The MLB Commerce Deadline is nearly right here. In lower than two weeks, the Dodgers roster ought to look a lot completely different than it does now, with a number of additions becoming a member of the push for the postseason.
The Dodgers have a number of wants they’ll want to deal with this deadline, however at this level, none appear larger than beginning pitching.
All 5 beginning pitchers from the workforce’s Opening Day rotation have spent prolonged time on the injured record this season, and that doesn’t even embody Tony Gonsolin who missed the primary month and Ryan Pepiot and Walker Buehler who’re yet to play this season.
The Dodgers are at the moment relying on three rookies — Bobby Miller, Emmet Sheehan and Michael Grove — which gained’t be ideally suited come postseason time. And with Julio Urias’ struggles and the uncertainty surrounding Clayton Kershaw’s shoulder, there’s actually no positive factor within the rotation proper now.
So, the Dodgers will certainly be available in the market for a beginning pitcher over the following 10 days, and on this article, I’m going to record three choices, separated in three completely different tiers.
The Apparent Goal
Lucas Giolito
Each MLB insider and their mom have linked Giolito to the Dodgers this commerce deadline, and for good purpose. He’s the highest beginning pitcher who looks like a lock to be traded, contemplating he’s a free agent on the finish of this yr and the White Sox are already out of the playoff race.
Giolito is from Los Angeles, went to Harvard-Westlake Excessive College and grew up rooting for the Dodgers, so the non-baseball matches are clearly there.
On the mound, although, Giolito was an All-Star in 2019, and completed top-11 in AL Cy Younger voting thrice.
This yr, Giolito has had an up and down yr, and obtained rocked in his most up-to-date begin, elevating his ERA to three.96. Nevertheless, he has an amazing 9.5 strikeouts per 9 innings and a powerful 3.13 strikeout to stroll ratio, and would undoubtedly profit from taking part in for a contending workforce.
Giolito isn’t precisely an ace, however he could be a stable No. 2 within the rotation, and could be trusted to make a postseason begin. And for what it’s value, LA is currently considered the co-favorite to land him this deadline.
The Sleeper Goal
Jack Flaherty
Like Giolito, Flaherty is from Los Angeles and went to Harvard-Westlake Excessive College. Whereas he hasn’t made an All-Star workforce in his profession, he completed fourth in NL Cy Younger voting in 2019 after sporting a 2.75 ERA in 33 begins.
Since then, Flaherty has had an up and down profession, and has struggled with some accidents. Nevertheless, he’s been wholesome this season, and has been pitching a lot better after struggling early within the yr.
After seeing his ERA ballon to six.29 in early Could, he’s introduced all of it the best way all the way down to 4.39 after his most up-to-date begin on Friday towards the Cubs the place he allowed 4 earned runs throughout six innings of labor.
Cody Bellinger serving to decrease Jack Flaherty’s commerce worth.
Good to see he’s nonetheless serving to the Dodgers this season. https://t.co/5xvaQmI5nI
— Noah Camras (@noahcamras) July 21, 2023
Flaherty can be a free agent on the finish of the yr, so if the Cardinals determine to promote, he — along with many other players — could be an ideal commerce goal for LA. He would additionally come cheaper than Giolito, which may entice the Dodgers.
Flaherty is definitely my best choice, as I might love LA to get a package deal of him and some other Cardinals to solidify multiple needs.
The Unlikely Goal
Lastly, let’s get to the perfect pitcher on this record who’s an unlikely candidate for a number of causes. First, we nonetheless do not know if the Padres are going to decide to trade the upcoming free agent who’s pitching like a Cy Younger favourite proper now. And second, if the Padres do determine to dump some items, we don’t know in the event that they’d think about buying and selling with their NL West rival Dodgers.
Nevertheless, if Snell turns into obtainable, he could be the perfect beginning pitcher on the commerce market — and LA has to at the very least attempt to get entangled.
After struggling early within the yr, Snell has been lights out as of late. He gained the NL Pitcher of the Month Award in June, and has lowered his ERA all the best way all the way down to 2.67 after permitting one run in 5 innings on Thursday.
The Dodgers are extra acquainted with Snell than anybody on this record, and he’s dominated them in his profession. In 11 common season begins, Snell has a 2.61 ERA towards LA with 66 strikeouts in 51.2 innings.
And, in fact, Snell was notoriously on the mound towards LA within the 2020 World Sequence, the place he was taken out approach too early within the Dodgers’ eventual Recreation 6, World Sequence clinching win.
Once more, it appears not possible that Snell will get traded to LA, however at this level, the Dodgers (and Padres) need to maintain all choices open. If Snell is obtainable for LA, the Dodgers could be including a Cy Younger candidate who may doubtlessly begin a Recreation 1 within the postseason.
Have you ever subscribed to our YouTube Channel but? Subscribe and hit that notification bell to remain updated on all the newest Dodgers information, rumors, interviews, stay streams, and extra!
