MLB Trade Rumors: 5 players the Dodgers should target

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KANSAS CITY, MISSOURI – JULY 13: Starting pitcher Matthew Boyd #48 of the Detroit Tigers pitches in the first inning against the Kansas City Royals at Kauffman Stadium on July 13, 2019 in Kansas City, Missouri. (Photo by Ed Zurga/Getty Images) /

4. Matthew Boyd

The Dodgers seemingly have no need for a starter with the best rotation in the league and Rich Hill expected back from a flexor strain in September, but that won’t stop them from keeping their options open. They’ve already checked in on Detroit Tigers left-hander Matthew Boyd, and there is a fit for him in the Dodgers longer-term plan.

Boyd is enjoying a breakout season at the age of 28 and is finally delivering on his immense potential. The left-hander was a key piece in the trade that sent Cy Young-winner David Price from Detroit to Toronto. Boyd had an unremarkable 5.07 career ERA entering the 2019 season, but is 6-7 with a 3.95 ERA through his first 19 starts this season. He has struck out 12.0 per-nine, walked just 1.9 per-nine and leads the AL with a 6.33 SO/BB ratio.

There have been struggles of late for Boyd, as he is plagued by the home run. He is 1-3 over his past five outings with a 6.44 ERA and has given up nine home runs and a .282/.331/.564 slash line. However, in those five starts, he has struck out 47 in 29.1 innings. There’s still good reason to believe Boyd can keep stringing together good starts.

For the Dodgers, Boyd represents a good addition for this season, but also an immediate replacement should 40-year-old Hill retire at the end of the season. Hyun-Jin Ryu is also a free agent at the end of the season. The only thing holding the Dodgers back from really getting involved in the Boyd sweepstakes is the prohibitive cost.

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