Dodgers likely to cut ties with Jamey Wright

When Jamey Wright made his major league debut with the Colorado Rockies on July 3, 1996, a gallon of gasoline cost $1.22, a loaf of bread $1.15 and a first class stamp 32 cents. Clayton Kershaw had recently celebrated his eighth birthday, Corey Seager his second and the World Wide Web would turn five years old one month later. (Note: Contrary to his self proclamation, it was British computer scientist Tim Berners-Lee who invented the Web and not Al Gore). Until the 2014 season Wright made eight consecutive opening day rosters out of spring training, each as a free agent and each on a one-year minor league contract. Since his 1996 MLB debut, Wright has played for 10 different MLB teams spanning 19 major league seasons.

Right-hander Jamey Wright made one start in 2014 in the so-called "bullpen game" against the Cubs at Wrigley Field on September 21. (Photo credit - Ron Cervenka)

Right-hander Jamey Wright made one start in 2014 in the so-called “bullpen game” against the Cubs at Wrigley Field on September 21. (Photo credit – Ron Cervenka)

On his 39th birthday on December 24, 2014, Wright signed a one-year / $1.8 million contract with the Dodgers guaranteeing him a roster spot before spring training for the first time in nine seasons. It was his largest contract since 2002 when he made $4.25 million with the Milwaukee Brewers. Wright would go on to appear in 61 games in 2014, pitch 70.1 innings and finish the season with a 5-4 record and 4.35 ERA. Not bad for a guy pushing 40; but not good for a team that was pegged to make it into the 2014 World Series either.

Among the 25 guys who pitched for the Dodgers in 2014, Wright ranked 17th in ERA and among the 13 relievers (excluding Paul Maholm, Carlos Frias and Drew Butera) he ranked 11th. He struck out 54 and walked 31 (four intentionally) in his 70.1 innings of work. Even though Wright finished the 2014 season with a rather high 1.41 WHIP, he allowed only four home runs. In spite of being on the Dodgers 2014 postseason roster, Wright did not make an appearance in any of the four NLDS games.

With Dodgers new President of Baseball Operations Andrew Friedman’s recent commitment to “get younger” and with Wright’s less-than-stellar season in 2014, it is highly unlikely that the Dodgers will bring Wright back in 2015; and if they do, it would undoubtedly be on a minor league deal with yet another invitation to big league spring training camp. But to be brutally honest, there is every reason to believe that the extremely likable, soft-spoken Oklahoma City native has pitched his last game as a Dodger.

 

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4 Responses to “Dodgers likely to cut ties with Jamey Wright”

  1. Cy Young says:

    It seems like the Dodgers are starting to realize that you’re better off going with young explosive arms rather than the wily old veterans.

  2. Bluenose Dodger says:

    Undoubtedly Jamey Wright will not be back. However, he has had a remarkable career consistently making teams out of ST.

    His 2014 and perhaps last season was not sparkling yet he gave more for the dollar than some of his much more highly paid teammates. He was always a blue collar worker succeeding where it seems he should not have.

    The game can use a whole lot more Jamey Wright’s. I expect there is a spot for him someone in baseball other than in a playing capacity. I think his experience of always fighting for a spot would make him a good mentor to players in the minor leagues going through a similar battle.

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