Carlos Frias’ Disaster Highlights Starter Needs for Dodgers

On Sunday, Carlos Frias was able to show, despite a few good outings, why the Los Angeles Dodgers still need a starting pitcher. A night after Mike Bolsinger one of the fill-in pitchers for the Dodgers made a dominant start in which he and stopper Kenley Jansen faced just the minimum 27 hitters, Frias simply imploded.

Frias was thumped by the San Diego Padres to the tune of 12 hits and 10 runs in four plus innings including a grand slam in the first inning by Justin Upton.

Frias became just the first pitcher for the Dodgers to allow that number of runs since 2008. The game was over very quickly and the Padres were able to avoid the sweep thanks to 20 hits and an 11-3 win.

Things started bad and just got worse for Frias. He allowed a leadoff double then two walks before Upton belted a grand slam to center field. Things did not get any better and when Don Mattingly the Dodgers manager stepped onto the field in the fifth he was given a loud ovation, as fans knew Frias was being yanked. On the day, Frias’ ERA opened at 2.55 but ended that day more than doubled at 5.34.

Mattingly said his pitcher had a bad day, as he could not place the pitchers where he wanted, he ended up getting behind in the count. Sometimes you do not pay for that and sometimes you do, and Sunday was a day Frias paid dearly for falling behind on the batter.

Frias has imploded previously with the Dodgers, during a game last season versus Colorado, Frias gave up 10 hits and 8 runs in just 2/3 of an inning. He became the modern era’s first pitcher to allow 10 hits before getting three outs.

Frias this season has pitched well on four occasions. However, his showing on Sunday proves he cannot be considered as a member of the Dodgers regular rotation over the long haul yet. That is why the front office is most likely going to pursue a trade over the next month for a solid starter.

However, in the meantime the Dodgers have to hope that between Brett Anderson, Bolsinger and Frias they can get some solid starts until a quality starter becomes available at the right price through a trade.

Trade targets that could help the Dodgers include Scott Kazmir of the A’s, Kyle Lohse of the Brewers, Johnny Cueto with the Reds and Yovani Gallardo from the Rangers.

However, until other teams deem the time right to unload their assets, the Dodgers will have to be content on the starting rotation they have now.