16 trade targets the Dodgers need to avoid at the deadline

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The trade deadline is fast approaching and the Los Angeles Dodgers find themselves on a pretty decent roll. They're keeping pace with pretty much the entire National League and have made up considerable ground on the Diamondbacks over the last few weeks.

That said, the Dodgers could still use some reinforcements at the trade deadline. Getting another starting pitcher with all of the injuries they have had to deal with would be nice. The bullpen could use a couple of upgrades as well, but every team in the league could reasonably say that. There's also the lingering question of the shortstop position, and while there are a couple of options that may be available, it's a pretty shallow pool of options this year.

The elephant in the room for the Dodgers with any move they make is their payroll. The Dodgers desperately want to remain closer to the first luxury tax threshold so that they can avoid another hefty financial/draft penalty next season. If they can manage to do that, they can pull out all of the stops in pursuing Shohei Ohtani this offseason, and even if that doesn't work out, it should still save LA a pretty penny in taxes and allow them to add payroll elsewhere.

Given all of that, the Dodgers have to really thread the needle at the deadline between "getting better players" and "saving money." The latter could be helped by trading a player or two themselves that would take some money off their books, but the Dodgers will still have to be very selective at the deadline. And they definitely shouldn't be chasing these players

Which players do the Dodgers need to avoid at the trade deadline?

Starting pitchers

The Dodgers could use another starting pitcher at the trade deadline. While Julio Urias is back and Bobby Miller has been pretty good since getting promoted, the lingering uncertainty around guys like Dustin May and Ryan Pepiot has them very short on depth in the rotation. But that doesn't mean they should be chasing anything that's available.

Carlos Carrasco

Carrasco is an inspiring story as he came all the way back from a blood cancer diagnosis and multiple injuries in 2021 to put together a really nice season in 2022 (3.97 ERA). However, he's 36 years old, sports a 5.16 ERA with drastically worse strikeout and walk rates in 2023. He's also making $14 million this season. He could turn things around, but it's not worth it for the Dodgers to try and fix him.

Jack Flaherty

Jack Flaherty was on the fast track to being considered one of the best pitchers in the entire league after his 2019 season. Unfortunately, a series of injuries have plagued him in recent years and his command has gone in the dumpster. His contract isn't too onerous for 2023 and he's free agent after that, but, again, why should the Dodgers be pursuing anything other than "sure things" or controllable options?

Zack Greinke

There are plenty of fans that wouldn't mind a reunion with Greinke, as he posted a 2.30 ERA over three seasons with LA. Unfortunately, that was close to a decade ago and Greinke isn't the same guy at 39 years old. His 5.44 ERA is the worst he has posted since back in 2005 and he's making $8.5 million this season. There are just better options available that won't cost nearly as much.

Lance Lynn

Lynn was perennially underrated during his time with the Cardinals and Rangers. However, he's a changed pitcher these days as his underwhelming Statcast page will tell you. Lynn is also making $18.5 million this season, which is way more of a financial commitment LA needs to take on, let alone on a guy that has a 6.03 ERA this season.

Justin Verlander

Father Time appears to have finally come for Verlander. After signing a two year, $86.66 million deal with the Mets, Verlander's strikeout rate has cratered and he does not look like a guy that has won two Cy Youngs in the last four years. At 40 years old and a player who is owed a ton of money and hasn't been particularly great, Verlander is a hard pass for the Dodgers, especially since they avoided him at that price tag while he was at his peak.

Max Scherzer

You can basically copy and paste the Verlander section here. Scherzer has had an amazing career, but he has looked decidedly mediocre this season, will turn 39 soon, and is owed a ton of money. Definitely not a fit for what the Dodgers need to be doing at the trade deadline. They already avoided him at this price, too, so why would they be more interested now?

Trevor Williams

On the surface, Williams seems like he could be a reasonable target for the Dodgers. He doesn't walk a ton of guys, and while his 4.34 ERA isn't exciting, he doesn't come with a big financial commitment (and in fact has an extra year of team control). The problem is that Williams has only been this good because of a lot of smoke and mirrors. He gives up a lot of hard contact and his peripheral numbers scream that regression is coming to claim him.

Relievers the Dodgers need to avoid at the trade deadline

Like basically every contender, the Dodgers are going to be looking for bullpen help at the trade deadline, and unlike most positions, upgrades (especially if they are rentals) can be had at a good price if you're looking in the right places. However, there are a few relievers the Dodgers need to avoid.

Kyle Finnegan

Finnegan is on a Nationals team that's very clearly going to be willing to wheel and deal. Though Finnegan would come with multiple years of team control, those extra years would likely jack up the asking price. Moreover, Finnegan has not fooled anyone this season and has been hit hard despite his 3.50 ERA. He just isn't an upgrade and would probably cost too much.

Liam Hendriks

When he's right, Hendriks is one of the best relievers in the entire league, and his return from cancer is an inspiration to everyone. However, he didn't look particularly great upon his return to the field and he's currently on the IL with elbow inflammation. Even if he comes back from the injured list before the deadline and throws well, the Dodgers should still avoid him as he is making $14 million this season and has a club option for next season at $15 million that becomes guaranteed if he's traded.

Pierce Johnson

Pierce Johnson is fairly interesting as an arm that gets strikeouts, and his $5 million salary this season isn't too prohibitive. However, playing for the Rockies has taken its toll as evidences by his 6.49 ERA in 2023. Despite being the Rockies closer and sporting a fastball, curveball, slider mix, the Dodgers shouldn't view him as a buy-low candidate.

Reynaldo Lopez

The White Sox may be the busiest seller at the trade deadline. Reynoldo Lopez will be a free agent after the 2023 and has some pedigree as a former top pitching prospect. He's also pretty cheap this season. However, his walk rate of 4.9 BB/9 is a problem and his 4.86 ERA this season leaves something to be desired. Lopez has really good stuff, but he's still far from a finished product. Maybe a worthy offseason signing, but not a deadline acquisition.

Trevor May

May is a very well-traveled reliever who usually puts up pretty decent numbers. However, he's working on his second straight season with an ERA north of 5, his strikeout rate is way down to 6.98 K/9 this season, his walk rate has skyrocketed, and he's actually making real money this season ($7 million). May is solid when he's right, but there are too many red flags here for the Dodgers to take a chance on him.

Position players the Dodgers need to avoid at the trade deadline

The Dodgers don't have a ton of position player needs at the trade deadline with shortstop and maybe the outfield being the only places where they might poke around in the trade market. Here are a few guys they should steer clear from, though.

Tommy Edman

Edman is a utility player who is a really strong defender on a Cardinals team that SHOULD eventually come to the conclusion that they need to sell. He also comes with some team control as he's locked up through the 2025 season. However, his defensive prowess and versatility is going to make him very pricey in terms of prospects to trade for, and he doesn't bring much offensively. LA's resources are probably better spent elsewhere.

Javier Baez

Whether or not the Tigers are true buyers or sellers at the trade deadline, they still would probably love to find a team to take on the contract Detroit gave Javier Baez during the 2021 offseason. While Baez has a ton of name recognition, he doesn't really check any boxes for LA. He's way too expensive and hasn't been nearly good enough at the plate the last couple of years to justify taking on that kind of financial commitment, even if the Dodgers weren't worried about the luxury tax.

Jorge Mateo

The Orioles have way too many high upside infielders as it stands, so Mateo is definitely going to be available. He also plays the shortstop position well defensively, is a terror on the basepaths, and is a cheap financial commitment. However, he 's much better suited for a rebuilding team that has the time to figure out if they can unlock more from his bat as it lags way behind the rest of his game. The Dodgers need offensive production from the shortstop position and Mateo's career 77 wRC+ just doesn't cut it.

Starling Marte

We wanted to include an outfielder here, and we went with Starling Marte. The Mets are definitely heading towards selling of a couple of expensive players at the trade deadline and would probably love to unload the ~$60 million they owe Marte over the next three seasons. However, the Dodgers would definitely screw up their luxury tax plans if they were to nab him, and he's in the middle of a career-worst season at the plate in New York. No thanks.

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