With one-third of the regular season now complete, teams are starting to have a better idea on whether they will be buyers or sellers at the Aug. 1 MLB trade deadline. The Los Angeles Dodgers are in first place of the National League West but almost certainly will be looking to improve their roster in the weeks ahead.
As it currently stands, the Dodgers could be in the market for an infielder and starting pitching. Max Muncy is dealing with a minor left hamstring injury, and L.A.’s rotation has lost two important contributors to injury this month.
Dustin May is set to be sidelined until sometime after the All-Star break due to a right flexor pronator strain, and Julio Urías suffered a setback in his recovery from a left hamstring strain.
Dodgers president of baseball operations Andrew Friedman acknowledged the starting rotation could be an area of focus at the trade deadline but that it’s too early to say with any certainty, via SportsNet LA:
“Potentially. I mean, right now it’s early. Using the first three, three and a half months to assess your roster and what the needs are, helps crystalize how you approach things in July. So things that we thought in February or March sometimes turn out to not be an area you need to focus on. But another area pops up. It’s a little bit like a game of whack-a-mole.”
Whether the Dodgers pursue a starting pitcher at the trade deadline will depend on several factors, such as the outlooks on May and Urías, additional injuries that may occur and the performance of the team’s pitching prospects.
Gavin Stone has struggled since replacing May in the Dodgers rotation and could be removed in favor of Michael Grove. Meanwhile, Bobby Miller impressed in his MLB debut and figures to get more looks if he continues pitching well.
A wild card is Walker Buehler, who hopes to return from Tommy John surgery in September. However, he wouldn’t be expected to provide length and L.A. might ultimately use him in a relief role.
MLB trade deadline: potential Dodgers starting pitching targets
Starting pitchers who could potentially be available at the 2023 MLB trade deadline include the Chicago White Sox’s Dylan Cease and Lucas Giolito, the Kansas City Royals’ Zack Greinke, the St. Louis Cardinals’ Jack Flaherty and Jordan Montgomery, and the Milwaukee Brewers’ Corbin Burnes.
If the Los Angeles Angels entertain offers for Shohei Ohtani, he would instantly become the biggest name on the trading block.
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