The Dodgers may have been down Friday night, but by Sunday, they showed they're not out.
Los Angeles moved on from the Zack Greinke-to-Diamondbacks debacle by signing a solid starter and closing in on help in the problematic bullpen, according to ESPN.
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The Dodgers agreed to a deal with former Mariners' right-hander Hisashi Iwakuma, and ESPN and The Los Angeles Times reported that the team is closing in on a deal for Reds closer Aroldis Champman.
The 34-year-old Iwakuma threw a no-hitter for Seattle in August and went 47-25 with a 3.17 ERA with the Mariners over four seasons.
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Chapman, who has a fastball that can reach triple digits on the radar gun, recorded 116 strikeouts in 66 1/3 innings in Cincinnati last season.
Part of L.A.'s problem the past three seasons with aces Greinke and Clayton Kershaw was getting to closer Kenley Jansen. The Dodgers' setup pitchers were so inconsistent that Greinke and Kershaw routinely worked seven or eight innings per start (or more) during the season and had tired arms during the postseason.
The Dodgers still could pursue free agent Johnny Cueto, who joined Kansas City late last season and earned a World Series ring with the Royals, but The Times is skeptical of a signing.
"Cueto is looking for more than the six-year, $120-million proposal from the Diamondbacks that he rejected. If the Dodgers wouldn't offer Greinke six years, why would they do that for Cueto, who is 28 months younger but has a history of elbow issues?" The Times asked.
But Cueto still would be a $35 million bargain with a free season to boot as an alternative to Greinke. The Dodgers need to consider Cueto because they now have the Giants, who signed Jeff Samardzija over the weekend to form a solid 1-2 punch with Madison Bumgarner, and the Diamondbacks, who have Greinke.
The Dodgers also signed utility infielder Chase Utley.
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