The Los Angeles Dodgers’ starting rotation is dwindling, with ace Blake Snell’s return date still undetermined and new injury concerns surrounding Tyler Glasnow.
The Dodgers still sit comfortably in second place in the National League West at 18-10, and have other arms they can rely on, like Yoshinobu Yamamoto, Dustin May, and Roki Sasaki.
However, the club may panic if either Snell or Glasnow needs to be on the injured list for an extended period. If so, Los Angeles could turn to the trade market to bolster their rotation with reinforcements.
On Thursday, Newsweek’s Zach Pressnell identified the Cincinnati Reds as one MLB organization that could afford to trade a starting pitcher.
The Reds’ current rotation consists of Hunter Greene, Nick Lodolo, Brady Singer, Andrew Abbott, and Nick Martinez. Youngster Rhett Lowder could be close to returning from the 15-day IL with a right forearm strain, too.
In Pressnell’s Dodgers-Reds trade idea, the veteran Martinez would be shipped to Los Angeles for a prospect who could be a part of the Reds’ starting lineup for the foreseeable future.
Cincinnati Reds starting pitcher Nick Martinez (28) pitches against the Seattle Mariners in the third inning at Great American Ball Park.
Katie Stratman-Imagn Images
“In return, the Reds could land an impact outfield prospect like James Outman or Dalton Rushing,” Pressnell wrote last Thursday.”Landing either of these two outfielders would be a huge win for Cincinnati, considering the lack of big league talent it has in the outfield.”
The Dodgers could utilize Martinez in the rotation until one of Snell or Glasnow returns, and then move the eight-year veteran to a swingman role for the rest of the season.
The 34-year-old is a free agent at season’s end and has an elevated 5.40 ERA and low 20 percent strikeout rate, but is one season removed from posting a 141 ERA+ with the Reds in 2024.
Outman hit 23 home runs in 151 games with the Dodgers two seasons ago but started the year at Triple-A Oklahoma City. Rushing is ranked as the Dodgers’ No. 2 prospect on MLB Pipeline and close to an MLB promotion, hitting .294 with a .883 OPS in 19 games this season at Triple-A Oklahoma City.
