We’re now only a few days away from the deadline, and whereas it hasn’t been as rumor-heavy as I anticipated, issues are actually beginning to decide up a bit as even after the trades they’ve made, the Dodgers are nonetheless trying to make a pair massive strikes.
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Any commerce deadline story with the Dodgers in the intervening time has to revolve round Nolan Arenado rumors. Issues kicked off in earnest on that entrance when Jorge Castillo reported the Dodgers and Cardinals have been having talks in regards to the All-Star.
The Dodgers have engaged in talks with the St. Louis Cardinals to accumulate the eight-time All-Star third baseman, in keeping with individuals with information of the scenario however who should not approved to talk publicly. The Cardinals might additionally ship a beginning pitcher — Jack Flaherty or Jordan Montgomery — to Los Angeles for a bundle of main leaguers and prospects.
The Cardinals would need younger pitching in a deal; they’ve eyed Bobby Miller, Gavin Stone, Ryan Pepiot, and Emmet Sheehan in talks, in keeping with individuals with information of the scenario. A commerce would additionally possible embody the Dodgers sending Max Muncy or Chris Taylor, if not each, to St. Louis.
Arenado has a full no-trade clause — that means he might block a commerce to any group — however he’s keen to waive the clause to play for the Dodgers, and solely the Dodgers, in keeping with individuals with information of the scenario. The Southern California native is alleged to have all the time needed to play for the Dodgers.
That is significant, and other people took is critically, as a result of he’s not a reporter that may simply make issues up.
Regardless of a little bit of Cardinals writers melting down over this, the report was principally confirmed by Katie Woo of The Athletic, although she does emphasize that it’s simply talks.
The Cardinals and Dodgers have certainly mentioned a possible commerce that may ship Arenado to his dwelling metropolis of Los Angeles, as first reported by the Los Angeles Instances. Why wouldn’t they? Clearly, Dodgers’ president of baseball operations Andrew Friedman would take a possibility to land a franchise-altering expertise — any front-office govt would. And why wouldn’t Cardinals president of baseball operations John Mozeliak at the least examine whether or not he might entry a few of the Dodgers’ extremely regarded younger pitching?
Mozeliak has a accountability to do his due diligence on any provide, even those very unlikely to return to fruition. The Cardinals have little curiosity in parting with their cornerstone third baseman. Buying and selling Arenado, who rallied so exhausting to be traded to St. Louis within the first place, would sign a significant setback. The fan base, which is already teetering on the sting, would ignite in a full-fledged firestorm. But when Mozeliak needs to discipline a aggressive group in 2024, these are the sorts of conversations that have to happen.
The names talked about listed here are Bobby Miller, Gavin Stone, Ryan Pepiot, Michael Grove, Emmet Sheehan, and Nick Frasso.
The report concludes by saying that the Cardinals in all probability received’t do it and emphasizes that Arenado needs to be in St. Louis.
In fact, his agent did say that he wouldn’t solely waive his no-trade for the Dodgers, although that may be about leverage.
Spoke with Joel Wolfe, who represents Nolan Arenado. He declined to get into specifics in regards to the L.A. Instances report relating to the Cardinals-Dodgers talks, however he did say the concept Arenado would solely waive his no-trade clause for the Dodgers was "inaccurate."
— Mark Feinsand (@Feinsand) July 27, 2023
Lastly, on the very least issues appear to be getting a bit bizarre, as if it’s not occurring then the Cardinals might simply say so publicly. However they aren’t.
If #STLCards should not buying and selling Nolan Arenado, they’re dealing with it very poorly. Entrance workplace has ghosted, leaving Arenado to talk on experiences and rumors tonight after sport. He initially declined, then got here again and talked. He’s a professional, however he’s annoyed. Unhealthy spot for him to be in.
— Ben Frederickson (@Ben_Fred) July 29, 2023
Anyway, I’ve been talked into Arenado as the long run third baseman of the Dodgers going ahead, and as such it’ll in all probability by no means occur. However primarily I do hope the bundle going again is a number of pitching prospects that they don’t at the moment have to win (Bobby Miller, particularly), with the identical making use of to dealing away gamers like Max Muncy, who regardless of struggles would inarguably assist the lineup.
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There are different Cardinals the Dodgers are enthusiastic about as properly, notably beginning pitchers Jordan Montgomery and Jack Flaherty.
The Playing cards’ stance on the deadline: The St. Louis Cardinals will begin sifting via affords this week. Jack Flaherty and Jordan Montgomery are nearly as good as gone. Until Snell is moved, Montgomery goes to be the very best lefty starter available on the market. Most contenders have some curiosity, together with the Los Angeles Dodgers and Houston Astros. St. Louis needs controllable pitching in return and will connect an outfielder in a bundle. From the place gamers aspect, Paul DeJong might make sense, since he has group choices over the following two seasons. What occurs with Jordan Hicks continues to be a query mark. — Rogers‘
Ideally Montgomery, as coated right here, however Flaherty might work as properly contemplating they traded for Lance Lynn just lately.
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Surprisingly, the Dodgers are nonetheless taking a look at outfield upgrades within the type of Tommy Pham and Mark Canha. Fabian Ardaya additionally reported this rumor.
The Los Angeles Dodgers are exhibiting commerce curiosity in New York Mets outfielders Tommy Pham and Mark Canha, as sources advised Contained in the Mets.
Per sources, the Mets are looking for a decrease minor league prospect outdoors of a corporation’s high 10 in trade for Canha. It’s unknown as to what they’re looking for in return for Pham, however it might be comparable.
That will be an inexpensive worth on this market, however the roster is full except they lower guys they just lately traded for. One possibility could be dealing place gamers (Muncy, Chris Taylor) in an Arenado deal to unencumber a spot, whereas one other could be dealing from their glut of lefty outfielders (David Peralta) to open room. Fascinating.
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In the meantime, they proceed to be thorough on the beginning pitching entrance, as Jorge Castillo and Jack Harris word. Once more, notable as a result of they don’t seem to be recognized for making shit up.
The Dodgers have explored Verlander as a commerce possibility, in keeping with a number of individuals with information of the scenario. The fourth-place Mets have additionally emerged as possible sellers, after dealing high reliever David Robertson to the Miami Marlins on Thursday.
They’re additionally in on the aforementioned Cardinals in Montgomery and Flaherty, in addition to Pirates starter Mitch Keller, and Tigers starter Eduardo Rodriguez (highlighted right here). On the opposite aspect, curiosity in Max Scherzer, Marcus Stroman, and Dylan Stop is downplayed as unlikely. The report additionally mentions they have been in on Lucas Giolito, however determined to not greatest the Angels provide, which fairly frankly was the correct transfer.
Verlander could be humorous simply due to the psychological anguish it will trigger his annoying brother Ben, and he’s clearly the very best of the choices right here. Nevertheless, Montgomery, Keller, or Rodriguez would all be plain flooring raisers for the Dodgers and would possible make playoff begins at this charge.
Fascinating occasions with the Dodgers having holes on the deadline and needing to be aggressive.
