Fan Fanatic Sports Staff
The not-so-triumphant return of Jim Ingram is here! Just kidding. Last night, the LA Dodgers further helped their chances for a deep playoff run by picking up Jim Thome and Jon Garland at the waiver deadline. Neither player is a superstar, but both will fill a need the Dodgers have had for some time.
Jim Thome, who will not be put into service at first base, will provide the power bat off the bench they sorely need for the stretch run and the playoffs. Juan Pierre has been fantastic this season, Mark Loretta has been solid, but neither player offers serious pop off the bench. According to reports, Ned Colletti said he expects Joe Torre to be used like Matt Stairs was, and is, for the Phillies.
Jon Garland, in a rare move between division rivals, comes over from the Arizona Diamondbacks and will be inserted directly into the rotation. While he's not have a good season, 8-11 4.29 ERA, he has pitched pretty well since the All Star break. What he does provide is stability. He's a very durable pitcher who should keep his team in the game. My guess is he has a very good stretch here while pitching in the pitcher friendly Dodger Stadium.
As a diehard Dodgers fan, I love these moves. It doesn't look like Colletti gave up much for either player, and it provides depth and adds two more veteran presences to a team littered with young stars. Garland should take over the 4th slot in the rotation and push Vincente Padilla to 5th. I don't expect much from Kuroda the rest of the season, but if he can return at all that would be gravy to me.
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