July 1st, 2023 at 8:00 am 
by 0799291000348 Officially, the MLB 2023 trade deadline is August 1 but the Texas Rangers jump started the trade period on June 30 when they acquired 35-year-old relief pitcher Aroldis Chapman from the Kansas City Royals. Supposition had included the Dodgers as potential suitors for the dominating left hander and seven-time All-Star in order to enhance their beleaguered bullpen. Whether the team was interested in acquiring Chapman is now moot — he is off the market.
The proactive Rangers have jump-started this trade period, perhaps prompting buyers to expedite their respective trade schedules, anxious that they may be late to a small market of selling teams. Failing to improve rosters at this time of the year may be the difference between playing in the postseason, or starting early vacations.
Dodgers fans are well aware that injuries and below average performances by some players has left the team with an unexpectedly flawed roster. It seems certain that the team will pursue additional pitching help for the bullpen and likely for the starting rotation. Considering the poor offensive contributions by catcher Austin Barnes, shortstop Miguel Rojas, second baseman Miguel Vargas, and outfielder Trayce Thompson, adding a right-handed hitter who is proficient against southpaw pitching would be ideal.
Where to start?
A replacement for Austin Barnes as backup catcher?
Barnes is a favorite of the pitchers and in the clubhouse, but with a negative 4 wRC+ (Fangraphs) his offense is literally the worst in MLB for players with 100 or more plate appearances — number 361 of 361. His defense is statistically below ML average, and he has only thrown out five runners in 50 attempts.
The Dodgers may not want to upset the team chemistry by trading or releasing Barnes, but they do have the option of temporarily carrying three catchers. The team will not want to disrupt the development of top catching prospect Diego Cartaya by prematurely promoting him from Double-A Tulsa, but they could add Triple-A catcher Hunter Feduccia to play against right hand pitchers with Barnes in reserve.
A trade option is Oakland Athletics catcher Carlos Perez who is a good defensive catcher, has thrown out seven of 19 runners attempting stolen bases, and hits well against southpaw pitching. Perez is 32 years old and the A’s are rebuilding, they would likely accept a package of prospects like catcher Feduccia and infielder Devin Mann in return.
What do you think Dodgers fans, should the Dodgers make a change at backup catcher?
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Excellent piece, Jesse.
Barnes has GOT to go, period.
My guess is that he will be placed on the IL with a ‘mystery injury’ (who cares why) and Feduccia called up from OKC, with Cartaya moving up there.
I like the idea of giving Feduccia a chance to show what he can do at the ML level, but he has only thrown out 9 of 52 steal attempts at OKC. Another trade option is ex-Dodger Connor Wong who has been great behind the plate for the Bosox.
I think the Dodgers have larger issues to take care of than to worry too much about a backup catcher that plays on average once a week.
I do like the idea of a mystery injury for Barnes that would give us a chance to see what Feduccia might bring to the party.
What would really help is for Vargas and Outman to perform better. Both have been disappointing. I would have kept Busch and sent Vargas to OKC.
Muncy needs to improve. He needs to OPS at least .800 to justify starting at 3rd base with his limited range and below average defense.
Agreed. Catcher was just the first topic for consideration. However, I think a change at catcher has the potential of really helping the Dodgers offense and defense. I am 100% in agreement with you about Vargas — I do not understand why the Dodgers chose to hand him the second base job instead of having a competition. IMO, Vargas is another of the overhyped Cuban players the Dodgers have acquired. The Dodgers tried to spin Vargas was a good defensive player but it is obvious that he is not even close to being a ML caliber defender.
Would love to see the Dodgers pick up a veteran guy like Adam Duvall who can play all 3 outfield spots and is right handed. Can platoon in LF plus come off the bench.
Barnes and Vargas are head scratchers.
Can’t believe the lack of performance for both
Urias and Hudson hopefully are healthy and contribute. Pray CK is good.
I think we will do something at the trade deadline and win the West.
We are on the same page about Duvall — the subject of a coming piece. A player like Duvall would free up Taylor to take over second base, or use a platoon OF with Mookie moving full time to second base.
Adam Duvall would be a good pick up. What do you think it would take to acquire him? I would like to find a way to trade Muncy and move on. Do you see any potential takers for Muncy? We are stuck with Taylor. Taylor and Muncy are essentially the same player at the plate. Muncy just walks more. Taylor is much better defensively.
We are on the same page about Muncy. I will likely repeat some of the following in future piece. I think Muncy could be a trade chip with an AL team in a mutual aide trade (Dodgers are not likely to help an NL contender). I think the Yankees, Orioles, Blue Jays, Guardians, Mariners, and White Sox could be in play for a Muncy trade. They all would benefit from Muncy’s power and run production.