswalt were a bit much on the Dodgers' end, considering what Houston is getting in return.

I'm thinking a package of RHP John Ely/James McDonald, SS Ivan De Jesus and OF Trayvon Robinson or virtually any other OF in the Dodgers' system could have competed with the Philadelphia package. De Jesus and Robinson are far more advanced than the Phillies' prospects, but Ely/McDonald aren't as valued as Happ. Seems like a decent comparison, though.

The Phillies acquire a third ace in the last year and the Dodgers are left to pickup the leftovers (Lilly, Maholm).

I just don't know what to make of it sometimes. I mean, how can a team sit there with a straight face and ask for a Matt Kemp or James Loney in a package for Oswalt and then get this return?

The Dodgers' pursuit of a difference-making starter at the deadline is ended by the Phillies for a second consecutive year. And for a third consecutive year, the Phillies found a way to beat the Dodgers, even if they don't meet in the NLCS this year.

UPDATE: The Astros have traded Gose to Toronto for 1B Brett Wallace. That is an absolute steal for Houston. I'm not sure what the Jays are thinking with this trade. It makes the trade a lot better for Houston, but it doesn't excuse them bending over for the Phillies.

Roy Oswalt and the Dodgers

It was about this time last year I started this blog about this same topic: The trade deadline and the Dodgers.

I made a post a couple weeks ago stating the Dodgers should do nothing come July 31 unless the player or players acquired were difference makers.

A report surfaced yesterday that Frank McCourt has given the OK to General Manager Ned Colletti to add payroll to try to improve the team.

I'm still skeptical of this news, but I'm going to run with it.

The Dodgers need a front-line starter more than anything. With Cliff Lee off the market, the Dodgers have effectively set their sights on Roy Oswalt.

Oswalt would likely be pitching for another team already if he didn't have $16 million guaranteed next year and a club option for 2012, also at $16 million (with a $2 million buyout) and a full no-trade clause.

It's said the Astros are looking for one Major League-ready player, two top-tier prospects and a second-tier prospect in exchange for the ace.

Now, just because McCourt is willing to add payroll doesn't mean the Dodgers are going to go crazy. For an Oswalt deal to get done, Houston would likely have to pick up a portion of Oswalt's remaining salary. Oswalt also is believed to want his 2012 option guaranteed before waiving his no-trade clause.

So what can the Dodgers do to acquire him? Let's look at the possibilities:

Houston has one of the worst farm systems in baseball. Its top prospect, Jason Castro, is a catcher, which benefits the Dodgers, as L.A. has no good catching prospects.

The Astro outfield is the deepest part of the team, with Carlos Lee (and his untradeable contract) in left, Michael Bourn (who looked a lot better last season than this season) in center and Hunter Pence (NL All-Star last season) in right. That, unfortunately, hurts the Dodgers, as L.A. has a lot of solid outfield prospects.

The Dodgers might be unwilling to give up Dee Gordon or Chris Withrow in a deal for Oswalt. However, if it's the difference in acquiring the No. 1 starter, it might be worth the price.

Who else might Houston be interested in?

RHP Allen Webster
LHP Aaron Miller
OF/1B Jerry Sands
RHP Ethan Martin
SS/2B Ivan De Jesus
RHP James McDonald
LHP Scott Elbert
RHP Chad Billingsley (though I highly doubt the Dodgers would include Billingsley)

Here are a couple of my trade scenarios for the Dodgers acquiring Oswalt:

To Dodgers: Oswalt, cash
To Astros: Gordon or Withrow, Sands, Elbert, OF Mario Songco/Jonathan Garcia

To Dodgers: Oswalt, cash
To Astros: Withrow, Sands, Elbert, De Jesus, Songco or Garcia

To Dodgers: Oswalt, cash
To Astros: Miller or Webster, Martin, Sands, De Jesus, Songco or Garcia

There's no doubt the Dodgers have the minor league talent to get a deal done. Gordon, Martin and Withrow cracked Baseball America's Midseason top 50 list. Sands is quickly establishing himself as one of the best power hitters in the minors, as he has 27 home runs in 329 at-bats, including nine in his first 86 at-bats in Double-A.

The Dodgers would have to give up young pitching to get the deal done, which could be a sticking point. Of course, the ultimate sticking point is money.

These scenarios can be used in a potential deal for Diamondbacks' ace Dan Haren, who is having an off year. Arizona has deal with the Dodgers in the past, so it's reasonable to expect they could strike a deal again.

Eight more days until the deadline. We'll see if the Dodgers can add the much-needed top-of-the-rotaiton starting pitcher.

Best move for the Dodgers? No move

As the July 31 trade deadline approaches, a flurry of action is bound to happen. Cliff Lee, the top prize in this year's trade market, was traded to the Texas Rangers on Friday.

The Dodgers were said to be in on Lee, but the Mariners wanted a package of James Loney or Chad Billinglsey plus prospects. The M's did get a nice return on Lee, acquiring first baseman Justin Smoak and three prospects. That's better than the Indians did last season when Lee was shipped to Philadelphia.

So what should the Dodgers do to improve the pitching staff? Not a damn thing, unless they're willing to take on money.

However, it's clear Frank McCourt's financial situation will not allow the Dodgers to do so, which makes it all but impossible to land a difference-making starting pitcher. Roy Oswalt would be nice, but he's owed the rest of his $15M salary for this season, $16M in 2011 and a club option for $16M in 2012 (with a $2M buyout). Needless to say, Oswalt won't be a Dodger anytime soon.

Dan Haren would be even nicer. He's signed to a reasonable contract (still too much for the Dodgers to add) and would cost a lot in prospects.

Other than that, there aren't many top-of-the-rotation starters available. The Dodgers should just stand pat with budding ace Clayton Kershaw, Hiroki Kuroda and Chad Billingsley.

The bullpen has been an issue this season. Last season's deadline acquisition, George Sherrill, has been absolutely dreadful. He currently owns a 7.32 ERA and 2.24 WHIP. Is there any way the Dodgers could have Josh Bell back?

Ronald Belisario just went on the restricted list due to substance abuse. Belisario was a surprise last season, when he had an ERA of 2.04 and 1.15 WHIP. He seemed to be finding his 2009 form before hitting the restricted list.

Ramon Troncoso, who threw 82 2/3 innings of solid relief for the Dodgers last season, has a 5.15 ERA and was optioned to AAA earlier this week.

That leaves two reliable relievers in the pen: All-Star Jonathan Broxton and All-Star snub Hong-Chih Kuo. The Dodgers are reluctant to throw Kuo on consecutive days and Broxton is already being overworked.

Ned Colletti's MO has been to trade for relief pitching near or at the deadline (Sherrill in 2009, Scott Proctor in 2007), but there is really no need to do it this season. Kenley Jansen is lighting it up in AA, while James McDonald and Josh Lindblom could be recalled from AAA to be servicable middle relievers. These guys wouldn't cost the Dodgers prospects or money.

Now if the Dodgers surprise everyone and are able to take on payroll, then go for it. Make a play for Roy Oswalt or Dan Haren. The Diamondbacks are not opposed to trading within the division -- especially with the Dodgers.

The Dodgers acquired Steve Finley in 2004 and came really close to getting Randy Johnson in the same deal. The next off-season, the Dodgers acquired Dioner Navarro and prospects for Shawn Green.

What would it take to get Haren? Well, let's just say no one in the Dodger farm system should be untouchable. The one guy I'd be most reluctant to deal is Aaron Miller. Others would say Dee Gordon, but I really like Miller.

But that's just a pipe dream. The Dodgers should just stand pat and go with what they have. If they make the playoffs, great. Maybe they can make it back to the NLCS or even further. If not, then the Dodgers will be able to focus on 2011.