The Los Angeles Dodgers had a quiet trade deadline, acquiring reliever Brock Stewart and outfielder Alex Call from the Washington Nationals.
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President of baseball operations Andrew Friedman typically makes a blockbuster trade in the summer. Last season alone, the LA front office managed to land Tommy Edman, Michael Kopech and Jack Flaherty.
But the lack of moves this deadline day seemingly indicated the Dodgers were content with their current roster. In fact, general manager Brandon Gomes echoed this sentiment following the 3 p.m. deadline.
“Obviously there was a lot of action today throughout the game, and a lot of teams improved,” Gomes said last Thursday. “But we feel really good about this group. Coming into the year, we felt like this was as talented of a roster as we’ve ever had. We’re in a position where we’re in first place, and I don’t even think we’ve played our best baseball yet.”
MLB insider Bob Nightengale revealed the Dodgers had hoped to make a splash on the trade market for an outfielder, but ultimately struck out in their pursuits of their primary target.
“They were badly trying to acquire Cleveland Guardians outfielder Steven Kwan, believing he would be the perfect fit to replace Michael Conforto in left field,” Nightengale writes. “But after hours of negotiations, were left empty-handed. The consolation prize was Washington Nationals outfielder Alex Call.”
“Everyone in baseball thought they were getting Kwan,” one GM said to Nightengale.
Four other teams around the league acquired a defensive-minded outfielder. The Philadelphia Phillies acquired Harrison Bader, the Kansas City Royals snagged Mike Yastrzemski and Randal Grichuk, the New York Yankees traded for Austin Slater, and the New York Mets acquired Cedric Mullins.
The Dodgers acquired Call, and while he is certainly going to be a key depth piece, is not going to be a Michael Conforto replacement.
There’s no telling which team will win it all this season, but if the Dodgers fall short, the acquisitions (or lack thereof) at the trade deadline could receive some criticism come October.
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Photo Credit: Denny Medley-Imagn Images
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