Former Dodgers Pitcher Joins AL West Squad on One-Year Deal

A World Series champion in 2020, left-hander Alex Wood has achieved journeyman status.

Former Los Angeles Dodgers left-handed pitcher Alex Wood is reportedly set to join the Oakland A's, pending a physical, per Robert Murray. The deal has not been made official yet.

Free-agent pitcher Alex Wood in agreement with the Oakland A’s, pending physical, according to sources familiar with the deal.

— Robert Murray (@ByRobertMurray) January 28, 2024

Wood pitched five seasons for the Dodgers over two separate stints. The first was from 2015-18, and the second was in 2020 during their World Series championship run.

During Wood's first span with the Dodgers (2017), he made his lone All-Star appearance. That year, he had a career-best 2.72 ERA and 16-3 record as a pitcher.

In 2020, during the COVID-19 shortened season, he was injured for much of the beginning of the year and didn't return until September. Wood struggled during his return with a 6.39 ERA and did not play in the playoffs until the NLCS and World Series, in which he contributed to their title win with a 1.35 postseason ERA through 6.2 innings pitched.

Wood has spent the past three seasons with the Dodgers' rival, the San Francisco Giants (2021-23). He posted a poor 5.10 ERA in 2022, followed by a 4.33 ERA in 2023. These subpar last couple seasons likely resulted in Wood's free agency market being quiet, leaving him to join an A's squad that finished last season 50-112, the worst record in baseball.

The 11-year veteran has also played for the Atlanta Braves and Cincinnati Reds, making the Athletics his fifth MLB team. He joins an A's team whose glory days are in the past. 

Hopefully for the A's, the 33-year-old pitcher can help Oakland improve their last place finish from a season ago. And if not, hopefully he can at least turn himself into a solid trade deadline candidate for a contender.