Since losing Zack Greinke to the Arizona Diamondbacks via free agency last winter the Los Angeles Dodgers have yet to find another bonafide ace to pair with Clayton Kershaw.
While yes, Rich Hill was just as good, if not better, than any pitcher who was available at the non-waiver trade deadline, he’s better suited as a No. 3 starter. Hill, who will turn 37 years old in March, is likely to command — and receive — a multi-year contract this offseason.
In a market short on top starting pitchers, clubs with aces hold plenty of bargaining power. Among them are the Chicago White Sox with left-handers Chris Sale and Jose Quintana.
The White Sox were believed to be willing to listen on trade offers for Sale during the season, but their reported asking price ultimately proved to be too steep for the Dodgers and others.
Chicago reportedly is again open to trading a long list of players, presumed to include Todd Frazier and Sale.
According to Jeff Passan of Yahoo! Sports, a trade with the Dodgers would appear feasible in some sense given the White Sox have interest several players, including Jose De Leon and Yasiel Puig:
Sale, Quintana, Frazier and Robertson fits what the Dodgers need. And White Sox like Bellinger, Verdugo, DeLeon, Calhoun and Yasiel Puig.
— Jeff Passan (@JeffPassan) November 20, 2016
A report last week indicated the Dodgers and White Sox were discussing a trade that involved Frazier and Sale. The former could fill a need at third base if Justin Turner isn’t re-signed, while the latter would slot nicely into the rotation behind Kershaw.
Naturally, the White Sox aren’t the only organization to covet Cody Bellinger. The Detroit Tigers reportedly would wish to receive the young first baseman in a trade for Ian Kinsler.
Among the players named by Passan, Puig figures to be the most likely to get traded this offseason.
