Dodgers reportedly eyeing this coveted lefty starter

MLB.com is keeping track of all the latest free-agent and trade rumors involving the Dodgers right here.

July 1: Dodgers interested in Garrett Crochet, but maybe not Bo Bichette

With health having been an issue for nearly every starter this season, the Dodgers are reportedly interested in White Sox ace Garrett Crochet as a remedy.

According to The Athletic (subscription required), the Dodgers are "intrigued" by the lefty Crochet, who has dazzled in his first season as a starter, leading the Majors in strikeouts and FIP as the calendar turns to July. Though the Dodgers have internal options to fill rotation needs, Crochet could provide the type of power arm that's needed in the postseason.

Meanwhile, despite LA's need for a shortstop, the Dodgers may be unlikely to look to Blue Jays SS Bo Bichette to fille the void, The Athletic reports. Aside from Bichette's poor offensive season thus far (.623 OPS; 78 OPS+), Bichette's poor defensive play could be a dealbreaker for LA, given the team's emphasis on strong defense. Bichette ranks 23rd among shortstops in Outs Above Average entering play Monday.

June 27: What areas could Dodgers address before Trade Deadline?
The Dodgers were one of the busiest teams in baseball during the offseason, adding Shohei Ohtani, Yoshinobu Yamamoto, Tyler Glasnow and Teoscar Hernández, but they might not approach the Trade Deadline with the same level of urgency.

After all, Los Angeles has the National League West well in hand, with an 8 1/2-game lead over the Padres entering Thursday. The Dodgers will also get back Mookie Betts, Max Muncy and Yamamoto from the injured list later this season. As MLB.com’s Juan Toribio noted, the team will almost certainly view getting all three players back as, essentially, key midseason acquisitions.

Acquiring a shortstop is arguably the team’s biggest need, which would allow Betts to move over to second base, where he is better defensively. The problem, though, is that there aren’t any obvious solutions at short. Willy Adames would be one, but the Brewers are unlikely to trade the pending free agent when they’re leading the NL Central. The Blue Jays could trade Bo Bichette (signed through 2025) if they continue to flounder, but their asking price might be prohibitive, especially considering Bichette is having his worst season (.622 OPS) as a big leaguer.

As far as the Dodgers’ rotation is concerned, the team could stand pat unless there is an opportunity to acquire a frontline starter who can impact a postseason series, according to Toribio. White Sox left-hander Garrett Crochet (controllable through 2026) and Tigers right-hander Jack Flaherty (signed to one-year deal) might be the only trade candidates who fit that criteria.