Dodgers-Pablo Lopez trade rumors are another lost offseason cause

Fans can certainly believe that the Los Angeles Dodgers aren't done making moves to improve their roster this offseason ... but there are clearly limitations on that front. There probably won't be any blockbuster trades. There won't be a situation where the team is inheriting a big contract.

And there certainly won't be any dealings where the Dodgers are paying a premium/overpaying for players, no matter how great their need might be. That's why we've tread lightly on the Bryan Reynolds rumors until the speculated trade packages came into focus.

Some people don't seem to be taking the Dodgers' hints seriously, though. There's belief out there among fans and publications that the team could still make a run at Miami Marlins starter Pablo Lopez, even after their failed endeavors at the trade deadline.

At the time, the Marlins reportedly asked for Gavin Lux AND three prospects in return for the right-hander, who hadn't pitched a full season until 2022. That asking price has more than likely decreased after Lopez's subpar second half of the year, but it's probably still not where the Dodgers want it to be.

Per reports, the Marlins are open to trading one or more of their starters -- with Lopez presumably leading the pack -- but they want MLB talent in return to upgrade their 2023 lineup. The Dodgers probably don't have anything relevant to offer that would satiate Miami.

Dodgers-Marlins rumors about Pablo Lopez aren't much of anything

Leave it to Bleacher Report to renew the non-existent buzz, though ... and linking 1/3 of the league to the starter. "The Top 10 Landing Spots for Marlins' Pablo Lopez amid MLB Trade Rumors."

Of course the Dodgers would be on that hypothetical list. They're always contending. They're flush with talent. They can absorb most hits other teams can't afford to take on any of those fronts. But that, by no means, makes them a leading destination for Lopez unless there's more revealing information attached (and there isn't).

And if they didn't bring in Lopez alongside Miguel Rojas this week, that's fairly notable evidence this isn't happening, or else it would've been a package deal.

For whatever the Dodgers would pay to get Lopez, his presence wouldn't exactly upgrade LA's rotation in an impactful manner. He profiles as a No. 3 starter (3.94 ERA, 3.77 FIP, 1.19 WHIP in 94 career starts) and isn't better than Clayton Kershaw, Julio Urías or Tony Gonsolin. There's also a possibility the rebounds of Noah Syndergaard and Dustin May prove more valuable than a Lopez import.

Though the Dodgers aren't done adding just yet, they rounded out their rotation and have reinforcements in the form of prospects/young talent ready to step in when needed. Right now, that's probably more valuable than making a swap for Lopez, who is far from a concrete asset given his injury history and pitching profile.

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