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MLB Rumors: Dodgers Eye Skubal, Arozarena Among 'Big Names' Ahead of Trade Deadline

Mike Chiari

Amid a rash of injuries to key players, the Los Angeles Dodgers are reportedly looking to make a significant splash ahead of the July 30 MLB trade deadline.

According to ESPN's Jeff Passan, the Dodgers are "all in" on contending for a World Series this season, and they "eyeing big names" to fill some of their most glaring needs as a result.

Mark Feinsand of MLB.com reported Los Angeles is interested in Detroit Tigers pitcher Tarik Skubal. A source also told Feinsand the team is "in" on Tampa Bay Rays' Randy Arozarena.

Passan also named Luis Robert Jr. of the Chicago White Sox and Arozarena as potentially available players who could solve the Dodgers' outfield issues.

At 60-41, the Dodgers have the second-best record in the National League and hold an 8.5-game lead over the San Diego Padres for first place in the NL West despite dealing with several injuries of significance.

Starting pitchers Tyler Glasnow, Clayton Kershaw, Walker Buehler and Yoshinobu Yamamoto are all on the injured list, as are slugging third baseman Max Muncy and shortstop Mookie Betts, who is arguably the team's best all-around player after finishing second in NL MVP voting last season.

Glasnow and Kershaw are both expected to be activated from the IL this week, but the timetable is less clear for Buehler and Yamamoto. Other back-end-of-the-rotation options such as Tony Gonsolin, Dustin May and Emmet Sheehan are out for the season.

As a result, starting pitching remains a huge need, and it figures to be an area of focus for the Dodgers front office ahead of next week's trade deadline.

White Sox ace Garrett Crochet is likely the crown jewel among starting pitchers who could be available. The 25-year-old has a 3.02 ERA, leads the American League in strikeouts and was named an All-Star for the first time this season.

Other options who may be less exciting yet still effective include Erick Fedde of the White Sox, Jack Flaherty of the Detroit Tigers and Tyler Anderson of the Los Angeles Angels.

Offensively, the Dodgers will be in a much better spot once Betts returns to join forces with Shohei Ohtani, Freddie Freeman, Will Smith and Teoscar Hernández, but the outfield is undoubtedly a problem area regardless.

Aside from Hernández, who is an All-Star and won the Home Run Derby, outfield production has been negligible from the likes of Jason Heyward, Andy Pages, Chris Taylor and James Outman.

Both Robert and Arozarena would be massive upgrades, and they would add a ton of depth to manager Dave Roberts' lineup.

The 26-year-old Robert has a higher ceiling after finishing last season with 38 home runs, 80 RBI and 20 stolen bases, but injuries have long been an issue for him. They have limited him to 47 games this season, although he has 11 homers and 12 steals. He also won a Gold Glove as a rookie in 2020, which underscores his versatility.

Arozarena, 29, is having a down year by his standards with a .211/.313/.395 slash line, 15 home runs, 35 RBI and 14 steals, but he has a history of success. The one-time All-Star entered the season with three consecutive years of at least 20 homers and 20 stolen bases, and he is a spectacular playoff performer, having slashed .336/.414/.690 with 11 homers and 17 RBI in 33 career postseason games.

Perhaps most importantly, Arozarena is durable, having played in over 140 games in three straight seasons and over 150 in two straight.

Given that the Dodgers' goal this season is to win the World Series, adding a big-game player like Arozarena could potentially put them over the top.

   

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