Los Angeles Dodgers’ Wishlist Includes Zimmerman, Cueto, Price
- Updated: June 11, 2015
It’s no surprise that the Dodgers are looking to acquire another elite started to accompany Clayton Kershaw and Zack Greinke.
According to Mark Saxon of the Los Angeles Times, the Dodgers have Nationals’ Jordan Zimmerman at the top of their want list, accompanied by the Reds’ Johnny Cueto and the Tigers’ David Price.
Dodgers have set their sights on elite starting pitchers http://t.co/3ZIzffLzUf
— Mark Saxon (@markasaxon) June 11, 2015
Losing Brandon McCarthy and Hyun-Jin Ryu to season-ending injuries has been no walk in the park for the Dodgers, and it is why it’s more likely that they try and strengthen their rotation come trade deadline.
Carlos Frias and Mike Bolsinger have been producing, but there has been some inconsistency especially with Frias.
In 10 games started, Frias has a 4-3 record with a 3.86 ERA, 60 hits and 21 earned runs all through 49 innings pitched.
Bolsinger has started 7 games and has a 2.08 ERA with a 4-1 record and 10 earned runs through 43.1 innings pitched.
If the Dodgers look to make it further into the postseason than the previous two seasons, they’d definitely be a lot more comfortable with an elite starter. After all, Frias and Bolsinger were considered to be AAA pitchers when spring training concluded.
Let’s take a look at how Zimmerman, Cueto, and Price are performing this season.
Zimmerman:
Through 12 starts: 5-3 | 3.18 ERA | 73.2 IP | 79 H | 26 ER | 3 HR | 17 BB| 49 SO
Cueto:
Through 11 starts: 4-4 | 2.64 ERA | 78.1 IP | 60 H | 23 ER | 8 HR | 14 BB | 73 SO
Price:
Through 12 starts: 5-2 | 2.70 ERA | 83.1 IP | 76 H | 25 ER | 6 HR | 20 BB | 74 SO
There has been no indication that the Nationals, Reds, or Tigers have the desire to trade away their elite starters. However, that doesn’t necessarily mean that there’s no possibility of it happening.
Andrew Friedman showed that he’s willing to make moves at Winter Meetings. Nobody should ever count the Dodgers out of a trade possibility with one of the best in baseball leading the front office.
The Dodgers have depth at almost every position, and it’s no doubt other teams would be interested in their players.
The big issue may be that teams want the Dodgers’ golden prospects: SS Corey Seager and P Julio Urias. The Dodgers have already made it clear that they have no desire to trade away these two prospects and that they’re basically “untouchable”.
Andre Ethier has definitely proven himself to be an everyday outfielder for the Dodgers as he is hitting .287 with 8 HR and 16 RBI’s, most importantly, an OPS of .875.
Will he be a factor in a trade for a pitcher with Van Slyke and Crawford coming off the DL soon?
With depth at almost every position, the Dodgers can afford to trade away some players in order to acquire a starter to strengthen the rotation behind Kershaw and Greinke. It’s only a matter of time before we see Friedman make a move.
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