The Los Angeles Dodgers may be better suited to exploring the trade market than free agency to improve their lineup.
Why the trade market presents opportunities
The Dodgers would welcome some explosive bats to inject youth and a higher ceiling into an aging roster.
Pitching-wise, the team is mostly set, with room for a bullpen arm or another marquee starter if the right opportunity arises.
The Dodgers will go hard after Tarik Skubal, a big-money free agent, but their other plans are unclear.
Nov 12, 2019; Scottsdale, AZ, USA; Los Angeles Dodgers general manager Andrew Friedman speaks during media availability at the Omni Scottsdale Resort & Spa at Montelucia. Mandatory Credit: Joe Camporeale-USA TODAY Sports
With the NLCS sweep, there is plenty of reason to expect big additions, and with free agency so shallow in terms of real game-changers, these two trade candidates would be a better use of resources.
CJ Abrams
Abrams is often floated as a possible infielder for the Dodgers to target, and for good reason. He is a fantastic offensive player who can play shortstop or second base.
He has been worth around 3 bWAR from 2023 to 2025, but in 2026 he had a real breakout season, posting 5.1 bWAR thanks to his career-high 33 home runs and 106 RBIs.
Abrams is only 26, but he is entering his second year of arbitration and will be a free agent in the 2029 offseason.
Sep 22, 2026; Detroit, Michigan, USA; Washington Nationals second baseman CJ Abrams rounds the bases after hitting a two-run home run, his second of the game, against the Detroit Tigers in the seventh inning at Comerica Park. Mandatory Credit: Lon Horwedel-Imagn Images Credit: IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect (Reuters)
The Washington Nationals are still rebuilding and reportedly aren’t keen to pay him big money because of his defense and projected long-term fit.
He’s been heavily floated as a trade candidate for a while now, and after the Dodgers’ struggles with runners in scoring position and postseason slugging, Abrams could be a relatively affordable upgrade.
Elly De La Cruz
De La Cruz has been a trendy name to link to the Dodgers, a trend notably started by Dodgers Nation’s Doug McKain.
Just about to turn 25, De La Cruz is already a superstar with bona fide game-changing power and the speed to impact the game on multiple levels.
As a cherry on top, his glove his capable of amazing plays. In every facet of the game, he brings value to the Dodgers where they lack.
With four years of arbitration left, the Cincinnati Reds can ask for an arm and a leg for De La Cruz, but if he doesn’t sign a contract extension, the motivation to deal him increases.
It may cost Josue De Paula and more prospects, but it would give the Dodgers a certified building block for the future and someone who can help make the most of the current window.
Dodgers Nation
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