The Dodgers have already both added and subtracted from their pitching mix prior to the deadline, acquiring Lance Lynn and Joe Kelly from the White Sox while also shipping out Noah Syndergaard to the Guardians in exchange for Amed Rosario. Between these moves and the re-acqusition of old friend Enrique Hernandez from the Red Sox, Los Angeles has already checked several boxes on their wishlist with over three days to go until the trade deadline, but more transactions seem likely given the Dodgers’ aggression.
Pitching remains the focus, as while Lynn will theoretically fill one hole, Lynn’s inconsistency and the Dodgers’ relative lack of rotation has put a lot of other hurlers on the team’s radar. According to Jack Harris and Jorge Castillo of the Los Angeles Times, the Dodgers’ list of targets include Justin Verlander, Eduardo Rodriguez, Brady Singer, Mitch Keller, Jack Flaherty, and Jordan Montgomery. Beyond Verlander, the Dodgers are also looking at a couple of other Mets players to address their outfield needs, as The Athletic’s Fabian Ardaya reports that Tommy Pham and Mark Canha are of interest.
One Met who apparently isn’t under heavy consideration is Max Scherzer, as Harris/Castillo write that “the likelihood…isn’t as strong” of Scherzer heading to Chavez Ravine at another trade deadline. L.A. memorably landed Scherzer and Trea Turner from the Nationals two years ago, but Scherzer was a rental at the time, just two-plus months away from free agency. Scherzer implied yesterday that he would be exercising his $43.333MM player option for 2024, and with the Mets likely to ask for a strong trade return, the uncertainty over that player option makes Scherzer a pricey add both financially (he is also still owed $16MM for the rest of 2023) and from a prospect cost.
Given how aggressive the Dodgers have been, a Scherzer reunion might not be entirely ruled out until either the team makes another pitching move, or until Scherzer is potentially shipped elsewhere. With Verlander, Pham and Canha also apparently under discussion, the Dodgers’ talks with the Mets could go in several directions between now and Tuesday’s 5pm CT deadline.
Similarly, there are plenty of layers to the negotiations between the Dodgers and Cardinals, as Nolan Arenado is yet another star name Los Angeles has explored. In a move akin to that Scherzer/Turner blockbuster of 2021, the Dodgers could aim to land both a major position player and a rental pitcher (either Montgomery or Flaherty) in the same deal. Harris/Castillo note that L.A. might also pursue either Montgomery or Flaherty on their own, should the more complicated machinations of an Arenado deal fall through.
Rodriguez has drawn attention from several other teams as the deadline approaches, and the Tigers left-hander’s status is also impacted by a contractual option. Rodriguez has the ability to opt out of his contract after the season, leaving three years and $49MM on the table in search of a richer and longer-term deal. An opt-out seems like a distinct possibility the way E-Rod has been pitching, yet an injury or a drop in form (with the Tigers or a new team) could certainly still occur post-deadline, leading to a change in his thinking. If this did happen after a trade, a new club could find itself on the books for $49MM of a suddenly distressed asset, which surely factors into the thinking of the Dodgers and any other team considering the southpaw.
Beyond these veteran rental players, the Dodgers are also slightly expanding their perimeters to look at more controllable pitchers. The Pirates have arbitration control on Keller through the 2025 season, while the Royals have Singer arb-controlled through 2026. Keller seems like the longer shot, as Pittsburgh is perhaps only listening to trade offers out of due diligence, and would command a huge prospect return in any deal. While Los Angeles is one of the teams with the prospect depth to perhaps get the Pirates’ attention, it doesn’t seem likely that the Bucs will move Keller anywhere at the deadline or even in the near future, as Pittsburgh may have an eye on fully turning the corner back into contending in 2024.
“No traction toward a deal has materialized” between the Dodgers and Royals, so Singer is probably also not on the move. The former first-rounder has a breakout season in 2022 but has struggled to a 5.46 ERA over 113 2/3 innings this year, albeit with a somewhat more favorable 4.41 SIERA. It is possible that L.A. was looking to buy low on the righty (who turns 27 next week), just in case Kansas City was considering a wider-range rebuild in the wake of its disastrous 2023 season. The Royals are in a tough spot given the lack of production from almost all of their projected cornerstone young players, yet while it isn’t clear what the next step will be for the franchise, it does seem too soon for K.C. to give up on Singer, one of the few members of that group who has had some level of success in the majors.
Returning to Verlander, he would also bring a bit more control than a rental player, as he owed $43.333MM in 2024 and he can earn a $35MM player option for 2025 if he pitches at least 140 innings in 2024. It’s a steep price tag for a pitcher who turns 41 in February, as even though Verlander has pitched closer to his vintage form in the last few weeks, he missed time earlier this year due to a teres major strain and was then shaky in his first few starts of 2023.
Perhaps more relevant to August 1, Verlander has a full no-trade clause in his contract, and said earlier this week that “I’m focused on being a Met. I want to win here…Obviously it hasn’t gone according to plan just yet, but I didn’t sign a one-year deal.” Since the Mets have already started to trade veterans and look ahead to 2024, it is possible Verlander might change his mind should a contender make an offer, and there has been a connection between Verlander and Los Angeles in the past. The Dodgers pushed to sign Verlander in free agency last winter, with Harris/Castillo writing that L.A. offered the future Hall-of-Famer two years and $80MM.
Arenado, “I opted in for a reason.”
Cardinals GM, “We’re not looking to trade players like that.”
LA media, “The Dodgers are getting Arenado.”
Well they’ve at least discussed trade options. I still see it as unlikely, but that’s very different from impossible.
You can love the team you’re on and still be open to trades. These guys have a finite career, and competitors like Arenado want to win. Consistently.
Arenado swore he would never leave Colorado too. Then he got his contract and things changed. Don’t get fooled by hearing what you want to hear. He didn’t opt out because the only teams he wanted to play for (L.A. and N.Y.) weren’t chasing 3B last off season, and in the cases of his real target — the Dodgers — weren’t signing anyone expensive at all. That’s changed.
Arenado has already made his decision. This is a GM decision ant this point and Mo is not going to undo the one great thing the cards have which is offense. He’s said he’s not making this trade. And if he does, he should be fired. Are the cards actually paying Arenado yet, or are they still riding the $50M Colorado gave them?
I don’t think trading Arenado is the answer, but the Cardinals pitching is so terrible that something drastic needs to be done. I think moving Goldy is the smarter move since he’s older and only controlled through 2024. He’d net a huge return that could payoff as soon as next year, but I don’t think this is likely either. The Cards will trade their rentals and make a FA splash or two and hope it’s enough to compete in 2024. Maybe it is. Maybe it isn’t.
Von;
A team that ruins it’s pitchers as the Cardinals do are not going to trade for a good pitcher and have him continue to pitch well.
Teams don’t hand the ball to a pitcher and point him to the mound. There are multiple coaches involved in today’s MLB as well as analytic people and video people. Pitchers get out of sync multiple times during a season, they need help to get back in. Teams that ruin pitchers that used to be good are going to do the same for pitcher they trade for.
MLB is not Rotisserie League or computer baseball. Pitchers are human beings.
Goldy is in the same boat. He also have a no trade clause. He does not really want to waive his clause either.
The Cardinals are getting $5 milliion a year for the next 3 years to offset Arenado’s $35 million salary. They got $16 million this year.
@Samuel – my thought it, no Molina is the problem. His presence this year, they’de prob have ten more wins, ten fewer losses. And I’m talking REAL wins, not “WAR” wins, What do you think?
@Del Griffith
Given the abject disaster that is the Cards’ roster construction AND the relentless talent drain over the last few years AND now, the franchise’s lousy response to the Arenado/LAD rumors, shouldn’t Mozeliak be fired anyway?
Cardinals aren’t winning with Arenado & Goldschmidt. Their pitching is not good. They won’t get the pitching they need by trading pitchers/players that wii be free agents after this season. They have Edman, Gorman, Donovan, Walker & Winn.
Don’t be sentimental, deal both Arenado & Goldschmidt while you can get GOOD talent in return!
The L.A. mentality, in all sports, is that their team should get any player they desire for as little as they have to cough up in a trade. I recall as far back as the 1970s, when the locals claimed the Dodgers were getting every team’s star player at one time or another for some AA-ball utility infielder or an A-ball pitcher with a 7.82 ERA.
It’s the “LA mentality” to pay as little as possible for an asset you want? You literally just described capitalism. Is every other team’s GM just looking for a “fair deal” and happy to toss in extra prospects if they aren’t giving up enough?
Sure, but there were legitimate trade discussions here. So it’s not like it was pulled out of thin air. Still highly unlikely, but the Cards didn’t hang up the phone.
You literally just described capitalism. Is every GM outside LA happy to throw in better or more prospects to make the deal “fair?”
I thought that was the NY mentality? … Chicago? … San Diego? … Texas? … hmm seems like this may be more than the LA mentality.
Wait doesnt any sports team want to get their players for as little they have to cough up. Did i miss the part where the marlins said we will only give you these rookie level prospect for robertson and pay his salary but you know what here is a Eury Perez just for fun.
It’s the mentality mentality. Team owners in other cities are kind and generous. But the Dodgers being in LA and their owners in Chicago, what do we expect?
Cardinals are having one of their worst seasons ever. They are clearly selling and people really think its some indictment on the Dodgers they are trying to get Arenado? lmao
And no fire sale dummy!!’ They are clearly not selling arenado yet here we are with dummies like you peddling this smit. They can want all they want they aren’t getting it. I don’t want to here the nerd wanting a model and don’t want to hear dodgers fantasies. It’s being a cardinal fan that ends dodger fantasies see most playoffs in 2000s, who has more titles, who’s whining about trash cans still, and a asterisk next to your last ring
Right? It’s like LA media (hacks) don’t look at these facts and build off the first clickbait article to get their own clicks. Mo said:
1) there’s no full rebuild.
2) all moves are to compete on ’24.
Trading Arenado means trading Goldschmidt too… why not? Because it’s the opposite of competing in ’24… Geez people!
Geez people is right, but not for the reasons you think.
Except the Cardinals have no pitching for next year, and past experience shows they won’t sign top level pitchers. Trade arenado, get 2-3 mlb level pitching prospects plus a couple others and you only have to sign 1-2 pitchers instead of 4-5.
” No pitchers signed”?! What about…, That one guy. Or or, that dude that one time, or, uh, ummm. Yeah.
Oh oh oh, Mike Morgan in 93! Whuddya mean ” no FA pitchers”! Wait, or was that a trade??
Lol you are dumb if you think the dodgers have arms they are stitching their pitchers arms still buehler, urias who’s the next bust. Sorry not getting arenado
Less trash cans
Dodgers are going to change their whole team.
They should just lobby the MLB for more shortened seasons.
Such a stupid narrative. A shortened season is detrimental to a team like the Dodgers, not beneficial.
@Del Griffith
Ah.
You’re one of those folks.
Did your team win a World Series from the wild card slot? That’s cute.
They more or less have to. The great Dodger depth of years past has been depleted and the fact that Jason Heyward has taken 235 PA’s this season tells you a lot.
Trading Arenado would be such a overreaction. Trade a outfielder for a pitcher and improve in the off-season.
Except the Cardinals have an outfield problem too.
The problem is that their young 3B are ready now. They aren’t upgrades to Arenado, but there’s no guarantee that we’ll have a viable 3B option in the farm by the time his contract is up.
Get Erod and go after Arenado/Montgomery imo
I can’t see anyone trading for E-Rod with the opt out and injury risk. I would think it’d be more likely for the Dodgers to go after Montgomery or Flaherty.
You can’t see “anyone” trading for Rodriguez? Really? Well, I got news for you; you will see it happen within the next 3 days.
It could happen but will be a very light return, because of the opt out.
The issue with E-rod isn’t the opt out, it’s the opt in. Which, barring something catastrophic, he will not do. He’s a rental, just like Giolito and any other pitcher on an expiring deal.
I’m not sure why everyone is terrified of his opt in. I’d imagine he gets traded as a rental no matter what, so your not trading the farm. Most if his injuries have been more weird or short term than anything too serious. He’s a lefty starter with excellent command and a contract that really doesn’t seem burdensome if he does opt in (a little over 16mil a year.)
The reason the opt in is a a potential roadblock is because the only way he does opt in is if he plays terribly for the rest of the year or gets a serious injury. In that case you’ve now got a bad contract on the books.
If I’m the Tigers, in order to maximize the return, I’m offering contingent retainment on his future salary in the event he opts in to lessen the risk for the acquiring team. I think covering $10m-$15m could be a very attractive sweetener that more than likely wouldn’t even come to fruition.
So you don’t think anyone picks up Erod and Stroman (who is inbthe same boat), two of the top pitchers available that could move the needle for a team? I’d be surprised if Erod does not move. Only way he doesn’t is if the Tigers restructure his contract to keep him for next year and I’d be okay with them keeping either Lorenzen or him. Someone will jump in and pay the price for him, especially in this sellers market with so many teams vying for pitching and playoff spots. Texas, Philadelphia, Arizona. Houston, Cincinnati, Baltimore, Miami, San Francisco and your Dodgers are fits and want to win.
Cincinnati hasn’t proved they want to win. Given recent history, somehow I expect them to do nothing…again.
So you don’t think anyone picks up Erod and Stroman (who is inbthe same boat),
============================
Two very different boats. Stroman doesn’t have the injury history and other issues that ERod has.
And Stroman’s guarantee is only $21M against ERod’s $49M.
Well, with the way the Cubs have been rolling lately, Stroman does not appear to be on the move anyhow.
I would hate to trade Verlander but if the Dodgers took Marte too it would help, and trade us 2 out of (Busch, Pages, Pepiot or Stone ) it’s a deal
why would any team consider Marte in a trade? 1. He is currently on the injured list. 2. Is still due 7M+ this year and 2/41.5M of contract left. 3. He is in the midst of his worst offensive season ever.
You’ll get nothing in return. for Verlander, let alone Verlander + Marte. Those two earn $64M between them, have a combined 1.4 bWAR, and will be 41 and 35 next year.
Not unless the Mets pay the whole salary. & even at that 2/3 of the guys he listed isn’t happening.
Why would the Mets spend all this $ on trying to win and then dilute the talent they get back when trading someone like Verlander? If they are serious about moving him then they should only be concerned with how much $ they need to eat in order to get a legit prospect(s) and/or MLB talent. If they cannot get someone with a MLB floor within a year or 2 then why bother?
Who would you like if arenado was traded to the dodgers
Mary Hart
You wouldn’t like her either way?
I’d like to see Verlander as a Dodger. Moreno would never spend that much on a pitcher so he won’t go to the Angels. (Except for perhaps Ohtani.)
Interesting how LA is looking at two KC pitchers. Shows how poorly KC develops players.
So true. But KC will demand top prospects for Singer because he still has two years of control after this year.
I see Brady Singer but who is the second Royals pitcher they are looking at?
Cardinals should package Montgomery and O’Neill and ask for either Stone or Pepiot in return. They need to come out of this deadline with a young pitcher who can be in their 2024 rotation.
That’s roughly fair, yeah.
I’ll take anyone in the Dodgers farm system over anyone in the Mets’ with the exception of Mauricio who Eppler will trade for a 38 year old DH.
Thats how the big boys operate not waiting until the 11th hour
Any speculation of Arenado moving is filler content that media outlets require to sell subscriptions and obtain page clicks. Don’t waste your time fantasizing about it.
Verlander will of course say he’s focused on being a Met. It’s the right message point until he’s actually offered a better situation.
Headline: Dodgers are looking at all avenues to improving.
I’m sure every team is. Dodgers just have more financial avenues to explore.
As a Cards fan, here is the trade I would like to see:
Cards get:
Kelenic OF
Woo SP
Mariners get:
Carlson OF
Edman IF/OF
Cards may be willing to add a minor league OF bat and/or rental SP.
Carlson and Kelenic just need a restart somewhere new. Edman is versatile and gold glover. Woo is a K pitcher and young.
Really? I think most people would call that a sizable win for Seattle, since Kelenic has a broken foot and is about to enter arbitration, and Woo is like 5th or 6th among the Mariners’ young pitching.
Kelenic is actually posting good numbers. Woo is more valuable than Edman. I don’t see how you’d think that makes any sense. The mariners would be getting less control of inferior players
Woo may be 5th or 6th with the Mariners, but with the current lack of depth the Cardinals have, he would be the number 3.
That trade would be a big win for the Cardinals. Mariners wouldn’t do it though.
If the Dodgers have all the existing talent why more….moo,ie and Freddie not enough?
Verlander and Mauricio to the Guardians for Bieber and Rocchio with Mets kicking in significant Cash to make the deal work. WTAM 1100 reporting this has serious juice. Mets get a full year of Bieber next year. Guardians get a better bat than Rocchio in top prospects.
There’s no way Cleveland trades for an old high-salaried pitcher, even if the Mets pay 3/4 of his salary.
Bieber’s metrics are fd this year! What r u getting excited at???
The LA Dodgers should call the Chicago Cubs and package Kyle Hendricks along with Ian Happy and
Nick Madrigal. For 3-4 Top ten prospects In LA farm system.
This trade puts the LA Dodgers In the fall classic.
No ty, would take bellinger back, dodgers trying to have a reunion.
Noooooooope! Belli is a paper tiger. Watch when he’s a Yankee! Just watch. Belli this year has the League’s best leadoff hitter in front of him, top 5 2nd hitter, and 2 guys behind him that r projected to hit 38-41 HRS. he’s lost a half step ( again) in D-WAR. He got hot this year after playing that 4 game set vs. LAD. ( His former batting practice team for 7 years – I’m including AAA too) and head already had a 3-34 slump once this year…. Wait for it again. Sorry, it is what it is.
No, they definitely should NOT do that, lol.
Mets likely to ask for a strong trade return
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Outside of Preller, would anyone pay anything for Scherzer? He has a 4.01/4.73 ERA/FIP, and leads the league in HRs allowed. And a 4.65/5.21 ERA/FIP over his last ten games.
Thanks for the name drop, but the Pads aren’t half as desperate as the team 60 minutes north of us is. The Los Angeles Artes of Anaheim Orange County Californians should be viewed as the only team that is willing to overpay right now, imo.
The only way Arenado is moving is if someone is willing to overpay.
If Verlander turned down 2-years $80mil from the Dodgers last offseason would he now waive his no-trade clause to be dealt there? Would certainly solidify the Dodgers situation and match them up well with the Braves in a playoff scenario
That’s a great point. Its not like he would all of sudden be surprised that the Dodgers were good this year and therefore change his mind because of that. But also, possibly what seemed to him to be promising in NY, he may now view as the mess that it is (in 2023) having seen things from the inside of Metsville.
The Mets offered more money at the time.
Easy because the Mets offered more $ and had a chance to win. I wouldn’t want Verlander on the Dodgers anyway. Bad clubhouse zero integrity cheater not going to go well in the clubhouse of the team you cheated against in the WS
Explain how Verlander is a cheater.
If they meet his price to waive the clause then he will.
@faithful – Yes, he would waive it – last year he was shooting for all-time high annual salary, and he deserved it, and was gonna get it, and he got it. He also wanted that third year, because he has ZERO intention of retiring until absolutely necessary. He’s going for 300 wins plus all the other marks that will come with it, if (once) he gets there.
He is also, probably, the smartest pitcher since Greg Maddux. Dude is legend, and he’s not through yet.
Pham/Canha must be old news. RH platoon OF spot went to Hernandez. Unless they plan to release Rojas and go with Rosario at SS, I don’t see an obvious open roster spot absent a more significant upgrade than those two.
So I guess MLB want dodgers get everybody
Any moves Dodgers make will be too avoid Luxury Tax penalty this year as they plan to go well over it when they sign Ohtani in off season.
How the hell do the Dodgers always have prospects to trade away? I swear every year they trade for a bunch of guys plus a star and their farm system still stays good enough to keep the team young and relevant.
What black magic sorcery is this
It’s the kind of sorcery that the Padres need
Simple. They got ahead of the development game and have done the work. Reaping the rewards. Well done to them.
All these moves just to fold when it matters most…
Royals should definitely work to trade Singer. It has wasted a couple of years of control to find out he won’t throw a 3rd pitch. His development was hampered by poor coaching. Royals need a reboot with young talent, although that won’t fit well with plans to build a new stadium (unless that is many years down the road).
I find it fascinating that Verlander’s 2023 ERA right now is the exact same as his career ERA at 3.24
Cardinals should trade Jack Flaherty to the Dodgers for Mary Hart. Flaherty does not want to play for the Cardinals and his aim in baseball was always to become a Dodger because LA is where he comes from. Flaherty is intentionally pitching badly right now just so the Cardinals will trade him. Once Flaherty becomes a Dodger he will go 25-0 so Dodgers fans do not have to worry about Flaherty being a lemon..
Do you really think Flaherty would tank his free agent year just to force his way out of town a few months early? He’s the dumbest man alive if he would. I don’t believe he’s anywhere near the dumbest man alive.
Dodgers could use Verlander. Not really interested in what the Cardinals have to offer except their back up catcher. Dodgers have to rid themselves of Barnes.
TradeValues says Mary Hart has 7.8m more immediate and future value than Flaherty. Cards gotta pack some more pieces up to make this mountain move.
Eppler is the problem with the Mets. Dude is worthless.
Keller to the Dodgers would almost assuredly result in a Cy Young. Singer to the Dodgers would probably result in an ambulance ride for me after all the heart attacks he’d put me through
It must be the weekend….Good humor, good laughs in this thread. Thank you all….or most of you…!
Canha would be a good fit for the Padres. They need a good utility player for Left. They’d have to dump Soto first and I think they should. Soto is an albatross with a high OBP due to walks. He can’t field or doesn’t want to.