The Dodgers have claimed right-hander Phil Bickford off waivers from the Brewers. Both teams have announced the move, with the Dodgers designating left-hander Mike Kickham for assignment to create roster space.
Bickford pitched just one inning for the Brewers in 2021, to go along with his lone inning for the team last season. Twice a first-round draft pick (for the Blue Jays in 2013 and, after opting to attend college, with the Giants in 2015), Bickford’s career has been stalled by injuries and a 50-game suspension for a drug of abuse in 2017.
The righty is still only 25 years old, however, and has yet to pitch in either Double-A or Triple-A ball. It could be that some time in a proper minor league game environment will help hone Bickford’s potential as a relief pitcher, since he recorded a whopping 53 strikeouts in 32 2/3 bullpen innings (with a 2.48 ERA) for Milwaukee’s high-A affiliate in 2019.
Kickham signed a minor league deal with the Dodgers in the offseason and had his contract selected by the team yesterday. He tossed two innings of mop-up work in the Dodgers’ 16-4 victory over the Brewers, though Kickham allowed three earned runs. The 32-year-old has now appeared in four Major League seasons, though with a sizeable gap in between — Kickham pitched for the Giants in 2013-14 and then worked in the minors before resurfacing for 14 innings with the Red Sox in 2020.
okay when i saw dodgers, thought it would say” sign shane greene”
who in the blue heaven is phil bickford???
and to mike kickham, we hardly ever knew ye.
Can you not read? He was a 1st round pick that projected as a starter with high upside, injuries derailed his career though when he has taken mound he has been effective.
He was ‘suspended for a drug of abuse in 2017’ per the article
Weed suspension
Dodgers clearly saw enough of Mike and decided to Kickham off the roster.
Wow, these are some Giants rejects from way back. I’m shocked Kickham is still kicking around after all these years. This has to be the end of the line for him. Bickford ran into PED issues early in his career IIRC. Giants saw him as a promising talent, but he blew that opportunity.
*drug of abuse not PED i believe
Ok it was weed and he was young and stupid. It
Ok it was weed and he was young and stupid. It’s in the past. He has worked hard to straightened his career out. Not making excuses but I kinda wonder if he was using it as an anxiety issue solution. He will be a decent reliever/ spot starter , just needs a longer look.
@Stubby:
I think you’re right. He was written off as a Jeff Spicoli space-cadet type. Look, I’m rooting for both of these guys, but I doubt that either is going to amount o much at this point.
He was a highly rated pitching prospect who had some suspensions.
Smart pickup by the Dodgers.
Gotta love the Dodgers claiming and discarding players that weren’t good enough to stay on the Giants rosters. Enjoy our trash LA.
Gotta love people obsessing over rival teams instead of paying attention to their own.
1st place
Yep, 1st place. Nowhere to go but down and they will soon.
Dodgers front office meeting, “Let’s Kickham for Bickford”. Oh yeah!!!
Way to Kickham when he’s down…
He was drafted 11th overall I believe by the blue jays didn’t sign ended up signing with the giants the next year, never really lived up to his potential
when are teams going to realize Kickham is not MLB material? worst pitcher out there id argue.
Giants drafted Bickford before Buehler
Royals drafted Ashe Russell before Buehler
Buehler was scheduled to have Tommy John and a lot of GMs are kicking themselves for not having taken the chance on him.
yeah and kickham is from the giants system too so that is a weird headline
Sneaky pickup for relief pitcher depth.
Except that depth is not what they need now. They need relievers who can actually pitch in relief, like, right now.
When you are 32 years old and have had absolutely zero success pitching in the major leagues you should probably start thinking about a fallback plan.
Kickham’s career earnings since 2010 are $1.37MM. I’d say he’s doing just fine.
Yeah that isn’t enough to retire on. He has basically made $100k per year since he was 20 which is nice but when that contract is up he might be flipping burgers.
That’s not retire money but it’s still pretty dang good.
So after taxes, if he didn’t spend a dime in the last 11 years, he would have like 750k? I’m not speculating on his portfolio, but a lucrative future as a pitcher doesn’t seem to be in the cards.
You mean ballplayers pay taxes too? Who knew?
Dodgers get revenge on the Brewers after losing the series to them.
by claiming a dude with an era in the 20s?
Yeah, im sure the Brewers are quivering and will really turn the tide in the NL West…
Ugh I liked Bickford. Dodgers got a good one. He may have needed a change of scenery I guess
Another dumpster diving move
This is typical of what the Dodgers do. Go out and get failed prospects or hurt pitchers, bring them back home (LA, Bickford from Ventura) in hopes of reviving their spirit. At least they aren’t losing anyone as it’s just a waiver wire pickup.