An intriguing wrinkle to the Los Angeles Dodgers figuring to be in the market for a relief pitcher to two before the July 31 trade deadline is their best option may very well be dealing with longtime rival San Francisco Giants.
On top of the history between the two franchises, there’s the added layer of Farhan Zaidi now serving as president of baseball operations for the Giants after spending four seasons as general manager of the Dodgers.
Rather than shy away from a potential trade with his former club, Zaidi recently explained he believes trading with the Dodgers, or any team within the National League West for that matter, could work in the Giants’ favor.
Meanwhile, Dodgers president of baseball operations Andrew Friedman is believed to be open to the possibility as well, with interest in Sam Dyson, Reyes Moronta, Will Smith and Tony Watson, according to Jon Morosi of MLB.com:
Sources say Dodgers president of baseball operations Andrew Friedman is genuinely willing to talk trade this month with Giants counterpart Farhan Zaidi — and vice versa.
Sources say the Dodgers have varying levels of interest in multiple Giants relievers, including the aforementioned Smith, former Dodger Tony Watson, Sam Dyson and Reyes Moronta.
The Dodgers previously were linked to Smith, and speculation identified Watson as potential trade target as well. Watson could become a free agent if he declines a $2.5 million player option for 2020, while Smith is due to reach free agency outright this winter.
Either would provide L.A. with a needed lefty specialist. Cleveland Indians closer Brad Hand and Pittsburgh Pirates All-Star Felipe Vazquez are additional southpaws the Dodgers have been linked to ahead of the July 31 trade deadline.
Dyson is due to be arbitration-eligible for a third time this year, and Moronta additionally remains under team control.
The Dodgers don’t have quite as pressing of a need for a right-handed relief pitcher, but Dyson or Moronta could provide manager Dave Roberts with added options should Pedro Baez, Dylan Floro or Joe Kelly falter.
The Dodgers and Giants have not completed a trade since Mark Sweeney was sent to L.A. in exchange for a player to be named later. The Giants wound up receiving Travis Denker weeks later.
