July 19th, 2024 at 8:00 am 
by Jesse Pearce As the 2024 MLB trade deadline (6:00 PM ET, July 30) draws closer, we read more and more suppositions regarding Dodgers trade targets. More pitching, adding another outfielder, perhaps a middle infielder. Some baseball experts think the team may make a couple of significant deals before the deadline as they prepare for the stretch drive to the postseason tournament.
Some big names are being bounced around by bloggers and journalists which piques the fantasies of Dodgers fans. How about a blockbuster deal with the Chicago White Sox for pitcher Garrett Crochet and centerfielder Luis Roberts? Detroit Tigers pitching ace Tarik Skubal would be a terrific addition. But, those deals would cost the team a bundle of top prospects which is contrary to Dodgers recent MO.
Trying to guess what deals Andrew Friedman, President of Baseball Operations, will make is similar to guessing the correct Power Ball numbers, but there are some deals that are more plausible than others. Nonetheless, Friedman has pulled off some major trades in the past, but always for his price – he doesn’t overpay (see Yu Darvish, Manny Machado, Max Scherzer, and Trea Turner acquisitions).
What package of players might the Dodgers offer for an improbable blockbuster trade with the White Sox, Tigers, or yet unnamed team like the Washington Nationals?
Peruse the current Dodgers roster of youngsters and their top-30 prospect list, you will not see an untouchable if the return is Crochet and Roberts, or Skubal, or Nationals southpaw starter Mackenzie Gore. The hurdle will be how many of the Dodgers talented youngsters will be required to get a deal done.
Would a combination of Bobby Miller, Landon Knack, Miguel Vargas, James Outman, and Dodgers top position prospect Dalton Rushing put Crochet and Roberts in Dodgers blue? Would Miller, Knack, and Rushing net Skubal in return?
What about the Nationals MacKenzie Gore who has the most remaining years of team control? Add outfielder Lane Thomas to the deal and the Dodgers might send Miller, Knack, Vargas, and Outman to Washington.
What about more plausible trade scenarios?
Blue Jays are essentially out of contention for a postseason birth, and their talented lefty starter Yusei Kikuchi will be a free agent after the 2024 season. As a one-year rental, the Dodgers package of players would be considerably less than the aforementioned blockbusters; perhaps Landon Knack and Michael Grove. A Blue Jays trade might be expanded to include infielder Bo Bichette, and outfielder Daulton Varsho. Knack, Grove, Gavin Lux, and Chris Taylor (to help balance salaries) might get that deal done.
With impending free agent Walker Buehler in Florida working with his own pitching consultants rather than the Dodgers, it will not be surprising for him to be traded once the Dodgers have a deal in place for another starter. And, James Paxton could be expendable if the Dodgers get another LH starter.
Buehler to the Red Sox for outfielder Tyler O’Neill? Or, would the Dodgers chance sending Buehler to a National League contender? A trade with the St. Louis Cardinals for infielder/outfielder Tommy Edman or Brendan Donovan would help both teams.
Paxton and Lux to the Yankees for infielder Oswaldo Cabrera? A deal on paper that makes sense for both teams.
There are other deals to be made in the next 11 days, blockbusters or more plausible deals. What do you think Dodgers fans of these deals? What deals would you like to see the Dodgers make?
Have fun with your guesses and remember, it is all in fun. Friedman isn’t likely to take our advice.
Go Dodgers!
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Posted in 
Although every Dodger fan loves CT3, the painful truth is that he is hurting the team more than helping it, as are Biggio, Outman, and Lux.
I totally get that Friedman ‘keeps running ’em out there’ hoping they will turn things around, but the numbers don’t lie. I have to believe that if the Dodgers weren’t leading the division by 7 games right now that they would have already been cut loose.
Just my humble opinion.
Don’t forget Kike Hernandez
Try as I may.
The acquisition that really chapped-my-hide was Biggio. I don’t care if he is a LH hitting infielder — when you can’t hit it doesn’t matter which side of the plate you stand. I much preferred bring up one of the guys from OKC: Gauthier, Lipcius, Owings, or Sweeney. Give these guys a chance instead adding Biggio who, in the famous words of Tommy Lasorda, couldn’t hit water if he fell out of a boat.
100%!
Totally agree. They already had enough dead weight with Lux, Taylor, Kike, and Outman.
Biggios acquisition inexplicable, a head scratcher. Lux just hasn’t recovered at the plate. CT3 the last month is the exact player he was roughly a 250 hitter with some pop clutch at times.
Outman can’t understand his approach at the plate. Looks lost.
Lux has said that he has a complicated swing; I don’t think he’s ever going to be a consistent run producer. I was surprised when writing this piece that Taylor is hitting less than .200 over last 7, 15, and 30 games according to MLB stats. IMO, Roberts has lost confidence in Outman who will soon be gone.
Never know what is fact or just supposition, but reports that Dodgers are heavily in on a trade with White Sox for Crochet and Roberts.
Very Friedman-ish.
Exactly Ron. Friedman and Dodger do an excellent job of keeping their plans private until they announce a deal.