Post by jmich24 on Mar 26, 2023 9:02:59 GMT -5
One week until the trade deadline and rumors are swirling that veteran SP Tim Worrell might be a trade deadline casualty.
Worrell is great again this season 11-6 with a 2.63 ERA. It is however a contract year and contract negotiations have been tumultuous.
Worrell is seeking a three year deal and the Dodgers have not been willing to offer anything longer than a one year deal.
It’s not about the money for Worrell, Tim believes he has at least three years left. “I feel great, I’m pitching great and I absolutely love it here in LA. This is where I want to finish my career.” Tim said just last night.
The Dodger fans were tough on Tim when he was brought over in a controversial trade at the time with the SF Giants.
“We dealt Steve Shields for Tim back in 1994. To put it lightly the fans were VERY upset.
The fans absolutely resented Tim when he wasn’t quite ready to step in for the dominate Shields. I guess looking back I see the fans frustration, Steve was a perennial 20 game winner and an absolute Ace, but the organization loved Tim’s arm and potential. It took Tim quite a few years to put everything together.” Said GM JMich
Admittedly, Worrell was up and down in LA before going on a tear the past few years. Now a fan favorite helping the Organization win 4 pennants and a Championship. Tim is a three time All Star, those appearances all coming in the past three years. Tim has won at least 20 games every year.
Aside from Tim’s age and contract issues, the main elephant in the room is the emergence of Darren Dreifort. Dreifort has moved ahead of Worrell in the rotation this year. He is 11-4 with 1.39 ERA and his first appearance in an All Star game.
The organization has also been targeting another bullpen arm all season after losing live arm closer Randy Choate for the whole season to a torn elbow ligament early this season. Verteran closer Paul Shuey has stepped in an closed games, but we’re still shot a reliable arm in the pullpen.
The moment has been a little big new comers Marcus Jones, Bruce Chen and Brian Cooper.
“We love the young potential in our organization, but if Tim has taught us anything we need to be patience and give them time just like we did with Worrell.”
“Our outfield has been shored up after the lights were too bright for Cliff Floyd. We liked Floyd’s potential when we traded for him, but also knew he was a project that was finally figuring it all out late in his minor league career.”
“It was honestly a shock when many league trolls thought we fleeced the Texas Rangers in a trade for Floyd. We really value 1st round pick here in the Dodger organization and thought we might have overpaid. Our initial fears came true after Floyd struggled at the big league level. After batting sub .200 for three months we made a decision to reach out to Boston about veteran bat Wil Cordero. Wil really bolsters our everyday lineup.
We still value Floyd and fully expect him to be an everyday player next season. Sometimes with these young guys they wait and wait and wait for a big league opportunity when it finally comes they press too hard. Partially my fault for not having a veteran guy for Floyd to learn and play behind. We have that now with Wil. We still expect big things from Floyd down the stretch, pinch running, stealing bag and getting some big time hits when he is call on.”Concluded JMich.
