Over the weekend, the MLB trade deadline started to gain a little traction as several pieces found themselves on the move, two of which were on the Dodgers radar.
- RHP Sergio Romo went from Tampa Bay to Minnesota
- IF Eric Sogard went from Toronto to Tampa Bay
- LHP Jake Diekman went from Kansas City to Oakland — he had been on the Dodgers radar
But the biggest name to fall thus far is long-time Blue Jays ace Marcus Stroman. The 28 year-old Stroman was more recently linked to the Dodgers as they reportedly may plan to explore starting pitching over relief help. The righty was shipped to the New York Mets in a move that still has baseball pundits scratching their heads.
Some Mets information, per sources. The plan is to hold on to Marcus Stroman, not flip him. They are increasingly unlikely to sign Zack Wheeler to a contract extension. The likelihood is strong they deal at least one of Wheeler and Noah Syndergaard. They’ve hijacked the market.
— Jeff Passan (@JeffPassan) July 29, 2019
After the Dodgers picked up some middle infield help on Sunday night in the form of Kristopher Negron, and already acquired corner infielder Tyler White late last week, LA fans are ready for the real moves to start falling.
With that, we look at and reset the current market as of early Monday morning.
Relief Arms
LHP Felipe Vazquez; PIT
Vazquez has been linked to the Dodgers for the better part of a month and may be considered more of a “wishful thinking” rumor more than anything else. The 27 year-old lefty has 79 saves since 2017, and is controllable through his age 31 season. Pittsburgh is dangling him in talks, but with their asking price of “at least two” of the Dodgers top four prospects, it appears that they will need to be overwhelmed to ship him out.
LHP Francisco Liriano; PIT
Liriano has been in the league for a long time. The 35 year-old has done just about everything a pitcher can do in the game of baseball, but he remains effective this season as a full-time reliever. As one of the most “gettable” left-handed relievers out there, Los Angeles would be wise to view him a fall back option to add desperately needed lefty relief.
RHP Shane Greene; DET
Greene has been linked to Los Angeles often this season. He’s a groundball pitcher in the midst of his finest season by far. The 2019 all-star is posting a GB% over 50%, and would be a welcome late-inning improvement in the Dodger ‘pen.
RHP Ken Giles; TOR
While Giles has been mentioned as a murmur at best, he still is a currently available reliever that is performing well on a non-contender. Basically, the type of pitcher that the Dodgers expect to be linked to.
RHP Daniel Hudson; TOR
Huddy is basically in the middle of the same exact season that he had for Los Angeles last year. He’s appeared in about 40 games. He’s thrown exactly 46 innings. And his FIP is hovering around 4.30 while his WHIP is once again 1.217 on the dot. One difference is that he’s been a little more lucky in preventing runs.
RHP Edwin Diaz; NYM
In the wake of the Stroman acquisition, it’s hard to tell what the Mets’ plan is. However, Diaz is a lock down relief arm, when things are going right for him. While he’s pitched into a bit of tough luck in 2019 (4.81 ERA/3.50 FIP) he’s an arm that led the American League in saves as recently as last year.
RHP Seth Lugo; NYM
This is another player that could fetch a nice price, but his future is now muddied up by New York’s acquisition of Marcus Stroman. Lugo is far and away the best pitcher in the Met ‘pen, but that may speak more on their challenges over his dominance. He would be plus addition, but beware the overpay.
RHP Mychal Givens; BAL
Givens is far from a household name, but he has done well performing in the AL East for the second worst team in baseball. The Dodgers likely make a play on a starting pitcher and move Kenta Maeda to the bullpen before trying to add Givens. – 2 cents –
LHP Will Smith; SF
The Giants have won 13 of 17 since the All-Star Break and are 2.5 games out of a Wild Card spot. Moreover, they are in the middle of a sentimental farewell season for long time manager Bruce Bochy. Flash back one month and it was pretty easy to see them selling, but now General Manager Farhan Zaidi has got himself into a pickle.
LHP Tony Watson; SF
Copy/past from the above entry. But one thing that makes someone like Watson more expendable for Zaidi is his desire to start rebuilding the Giants’ farm system. While someone like Smith could potentially net a top-5 prospect from a team in need, a guy like Watson may bring back a pair of 15-25 range guys.
Starting Pitchers
RHP Noah Syndergaard; NYM
Thor continues to be linked to teams even though the Mets are showing no signs of selling in 2019 — despite a 50-55 record, and being 6 games out of a Wild Card spot. Again, the addition of Stroman by New York really made their deadline plans a wild card of their own, but given first-year GM Brodie Van Wagonen’s record for being flashy and trying to “walk the walk,” chances are Syndergaard stays and the Mets finish 11 games out of a playoff spot.
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— Noah Syndergaard (@Noahsyndergaard) July 29, 2019
Nail, meet head of hammer.
RHP Zack Wheeler; NYM
Another copy/paste here. They want to re-sign him, but they think they’ll be unable to. They would be best served by trading him for Major League talent now, but will likely wait and settle on a draft pick out of a Qualifying Offer.
LHP Matthew Boyd; DET
Matthew Boyd is a human American pitcher that you most likely never heard of before this trade deadline. He’s in the middle of his finest season, but has an ERA over 6 since the middle of June. Moreover, he’s controllable through the 2022 season. He may go somewhere, but LA is not likely.
LHP Madison Bumgarner; SF
File this under “lol, not gonna happen.” This too is a situation where the Giants are sort of good all of a sudden, and it’s Bruce Bochy’s final year. He’s a free agent at the end of the year.
Final Thoughts
It’s Monday and with only one trade deadline in 2019, things are lining up to be a blood bath. 16 teams are currently within 3.5 games of a postseason berth, and a few others are waiting until the final moment to see if they’re “in it.”
That final moment falls on Wednesday, July 31st at 4pm EST.
The post An Update on Los Angeles Dodgers Trade Deadline Targets appeared first on Dodgers Nation.
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