Dodgers get Their Orango Mocha Capuano

"You know what could really help you sort through these important issue?"
"What?"
"Orange mocha frappuccino!" 

That's probably my favorite line from the movie Zoolander, and it's what I always think of when I hear the name "Chris Capuano." I once missed out on viewing the movie in college because I got stuck in an elevator between the first and second floor of a building. I'm not that lazy (well, maybe), we were trying to get to a party, and had didn't know where the stairs were. 

Either way, the Dodgers signed Chris Capuano to a two year, ten million dollar (with an option for a third year) deal this past week. Capuano has undergone two Tommy John surgeries, and at the age of 32, has only thrown 252 innings since his 28 year old season. This past year though, Capuano made 31 starts and threw 186 innings for the Mets. His 4.55 ERA is misleading though, as his BABIP was .311, and his HR/FB rate was 12% in Citi Field. Both of these are slightly higher than you'd expect, as his FIP and xFIP show (4.04 and 3.67 respectively). If Capuano is able to stay healthy, his peripherals say he should be able to put up four wins above replacement over the next two years, making it a good deal for the Dodgers. Of course, there's also the possibility he gets injured again, and could be either out for a significant amount of time, or be forced into retirement. 

The addition of Capuano essentially fills out the rotation for the Dodgers. The have Clayton Kershaw, Chad Billingsly, and Ted Lilly at the top, while they've pledged the fifth spot to Nate Eovaldi. Slotting Capuano into the fourth spot solidifies their rotation, and essentially eliminates the chances that the Dodgers will bring back veteran Hiroki Kuroda. Kuroda has been a favorite of mine for a few seasons. I always loved his peripherals, and he always put up a great WHIP. Kuroda will be 37 next year, and hasn't shown any allegiance to the MLB. He's expressed desires to stay in Los Angeles, or move back to Japan. The Capuano signing makes a return to the Dodgers unlikely, but Kuroda could still end up with Anaheim. The Angels are looking for a starting pitcher, and I believe that Kuroda still has enough left to perform a a middle rotation option for two more years. 

As far as the Dodgers go though, I haven't been a fan of most of their moves so far this offseason. They have the reigning N.L. Cy Young and MVP, and a lot of mediocre surrounding that. So far this offseason, they've signed more talent that falls between replacement level and MLB regular. Without even including the Matt Kemp extension, I'm surprised at how much they've spent this offseason, considering they don't have an owner to sign the checks. The problem is, none of their signings really inspire any real hope. Juan Rivera, Mark Ellis, Adam Kennedy, Chris Capuano? The Dodgers rotation looks to be solid, but thin, while there offense looks as if it will go only as far as Matt Kemp takes them.