The Los Angeles Dodgers completed a trade for Lance Lynn but remain in the market for another starting pitcher as the August 1 deadline approaches.
Among potential Dodgers trade deadline targets are Justin Verlander of the New York Mets, and Detroit Tigers ace Eduardo Rodriguez.
The Dodgers reportedly discussed Jordan Montgomery and Jack Flaherty as part of negotiations with the St. Louis Cardinals for Nolan Arenado, who president of baseball operations John Mozeliak said will not be traded. That doesn’t necessarily apply to Montgomery and Flaherty, both of whom are rentals as they each are due to become a free agent after the 2023 season.
According to Jorge Castillo and Jack Harris of the L.A. Times, the Dodgers also have interest in Pittsburgh Pirates frontline starter Mitch Keller:
Mitch Keller of the Pittsburgh Pirates is another pitcher the Dodgers like.
The Pirates are well out of the postseason race and began a sale of sorts by trading Carlos Santana to the Milwaukee Brewers for Jhonny Severino.
The Pirates reportedly are open to a Keller trade, but aren’t in a position to absolutely move him at the deadline this year. Keller is under team control via salary arbitration through the 2025 season and thus could command a significant return.
Keller is 9-7 with a 3.97 ERA, 3.82 FIP and 1.21 WHIP in 22 starts this season. The 27-year-old earned an All-Star Game selection this year for the first time in his career.
Keller was drafted by the Pirates in the second round in 2014.
Dodgers trade targets
Part of the Dodgers’ search for a starting pitcher could lead them to Marcus Stroman, who long has been perceived as being available at the deadline. Stroman is on track to reach free agency this winter as well.
Dylan Cease could be another option as the Chicago White Sox are in a rebuild phase, but the likelihood of the Dodgers acquiring him likely subsided with their deal for Lynn and Joe Kelly.
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