The Dodgers started the 2021 season winning 13 of their first 15 games, with fans and baseball experts predicting a record-setting year for the reigning World Champions. After that incredible start, the team won 46 of the next 83 games, a respectable .547 pace for any MLB team — other than the modern-day Dodgers, who have averaged a .597 winning rate over the previous eight seasons.

To describe the 2021 season as challenging is understated. To date, twenty-two Dodgers players have been on the MLB Injured List. And Mookie Betts has missed 17 games (and counting) without being officially on the IL The Dodgers pitching staff has been hit hard by the injury bug, with a dozen spending time on the 10-day IL, and Caleb Ferguson, Tommy Kahlne, and Dustin May have been lost for the season following Tommy John surgeries. Add to that the loss of Trevor Bauer to MLB-directed administrative leave and the vaunted pitching staff has shown signs of vulnerability.

The San Francisco Giants and San Diego Padres are vastly improved teams, sensing their opportunity to dethrone the Dodgers as NL West champions and eliminate them from their quest for the 2021 World Series. Even with the revitalized David Price pitching effectively in the starting rotation, and top pitching prospect Josiah Gray auditioning as a starter, the team must acquire a starting pitcher.

In recent seasons, Dodgers President of Baseball Operations Andrew Friedman has preferred to acquire players who were rentals by trading mid-level prospects and role players, while keeping the team’s best prospects as building blocks for future championships. This season, the Friedman rental model may not be enough to assure a robust pitching staff for the regular-season stretch drive, postseason tournament, and World Series.

Not only has the starting rotation been decimated, but the bullpen has been vulnerable, with 22 blown save opportunities in the team’s 98 games; only the Philadelphia Phillies have a worse record (23). Advancing to, and winning the 2021 World Series may require Friedman to be bold in trades, bolstering the pitching staff by using a top prospect or two to acquire a top-of-rotation starting pitcher and a late-inning reliever with closing experience.

Starting pitchers who would require a bold trade package from the Dodgers include Cincinnati Reds Luis Castillo, Minnesota Twins Jose Berrios, and Seattle Mariners Yusei Kikuchi. For these pitchers, Friedman would be forced to part with at least two of the team’s best prospects along with rostered players like Tony Gonsolin and Matt Beaty.

Another tier of starting pitchers includes Texas Rangers Kyle Gibson, Chicago Cubs Kyle Hendricks, and Arizona Diamondbacks Madison Bumgarner (can you even imagine?). These pitchers would likely require a highly regarded prospect plus a couple of rostered role players.

That still leaves the Dodgers looking for a late-inning reliever. The Washington Nationals Brad Hand would be a good addition for the Dodgers, and as a rental, take lesser prospect(s) in return – perhaps Mitch White and a lower level pitching prospect.

Interestingly, two teams have a starter and reliever who would be terrific additions for the Dodgers. The Cubs Kyle Hendricks and closer Craig Kimbrel would be welcome additions. And, the Twins Berrios and left-handed closer Taylor Rogers would be well worth a bold package of prospects and role players.

No later than next Friday, July 30, we will know what changes Friedman makes to the roster for the stretch drive and postseason. This is the time to go bold.

…or start planning for 2022.

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