Editorials

Dodgers Rumors: LA “Reluctant” to Trade Jose De Leon

The Dodgers are forever candidates to swing a big trade, especially with such a surplus of youth in the organization. One prospect the team is hesitant to move is pitcher Jose De Leon.

Doug Padilla of ESPN reported Tuesday Los Angeles is still in the Brian Dozier race, but the franchise is unsure of moving De Leon in exchange.



“The Dodgers have not closed the door on the possibility of acquiring 2B Brian Dozier from the Twins, a source indicated, even after the club agreed to free-agent deals with 3B Justin Turner and closer Kenley Jansen. A package for Dozier might have to center around somebody like RHP Jose De Leon, a commodity the Dodgers are reluctant to part with. The return of 2B Chase Utley also is not out of the question.”

De Leon is often overshadowed by phenom Julio Urias, but the 24-year-old is a highly regarded pitcher in his own right. He only started four games for the Dodgers in 2016, but is expected to compete for a spot in the 2017 rotation.

[graphiq id=”hD4IQNmW2DX” title=”Jose De Leon” width=”500″ height=”749″ url=”https://w.graphiq.com/w/hD4IQNmW2DX” ]

If L.A. won’t trade De Leon, it certainly isn’t because of depth. The Dodgers have a plethora of backend rotation pitchers to choose from, and Yadier Alvarez, though further from the Majors, may have more upside than De Leon.

With Andrew Friedman’s conservative history on prospects, the reluctance to move De Leon is expected. Friedman also went on record that the team he has is a serious World Series contender. We’ll see if he thinks Dozier is the piece to put them over the top, and if so, De Leon might be sacrificed.

Kenley Jansen has an opt-out after three seasons, which may be good for both sides

Gabe Burns

Gabe Burns is an award-winning journalist. He serves as a reporter and editor at the DodgersNation news desk. He additionally works as editor-in-chief of The Spectator, Valdosta State University's student paper. Gabe's work has been featured on a number of platforms, including Draft Breakdown and Pro Football Spot. His byline has been cited in media such as the New York Times, Los Angeles Times and Chicago Tribune. Aside from covering Dodgers baseball, Gabe enjoys watching the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Orlando Magic and Tampa Bay Lightning. He can be followed on Twitter at @GabeBurns_DN.

3 Comments

  1. Right now Deleon’s path is blocked by the bad contracts given to Kazmir and McCarthy (maybe Hill, if he is injured again), and presence of Ryu. If they can perform some magic and trade Kazmir and McCarthy, which will probably require eating half their salaries, then I’m all for keeping DeLeon. If they don’t, then trade for a talented 2B like Dozier or Kinsler. There is more pitching talent on the way and Kershaw, Maeda, Hill and Urias are all going to be there for awhile.

  2. At the same time though, this FO has not been shy about eating some cash and releasing or banishing under-performers elsewhere, especially where someone younger is more than ready to take over (see Crawford, Guerrero, League and a few others as examples). McCarthy might have some value as a multi-innings bullpen guy should he not be up to snuff. Kazmir is a different story however his contract is reasonable enough to perhaps trade to a team not planning on competing/rebuilding as an innings eater/veteran presence.

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