4 free agent pitchers Dodgers now need to consider that they previously weren't

Aaron Nola

How about a younger option that could possibly be had at a discount? Though the Philadelphia Phillies are playoff bound, Aaron Nola's down campaign should have them in a better position.

The right-hander finished fourth in the Cy Young voting in 2022, but has a 4.64 ERA, 4.21 FIP and 1.16 WHIP in his 29 starts this year. He's given up a career-high 31 homers and will likely surpass that threshold for hits (161) and earned runs (91) too.

The bright side? He still barely walks batters and he's still striking out plenty. He also eats innings, as evidenced by his production dating back to 2018 (his lone All-Star season). Nola, excluding the shortened 2020 season, is on pace to throw for over 200 innings in four of his last five eligible seasons.

If the Dodgers can get him at a discount and nab a player with the ceiling of a No. 2 and the floor of a No. 4 starter for the remainder of Nola's prime, that might be the best economical move they could make. Nola is a known commodity, and it's not like the Dodgers would be taking an unnecessary risk here by attempting to predict future success.

He's good. He's steady. And his under-the-radar resume might allow the Dodgers to swoop in and avoid more expensive options that don't offer the same consistency.

Jordan Montgomery

Montgomery is, in some ways, the left-handed version of Nola. He's entering his age-31 season. He barely issues walks. He's a known commodity with a promising ceiling and high floor. His career ERA (3.80) is almost exactly the same as his career FIP (3.79). Any team is getting a good pitcher if they sign Montgomery.

He's only really hit his stride the last three seasons, too, which actually might help his case in free agency. Monty's on track to make at least 30 starts for a third consecutive year. In 2020, he was making his way back from Tommy John surgery and had a tough time during the COVID-shortened season, but bounced back admirably.

He's now pitched for three contenders since 2021. He went to the playoffs with the Yankees in 2021, the Cardinals in 2022, and could do the same with the Rangers in 2023. He has experience in big markets where the stakes are as high as can be. He won't be too expensive, but he won't be a bargain.

It depends how far the Dodgers want to go in this market of 1b pitchers. Montgomery is good, but probably not LA's style for an AAV of $20 million or higher. But even if they were to take the plunge, Montgomery has gotten better with each year he's pitched and will stabilize the middle of a playoff-bound team's rotation.

Blake Snell

Better yet, how about kicking the San Diego Padres while they're down? How about stealing a player from a division rival that has repeatedly owned you for years? Can't beat 'em? Buy 'em.

Blake Snell should win his second Cy Young award (he'll have one in each league!) when all is said and done this season, which is perfect timing for his first go in free agency. Though his consistency and health have been put into question thanks to how he's performed since 2019 (the year after he won the AL Cy Young with the Rays). the ceiling on Snell is the highest of anyone in this group.

He's pitching to a 2.52 ERA, 3.63 FIP and 1.26 WHIP this year, but those are far from his most impressive numbers. He's struck out 209 batters in 161 innings and has allowed just 110 hits (6.1/9). For his career, he's allowed just 0.9 HR/9. He has a good postseason track record, too. Across 12 games (10 starts), he owns a 3.33 ERA and 1.23 WHIP with 61 strikeouts in 48.2 innings pitched. He's utterly dominated the Dodgers in October (and during his time with the Padres during the regular season).

This is probably at least a $175 million contract, since Snell is entering his age-31 season and will have a very valid case for getting paid after Carlos Rodón got $162 million from the Yankees. But the investment is worth the best-case scenario production, which the Dodgers figure to get for at least half of the duration of any hypothetical contract (5-6 years?).

The Dodgers are losing at least one elite left-hander when November arrives, and it could very well be two. Snell is a logical replacement that comes with minimal concern when you look at the body of his work (188 starts, 3.26 ERA, 3.47 FIP and 1.25 WHIP in eight seasons). The Dodgers paid $103 million for Trevor Bauer when he sported a career ERA over 4.00. That makes any possible deal for Snell look like a no-brainer.