Dodgers Rumors: LA Pegged as Top Landing Spot for Former Dodger Cy Young Pitcher

LA could probably do much better at the deadline..

We are a week away from the MLB trade deadline, and the Los Angeles Dodgers have a real need in their starting rotation. It has been a problem for much of the season, but they have weathered the storm to this point. 

But now, they have a real chance to upgrade their roster at the deadline to give themselves a much better shot at winning the World Series this season.

They have been linked with all sorts of pitchers that could be on the move, but what about one that has some familiarity with LA. 

Kerry Miller of Bleacher Report put together a list of teams as potential landing spots for New York Mets ace Max Scherzer, with the Dodgers coming in at No. 2.

The Mets have been a major disappointment this season and could be looking to sell off some high-priced assets at the deadline. Scherzer was with Los Angeles for the second half of the 2021 season, so both sides know each other. He could serve LA well for the rest of the year, as the team desperately needs help in their rotation.

“Since the beginning of June, Dodgers starters have had a cumulative ERA of 4.82. That's including currently injured Clayton Kershaw making five starts with a 1.09 ERA. Take his numbers out of the equation, and it balloons to 5.58.”

Per Bleacher Report

However, the biggest issue with a deal for Scherzer is his price range. He has a $43.3 million player option for next season that he is likely to exercise, and the team has wanted to cut down on salary. 

They are preparing to make an all-out run to land Shohei Ohtani this winter, and having Scherzer on the books could complicate that. This move would also be freeing up money for the Mets to possibly make a run at Ohtani, as well.

It's unlikely that LA swings a deal for Scherzer in part due to his contract, but also because he hasn’t been that great this season. He holds an ERA of 4.20 for the year, and he has allowed at least four runs in three of his last four starts. Ironically, the only start that he didn’t was against the Dodgers.

LA could likely find better options than Scherzer at the deadline and likely will. It’s a nice thought, but if I was running the team, it would be a hard pass on the veteran pitcher.