Gavin Stone’s Name Came Up in Dodgers Trade Talks This Offseason: Report
The Los Angeles Dodgers have had some frontline starters land on the injured list or suffer setbacks in their recovery this season, forcing them to turn to a young pitcher who was almost traded this winter.
With the All-Star Break around the corner, it’s hard to imagine starter Gavin Stone not being on the team. He has been one of the most effective starting pitchers across Major League Baseball but he could’ve been traded.
“The Dodgers have to be thankful they didn’t deal rookie starter Gavin Stone this past winter when his name came up with several teams in trade talks,” Bob Nightengale of USA Today wrote.
It’s unclear if the Dodgers were willing to trade Stone or if he was just a popular name as one of the league’s top pitching prospects. Regardless, they didn’t deal him and it has worked out for both parties.
In 2023, Stone threw 31 innings and posted a 9.00 ERA and 6.64 FIP with just 6.39 strikeouts per nine innings and 3.77 walks per nine in eight games (four starts). He put in the work this offseason and returned to the Dodgers this spring in much better shape.
The results answer any questions the Dodgers might have had about the rookie. He has a record of 9-2 and a 3.03 ERA across 92 innings thus far, striking out 73 hitters and walking 28. The Dodgers are 11-4 in games started by him.
At this point, if he isn’t named to the All-Star Game, it should be considered a snub. But, surprisingly, he could find himself in the mix for the NL Rookie of the Year if he keeps performing this well in the second half.
Photo Credit: Kamil Krzaczynski-USA TODAY Sports
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