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Dodgers trade rumors: Dodgers interested in Wade Davis

The Dodgers may want to add some punch to the back of their bullpen.

Kansas City Royals v St Louis Cardinals Photo by Dilip Vishwanat/Getty Images

The Dodgers probably wouldn’t say this has been their most charmed season. Bursting with expectations and money, the assumed the NL West competition would be a little less fierce, but their offense hasn’t clicked and injuries have left them without key players, namely Clayton Kershaw. But Kenley Jansen and the bullpen have been a bright spot, with the 28-year-old Jansen, in his seventh year in Dodger blue, having a career year: 1.41 ERA, 8.29 SO/W, 30 SV, and only 2 HR surrendered in 44.2 IP - not to mention his All-Star appearance.

But Los Angeles is poking around the idea of bringing in Jansen some back-up, according to Jon Heyman:

Although the Dodgers have one of the best closers in the game in Kenley Jansen and, by ERA, the top bullpen in the NL (3.01), Wade Davis is someone who interests the Dodgers.

It’s going to take a lot to crawl out of the hole created by injuries to the Dodgers roster, but the addition of Davis would give the team a brick wall to deploy late in games. The 30-year-old has a 1.16 ERA and 21 SV in 33.2 IP this season.

The Royals, however, have slapped a high price tag on their closer - when the Nationals came calling because Jonathan Papelbon looked shaky, Kansas City informed them Davis was available for, say, newly promoted prospect Lucas Giolito.

The Dodgers have been getting away with using a mostly anonymous bunch in the pen, having the best bullpen ERA (2.97) and fourth most strikeouts (351). But if their goal is to vastly improve with one sick move, then they should act quickly—the Red Sox have already been seen sniffing around Davis, and you know how they get this time of year.