Dodgers need to step in and prevent Astros from trading for Max Scherzer

No no no. No. NO! This cannot happen and the Los Angeles Dodgers need to do everything in their power to ensure if if they’re truly serious about winning back-to-back World Series titles.

If LA makes it out of the National League, their expected competition will be the Houston Astros, who were responsible for their demise in 2017.

The worrisome part about that? The Astros aren’t even at full strength and they need to make a couple upgrades at the trade deadline.

If they get everyone back healthy and add more elite talent to this roster, it’ll be a nightmare for the Dodgers, especially if Houston lands one of the most coveted pitchers that may hit the market.

Such a move would also steal a significant need from LA. It cannot happen.

Andrew Friedman must monopolize the conversation with his star-studded farm system.

The Dodgers simply cannot allow the Astros to trade for Max Scherzer.

Friedman should have already called Washington Nationals GM Mike Rizzo about Max Scherzer weeks ago.

“Hey Mike, hope all is well. I see you guys are staying afloat, but if that changes and Scherzer becomes available, here are 104 trade packages I think might interest you if the organization decides to sell. Thanks and please block any San Francisco, San Diego and Houston area codes on your phone.”

The one missing link the Astros are dealing with is elite starting pitching. Yes, Zack Greinke is good, but he’s not exactly a no-nonsense Game 1 or Game 7 starter. That was Justin Verlander/Gerrit Cole. Greinke’s 3.59 ERA and 4.12 FIP are nothing to be scared of. He’s been shelled plenty of times this year.

The problem is the rock-solid depth behind him. Adding Scherzer to the mix with Greinke, Lance McCullers Jr., Framber Valdez and Luis Garcia changes the entire complexion of the Astros’ rotation. In that instance, Valdez and/or Garcia can be used out of the bullpen for multi-inning relief in October. That would help preserve so many innings for the rest of Houston’s relievers. And Greinke as a Game 2 starter behind Scherzer would be as experienced a 1-2 punch as there is in the game.

No more welfare for the Astros, please. They managed to get their hands on Verlander via a BS August waiver trade, which effectively forced MLB to end August waiver trades. And everyone can probably agree the package they sent the Pirates for Cole was … underwhelming.

If that means the Dodgers have to step in and massively overpay for the three-time Cy Young winner, then so be it. The losses of Dustin May and Trevor Bauer as well as the uncertainty of Clayton Kershaw’s status have necessitated it, even without this Astros rumor.

Now it’s just even more a priority if Scherzer is made available before July 31.

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