Time continues to tick for Los Angeles Dodgers president of baseball operations Andrew Friedman to address his roster prior to the July 31 non-waiver trade deadline. While the Dodgers have remained idle, other teams have swung trades in effort to improve for the push leading into the postseason.
By most accounts, the Dodgers’ primary focus appears to be on acquiring a left-handed reliever. The club reportedly had some interest in J.D. Martinez, whom the Detroit Tigers sent to the Arizona Diamondbacks for a modest return of three prospects.
Los Angeles to this point has most prominently been connected to Baltimore Orioles closer Zach Britton, Detroit Tigers closer Justin Wilson and San Diego Padres reliever Brad Hand.
According to Mark Feinsand of MLB.com, the Dodgers continue to scour the market for a left-handed reliever, which includes remaining interest in the aforementioned trio:
Source: Dodgers are "looking hard" at the lefty reliever market. Justin Wilson, Zach Britton, Brad Hand all on their radar.
— Mark Feinsand (@Feinsand) July 20, 2017
Britton is the most electric of the three, and with Kenley Jansen he would give the Dodgers a dominant duo at the back of their bullpen. Jansen couldn’t help but marvel at and be excited by the possibility.
It’s believed the Orioles may be willing to sell at the deadline, which goes against principal owner Peter Angelos’ track record. Baltimore could command a significant haul for Hand in spite of his missing two months this season with a left forearm strain.
Britton has five saves, a 1.80 ERA, 2.86 FIP and 1.73 WHIP in 10 games. His WHIP and hits per nine innings (12) would set career-highs. The 29-year-old is under team control through the 2018 season.
So too is Wilson, 29, who replaced Francisco Rodriguez in May as the Tigers’ closer. Wilson is 3-3 with 10 saves, two blown saves, a 2.29 ERA and 0.91 WHIP in 37 games. Wilson’s 12.7 strikeouts per nine innings would be the second-best mark of his career.
Hand, 27, is 2-4 with two saves, three blown saves, a 2.25 ERA and 0.98 WHIP in 43 games. He is under team control through the 2019 season. Hand recently said he’d welcome joining a contender such as the Dodgers, but added he has confidence in the San Diego Padres’ ability to improve.
The Padres are said to have asked the Dodgers for Alex Verdugo in a trade for Hand, and reportedly expect to receive ‘top, top prospects’ in exchange for their coveted left-hander.
It’s believed Los Angeles is willing to part with prospects in their organization who have high ceilings, but are not quite MLB-ready.
