Dodgers Add Ryan Madson To Ailing Bullpen

The Dodgers’ bullpen has been a key reason that the team currently sits in third place in the National League West. In an attempt to add depth and experience, the Dodgers acquired veteran Nationals righthander Ryan Madson, trading away minor league reliever Andrew Istler in return.

 

 

DODGERS ACQUIRE:

Ryan Madson, RHP
Age: 38

For the second time in two seasons, Madson is on the move to try to help a team’s playoff run. Last year, he was sent from Oakland to D.C., along with Sean Doolittle, in a big trade that sent the A’s their now top pitching prospect, Jesus Luzardo. A year later, Madson is being traded in a much more modest deal, as he was sent to the Dodgers in return for righthanded minor league reliever Andrew Istler.

Madson still has a mid-90s fastball and a usable breaking ball and changeup, but he’s missed time with a back injury that has affected his performance and he’s been more homer prone when he has pitched. His 5.28 ERA this year is the worst of his career, and his 4.35 fielding independent pitching mark (FIP) is the worst he’s had in the past decade.

NATIONALS ACQUIRE:

Andrew Istler, RHP
Age: 25

Istler was a low-cost pickup out of Duke as a 23rd-round pick of the Dodgers in 2015. Since then, he’s gained velocity and arm speed, which has helped sharpen an already solid curveball into an above-average pitch. Istler’s curveball has good depth and he can throw it for strikes. He mixes in a solid-average, 92-94 mph fastball as well. Istler’s two-pitch mix gives him a chance to be a useful, low-leverage reliever. Istler has been effective in stops at high Class A, Double-A and Triple-A this year, going 4-4, 2.37 with 2.15 BB/9 and 8.25 K/9.