Having recently added to their pool of prospects and with the number of free-agent options all but gone, it continues to appear more likely than not the Los Angeles Dodgers will land a marquee starting pitcher via trade.
The Dodgers’ need for starting pitching help grew last week as Hisashi Iwakuma failed a physical and rather than renegotiate with the Dodgers, re-signed with the Seattle Mariners.
Iwakuma signed a one-year contract that includes vesting options for 2017 and 2018. He maintains he’s healthy despite not passing the physical administered by the Dodgers.
Los Angeles was recently said to be engaged in trade talks with the Cleveland Indians and Tampa Bay Rays to acquire a starting pitcher.
They were linked to Miami Marlins ace Jose Fernandez at Major League Baseball’s annual Winter Meetings, though how serious talks got is debated.
That being said, Los Angeles and Miami continue to discuss a Fernandez trade, according to Jon Morosi of FOX Sports:
Sources: #Dodgers, #Marlins remain in discussions about possible Jose Fernandez trade, but no deal close. @FOXSports
— Jon Morosi (@jonmorosi) December 21, 2015
It’s believed the Marlins previously asked the Dodgers for a haul that included Corey Seager, Julio Urias and Scott Van Slyke, among others, in exchange for Fernandez. It was rejected, though the Dodgers reportedly held internal discussions about parting with Urias to acquire the 23-year-old Marlins ace.
Fernandez made 11 starts last season after returning from a May 2014 Tommy John surgery. He went 6-1 with a 2.92 ERA, 2.24 FIP, 1.16 WHIP, 79 strikeouts and 14 walks over 64.2 innings.
