DodgersBeat Staff
What is the Dodgers’ biggest need this deadline?
Cody
The Dodgers’ biggest need this deadline is one hundred percent dependent on the health of starting pitcher Yoshinobu Yamamoto, who is currently on the 15-day IL with a strained rotator cuff. According to Dave Roberts, this injury is not expected to be season-ending.
However, if, by chance, Yamamoto does not return this season, the Dodgers will need a clear number two starter in October. While Gavin Stone has proven his value this season with a breakout year, the Dodgers still require a true ace to line up with Tyler Glasnow.
Currently, the Dodgers are impressively ranked second in the National League in team ERA (3.37), third in starting pitcher ERA (3.63), and first in bullpen ERA (3.02). This underscores their pitching strength. However, as the Dodgers are aware, you can never have too much pitching, especially in October, a lesson they learned last postseason.
If Yamamoto is healthy and can be that true number-two starter, the Dodgers can put all their trade chips into upgrading the offense, especially the bottom third of the order, which has a collective slash line of .223/.289/.344 this season.
Steve
With all the injuries and uncertainty surrounding the starting rotation, I would have to say that a frontline starter is front and center on Andrew Friedman’s to-do list. I would like to have better production in the bottom third of the lineup, but getting a bat seems secondary at this point.
A lot of that is caused by Miguel Rojas and his solid play filling in at shortstop. With Rojas putting up decent numbers on the infield, that gives the Dodgers more flexibility on what to do with Mookie Betts when he returns. He could move to second base when a left-hander is pitching, and play a little right field if need be. With that flexibility, starting pitching moves to the forefront.
Mike
Biggest needs for the Dodgers? One starting pitcher, one relief pitcher, and one corner outfielder. A quality outfielder that can put the ball in play and help the bottom of the lineup. You don’t need someone who is going to swing for the fences at every appearance to the plate.
Adrian
The Dodgers’ biggest need for this deadline has to be on the pitching front. With some key arms still missing from the rotation and bullpen, priority number one should be to deal with some new arms to wear Dodger blue. There are a lot of options out there on the market that could very well be the difference-maker for a deep postseason run. If we want to be specific, left-handed pitchers should be the main target, and the likes of Garret Crochet could be the perfect match.
Alyssa
The Dodgers’ biggest need is a closer. We have a good bullpen, but what would make it better is someone who is a little more dominant on the mound and can close out games without the fear of giving up a one —or two-run lead.
Injuries have been an issue for them this season when it comes to pitching, so I think a relief pitcher can be key to securing more wins for the Dodgers, especially in the postseason when it matters most. I think the Dodgers’ farm system has developed pitchers and position players quite nicely, but this is also a good thing when it comes to the deadline.
It would benefit them to use these players in their trades and gain players with experience in the big leagues. I do not think another position player is needed only because of the depth we have seen in the lineup since the injuries of Max Muncy and Mookie Betts.
I think the hitting coaches and players have done a great job of developing and fixing mechanics to allow Dodger players to adjust at the plate and succeed. The primary focus of the deadline should be to find a pitcher the Dodgers can work with to help out the bullpen, which has found recent struggles.
Who is one player on your wish list this deadline?
Cody
I’ll give you two. The first is my semi-realistic option, Texas Rangers starting pitcher Nathan Eovaldi. The second is Tarik Skubal from the Detroit Tigers.
Eovaldi, 34, is an intriguing candidate to be traded this deadline as the Rangers seem to be falling out of contention day by day. If the Rangers want to sell and cut some payroll while building toward 2025, they could be open to trading their veteran arm for some pieces to use next year. Eovaldi is 4-3 with a 3.45 ERA in seventy-three innings this season, but his postseason performance, where he is 9-3 with a 3.05 ERA in seventy-nine innings, could be a game-changer.
Skubal is my wild card pick if the Tigers are willing to listen on a potential package; the Dodgers should be all over the left-handed 2024 American League Cy Young favorite and his two-and-a-half years of control, which is discussed here.
I’ll also include Angels super-utility man Luis Rengifo, but I know that the Angels will not be trade partners with the Dodgers anytime soon.
Steve
For me, I would feel much better if Garrett Crochet was in a Dodger uniform by the end of the month. His numbers are borderline spectacular (3.02 ERA, 0.93 WHIP, 141 strikeouts in just over 100 IP). Plus, he’s a lefthander.
Given James Paxton‘s inconsistency and the question mark surrounding Clayton Kershaw‘s return, having a solid and reliable southpaw in the rotation will be critical in October.
Mike
I would like to see Tyler Anderson come back to the Dodgers. He knows the system, the players, and the coaches and would fit right in. I feel Anderson would get back to the pitcher we all knew two years ago. I would not be opposed to Jesus Luzardo, either. He is a much-needed left-handed pitcher who would not cost a lot and has two years of arbitration left.
Adrian
Speaking of Garret Crochet, he is the guy on my wishlist for this trade deadline. Crochet is currently sitting at 6-6 with a 3.02 ERA and 141 K’s in 101.1 innings. As mentioned in previous articles I’ve written, Crochet is the only bright spot on the White Sox, and Chicago has already confirmed that they are in the market to sell, so why shouldn’t the Dodgers take full advantage of bagging this dominant left-hander?
The Dodgers do not have any reliable left-handers in the starting rotation, and I believe Crochet could ease in nicely to the staff. With a devastating cutter and high-leverage fastball, Crochet could easily slide into the four spot in this rotation. Once everyone is healthy, I can see a starting rotation of Glasnow, Yamamoto, Stone, Crochet, and Kershaw.
Alyssa
Kenley Jansen. Before I am thrown into the fire here. I think Jansen has always been a good closer for the Dodgers. He just ran into unfortunate luck when it came down to his last seasons with Los Angeles. I think in Boston, he has put up good numbers and has had less pressure than he has, where he was able to work on things, and he has definitely contributed to a lot of the Red Sox bullpen.
However, if he were to be traded, he would obviously have some of that veteran background and could add depth to a bullpen that has been struggling with injuries. Jansen has a 2.22 ERA, which is a decrease in earned runs since being in LA. I would love to see a comeback season for him because sometimes I feel like he got a little too much hate.
Are there any untouchable prospects in the farm?
Cody
It’s my firm belief that the Dodgers should be willing to trade virtually any prospect in their pursuit of a championship. The goal is clear: to assemble all assets necessary to win a championship, especially with star players like Mookie Betts, Freddie Freeman, and Shohei Ohtani in their primes.
However, if I were to say one that is harder to move, that would be Josue De Paula, the nineteen-year-old minor league outfielder who grades out above average in his scouting report. De Paula is the number two prospect in the Dodgers farm system and number sixty-four on the MLB.com top one hundred.
Steve
I’m tempted to say Dalton Rushing simply because he’s rated as the number one prospect in the system right now, but when you look at Will Smith, Freddie Freeman, and Shohei Ohtani, there isn’t much of a path for him to be anything but a part-time player in the short term. Ditto for Diego Cartaya. If Landon Knack is still considered a prospect, I would hold onto him. Don’t trade any pitching prospect this year. Too risky.
Mike
Untouchable prospects for me: Pitcher River Ryan, Pitcher Justin Wrobleski, Pitcher Hyun-Seok Jang, Outfielder Josue De Paula, Outfielder Kendall Geroge, (bold prediction) future all-star Shortstop Joendry Vargas, and Outfielder Chris Newell.
Adrian
I am going to be the mean guy and say all prospects are fair game to be dealt. Look, there are some notable prospects in the Dodgers organization, including Dalton Rushing, Josue De Paula, and Kyle Hurt, just to name a few.
Then again, you have to look at how the Dodgers have developed and drafted players in the last decade. They make the right moves and develop the young guys well, and I don’t see that culture changing anytime soon. It’s not like I don’t care about the young guys in the Dodgers system. They have bright futures ahead of them. Seeing them up close in the minors was very exciting stuff, but I am just looking into the now.
As I see it, the Dodgers should look to win right now rather than wait for these prospects to develop and make their rounds to the majors. If a good enough deal comes up through trade talks and LA has to deal with some of their finer prospects, so be it. It’s a business at the end of the day, and I say the Dodgers should put all their chips on the table to get the best chance of winning come October.
Alyssa
I think right now, Andre Lipicus has been showing a lot of promise and can be a great addition to the Dodgers’ offense when he is deemed ready. Of course, there has always been talk of the transition between minors and majors; however, we all know how productive the Dodgers’ farm system is. With some experience in the majors, I think Lipicus can take advantage of the coaching he is receiving with the Dodgers, and I hope to see him get a chance soon.
On the pitching side, I was seeing talks earlier on trading Gavin Stone, however, I think his starts with the team have proved that it would be a huge mistake to fuel that rumor. Stone has been solid on the mound for Los Angeles and is fresh off coming off his recent complete game against the White Sox.
One bold prediction for the Dodgers this deadline?
Cody
My bold prediction could ruffle a few feathers. I believe the Dodgers should trade Walker Buehler at the deadline to get some value before he inevitably walks in free agency.
Buehler has been a shell of himself since returning from his second Tommy John Surgery this season, posting a 5.84 ERA in eight starts after being activated off the 15-day IL in May. The Dodgers could go the same route last season when they traded Noah Syndergaard to the Cleveland Guardians, who desperately needed innings in their rotation, which is what the Red Sox need this season.
In my opinion, the Dodgers cannot afford to waste this season. With Buehler contributing little to the roster at the moment, the Dodgers should act swiftly to get what little value he has on the trade market, especially with more starters set to return from the injured list this summer. Robbie Hyde, an avid Red Sox fan and baseball YouTuber, proposed an intriguing idea of a one-for-one swap of Kenley Jansen and Buehler.
Steve
My bold prediction is that the Dodgers will not be that bold this deadline. Given the number of sellers and the cost of getting even marginal talent, other than a starter, I don’t see much else happening for the Dodgers this season.
Mike
Bold prediction for the Dodgers this trade deadline, not going to be surprised if they do nothing.
Adrian
One bold prediction I have is that the Dodgers successfully trade for Tarki Skubal and Jack Flaherty of the Detroit Tigers. A bundle deal that could honestly be the best acquisition in this deadline. I understand the Dodgers would have to give up a lot for this trade to be even considered, but Andrew Freidman has done crazier things in the past.
Two pretty consistent and tenured arms that could add lengthy depth to the starting rotation when all is well and stable. Between the two, Skubal is the better pitcher, but Flaherty is a great plus one if a bundle deal can be reached. Nonetheless, I think getting either Flaherty or Skubal would be a huge plus for the rotation.
Alyssa
One thing that is far from happening but could be is the Dodgers considering a trade for Chris Taylor. It is obvious that Taylor has not been having the best season, but as a veteran, I do not think there is any reason to keep him.
For example, with Betts hurt obviously the Dodgers were in need of a middle infielder, however there were 3-4 players who could have stepped in that role. Unfortunately, I think Miguel Rojas took over just fine. Taylor has been a great player throughout the years and can possibly fit well elsewhere.
This is a very far-fetched idea, but if it means we get a player for the pitching staff who can make an immediate impact, I am not opposed to this happening.
What are your predictions for the Dodgers this deadline
Cody
My answer could be disappointing to many Dodgers fans, but I do not think the Dodgers will go crazy at the deadline this season. With the addition of the third wild card, more than half the teams in each league are technically still in the race.
With that said, the asking prices for Garrett Crochet, Luis Robert Jr., Bo Bichette, and others will be astronomically high, so the Dodgers will either miss out on these big names or stay put altogether.
However, what I really see the Dodgers doing this deadline is trading for Kenley Jansen, Randy Arozarena, and a starting pitcher on an expiring contract, such as Jack Flaherty.
Jansen has been linked to the Dodgers since last winter. With the Red Sox on the brink of that final Wild Card spot, they could keep him, but their ownership has other goals than winning. Arozarena has been linked to the Dodgers since the Tyler Glasnow trade, and per ESPN’s Jeff Passan, that interest is still there.
Steve
I try not to get too much into predictions because getting talent at the deadline involves finding a willing partner who has something that you want. This year, there are not so many of those, especially in the National League. Although there is some separation starting to occur, it’s hard to forecast a month in advance where these teams will be at the deadline.
In the past, the Dodgers at the deadline have been sort of like Veruca Salt from Charlie the Chocolate Factory (“Daddy! I want an Oompa Loompa!!”), but I’m not so sure the Dodgers can just get whatever they want this year. I will say this, though: one or more of the White Sox will be wearing a Dodger uniform by the deadline.
Mike
The Dodgers pick up Tanner Scott from the Marlins. Scott ranks in the top 10 percent in average, exit velocity, expected batting average, whiff rate, and ground ball rate. He is earning 5.7 million this season, his last before free agency. I will not be surprised if Andrew Friedman makes a deal with the White Sox for Left-Handed Pitcher Garrett Crochet.
Adrian
My final prediction for the Dodgers this trade deadline is acquiring pitching first and foremost. More specifically, trading for the likes of Garret Crochet. After going through the metrics and how dominant he’s been, I don’t see why the Dodgers don’t pull the trigger on this diamond in the rough. We can all collectively agree that since the Crochet rumors have been heating up, his value as a stable arm for this Dodgers rotation has been able to be displayed. A reliant, innings eater, strikeout machine that I could easily see shine in those Los Angeles lights.
Alyssa
I think by the end of this deadline, there will definitely be an addition to the pitching staff, whether it is a starting pitcher or bullpen. I think with the injuries this season, it is only a matter of time before we see if those on the IL will be healthy enough come postseason. Being able to add to that addition of talented pitching, the Dodgers need to secure a pitcher who can either limit runs or secure wins, especially when there is not a lot of run support provided by the offense.
Right now, I do not see them adding another position player because of their offensive production and they will have once players like Max Muncy and Mookie Betts return. The issue is not having enough position players as Rojas and Teoscar Hernandez‘s success continues to play out.
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