The Los Angels Dodgers should be active on the trade market this season as injuries and poor performances have created sizable holes and question marks on their roster that a team with World Series ambitions should not necessarily have.
The Dodgers had a rough couple of weeks going into the All-Star break that included a 5-10 stretch. That encompassed disappointing series losses to the San Francisco Giants, Arizona Diamondbacks, Philadelphia Phillies and Detroit Tigers.
Injuries have taken their toll on the Dodgers, especially the starting rotation that is not nearly as strong as it was earlier in the season. The lineup has also lost important pieces in Mookie Betts and Max Muncy for several weeks.
A Dodgers rotation consisting of Gavin Stone, James Paxton, Landon Knack, Justin Wrobleski and Tyler Glasnow is not one that inspires a lot of confidence for the postseason. Thus, it is reasonable to assume starting pitching is one of the Dodgers’ biggest needs heading into the trade deadline.
But during an appearance on MLB Network’s “High Heat,” general manager Brandon Gomes noted it’s difficult at present time to determine what is most pressing for the Dodgers leading up to the MLB trade deadline on July 30:
“I think that’s a little challenging, just based on how our guys are coming back and what’s going to be available. I think when we’re healthy, we have an incredibly good team. Over the next 10 days or so, it’s looking at what’s available and how we can add impact-type players to what we feel like is a good roster right now.”
What the Dodgers have maintained is some level of confidence in their ability to replenish the talent on the roster via in-house options. Glasnow and Clayton Kershaw are both returning this week, and multiple relievers should be active in the near future as well.
The Dodgers front office can’t necessarily be blamed for being bullish on organizational depth considering they still have the second-best record in the National League despite all they have been through this season and the plehtora of the talent that should be returning.
Players like Muncy, Bobby Miller, Yoshinobu Yamamoto and Walker Buehler are also pieces that can help alleviate the Dodgers’ issues. However, reasonable levels of expectations can be debated for various reasons.
That leaves the Dodgers in a bit of a no-man’s land scenario where they have the option to not make any moves to acquire starting pitching, which has been hit the hardest by injury.
But they would be gambling on returning players that each carry risk, whether it be availability or being effective right away.
Dodgers trade deadline options
A blockbuster trade for the Dodgers is not absolutely necessary for them to have a successful trade deadline, but they would be doing themselves a disservice if completely standing pat.
At the bare minimum they need to add some kind of impact bat that can be counted on to help lengthen the lineup. Tommy Pham is a low-cost option the Dodgers have been linked to recently.
It would also be wise for them to address the third base position as insurance against the possibility that Muncy does not return this season. Isaac Paredes and his .820 on-base plus slugging percentage, 18 doubles, 16 homers and 51 RBI could help the Dodgers at a potentially modest cost.
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