Last Updated on January 25, 2017 8:59 am by Brad Burns
Tampa ships Forsythe to Chavez Ravine
No longer keen to accept middling production from a key middle-infield spot, the Dodgers have engineered a surprise trade weeks with spring training just weeks away. But will the offensive upgrade in question be enough to tilt the balance of power in the National League?
On Monday, the reigning Western Division champions acquired second baseman Logan Forsythe from the Rays in exchange for elite pitching prospect Jose De Leon. Online sports book Bovada.lv now gives Los Angeles odds of +1400 to capture the 2017 World Series. Only three Senior Circuit clubs – Chicago, Washington and San Francisco – are held in greater esteem.
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In Forsythe, the Boys in Blue land a 30-year-old who’s only beginning to discover his power stroke. The Memphis native mashed a career-high 20 homers and drove in 52 runs in 127 games last season. He served as Tampa Bay’s leadoff hitter, too, finishing with a .778 OBP over 567 plate appearances.
Such experience atop the order will definitely come in handy on the West Coast. Dodgers skipper Dave Roberts doesn’t possess a prototypical lineup catalyst, so he’ll happily settle for Forsythe’s blend of pop and patience. Following the veteran to the plate: rising shortstop Corey Seager, the extraordinarily versatile Justin Turner and All-Star first baseman Adrian Gonzalez.
Undoubtedly, though, president of baseball operations Andrew Friedman unloaded a major asset to bring Forsythe to La La Land. In the minors, De Leon piled up 446 strikeouts in 330 2/3 innings. He’s even a candidate to break camp as a member of Kevin Cash’s rotation. Still, handicappers can’t help but view Tampa Bay as a +7500 underdog to claim the AL East crown in nine-plus months.