The Los Angeles Dodgers continue to look for upgrades in their bullpen as they have targeted some of the top available arms in Devin Williams from the Milwaukee Brewers and San Diego Padres free agent Tanner Scott.
The Brewers ultimately traded Williams to the New York Yankees for starting pitcher Nestor Cortes and utilityman Caleb Durbin.
The key to getting the deal done was Durbin, a source told DodgerBlue.com, as the Brewers were focused on adding middle infield help after losing Willy Adames in free agency to the San Francisco Giants. That allows Brice Turang to slide over from second to shortstop while Durbin takes the starting role at second base.
Before the Brewers and Yankees agreed to the trade, Gavin Lux was included in talks between the Dodgers and Brewers for Williams, and the framework for a deal discussed between the two clubs also included Hunter Feduccia, according to a source.
Like Durbin, Lux also would have taken the starting second base role for the Brewers as they look to continue competing despite trading their closer.
Without Lux, the Dodgers would have had no clear option to start at second base with the team already committed to Mookie Betts at shortstop. The Dodgers also continue to be higher on Lux than most, but could still trade him in the right deal.
As for Feduccia, it figures the Dodgers will look to trade him this offseason with four catchers on their 40-man roster and Dalton Rushing ready to be added as well. Feduccia has no clear role on the team with Will Smith locked in as the starter and Austin Barnes filling the backup role.
The 27-year-old could provide value to another club as their backup catcher or competing for a starting role while with the Dodgers he would be destined for another year in Triple-A, where Diego Cartaya and Dalton Rushing need the majority of reps.
Dodgers & Tanner Scott have mutual interest
With Williams no longer available, it’s presumed the Dodgers have turned their attention to Scott, and there is also mutual interest between the two sides.
During the regular season, the left-hander posted a 1.75 ERA, 2.92 FIP and 1.13 WHIP across 72 innings while striking out 28.6% of hitters and walking 12.2%. It was his second consecutive season with more than 70 innings pitched an an ERA below 2.35.
As the top available free agent reliever, Scott is going to get a significant multi-year contract. He also figures to benefit from not having a qualifying offer attached because of the midseason trade, which should fuel even more interest from clubs.
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