The Dodgers skipped on Cole Hamels last year because they found the Phillies’ trade demands too high. So rather than having Hamels to pitch Division Series Game 3 against Matt Harvey, Los Angeles had Brett Anderson. And when Zack Greinke left via free agency, the Dodgers did not have an obvious co-ace to pair with Clayton Kershaw.

As of Monday, the Dodgers’ sense was the White Sox were not yet motivated to move Chris Sale or even well-regarded No. 2 starter Jose Quintana. But I have heard if that changes, the Dodgers would be more aggressive with Sale than they were with Hamels, up to including top prospect, lefty Julio Urias, to front a strong package. The Dodgers would not include Urias for Hamels last July.

With Kershaw out with a back injury that might necessitate season-ending surgery, the Dodgers could use an ace. It had seemed no Kershaw, no shot this year. When the lefty last pitched, June 26, the Dodgers were 14-2 when he started, 27-34 otherwise and eight games back in the NL West. But in his absence, the Dodgers were an NL-best 15-8 and within three games of the division-leading Giants.

Sale would give the Dodgers an ace without Kershaw, co-aces if Kershaw could return in September or for next year, and provide some protection if Kershaw opted out of his contract after 2018 (Sale is signed via options through 2019).

The Dodgers hope Anderson and Hyun-jin Ryu can return from injury to provide further rotation depth, so they are mainly concentrating on big starters such as Sale, Quintana and Tampa Bay’s Chris Archer. Their pen has performed well, but since Kenley Jansen can leave as a free agent after the season, Andrew Miller intrigues the Dodgers if the Yankees move him.

Los Angeles also is worried Andre Ethier might not make it back from a fractured tibia that has cost him the whole season. Thus, the Dodgers also are weighing lefty-hitting outfielders. Brett Gardner is not atop their list, but would be a consideration.