The Los Angeles Dodgers have made significant changes to their starting rotation this offseason. After struggling with a collective 4.57 ERA last year, the team has worked hard to improve their pitching staff. They signed Japanese star Yoshinobu Yamamoto and traded for right-hander Tyler Glasnow. Recently, they added veteran left-hander James Paxton to round out their rotation. Despite these additions, the Dodgers have still explored the possibility of making more trades to strengthen their pitching staff.
According to reports, the Dodgers have looked into trades for pitchers Corbin Burnes, Dylan Cease, Shane Bieber, and Jesus Luzardo. Burnes has already been traded to the Baltimore Orioles, while Cease is unlikely to be moved before the start of the season. Bieber and Luzardo have not been publicly connected to the Dodgers this offseason. It remains unclear if the Dodgers are still interested in either pitcher now that they have Paxton, but either player would be a valuable addition to their rotation.
Bieber, a two-time All-Star and the 2020 AL Cy Young award winner, had a slightly down season last year due to elbow inflammation. However, he has been one of the best pitchers in the league over the past few years. Luzardo, on the other hand, struggled early in his career but has shown significant improvement in recent years. Both pitchers would greatly enhance the Dodgers’ rotation if acquired.
While the Cleveland Guardians, Bieber’s current team, aim to remain competitive in the weak AL Central division, they have a history of trading star players before they reach free agency. Trading Bieber would allow them to shed salary and potentially acquire a hitter to improve their roster. Luzardo, currently the Miami Marlins’ second-best starter, could also be available in a trade. The Marlins are reportedly open to dealing him or another pitcher from their rotation.
Adding either Bieber or Luzardo would strengthen the already impressive Dodgers rotation. However, with the recent addition of Paxton and uncertainty surrounding Clayton Kershaw’s future with the team, it is unclear how another starter would fit into the Dodgers’ plans. While the rotation appears to be full on paper, there are concerns about the durability of the current pitchers. Glasnow and Paxton have dealt with injuries in the past, Yamamoto has limited experience pitching once a week in Japan, and Bobby Miller has a limited workload. Buehler is coming off Tommy John surgery, and Kershaw is expected to return from shoulder surgery in August.
While young pitchers like Emmet Sheehan and Gavin Stone could contribute, acquiring a reliable starter like Bieber or Luzardo would solidify the Dodgers’ rotation. Although the team plans on using a five-man rotation this season, they may consider using a sixth starter when Shohei Ohtani returns to pitching next year.
The Dodgers are not the only team interested in Bieber and Luzardo. The New York Yankees have also expressed interest in both pitchers. Earlier in the offseason, the Marlins and Kansas City Royals discussed a trade involving Luzardo, while the Chicago Cubs and Cincinnati Reds showed interest in Bieber.