The Los Angeles Dodgers are always on the lookout for unheralded, cheap talent.
They made a move on Friday, according to Chris Cotillo of MassLive.com.
“Robles to the Dodgers on a minor league deal,” Cotillo tweeted, quoting a tweet by Mike Rodriguez of Univision.
Robles to the Dodgers on a minor league deal. https://t.co/cOTH2QP2Ed
— Chris Cotillo (@ChrisCotillo) July 15, 2022
Robles last pitched with the Boston Red Sox.
He was designated for assignment on July 5, and then released four days later.
The Dodgers are betting on the cheap that the veteran 32-year-old reliever still has something left in his right arm.
He wasn’t pitching well in 2022, with a 5.84 ERA in 24.2 innings.
He had an issue with walks, with 5.11 bases on balls per nine frames.
However, he has been successful in the past, and he even has closing experience during his time with the Minnesota Twins and the Los Angeles Angels.
The Dodgers Will Work Their Player Development Magic
The Dodgers are known for working with players (especially pitchers) to resurrect their careers and show the best version of themselves.
They have done it with lots of hurlers most recently with Andrew Heaney, Tony Gonsolin, and Tyler Anderson.
There are other recent examples, too, even with relievers: their player development staff is fantastic, and will work with Robles on a plan that highlights his strengths and minimizes his weaknesses.
After all, there is talent in his right arm: he is a career 4.11 pitcher in 427.1 frames.
That’s not star-level by any means, but it’s useful depth for a team that has had to endure lots of injuries in the last few months.
If things don’t work out between the Dodgers and Robles, they can simply let go without losing anything more than a tiny portion of their budget, since it’s a minor league deal.
It could be a win-win pact.
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