To no surprise the Los Angeles Dodgers are believed to be exploring every possible trade avenue to upgrade their roster ahead of Monday’s 1 p.m. PT non-waiver trade deadline. The name to this point most prominently linked to the Dodgers is Cincinnati Reds right fielder Jay Bruce.
Los Angeles reportedly is attempting to acquire Bruce in a three-team trade, with the identity of the third club not yet known. In addition to Bruce, the Dodgers have been tied to Colorado Rockies outfielder Carlos Gonzalez and Josh Reddick of the Oakland Athletics.
While trading for an outfielder may be the first move to come to fruition, the Dodgers are also said to be in the market for a starting pitcher and bullpen piece.
Chicago White Sox ace Chris Sale, Tampa Bay Rays righty Chris Archer and Kansas City Royals closer Wade Davis are the primary names mentioned as potential targets.
According to Ken Gurnick of MLB.com, one player in the Dodgers clubhouse would part with Yasiel Puig or Julio Urias to acquire an elite pitcher:
“For somebody like Chris Sale or Andrew Miller?” one player said when asked if he would include Urias or Puig. “Are you kidding? Of course you make those trades. We’re trying to win, right?”
Other players stressed the importance of acquiring an established pitcher due to the uncertain status of Clayton Kershaw, who is yet to pick up a ball since re-aggravating his back:
“Clayton’s not even throwing yet, so you have to go into the Deadline assuming we won’t have him, and if he comes back, it’s a bonus,” said one teammate. “Right now, we need a starter that can go seven innings.”
“But,” added another player, “it can’t be just any starter. If you’re talking about playing in October, it has to be somebody serious, like Sale.”
While the addition of Sale would certainly add an elite presence to the Dodgers’ rotation, it may be improbable given reported haul the White Sox wish to receive in exchange for their ace.
A trade for Archer may not command the same return as Sale, but he too is young, talented and under team control for multiple seasons.
