The Los Angeles Dodgers fared well in their critical stretch of facing postseason-caliber teams, which included a dominant showing against the San Diego Padres and San Francisco Giants to open up a comfortable lead in the National League West standings.
The Dodgers entered play Saturday with a season-best 6.5-game lead over the Giants, seven in front of the Padres and having surpassed the Detroit Tigers for the best record in baseball. They’ve managed to accomplish this in spite of having a rotation held together by duct tape.
With the MLB trade deadline one month away, the window to fill holes on the roster is closing. But the Dodgers find themselves in an eerily similar position as last season.
Their roster has issues that need to be addressed, specifically in the rotation and bullpen. However, that can be solved once pitchers return from the injured list.
The Dodgers are pretty set on the offensive side, though they have a glaring hole in left field as Michael Conforto continues to struggle this season.
The Dodgers have had a knack for pulling off big trades at the deadline under the current regime, but a move for a left fielder doesn’t seem likely this season unless president of baseball operations Andrew Friedman is able to identify a target he really likes, according to Bill Shaikin of the L.A. Times:
“Never say never,” Friedman said, “but I think we would hold a very high bar and find it very unlikely.”
One of the reasons this could be is that the Dodgers already believe they have an in-house option in the form of Hyeseong Kim, with manager Dave Roberts stating that the rookie has earned a more “consistent look” in the lineup.
Kim likely becomes the everyday center fielder if he continues to produce, which allows Andy Pages to move to left field and solves the Dodgers’ problem.
Meanwhile, Conforto has enjoyed a strong stretch this week, but that has been the case in the past only to tail off.
Potential Dodgers trade targets in left field
As for external options, there doesn’t figure to be many big names available at the trade deadline. The Dodgers could realistically target Taylor Ward or Luis Robert Jr., but Friedman would have to consider them a massive upgrade.
He also notoriously despises acquiring players at the deadline because of the inflated prices.
Robert Jr. has struggled this season but his pedigree as a former top prospect could make him worth taking a flier on. The cost to acquire him would also not be very high as a result of his struggles dating back to last season.
Bryan Reynolds would be a nice acquisition for the Dodgers, but there aren’t any indications that the Pittsburg Pirates are actively shopping him. Reynolds is a former All-Star with five years of team control at an affordable rate, but has performed well below his capabilities this season.
The Pirates would want to avoid selling low on him, which is why they most likely hold off on a trade.
If the Dodgers want a big name, Jarren Duran could be the move on the heels of the Boston Red Sox trading Rafael Devers. Even if the Red Sox were to entertain an offer for Duran, the Dodgers would be unlikely to meet the asking price.
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