Dodgers In on Orioles Closer George Sherrill

Ed Price of AOL FanHouse tweeted earlier that the Dodgers are in "hard" on Orioles closer George Sherrill.

Price notes that the Orioles were looking at young left-hander Scott Elbert, the Dodgers 2004 first round pick, but they still have serious reservations about him.

Elbert, missed virtually the whole 2007 season because of shoulder surgery, but has returned to pitch quite nicely. He was graded a C+ prospect and ranked the Dodgers eight best prospect, according to John Sickels of Minor League Ball.  However, it should be noted that his relatively low ranking probably has more to due with concerns about his health than it does his ability.

The scouting report on Elbert is that he's a power lefty who throws in the 94-95 mph range, with a wicked slider that usually tops around 87 mph. Most scouts seem to think he lacks a third plus pitch, which likely would mean he'd be more serviceable in a back-end bullpen role.

Sherrill on the other hand is a very potent left-handed reliever who could be a nice addition to the Dodgers bullpen. He already has recorded 20 saves this year and sports a very respectable 2.45 ERA. However, more importantly Sherrill is dominant against left-handed hitters (.136 BAA), which would give the Dodgers another potent weapon to face the likes of Ryan Howard, Chase Utley and Raul Ibanez, should the Dodgers face the Phillies in the postseason again.

In terms of money Sherrill is signed this year for $2.75 million. He's arbitration eligible for the next two years and then set to be a free agent in 2013.

Now reading the scouting reports it seems like Elbert has the stuff to be a very good young reliever, but given the injury concerns, it might make sense for the Dodgers to take a shot at Sherill.