The Los Angels pitching employees skilled probably the most injury-filled seasons within the modern-era of baseball final 12 months. A complete of 12 pitchers landed on the injured listing in 2024, and the myriad accidents left L.A. with solely three beginning pitchers and an overworked bullpen come October.
The horrifying variety of accidents truly propelled the entrance workplace to signal an abundance of pitching expertise this winter. President of baseball operations Andrew Friedman defined why the acted with a way of urgency all through the offseason.
“I’m positive a few of [our past injury problems] created among the mindset this offseason,” Friedman stated, by way of Jack Harris of the Los Angeles Instances. “Simply to be as ready as we presumably could possibly be.”
The signed two-time Cy Younger winner Blake Snell, worldwide phenom Roki Sasaki, relievers Tanner Scott and Kirby Yates, and re-signed veteran southpaw Clayton Kershaw and reliever Blake Treinen in a matter of three months.
The results of the ’ historic offseason left baseball followers groaning and grumbling, however the defending champions weren’t making an attempt to taunt different groups. The aggressive pursuits of pitching expertise this winter was out of necessity, not mockery.
Though the managed to win the World Collection with three starters and an overtaxed bullpen, it was not a scenario the group hopes to seek out itself in once more come October. Due to this fact, the defending champions made positive to herald sufficient reinforcements.
“We sat right here in spring coaching final 12 months and stated, ‘Oh we’ve bought a lot pitching depth, we’re undoubtedly not going to go to market in July for pitching,’” Friedman stated. “Quick ahead to July and we’re out there for pitching.”
Except for signing expertise all through the offseason, the additionally performed a deep dive examine searching for solutions to the harm historical past with L.A. pitchers. There was by no means a light-weight bulb second that got here from the entrance workplace’s analysis, however the do have a long-term plan in place with the hope that the pitching employees can keep wholesome.
One factor is for sure, although: The signed a number of stars this winter not as a result of the franchise needed to brag, however fairly, to organize for the unknown in 2025.
Picture Credit score: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-Imagn Photographs
