Lucas Giolito Rumors: Dodgers Competing With NL West Team for Top Starting Pitcher on Trade Market

Will LA win the bidding war?

With the MLB trade deadline quickly approaching, we are starting to see many names linked with the Los Angeles Dodgers. It’s just part of the rumor season due to their need to add pitching this deadline.

One name that keeps popping up regarding LA is Chicago White Sox pitcher Lucas Giolito. Giolito is a free agent at the end of the season, so it makes sense for the White Sox to part with him for some future assets. Chicago isn’t likely to make any push toward the playoffs, so they are now looking ahead to the future.

Giolito and LA have been rumored together for a while now, and just last week, it was reported that the Dodgers were interested in acquiring him. But they aren’t the only National League West team that will be bidding for his services at the trade deadline. MLB insider Jon Morosi is reporting that the Arizona Diamondbacks have an interest in going after Giolito.

The Dodgers aren’t the only NL West team pursuing White Sox starter Lucas Giolito.

Sources say the DBacks have inquired about Giolito, as well. @MLBNetwork @MLB

— Jon Morosi (@jonmorosi) July 21, 2023

Now this could be smoke to try and drive up the price for the Dodgers, but it also makes some sense. Arizona is competitive this season and may be looking to take advantage of that. They have some strong, young arms in their rotation, and adding in a veteran like Giolito could bode well for the Diamondbacks.

On the year, he owns a 3.96 ERA and a 1.20 WHIP. Giolito has also added 122 strikeouts over 116 innings of work. His 2023 season has been a little up and down so far, but he is still one of the better options available on the market right now. 

The Dodgers may want to keep Giolito away from the Diamondbacks since that would mean they would likely be facing him down the stretch. The Southern California kid may prefer to end up with the Dodgers, but during trade season, anything is possible.

LA needs to upgrade their pitching staff in the worst way so it’ll be interesting to see how this all plays out over the next week-plus.