Are the Dodgers still interested in Brad Hand?

[konu]

Last night the Dodgers re-signed Blake Treinen, and Jon Heyman tweeted out “The Dodgers fortified their bullpen with signing Kahnle and Treinen have been in on hand” is the interest still there despite the signing of Treinen? Of course, the interest is still there. But like most Dodger’s deals, it will all depend on the price tag. If it’s a 1 or 2-year deal worth 12+ million I could see them doing that especially with so much money coming off the books next year. If the years surpass 2 then the Dodgers will likely pass themselves. 

 

Brad Hand is 30 and 2 years younger than Liam Hendriks. However, Hendriks is seen as the better pitcher. Brad Hand didn’t blow a save last season with the Indians and had an ERA of 2.05. With a strikeout percentage of 37% which lead to 12 strikeouts per 9 while only walking 1.6 per 9. That will get it done. He relies heavily on his slider which sweeps across the zone, then he has a 4 seam fastball and sinker. 

 

A lot has been made about Brad Hand’s dip in velocity, he’s never been the hardest thrower at his peak his fastball averaged at 94 but judging by his career his velocity always does this weird up and down dip. In 2019 his velocity mostly sat at 92 but in some months it averaged 93. This year he started out at 90 and by the season’s end in September his velocity was 92. It’s possible the late start, and the starting and stopping of the weird season threw him off some and he didn’t get his arm the way he wanted to until September. With hopefully a more normal routine this year his velocity should stick between 92-93. He’s never been the hardest thrower so he relies on movement and having great command as seen by him, not walking batters. 

 

The Dodgers don’t really have a go-to lefty besides Victor Gonzalez, so Brad hand would make sense, solidifies the bullpen some more and they now have a closer who didn’t blow a save in 2020 and saved 34 of 37 in 2019. He doesn’t have the electric stuff that Hendriks has but he’s shown he can get batters out. Would you guys be on board with Brad Hand?