Holding the best record in the Majors at 63-29 and with a commanding eight-game lead in the National League West standings, the Los Angeles Dodgers don’t appear to have any glaring weaknesses. That being said, there are aspects of the roster that could be bolstered.
Throughout much of the year the general assumption held the Dodgers would look to upgrade their starting rotation and bullpen and acquire a right-handed bat prior to the July 31 non-waiver trade deadline. Recent reports suggest the bulk of their focus is on trading for a left-handed reliever.
There’s been little made on the position player side other than general rumblings on Milwaukee Brewers outfielder Ryan Braun, who holds a full no-trade clause as a player with 10-and-5 rights.
In similar fashion with Braun, the Dodgers reportedly had some level of interest in Detroit Tigers right fielder J.D. Martinez last year. According to Nick Cafardo of The Boston Globe, Los Angeles is among the current favorites to trade for Martinez:
The Cardinals, Dodgers, and Royals seem to be the favorites to land Martinez, an impending free agent.
Whether the Tigers will elect to become sellers at the deadline is unknown. In the event they do, Alex Avila, Justin Verlander and Justin Wilson may also become available. The Dodgers have been connected to both pitchers, though more prominently to the left-handed closer.
Martinez is batting .306/.384/.622 with 13 doubles, 15 home runs, 37 RBI, a .461 wOBA and 160 wRC+ in 55 games this season. The 29-year-old missed the first seven weeks of the season after suffering a lisfranc sprain in his right foot during Spring Training.
Defensively, Martinez has rebounded from a porous 2016 campaign, though he’s still only has -6 Defensive Runs Saved and a -4.5 Ultimate Zone Rating this season. Martinez is eligible to become a free agent this winter.
