Matt Latos DFA by the Dodgers

Toe Nash

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Good target for someone in the offseason. Virtually no change in his peripherals this year -- has an absurdly low 62.6% strand rate.
 

DJnVa

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He's had a FIP below 3.85 every season except his rookie year and the Dodgers are out after 5 starts? He's DEFINITELY a guy I'd kick the tires on.
 

the1andonly3003

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Toe Nash said:
Good target for someone in the offseason. Virtually no change in his peripherals this year -- has an absurdly low 62.6% strand rate.
wow, from deadline target to DFA
 
aren't the RS looking for a pitcher to eat up a start in the final 2 weeks? might as well get an early look and work on him
 

E5 Yaz

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the1andonly3003 said:
aren't the RS looking for a pitcher to eat up a start in the final 2 weeks? might as well get an early look and work on him
 
That's not a bad idea at all
 

Puffy

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the1andonly3003 said:
wow, from deadline target to DFA
 
aren't the RS looking for a pitcher to eat up a start in the final 2 weeks? might as well get an early look and work on him
 
I had the same thought. He could give the Sox a start or two in 2015.
 
At this stage, you'd have to think he's looking at a 1-year, Masterson style contract. He's only 27. Perhaps he takes 1 year to reestablish his value and then goes back on the market (unless his arm is shredded or he's toast, I guess).
 

Rasputin

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Yeah, I've skipped past all the discussion and I'm wondering why he isn't starting for us tonight.
 
Bring him in, talk to him about a one year make-good contract or maybe a 2-3 year deal. Pitching depth is never bad.
 

MikeM

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Latos is certainly interesting, but at this point and beyond the surface appeal i'd have a hard time fitting him on our 2016 roster (Porcello obviously isn't going anywhere, and rolling the dice on Buchholz/Miley/Edro is probably a better overall play imo). Well, assuming DD would be targeting at least one FA starter higher up on the ladder.
 
Would love to see a trial run right now though.  
 

NDame616

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You have to think someone will sign him this year and extend him through 2016. 
 

rmurph3

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As I understand it, he's been DFA'd, but hasn't actually cleared waivers yet (or the Dodgers haven't actually requested waivers). They can hold him in this limbo for up to 10 days, conceivably.
 

moondog80

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The Sox already have Porcello, Owens, E-Rod, Miley, and Kelly who project as well or better than Latos.  And, hopefully, a front line guy to be added this offseason.  Granted, any of those guys could be moved (well, maybe not Porcello), but there's also the fact that Latos is apparently a huge douche.
 
My guess is he ends up somewhere with a clearer path to starting job.  Which is fine.  The potential for disaster would be through the roof.
 

MakMan44

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moondog80 said:
The Sox already have Porcello, Owens, E-Rod, Miley, and Kelly who project as well or better than Latos.  And, hopefully, a front line guy to be added this offseason.  Granted, any of those guys could be moved (well, maybe not Porcello), but there's also the fact that Latos is apparently a huge douche.
 
My guess is he ends up somewhere with a clearer path to starting job.  Which is fine.  The potential for disaster would be through the roof.
I'd take Latos over Kelly in a cocaine heartbeat.  
 

moondog80

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MakMan44 said:
I'd take Latos over Kelly in a cocaine heartbeat.  
 
 
Maybe, but I forgot to list Buchholz so you can add him to the list.  Point remains that the Sox are already loaded with decent-but-not-great options, they're not going to bump guys just to add another one who is also an asshole.
 

Toe Nash

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DrewDawg said:
Yeah, you never want to have too many pitchers.
Especially ones who are assholes. Never have good luck with them, nope.
 
 
moondog80 said:
The Sox already have Porcello, Owens, E-Rod, Miley, and Kelly who project as well or better than Latos.  And, hopefully, a front line guy to be added this offseason.  Granted, any of those guys could be moved (well, maybe not Porcello), but there's also the fact that Latos is apparently a huge douche.
 
My guess is he ends up somewhere with a clearer path to starting job.  Which is fine.  The potential for disaster would be through the roof.
 
Unless you think his strand rate this year is predictive, Latos is clearly a better bet than Owens and Kelly for next year. His periphs are slightly better than Miley's. You could move those guys OR you could keep some (Owens) riding the Pawtucket shuttle OR some are likely to get hurt for points of the season.
 
Latos may or may not be a good fit and may not want to come here given the seemingly full rotation but there's almost no chance it would be a "disaster" to add him. 
 

moondog80

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Toe Nash said:
 
Latos may or may not be a good fit and may not want to come here given the seemingly full rotation but there's almost no chance it would be a "disaster" to add him. 
 
The disaster part is more about him being a douche than a bad pitcher.  I mean, the Dodgers are a playoff team with no obvious 4th starter.  Their GM was Billy Beane's right hand man in Oakland, he knows all about peripherals and FIP and strand rate and small sample size.   And they saw fit to waive him after 24 IP.  There's a reason.  There's also a reason why the best deal the Marlins could get was "we'll also take Mike Morse, but you have to give up a competitive balance pick".
 
I'm not saying I wouldn't take a flyer on him.  I'm saying that there will be some other other team willing to give him more money and a better path to a job.
 

dynomite

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Holy catfish that's a bargain.

Latos is 28 and had a 3.69 xFIP and a 3.88 Sierra last season. All of his peripheral stats (K rate, BB rate, etc.) are basically identical to his good seasons. He lost a little bit on his fastball (92 to 91) and has some knee concerns, but for $3M? Great work by the ChiSox.

Even if he is a massive jerk.