Dodgers Trade Rumors: Jose Fernandez, Aroldis Chapman, Ben Zobrist On LA's Radar?

The Los Angeles Dodgers are pushing to acquire a few of the best available pitchers after being unable to sign their top free-agent targets. With the likes of Zack Greinke and David Price signing record-setting deals elsewhere, L.A. might make a trade to bolster their rotation.

Los Angeles is reportedly talking to the Miami Marlins about acquiring starting pitcher Jose Fernandez. Miami has discussed a possible deal with other teams, as well, and their asking price appears to be steep.

Seager and Urias began last year as the Dodgers’ top two prospects, both ranking in the top 10 among Baseball America’s Top 100 Prospects. Seager was terrific after being called up in September, hitting .337 with a .986 OPS in 27 games. Urias is just 19 years old, and he spent the majority of the season in Double-A, where he had a 3.77 ERA in 13 starts. The Dodgers also have starting pitcher Jose De Leon, 23, who is considered a rising prospect after a strong season in Class-A Rancho Cucamonga and Double-A Tulsa.

Miami is open to trading Fernandez, but they want a lot in return for a pitcher that’s been lights out in the majors. Fernandez made 11 starts in 2015 after recovering from Tommy John surgery, and he posted a 2.92 ERA with a 1.16 WHIP. In 47 career starts, the 23-year-old is 22-9 with a 2.40 ERA.

L.A. doesn’t want to give up both Seager and Urias for Fernandez, but they are exploring options to replace Greinke. The Dodgers were considered the favorites to sign Greinke, but he signed a $206 million deal with the Arizona Diamondbacks. The team was also unable to sign Jeff Samardzija, who signed with the San Francisco Giants, and their options in free agency are limited.

According to multiple reports, the Dodgers will likely sign Hisashi Iwakuma, who went 9-5 with a 3.54 ERA for the Seattle Mariners last season. The 34-year-old has a 3.17 career ERA in four seasons, but L.A. will need to make more moves to make up for losing the NL Cy Young runner-up.

The Dodgers’ rotation might not be as good as it was last season, and they won’t be able to pair another frontline starter with Clayton Kershaw if they don’t make a trade. But the team could make a major upgrade in their bullpen.

Cincinnati Reds closer Aroldis Chapman has one year left on his contract, and the Dodgers have reportedly expressed interest in the reliever. There were rumors that Chapman might be dealt at the July 31 deadline, but Cincinnati didn’t pull the trigger on a trade. Chapman struck out 116 batters in 66.1 innings last season, saving at least 33 games for a fourth consecutive season. A deal for Chapman may be very close.

The Dodgers ranked fifth in NL ERA this past season, and only the St. Louis Cardinals had a better overall starting rotation.

The Dodgers are also reportedly showing interest in free-agent veteran Ben Zobrist. The utility infielder has been the subject of much discussion entering next season as a potential target of the New York Mets and San Francisco Giants, but the Dodgers are considered a possibility.

Zobrist, who played with Oakland A's and Kansas City Royals in 2015, finished with 13 homers and .276 batting average. The 34-year-old also had a .359 on-base percentage and a .450 slugging percentage in 467 at-bats.