Over the last couple of weeks articles have been shared with Dodger fans about possible trade targets that the Dodgers could go about acquiring in an effort to strengthen the NL West’s best team, who with today’s loss dropped to 18-10, but still hold a commanding four game lead against the Giants, who come into Dodger Stadium for a three-game series beginning tomorrow.

The player who has received the warmest welcome is David Wright of the New York Mets. Evidently a third baseman is high on the want-list of every Dodger fan. However, recently the cries have been for bullpen help. While searching around, I didn’t have too look far, in fact remaining on the Mets’ roster.

Bobby Parnell is a 27-year-old right-hander that has performed very well out of the Mets bullpen this season. He posts a 2.84 ERA in 13 appearances, finishing two games for New York. In 12.2 innings he has allowed five runs (four earned) on 14 hits, allowed a home run, struck out 16 while walking two.

Parnell by no means is a closer of any means, but would slide into a role at the beginning of the bullpen as a pitcher who could begin the process of shortening the game, and passing the torch down the line until the Dodgers get to their closer (whoever that might be with Javy Guerra‘s future in the role unknown.)

But who goes?

What about Guerra? He was never expected to climb to the big league level, at least not this fast. But he amazed and dazzled, enough to secure himself the job this season. With his ERA now standing at 5.95, there is no reason to believe that he should remain at this level.

Perhaps he even becomes trade bait.

For certain though, Kenley Jansen cannot be touched. Josh Lindblom has most definitely earned his spot on the roster. Sure, Scott Elbert is an easy name to mention, but then who pitches to lefties? That’s another conversation for another day. Ronald Belisario was just activated, and could very well designated for assignment, as his activation was executed due to Ronald being out of options.

Against the Dodgers in six appearances, Parnell has been filthy, pitching in 8.2 innings and allowing no runs on three hits, walking just one, and striking out 11. This type of production would be lethal in the Dodgers bullpen.

Parnell will turn 28 in September and most importantly will not be a free agent until 2016, meaning that the Dodgers could engage in contract talks with him, tender a deal, and watch him dominate, knowing that if anything slips up prior to 2016, they can simply non-tender him in arbitration.

I would love to add Parnell to any deal that would include David Wright, although at this point it’s getting very pricy. How much? Perhaps Zach Lee-expensive, and even another top-five prospect to sweeten the deal. The Mets were able to swipe Zach Wheeler, a top prospect from the Giants organization last season in exchange for Carlos Beltran, a rental.

The rest is left for speculation, but the bullpen really could use an upgrade, and I feel that Parnell should be given full consideration as a trade candidate.