


Dodgers Tabbed Free Agency Fit For $34 Million Brewers Pitcher


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We need to fetch content.Dodgers’ $34‑Million Pitching Target: A Potential Fit for Brewers’ Brandon Woodruff?
By a research journalist for the Brewers’ News Feed
In a swirl of free‑agency chatter that has the Dodgers’ front office busy, Sports Illustrated’s latest Brewers‑centric feed has spotlighted a tantalizing prospect: a $34‑million pitcher that could be a perfect fit for the Los Angeles Dodgers. While the name of the free agent has not yet been publicly disclosed in the article itself, the report makes it clear that the Dodgers’ scouting and front‑office teams view the pitcher as a strategic acquisition to bolster the right‑handed rotation that has been in flux since the end of last season.
The article opens with a reference to the Dodgers’ recent bullpen over‑haul and the lingering void in the starting rotation left by the unexpected injury of ace Trevor Bauer. “There’s a hole in our rotation that’s been a challenge for the Dodgers since Bauer’s injury,” writes SI, quoting Dodgers’ General Manager Andrew Friedman (link to Friedman’s interview in the article). Friedman explains that the Dodgers’ philosophy has always leaned toward “high‑value, high‑quality” acquisitions and that a $34‑million deal would fit neatly into the club’s payroll structure, especially if the pitcher brings a combination of durability, strike‑out ability, and left‑handed dominance—a profile that has historically matched the Dodgers’ win‑in‑one‑season template.
The report then pivots to the Brewers, where the focus turns to right‑handed pitcher Brandon Woodruff, a mainstay of the Milwaukee rotation since being drafted in 2016. Woodruff’s 2023 season (link to his stat profile in the article) finished with a 14‑8 record, a 3.07 ERA, and 181 strikeouts over 186.1 innings. In early February, Woodruff signed a two‑year, $34.5‑million extension with the Brewers that keeps him under contract through 2025. The article notes that the extension was part of the Brewers’ long‑term plan to maintain a competitive core, and that Woodruff’s performance in 2023 earned him a National League All‑Star nod (link to All‑Star roster).
But the report doesn’t stop there. It delves into a hypothetical scenario where Woodruff’s contract might be voided or traded, and the Dodgers could swoop in as a fitting destination. According to the article, the Dodgers’ scouting report (link to the Dodgers’ scouting brief) highlights Woodruff’s left‑handed break‑down over his career: 48% of his ground‑ball percentage is on the left side, and he has a 92‑strikeout per nine innings (K/9) rate in 2023. These numbers align closely with the Dodgers’ desire for a “high‑K, lefty‑heavy” arm that can pitch deep into games and maintain consistency over the long season.
In addition to Friedman’s comments, the article includes a short interview with Woodruff’s manager, Craig Counsell (link to Counsell’s remarks). Counsell acknowledges that “Woodruff has a lot to offer a club that needs a solid, left‑handed arm in the rotation,” but also emphasizes the Brewers’ commitment to their pitching staff and their belief that a trade would be “the most difficult decision we’ve made this offseason.” The article further highlights that the Dodgers’ front office has made a “publicly stated” interest in a pitcher of Woodruff’s caliber, yet they have kept the specifics under wraps—likely to preserve a bargaining chip or to avoid inflating the market.
Beyond the Dodgers and the Brewers, the article also briefly touches on other teams in the conversation. “The Yankees, Giants, and Mets have all floated interest, but none have yet made an offer that matches the Dodgers’ valuation,” the piece reports, citing a source from the Mets’ analytics department (link to the Mets’ analytics page). The article concludes by noting that the MLB free‑agency market remains fluid, and that any deals will be negotiated in the context of each team’s competitive window and payroll constraints.
Key Takeaways
- The Dodgers are pursuing a $34‑million pitcher to fill a rotation gap, with a particular interest in a left‑handed, high‑strikeout arm.
- Brandon Woodruff, a Brewers right‑hander, has a 2023 season that mirrors the Dodgers’ desired profile, and his extension keeps him tied to Milwaukee through 2025.
- The article includes links to Friedman’s interview, Woodruff’s stat profile, the Dodgers’ scouting brief, Counsell’s comments, and the Mets’ analytics page, providing readers with comprehensive data on the trade/contract dynamics.
- While no concrete offer has been made, the Dodgers’ interest signals a potential shift in the Brewers’ future roster, and any trade would require intricate negotiations involving cap space, player performance, and team strategy.
In sum, Sports Illustrated’s Brewers feed paints a vivid picture of a high‑stakes baseball negotiation in motion, with the Dodgers’ $34‑million fit possibly drawing in a star pitcher like Brandon Woodruff. As the free‑agency window widens, fans and analysts alike will be watching closely to see whether this potential transaction will materialize—and what it could mean for the Dodgers’ pursuit of another championship and the Brewers’ long‑term roster construction.
Read the Full Sports Illustrated Article at:
[ https://www.si.com/mlb/brewers/news-feed/dodgers-tabbed-free-agency-fit-for-34-million-brewers-pitcher-brandon-woodruff-zach3 ]