We’re well into the 2021 Major League Baseball (MLB) season now, and things are finally starting to shape up. For most teams, the season will be going as expected, with no major upsets on the cards so far. However there have been some narrow changes if you check updated MLB picks and odds as to who will be progressing to the postseason.
The latest round of transactions could mix things up a little bit though with new players coming in, and other players on their way out of the door of teams across MLB. Fans will hope new signings can make big impacts, especially for the Dodgers who have had to place a number of players on the injured list this season, including star player Mookie Betts.
But who are the players who have been drafted this month, how were they brought in, and could they have an impact for the Dodgers this season? Well, let’s take a look.
Free Agents
There have been a number of free-agents available this season, and the LA Dodgers have signed their fair share. The first signings this month happened on August 3rd, with RHP Orlando Ortiz-Mayr and LHP Jack Dreyer both signing minor league contracts. It’s unlikely that being tied to a minor league contract that either player will make an appearance, but if there are more injuries this season, they could well be called up.
The next signing was 22 year old SS Austin Gauthier, who signed a minor league contract a day after the two players above on August 4th. However, the very next day, he was assigned to the ACL Dodgers, so again, this is another player signed who is very unlikely to make any appearance for the Dodgers this season. But he is young, so he could potentially play a part in the future.
The same day the Dodgers signed Gauthier, they also signed veteran LHP Cole Hamels, a four-time All-Star. However, he was also optioned to the ACL Dodgers like Gauthier. However, he was recalled on the 16th August, but sadly not to play for the Dodgers, but to be placed on the 60-day injury list after damaging his left shoulder.
On August 7th the Dodgers signed another veteran in 30 year old free agent RHP Nick Tropeano, but again just on another minor league contract. Two days later they signed young 19 year old LHP Felix Martinez to a minor league contract, and on the same day assigned him to DSL Dodgers Shoemaker, before being moved on again on August 20th when he was assigned to DSL Dodgers Bautista.
On August 9th they signed C Tony Walters on a minor league contract, before signing another player in the same position on August 11th in Griffin Lockwood-Powell, with no additional movements for either so far. And then finally, on August 20th, they signed 32 year old RHP Shane Greene. And that was the last of the free agents signed before the transaction window closed.
Waivers
As well as free agents, all of which seem like they’re unlikely to make any impact on the starting lineup for the Dodgers roster, a few players were also claimed from waivers. The first of the players claimed off waivers was RHP Conner Greene who came from the Baltimore Orioles on August 9th. Greene was then activated by the Dodgers on August 10th before being optioned to the Oklahoma City Dodgers on August 17th and then officially designated for assignment on August 20th.
On the same day they claimed Greene, the Dodgers also claimed C Anthony Bemoom off waivers from the Los Angeles Angels. But he was sent outright to the Oklahoma City Dodgers just days later on August 14th.
But whilst neither of those two waivers look like they would start for the Dodgers, the next waiver was in with a chance. As the Dodgers claimed RHP Evan Phillips off waivers from the Tampa Bay Rays on August 16th. A day later he was officially activated by the Dodgers, but sadly, on August 20th, he was placed on the 10-day injury list for a right quad strain. But it’s only a minor niggle so he may still yet get to play.
Signed on MLB Contract
There was actually only one player this month who was not signed as a free agent or claimed off waivers, and that was RHP Jordan Leasure, who signed on a full MLB contract on August 19th. But sadly once again, as many of the other players were, Leisure was assigned elsewhere, as he heads to the ACL Dodgers.
Signings evaluations
So the LA Dodgers were very busy in this window, but it seems that a lot of the deals done are unlikely to make any real impact to the starting team for a number of different reasons. This may leave fans a little frustrated with other big teams in the MLB picking up more key players in their efforts to make it to the postseason. But, there is no doubt a lot of players they can call on if they continue to be riddled with injuries as they have been so far.
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