Despite a series of impressive moves during the offseason, the Los Angeles Dodgers are expected to be active at the MLB trade deadline, which is now less than one week away at 3 p.m. PT on Thursday, July 31.
All signs point to the Dodgers addressing their bullpen via trade. It’s an area of the roster manager Dave Roberts specifically mentioned, and the Dodgers have been connected to several relief pitchers over recent weeks.
There’s also some belief the Dodgers may look to acquire a position player who could provide a boost to their slumping lineup.
Meanwhile, they have scouted Boston Red Sox prospects Franklin Arias and Brandon Clarke, according to Sean McAdam of MassLive.com:
One source said the Los Angeles Dodgers have had a scout doing extensive work on the Red Sox’ High A affiliate in Greenville, with an eye on shortstop Franklin Arias and lefty starter Brandon Clarke. Intriguingly, the Dodgers recently sent a second scouting supervisor to double up the organization’s coverage at Greenville, which could be a sign of advancing talks between the teams.
It’s possible the Dodgers scouting the Red Sox farm system is connected to a potential Dalton Rushing trade:
According to one source with some knowledge of the matter, the Red Sox’ interest is centered around L.A. catcher Dalton Rushing.
Arias has hit a combined .284/.335/.391 with 21 doubles, four home runs and 45 RBI this season during time at Single-A and High-A. Arias was signed by the Red Sox as an international free agent out of Venezuela in 2023.
Clarke has also pitched at those same Minor League levels this season, going a combined 0-1 with a 2.65 ERA and 0.88 WHIP while collecting 53 strikeouts in 34 innings across 11 starts.
Arias is ranked the top Red Sox prospect by MLB Pipeline, and Clarke is fourth.
Although not mentioned within the parameters of the Dodgers’ scouting work and Red Sox having interest in Rushing, it is plausible there’s overlap with Jarren Duran involved as well. Duran trade rumors have heated up over recent days amid conflicting reports of a potential trade before the deadline this season.
However, the Red Sox reportedly rejected a trade offer from the San Diego Padres for Duran and some believe they will ultimately keep the 28-year-old despite a surplus of left-handed hitting outfielders. Duran is under team control for multiple years and won’t reach free agency until after the 2028 season.
Will the Dodgers trade Dalton Rushing?
It’s not believed the Dodgers are particularly inclined to trade Rushing, who was promoted from Triple-A Oklahoma City earlier this season for his MLB debut and to take over the backup catcher role from Austin Barnes.
However, Rushing’s pedigree as a former top Dodgers prospect indicates he warrants a larger role, and there’s not a clear path to that in L.A. The Dodgers abandoned last year’s experiment of having Rushing play left field, and while he has experience at first base, Freddie Freeman is signed through the 2027 season.
Thus, the situation is shaping up to be similar to what unfolded with Michael Busch, whom the Dodgers ultimately traded along with Yency Almonte to the Chicago Cubs for prospects Zyhir Hope and Jackson Ferris.
If Rushing is traded to the Red Sox, he likely would remain in backup role given the surprise emergence of Carlos Narváez. But the organization is believed to have some concerns over Narváez’s workload, and haven’t received much production from Connor Wong on days he fills in.
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