The Los Angeles Dodgers could be main trade targets for Cole Hamels, Johnny Cueto, David Price, James Shields, Scott Kazmir, Jeff Samardzija or Mike Leake at the trading deadline this season, as LA could use some starting pitching depth and with Zack Greinke potentially opting out of his contract this offseason, another big arm could be crucial for the future.
The Dodgers have been one of the best teams in baseball, but their starting pitching has been very top heavy as they have dealt with injuries. The team has started a group of pitchers behind aces Clayton Kershaw and Zack Greinke, including Brett Anderson, Mike Bolsinger, Carlos Frias, Scott Baker and Brandon Beachy. The team has been without Brandon McCarthy and Hyun-Jin Ryu and most scouts think the team needs to add another arm to make a deep run to the World Series in the NL.
Greinke has bee historically good over the first half and while Kershaw has not had the same results overall that he has had in recent years, he still is one of the best pitchers in baseball and has a great 2.85 ERA. Greinke put up an 8-2 record with a 1.39 in the first half and his play almost guarantees that he will opt out at the end of the year. While the Dodgers have the money to keep Greinke, they may prepare for the possibility that he could leave and that brings the team's focus to the trading deadline.
According to CBS Sports, the Dodgers are expected to be active at the trade deadline, as Jon Heyman reports that Cole Hamels and Johnny Cueto are targets for the team. Heyman writes that the Dodgers are "seriously" looking into the "rental market," referring to Cueto, as he is in the final year of his contract and will be a free agent. Heyman reports that the Dodgers have "quietly continued" talks with the Phillies about Hamels. Hamels has a few years left on his deal and around $100 million, which would be a big take on for teams, but not the Dodgers with the payroll they have.
Heyman writes that getting Hamels this season at the deadline could cost "four or five" prospects and that may be too steep a price for some teams. The Dodgers have a strong farm system, but the team likely will not want to give up prize players like Corey Seager or Julio Urias. The team may have to do that if they want Hamels and that could force the Dodgers to look elsewhere. Cueto and Leake may cost less since they are rental players, while David Price and James Shields are also potential options. Fox Sports reports that the Reds "are prepared" to trade Leake and Cueto this season.
Greinke has three years and over $70 million on his contract and if he opts out, there is a chance that another team could swoop in and sign him. Greinke is one of the most intelligent players in baseball and he likely will want to maximize his value if he continues to pitch as well as he did in the first half. The Dodgers and Astros reportedly have been scouting Cueto and he could be the move the Dodgers make if the price for Hamels stays too high.
Check here for more on the Los Angeles Dodgers trade targets and for rumors about Cole Hamels, Johnny Cueto, David Price, James Shields, Scott Kazmir, Jeff Samardzija and Mike Leake
