MLB Rumors: Willson Contreras trade suitor, Reds surprise move, Giolito war
By Mark Powell
MLB Rumors: An NL West war for Lucas Giolito
Lucas Giolito grew up in southern California, so it would make all the sense in the world for the Los Angeles Dodgers to add the White Sox starting pitcher as a rental at the trade deadline. Giolito has been linked to LA for quite some time now. However, with the deadline just a week away, the White Sox finally have some leverage — another suitor.
The Reds, along with several other pitching-needy teams have interest in Giolito. The latest to emerge are the Arizona Diamondbacks. Giolito the Arizona would be a tough pill to swallow for the Dodgers, as the two teams are competing for the same division crown. Arizona is just four games back of the Dodgers in the NL West.
As Jon Morosi originally reported (aggregated by Bleacher Report), the D’Backs are expected to make a run at Giolito prior to the deadline:
"“Per MLB Network’s Jon Morosi, the Diamondbacks have joined their divisional rivals as having made an inquiry to the Chicago White Sox about right-handed pitcher Lucas Giolito. With the White Sox currently sitting in fourth place in the AL Central with 41-57 record, they could be one of the most interesting teams ahead of the trade deadline,” Bleacher Report’s Adam Wells wrote."
As of this writing, Giolito has a 3.79 ERA after giving up just six hits and no runs allowed in a five-inning shutout against the Twins. This was an ideal rebound from his previous start, when he gave up eight runs and five walks in less than four innings of work against the Mets.