The Los Angeles Dodgers have two of the best starting pitchers in the game, but how far can that get them if the rest of the rotation is unreliable? The inconsistencies of Brett Anderson, Mike Bolsinger and Carlos Frias have forced the front office to explore options on the trade market.
Two of them happen to be aces Cole Hamels and Johnny Cueto, who have previously been linked to Los Angeles in trade rumors.
"The Dodgers' top major-league assignment scout, Galen Carr, has attended at least one of Hamels' starts this season," writes Mark Saxon of ESPNLosAngeles.com. "He has also seen Johnny Cueto of the Cincinnati Reds and other pitchers the Dodgers are hoping will become available between now and the July 31 trade deadline."
It's no secret the Dodgers are looking to bolster the top of their rotation and/or add more depth. President of baseball operations Andrew Friedman and general manager Farhan Zaidi acknowledged that could be an area of the roster they address before the deadline given the injuries to Brandon McCarthy and Hyun-jin Ryu as well as Zack Greinke's potential impending free agency.
But the price for Hamels and Cueto might be too steep for the Dodgers' liking. With the way those two have been pitching, the Philadelphia Phillies and Cincinnati Reds are going to make sure they maximize the return in a trade.
"The Phillies - and probably the Reds as well - will be seeking top-end young players in return for pitchers as good as Hamels or Cueto," Saxon added. "That could be why the latest indications are the Dodgers are more interested in rotational depth than on the big splash."
FOX Sports' Ken Rosenthal said last week the Dodgers could add 'multiple pitchers' at the deadline because of the team's concerns beyond Clayton Kershaw and Greinke. It's unknown how much they're willing to give up to make a significant upgrade because it's been said outfielder Joc Pederson and prospects Julio Urias and Corey Seager are off limits. However, the team stocked up on starting pitching in the draft this past June and selected Walker Buehler, Kyle Funkhouser, Joshua Sborz and Philip Pfeifer in the first three rounds, so maybe they'd be willing to trade prospects Zach Lee or Jose De Leon.
They also have someone on the MLB roster that could help in their negotiations.
"Alex Guerrero could be a useful trade chip in the Los Angeles Dodgers' oft-stated goal of acquiring a starting pitcher between now and the July 31 trade deadline if not for one small detail," Saxon wrote in a separate piece.
Guerrero has a clause in his contract that allows him to opt out after this season if he's traded to another team, which wouldn't be appealing to a potential suitor. After a fast start to the season, Guerrero has cooled off and the Dodgers have a logjam in the outfield and there's little use for him. He wants to play and maybe the possibility of him becoming a starter elsewhere could convince him to not exercise the opt out.
"There is one solution to the dilemma. Guerrero is frustrated enough with his lack of playing time -- just eight at-bats in July -- that he would consider removing the contract clause if the Dodgers or a team trading for him paid him to do so, according to a source," Saxon points out.
There's still plenty of time before the deadline and acquiring Hamels or Cueto could become a more promising endeavor. Yesterday it was reported Phillies' executives are becoming more realistic in terms of the return for Hamels, which could mean Ruben Amaro's excessive demands are no longer the standard. Additionally, Cueto's elbow inflammation from earlier this season could still affect his trade value (although that's not known for sure yet), despite his last two lights-out starts against the Washington Nationals and Minnesota Twins. It's not going to drastically affect what the Reds can get in return, but it's likely Cueto will command only one top prospect, says ESPN Insider Buster Olney, because he'll be a free agent after the season.
Perhaps the Dodgers feel that could be worth it if they're confident they can sign Cueto to a long-term deal after the season.
The options before the deadline are almost endless in terms of acquiring starting pitching, so look for the Dodgers to make a few moves.
