Dodgers' Top Hypothetical Trade Targets for Early Season Shakeup

The Los Angeles Dodgers have already used 23 different pitchers through the season's first 44 games, and while they rank third in the majors with a 3.16 ERA and have several key arms on the mend, they will still likely be focusing on pitching help at the trade deadline.

The health of Clayton Kershaw and Bobby Miller will be a major factor in whether they pursue another starting pitcher, while Walker Buehler is also still shaking off the rust in his return from Tommy John surgery.

For now, it's safe to assume they will be pursuing starting pitching help, and with that in mind we've highlighted one blockbuster target, one logical target, and one low-cost target for the Dodgers.

Blockbuster Target: LHP Jesús Luzardo, Miami Marlins

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NEW YORK, NEW YORK - APRIL 08: (NEW YORK DAILIES OUT) Jesus Luzardo #44 of the Miami Marlins in action against the New York Yankees at Yankee Stadium on April 08, 2024 in New York City. The Yankees defeated the Marlins 7-0. (Photo by Jim McIsaac/Getty Images)

One of baseball's top pitching prospects during his time in the Oakland Athletics farm system, Jesús Luzardo took some time to find consistent success at the MLB level, but after a solid 2022 campaign he put together a breakout season last year.

The 26-year-old had a 3.58 ERA, 1.22 WHIP and 208 strikeouts in 178.2 innings, and with Sandy Alcántara failing to match his Cy Young numbers and eventually landing on the injured list, he was the de facto ace of the staff for a playoff team.

With a team-friendly $5.5 million salary he wouldn't come with a huge luxury tax hit, and he is controllable through the 2026 season.

Logical Target: LHP Yusei Kikuchi, Toronto Blue Jays

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TORONTO, ON - MAY 10: Yusei Kikuchi #16 of the Toronto Blue Jays delivers a pitch in the sixth inning during a game against the Minnesota Twins at Rogers Centre on May 10, 2024 in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. (Photo by Vaughn Ridley/Getty Images)

If the Toronto Blue Jays are unable to claw back into the AL East race, they will be one of the more intriguing sellers to watch on this year's trade market.

Even if they fall short of blowing things up and shopping guys like Vladimir Guerrero Jr. and Bo Bichette, they still have an intriguing collection of upcoming free agents, including Yusei Kikuchi, Justin Turner, Danny Jansen and Kevin Kiermaier.

Kikuchi is in the final season of a three-year, $36 million deal, and after a bounce-back season in 2023 he has been even better this year, posting a 2.64 ERA, 1.05 WHIP and a 46-to-9 strikeout-to-walk ratio in 47.2 innings.

Outside-the-Box Target: LHP Alex Wood, Oakland Athletics

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CLEVELAND, OH - APRIL 20: Oakland Athletics starting pitcher Alex Wood (57) delivers a pitch to the plate during the first inning of the Major League Baseball game between the Oakland Athletics and Cleveland Guardians on April 20, 2024, at Progressive Field in Cleveland, OH. (Photo by Frank Jansky/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)

If Clayton Kershaw and Bobby Miller both return strong and the Dodgers decide all they need is some veteran depth, a reunion with Alex Wood could be an option.

An All-Star with the Dodgers in 2018, Wood has filled a variety of roles in his career, from top-tier starter to swingman out of the bullpen. The Dodgers have done a great job utilizing a similar player in Ryan Yarbrough this season, and adding another bulk reliever could help take even more pressure off the bullpen.

Wood is pitching on a one-year, $8.5 million deal with the Athletics, and while his numbers don't jump off the page, he threw a gem on May 6 against the Texas Rangers (6.0 IP, 2 H, 0 ER, 3 K) and a return to Dodger Stadium and a contending team could help elevate his game.