With the Los Angeles Dodgers canvassing the market for starting pitching over recent weeks, their focus the past few days leading up to the MLB trade deadline has seemingly centered around José Berríos and Max Scherzer.
Of course, the Dodgers have hardly been the only team in search of starting pitching. That’s held particularly true in the National League West, with the San Diego Padres and San Francisco Giants linked to the same options as the Dodgers.
That’s seemingly come to a head with the Padres being on the verge of securing the prize of the deadline by trading for Scherzer.
Should the Washington Nationals finalize a Scherzer trade with the Padres, the Dodgers are not only expected to pivot to negotiations for Berríos but potentially Colorado Rockies starter Jon Gray as well, according to Jon Morosi of MLB Network:
The #Dodgers are likely to focus on Jon Gray or Jose Berríos if Max Scherzer is dealt to the #Padres. @MLB @MLBNetwork
— Jon Morosi (@jonmorosi) July 29, 2021
Prior to reports of a Scherzer trade to the Padres being close to finalized, it was said the Nationals and Minnesota Twins had interest in Dodgers pitching prospect Ryan Pepiot. Minnesota and Washington previously were inquiring on Keibert Ruiz, who the Dodgers reportedly were against trading for a player not under contract beyond this season.
Berríos was selected by the Twins in the first round of the 2012 MLB Draft and is under team control through 2022 via a final year of salary arbitration.
Berríos is 7-5 with a 3.48 ERA, 3.56 FIP and 1.04 WHIP in 20 starts this season. In addition to a career-best ERA, the 27-year-old also holds a 25.7% strikeout rate, his highest mark in the Majors.
Gray, 29, is due to become a free agent this winter. He’s reportedly been the subject of trade interest from the Giants and Seattle Mariners, among others. The right-hander is 6-6 with a 3.67 ERA, 4.21 FIP and 1.22 WHIP in 18 starts this season. Oddly, Gray has fared better at Coors Field than on the road.
Dodgers trade targets
Along with Berríos and Gray, the Dodgers have been linked to the likes of Ian Kennedy, Craig Kimbrel and Germán Márquez.
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