MLB insider links Dodgers to veteran starting pitcher with 3.88 ERA

The Los Angeles Dodgers are leading the National League West and have the third-best record in the NL. However, they may need some more pitching to make another deep postseason run.

When healthy, the Dodgers' rotation might be the best in baseball. However, it has not been healthy, leading to some uncertainty. Blake Snell and Tyler Glasnow are on the injured list, but are expected to return at some point. Rōki Sasaki is also on the injured list, but his timetable is less clear. Shohei Ohtani pitched one inning against the San Diego Padres, but is still building up to join the rotation.

While Glasnow and Snell should rejoin the rotation, the Dodgers could use a reliable arm as depth or in the back half of their rotation. MLB insider Mark Feinsand tabbed the Dodgers as a landing spot for Zack Littell of the Tampa Bay Rays.

"The 40-33 Rays currently hold the top Wild Card spot in the American League and sit only 2 1/2 games behind the Yankees in the AL East, but Tampa Bay has a history of buying and selling based on players’ contract situations, making Littell – an impending free agent at the end of the season – a potential trade chip," wrote Feinsand.

The Dodgers could use Littell while their rotation works back to full strength. He has a 3.88 ERA in 15 starts this season.  He also has experience as a reliever in his career, so he could still be of use to the team if they do get their preferred rotation healthy.

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In nine seasons, Littell has pitched in 155 games as a reliever. His 3.94 ERA is not far from his ERA as a starter in those outings. He could serve as a long reliever to save the Dodgers' bullpen at times. The starting pitching market may be weak when the trade deadline gets closer, so a player like Littell could be a great add.

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