On the eve of the MLB trade deadline, Los Angeles Dodgers manager Dave Roberts indicated the club was unlikely to make a move unless it was going to make a significant impact to their roster.
“First and foremost, it’s got to be something for our club that’s going to move the needle. We’ve got talent all around the roster, so something that potentially moves the needle,” he said.
“The way we work, one-month or two-month rental, just doesn’t make a whole lot of sense. If something were to happen, most likely it’s someone we would have control of. But again, those are just kind of parameters.”
Up to that point the Dodgers had primarily been linked to Texas Rangers starter Lance Lynn. They additionally were said to have held trade talks with the Cleveland Indians for Mike Clevinger, and on Milwaukee Brewers closer Josh Hader.
Clevinger was traded to the San Diego Padres, and despite rumblings their efforts had picked up, the Dodgers did not acquire Lynn at the deadline, according to Joel Sherman of the New York Post:
#Dodgers are NOT getting Lance Lynn.
— Joel Sherman (@Joelsherman1) August 31, 2020
Although Clevinger has more upside, Lynn was considered by some as the best starter available at the trade deadline this season. He’s 4-1 with a 1.93 ERA and just faced the Dodgers over the weekend, allowing four runs (three earned) and collecting six strikeouts over six innings.
Had the Dodgers and Rangers completed a trade at the deadline, it would have been reminiscent of 2017 when L.A. acquired Yu Darvish up against the clock.
Dodgers explored depth for prospects
Although the Dodgers had been mentioned in trade speculation involving marquee pitchers, another report suggested they were focused on tapping into their depth in order to acquire prospects.
It’s unclear if that was with the intention to flip any newly-acquired prospects in a separate trade, help replenish the farm system amid a pending deal, or simply a means of being opportunistic to keep stockpiling Minor League talent.
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