The Los Angeles Dodgers are one of a few MLB teams that year in and year out are active at the trade deadline, and continuously look to improve their roster before the final two months of the season. The Dodgers have a solid lead in the National League West, but have their eyes on repeating as World Series Champions.
President of baseball operations Andrew Friedman made it clear that the Dodgers will target bullpen reinforcements before the July 31st deadline. Los Angeles’s bullpen ranks 24th in baseball and has seen numerous injuries to all of their high-leverage arms, like Michael Kopech, Evan Phillips, and most recently, Tanner Scott.
The Dodgers did activate Blake Treinen from the IL today, but after spending over $100 million in the offseason on the bullpen, things haven’t gone as planned.
Dodgers Blockbuster Trade Idea Lands Cade Smith
The Cleveland Guardians are expected to sell off some of their tradable pieces for the right price. The Guardians are .500, but still sit a few games out of the tight American League Wild Card race. There have been rumors that they may be selling left fielder Steven Kwan and reliever Emmanuel Clase, but what makes more sense is moving off Cade Smith.
Smith is one of the top setup men in baseball, but if the Los Angeles Dodgers pull off a trade for him, he could move into a closer role. With Scott on the Injured List, it’s Kirby Yates who is expected to get the ninth inning, but he also struggled a bit this season.
Anthony Franco of MLBtraderumors.com presents a good case as to why the Dodgers could be in on Smith:
“Smith, 26, had a breakout rookie season to emerge as Clevelandâs top setup man. He turned in a 1.91 ERA with a near-36% strikeout rate through 75 1/3 innings a year ago. Smithâs ERA has backed up to a less impressive (though still strong) 3.07 mark across 41 frames this season. Heâs striking out 35% of opponents behind a gaudy 15.1% swinging strike rate. The 6â5â³ righty has a 96 MPH heater and a plus splitter. Smith is still a season and a half from reaching arbitration and is under club control for four and a half seasons.”
Smith has given up just three home runs in his big league career over 120 innings.
What Could the Dodgers Give Up?
The Los Angeles Dodgers have a surplus of assets that they could be willing to give up, and it depends on what the Cleveland Guardians ask for. If Cleveland wanted pitchers, they could ask for starter Emmett Sheehan or starter Bobby Miller, who is down in Triple-A Oklahoma City. If the Guardians want bats, which is more likely, the Dodgers could offer outfielder James Outman or infield prospect Alex Freeland.
Either way, the Dodgers have the type of trade capital to pull this deal off, and it will be up to the Guardians over the next four days if they want to stand pat or make a couple of moves that could help them in the future.
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