The Los Angeles Dodgers could be getting Blake Snell and Edwin Díaz back this week, and Tyler Glasnow in the next couple of weeks.
Getting those three arms back, plus Shohei Ohtani, would get the Dodgers ready for another World Series run. However, it would also give them plenty of quality depth to deal from to make a big trade. In reality, the Dodgers don't have to make any major moves, but their front office has a track record of being aggressive.
When Snell, Ohtani and Glasnow are back, some current rotation arms will have to move to the bullpen or get sent down. Eric Lauer, whom the Dodgers acquired in a trade with the Toronto Blue Jays in May, could be a trade chip.
"Left-hander Eric Lauer and outfielder Alex Call are two names the Dodgers could shop, according to multiple league sources familiar with the team’s thinking, who were granted anonymity in exchange for their candor," wrote The Athletic's Katie Woo on Monday. "Lauer played a critical role for most of the first half. When Snell and Tyler went down with injuries in the same week in mid-May, the Dodgers needed a back-end starter to eat innings and keep their six-man rotation on track."
Lauer has done more than just eat innings. He has a 3.35 ERA in eight games. He has made seven starts and appeared as the bulk reliever behind an opener once. The Dodgers have yet to lose a game that he has pitched in. He has made four quality starts for the Dodgers, and teams in need of big league pitching could use him.
When Snell, Ohtani and Glasnow are all back, the Dodgers' rotation figures to feature those three, Yoshinobu Yamamoto, Justin Wrobleski and Roki Sasaki. The Dodgers have Emmet Sheehan and Lauer as potential depth options, but Lauer could be a valuable piece in a potential trade. He is going to be a free agent after the season, and the Dodgers may want to get something out of him before he leaves.