We all knew the Dodgers were looking to add a reliever. We just didn't expect it to be John Axford. As you likely know by now, in addition to the trade deadline deal that brought us Brian Dozer earlier today, we are also adding right-handed reliever John Axford from Toronto. In exchange we sent the Blue Jays a right-handed prospect named Corey Cropping.
Per a Dodgers press release:
The Los Angeles Dodgers today acquired right-handed pitcher John Axford from the Toronto Blue Jays in exchange for minor league right-hander Corey Copping.
Axford, 35, appeared in 45 games (one start) for the Blue Jays this season, going 4-1 with a 4.41 ERA (25 ER/51.0 IP) and has held hitters to a .234 average. The Simcoe, Canada native has been strong against left-handed hitters this season, limiting the opposition to a .147 average (10-for-68). The right-handed reliever has pitched well in 11 games (one start) during the month of July, going 3-0 with a 3.86 ERA (6 ER/14.0 IP) and has limited batters to a .200 average, while striking out 16 against four walks.
Over 10 big league seasons, Axford has gone 38-34 with 144 saves and has posted a 3.78 ERA in 538 career games (one start) with the Brewers (2009-13), Cardinals (2013), Indians (2014), Pirates (2014), Rockies (2015), Athletics (2016-17) and Blue Jays (2018). He has struck out a career 585 batters over 521.2 innings, posting a 10.09 strikeouts per nine innings, and has held hitters to a .241 career average, including a .230 mark against lefties. Axford also is tied for the 11th most saves in the big leagues among active relievers.
Axford was originally selected by the Seattle Mariners in the seventh round of the 2001 First-Year Player Draft.He's not exactly a top-flight setup man, but he could fit in nicely. Furthermore, he appears to get a bunch of grounders and has punished left-handed hitter all season long.
Below are some links to other stories regarding this trade:
- Per Ken Gurnick at MLB.com; "Dodgers complete trades for Dozier, Axford."
- Per Rowan Kavner at Dodger Insider; "Dodgers add Dozier, Axford before the non-waiver trade deadline."
- Via Jeff Todd at MLB Trade Rumors; "Dodgers To Acquire John Axford."
Axford, 35, has a 4.41 ERA, 8.8 K/9, 3.5 BB/9, 1.06 HR/9, and 53.3% groundball rate in 51 innings this year for the Blue Jays. Axford had signed a minor league deal with the Blue Jays in February after a rough final season in Oakland that included over a month on the shelf with a shoulder strain.
- Via Craig Minami at True Blue LA; "Dodgers acquire reliever John Axford for minor league pitcher."
Axford has always pitched better against left-handed batters than right-handed batters. In 2018, there is a significant difference. Left-handed batters are hitting .147/.244/.309 against Axford. Right-handed batters are hitting .283/.353/.400 against Axford in 2018.
- Per Alex Campos at Dodgers Digest; "Dodgers acquire John Axford from Toronto for Corey Copping."
In celebration of this trade I made a couple of custom fantasy baseball card of Axford. Check them out at the very top.There is some positive to take away with Axford. He’s currently running his highest strikeout rate (23.7 percent) since 2015 and his 9.5 percent walk rate is his best since 2013. Axford is a righty, but he’s faced 78 left-handed hitters this season and they have a .145/.244/.309 triple slash against him.
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