As the Los Angeles Dodgers continue to work on finalizing their trade with the Washington Nationals to acquire Max Scherzer and Trea Turner, they have been connected to the relief market ahead of the 1 p.m. PT deadline.
On the verge of adding the top available starting pitcher, the Dodgers had continued interest in Chicago Cubs closer Craig Kimbrel, who was atop the list of relievers that were likely to be traded before the deadline.
With just under two hours remaining, multiple reports indicated the Cubs and Chicago White Sox aligned on a Kimbrel trade. It’s the second trade the Cubs and White Sox worked out this week, after completing only two from 1999 and 2020.
Prior to agreeing to trade Kimbrel to the White Sox, talks between the Cubs and Dodgers reportedly included pitching prospects Bobby Miller and Ryan Pepiot, per Bruce Levine of the Marquee Sports Network:
Dodgers and Cubs discussing Kimbrel. Top young Dodger pitching prospects being discussed. Pepiot and Miller two RHP of interest.
— Bruce Levine (@MLBBruceLevine) July 30, 2021
Both Pepiot and Miller were mentioned along with fellow Dodgers prospects Diego Cartaya, Andre Jackson and Keibert Ruiz as subjects of trade interest at the deadline this season.
The Nationals and Minnesota Twins were both specifically said to have interest in Pepiot. Ruiz ultimately was included in the trade for Scherzer and Turner.
The Dodgers selected Pepiot in the third round of the 2019 MLB Draft. The right-hander pitched in the Arizona League and for the Great Lakes Loons in his first professional season, was included in the Dodgers’ player pool for the shortened 2020 campaign and has spent all of this year with Double-A Tulsa.
The 23-year-old is 3-4 with a 2.87 ERA and 0.94 WHIP in 15 games (13 starts) for the Drillers.
The Dodgers picked Miller in the first round (29th overall) of the 2020 Draft. He was also included in the Dodgers’ player pool for last season and received a non-roster invite to 2021 Spring Training.
Miller has impressed with the Loons this season, going 2-2 with a 3.25 ERA and 53 strikeouts in 44.1 innings pitched across 13 games (10 starts).
Dodgers DFA Peters
Thus far the Dodgers have only finalized a trade to acquire Danny Duffy from the Kansas City Royals in exchange for a player to be named later.
DJ Peters was designated for assignment in order to add Duffy to the 40-man roster. Duffy is not expected to return from a left flexor strain until the middle or late August.
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