It's difficult to fathom what has happened to the Los Angeles Dodgers' pitching staff in 2024. It's also difficult to fathom the Dodgers letting it happen again.
The Dodgers have had 11 pitchers start at least four games in 2024. All 11 have spent significant time on the injured list, save for James Paxton, who was traded. That doesn't count Dustin May and Tony Gonsolin, who have spent all year on the IL as well.
But they're also the Dodgers, so they still have to be taken as a serious threat to win the World Series this year. Then, next year, they'll get Shohei Ohtani back on the mound (after a record-breaking year of designated hitter duties). And there could be even more tricks up their sleeves.
On Thursday, Jon Heyman of the New York Post named the Dodgers as a fit for two-time Cy Young Award winner Blake Snell, who is widely expected to opt out of his contract with the San Francisco Giants.
"(Snell's) opt out is going to pay off big-time after he produced dominance in San Francisco," Heyman said. "A second straight season of excellence (with fewer walks and more staying power) should greatly expand his market. The Giants surely want him back, but the rival Dodgers, who got into the Snell sweepstakes late (but resisted an opt out) could, too."
Snell, 31, got off to such a poor start this season that it seemed unlikely he would opt out of his two-year contract, signed too late in the spring to be ready for Opening Day. But after two IL stints of his own, he's been on fire for over two months.
Since Jul. 9, a span of 13 starts, Snell has a 1.33 ERA over 74 1/3 innings, striking out 105 and holding opposing batters to a .125 batting average. And, of course, there was the no-hitter Snell threw on Aug. 2 against the Cincinnati Reds.
Could the Dodgers use an arm like that? It's a rhetorical question.
At this point, it's safe to assume L.A. will be in on Snell in some fashion. The only thing left to find out is who they will be competing with, and how high the bidding will go.
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