Despite being linked to a number of big-name players, it appeared the Los Angeles Dodgers ultimately decided to stand pat at the 2020 MLB trade deadline Monday afternoon. However, one hour after the 1 p.m. deadline, the Dodgers announced Ross Stripling was traded to the Toronto Blue Jays.
L.A. is due to receive two players to be named later in the deal. This marks a second time this year Stripling has been involved in a trade. The first instance came back in spring, when he and Joc Pederson appeared bound for the L.A. Angels.
However, that was called off by Angels owner Arte Moreno as it hinged on trade between the Dodgers, Boston Red Sox and Minnesota Twins that hit a snag.
Stripling eventually earned his way into the starting rotation when David Price opted out of the 2020 season. He went 3-1 with a 5.61 ERA in seven starts this year, and had recently become plagued by the home run ball.
Over five seasons with the Dodgers, Stripling was 23-25 with a 3.68 ERA. He enjoyed his best campaign in 2018, being named an All-Star.
The Dodgers own the best record in baseball at 26-10 to go along with a league-best +90 run differential. To this point, they are the only team that has not lost a series during the 2020 season.
Because of that, there was not a huge need to make a move ahead of the trade deadline. Despite some position players underperforming, the Dodgers still have the most home runs in baseball (68) after breaking the National League record for most in a calendar month by hitting 57 in August.
On the pitching side, the Dodgers as a team have the best ERA in baseball 2.76. Included in that is the best NL ERA for relievers (2.04) and the second-best for starters (3.39).
Though, the backend of the starting rotation has perhaps been their biggest weakness this season as Stripling and Julio Urias have struggled at times, and Alex Wood is injured.
To fill out their rotation in the postseason, the Dodgers will go with Walker Buehler, Clayton Kershaw and Dustin May, with Urias, Gonsolin and Wood all in the mix for the final spot.
Padres aggressive at trade deadline
While the Dodgers were relatively at the trade deadline and own a five-game lead in the NL West, other teams in the division were active in trying to close the gap.
The second-place San Diego Padres were by far the most aggressive, adding players to help their current club like Trevor Rosenthal, Mitch Moreland, Jason Castro and Austin Nola. They then pulled off the biggest deal on Monday morning, adding an ace in Clevinger from the Cleveland Indians.
The Padres were able to pull off those trade while holding onto their five best prospects, so in addition to being in competition for a World Series this year, they are also built for success in the future.
In addition to the Padres, the Colorado Rockies were also buyers as the deadline as they look to sneak into the playoffs. They bolstered their bullpen with the acquisition of Mychal Givens from the Baltimore Orioles and also added veteran outfielder Kevin Pillar from the Boston Red Sox.
The last-place Arizona Diamondbacks, on the other hand, broke up their core a bit by selling at the deadline. They traded outfielder Starling Marte to the Miami Marlins, starter Robbie Ray to the Toronto Blue Jays, and relievers Archie Bradley and Andrew Chafin to the Cincinnati Reds and Chicago Cubs, respectively.
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