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The trade deadline in 2017 is active once again for the Dodgers, at least in terms of rumors, as the latest has the Dodgers in on everybody and making a big splash but also not willing to do anything and at risk of getting nothing.
Love it.
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A couple days ago, Jon Paul Morosi of MLB.com relayed that the Dodgers were confident of landing one of the three big starters on the market.
Sources: #Dodgers increasingly confident they will acquire 1 of Yu Darvish, Sonny Gray or Justin Verlander by Monday. @MLB @MLBNetwork
— Jon Morosi (@jonmorosi) July 27, 2017
Morosi followed that yesterday with what the Rangers initially asked for in the deal for Yu Darvish.
Sources: #Rangers initial ask from #Dodgers for Yu Darvish was RHP Walker Buehler or OF Alex Verdugo, plus others. @MLB @MLBNetwork
— Jon Morosi (@jonmorosi) July 29, 2017
That is ridiculous and the Dodgers were right to not match it. Still, Jon Heyman of FanRag Sports heard similar to Morosi on Darvish in terms of the Dodgers preferring him but also against surrendering top guys.
The Dodgers’ preferred pitching target remains Yu Darvish, according to sources — though word is they aren’t likely to surrender their very top prospects in any deal. Sonny Gray appears to be more of a fallback candidate for L.A., according to people with ties to the Dodgers.
One report suggests the Rangers might want “at least” two of L.A.’s top four prospects –including also Yadier Alvarez and Willie Calhoun in that mix — but others characterize that as “crazy.”
Anyway, despite the apparent confidence of the Dodgers, Mark Feinsand of MLB.com heard that they’re going bargain hunting and that impacts their chances on Darvish.
Source: Dodgers are "bargain hunting" and appear unwilling to part with any top prospects. Would certainly impact their chances at Darvish.
— Mark Feinsand (@Feinsand) July 29, 2017
Of course, just recently, Morosi reiterated that they were confident but that Dan Straily is their backup option.
Sources: #Dodgers remain optimistic they will land Darvish or Gray but have shown interest in Dan Straily as backup option. @MLB @MLBNetwork
— Jon Morosi (@jonmorosi) July 29, 2017
Straily? Really?
Meh.
That seems to make sense for supposed bargain hunting, except the price on Straily is astronomical, according to Heyman.
While the Miami Marlins still have low-paid pitcher Dan Straily on the trade market, the word is the price is enormous. It’s a “Sonny Gray-type price,” said a rival executive with a National League team.
It’s fun and horrifying.
https://twitter.com/ChadMoriyama/status/891452546182635520
Meanwhile, Ken Rosenthal of … uh, Facebook … mentions Zach Britton, but also basically sums up the rumors so far.
Sources: #Dodgers’ three main targets are Darvish, Gray, Britton. Not necessarily in that order; decisions likely hinge on asking prices.
— Ken Rosenthal (@Ken_Rosenthal) July 29, 2017
To be clear: It’s possible #Dodgers end up with none of the three, and settle for lesser pieces. Fluid.
— Ken Rosenthal (@Ken_Rosenthal) July 29, 2017
They might get them or they might not, folks.
But seriously, they seem to be in on Britton…
Sources: #Astros are among the most serious Zach Britton suitors. #Dodgers involved, too, as @Ken_Rosenthal reported today. @MLB
— Jon Morosi (@jonmorosi) July 29, 2017
…and on Justin Wilson as well…
Sources: #Dodgers discussions with #Tigers have been focused more on Justin Wilson than Justin Verlander. @MLB @MLBNetwork
— Jon Morosi (@jonmorosi) July 29, 2017
…and on Brad Hand, according to Heyman.
The Washington Nationals, Houston Astros and Los Angeles Dodgers appear to be the main teams in on Hand as the deadline approaches.
Meanwhile, Andy McCullough of the Los Angles Times says they’re more likely to add a reliever than a starter, which seems to explain the interest in those three.
It sounds like the Dodgers are more likely to add an impact reliever than an impact starter at the deadline, but it's a fluid situation.
— Andy McCullough (@ByMcCullough) July 29, 2017
But how much does it mean, really?
Reporting on the trade deadline sucks because everyone is posturing and I can only provide incomplete information. Enjoy your Saturday!
— Andy McCullough (@ByMcCullough) July 29, 2017
Yeah, basically.
Who knows?
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One rather off the wall suggestion I hadn’t thought of before was Francisco Liriano from the Blue Jays.
Three teams I've heard connected to Francisco Liriano besides the #Royals: #Twins, #Dodgers, #Cubs.
— Robert Murray (@ByRobertMurray) July 27, 2017
An odd choice since in 17 starts and 76.2 innings, he has a 5.99 ERA, 4.91 FIP, and 5.59 DRA. However, if moved to the bullpen, he could potentially be a cheap option to be an impact reliever. Against lefties this season, Liriano has struck out 26.7% of them and walked just 1.7%, good for a 2.26 FIP.
Not saying they should do that, just saying it would be interesting as an alternative to giving up top prospects.
