The Los Angeles Dodgers might already be the villains of Major League Baseball, but there’s always room for them to get even more stacked. Coming off back to back World Series titles, the Dodgers remain the gold standard — yet with several core players such as Max Muncy, Freddie Freeman, and Miguel Rojas all 35 or older, it’s fair to say Los Angeles could benefit from injecting some youth into its roster.
Meanwhile, the Oakland Athletics have found themselves at the opposite end of the spectrum. They’ve been a bottom-five team for four consecutive seasons and are in desperate need of a spark to climb back toward relevance. The A’s have built an exciting young core, but they’re missing the type of veteran presence that can elevate them to the next level. Adding a player like Freddie Freeman could be the kind of bold move that finally jumpstarts their rebuild.
In this piece, we’ll explore why the A’s have two young standouts — Max Muncy and Nick Kurtz — who could entice the Dodgers enough to part ways with Freeman.
*THIS IS A PREDICTION, NOT A REPORT*
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Why the Dodgers Make This Trade
Los Angeles Dodgers Receive: 3B/SS Max Muncy, 1B Nick Kurtz
Oakland Athletics Receive: 1B Freddie Freeman, SS Prospect Emil Morales
Freddie Freeman has been a fan favorite in Los Angeles and was a major part of their 2024 and 2025 World Series runs, even earning World Series MVP honors. But as elite organizations often prove, knowing when to move on is part of sustained success. Freeman has two years left on his deal, but at age 35, he’s unlikely to be a long-term cornerstone for the next generation of Dodgers baseball.
In this trade, Los Angeles would replace Freeman with 23-year-old Nick Kurtz — a 6’5” left-handed slugger who’s already showing signs of becoming one of baseball’s next great first basemen. Acquiring him, along with 22-year-old infielder Max Muncy (no relation to the Dodgers’ current Muncy), would be a huge win for L.A.’s future.
Muncy, the A’s current third baseman, has shown versatility by playing shortstop and second base as well. He’s hitting .220 with nine home runs and 42 total hits this season. With veteran Max Muncy injured and Rojas entering free agency, this younger Muncy could step in as a flexible, athletic option at third. He’s also a Thousand Oaks, California native — practically a hometown fit for the Dodgers.
Kurtz, meanwhile, ranks among the MLB leaders with 17 home runs this season and would slide perfectly into the Dodgers’ lineup as their long-term first baseman.
Why the Athletics Make This Trade
For Oakland, this deal comes with real risk. Losing two blue-chip prospects like Muncy and Kurtz would sting, especially since both are developing into everyday MLB contributors. But the A’s are in dire need of credibility and leadership. Around the league, the franchise has been criticized as one of the worst organizations to play for — often described as “cheap” and “directionless.”
Freddie Freeman would immediately change that perception. Even at 35, he’s still performing at an elite level, having hit as high as .375 earlier this season and currently batting .297. Pairing Freeman with emerging star Jared Wilson — who ranks second in hits and batting average — could give the A’s a legitimate middle-of-the-order duo for the next several years.
With productive players like Brent Rooker and Tyler Soderstrom already in the lineup, adding Freeman could be the push Oakland needs to reenter the national conversation. It’s a gamble, yes — but one that could finally bring the Athletics back into the spotlight.