When he joined the Dodgers in a three-team trade at the 2015 deadline, Alex Wood was an up and coming stud in the league. At only 24 years old, the left hander was coming off a 2.78 ERA and 3.25 FIP in 171 innings in 2014. For the following three years, he continued to grow—not into a star, but a reliable starter who could be trusted to execute most situations successfully, whether it be in the rotation or out of the bullpen.
Now, the funky delivery man out of the University of Georgia is returning to his longtime home on a one year, $4MM deal. The deal includes incentives that could push the total to $10MM.
Wood was shipped to the Reds last offseason in a deal that sent the likes of Matt Kemp and Yasiel Puig to Cincinnati, as well. The hopes and ambitions that Wood would provide lefty stability for the Redlegs vanished when he suffered a back injury in Spring Training that held him back from the roster until July 28th against the Colorado Rockies.
Wood is the third free agent the Dodgers have signed this offseason, joining right handers Blake Treinen and Jimmy Nelson. It is undetermined if he will make the rotation, but will have to fight for that spot against the likes of Ross Stripling, Dustin May, Tony Gonsolin, and Nelson. With Walker Buehler, Clayton Kershaw, Kenta Maeda, and Julio Urias already locks for that will be a powerful starting 5 for the Dodgers, Alex Wood only adds resilience for an L.A. team desperate for another shot at a World Series title.
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