True Blue LA - Dodgers acquire Roberto Hernandez from PhilliesWhere The Dodger Dogs Are Always Grilledhttps://cdn.vox-cdn.com/community_logos/49563/truebluela_fav.png2014-08-28T16:21:29-07:00http://www.truebluela.com/rss/stream/57481262014-08-28T16:21:29-07:002014-08-28T16:21:29-07:00Arano sent to Phillies to complete Hernandez deal
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<figcaption><a href='http://www.milb.com/index.jsp?sid=t456'>Scott Statson | Great Lakes Loons</a></figcaption>
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<p>LOS ANGELES -- The <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.truebluela.com/">Dodgers</a> completed their trade for <span>Roberto Hernandez</span>, sending minor league pitcher Victor Arano to the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.thegoodphight.com/">Phillies</a> as the second player to be named later to complete the deal.</p>
<p>Hernandez was acquired by the Dodgers on Aug. 7 for two players to be named later. To date Hernandez is 2-1 with a 3.52 ERA in four starts, with 15 strikeouts and eight walks in 23 innings. The Dodgers on Aug. 16 sent infielder Jesmuel Valentin to Philadelphia as <a target="_blank" href="http://www.truebluela.com/2014/8/16/6025467/jesmuel-valentin-trade-phillies-dodgers-roberto-hernandez-ptbnl">the first player to be named later</a>.</p>
<p>Arano, just 19, was 4-7 with a 4.08 ERA in 22 games with Class-A Great Lakes, including 15 starts. Arano had 83 strikeouts in 86 innings this season with just 20 walks, and 11 home runs allowed.</p>
<p>Before the season Arano was <a target="_blank" href="http://www.truebluela.com/2014/1/31/5364022/jason-parks-baseball-prospectus-dodgers-onelki-garcia-victor-arano">ranked as the Dodgers' No. 10 prospect by (new Cubs scout) Jason Parks at Baseball Prospectus</a>.</p>
<p>"Arano is not the most projectible arm, a little more polished than the average AZL arm," Parks said in an interview with Craig Minami. "The body is a lot more mature than the other kids in that league."</p>
<p>The Dodgers signed Arano out of Mexico on March 4, 2013.</p>
<p>The Phillies reportedly had a list of four names from which to choose two to complete the trade for Hernandez, and at first glance it seems a little steep for the Dodgers.</p>
<p>With starter <span>Josh Beckett</span> hurting and <span>Dan Haren</span> circling the drain at the time, the Dodgers had a clear need for a starter and Hernandez has done a nice job in filling that immediate need. If anything it's more damning that the Dodgers didn't have anyone in-house able to step in and fill that role, in the organization's eyes.</p>
<p>But just because former first-round picks <span>Zach Lee</span> and <span>Chris Reed</span> haven't developed into major-league-ready starters, or that <span>Red Patterson</span> or <span>Carlos Frias</span> were the best choices to fill the need internally with <span>Chad Billingsley</span>, <span>Ross Stripling</span> and <span>Stephen Fife</span> out for the year, doesn't mean the player development staff has been totally derelict.</p>
<p>After all, major league (or major league-ready, at the time) pitchers <span>Nathan Eovaldi</span>, Rubby De La Rosa and <span>Allen Webster</span> were developed by the Dodgers and were dealt in the last two years, trades I'm sure the Dodgers would do again.</p>
<p>It's just that it seems a little frustrating when the organization needs a pitcher like Hernandez because there are no developed alternatives, it seems a self-fulfilling prophecy to deal away a young arm like Arano who might develop into an in-house option.</p>
<p>Then again, maybe I am misreading the market. The <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.mccoveychronicles.com/">Giants</a> traded for <span>Jake Peavy</span> - like Hernandez, a mediocre starter but one reliable enough to take the ball every fifth day - and gave up 25-year-old Triple-A reliever <span>Heath Hembree</span> and 22-year-old starting pitcher <span>Edwin Escobar</span>, the latter ranked in the top 100 prospects in baseball before the 2014 season by both Baseball America (No. 56) and MLB.com (No. 95). Neither Valentin nor Arano ranked anywhere near the top 100.</p>
<p>The <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.pinstripealley.com/">Yankees</a> acquired <span>Brandon McCarthy</span>, another starter similar to Hernandez, by sending to Arizona 26-year-old mediocre major league pitcher <span>Vidal Nuno</span>, closer to a Patterson type, or perhaps Reed in a few years.</p>
<p>The axiom seems true that people tend to overvalue their own team's prospects, so perhaps this is just the cost of doing business. At least business is good, for now anyway.</p>
https://www.truebluela.com/2014/8/28/6080437/victor-arano-ptbnl-dodgers-phillies-trade-roberto-hernandezEric Stephen2014-08-16T19:43:06-07:002014-08-16T19:43:06-07:00Valentin sent to Phils as part of Hernandez deal
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<figcaption><a href='http://www.milb.com/index.jsp?sid=t456'>Great Lakes Loons</a></figcaption>
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<p>The Phillies still get to choose one more player or cash to complete the trade for Hernandez.</p> <p>LOS ANGELES -- The <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.thegoodphight.com/">Phillies</a> have selected half of their haul from the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.truebluela.com/">Dodgers</a> for <a target="_blank" href="http://www.truebluela.com/2014/8/7/5979831/roberto-hernandez-trade-dodgers-phillies">the Aug. 7 trade</a> of starting pitcher <span>Roberto Hernandez</span>, acquiring second baseman Jesmuel Valentin as one of two players to be named later or cash, the teams announced on Saturday.</p>
<p>Valentin was selected as a supplemental first-round pick, 51st overall, in the 2012 draft, an extra pick thanks to then-Type-B free agent <span>Rod Barajas</span> signing with Pittsburgh before the Dodgers even had to make the decision whether to offer Barajas arbitration.</p>
<p>The 20-year-old Valentin was hitting .282/.352/.433 with 38 extra-base hits and 38 walks in 107 games for Class-A Great Lakes. He was fourth in the Midwest League with 73 runs scored.</p>
<p>He was rated <a target="_blank" href="http://www.beyondtheboxscore.com/2014/3/12/5497572/2014-los-angeles-dodgers-consensus-top-65-prospects">the consensus 15th-best prospect in the Dodgers' system entering the 2014 season</a>.</p>
<p>Valentin has played almost exclusively at second base this season, with 104 of his 105 games in the field at the position. He has also played shortstop as a pro, though only 17 games above rookie ball.</p>
<p>Since the Dodgers acquired Hernandez on Aug. 7, with the Phillies scouting from a list of available players from which they could choose, Valentin has been impressive, hitting .333 (12-for-36) with two home runs, two doubles and a triple in nine games, including 3-for-4 with a home run and a triple <a target="_blank" href="http://www.truebluela.com/2014/8/16/6018271/jesmuel-valentin-loons-dodgers-minor-league-report">in his penultimate game with the Loons on Friday</a>.</p>
<p>Valentin started Saturday's game for Great Lakes, but was removed after seven innings.</p>
https://www.truebluela.com/2014/8/16/6025467/jesmuel-valentin-trade-phillies-dodgers-roberto-hernandez-ptbnlEric Stephen2014-08-08T15:03:55-07:002014-08-08T15:03:55-07:00Beckett placed on DL with hip impingement
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<figcaption>Lisa Blumenfeld</figcaption>
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<p>ANAHEIM -- <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.truebluela.com/">Dodgers</a> pitcher <span>Josh Beckett</span> was placed on the 15-day disabled list on Friday to make room for <span>Roberto Hernandez</span> on the active roster before a three-game weekend series against the Brewers at Miller Park.</p>
<p>Beckett has a left hip impingement, which manager Don Mattingly compared to Clayton Kershaw in 2012, when the ace missed one start and had another start pushed back two days in September.</p>
<blockquote align="center" class="twitter-tweet" data-partner="tweetdeck">
<p>.<a href="https://twitter.com/Dodgers">@Dodgers</a> Mattingly on Beckett: "This is similar to what Kershaw had a few yrs back... there's a possibility we'll see him back this year"</p>
— MLB Network Radio (@MLBNetworkRadio) <a href="https://twitter.com/MLBNetworkRadio/statuses/497835560627884032">August 8, 2014</a>
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<p>The Dodgers acquired Hernandez from the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.thegoodphight.com/">Phillies</a> on Thursday for two players to be named later. The right-hander starts the series opener for the Dodgers on Friday night.</p>
<p>Hernandez will wear No. 55.</p>
<p>Beckett was on the disabled list for the minimum 15 days through the All-Star break with a left hip impingement and missed only one start, but he was largely ineffective since his return. In three starts since his activation Beckett allowed 11 runs in 12 innings, including five home runs, with 12 strikeouts and seven walks, and he didn't last longer than 4⅓ innings in any one start.</p>
<p>"It was still a little rough. He was okay, a little bit, but he threw a lot of pitches to get through innings," said Mattingly after Beckett's start on Sunday. "Really since he's come off the DL he hasn't been okay."</p>
<p>Beckett hasn't recorded an out in the sixth inning since June 26.</p>
<p>In addition to the hip injury Beckett has dealt with minor aches and pains all season, with both Beckett and manager Don Mattingly terming the malady as "general soreness." Beckett has often times this season skipped bullpen sessions in between starts.</p>
<p>"Every time I step on that mound, it's a battle," he said Sunday.</p>
https://www.truebluela.com/2014/8/8/5980449/josh-beckett-disabled-list-dodgers-hip-impingementEric Stephen2014-08-08T12:39:18-07:002014-08-08T12:39:18-07:00A look at Dodgers midseason pitching debuts
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<img alt="Who remembers David Wells as a Dodger?" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/xdjryrBlUuZwd_f3SsfsVs5r65s=/0x204:1475x1187/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/36693284/david-wells-2007-getty.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Who remembers David Wells as a Dodger? | <a href='http://www.gettyimages.com'>Getty Images</a></figcaption>
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<p>Another day, another showdown series for the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.truebluela.com/">Dodgers</a>, who travel to Milwaukee to face the National League Central-leading <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.brewcrewball.com/">Brewers</a>. The Dodgers take a three-game winning streak and the best record (66-50) in the NL into Miller Park.</p>
<p><span>Roberto Hernandez</span> makes his Dodgers debut one day after the Dodgers acquired him. The starting pitchers acquired midseason under general manager Ned Colletti have fared generally well in their Dodger debuts over the last eight years.</p>
<table border="1" cellpadding="2" cellspacing="2" align="center">
<tbody>
<tr>
<th colspan="9">Colletti midseason acquisitions in Dodgers debuts </th>
</tr>
<tr>
<td><u><b>Pitcher</b></u></td>
<td><u><b>Date</b></u></td>
<td align="center"><u><b>Dec</b></u></td>
<td align="center"><u><b>IP</b></u></td>
<td align="center"><u><b>H</b></u></td>
<td align="center"><u><b>R</b></u></td>
<td align="center"><u><b>ER</b></u></td>
<td align="center"><u><b>BB</b></u></td>
<td align="center"><u><b>K</b></u></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td><span>Edinson Volquez</span></td>
<td>
<a target="_blank" href="http://www.truebluela.com/2013/9/4/4696240/edinson-volquez-carlos-marmol-dodgers-rockies-recap">9/4/13</a>*</td>
<td align="center">L</td>
<td align="center">4</td>
<td align="center">6</td>
<td align="center">4</td>
<td align="center">4</td>
<td align="center">0</td>
<td align="center">4</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td><span>Ricky Nolasco</span></td>
<td><a target="_blank" href="http://www.truebluela.com/2013/7/9/4509310/dodgers-dbacks-ricky-nolasco">7/9/13</a></td>
<td align="center">W</td>
<td align="center">7</td>
<td align="center">4</td>
<td align="center">1</td>
<td align="center">1</td>
<td align="center">0</td>
<td align="center">5</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td><span>Josh Beckett</span></td>
<td><a target="_blank" href="http://www.truebluela.com/2012/8/27/3273417/dodgers-shutout-loss-coors-field">8/27/12</a></td>
<td align="center">L</td>
<td align="center">5⅔</td>
<td align="center">7</td>
<td align="center">3</td>
<td align="center">3</td>
<td align="center">3</td>
<td align="center">6</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td><span>Joe Blanton</span></td>
<td><a target="_blank" href="http://www.truebluela.com/2012/8/5/3221929/dodgers-sweep-hanley-ramirez-walk-off">8/5/12</a></td>
<td align="center">ND(W)</td>
<td align="center">6</td>
<td align="center">5</td>
<td align="center">2</td>
<td align="center">2</td>
<td align="center">3</td>
<td align="center">5</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td><span>Ted Lilly</span></td>
<td><a target="_blank" href="http://www.truebluela.com/2010/8/3/1604390/lilly-pads-stats-in-winning-dodger">8/3/10</a></td>
<td align="center">W</td>
<td align="center">7</td>
<td align="center">2</td>
<td align="center">1</td>
<td align="center">1</td>
<td align="center">0</td>
<td align="center">5</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td><span>Jon Garland</span></td>
<td><a target="_blank" href="http://www.truebluela.com/2009/9/3/1015104/garland-fits-right-in-for-dodgers">9/3/09</a></td>
<td align="center">W</td>
<td align="center">7</td>
<td align="center">5</td>
<td align="center">2</td>
<td align="center">2</td>
<td align="center">1</td>
<td align="center">6</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td><span>Vicente Padilla</span></td>
<td><a target="_blank" href="http://www.truebluela.com/2009/8/27/1004942/dodgers-regain-control-of-nl-west">8/27/09</a></td>
<td align="center">W</td>
<td align="center">5</td>
<td align="center">6</td>
<td align="center">2</td>
<td align="center">2</td>
<td align="center">1</td>
<td align="center">4</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Greg Maddux</td>
<td><a target="_blank" href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/boxes/PHI/PHI200808220.shtml">8/22/08</a></td>
<td align="center">L</td>
<td align="center">5⅔</td>
<td align="center">9</td>
<td align="center">7</td>
<td align="center">7</td>
<td align="center">1</td>
<td align="center">4</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td><span>Esteban Loaiza</span></td>
<td><a target="_blank" href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/boxes/CHN/CHN200709030.shtml">9/3/07</a></td>
<td align="center">W</td>
<td align="center">7</td>
<td align="center">9</td>
<td align="center">3</td>
<td align="center">3</td>
<td align="center">1</td>
<td align="center">3</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td><span>David Wells</span></td>
<td><a target="_blank" href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/boxes/NYN/NYN200708260.shtml">8/26/07</a></td>
<td align="center">W</td>
<td align="center">5</td>
<td align="center">7</td>
<td align="center">2</td>
<td align="center">2</td>
<td align="center">3</td>
<td align="center">2</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td><span>Greg Maddux</span></td>
<td><a target="_blank" href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/boxes/CIN/CIN200608030.shtml">8/3/06</a></td>
<td align="center">W</td>
<td align="center">6</td>
<td align="center">0</td>
<td align="center">0</td>
<td align="center">0</td>
<td align="center">3</td>
<td align="center">3</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td colspan="3"><b>Totals (7-3, 3.72 ERA, 1.163 WHIP in 11 starts)</b></td>
<td align="center"><b>65⅓</b></td>
<td align="center"><b>60</b></td>
<td align="center"><b>27</b></td>
<td align="center"><b>27</b></td>
<td align="center"><b>16</b></td>
<td align="center"><b>47</b></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td colspan="9">*made one relief appearance before start</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
<p>Hernandez has averaged 6⅔ innings over his last eight starts and is averaging 5.95 innings per start on the season. If he can average around six innings for the Dodgers, I'm sure they would be delighted with that.</p>
<p>Josh Beckett on the season averaged 5.78 innings per start, but had gone only 12 innings in his last three starts since coming off the disabled list. He hasn't recorded an out in the sixth inning since June 26, while Hernandez has lasted six or more innings in six of his last eight outings.</p>
<p>Among the active Brewers, <span>Lyle Overbay</span> has faced Hernandez the most, going 5-for-19 (.263) with a double and two walks against him. <span>Gerardo Parra</span> is 2-for-9 (.222), <span>Carlos Gomez</span> is 2-for-8 (.250) with a home run and a double. <span>Aramis Ramirez</span> is 3-for-6 (.500).</p>
<p>Hernandez has faced the Brewers twice this season, with 12 strikeouts and three walks in 13 innings with a 2.77 ERA. One of those starts was in Milwaukee, a win on July 9 in which Hernandez allowed one run in eight innings to beat <span>Kyle Lohse</span>, who starts Friday night for the Brewers.</p>
<p>Lohse is coming off his worst start of the year, allowing nine runs in four innings in a loss to the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.vivaelbirdos.com/">Cardinals</a> on Saturday. He has had two blow-up starts this season, also allowing eight runs in five innings in Pittsburgh on June 6. Lohse allowed two home runs in each of those starts, but in between was 4-3 with a 2.76 ERA in nine starts, with only three home runs allowed in 58⅔ innings.</p>
<h5>Game info</h5>
<p>Time: 5:10 p.m. PT</p>
<p>TV: SportsNet LA</p>
https://www.truebluela.com/2014/8/8/5983501/roberto-hernandez-dodgers-brewers-previewEric Stephen2014-08-07T12:44:57-07:002014-08-07T12:44:57-07:00Dodgers acquire Roberto Hernandez from Phillies
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<img alt="" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/ysHz5iFwc_q4I_3q1My_6yyHBQY=/0x130:4000x2797/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/36643264/20140523_ads_se7_032.JPG.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Eric Hartline-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
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<p>The Dodgers will send two players to be named later, or cash, to the Phillies. Hernandez will start Friday for the Dodgers in Milwaukee.</p> <p>LOS ANGELES -- The <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.truebluela.com/">Dodgers</a> were desperate for help in the back end of their rotation, and on Thursday acquired <span>Roberto Hernandez</span> from the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.thegoodphight.com/">Phillies</a> in exchange for two players to be named later or cash considerations.</p>
<p>Hernandez, 33, was 6-8 with a 3.87 ERA in 23 games with the Phillies, including 20 starts, with an underwhelming 75 strikeouts and 55 walks in 121 innings. Among 94 qualified starting pitchers in the majors, Hernandez ranks <a target="_blank" href="http://www.fangraphs.com/leaders.aspx?pos=all&stats=pit&lg=all&qual=y&type=8&season=2014&month=0&season1=2014&ind=0&team=0&rost=0&age=0&filter=&players=0&sort=17%2ca">88th in FIP (4.62)</a>, 89th in xFIP (4.58) and 89th in SIERA (4.71).</p>
<p>He has 13 strikeouts in his last six starts, with no more than three in any one start during that span. But he also has a 2.83 ERA in those games.</p>
<p>"Roberto provides us with another big league starting pitcher, who has pitched well this year, particularly the last seven starts," said general manager Ned Colletti in a statement. "He has postseason experience and helps fortify the rotation down the stretch."</p>
<p>What Hernandez brings is a ground ball pitcher - his <a target="_blank" href="http://www.fangraphs.com/leaders.aspx?pos=all&stats=pit&lg=all&qual=y&type=8&season=2014&month=0&season1=2014&ind=0&team=0&rost=0&age=0&filter=&players=0&sort=14,d">52-percent ground ball rate ranks 17th among starters</a> - who has allowed only 11 home runs. He has also lasted six or more innings in six of his last eight starts, going 5⅔ innings in the other two outings in that span.</p>
<p><span>Dan Haren</span> was 0-5 with a 10.03 ERA in his last five starts and hadn't lasted six innings since June 30 before his rebound start against the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.halosheaven.com/">Angels</a> on Wednesday night in Anaheim.</p>
<p><span>Josh Beckett</span> has averaged four innings in his three starts since returning from the disabled list and hasn't lasted past five innings in a start since June 26. More importantly, he has been dealing with numerous minor injuries and fatigue all season that has made it a challenge to even get ready to pitch every five days.</p>
<p>"I think in between starts are a battle for Josh," manager Don Mattingly said after Beckett lost on Sunday. "That's just the way it is, and I don't think that's going to change."</p>
<p>Beckett was scheduled to start for the Dodgers on Friday in Milwaukee, but it appears plans have changed.</p>
<blockquote align="center" class="twitter-tweet" data-partner="tweetdeck">
<p>Roberto Hernandez said he will start Friday in Milwaukee for Dodgers.</p>
— Matt Gelb (@MattGelb) <a href="https://twitter.com/MattGelb/statuses/497470362029150209">August 7, 2014</a>
</blockquote>
<p>
<script src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
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<p>Hernandez last pitched for the Phillies last Friday, allowing one unearned run in eight innings against the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.federalbaseball.com/">Nationals</a>.</p>
<p>Formerly known as Fausto Carmona, Hernandez made an All-Star team with the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.letsgotribe.com/">Indians</a> in 2010 and finished fourth in American League Cy Young Award balloting in 2007, his second year. His only playoff experience came in 2007 when Cleveland advanced to the ALCS. He allowed one run in nine innings in a no-decision against the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.pinstripealley.com/">Yankees</a> in the ALDS, but the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.overthemonster.com/">Red Sox</a> got him for 11 runs in six innings over two starts in the ALCS.</p>
<div class="pullquote">July 6, 2007 <span>-The last time the Dodgers acquired a former Indians pitcher named Roberto Hernandez. That one was a 42-year-old reliever.</span>
</div>
<p>Hernandez is making $4.5 million this season, and will be a free agent after the season. With 52 days left in the season, the Dodgers will be on the hook for roughly $1,278,689 for the right-hander.</p>
<p>Hernandez also has performance bonuses in his contract, <a target="_blank" href="http://www.baseballprospectus.com/compensation/cots/national-league/philadelphia-phillies/">per Cot's Baseball Contracts</a>, of $200,000 for each of 140 and 155 innings, $300,000 for 170 and 185 innings, and $500,000 for 200 innings. The Dodgers are <i>probably </i>responsible for any bonuses that he reaches, though that hasn't been reported yet.</p>
<p>The Dodgers' 40-man roster is now full, but the team will have to make a corresponding move to add Hernandez to the active roster.</p>
https://www.truebluela.com/2014/8/7/5979831/roberto-hernandez-trade-dodgers-philliesEric Stephen