Sergio Estrada, Stan Szeto, Cary Edmondson-USA TODAY Sports
Farhan Zaidi is on the record as stating that trading with the Dodgers can be advantageous; it would be weakening a chief rival.
It sounds as if the Dodgers would be willing trade partners, too.
According to an MLB.com report, Los Angeles has “varying levels of interest” in a few San Francisco relievers, namely Will Smith, Tony Watson, Sam Dyson and Reyes Moronta.
Dodgers president of baseball operations Andrew Friedman used to be the boss of Zaidi, the Giants president of baseball operations, and Zaidi knows the Dodgers farm system better than anyone. Of course, the facts that the two teams have made three trades since 1958 and their fans are not best buds stand as barriers.
A possible third barrier would surface if the Giants continue to play well, as they have moved 5 1/2 games out of the second wild card and Zaidi has not signaled he is sold on selling. Still, the Giants have always seemed destined sellers, and the Dodgers’ bullpen has been the weak link of a strong team.
Smith has been untouchable (outside of the All-Star Game), saving 23 games in as many chances. He will be a free agent at year’s close. While the Dodgers have Kenley Jansen installed at closer, Smith has told KNBR he would be open to not being the ninth-inning man.
Watson has also been effective, entering the break with a 3.38 ERA, which had spiked from 2.48 in his past two appearances. The 34-year-old likely will be a free agent after the year, as the former Dodger has a $2.5 million player option for next season.
Dyson, 31, has been solid for San Francisco the last two seasons and has one more arbitration year before free agency.
Moronta is the biggest wild card, as the hard-thrower has probably been the least reliable of the crew; he is overpowering, but his 19 walks in 39 2/3 innings are worrisome. But Moronta can be under team control though 2023, making him all the more valuable.