Los Angeles Dodgers Sign Former A's Starter to Minor League Deal

The Los Angeles Dodgers are taking a flier on a former A's starter

The Los Angeles Dodgers have signed former A's starter Jesse Hahn to a minor league deal, according to Fabian Ardaya of The Athletic. Hahn has not pitched in professional baseball since his time with the Kansas City Royals in 2021. 

The right-hander was originally selected by the Tampa Bay Rays in the sixth round of the 2010 MLB Draft, and was traded to the San Diego Padres in 2014 in a deal that landed the Rays Logan Forsythe, Brad Boxberger, and Matt Andriese. Hahn made his big-league debut with the Padres in 2014, putting up a 3.07 ERA across 73 1/3 innings in 14 appearances (12 starts). 

The Padres traded him to Oakland following that season as the A's tore down their roster from the 2012-2014 run, shipping off nearly all of that year's seven All Stars. This particular trade sent catcher Derek Norris to the Padres for Hahn and reliever R.J. Alvarez. 

Hahn pitched well in 2015, holding a 3.35 ERA in nearly 100 innings of work, but the following two seasons he combined for a 5.59 ERA in 116 innings and he was traded once again, this time to Kansas City. The A's received reliever Ryan Buchter and a returning Brandon Moss. 

Hahn spent parts of three seasons with the Royals from 2019-2021, but totaled just 251/3 innings in the big leagues in 29 games. 

While Hahn hasn't had sustained success at the big league level and he is now entering his age 34 season, at one point in time he had a pretty good curveball. From season to season, Hahn's pitch mix would change. Some years he'd have five offerings, sometimes four. In his final season with the Royals he was down to three pitches, and after not throwing his hook in 2019, it was back in his arsenal and a big part of his pitch mix the following two seasons. 

This signing by the Dodgers could end up being a flier that they're taking on a guy that once had some promise, but maybe they see something. If there is any front office/coaching staff combo that can unlock someone, it's the one in Los Angeles. Where he starts the season in the minor leagues after not pitching the last two seasons could be an indicator of how much the team is expecting out of Jesse Hahn in 2024.