Dodgers Rumors: Insider Predicts LA Adds Cardinals Starting Pitcher at Trade Deadline

Can LA swing this deal?

The Dodgers need for pitching at the trade deadline has been one of the biggest talking points of the summer. The team has survived to this point by duct-taping together a rotation and playing musical chairs with their bullpen. 

It has been very uncharacteristic of the franchise compared to what we’ve known about them, but it’s the reality that the team finds themselves with a little over a week to go until the deadline.

LA is expected to make some moves to upgrade the pitching staff, both in the starting rotation and bullpen. However, to what extent that will be is unknown at this time. They could try and swing a blockbuster-type deal for a frontline starter. Or the team could just add around the edges and hope that things get better with the players that they have in-house.

Either way, something needs to be done to tweak this staff. There have been plenty of predictions flying and a recent one has LA landing a left-hander pitcher for their rotation. Brandon Scott of Bleacher Report put together eight trade predictions and he has the St. Louis Cardinals sending over starter Jordan Montgomery to LA.

“Given how inactive their offseason was, it would stand to reason the Dodgers would be more aggressive at the trade deadline with another NL West title in sight.”

Per Bleacher Report

If the team were to add Montgomery, it would be seen as more of an edge upgrade and that is completely fine. Montgomery has been solid for the Cardinals this season, posting an ERA of 3.14 and a WHIP of 1.23. He has also added 101 strikeouts over 109 innings of work.

He could help solidify the Dodgers starting rotation and give them a middle-of-the-order starter. Montgomery wouldn’t be coming in to be relied upon as the ace of the staff, so as long as he could do his job whenever he takes the mound, this could be a good get for LA. He has also been very good of late, and St. Louis could look to take advantage of that.

“Montgomery has a 1.47 ERA and 0.98 WHIP over his last seven starts. He has a 3.14 ERA and 1.23 WHIP on the season.”



Per Bleacher Report

Montgomery is a free agent at the end of the season, so if things don’t work out, LA could just cut bait. But he would bring a more veteran feel to the rotation, and he has played in the postseason twice. He owns an ERA of 1.35 in two career appearances in the playoffs.

He wouldn’t be the home run-hitting trade that many fans would like to see, but he still would be a good pickup. The Dodgers front office knows what they are doing, and they have earned the benefit of the doubt up to this point.