Dodgers Linked to 2 Starting Pitchers as Trade Deadline Targets by ESPN’s Buster Olney

Several names have been thrown around as potential trade targets for the Dodgers at the deadline. ESPN reporter Buster Olney shared two possible players that could be coming to Los Angeles with Dodgers Nation’s Doug McKain.

The first?

“If you want to go rental, Jack Flaherty and the hometown kid, maybe that would be something that Dodgers would take a look at. We do know he’s going to be available.”

— Buster Olney, via Dodgers Nation

Flaherty is signed to a one-year, $14 million contract with the Detroit Tigers. As a starting pitcher, he has a 6-5 record this season along with a 3.13 ERA, 0.98 WHIP, 119 strikeouts, and 16 walks. The Burbank local boasts a five-pitch repertoire, highlighted by a four-seam fastball (44%) and slider (31%). The right-hander will occasionally use a curveball (18%) and very rarely mix in a changeup (3%) and sinker (2%).

Olney’s second suggestion comes from the last-place team in the American League East, the Toronto Blue Jays. He is also in the final year of a three-year, $36 million contract.

“An interesting name to me is Yusei Kikuchi. In recent days, the Toronto Blue Jays had been communicating with other teams, ‘Yep. All of our rentals are going to be available before the trade deadline.’ They’re clearly making decisions — they put Kevin Kiermaier on the waiver wire. Kikuchi is someone who’s had a great year coming off one of the best starts of his career. He’s left-handed.”

— Buster Olney, via Dodgers Nation

Adding a southpaw to the roster would deepen and diversify the Dodgers’ rotation. There is currently only one healthy left-hander, James Paxton, in the Los Angeles rotation.

Kikuchi not only offers a strong left arm and a good contract but he could enhance the team chemistry, having already built a friendship with one player.

“If you remember when there were those 24 hours when we wondered if Ohtani was going to wind up with the Blue Jays, one of the theories was that he was going to wind up with Kikuchi and they were going to do something about a restaurant and I didn’t quite follow it. But maybe Kikuchi is gonna go to the Dodgers to join Ohtani.”

— Buster Olney, via Dodgers Nation

As of July 17, there are only four healthy starters, according to MLB.com depth charts. Therefore, both options would significantly support the Dodgers’ rotation as many key starters have gone down with injuries.

Photo Credit: Junfu Han-USA TODAY NETWORK

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