The Dodgers have continued their random move offseason, bringing back old friend and 2020 World Series champion, left-hander Adam Kolarek. The deal is of the minor league variety. Fabian Ardaya of The Athletic was among the first to report the move.
Kolarek was with the Dodgers in 2019 and 2020. He made 46 appearances, sporting a 0.88 ERA and 0.85 WHIP in 30.2 innings.
With those numbers, you’re probably wondering why the Dodgers traded him for Sheldon Neuse and Gus Varland (who was recently lost to the Brewers in the rule 5 draft).
In 2020, the MLB implemented new rules, requiring pitchers to face at least three batters, unless they were ending an inning. Kolarek was a lefty specialist with the Dodgers, almost exclusively coming in to face left-handed batters. The new rules essentially forced him out of a job, as he would have to face multiple batters — and the opposing manager could always just pinch-hit a righty.
In his career against lefties, Kolarek has allowed a .190 batting average and has a .233 BABIP. Against righties, he’s allowed a .311 average and has a .337 BABIP. A pretty stark difference.
However, the Dodgers clearly liked something they saw in the soon-to-be 34-year-old, as he’ll get an opportunity to try to make the active roster in the bullpen.
Welcome back to LA to the 2020 World Champion Adam Kolarek!
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