Dodgers inquire about Yu Darvish, could part with top prospects

Yu Darvish is now the top pitcher in the trade market, as the Texas Rangers have decided to sell at the deadline. With their ace injured and pitching staff limping, will the Dodgers take the risk and deal for the Japanese right-hander?

Despite what showed on the scoreboard, the Dodgers lost Sunday. Not to the Atlanta Braves – Kenley Jansen almost ruined it (of all people!) – but to the injury bug.

Pitcher Clayton Kershaw injured his back early in the bout and will likely hit the disabled list Monday. He could join fellow pitcher Brandon McCarthy, who was just placed on the DL with “Rich Hill syndrome,” aka blisters.

If there was ever a time that Los Angeles needed pitching, it probably wouldn’t even be now. The Dodgers have built up a comfortable lead atop the National League standings and still have a cadre of hurlers highlighting their rotation.

But if Los Angeles wants to punish the rest of the NL, provide its fans with hope and make a World Series appearance for the first time since 1988 (!), a 6-foot-5 Japanese pitcher could be the answer.

Rumors already suggest the Dodgers’ front office is inquiring to the Texas Rangers about Yu Darvish. Talks have yet to heat up. But with the absence of a quality arm and Kershaw – who is Kershaw – Los Angeles could move quickly to get a deal worked out.

The deal would surely make the West Coast team the favorites heading into the playoffs, if everyone remains healthy. Darvish has shined for much of the year despite receiving little-to-no run support. The flame-throwing righty has posted a 3.44 ERA with 100 more strikeouts than walks.

Darvish would look like just another guy in Los Angeles’ rotation, at least next to Kershaw and Alex Wood. The Dodgers rank first in team ERA at 3.16, with starters boasting a 3.33 ERA. Kershaw ranks first in the league in ERA and Wood would be right behind him if he qualified.

Adding one of the more renowned starters on the trading block would help Los Angeles come October. Manager Dave Roberts wouldn’t have to rely on inconsistent throwers like Hyun-Jin Ryu and Kenta Maeda. In a critical game, having Darvish on the bump could mean all the difference.

The Rangers reportedly want two of the Dodgers’ top prospects, including pitchers Yadier Alvarez and Walker Buehler, center fielder Alex Verdugo and second baseman Willie Calhoun. But Los Angeles shouldn’t give in to such a substantial return for a rental pitcher whose numbers are worse than his career average. I mean, the Diamondbacks did basically acquire J.D. Martinez for free, right?

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If team president Andrew Friedman deals multiple top prospects, arguments can be made that it would be worth it. Especially for a guy with playoff experience that can help the rotation rebound if Kershaw flounders again on the big stage – his track record isn’t great in the playoffs, so I can say that.

Have teams in the past really given up that much for a rental piece? Yes and no.

Cincinnati sent three of its top pitching prospects to Kansas City for Johnny Cueto in 2015, which worked out pretty well for the AL Central club – not so much for Reds so far. Toronto broke ties with three pitchers as well when it acquired David Price the same year. Neither team really won that trade.

The Dodgers’ farm system is good, very good. Dealing two of their top prospects would be too much. Their pitching staff can keep the team afloat even if Kershaw takes extended time off. It’s happened before.

Friedman will find a way to land a big piece before next week, whether it be Darvish or a bullpen booster. And either way, Los Angeles will probably still enter the playoff picture as the favorites to win it all.

Next: Yankees interested in Darvish

The main question centers on whether the club can overcome its playoff troubles to advance to the World Series, with or without the superstar Japanese pitcher. October can’t come soon enough.