Dodgers Rumors: Former AL All Star Pitcher Linked to LA Ahead of Trade Deadline
The Los Angeles Dodgers are in need of a shakeup.
Whether that’s through the trade market or if the team can find their rhythm again remains to be seen, but Los Angeles needs to fix some things as they currently stand.
LA heads into a brief two-game series against the Angels sitting in third place in the NL West, four and a half games behind the first place Arizona Diamondbacks, and wading in much uncharted waters for a franchise used to dominating their division.
The main problem for the Dodgers this season has been their usually imposing pitching.
A team that’s familiar with ranking toward the top of most pitching categories currently has the second-worst bullpen in MLB with a ghastly 5.11 ERA and a starting rotation that’s been hampered by a combination of injuries and performance issues.
While rookies like Bobby Miller and Emmet Sheehan have thrown it more than admirably when called upon during their first forays in the big leagues, with the rocky season that Noah Syndergaard has had, the injuries to Julio Urias and Dustin May, Walker Buehler still working his way back from Tommy John surgery, the rotation depth has taken a significant blow.
With the combination of a patchwork rotation and the Dodgers hoping to tread water, LA could ultimately find themselves in the market for a starting pitcher ahead of the August 1 trade deadline.
As for who could be targeted, MLB.com’s Mark Feinsand said that Lucas Giolito may be a potential add for the Dodgers.
A Santa Monica native and alumni of Harvard Westlake HS in Studio City, the Chicago White Sox right hander is looking like an ace again in June with a 1.50 ERA through three starts, according to Feinsand.
Giolito may be an arm the team needs to give their rotation much needed stability, and there’s one key element that could make him a candidate to be dealt.
“Giolito will be a free agent at the end of the season, making it a near certainty that he will be wearing a new uniform by August.”
via Mark Feinsand of MLB.com
He later listed the Dodgers, Astros, and Phillies as potential fits for the hard-throwing righty, and given LA’s need to improve their rotation quickly, the franchise would be wise to make some calls about the 28-year-old and 2019 All Star.
If the Dodgers can grab Giolito, it could be the start of putting them on the right track again.
