Dodgers just bought some help

Ricky Nolasco no longer has to waste his talent
in Miami after he was traded
to the Los Angeles Dodgers Saturday.
Courtesy of zimbio.com

Just as I was starting my "Buy, Sell or Stay" series, the Los Angeles Dodgers decided to buy some help by acquiring Miami pitcher Ricky Nolasco for three minor leaguers. Nolasco will fill the void left by Josh Beckett, who is having season-ending neck surgery.

As you might expect, the Dodgers should win the deal in the short term. Nolasco gives them a solid No. 4 starter behind Clayton Kershaw, Zack Greinke and Hyun-Jin Ryu, which should serve them well as they make their push towards first place in the National League West. And the trade should suit Nolasco, who was one of the few remaining big-name players on Marlins roster. Not only does it get him out of last-place Miami, but it also brings him back to his native southern California.

The only way Miami wins this trade is if Steven Ames, Josh Wall or Angel Sanchez actually develop into top-notch pitchers, but that won't happen for at least a couple of years -- if at all.

Meanwhile somewhere in the Marlins locker room, there is a highly disgruntled player by the name of Giancarlo Stanton who probably wishes he was the one who was traded today. His production has been way down this year (.244 batting average, right home runs, 22 RBI), partially due to injury and partially due to having no one surrounding him in the lineup. Unfortunately for Stanton, the Marlins simply seem unwilling to trade him.

So, congratulations to Ricky Nolasco for being granted his "Get Out of Miami Free" card. Congratulations to the Dodgers for getting some help for their rotation. And to Giancarlo Stanton, just start counting the days until you become a free agent so you can get out of Miami, too.