The Los Angeles Dodgers are in the market for a starting pitcher, but they might not be willing to give up what it’d take to acquire one.
The Dodgers have been notoriously conservative with their prospects, and it’s worked out well so far, as guys like Corey Seager, Cody Bellinger and Joc Pederson have helped lift Los Angeles to the best record in Major League Baseball entering Saturday.
According to MLB.com’s Mark Feinsand, they plan on continuing that tradition ahead of Monday’s non-waiver trade deadline.
Source: Dodgers are "bargain hunting" and appear unwilling to part with any top prospects. Would certainly impact their chances at Darvish.
— Mark Feinsand (@Feinsand) July 29, 2017
With Clayton Kershaw on the disabled list, the Dodgers could use a starter to fill out their rotation until the postseason, and the club reportedly has its eyes on Texas Rangers ace Yu Darvish and the Oakland Athletics’ Sonny Gray, as well as Baltimore Orioles closer Zach Britton, per FOX Sports’ Ken Rosenthal.
Sources: #Dodgers’ three main targets are Darvish, Gray, Britton. Not necessarily in that order; decisions likely hinge on asking prices.
— Ken Rosenthal (@Ken_Rosenthal) July 29, 2017
The Dodgers also have four of Baseball America’s top 100 prospects: right-handed pitcher Walker Buehler (No. 17), outfielder Alex Verdugo (No. 35), righty Yadier Alvarez (No. 60) and second baseman Willie Calhoun (No. 74). If they keep hoarding them, though, they very well could end up with nothing. Oakland’s asking price for Gray reportedly is too high for the similarly prospect-rich New York Yankees, and Darvish likely would command a steep price tag, as well.
Then again, if the Dodgers do make a trade and miss out on the World Series as they have the last four seasons, they’ll hear it from critics anyway, so it appears they’re stuck in a tough position unless they win it all.
Thumbnail photo via Mark J. Rebilas/USA TODAY Sports Images
