Will the Los Angeles Dodgers make a trade before MLB’s July 30 deadline passes? Most don’t expect Dodgers president Andrew Friedman to stand pat, knowing that they’re not the best team in the National League, trailing the Phillies by three games for the No. 1 seed.
Yet, who’s to say the Dodgers can’t catch up and surpass the Phillies during the second half of the season? If they can pull this trade off, there’s no telling what the Dodgers are capable of, not only for this season but also for many more years to come.
Related: Los Angeles Dodgers Reportedly In Active Trade Talks For All-Star Pitcher
Los Angeles Dodgers tabbed as best fit for Garrett Crochet trade
Earlier this week, it was reported that a Garrett Crochet trade to the Los Angeles Dodgers “felt inevitable.” Now there’s even more momentum pointing to the Dodgers landing the 6-foot-6 left-handed starting pitcher ahead of the deadline.
According to New York Post MLB insider Jon Heyman, the Dodgers are in the “best position” to pull off a Crochet trade in the next few days. This is thanks to a number of reasons.
Leaguewide concerns are mounting about Crochet’s ability to start for a full season, being that he’s never done it before. Complicating this is the fact that Crochet has battled arm injuries in the past, including Tommy John surgery, which limited him to 12.2 innings last year after missing the entire 2022 season with his injury.
Crochet’s already up to a career-high 111.1 innings pitched this season, so how much longer can he maintain this pace? It’s not that he’s performing badly, he’s coming off the first All-Star appearance of the 25-year-old’s career. But many believe Crochet will be forced to the bullpen, or possibly will need to rest before ramping back up for the postseason.
However, Crochet doesn’t want to hear it. He wants to start all year long, and he’s even now reportedly requesting to sign a new contract extension before he’s willing to pitch in the postseason, which is unheard of. But he may be in position to make such demands, thanks to his excellent play.
- Garrett Crochet stats this season: 3.07 ERA, 157 K, 0.970 WHIP
Yet, the Dodgers have been here before, with Tyler Glasnow. Here’s Heyman on that exact point.
“The Dodgers did this kind of a deal already with another oft-injured starter, when they acquired Tyler Glasnow and gave him a five-year contract extension simultaneously. I don’t think this could be done as quickly, but the Dodgers could acquire Crochet and potentially over the coming weeks work out an extension if they like what they see.”
Jon Heyman on Los Angeles Dodgers’ pursuit of Garrett Crochet
The Dodgers certainly have the budget to pay Crochet whatever he wants and being able to secure a young arm, who Heyman describes as the “most desirable piece available” for the next few years would be well worth the cost.
Related: Garrett Crochet Trade to Los Angeles Dodgers ‘Feels Inevitable’