by Rowan Kavner
With more capable starting pitchers than spots available in the Dodger rotation, president of baseball operations Andrew Friedman didn’t want to send Ross Stripling back to the bullpen again.
Stripling, who was drafted by the Dodgers in 2012 and spent the past five seasons pitching in Los Angeles bouncing between roles as a starter and reliever, was traded Monday to the Toronto Blue Jays in exchange for two players to be named later.
“We have a ton of professional and personal respect for Ross and believe that he is a Major League starting pitcher and ultimately didn’t feel comfortable putting him in the bullpen, especially when, as we look out to next Spring Training, we felt like it was going to be difficult then as well,” Friedman said. “So, as much as he’s helped us through the years, we felt like it was in everyone’s best interest with just the depth that we have right now and also caring about him.”
Despite his desire to start, Stripling accepted an ever-changing role on a talented Dodger team, describing himself at times as the Kiké Hernández of the pitching staff for his versatility. He prided himself in helping however he was needed and always being available.
Stripling had a 3.68 ERA with 404 strikeouts across 420 2/3 innings pitched during his time with the Dodgers. Of his 143 appearances, 59 were starts. In each of his first four seasons with the club seasons, he started multiple games and pitched in relief in multiple games.
His best season came in 2018, when he began the year as a reliever. Injuries dictated a move to the starting rotation, where he became an All-Star, finishing the year with career bests in ERA (3.02) and strikeouts (136) in a career-high 122 innings pitched.
Stripling started 21 games in 2018, then 15 a year later. In each season from 2017–19, he appeared in at least 30 games. This year, Stripling was again called upon to start despite not beginning the season in the rotation. Before the trade, he was 3–1 with a 5.61 ERA in seven starts, which was tied for the team lead.
Friedman said he “had a very open and honest conversation” with Stripling about the move — a decision he described as extremely difficult because of his respect for the Dodger pitcher.
Stripling would have been destined for the bullpen again in 2020 had the Dodgers held onto him after the team made the decision to keep Tony Gonsolin in the rotation moving forward. Friedman said he explained that to Stripling, as well as how he couldn’t provide any assurances about next year with the depth on the roster.
“It certainly was not easy at all, and he’s been a big part of what we’ve accomplished here the last four years,” Friedman said.
That was the Dodgers’ lone move before the trade deadline. Regarding the two prospects the got in return, Friedman said it will take some time before either become Major League players.
“We are definitely getting a guy that we like and feel like will fit in really well with our next crop of prospects that are coming and then another guy that will come from a bigger list that we’ll have some time to work through,” Friedman said.
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Dodgers trade Ross Stripling to Toronto for two players to be named later - mlblogs.com
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