While the Los Angeles Dodgers have carried a glut of outfielders on the active roster over the past few seasons, they’ve yet to truly address the surplus, despite an apparent willingness too.
In November 2014, Dodgers president of baseball operations Andrew Friedman acknowledged the club would stand to benefit from trading an outfielder; Matt Kemp was sent to San Diego Padres one month later.
However, the trade was completed so as to clear room in center field for Joc Pederson, essentially leaving the Dodgers back at square one.
That was of benefit last year as Yasiel Puig only managed to play in 79 games due to hamstring injuries.
The team’s surplus has never been at the level it is now, as there are eight Major-League caliber players on the roster who can play the outfield in, Carl Crawford, Andre Ethier, Alex Guerrero, Kiké Hernandez, Pederson, Yasiel Puig, Trayce Thompson and Scott Van Slyke.
Given their age and contractual status, Crawford and Ethier appear to be the outfielders the Dodgers would most likely wish to trade. That being said, general manager Farhan Zaidi gave Ethier a vote of confidence last November.
That of course isn’t to suggest Ethier absolutely will not be traded. Such could occur as the Chicago White Sox have interest in the 33 year old, according to Phil Rogers of MLB.com:
Not clear if there's a match but #WhiteSox are exploring #Dodgers Andre Ethier. His 2.7 WAR in '15 would be 4th best in their lineup.
— Phil Rogers (@philgrogers) February 1, 2016
Although Ethier has also drawn interest from other clubs, the Dodgers reportedly prefer to move Crawford:
#Dodgers would prefer to deal Carl Crawford but it's Ethier who is drawing interest from teams with remaining OF needs.
— Phil Rogers (@philgrogers) February 1, 2016
Ethier hit .294/.366/.486 with 14 home runs, 20 doubles, 53 RBIs, a .366 wOBA and 137 wRC+ in 142 games last season. His resurgence from a down 2014 came at an opportune time with Puig missing much of the year.
Ethier, who turns 34 years old on April 11 and is the longest tenured Dodger, is owed $18 million this season and $17.5 million in 2017. His contract includes a $17.5 million club option in 2018 with a $2.5 million buyout.
Ethier will reach 10 years of Major-League service time, including the last five with the Dodgers on April 21, and thus earn the right to refuse any trade as a 10-and-5 player.
Crawford tore an oblique muscle last April that forced him to the disabled list. He returned July 21 after having missed 75 games. Crawford appeared in 69 games last season, batting .265/.304/.403.
He’s owed $20.75 million this season and $21 million in 2017. Crawford’s contract includes a clause that permits him to block a trade to two clubs.
It was previously reported if the Dodgers were to deal either Crawford or Ethier, they would be willing to include cash in the trade.
