Teams have just crossed the halfway point of the 2020 season, yet because of the compacted 60-game schedule, the MLB trade deadline looms at 1 p.m. PT on Monday. The unique season, coupled with an expanded playoff field, has led to plenty of uncertainty over how this year’s trade deadline will unfold.
Los Angeles Dodgers manager Dave Roberts recently said the date had snuck up on him, which in some part was related to having fewer conversations than normal with president of baseball operations Andrew Friedman around the trade deadline. Though, Roberts surmised Friedman and the Dodgers front office was exploring possibilities, as they usually would.
The Dodgers don’t have any glaring needs but there are areas that could stand to be addressed — such as starting pitching and struggles hitting left-handers.
According to Bob Nightengale of USA Today, the Dodgers are among the teams to have held trade talks with the Texas Rangers for Lance Lynn:
The #Dodgers may be the team in all of #MLB, but they quietly have been in touch with the #Rangers for Lance Lynn. They may not need him to win the World Series, but if they get him, they could be unstoppable. Unlikely the Dodger will meet the asking price, but they're exploring.
— Bob Nightengale (@BNightengale) August 29, 2020
Lynn, who starts against the Dodgers on Saturday, has become somewhat of a hot commodity at the trade deadline. He’s also said to be the subject of interest for the Chicago White Sox, San Diego Padres and Toronto Blue Jays, among others.
Lynn is 4-0 with a 1.59 ERA, 3.38 FIP and 0.86 WHIP through seven starts this season. He’s under contract for 2021 at $8 million.
While the Dodgers have plenty of pitching depth on paper, Alex Wood remains on the mend from shoulder inflammation and Walker Buehler is currently on the 10-day injured list with a blister on his right hand, though it’s considered minor.
Elsewhere, Ross Stripling and Julio Urias have both struggled with consistency over a string of starts. Tony Gonsolin and Dustin May have fared well in their opportunities, with the former due to make another spot start Sunday.
Dodgers trade deadline strategy
While Friedman historically has been active at the trade deadline, he recently indicated the club for now was on the periphery of talks that he classified as general anyhow.
“Right now it’s been kind of more flirting,” Friedman said. “It’s hard, because so many teams are within squinting distance of a playoff spot, and it makes it trickier. I think the ones who end up being sellers haven’t really identified themselves yet.
“A lot of conversations are hypotheticals.”
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