The Los Angeles Dodgers hold the best record in Major League Baseball and a double-digit lead in the National League West. Despite their success, though, president of baseball operations Andrew Friedman will still look for ways to improve his team’s roster before the July 31 trade deadline.
The Dodgers’ bullpen struggled mightily to begin the season, though it did improve in the month of June. Still, the unit’s pedestrian 4.14 ERA on the year is 10th in the Majors. Friedman himself recently confirmed that the Dodgers would aggressively explore options to improve the bullpen via trade.
It appears the Dodgers’ search now includes the rebuilding Detroit Tigers, and more specifically, closer Shane Greene. He is enjoying the best season of his career, but as an All-Star closer on a rebuilding Detroit team, figures to get moved before the trade deadline.
The Dodgers are already exploring whether the Tigers are open to dealing the right-hander, per Anthony Fenech of the Detroit Free Press:
The Dodgers have inquired with the Tigers on Greene’s availability.
After years of mediocrity and inconsistent performance with the Tigers, Greene seemed to figure it out in 2019. He currently holds a 1.09 ERA and 0.88 WHIP, though his 3.72 fielding-independent pitching seems to suggest there may be some luck involved in those numbers.
Greene would seemingly take a role in the seventh or eighth inning, alongside Pedro Baez as one of the primary setup men for Kenley Jansen. Considering Greene is a righty, a trade would not preclude the Dodgers from adding a lefty reliever like Will Smith of the San Francisco Giants.
Greene is also under team control through 2020. Although he finished with an ERA over five last season, the Dodgers reportedly showed interest in him then as well, sending a scout to watch him.
The Dodgers and Tigers were also linked in trade rumors involving outfielder Nick Castellanos multiple times last offseason. However, the Tigers reportedly asked for Alex Verdugo or top catching prospect Keibert Ruiz in return for Castellanos.
The Dodgers eventually signed A.J. Pollock in free agency to bring a right-handed bat to their outfield.
Despite Pollock missing two months due to injury, the Dodgers have enjoyed one of the best offenses in baseball. Additionally, Pollock is expected back immediately after the All-Star break along with Corey Seager and David Freese.
The Dodgers have primarily been linked to relievers in recent trade rumors. Most recently, it was reported they were interested in Pittsburgh Pirates closer Felipe Vazquez.
However, general manager Neal Huntington recently said he envisions Vazquez pitching for the Pirates team well into the future.
