Just when I thought, as many did, that the Dodgers were effectively done for the winter they go ahead to make a trade. As you may have heard, the Dodgers have found a solution to their second base problem this coming season. They have traded for Tampa Bay second baseman Logan Forsythe in exchange for top-flight right-handed pitching prospect Jose De Leon. Per a Dodger press release:
Forsythe, 30, has combined to slug 57 doubles, 37 homers and drive in 120 runs in 280 games with Tampa Bay over the past two seasons, including batting .264 with 52 RBI and setting career-best marks with 20 home runs, four triples and 76 runs scored as the Rays’ primary leadoff hitter in 127 games last year. In 2015, batting in the middle of the Rays’ lineup, Forsythe led Tampa Bay qualifiers in batting average (.281), on-base percentage (.359) and slugging percentage (.444), while posting a .299/.373/.599 slashline against left-handers. His slugging percentage against lefties (.599) ranked third in the American League in 2015, behind only Nelson Cruz (.673) and Josh Donaldson (.632).He certainly isn't Brian Dozier, but he will do. On a side note, you have to wonder if the Twins will regret not pulling the trigger on a trade to get JDL for Dozier. On another note, it sucks seeing De Leon go elsewhere. I feel pretty good that he'll be a solid back-end rotation starter for many years, and I think we would've enjoyed watching him pitch alongside his best bud - Julio Urias.
Forsythe has a .255 career batting average with 55 homers and 203 RBI in 618 games in six big-league seasons with the Padres (2011-13) and Rays (2014-16) after being selected by San Diego in the first round (46th overall) of the 2008 First-Year Player Draft out of the University of Arkansas. The Tennessee native has primarily appeared at second base during the course of his career (.980 fielding percentage in 456 games), but has also seen work at third base (56 games), first base (27 games), shortstop (19 games) and outfield (16 games).
As for second base, the Dodgers have acquired a solid ballplayer to play the position for the next two season. Forsythe is due $7.0million this coming season, and the Dodgers hold a team option for 2018 at $8.5million. He doesn't have the bat or power of a Dozier, but he did wallop 20 dingers last season - a career high. BTW, he batted mostly lead-off for the Rays last year. With the glove he is an average defender and is likely to be a small step-up in that department from Chase Utley. Lastly, Logan is apparently not on twitter... Wat's up wit dat?
In celebration of Forsythe's recent trade to the Dodgers I have made the above fantasy Baseball card of him using the 1969 Topps Baseball card design and a photo taken originally by Dennis Maffezzoli at the Herald Tribune.
Below are his career statistics, via Baseball-Reference:
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