Fansided

MLB trade rumors: Dodgers look at starters

By John Buhler

May 28, 2017; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Los Angeles Dodgers starting pitcher Clayton Kershaw (22) pitches against the Los Angeles Dodgers during the first inning at Dodger Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kelvin Kuo-USA TODAY Sports
May 28, 2017; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Los Angeles Dodgers starting pitcher Clayton Kershaw (22) pitches against the Los Angeles Dodgers during the first inning at Dodger Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kelvin Kuo-USA TODAY Sports /
facebooktwitterreddit

The Los Angeles Dodgers should be a postseason team at year’s end, but that doesn’t mean they aren’t interested in adding an arm to bolster their rotation.

Though they haven’t been to a World Series since 1988, the Los Angeles Dodgers have quietly been one of the most consistent teams in the National League for the last several years. It helps to have the best pitcher in baseball in Clayton Kershaw taking the mound every fifth day.

That being said, postseason success has evaded Kershaw and the Dodgers. It seems that Los Angeles will be in the market to add an arm to its rotation here pretty soon to give Kershaw a better supporting cast to win big in October.

According to MLB.com’s Jon Paul Morosi, “executives around the game expect Los Angeles to pursue pitching upgrades — starters and relievers — before the July 31 non-waiver Trade Deadline”.

Morosi argues three reasons that Los Angeles will be active in the pitching market this cycle: 1.) Durability concerns with starters besides Kershaw. 2). Kershaw isn’t a kid any more. 3.) Los Angeles has the assets to pull off a blockbuster trade.

While pitchers like Brandon McCarthy and Alex Wood are capable of pitching in big games this fall, it would be advantageous for the Dodgers to seek another arm that can help them win in October. One pitcher that the Dodgers have to seriously look at is Kansas City Royals southpaw Jason Vargas.

Kansas City may have won the World Series only two years ago, but the Royals are poised for an honest rebuild this offseason. Vargas has been Kansas City’s best pitcher this season as a dark horse Cy Young candidate in the Junior Circuit.

Next: Best MLB player from each state

Left-handed pitching is always preferred over right-handed pitching. Vargas could come in and be the No. 2 or No. 3 starter that the Dodgers could be looking to put behind Kershaw. While the Dodgers won’t trade top prospect Julio Urias, there is still plenty of players that Kansas City could have interest in should they ship Vargas to the Dodgers.

Home/Los Angeles Dodgers