The Dodgers have obtained right-hander Ricky Nolasco from the Miami Marlins for three minor-league pitchers – Steve Ames, Josh Wall and Angel Sanchez. L.A. also picked up an international signing bonus worth $197,000 in the deal.
“Nolasco is somebody that can help us out,” Colletti said. “Obviously he’s an accomplished big league starter. We felt we needed to add a starter at this point in the season and we had conversations with the Marlins going back about a week or so now. I think it’s a benefit to acquire somebody before you get to the 31st. That was part of it as well.”
Nolasco, a Southern California native who can become a free agent after the season, went 5-8 with a 3.85 ERA in 18 starts for the Marlins and has a career mark of 81-72 with a 4.44 ERA.
His acquisition bolsters a hot Dodgers team that has won 11 of their last 12 games. With recent injuries to Chad Billingsley, Josh Beckett and Ted Lilly, Nolasco makes perfect sense for the Dodgers and it also keeps him away from their division rival, the San Francisco Giants, who are openly on the market for starting pitching help. No, not Shaun Marcum, Mets fans, real pitching help.
Nolasco, 30, is the Marlins all-time winningest pitcher and strikeout leader and will likely replace former Met Chris Capuano in the Dodger rotation.
With Cy Young Award winners Clayton Kershaw and Zack Greinke already at the top of the rotation, and impressive rookie lefty Hyun-Jin Ryu behind them, Nolasco gives the Dodgers one of the best top-four in the game.
