As the MLB Trade Deadline has passed, the Los Angeles Dodgers are now focusing on the second half of the season with the current roster in place. While they will get reinforcements from injured players returning and top prospects being called up, the team they have now is what they will rely on for the rest of the regular season and postseason.
However, after the trade deadline, some interesting rumors have come to light. In a recent article by Jon Heyman for the New York Post, it was revealed that the Dodgers made a bold move to acquire starting pitcher Max Scherzer.
While it was known that the Dodgers were interested in Justin Verlander and had a deal in place for Eduardo Rodriguez, which fell through due to his no-trade clause, the pursuit of Scherzer was kept quiet.
According to Heyman, the Dodgers made an offer of multiple prospects that were thought to be of similar value to outfielder Luisangel Acuña, who the Mets acquired from the Rangers in exchange for Scherzer.
Luisangel Acuña is ranked as the No. 43 prospect in all of baseball, making it clear that the Dodgers put together a substantial package in their pursuit of Scherzer.
Ultimately, the Mets chose to go with the Rangers’ package, and Scherzer didn’t return to Los Angeles. Despite the Dodgers’ aggressive attempts to add another high-end starting pitcher, it didn’t work out for Scherzer, Verlander, or Rodriguez.
While some fans may be disappointed, it’s essential to recognize the effort put forth by Dodgers’ President of Baseball Operations Andrew Friedman and the front office. They were determined to bolster their pitching rotation and make a strong push for the postseason.
In the end, some things just aren’t meant to be, and perhaps it’s for the best that Scherzer’s return to Los Angeles didn’t materialize, especially considering the events of the previous year. The Dodgers will now move forward with their current roster and focus on securing success in the upcoming games.
