The Los Angeles Dodgers have already acquired four new players in advance of the MLB trade deadline at 3 p.m. PT on August 1, but by all accounts there is likely to be more activity from president of baseball operations Andrew Friedman and his front office.
The Dodgers began addressing their need for a right-handed hitting position player by trading for Kiké Hernández when the Boston Red Sox faced a roster crunch. Noah Syndergaard was then traded to the Cleveland Guardians for Amed Rosario.
Meanwhile, Lance Lynn should help stabilize what’s been an inconsistent starting rotation, and Joe Kelly raised the proverbial floor of the Dodgers bullpen as Phil Bickford was designated for assignment.
While there’s an expectation the Dodgers will trade for another starting pitcher, they also have interest in New York Mets teammates Mark Canha and Tommy Pham, according to Fabian Ardaya of The Athletic:
The Mets’ Tommy Pham and Mark Canha remain options of interest to the Dodgers, sources told The Athletic.
In the midst of a woefully disappointing season despite having the highest payroll in baseball, the Mets are among the sellers at this year’s deadline.
New York traded David Robertson to the Miami Marlins and followed that by sending Max Scherzer to the Texas Rangers. Justin Verlander has been speculate as trade candidate as well, with the Dodgers among the teams with reported interest in the veteran.
It’s plausible the Dodgers would look to acquire one of the outfielders along with Verlander in a single trade with the Mets.
The Dodgers reportedly were in talks for a Nolan Arenado trade with the St. Louis Cardinals that presumably would have expanded to include Jordan Montgomery or Jack Flaherty. However, Cardinals president of baseball operations John Mozeliak said Arenado is not on the trade market.
How would Mark Canha or Tommy Pham fit with Dodgers?
Canha and Pham both profile as bigger threats at the plate than Hernández and Rosario, particularly against left-handed pitching.
Canha has primarily played left field while also receiving time at first base, third base and right field this season. Pham has played left field and center field in his first season with the Mets.
Pham is due to become a free agent after the 2023 season, while Canha’s contract includes an $11.5 million team option for 2024, or $2 million buyout.
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