The Los Angeles Dodgers are leading the National League West and look like World Series contenders, again. However, their rotation could use some help near the trade deadline.
Tyler Glasnow, Blake Snell and Rōki Sasaki are on the injured list. Although all three are expected to return, the Dodgers could use some insurance in their quest for back-to-back titles. FanSided’s Christopher Kline suggested they trade for Chris Sale of the Atlanta Braves. Sale signed a two-year, $38 million deal before last season and has a club option for next year.
“It’s hard to fathom the Dodgers adding another Cy Young, MVP-type talent to this roster, but it’s how the Dodgers operate,” wrote Kline. “They don’t let the rest of the league get a moment’s rest. Atlanta probably winces at the thought of shipping Sale to L.A., but if the win-now Dodgers come on strong with the best offer, Alex Anthopoulos will need to consider it.”
The Braves are 27-34. They are not destined to be sellers yet, but things are not trending in the right direction. Then again, they were not doing so great in 2021 early on and ended up winning the World Series. If there is no turnaround before the July 31 deadline, Chris Sale could become one of the most coveted names at the trade deadline.
Sale won the National League Cy Young Award last season. This year, he has a 2.93 ERA in 13 starts. On the Dodgers, he and Yoshinobu Yamamoto could become an elite duo as the Dodgers try and win the World Series again.
Sale’s club option for next season is valued at $18 million. He would not be tied to the Dodgers past this year, but the Dodgers have the means to bring him back if they like what they see. However, they may not necessarily need him when their current pitchers are healthy.
