July 13th, 2018 at 8:00 am 
by Ron Cervenka When the Dodgers signed right-handed reliever Brandon Morrow as a free agent on January 26, 2017, few – if any – Dodger fans knew who he was. But by the end of the 2017 season, he was arguably the most popular Dodger reliever not named Kenley Jansen. In fact, in the 45 games in which he appeared for the 2017 National League Champion Dodgers, most as Jansen’s set-up man, Morrow posted a remarkable 6-0 record and 2.06 ERA over his 43.2 innings of work.
The problem, of course, is that the Dodgers had signed the soon-to-be 34-year-old (on July 26) Santa Rosa, California native and former 2006 first-round draft pick (by the Seattle Mariners) to a one-year / $1.5 million minor league free agent contract, calling him up to the Bigs on May 29, and he was absolutely lights out. As such, the extremely popular 6′-3″ / 205-pound hard-throwing right-hander was looking for – and rightfully deserved – a lucrative multi-year closer-type contract.
The Dodgers, of course, had already signed “the best closer in the game,” (as Kenley Jansen is often referred) to a lofty 5-year / $80 million contract extension on January 10, 2017 and weren’t about to pay two guys that kind of money. As a result, and much to the disappointment of every Dodger fan on the planet, Morrow walked, signing a 2-year / $21 million contract (with an option for 2020) with the Chicago Cubs to be their closer.
With their 3-2 win over the San Diego Padres on Thursday evening, the Dodgers are now in sole possession of first place in the National League West for the first time this season. (Image courtesy of MLB.com)
Although efforts were made by the Dodgers to find a suitable replacement for Morrow during the offseason, the best they could come up with was signing 32-year-old free agent right-hander Tom Koehler to a 1-year / $2 million contract on December 20, 2017. The problem is the Bronx, New York native and former 2008 18th-round draft pick (by the Miami Marlins) has, to date, yet to make even one pitch in a Dodgers uniform while being paid two million dollars. Koehler has been on the 60-day disabled list with a “mild anterior capsule strain” in his right shoulder suffered in a spring training game on March 2. That was over four months ago, with no return date on the horizon.
Since then, the Dodgers bullpen has struggled to keep their collective heads above water, going through stretches of being absolutely horrible with occasional (but usually brief) good stretches thrown in for good measure.
…until now.
Enter 27-year-old right-hander Dylan Floro, whom the Dodgers acquired on July 4th from the Cincinnati Reds (along with right-hander Zach Neal and international bonus slot money) in exchange for minor leaguers James Marinan and Aneurys Zabala.
Since his call up to the big league club four days later, all the Merced, California native and former 2012 13th-round draft pick (by the Tampa Bay Rays) has done is retire all 10 of the batters he has faced (four via strikeout) without allowing a run, walk, or hit in the three games and 3.2 innings he has pitched thus far.
After spending three season in the major leagues with the Rays, Cubs, and Reds respectively, it appears that hard-throwing right-hander Dylan Floro has finally come into his own with the Dodgers … and not a moment too soon. (Video capture courtesy of SportsNet LA)
Granted, 3.2 innings is way too small of a sample size to adequately compare Dylan Floro to Brandon Morrow. But with an absolutely filthy 94-mph fastball that tails away from left-handed hitters and inside to right-handed hitters, and with an equally filthy 88-mph slider that is absolutely unhittable, there is every reason to believe that the guy with a last name that rhymes with Morrow could finally be the guy to replace him.
Play Ball!
Posted in 
A lot to like so far. Regarding relievers can you provide any insight into Quakes relievers Kasowski and Pop? Both with sub 1.00 ERA’s. I also read scouting report than Gonsolin is being groomed for BP even though he is starting for Quakes. All 3 seem ready for Tulsa.
From what I have personally seen of Marshall Kasowski and Zach Pop, they are both excellent closer-type relievers.
As for Tony Gonsolin, I’m not ready to give up on him as a starter just yet. That being said, I wouldn’t be surprised to see him moved into the bullpen as he moves up, at least initially.
Thanks for the insight. At some point, sooner than later, I also expect to see Sheffield and Alvarez moved to the BP.
Agree.
Glad someone on here feels the same way I do about Sheffield and Alvarez. Still boggles my mind that the Dodgers tried to groom Sheffield into another Marcus Stroman instead of boosting his value as a bullpen option. I was NEVER convinced for a hot second that Sheffield had anything in the way of starter potential. As for Alvarez, if they finally move him to the pen he could turn into an Edwin Diaz-type in the late innings. Similar stuff and body type, come to think of it…
Yep, Floro looks good, to say the lease.
Floro and Alexander will be key components to the Dodgers play off run
I’m still not fully on-board with Alexander, although I’m warming up to him a bit more of late.
I fully get that all relievers occasionally go through rough patches, but it’s impossible not to like what we are seeing from Floro, albeit (again) a very small sample size.
After, a terrible start(I would actually start screaming when Dave would bring him in), all his pitches were up, he looks a helluva lot better! He’s been keeping the sinker down,and his fastball has good life! I, still worry though, when he comes in and walks the lead-off hitter! The minute,Orel, gets in one of his homer, rants, telling u how wonderful Hudson, has been, boom, he gives up 2 runs!!! Again, when I hear him, I yell to keep quiet! It happens, quite often, they both jinx us! Floro has been lights out, I hope,Dave doesn’t burn him out,as he is known for doing!!! LET’S GO DODGERS!!!
“In fact, in the 45 games in which he appeared for the 2018 National League Champion Dodgers…” Do you know something we don’t?
It could happen. Haha … Fixed (and thanks).
I like Floro already. He’s pretty much made Pedro Baez expendable right now and I for one am truly thankful for it.