A mere 24 hours from the non-waiver trade deadline, the rumor mill is churning out updates by the minute, with circumstances and plausible scenarios seemingly changing just as quickly. That’s particularly held true for the Los Angeles Dodgers.
Entering Sunday, the Dodgers hold a 4.5-game lead over the Houston Astros for best record in baseball at 73-31. Nonetheless, Los Angeles is believed to be in the market for pitching help before the clock strikes 1 p.m. PT on Monday.
Several reports have tied the Dodgers to Texas Rangers ace Yu Darvish, as well as Oakland Athletics righty Sonny Gray. Amongst relievers, Baltimore’s Zach Britton, Detroit’s Justin Wilson and San Diego’s Brad Hand are believed to be trade targets.
Although the Dodgers appear open to trading for a starting pitcher or reliever, perhaps even both, their focus is on bolstering the bullpen, per Mark Feinsand of MLB.com:
Source: Dodgers remain open on a number of fronts, but bullpen is their primary focus with 25 hours left until Trade Deadline.
— Mark Feinsand (@Feinsand) July 30, 2017
Acquiring a left-handed reliever would serve as a nice complement to the bevy of righties in Kenley Jansen, Pedro Baez and Brandon Morrow. Particularly since Luis Avilan, Grant Dayton and Adam Liberatore have either been injured or underperformed.
Britton is the most decorated reliever on the market, but the two-time All-Star has dealt with some forearm trouble that has limited him to just 18.1 innings this season. Britton’s strikeout rate is the lowest it has been since 2013, and his velocity is a tick down from last year.
Hand and Wilson are both having All-Star caliber seasons with their respective teams, but the asking price for either would be high as each is under team control beyond this season.
For as much as the Dodgers may be targeting the elite relief pitchers, Dodgers president of baseball operations Andrew Friedman may ultimately deem the required trade package for any of the three too steep.
