The Los Angeles Dodgers have boosted their pitching rotation acquiring right hander Ricky Nolasco from the Miami Marlins for three minor league prospects.
Nolasco will join the Dodgers rotation and make his first start on Tuesday night vs the Arizona Diamondbacks at Chase Field. Chris Capuano has been moved to the Dodgers’ bullpen to make room.
Nolasco, 3o-years-old, is 5-8 with a 3.85 ERA, 1.22 WHIP and 90/25 K/BB in 18 starts for the Marlins this season. The numbers show that Nolasco is a quality middle of the rotation starter, whose win record is being greatly effected by pitching for Miami, one of the worst teams in baseball. He should be able to thrive in Los Angeles.
The Dodgers are currently trailing the Diamondbacks by only 4 1/2 games in the National League West standings, and so this series, including Nolasco’s start, could be crucial for positioning heading into the second half. With all five teams in the division closely bunched together, the NL west appears to be a season long dog fight, and Nolasco can really help the Dodgers here.
Meanwhile for Miami, it is yet another sell-off of an experienced player for prospects. The Dodgers will absorb all of Nolasco’s salary $5.7 million of which is remaining over the 2013 season. The Marlins get minor leaguers Steve Ames, Josh Wall, and and Angel Sanchez, none of which appear on Baseball America’s list of the top 10 Dodger’s prospects. The Dodgers also get a low level international signing bonus slot in the deal, worth just under $200,000.
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