As the MLB trade deadline approaches on August 3, the Dodgers find themselves in a good position to enhance their chances for a third consecutive World Series appearance. Here are four pressing questions that could influence their strategy.
1) Is their pitching rotation reliable enough?
The Dodgers hold the best record in baseball and seem poised to clinch the division, making them prime contenders in the trade market.
Interestingly, this team has very few gaps to fill.
This year’s roster closely resembles last year’s, with the exception of Kyle Tucker taking over for Michael Conforto. Their bullpen appears more robust than last season, and the return of Edwin Diaz is exciting. Plus, the bench has a wealth of experience, and there are impressive prospects in the minors who could step up if necessary.
However, concerns linger over the health of their rotation, particularly with Tyler Glasnow dealing with back spasms and Blake Snell recovering from elbow surgery after a difficult first half of the season.
Acquiring Tarik Skubal could significantly address these issues.
If there’s a player who could seriously impact their deadline strategy, it’s him.
But if the Dodgers can’t secure Skubal or if the asking price from the Tigers is too steep, they’ll face a couple of critical decisions.
Do they believe that Yoshinobu Yamamoto, Shohei Ohtani, Glasnow, and Snell will all be fit for October? And if not, can they count on Justin Robleski, Loki Sasaki, Emmett Sheehan, or other inexperienced pitchers to start a playoff game?
If they’re uncertain, Skubal might not be the only solution they need to consider for injury-related depth.
2) How much young talent are they willing to trade?
The Dodgers’ impressive farm system makes them the most enticing buyers this deadline.
Their prospects are routinely ranked among the top three in baseball, a fact that has been evident from the start of the season and continues to reflect their organizational prowess.
This puts them in a strong position to make a significant trade for a player like Skubal if they choose to.
But will they actually go through with it?
Considering the uncertainties in baseball—such as labor disputes and potential economic shifts—it’s hard to shake the feeling that restrictions may tighten around their spending soon.
For teams with aging rosters, the risk of letting go of young talent is especially troubling, particularly given that the Dodgers have fewer draft picks this year due to penalties related to free-agent signings.
Still, their depth in the outfield, featuring prospects like Josue de Paula, Mike Sirota, Eduardo Quintero, and Zyhir Hope, provides them with potential trade assets and options.
At some point, they will need to make room for all this talent, which might embolden them to be bolder in their trading decisions.
The more promising prospects they hold, the likelier they could cash in for a star in the future.
This is a tricky balance to maintain, but it will definitely influence their plans leading up to the deadline.
3) Can they sell surplus talent again?
The Dodgers have successfully built their robust farm system by trading surplus players at the trade deadline in the past.
This has long been the objective of Andrew Friedman, the President of Baseball Operations, and players in the league understand the increasing costs associated with deadline trades.
Last year, they exemplified this strategy by moving Dustin May from the rotation to acquire Thibs and Ehrhardt and releasing third-string catcher Hunter Feduccia, replacing him with a pitching prospect.
They’re expected to repeat this approach this summer.
Eric Lauer’s recent performance might make him appealing to teams in search of rotation depth, especially since he might find it hard to secure a spot with Snell and Glasnow back.
The Dodgers may also look to balance their outfield-heavy prospects by trading for players that bolster other positions.
Additionally, they might be open to parting with major league-ready talent, like younger starters Wrobleski, Sheehan, or River Ryan, to snag a beneficial deal.
Such moves could be difficult for other teams to consider but provide the Dodgers with various strategic choices.
4) Are the young hitters prepared to step up?
Ideally, the Dodgers would prefer not to rely heavily on young hitters like Alex Freeland and Dalton Rushing for the remainder of the season.
Nonetheless, with the tentative nature of any pitching staff, especially with one of the oldest lineups in the league, they may need to call on those untested players for support.
The organization’s trust in Rushing may prove crucial.
Will Smith’s recent neck injury serves as a reminder of how essential it is to have dependable catching options. Previously, when he faced another injury early in the playoffs, Rushing was overlooked initially but became a key addition, something the Dodgers might consider again.
Rushing is showing promise this season, though recent miscommunication with Ohtani sparked some concern. His offensive contributions have been significant, despite certain frustrations along the way.
Yet, the question remains—can the team genuinely rely on him for a playoff game?
It’s just another layer of complexity the Dodgers will have to navigate as they finalize their plans leading up to the deadline.
