As the Los Angeles Dodgers canvas the trade market for relief pitching, their focus has seemingly led to interest in other closers who could help bridge the gap to Kenley Jansen, and perhaps even spell him on occasions.
Thus far, L.A. has been linked to All-Stars Brad Hand, Shane Greene, Will Smith and Felipe Vazquez, among others. Though, the San Francisco Giants may no longer be inclined to sell at the July 31 trade deadline and Pittsburgh Pirates general manager Neal Huntington has continued to push back on the notion Vazquez will be dealt.
As the Dodgers pursue a trade partner, their search has reportedly involved the New York Mets. Unsurprisingly, the Dodgers were one of the teams said to have checked in on Noah Syndergaard trade talks once it became apparent the right-hander was on the market.
Meanwhile, L.A. reportedly also has interest in Mets closer Edwin Diaz, according to Jon Heyman of MLB Network:
Dodgers, who need little more than late-inning pen help (maybe spare catcher), looking at Edwin Diaz and Mychal Givens, among others. Relief market is strong even if Giants, with excellent pen pieces, don’t sell now. Top relievers Yates, Giles, maybe Vazquez all trade candidates
— Jon Heyman (@JonHeyman) July 26, 2019
It’s believed the Dodgers’ preference is to acquire a left-handed relief pitcher at the trade deadline. While their bullpen has struggled as a whole, southpaws is an area they are particularly deficient in, and specifically for situational at-bats.
Tony Cingrani never threw a pitch in 2019 before undergoing season-ending shoulder surgery, Scott Alexander remains sidelined indefinitely because of nerve trouble and Caleb Ferguson has struggled. Julio Urias — viewed as a starter longterm — has been utilized in a multi-inning role.
Diaz is one year removed from an All-Star season with the Seattle Mariners, but hasn’t pitched to that level. He’s 1-6 with 22 saves in 26 opportunities, to go along with a 4.81 ERA, 3.50 FIP and 1.45 WHIP in 43 games.
Diaz has a 35.3% strikeout rate that’s down from last season and 7.5% walk rate which is increased from 2018, but does boast the ability to pitch with high velocity, which has attracted the Dodgers to relief pitchers in the past.
One of his blown saves came to the Dodgers, when they rallied from an 8-5 deficit in the ninth inning for a walk-off win. Diaz faced seven batters, with his only out coming on a sacrifice fly that drove in the winning run. He called the game the worst of his career.
The 25-year-old is under team control by way of being eligible for salary arbitration in each of the next three seasons, and he would then become a free agent after the 2022 campaign.
