July 15th, 2023 at 8:00 am 
by 0799291000348 With the 2023 trade deadline just over two weeks away (August 1), how far are Dodgers President & CEO Stan Kasten, and President Baseball Operations Andrew Friedman willing to go for this year’s World Series? How much salary are the owners willing to increase payroll, and which untouchable prospects are they willing to trade? Will they marginally improve the roster, or do they go all-in to acquire significant difference-makers in order to be competitive with teams like the Atlanta Braves and Tampa Bay Rays in the postseason and World Series?
(Ron Cervenka)
Dodgers fans are accustomed to Friedman acquiring bargain players who fit a specific roster need, but he has also acquired star-level players when the roster needed more than a tweak to be competitive for a World Championship. Although the Dodgers are atop the NL West division, the sense is that this roster needs more than a tweak to reach the World Series.
(MLB)
This is a time for Friedman to be bold, prudently using Dodgers top prospects as trade capital to strengthen the roster — not to win the NL West, but to win the 2023 World Series. He owes it to the fans, but more importantly he owes it to the veteran players, and not waste another year of their prime: Mookie Betts, Freddie Freeman, Clayton Kershaw, Max Muncy, et al.
Baseball pundits consider Chicago White Sox starting pitcher Lucas Giolito the best starting pitcher available on the current trade market. The 29-year-old right hander is a legit, top-of-rotation pitcher (3.45 ERA, 117 strike outs, 34 walks) who will be a free agent after the season. The Southern California native is a difference maker the Dodgers need for their depleted starting rotation.
(Nam Y. Huh)
However, there are other teams for which Giolito would be a difference maker — the price to put him in the Dodgers starting rotation will be steep — it could be for what may be a three month rental. The Dodgers may have to include infielder Michael Busch, a pitching prospect like Gavin Stone, and catcher Hunter Feduccia to acquire the White Sox ace.
With the demotion of Miguel Vargas to Triple-A Oklahoma City this past week, the Dodgers need another right-handed hitter, preferably an infielder. One of the best available is the Washington Nationals switch-hitting third baseman Jeimer Candelario, who will be a free agent at the end of the season. In his career, Candelario has hit well against LH pitching; he and Muncy have identical 118 wRC+ this season. Acquiring him for third base would allow the Dodgers to move Max Muncy to second base with the significantly better fielder Candelario manning the hot corner.
There could be a bidding war for the 29-year-old third baseman, with the Brewers, Marlins, Phillies, and Yankees as potential trade partners with the Nationals. What package of Dodgers players/prospects would motivate the Nationals to trade their third baseman? Perhaps prospects Devin Mann (infielder) and Nick Nastrini (pitcher).
Adding Giolito and Candelario will cost the Dodgers several highly regarded prospects, but put them in position to be World Series contenders. Although both players are considered rentals, the Dodgers would be in great shape to sign both players to long term extensions prior to free agency.
What do you think Dodgers fans? How far should Friedman go?
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Posted in 
GREAT piece, Jesse – again.
I am fully convinced that Friedman will make another blockbuster move prior to (or at) the trade deadline.
Unfortunately, I also believe that Kershaw is done for the season and that he may very well retire at the end of this season – with ZERO shame or embarrassment whatsoever. I mean, the guy will be a first-ballot Hall of Famer five years from the day he elects to retire. The thought of him retiring from the game with any team other than the Dodgers would be very un-Kershaw-like.
If the Dodgers believe Kershaw is done (for season, or permanently) then pursuing the Cardinals Jordan Montgomery instead of Giolito (see Steve’s response below) is a very likely target.
Jesse
That’s a lot for a rental.
How bout a guy like Jordan Montgomery or Flaherty from the cards.
Rather dodgers give up Busch, Stone and Hunter F for the Pirates closer.
A longshot but how bout bringing back JT for 3b and move Munchie back to 2b.
Ooops. First reply didn’t post — perhaps I was too wordy. Readers Digest version: Yes, expensive but that it was I think the current market will demand — limited supply and high demand = higher prices. I like Montgomery too, and if Kershaw’s shoulder is serious then Dodgers may turn to the lefty Montgomery instead of Giolito. I love JT (still have his autographed jersey) but I don’t see him as a viable third base option — he is now a DH
Never liked the idea of Muncy manning the hot corner, he lacks the athleticism to go after sharp grounders and his arm leaves much to be desired. Ideally he’s a 1B or DH which is why I’d like to see the Dodgers move him in a trade maybe for another 3B (I’d shoot the moon and try for Arenado) to give the acquiring team a stopgap who can slug with the best of them and also gets on base well for having such a putrid BA.
The one trade that would work for both teams is Muncy even up for Blue Jays Matt Chapman who will be a free agent after this season while Muncy is under team control (team option) through 2024. Over their careers their wRC+ is almost identical, but Chapman is a gold glove quality third baseman and a couple of years younger. But I don’t think Friedman will risk upsetting the Dodgers players by trading Muncy now. Chapman could/should be on the Dodgers radar as a free agent with Muncy taking over the DH role in place of JD Martinez.
Agree with Ron, great piece JP. As for my take, there is no question that a frontline starter is essential if the Dodgers are going to make a deep run and win it all. In my mind, only Bobby Miller is off the table. I really hope that CK is not out for the the season and I think he will not retire until he gets 3000k’s. Julio, Giolito, CK and Miller could conceivably make it happen. Third base; I grew up watching the great Brooks Robinson (does anybody remember the Wheaties commercial “Hey Brooks, you didn’t have your Wheaties”) and who could ever forget what Graig Nettles did to us as the guardian of the hot corner. Hometown boy Nolan Arenado would be a dream come true that will probably never happen. Alas, we must live with Max and hope that the ball is hit to Rojas, Mookie/CT3 or Freddie. I like the hitting line-up, top four are awesome, can live with Max, and Peralta has been terrific so far. Just need a little from Heyward/CT3, Outman, and Rojas, and I was really happy to see CT3 get a base hit last night. If he could just shorten his swing a bit (see Tony Gwynn) and not try and hit an HR every at-bat, I think he would be so much better. That line-up with a solid #2 starter and an additional reliable lefty in the bullpen (although Vesia appears to be getting better), and I think we can make a deep run in October.
I agree, a top of rotation pitcher should be the top priority. Adding a quality reliever would be nice, but if the Dodgers add Giolito (or compared starting pitcher) then Grove, Sheehan, Gonsolin, and/or Pepiot go to the bullpen. So far, I like how Braiser has pitched and as you pointed out, Vesia looks like he has fixed the mechanical flaw. Ferguson and Graterol handle the setup role, with Almonte, Vesia, and Brasier for 6th and 7th innings.
Check this piece by Eric Stephen out:
https://www.truebluela.com/2023/7/16/23796607/clayton-kershaw-retirement-talk-dodgers-rangers-2024
How bout.
Grove Vargas Stone Busch
One of the catchers hunter F
For Cardinals closer and some guy named Nolan Arenado.
Would even through in Ryan Pepiot and Bickford