MLB Trade Rumors: Los Angeles Dodgers targeting Michael Fulmer?
The Los Angeles Dodgers have added Michael Fulmer to their list of trade targets.
The Los Angeles Dodgers have had their injury issues in their rotation throughout the season. Kenta Maeda, Clayton Kershaw, Walker Buehler, Hyun-Jin Ryu and Rich Hill are either on the DL or have been on the DL at some point this season. Yet, going into play last night, the Dodgers sit just 1.5 games out of the division.
Manny Machado may be on their list to help their offense, but they may be targeting a young pitcher to add to their rotation. One that may cost quite a bit to acquire in Detroit Tigers right-hander Michael Fulmer.
The #Dodgers are doubling down: They not only are aggressively pursuing #Orioles SS Manny Machado, but also #Tigers starter Michael Fulmer. The #Orioles, heavily scouting the Dodgers' minor-league system, want Class A pitcher Dustin May included in any package of prospects.
— Bob Nightengale (@BNightengale) July 3, 2018
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Fulmer will be arbitration eligible for the first time after this season and won’t be a free agent until after the 2022 season. He was the AL Rookie of the Year and made the All-Star team for the first time last season. The 25 year old this season is 3-7 with a 4.20 ERA and an ERA+ of 104 which is just above league average.
The Los Angeles Dodgers have one of the best farm systems in the game and can trade for whoever they want. It’s just a matter of what they are willing to part with in order to make those upgrades.
For someone like Fulmer, it’s going to take someone like Dustin May who was part of Nightengale’s tweet about Machado, or Caleb Ferguson, who has already made starts for the Los Angeles Dodgers this season. It’ll take other guys too. Maybe Jordan Sheffield or Drew Jackson and other not as touted prospects.
If I’m the Los Angeles Dodgers, I think I’d steer more towards Machado and a lesser starting pitcher or maybe a bullpen upgrade instead. I think the cost for Fulmer may be too exorbitant for a player who has struggled this season. If I’m going to spend a ton on a starting pitcher, it would be Jacob deGrom, if available, as someone who can pair with Kershaw at the top of the rotation like the Houston Astros did with Justin Verlander last year.
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Michael Fulmer would be an upgrade, however, the Los Angeles Dodgers should look to use their prospect capital elsewhere.