I’ll admit it: I’m afraid of the Los Angeles Dodgers. Because they seem to have all the money and all the brains, and the wherewithal to use them. But then Mike Fiers throws a no-hitter at the Dodgers and you realize just how capricious this game really can be.
Last month, the Dodgers and the Astros were both fighting for division titles and both traded for not one, but two starting pitchers. Even though both teams were already fairly well-set in that department, at least compared to most of their competition.
The Dodgers acquired Matt Latos and Alex Wood, who have combined for seven starts, one victory, and a nifty 5.68 ERA.
The Astros acquired Scott Kazmir and Mike Fiers, who have combined for eight starts, two victories, and a significantly niftier 1.72 ERA.
This doesn’t mean Kazmir and Fiers are better than Latos and Wood, or that the Astros fared better than the Dodgers before the deal. What it means is that there aren’t any guarantees, and the Astros might well finish this season with a better record than the Dodgers even though they’re going to spend between a fourth and a fifth as much money as the Dodgers. And before you start thinking the Dodgers’ money will eventually make them unbeatable, a) you might be right, but b) you’re probably not, because there are only so many roster spots, and the Dodgers have spent so much money on international free agents that they’re now prohibited from any big outlays in the next two signing periods.
Which isn’t to suggest all those smart people won’t think of other good ways to spend all that money. Eating contracts – Carl Crawford, anyone? – is one good way, and there are others. But the Houston Astros are a great example of other ways to win. And the Washington Nationals are a great example of ways to lose.
