Los Angeles Dodgers president Andrew Friedman has insisted publicly that the team doesn't need to make a move before the non-waiver trade deadline on July 31, but they are known to be going after more bullpen help.
They have expressed interest in several pitchers, most notably Zach Britton of the Baltimore Orioles and Justin Wilson of the Detroit Tigers, but may have their eyes set on Felipe Rivero of the Pittsburgh Pirates, according to Bob Nightengale of USA Today.
But, oh, how they could use a left-handed reliever to set up All-Star closer Kenley Jansen. They can grab Brad Hand of the San Diego Padres, Wilson of the Tigers or Jerry Blevins of the New York Mets with a phone call.
Sorry, this is Dodgers president Andrew Friedman running the show, and he’s always thinking big. Real big. And has his eye on a bigger prize.
Prediction: Friedman goes massive, and acquires Pittsburgh Pirates left-handed stud Felipe Rivero for, yes, top outfield prospect Alex Verdugo, and perhaps expands the package by including Willie Calhoun and Yadier Alvarez, too. Verdugo could be a star, but Rivero is absolutely filthy, yielding a .088 batting average with only five hits in 17 1/3 innings since his first save on June 10. He would provide the Dodgers with the nastiest right-left bullpen combination in baseball.
The Dodgers have one of the top farm systems in the majors, and while they have maintained their desire to hold onto their best prospects, they may part with a few to land a player of Rivero's ilk.
The 26-year-old has a 0.74 ERA with six saves and 56 strikeouts in 48.1 innings in 45 appearances so far this season. He is under team control through the 2021 season.
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