Dodgers: Ruling Out Two High Profile Summer Upgrades For LA

LOS ANGELES, CA - OCTOBER 27: Closing pitcher Craig Kimbrel #46 of the Boston Red Sox pitches in the ninth inning in Game Four of the 2018 World Series against the Los Angeles Dodgers at Dodger Stadium on October 27, 2018 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images) /

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LOS ANGELES, CA – OCTOBER 27: Closing pitcher Craig Kimbrel #46 of the Boston Red Sox pitches in the ninth inning in Game Four of the 2018 World Series against the Los Angeles Dodgers at Dodger Stadium on October 27, 2018 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images) /

The Dodgers have a healthy lead in the NL West before the calendar even turns to June. With that lead, some have already started looking towards the trade deadline.

In a reversal of fortunes from the 2018 season, the Dodgers currently have a healthy lead in the National League West before the calendar even turns to June. Last year the Dodgers got off to a horrific start and combined with injuries it took them 163 games to win another division title. This season, the Dodgers should have the NL West locked up early on in September. It would be a surprise if they didn’t at this point.

With a nice division lead, the usual trade deadline speculation has picked up a bit earlier than usual for the Dodgers. While no concrete rumors have come out just yet, the most commonly asked for upgrades are Craig Kimbrel and Madison Bumgarner. Despite their well-known status among baseball circles, neither make sense for the Dodgers to either acquire or sign. Here is a breakdown on why Bumgarner and Kimbrel don’t make sense for LA.