In similar fashion to last season, there once again figures to be no shortage of elite starting pitchers who are available at the non-waiver trade deadline. In theory, at least. While the Tampa Bay Rays reportedly were open to dealing Chris Archer in 2016, their demands were exorbitant.
The same held true for Chicago White Sox southpaws Jose Quintana and Chris Sale. Ultimately, the Dodgers addressed their pitching — and hitting — needs by completing a trade with the Oakland Athletics for Rich Hill and Josh Reddick.
As the July 31 non-waiver trade deadline draws near, Los Angeles is believed to be in the market for starting and relief pitching. That’s said to include potential pursuits of Archer or a starter of that caliber.
According to Jon Heyman of Today’s Knuckleball, some believe the Dodgers could swing a trade for Quintana:
Some see them as a dark horse for Quintana, though they haven’t been heavily involved in those talks to this point and they hold tight to their best prospects.
Whether the Dodgers will part with prospects that may be necessary to acquire the 28-year-old is hardly a guarantee, but Heyman adds the White Sox may already be targeting some:
Could the Dodgers be a surprise entry in the Jose Quintana sweepstakes? They certainly have the prospects to get a deal done, and there’s a belief ChiSox people are eyeing them.
Last season, the Dodgers refused to part with Cody Bellinger, Willie Calhoun and Jose De Leon, among others. Jharel Cotton, Grant Holmes and Frankie Montas were included in the trade with the Athletics.
De Leon was traded during the winter for Logan Forsythe. The Dodgers presumably will remain steadfast in their refusal to move Bellinger. Perhaps Calhoun as well, along with the likes of Yadier Alvarez and Walker Buehler.
Quintana’s value may be at the same level of last season, however. He enters Friday’s start 2-8 with a 5.30 ERA, 4.17 FIP and 1.41 WHIP. He’s on pace to finish with a career-worst 9.2 percent walk rate, though Quintana’s 22.8 percent strikeout rate would be a career best.
What’s more, he’s received two or fewer runs of support in 10 of 13 starts this season. Quintana is under contract through 2020, with club options on the final two years of his deal.
