The Los Angeles Dodgers don’t have any real holes on their roster as the 2026 MLB trade deadline approaches on Aug. 3, which puts them in a unique position relative to other teams.
The Dodgers could have a quiet deadline and just focus on improving their depth, they could sell some excess pieces in their organization to improve farm system depth, or they could target the best available players and be opportunistic, as the front office likes to say.
The Dodgers could also be extremely active and do a little of each. That would look something like acquiring a catcher as organizational depth, trading someone like Eric Lauer off the active roster, and working to trade for a high-end talent, such as Tarik Skubal.
Rival clubs expect the Dodgers to be active and even get a bit greedy as they try to win their third consecutive World Series title, via Bob Nightengale of USA Today.
Well, rival executives believe the Dodgers plan to be greedy, and are infatuated with the opportunity of becoming the first National League team to win three consecutive World Series championships.
Dodgers manager Dave Roberts has said he expects the club to be more of a seller, rather than a buyer, but that could just be playing the public information game.
While the Dodgers don’t have any glaring needs on their roster, they do have some areas they could address.
Blake Snell, Tyler Glasnow and Shohei Ohtani are all currently out of their rotation as they deal with injuries, but the hope is all three of them will be ready for the postseason.
Even if one of them isn’t able to pitch again this season, the Dodgers would still have a group that could contend with any rotation in October.
Will Smith’s return timeline is unclear, and it’s no longer certain he returns this season, but Dalton Rushing has done a solid job as the everyday catcher in his absence.
Kyle Tucker and Teoscar Hernández have both underperformed, but the chances the Dodgers move on or upgrade from either of them is closer to 0% than 1%.
In the bullpen, the Dodgers have Edwin Díaz and Blake Treinen set to return soon, and they already have a strong group as it stands. For improving their bench, Kiké Hernández should be back before the end of the month.
That gives the Dodgers a lot of flexibility at this deadline, and with a deep farm system, they can do nearly anything they want.
Tigers’ high cost for Tarik Skubal trade
IF the Detroit Tigers do end up trading Skubal, they are said to be looking for an MLB-ready starting pitcher with team control, along with high-end prospects as part of any deal.
The Dodgers can make that work by packaging Emmet Sheehan or River Ryan, along with one of their high-end outfield prospects, plus whatever else needs to be added on top to get the deal done.
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