Los Angeles Dodgers president Andrew Friedman has insisted publicly that the team doesn't need to make a move before the non-waiver trade deadline on July 31, and while they've still been targeting bullpen help, Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports reports that they aren't expected to make any major moves.
The Dodgers spent a combined $192 million to retain closer Kenley Jansen, left-hander Rich Hill and third baseman Justin Turner last offseason in part because their top executive, Andrew Friedman, loathes paying high acquisition costs in July trades.
Friedman relented last season, sending three pitching prospects to the Athletics for two rentals, Hill and outfielder Josh Reddick. But the Dodgers, leading the NL West by 10½ games entering Tuesday, are in a much stronger position now.
They want a top left-handed reliever, someone such as the Orioles’ Zach Britton, Tigers’ Justin Wilson or Padres’ Brad Hand. But they’re wary of overpaying for 15-20 innings of a pitcher who will have zero impact on them winning the division. And they’re not about to go nuts on a starter such as the Athletics’ Sonny Gray, not when they signed Hill precisely to avoid getting sucked into such a move.
They’re going to do something, maybe even something surprising — Friedman, when he pursues moves in July, always aims high. But truth be told, the Dodgers did most of their work last winter. Anything now is a bonus.
Los Angeles has been the most linked to Zach Britton of the Baltimore Orioles, Justin Wilson of the Detroit Tigers and Felipe Rivero of the Pittsburgh Pirates.
However, the Dodgers' unwillingness to part with their top prospects may keep them from landing a big-name star. They don't want to trade prospects Alex Verdugo and Walker Buehler (their top outfielder and pitching prospects, respectively) as they anticipate both playing roles for them down the stretch.
Follow our Los Angeles Dodgers news page for all the latest Dodgers news!
Back to the Los Angeles Dodgers Newsfeed