The Los Angeles Dodgers want a pitcher for both the potential short-term and long-term outlook on the team. Right now, Clayton Kershaw is the only ace guaranteed a return for next year, so the idea of grabbing an elite arm at the trade deadline is very appealing for the National League West team. With plenty of trade pieces to move around, the Dodgers are zeroing in on Cole Hamels and David Price.
UPDATE: The Dodgers have acquired Mat Latos and Michael Morse in a trade with the Marlins. The team may not go after David Price or Cole Hamels now that the deal has been completed.
According to Bill Shaikin of the Los Angeles Times, the Dodgers want a starting pitcher and will either take Hamels or Price in a trade deal. With the deadline approaching, the Dodgers must come up with a convincing package to win over the Philadelphia Phillies and Detroit Tigers, something easier said than done. Jayson Stark of ESPN already reported that the price tag on Hamels has gone up since he pitched the no-hitter over the weekend and they want all offers in by the end of Wednesday so they can make a decision. Hamels will not pitch again until after the deadline.
The Tigers are being slightly more hesitant about dealing Price. According to the Detroit Free Press, Price has informed the team that he will not re-sign in free agency, making a trade the likely outcome. However, the team is not sold on the idea of giving up the ace as they remain just outside of the playoff race. The Dodgers would ideally like to get Price so they can re-sign him to add the rotation of Kershaw and Zack Grienke.
There are still pitching options available if Los Angeles feels they are out of the running for either Hamels or Price, but they must move quickly. Mike Leake, Jeff Samardzija, Tyson Ross and James Shields are all on the trade block and would have smaller price tags than the one Price or Hamels is currently carrying around.
In terms of trade packages, Yasiel Puig has been tossed around as an option. According to FOX Sports MLB Insider Ken Rosenthal, the Dodgers will only trade Puig in the absolute right deal. Manager Don Mattingly admitted the young outfielder had a rough first-half of the season, but that did not mean the Dodgers were ready to pass him off. With Carl Crawford returning healthy, the Dodgers have an abundance of outfielders they can choose to dump off. The LA Times is reporting that trade deals for either Crawford or Andre Ethier would be the ideal move for the Dodgers, but it unlikely a team takes on their contracts.