With the Los Angeles Dodgers well on their way to another National League West title, many around baseball are eager to see what moves they might make ahead of the Aug. 3 trade deadline.
The Dodgers have again been decimated by injuries this season and could stand to bolster their depth at several key positions, including catcher and the starting rotation. And though they haven’t been strongly linked to any of the biggest names available to this point, L.A. can easily make a splash if the opportunity presents itself.
Despite some obvious roster needs, manager Dave Roberts opined that the team is more likely to sell than buy at the trade deadline, via Dylan Hernández of the California Post:
“I could almost argue that we’re sellers more than buyers,” Roberts told The California Post.
While the Dodgers remain without several key players due to injury, Roberts doesn’t believe the team has a major need to bring in any reinforcements:
“Personally, I don’t see any glaring needs,” Roberts said. “I really don’t.”
As it currently stands, the Dodgers are without Blake Snell, Tyler Glasnow and Shohei Ohtani in their rotation. Snell recently began a rehab assignment but Glasnow is still limited to throwing only fastballs in bullpen sessions, and more clarity could come on Ohtani’s status if he tests his left knee off the mound this weekend.
Meanwhile, Will Smith has been out since the first week of June due to neck trouble. The Dodgers initially anticipated a quick return from what was deemed neck stiffness, but his timeline remains unclear after being shut down from baseball activities over the All-Star break.
Dalton Rushing has done a solid job filling in as the starting catcher, but there isn’t much depth behind him. Eliezer Alfonzo and Chuckie Robinson have both struggled offensively in limited opportunities as the Dodgers’ backup catcher.
Dodgers’ reported plans for trade deadline
As the trade deadline inches closer, the Dodgers are reportedly focused on bolstering a farm system that features top-end talent but is lacking in terms of overall depth at multiple positions.
L.A. is specifically said to be in search of young talent with considerable upside, rather than immediate-impact prospects.
The Dodgers could theoretically deal from positions of strength to improve their farm system, which includes their excess of outfield prospects and potentially Eric Lauer.
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