With multiple needs and the desire to win now, all the while developing their farm system, the Los Angeles Dodgers have unsurprisingly been at the center of several trade rumors.
The main area of concern for the Dodgers points to starting pitching, though the club is said to also be in search of a bat. A recent bone scan revealed that Andre Ethier’s fractured has not fully healed, delaying his expected return.
Other injuries in the outfielder have Trayce Thompson on the disabled list with a back issue, and Yasiel Puig was removed with right hamstring tightness soon after entering Thursday’s game.
The injuries may add serve as more incentive for the Dodgers to explore trading for an outfielder. Ryan Braun of the Milwaukee Brewers is among the options believed to be available, and the Dodgers are on the short list of teams Braun can’t block a trade to.
However, the Dodgers aren’t appear to be giving much thought to dealing for the 32-year-old, per Jon Heyman of Today’s Knuckleball:
While the Dodgers have been connected to those outfielders in a market flush with them (there’s also Melvin Upton Jr, Josh Reddick and possibly Carlos Gomez available), there’s no evidence they are looking seriously at L.A. native Ryan Braun to this point. They are one of only six teams he can be traded to without his approval, but word is they have some real reservations there
Braun is batting .315/.373/.516 with 14 home runs, 45 RBIs, a .376 wOBA and 132 wRC+ in what’s arguably his best season since 2012. Although he may not be on the Dodgers’ radar, the club is believed to have interest in Colorado Rockies right fielder Carlos Gonzalez and Jay Bruce of the Cincinnati Reds.
Bruce said during the All-Star break the Dodgers, who remain in postseason contention, is a team he’d welcome a trade to.
