Thursday, June 27, 2013

Dodgers Going Fishing For Nolasco?

Maybe that four-outfielders issue won't last much longer, not if rumors are true that the Dodgers may be eying the Marlins' pitcher Ricky Nolasco for a trade:

LOS ANGELES -- The Los Angeles Dodgers are deep into trade talks with the Miami Marlins about pitcher Ricky Nolasco, a source confirmed Wednesday.

Nolasco, 30, is 4-7 with a 3.68 ERA for the 27-50 Marlins. The Southern California native is set to become a free agent after the season. The Marlins reportedly are looking to deal him well before the July 31 trade deadline.

"There have been interesting discussions. Hard to know if anything's close right now," the source said.

A move for Nolasco would not mean the Dodgers are fixated on adding players that could help them only this season.

The Dodgers are, in fact, approaching the trade deadline with a two-pronged approach, the source said. They are looking to add -- preferably, one starting pitcher and one reliever -- before July 31, but they have also talked about dealing a veteran to add prospects that could help them beyond 2013. [...]

Outfielder Andre Ethier is the veteran Dodger most frequently mentioned in trade rumors. The Dodgers are willing to carry Ethier as a fourth outfielder for the remainder of the season as insurance for Carl Crawford and Matt Kemp, who have spent most of the past two seasons on the disabled list.

Beyond that, trading him could become a major priority.

But ESPN's Jim Bowden thinks the Dodgers could get Nolasco without trading away Ethier, just by once again raiding the farm system (link insider only):

With Clayton Kershaw, Zack Greinke and Hyun Jin-Ryu, the Dodgers may have the best top three in the majors. If they are able to trade for Nolasco, with the run support this lineup can give him, it could end up being an historic last-to-first story at Chavez Ravine this year.

The Dodgers have had 15 key players on the disabled list this year. With most of them finally healthy, we’re starting to see the team we expected out of spring training. With Matt Kemp, Yasiel Puig, Adrian Gonzalez and Hanley Ramirez hitting their strides, this is potentially the best lineup in the division. If the Dodgers figure out the back of the rotation, bullpen and third base, they could be primed for a great second-half story.

The Dodgers have enough pitching depth in their system to deal right-handers Ross Stripling and Chris Withrow, two young pitchers who should develop into contributing major league arms for the Marlins.

Stripling has a 92-94 mph fastball with some sink, but his best pitch is a 12-to-6 curve. He's striking out more than a man per inning at Double-A. Withrow, 24, was a first-rounder in 2007 who never lived up to his potential, but he could still end up as a decent back-end starter or quality reliever.

Trade proposal: Nolasco for Stripling and Withrow

Somehow, I smell yet another three-year deal for at least $21M in the works from Ned Colletti. We have a tendency to sign older players at their peaks, just like Nolasco, who is having his second-best season ever so far (from an ERA perspective), in his eighth year of major league service. I'm guessing we're chasing him for a big contract. Because those have worked out so well.

photo: Mark Serota, Getty Images

2 comments:

Hideo Nomo said...

Not really an upgrade over Fife, but keeps us from having to rely on Fife when he should be depth. Would be nice if the deal was for cash only.

Dusty Baker's Toothpick said...

Stripling AND Withrow AND take all remaining $6M?!?!?!?

That almost sounds like a Ned special, except Ned will find a way to include Pederson.

Stupid Ned