Reports continue to surface that the Dodgers remain in the market for another starting pitcher, with Chicago White Sox right-hander Dylan Cease prominently mentioned as a target. But is Cease the right fit for the Dodgers considering the quality of the right-handed starters already on the roster: Walker Buehler, Tyler Glasnow, Bobby Miller, and Yoshinobu Yamamoto backed up by Nick Frasso, Michael Grove, Landon Knack, Emmet Sheehan, and Gavin Stone from down on the farm and possibly Tony Gonsolin and/or Dustin May returning from the IL later in the season?

Seemingly, a far-right starting rotation would be compounded if the team adds Cease.

The Dodgers interest in the White Sox ace may be a misdirection by Dodgers President of Baseball operations Andrew Friedman while he pursues a higher priority need – a left-handed starting pitcher. Presently, there is only one lefty pitcher on the team’s 40-man roster with experience as a starter, 32-year-old Ryan Yarbrough, who has started a total of 68 games in his six MLB seasons with mediocre results (48-38 / 4.74 ERA).

There is hope amongst Dodgers fans that future Hall of Famer Clayton Kershaw will be re-signed and join the rotation by mid-season. It would not be a surprise if the team and Kershaw already have a handshake agreement in place for his 17th season with the Dodgers. Friedman is a master manipulator of the 40-man roster and waiting until Spring Training to officially sign Kershaw and immediately placing him on the 60-day IL is right up Friedman’s alley. Doing so would eliminate the need for a roster spot until Kershaw’s left (pitching) shoulder is fully recovered from his glenohumeral ligament and capsule surgery on November 3, 2023.

Nevertheless, the team needs another southpaw starting pitcher – for the present and immediate future. Peruse the Dodgers Top-30 prospect list and you will quickly see that their highest rated lefties (Jackson Ferris, Ronan Kopp, Maddux Bruns, and Justin Wrobleski) have yet to pitch above the High-A level. And, other than the Atlanta Braves stellar starter Max Fried (who’s 30th birthday is today), the 2024-25 southpaw free agent market is meh.

The Miami Marlins and Dodgers appear to align well for a trade that would benefit both teams. The Marlins have three quality southpaw starters in Jesús Luzardo, Braxton Garrett, and Trevor Rogers. In addition, lefty reliever A.J. Puk has starting experience as a highly regarded pitching prospect for the Oakland A’s, and lefties Tanner Scott, Andrew Nardi, and Steven Okert are a formidable group of Fish relievers. Reportedly, the Marlins are open to trading pitching to improve their team offense by adding a regular shortstop and a good, young catcher.

The Dodgers depth can check every Marlins’ box with a different package of players depending on which pitcher(s) move to LA.

Attempting to guess what roster moves Friedman will make may be a fool’s errand, but this is still the Hot Stove season, so let’s play Let’s Make a Deal.

Deal #1 (The simple)

• Kershaw returns, so Dodgers trade for Puk, who will be stretched out in Spring Training and becomes the fifth (or sixth) starter. When Kershaw returns to the starting rotation, Puk moves to the bullpen. The Marlins receive Miguel Vargas and move him to his best defensive position – first base.

Deal #2 (The not so simple)

• Kershaw signs with the Texas Rangers, in his place the Dodgers trade for Garrett. The Marlins receive Vargas, catcher Hunter Feduccia, and shortstop prospect Rayne Doncon. 

Deal #3 (The complex)

• Regardless of Kershaw’s decision, Luzardo is the Dodgers trade target. In order to make the trade the Dodgers must first acquire Baltimore Orioles shortstop prospect Joey Ortiz for a pitching prospect – perhaps Gavin Stone. Ortiz would then be included with Vargas, catching prospect Diego Cartaya, and infield prospect Austin Gauthier for the Marlins’ Luzardo.

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Trade targerts may change, other players and prospects may be involved, but the Dodgers pursuit of starting pitching should target a southpaw, not another right-handed starter.

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