The Los Angeles Dodgers have spent the better part of the offseason behaving like a franchise that refuses to accept even the smallest competitive weakness. Already armed with one of the most star-studded rosters Major League Baseball has seen in years, the organization has continued stacking talent in a way that feels almost excessive—at least to the rest of the league.
Their aggressive approach has only fueled the perception that the Dodgers are building not just a contender, but a modern super team designed to dominate October as thoroughly as it does the 162-game regular season.
Among the most eye-catching moves were the signings of outfielder Kyle Tucker and elite closer Edwin Díaz. Tucker gives Los Angeles another middle-of-the-order bat capable of changing games with one swing, while Díaz addresses the back end of the bullpen with one of the most overpowering relievers of his generation. Those acquisitions alone would have been enough for many teams to declare their offseason complete. For the Dodgers, however, they may only represent steps along a much longer path.
Despite the star power now spread across nearly every area of the roster, there remains one notable vulnerability—starting pitching reliability. The Dodgers possess a deep rotation on paper, but it is also one riddled with health concerns and uncertainty.
MORE: Cardinals Latest Trade Sends Top Lefty to Blue Jays
Over the past several seasons, Los Angeles has repeatedly entered October with high expectations, only to watch its pitching staff break down under the strain of injuries, innings limits, and fatigue. That recurring issue has left fans and analysts alike wondering whether one more bold move could finally eliminate the club’s most persistent flaw.
According to FanSided contributor Christopher Kline, there is indeed a potential solution—one that would be as controversial as it is transformative. Kline proposes that the Dodgers could solidify their rotation by acquiring San Francisco Giants ace Logan Webb, even if it means paying a steep price. The hypothetical deal would center around one of the Dodgers’ most intriguing and valuable assets: Japanese phenom Roki Sasaki.
At first glance, the idea seems almost unthinkable. Trades between division rivals are rare enough; blockbuster deals involving franchise-defining players are even rarer. Yet Kline argues that the logic, while uncomfortable, makes a certain amount of sense for both sides—particularly given the Dodgers’ current championship window and the Giants’ long-term strategic considerations.
The Dodgers’ pitching woes last season provide much of the context behind this proposal. Injuries ravaged the rotation from top to bottom, forcing Los Angeles to rely heavily on depth arms and bullpen games far more often than intended.
MORE: Red Sox Official Trade Land Brewers’ Superstar Infielder As Spring Training Approaches
While the team managed to survive the regular season thanks to its offensive firepower and organizational depth, the lack of a true, durable workhorse starter became glaringly obvious when the postseason arrived. In October, teams are often only as strong as their healthiest, most reliable arms, and the Dodgers simply did not have enough stability in that department.
That is where Logan Webb enters the conversation. Webb has quietly established himself as one of the most dependable starting pitchers in the National League. Unlike many modern aces, he is not defined by fragility or carefully managed workloads. Instead, Webb has built his reputation on consistency, durability, and the ability to shoulder a heavy innings load while still delivering elite performance.
Kline notes that a pitcher of Webb’s caliber would go a long way toward stabilizing what is already, at least on paper, the strongest rotation in baseball. Slotting Webb into the Dodgers’ staff would give them something they have lacked in recent postseasons: a starter who can be trusted to take the ball every fifth day, pitch deep into games, and remain effective late into the year.
Of course, acquiring such a pitcher from a bitter rival would not come cheaply. San Francisco would have little incentive to help Los Angeles unless the return package was overwhelming. That is precisely why Sasaki’s name becomes central to the discussion.
Roki Sasaki represents one of the most electrifying young arms in the global baseball landscape. His combination of velocity, movement, and poise has drawn comparisons to some of the most dominant pitchers the sport has ever seen. For the Dodgers, Sasaki embodies both immediate upside and long-term potential. For the Giants, he could be a franchise-altering acquisition—particularly if their competitive trajectory continues to trend downward.
MORE: Orioles fans rake Mike Elias over the coals after Framber Valdez lands with Tigers
Kline suggests that prying Sasaki away from Los Angeles would not only give San Francisco a generational talent but also allow the Giants to strengthen their presence in the Japanese market. That international appeal carries real financial and branding value, extending beyond wins and losses on the field. Additionally, Sasaki’s years of team control would provide San Francisco with a cost-controlled superstar at a time when elite pitching has become increasingly expensive.
The appeal of such a deal becomes even more pronounced when considering the Giants’ recent struggles. If another season were to go poorly, committing to a younger arm like Sasaki could align better with a partial reset or retooling phase. While trading a homegrown ace like Webb would be painful, the long-term benefits might outweigh the short-term backlash—especially if the return is viewed as transformative.
From the Dodgers’ perspective, the move would represent a classic win-now decision. Webb’s track record speaks for itself. During the most recent season, he compiled a 15–11 record while posting a 3.22 ERA across 207 innings pitched. He struck out 224 batters, limited baserunners to a WHIP of 1.237, and consistently gave his team a chance to win nearly every time he took the mound.
Those numbers are not just impressive in isolation—they underscore Webb’s ability to remain effective while handling a heavy workload. In an era when many starters struggle to reach even 170 innings, Webb’s durability stands out.
That reliability earned him a fourth-place finish in the National League Cy Young voting, along with his second All-Star selection. His excellence was not limited to one season, either; Webb finished as the Cy Young runner-up in 2023 and followed that with a sixth-place showing in 2024.
MORE: Giants trade for $56M former Cy Young winner in risky move
Such sustained success makes Webb more than just a high-end starter—he is a pillar around which a rotation can be built. For a Dodgers team with championship aspirations every year, that kind of stability could be invaluable.
Another factor working in Los Angeles’ favor is Webb’s contract. While the Dodgers are no strangers to massive payroll commitments, Webb’s deal stands out as relatively team-friendly given his production. He is currently in the third year of a five-year, $90 million contract, a figure that looks increasingly reasonable in today’s pitching market. When compared to the salaries commanded by other elite starters, Webb offers exceptional value, especially for a team seeking both performance and predictability.
That cost efficiency matters, even for a franchise with deep pockets. It allows the Dodgers to maintain flexibility while continuing to invest in other areas of the roster. In essence, Webb would provide ace-level production without the financial strain typically associated with top-tier pitching.
Still, the emotional and strategic cost of losing Sasaki cannot be ignored. Sasaki is not just another prospect; he is a potential superstar whose best years are still ahead of him. Trading him away would be a gamble, one that prioritizes immediate certainty over long-term upside. Yet Kline argues that Sasaki may be the only asset capable of even opening the door to a conversation about Webb.
For the Dodgers, the question ultimately comes down to timing. Their current roster is built to win now, and every season without a championship is viewed as a missed opportunity. Adding Webb could be the final piece that transforms them from favorites into overwhelming postseason juggernauts.
As spring training approaches, the clock is ticking. Decisions made in the coming weeks could shape not only the upcoming season but the franchise’s trajectory for years to come. While a trade of this magnitude would undoubtedly shock the baseball world—especially given the rivalry involved—it may also represent the bold, ruthless thinking that has come to define the Dodgers’ modern era.
Whether Los Angeles is willing to part with a talent like Sasaki remains to be seen. But if the goal is to eliminate every possible weakness and finally secure another championship, pursuing a pitcher like Logan Webb may be a risk worth taking.
Be the first to comment