The Los Angeles Dodgers are 69 games into the 2016 season, find themselves just three games over .500 and closer to third place in the National League West than they are to first place. Suffice to say, expectations haven’t been met thus far.
Rookie manager Dave Roberts has had plenty of challenges to deal with, namely an abundance of injuries that began to ravish the club’s depth during Spring Training. However, while the pitching rotation has been patched together and proved serviceable, the Dodgers’ offense has trailed behind.
Entering play on Saturday, Los Angeles ranks 26th in Major League Baseball in hits, 29th in batting average, 25th in on-base percentage, and 28th in slugging. There’s some faith placed in the likes of Adrian Gonzalez and Howie Kendrick righting the ship.
Meanwhile, Dodgers president of baseball operations Andrew Friedman said the club would target ‘elite-level players’ at the trade deadline.
It’s no secret the Dodgers have the financial power and deep pool of prospects to address their need(s) via trade. A.J. Ellis recently pointed to those factors and the Dodgers’ history as reason to believe any necessary improvement will be made, per Bill Shaikin of the LA Times:
“Every year since I’ve been here, they’ve done something,” catcher A.J. Ellis said. “We’re always buyers. We have the resources, financially and in our farm system, to make the correct additions to this club.”
On July 28, 2014, the Dodgers traded a player to be named later to the Chicago Cubs for Darwin Barney and cash considerations. Just a few weeks later, the Dodgers also sent another player to be named later to the Philadelphia Phillies for pitcher Roberto Hernandez.
The last season, the Dodgers front office acquired starting pitching and bullpen depth, and a speedster on the base pads. Their three-team trade with the Atlanta Braves and Miami Marlins netted Luis Avilan, Jim Johnson, Mat Latos, Jose Peraza and Alex Wood.
In a move that didn’t necessarily pan out at the time but saw a return in 2016, the Dodgers traded two prospects to the Phillies for veteran infielder Chase Utley. Whether the Dodgers make a flashy or subtle move remains to be seen.
What’s safe to assume is the club won’t remain idle through the non-waiver and waiver trade deadlines.
