3 trades Dodgers didn’t make that front office might regret

2. Frankie Montas

Like we said, even before Kershaw’s injury, the rotation needed top-end help. And when Friedman said it was possible Walker Buehler returns as a reliever, it really made fans wonder why another move wasn’t made here. Will Dustin May return as a starter, too? Is he built up enough after not pitching in an MLB game for 14 months now?

After the Seattle Mariners overpaid for Luis Castillo, Oakland A’s burly right-hander Frankie Montas was the next best option available (and under club control through 2023). In the end, the former Dodger went to the Yankees for four prospects (New York’s No. 5, No. 10, No. 17 and No. 21-ranked guys), which, truth be told, really wasn’t bad.

The Dodgers’ equivalent of that would have been:

• P Ryan Pepiot
• SS Wilman Diaz
• P Gavin Stone
• P Michael Grove

Would fans have been OK with that to bolster the rotation down the stretch and in the postseason (great Game 3 starter)? Not to mention, Montas being under contract through 2023 really helps LA, since the team is ready to see Kershaw, Tyler Anderson and Andrew Heaney hit free agency (in addition to Urías doing the same after 2023).

Maybe that package was too pricey for LA, but that would’ve been child’s play compared to the insane blockbusters Friedman has pulled off since taking over the Dodgers.