Los Angeles Dodgers: Southpaw relievers to consider trading for

2. Jake Diekman

Prior to the 2018 season, the Los Angeles Dodgers traded for another left-handed reliever in Scott Alexander from the Kansas City Royals. And while Alexander might not have quite lived up to the hype, it was a good pickup for cheap and one the Dodgers would do again.

Luckily, they have a chance to make a very similar trade as this time the team can go after southpaw reliever Jake Diekman from the Royals. Diekman signed a one-year deal with a mutual option for 2020 prior to this season, making him the perfect trade chip for Kansas City.

It might seem counterintuitive if the Royals traded away a player they just signed but if the team is out of the playoff hunt by the trade deadline, which they already are, then it makes more sense to trade Diekman than hold onto him.

The Royals could then get something out of a player that they signed for just one year. While it might not be a premier prospect, even getting a decent pitching prospect out of the Dodgers’ farm would be well worth it.

For the Dodgers, this trade makes sense as it solves the problem and potentially gives them another season of Diekman. If he is great as a Dodger, the two sides can agree to a second year. If not, the Dodgers don’t have to pay him.

Diekman has a 3.00 ERA in 24 innings pitched this season and left-handed hitters are hitting just .069 against him.