The Los Angeles Dodgers already have some of the best starting pitching in the major leagues, but could the rich be getting richer? With MLB trade deadline quickly approaching, the Dodgers are assessing their roster and determining if moves must be made in order to meet early-season expectations. With Chad Billingsley lost for the season, the Dodgers being linked to several top pitching prospects.
The Dodgers starting rotation already consists of Clayton Kershaw who is coming off a no-hitter performance, Zach Greinke and Hyun-Jin Ryu. That is already impressive. However, FOX Sports' MLB Insider Ken Rosenthal is reporting that the Dodgers are being linked to both David Price and Jeff Samardzija in a trade before the deadline. With a payroll already exceeding $230 million, the addition of a player like Price or Samardzija is not a big deal if it means the team can meet the expectations of contending for a World Series title.
The back half of the MLB season is a month away and right now the Dodgers are relying on veterans like Dan Haren and Josh Beckett to take care of the rotation. Rosenthal does not expect both to last and remain productive through October, making a trade necessary. Billingsley went down with season-ending surgery to repair a partially torn flexor tendon in his throwing elbow. The Dodgers lack depth for starters, forcing a move to be made.
The team has some assets they could give up. Naturally, the first players come to mind are in the outfield. Matt Kemp has been on the market for most of the season now as the Dodgers continue to work out their outfield rotation. He is slumping and expressing frustration, the perfect combination to be granted a move out of Los Angeles. The team could also offer up Andre Ethier in a deal. The issue is that right now Carl Crawford is on the 15-day disabled list so both players are needed at the moment. The Dodgers would have to hold off on any moves until they assessed the health of Crawford.
If Los Angeles needs a starting pitcher, there are several options to pick from. Price and Samardzija headline a trade block that also includes Cliff Lee, Cole Hamels, James Shields and Jason Hammel. As the deadline gets closer, competition will heat up for these players with several teams in the market for one more pitcher so the Dodgers will need to act fast.
