The Los Angeles Dodgers didn’t make any significant additions to their lineup last offseason.
Their biggest free agent signing was living legend Clayton Kershaw, 35, for one year and $20 million. They invested a total of $53.3 million in seven players, including a starter, bullpen, designated hitter, and lefty.
No. 2 was starter Noah Syndergaard (30) at $13 million. The Syndergaard signing is a bust. Syndergaard has become the neighborhood drummer. With a 7.16 ERA, he was placed on the disabled list after giving up six runs against the Cincinnati Reds on Aug. 8. It’s doubtful he’ll finish the season in a Dodgers uniform.
Designated hitter J.D. Martinez, 35, signed a one-year, $10 million (129 million won) contract. Martinez, who spent the last five years with the Boston Red Sox of the American League East, became a free agent and signed a one-year deal with the Dodgers, represented by Scott Boras.
Martinez had been on the disabled list with a back injury since April 24 against the Chicago Cubs. Up until that point, he was batting .250 with four home runs and 15 RBIs, but since returning from injury, he’s been showing off his power. Compared to the San Diego Padres, he’s already earned his $10 million salary.
The Dodgers lost 4-5 the previous day when bullpen reliever Kyle Ferguson gave up a game-tying home run to Philadelphia Phillies slugger Kyle Schwarber. They’ve lost three of their last four games in a blowout, including one against the Cincinnati Reds. There are many areas where the offense is not as good as it has been in recent years. Ferguson, in particular, has allowed two shutouts during this stretch.
On the 11th, the Dodgers avenged the previous day’s loss with a 9-0 win over the Phillies. Martinez hit a game-tying three-run homer in the seventh inning. He has 47 RBIs in 16 games this season. The RBIs lead the team. Max Muncy has the most home runs on the Dodgers with 18. Muncy has 18 in 59 games and Martinez has 16 in 49 games. Best value for money.
In 139 games with Boston last season, Muncy hit .274 with 16 homers and 62 RBIs and an OPS of .790. The 37-28 Red Sox lost four straight games to the New York Yankees and Cincinnati Reds to lose the NL West lead to the Arizona Diamondbacks (39-25). It’s a result of starting and bullpen collapse. His on-base percentage this year is .632, second only to New York Yankees Aaron Judge Jersey .674.
The offense is strong with top hitters Mookie Betts (17), Freddie Freeman (12), Will Smith (9), Max Muncy (18), and JD Martinez (16). Chris Taylor, who is batting .207, also has 10.
Currently, the bullpen hasn’t been able to keep them in close games. With no clear-cut closer, it’s a group effort. The team is 6-8 in one-run games and hasn’t won more than 5% of its games 메이저놀이터.
Martinez is on pace to be a National League Designated Hitter All-Star. The Dodgers are a lucky team.