Dodgers Rumors: Could LA shake up offseason with blockbuster Astros trade?

The Los Angeles Dodgers just traded for Tyler Glasnow, but they still need plenty of reinforcements in the starting rotation. We know they're pursuing Yoshinobu Yamamoto, but they still need to clear roster spots, so is there possibly another trade on deck?

Per Bob Nightengale of USA Today, the Astros don't have any serious plans for a Framber Valdez trade, but they have already listened to check-ins on him from six teams interested in the left-hander. Might the Dodgers pursue a trade for the star left-hander after losing two of their own in the rotation?

The Astros, who have had a very quiet offseason so far, would likely ask for a lot in return for Valdez, the only lefty in their rotation and their No. 2 behind Justin Verlander. Houston's rotation is in a bit of a tenuous place as it is, with Lance McCullers Jr. and Luis Garcia's return timelines uncertain after undergoing major surgeries this summer. They're still in good shape with Verlander, Valdez, Cristian Javier, Hunter Brown and JP France, but they're not giving away two controllable years of Valdez at a discount.

Dodgers Rumors: Could LA shake up offseason with a trade for Framber Valdez?

In 2023, Dodgers hitters (including new additions Shohei Ohtani and Manuel Margot) only hit .143 against Valdez in 84 combined at-bats. Most of those at-bats were against Shohei Ohtani, who saw Valdez often when they were AL West rivals, but he only managed to hit .118/.250/.206 with 12 strikeouts in 34 at-bats.

Both the Dodgers and the Astros are perennial postseason contenders, so there always a possibility the two might meet in the Fall Classic (and it'd be the first time since the controversial 2017 season). Valdez was not a member of the 2017 Astros, so he could get a warmer welcome in LA than, say, Verlander or McCullers would, and the perfect way for the Dodgers lineup to get out from under Valdez would be to just get him on their side.

Again, the Astros aren't openly shopping Valdez, but the fact that they're listening should raise at least some interest with the Dodgers, who, despite adding Glasnow still need top arms in their rotation if they want to contend in 2024. Valdez might be a bit of a controversial get, and it could cost the Dodgers a number of players they value, but a check-in with the Astros couldn't hurt.