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Dodgers Trade Rumors: José Berríos, Jon Gray Will Be Focus If Max Scherzer Joins Padres

Matthew Moreno
3 Min Read
Jayne Kamin-Oncea/USA TODAY Sports

With the Los Angeles Dodgers canvassing the market for starting pitching over recent weeks, their focus the past few days leading up to the MLB trade deadline has seemingly centered around José Berríos and Max Scherzer.

Of course, the Dodgers have hardly been the only team in search of starting pitching. That’s held particularly true in the National League West, with the San Diego Padres and San Francisco Giants linked to the same options as the Dodgers.

That’s seemingly come to a head with the Padres being on the verge of securing the prize of the deadline by trading for Scherzer.

Should the Washington Nationals finalize a Scherzer trade with the Padres, the Dodgers are not only expected to pivot to negotiations for Berríos but potentially Colorado Rockies starter Jon Gray as well, according to Jon Morosi of MLB Network:

Prior to reports of a Scherzer trade to the Padres being close to finalized, it was said the Nationals and Minnesota Twins had interest in Dodgers pitching prospect Ryan Pepiot. Minnesota and Washington previously were inquiring on Keibert Ruiz, who the Dodgers reportedly were against trading for a player not under contract beyond this season.

Berríos was selected by the Twins in the first round of the 2012 MLB Draft and is under team control through 2022 via a final year of salary arbitration.

Berríos is 7-5 with a 3.48 ERA, 3.56 FIP and 1.04 WHIP in 20 starts this season. In addition to a career-best ERA, the 27-year-old also holds a 25.7% strikeout rate, his highest mark in the Majors.

Gray, 29, is due to become a free agent this winter. He’s reportedly been the subject of trade interest from the Giants and Seattle Mariners, among others. The right-hander is 6-6 with a 3.67 ERA, 4.21 FIP and 1.22 WHIP in 18 starts this season. Oddly, Gray has fared better at Coors Field than on the road.

Dodgers trade targets

Along with Berríos and Gray, the Dodgers have been linked to the likes of Ian Kennedy, Craig Kimbrel and Germán Márquez.

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Matthew Moreno is a journalist from Whittier, Calif., who is a credentialed reporter and is currently the Managing Editor of DodgerBlue.com and LakersNation.com. In addition to covering Los Angeles Dodgers and Los Angels Lakers, Matthew has a strong passion for keeping up to date with the sneakerhead culture. It began with Michael Jordan and Air Jordan shoes, and has carried over to Kobe Bryant's signature line with Nike. Matthew previously was the lead editor and digital strategist at Dodgers Nation, and the co-editor and lead writer at Reign of Troy, where he covered USC Trojans Football. Matthew graduated from California State Long Beach University with a major in journalism and minor in communications. Contact: matt@mediumlargela.com