Rival exec: Dodgers 'big-game hunting' for impact move

With ambitions of reaching the World Series for the first time since 1988, the Los Angeles Dodgers are expected to be major players leading into the non-waiver trade deadline.

Sitting 4 1/2 games back of the San Francisco Giants in the division and occupying a wild-card spot, the Dodgers are said to be "big-game hunting" with ambitions of making an impact move rather than incremental upgrades, a rival executive told Jerry Crasnick of ESPN.

The Dodgers have failed to move past the NLDS in the two years under the front-office tandem of Farhan Zaidi and Andrew Friedman despite boasting MLB's top payroll.

Crasnick believes the Dodgers might be more motivated to pursue a Chris Archer-type pitcher as opposed to a middle-of-the-rotation arm like fellow Tampa Bay Rays teammates Jake Odorizzi or Drew Smyly, as Los Angeles has Clayton Kershaw, Hyun-Jin Ryu, Scott Kazmir, Brandon McCarthy, and Kenta Maeda all under contract next season.

The Dodgers certainly have the budget and the prospects to consummate a major deal and are in need of a starter with Kershaw, Brett Anderson, Ryu, and Alex Wood all currently occupying the DL.

While top pitching prospect Julio Urias is likely untouchable, the Dodgers could still dangle Jose De Leon, Frankie Montas, and Grant Holmes, or could include All-Star outfielder Yasiel Puig in a package.

"Everything is a negotiation. But I think our farm system is deeper than it's ever been at this point," Friedman told Bill Plunkett of the Orange County Register last week. "That allows us the opportunity to have more meaningful conversations with other teams."