5 Under-the-Radar Pitchers the Dodgers Could Nab at the Deadline
There are less than two months until the MLB trade deadline, and the Los Angeles Dodgers may be active as July 31 approaches.
While the team's positional depth is not really an issue, the starting rotation could use some reinforcements in the coming weeks. Hyun-jin Ryu and Brandon McCarthy each suffered season-ending injuries, leaving the Boys in Blue with a tenuous situation at the back of the rotation.
Behind the one-two punch of Clayton Kershaw and Zack Greinke, left-hander Brett Anderson has turned in solid work out of the No. 3 spot. The lingering concern, though, is his extensive injury history. There's no telling when Anderson's next ailment may sneak up to further stretch an already thin rotation.
Rounding out Dodgers' starting rotation are Mike Bolsinger and Carlos Frias. Each has very little MLB experience—although Bolsinger has certainly been a pleasant surprise so far for manager Don Mattingly. Frias, on the the other hand, has been inconsistent.
President of baseball operations Andrew Friedman and general manager Farhan Zaidi understand the risk associated with riding this volatile rotation for the rest of the season. It's why the Dodgers will surely be making calls around the league for starting-pitching help.
Big names like Philadelphia's Cole Hamels and Cincinnati's Johnny Cueto have been mentioned as potential fits as their teams continue to struggle, but other options may come at a cheaper price.
Of course, Los Angeles would like an ace, but with Kershaw and Greinke already in uniform, the team is simply seeking proven arms to shore up a back end that might not hold up through the summer. Here are some of those possibilities.
Matt Garza, Milwaukee Brewers
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Why the Brewers Would Deal Him
The Milwaukee Brewers scuffled out of the gates this season and haven't really recovered. They are in the cellar of the NL Central at 22-37 and have been outscored by 63 runs this season, second-worst in the majors.
Right-hander Matt Garza hasn't helped matters. He is 4-7 with a 5.09 ERA in 11 starts. The 2005 first-round pick is due $25 million over the next two seasons with a possible vesting option for an additional $13 million in 2018. He is a prime candidate for Milwaukee to sell at the trade deadline of what is becoming a lost season, according to Bob Nightengale of USA Today.
Why the Dodgers Could Use Him
The Dodgers need arms, and Garza has one of those. He also has experience, something lacking on the back end of the team's starting rotation. Los Angeles may take a chance on the nine-year veteran because of his respectable 3.87 career ERA. A change of scenery could be all Garza needs to regain form. He also won't have the pressure of being a No. 1 or No. 2 for the Dodgers.
What It Would Take to Get Him
The Brewers are going to have a hole at third base next season when Aramis Ramirez's contract comes off the books. Second baseman Scooter Gennett was also recently demoted to Triple-A following early-season struggles. Milwaukee may demand a versatile infield prospect like Darnell Sweeney if the Dodgers refuse to part ways with rising talent Alex Guerrero.
Projected Chance: 45 percent
Projected Proposal: SS/2B Darnell Sweeney
Aaron Harang, Philadelphia Phillies
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Why the Phillies Would Deal Him
Philadelphia has an almost identical record (22-39) to what the Brewers have managed, meaning the rest of 2015 does not hold much promise. But unlike Milwaukee, the Phillies had minimal expectations entering the season. Veteran Aaron Harang, 37, does not quite fit in with Philadelphia's youth movement and—as a free agent at the end of the season—appears to be a prime trade candidate.
Why the Dodgers Could Use Him
Los Angeles may welcome a reunion with Harang, who pitched for the Dodgers in 2012. His career seemed to take a turn for the worse when he posted a 5.76 ERA with Seattle the following season. But he stabilized himself with two solid seasons in New York and Atlanta before finding even more success this season with the Phillies. The power-pitcher-turned-meticulous-craftsman boasts a respectable 3.04 ERA in 83 innings this year. While Los Angeles is surely wary that the wheels are liable to fall off at any time (seven earned runs this week at Cincinnati), the team wouldn't have much of a problem taking on his $5 million contract that expires at the end of the year.
What It Would Take to Get Him
Phillies general manager Ruben Amaro Jr. has asked for the Dodgers' top prospects in discussions involving Cole Hamels, per Nightengale, but he would probably soften his demands when dealing Harang. Still, Philadelphia would probably covet pitching prospects. Names like Chris Anderson, Chris Reed and John Richy may highlight a potential trade.
Projected Chance: 50 percent
Projected Proposal: LHP Chris Reed and RHP Jharel Cotton
Scott Kazmir, Oakland Athletics
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Why the A's Would Deal Him
As it usually does with GM Billy Beane up in Oakland, this deal will likely come down to the financials. Scott Kazmir is in the final season of a two-year, $22 million contract. Already making top dollar on a rebuilding team, there is virtually no scenario in which the low-revenue A's bring him back with another lucrative deal next season.
Why the Dodgers Could Use Him
The Dodgers front office is quite familiar with Kazmir. Friedman worked with him in Tampa Bay, and Zaidi—when in the A's front office—was instrumental in bringing him to Oakland. The veteran left-hander has pitched quite well for a struggling A's team, posting a 3.14 ERA in 11 starts. Los Angeles can easily afford to pay the remainder of his 2015 salary, and Kazmir's veteran experience would help solidify the back end of the rotation. The 31-year-old can also provide long relief in the postseason.
What It Would Take to Get Him
ESPN's Jim Bowden believes the Dodgers would only need to part with a middling pitching prospect and platoon outfielder in order to acquire Kazmir's services:
"Kazmir would be a perfect rental fit for the remainder of the season. ... The Dodgers might be willing to reluctantly part with Lee, a top pitching prospect who has never lived up to his potential but is off to a fast start in Triple-A. The Dodgers, who have the game's highest payroll, need a proven starter much more than they need to develop a young one. ... [Chris] Heisey would give the A's a right-handed power hitter who can play all three outfield positions, a necessity if you're going to wear an A's uniform.
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Projected Chance: 65 percent
Projected Proposal: Zach Lee and Chris Heisey
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Mat Latos, Miami Marlins
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Why the Marlins Would Deal Him
The Marlins had high hopes for right-hander Mat Latos when they acquired him in an offseason trade with Cincinnati. Expected to become an integral part of the rotation, Latos has fallen flat as the Marlins have disappointed as a team. They are 12 games under .500 (24-36), and Latos is recovering from knee inflammation that may have contributed to his abysmal start to the season (6.12 ERA, 36-16 strikeout-to-walk ratio). If Miami doesn't turn things around in the next couple of weeks, it wouldn't be surprising to see the team move Latos and his $9.4 million contract before he hits free agency after the season.
Why the Dodgers Could Use Him
Latos never finished with an ERA higher than 3.48 during his first four full seasons in the majors (he had a 4.62 ERA in 10 games as rookie in 2009). His career 3.46 ERA and 3.41 FIP indicate that Latos can be an effective hurler when healthy. Latos' knee injury seems like a legitimate explanation for his struggles this year, and the Dodgers could use an experienced power arm like his for the stretch run. What's more, the best years of Latos' career came in San Diego, where he pitched in the cavernous Petco Park. Dodger Stadium isn't much kinder to hitters.
What It Would Take to Get Him
Miami invested a hefty sum of money when they took on Latos' contract in the trade, so it's probably going to take quite a bit for the Dodgers to reel him in. Despite their record, the Marlins believe they are close to being contenders. They will want MLB-ready talent back in any potential Latos deal. Miami's bullpen ERA ranks 23rd in baseball, so Los Angeles may need to send a reliever.
Projected Chance: 25 percent
Projected Proposal: LHP J.P. Howell and 1B Cody Bellinger
Gio Gonzalez, Washington Nationals
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Why the Nationals Would Deal Him
With Max Scherzer, Stephen Strasburg, Gio Gonzalez and Doug Fister comprising the top four slots, the Nationals possess a very formidable starting rotation—on paper, that is. Strasburg and Gonzalez have struggled this season. But between the two, Washington has invested more into Strasburg as its prized draft pick with seemingly unlimited potential. It's far more likely that the Nationals deal someone like Gonzalez, especially considering they have no room in the rotation for up-and-coming right-hander Tanner Roark.
Why the Dodgers Could Use Him
The Dodgers can afford to take on Gonzalez's hefty contract. The southpaw is due $11 million this season and $12 million next season. There is a $12 million club option for 2017, as well. Los Angeles could utilize Gonzalez as more than just a rental for this year's stretch run. At 29, he could theoretically become a nice middle-of-the-rotation piece for the next few seasons.
What It Would Take to Get Him
The Nationals might be thinking about life after Denard Span in the outfield while also preparing themselves for the possibility of more Jayson Werth injuries as the 36-year-old veteran begins to age. That's where power-hitting Scott Schebler—one of the Dodgers' top outfield prospects—comes into play. He projects as a corner outfielder, which might intrigue Washington if the team ever decides to shift Bryce Harper to center field.
Projected Chance: 30 percent
Projected Proposal: OF Scott Schebler and RHP Zachary Bird
All stats courtesy of Baseball-Reference.com unless otherwise linked/noted.
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