Dodgers Trade Rumors: Sonny Gray should top the list for LA

With the MLB Trade Deadline fast approaching, the Dodgers Trade Rumors have grown at an exponential rate. Los Angeles, in the midst of their historic run, are no stranger to deadline deals.

The Los Angeles Dodgers are undoubtedly the best team in baseball. Los Angeles currently sits 40 games above .500, 71-31, and is 3.5 games ahead of the Houston Astros to be the best team in baseball. To compare, there are three teams in the league with 40 or fewer wins; this team is special, yet still, there is a surplus of Dodgers trade rumors.

At the forefront of this fantastic surge has been an even more dominant pitching staff. Led by the best pitcher on Planet Earth, Clayton Kershaw, this staff in Chavez Ravine has been special. Rick Honeycutt’s staff ranks first in FanGraphs WAR, ERA and WHIP. Yet, despite this dominance, the Dodgers’ biggest deadline target is more starting pitching.

This need actually holds relevance for the Dodgers pursuit of the World Series that has alluded them for 29 years. We have seen in recent years that, despite having a great staff, Los Angeles was short manned in the postseason. Teams typically run four man rotations in the postseason, something the Dodgers have not been able to master.

Los Angeles has typically run a three-man rotation in the playoffs, leading to short rest for these guys which arguably has caused Kershaw’s playoff woes. Even when they slid a fourth starter in, such as Julio Urias in the 2016 NLCS, the results have not been what the Dodgers were looking for.

The team does have a lot of starting pitching options. Although Kershaw and Brandon McCarthy are out now, they will be back in the postseason, again giving the Dodgers six starting rotation options.

However, after Kenta Maeda’s postseason struggles and Hyun-Jin Ryu’s shaky pitching, the team may not trust these guys when the season is on the line. Both guys have thrived out of the bullpen, and once October rolls around, that is exactly where they should be.

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That leaves the Dodgers with the need for another arm, and although many options have been rumored, the best target for the Dodgers has to be Sonny Gray. Gray has rebounded from a shaky start, proving that he is the target the Dodgers should have acquired all along.

The 2015 Cy Young finalist has posted a 1.48 ERA in the month of July in 24 1/3 innings pitched. Gray has stuck out 25 batters and has registered a 3-1 record. What makes this sound even more promising is that against the National League this season Gray has a 2.05 ERA in 22 innings pitched.

In fact, Gray has a 3.24 ERA in his career against interleague opponents. Pitching in the National League, especially in Dodger Stadium, has always translated nicely for AL pitchers.

Gray could become a superstar for the Dodgers, and at only 27 years old, this deal not only makes sense for this season but for the two more seasons he is under contract.

To complete this deal the Dodgers would likely have to send second best pitching prospect Yadier Alvarez and second base prospect Willie Calhoun. Personally, I love Calhoun, but if the team can increase their World Series chances by acquiring him that is fine by me.

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Overall, Sonny Gray has been a popular name in the Dodgers trade rumors. Despite any possible suitors, his best destination is indeed Los Angeles.