Dodgers Digest Los Angeles Dodgers Baseball Blog
Today is the trade deadline (1 p.m. Pacific time), even if it doesn’t feel like it. A.J. Preller is busy acquiring literally everyone and some are wondering if the Dodgers are going to counter and/or improve today.
The Dodgers don’t have to make a move. We’ve said there here a few times. They have the game’s best record (26-10) and no glaring weaknesses.
If you’re looking for something, you could look at their minor struggles against left-handed pitching this season (89 wRC+), but you could also chalk that up to small sample size. You could also look at the starting rotation (4.54 FIP), but you could also chalk that up to Walker Buehler not being on track yet and the struggles of Ross Stripling.
The biggest prize of the deadline may already be gone in Mike Clevinger, who was acquired by the Padres this morning. That leaves the Dodgers looking at a guy like Lance Lynn, who they saw up close on Saturday night.
He has, quietly, been one of the best pitchers in the game over the last two seasons and would bring some postseason experience to a Dodger rotation somewhat lacking it. He could easily slide in behind Clayton Kershaw and Buehler (in some order) in a 5- or 7-game series. Lynn’s postseason record isn’t (4.80 ERA, 4.20 FIP, 9.8 K-BB%), but the new Lance Lynn hasn’t had a chance to pitch in October yet.
Tony Gonsolin has been good, even if he struggled in the third inning yesterday. Dustin May has shown flashes of brilliance, but still struggles to miss bats at times. Julio Urias has been inconsistent and who knows what you might get out of Stripling and Alex Wood the rest of the this season.
Grabbing Lynn would solidify the postseason rotation, improve and lengthen an already good-looking bullpen. The acquisition cost is always a question, but getting a year and a month of Lynn will cost something good, but not a Gavin Lux, May or anyone of that ilk. Jim Bowden (lol) suggested Stripling and Josiah Gray, which, nah. Although, I could see the Rangers wanting a guy like Stripling in a deal for Lynn.
And if nothing else, acquiring Lynn would be a chance to use this headline.
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Short of a guy like Lynn or David Freese-like lefty masher, I wouldn’t really expect much today from the Dodgers. They could be in the market for a high-leverage reliever (like a Josh Hader, which, oh man), but other than that, they’re pretty much set.
