The Los Angeles Dodgers are one of the favorites to win the World Series once again.
It’s difficult for the reigning champions to secure the title in consecutive years, but the Dodgers are certainly capable of doing it. They’ll just need a little help to get there.
These three trades could push the Dodgers over the top.
Trade proposal 1: Dodgers bring back familiar face for left field
The Dodgers could certainly use an upgrade in left field over Michael Conforto, and Verdugo is a cheaper way to go about it. Verdugo is currently in Triple-A Gwinnett and could be a trade piece if the Braves can’t recover from their slow start.
This is a very low-risk, high reward trade for the Dodgers. Worst-case scenario results in a platoon in left between Conforto and Verdugo. The flipside is if Verdugo hits the way he did in 2019, and it would give the Dodgers a big spark in the lineup.
Los Angeles would give up very little as Verdugo becomes a free agent at the end of the season.
Trade proposal 2: Dodgers make a big splash in center field
Here is the big move the Dodgers should make at the deadline. Andy Pages isn’t even close to being a high-level outfielder, and he’s holding the team back. Adding Luis Robert Jr. would be the perfect addition both offensively and defensively.
Coughing up three top-15 prospects is a tough pill to swallow for the Dodgers, but nobody will think twice if it leads to another World Series. This trade would give opportunities to Freeland and Ryan. Both are currently blocked in the Dodgers system.
Robert Jr. is only 27 years old, so making this trade would provide the Dodgers with a star center fielder for years to come.
Trade proposal 3: Address the bullpen
The Dodgers must add to the bullpen to be successful in the postseason, there’s no question about that. While they have a variety of pitchers on the injured list currently, they can’t rely on those players to perform or on internal improvements.
Ryan Helsley is set to be a free agent after this season, so he will have the most suitors among contenders. As a result, the Cardinals will take the highest bidder when it comes to dealing their closer.
Los Angeles will part with another top-10 prospect in this deal, but they’ll do so knowing they’ll be able to extend Helsley prior to the end of the season.
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