It takes at least two teams to make a trade. Thank you Captain Obvious. AF does not like to lose trades. He may overpay for FA, but he is not going to overpay in a trade. If you do not think every other team is cognizant of AF and his desire to win trades, you might be a bit naïve.
Trades in the Winter are different than at the deadline. Every team believes they have a chance at least a WC spot before the season starts. Miami has improved to where they believe they have a legit chance, and is willing to spend this year. How much? We will have to wait and see. With Pittsburgh’s pitching, they believe they have a shot in the NL Central if they can sign a bat. Cincinnati believes they can go further in the playoffs if they can sign Kyle Schwarber.
Point is, every team believes they can win. Some not as realistic (Colorado, CWS, Washington). Teams are not looking for top prospects who are not MLB ready in the winter. They want MLB players who can help them win this year. At the deadline is when the fallout from losing begins and prospects become more fungible.
That is why not picking up a difference maker at the deadline last year was head scratching. The Dodgers have multiple top 100 prospects. Most have not had any real play time at AA, and most have not reached AA.
The Dodgers do not have elite prospects like Konnor Griffin (Pittsburgh SS), Leo De Vries (A’s SS), Kevin McGonigle (Tigers SS), Jesus Made (Brewers SS), or JJ Wetherholt (Cardinals SS). There are a couple of top OF prospects that are not going anywhere: Max Clark (Detroit) and Walter Jenkins (Twins).
As has been hyped over and over, the Dodgers prospect strength is their OF. But none of them are MLB ready, and the top two have to prove themselves at AA before they can be considered MLB ready.
Thus, the Dodgers have very few MLB or MLB ready players who are tradeable and can generate a difference maker in return. Alex Freeland and Dalton Rushing are the only MLB ready position players on the 40 man. Ryan Ward does not count as he was bypassed by every team multiple years in the Rule 5, and Estuary Ruiz is the poster child for AAAA player.
I mentioned last Winter that Dalton Rushing should have been traded. Not many agreed with me, but I saw what ended up happening with Rushing in a very limited role as a backup catcher. To me it was a waste of his value. Now his trade value is diminished. The Dodgers could have garnered more in a trade last year than they can this year. So they are keeping him. Why not?
IMO, Rushing is not your typical backup catcher. He is not Martin Maldonado, or AJ Ellis, or Austin Barnes…He should be a regular catcher with a MLB team. However, IMO, the Dodgers kept him to not only be the backup catcher but also to try to build back up that trade value. I have no way of knowing, but could this be a spot where Rushing can platoon with Alex Call in LF this year? 3 games in LF, 2 at catcher, one at 1B, one at DH, or any combination so that he can get 5-6 games per week in the lineup.
MLB position players who might be tradeable? Alex Call, Hyeseong Kim, and Tommy Edman? You are not getting a front line OF or 3B from them.
You are not getting a Jarren Duran, Wilyer Abreu, Byron Buxton, or PCA with a headliner of Teoscar Hernández.
The Dodgers need to trade from their strength, and that is SP. The most logical pitcher is Emmet Sheehan, but most here do not want to trade him. The Tyler Glasnow contract makes any potential return sketchy. His ceiling is too high just to get a marginal player in return. They do not need to get rid of his salary. Yoshinobu Yamamoto, Blake Snell, Shohei Ohtani, and Roki Sasaki are not getting traded. Gavin Stone and River Ryan have not proven they can be MLB pitchers post injury, so why trade proven OF or 3B for a maybe?
No matter how much Bums wants it to happen, PCA is not getting traded by Chicago. Boston is not going to get excited about the 4 Dodger OF prospects with primarily A+ experience when they have OF at MLB and MiLB. They want pitching. It is going to take Emmet Sheehan to start the conversation with Boston for Duran or Abreu. Or the Twins Buxton, especially if the Twins trade Joe Ryan.
Brendan Donovan? Every MLB team seemingly is talking to St. Louis about a trade for the utility player. Yes he would fit in the LAD lineup very well. However, now that the Dodgers have re-signed Miggy Ro, there is even less of a reason to trade for another utility player.
Going back to AF wanting to win trades, it is more probable that he will not be high bidder for Donovan, but would more likely be a candidate of a Lars Nootbaar or Gorman Thomas trade.
With JJ Wetherholt near ready, possibly Masyn Winn could be moved at an overpay for a GG SS with 4 years control. But Wetherholt can play 3B, so if St. Louis dumps Arenado, the left side of the infield is set for years. Winn and Wetherholt will be playing as a 24 year old and a 23 year old respectively. Why would they change especially if they are in a rebuild.
Outside of Emmet Sheehan, I just do not know how you make teams better with what the Dodgers have to trade, and get back a difference maker in return.
Toronto has now improved their rotation making it near impossible for them to trade Dalton Varsho, Addison Barger, or Ernie Clement. They would love to dump Anthony Santander. I am sure the two teams could work something out on a Davis Schneider trade.
If the elites are not going to be moved, AF will need to uncover a gem. Maybe a Royce Lewis or Brooks Lee from Minnesota. Thomas Sargesse from St. Louis. Jake Meyers (Houston) or Kyle Isbel (KC).
LAD position players acquired in a trade? Mookie, Miggy Ro, Alex Call, and Tommy Edman. Outside of Mookie, who are the difference makers?
If reports are accurate, the Dodgers want a LH hitting OF. Who else might be of interest to AF/BG? I can see the Dodgers having interest in Ryan O’Hearn who could also be Freddie’s backup. Two other LH hitting free agent OF that could be of some interest: Cedric Mullins and Mike Yastrzemski. Think Teoscar, who was not highly sought after two years ago while with Seattle, and Michael Conforto last year. The Dodgers are willing to overpay for this level of FA. People complained about $17MM, but the Dodgers didn’t. Overpay for Tanner Scott, Blake Treinen, and Kirby Yates?
I will not be surprised if the highest priced FA the Dodgers sign is a RP.
This is why I do not expect much from the Dodgers at the Winter Meetings. The players they are most likely to trade for or sign as free agents will be on hold until the big FA are signed.
Thus, I think the Dodgers will make more noise with 2nd tier FA than high priced FA. No Kyle Tucker or Bo Bichette.
I would also not be surprised if AF/BG do not sign an OF, and instead lets Rushing prove he cannot play LF in a platoon with Call. If not, then the 4 OF prospects can begin to separate and one or two will shine and become available in a deadline trade.
Now watch the Dodgers sign Tucker or Bichette and Edwin Diaz.
Minor point, Mullins signed with the Rays.
Not at the time I was writing it. I saw it but after I published.
Hard to write detailed articles when nothing is standing still. Keep up the great work!
Very true, especially at this time of year and at the Trade Deadline. And thank you.
Sheehan is a good trade chip. I could see him as the headliner in a deal with Boston. With Stone and River Ryan coming back, the 6th spot in the rotation should be covered.
I think Wrobleski and Jackson Ferria also have good trade value. The Dodgers certainly can use their depth to swing a deal, even if AF doesn’t like to “overpay.”
You are more confident than me that both Stone and Ryan will return to their former selves. I hope so, but they have to prove it. If the Dodgers do trade Sheehan, that gives more credence that they are convinced that Stone and/or Ryan can be the #6.
Wrobleski is a swing pitcher very reminiscent of Ross Stripling and Mitch White. Strip was an All Star, and he did not bring much back in return: RHP Kendall Williams (released August 4, 2024) and a PTBNL, 1B/RF Ryan Noda. Wrobo may be most effective as a multi-inning reliever.
Ferris is giving out warning signs to prospect publications. Certainly things he can overcome, but he is not considered MLB ready. He still has control and command issues. More BB, less K, and more HR. His ceiling is as a mid-rotation if everything comes together. But these publications are sensing a higher relief risk with a floor as a late inning reliever. Neither Wrobo nor Ferris will bring back anything significant in return. What they are is inexpensive with years of team control, but they are not difference makers.
The Dodgers can pull from their depth to make a trade, but it has to start with a headliner. Also when was the last time the Dodgers traded from their depth for a player that did not come with significant financial concerns (Mookie and Glasnow).
Without another move….
DH Shohei
C Smith, Rushing
1B Freddie, Rushing
2B Kim, Edman, Rojas
3B Max, Rojas, Edman
SS Mookie, Edman, Rojas, Kim
OF Pages, Teo, Call, Ward, Edman, Rushing
Not sure why the new OF needs to be LHH but I agree with most of the rest.
And I do think Rushing has value as a back-up catcher plus. I’ve been advocating for a jobshare at the hardest position for years.
Pages and Teo are RHH. It’s is what has been reported by some that the Dodgers want a LHH OF to complement their RHH bats in the OF.. Probably one of the reasons the Dodgers picked up Ryan Ward’s contract, and why there is discussion for Rushing to play some LF.
The 2nd and 3rd tier RHH OF include Austin Hays, Starling Marte, Miguel Andujar, and Rob Refsnyder. Certainly not difference makers.
Most successful reams do not jobshare at catcher. I suspect that Rushing would not want you as his agent if you are comfortable with him being a backip over the next several years. His pre-arb years will barely exceed MLB minimum, making his arb years very low. He does not become a FA until 2031. The most games he figures to see is once per series. 1/3 of the season is about 53 games. Maybe in two years when Freddie’s contract is up he will get more PA. I admit he is good insurance if Smith gets hurt.
I would like them to sign Harrison Bader.
It’s almost too simple…
Seems like it to me. Sign Bader and a high leverage bullpen arm and we are good to go.
Good discussion today.
I think the Dodgers know they cannot run-it-back and expect to win. They also know you cannot have too much pitching especially if the plan is to “rest” starters for stretches during the season.
I think the Dodgers need a bat that can hit LH pitching (the Philly series makes me think that).
Add to the above a new labor agreement that penalizes or caps spending, 2026 may be the last time to load-up.
Even though it sounds crazy, it seems to point to signing a big FA like Tucker or Bichette.
I do agree with your point about the new labor agreement that could curb our spending a bit. Coupled with a less than sexy 2026 free agent class, perhaps this is the last time to get a quality guy in his 20’s like Bichette/Tucker.
Or, find a guy who’s about to get paid and is on a cheapo team, much like how we got Mookie.
As a huge Miggy Ro fan, I’m delighted that the Dodgers have signed him for one more season.
He is valuable in so many ways to this team’s success.
That’s definitely one of the deals I wanted to make in the off-season.
Christmas comes early for Phil. 🙂
I’m a huge Byron Buxton fan. Will AF make my Christmas dream come true?
Not a chance.
Michael “Killjoy” Norris…
I prefer Bear.
I’m afraid you may be in for a lump of coal in your Christmas stocking, Cassidy.
Great conversation starter Jeff.
Rushing: agree with all of your comments.
Teo: Rosenthal has an article out today that says the Dodgers have actually had trade conversations with teams about Teo, but that it definitely isn’t a certainty that they’ll trade him. Just exploring options at this point.
Donovan: you refer to him as a “utility player” and that’s true if by utility you mean a guy who can play multiple positions. My definition of utility is a versatile guy who may only start a few days a week. In my mind, Donovan could be our every day left fielder or second baseman or switch between the two, so I don’t consider him a utility player. Just semantics I guess. In any case, I’d love to get him.
Sasaki – I’m still not convinced that he’ll be a successful starter. I’d love to know what kind of offers AF would get if he let the word out that Roki wasn’t untouchable.
For GM wannabees like me, the Winter Meetings are always something I look forward to. Hope we come up with something interesting.
I brought up Donovan at the 2024 trade deadline, so nobody has to convince me he can be a fit with LAD. Yes, he can play LF in 2026, 3B in 2027, and a FA in 2028. Although his arm projects him more as a 2B than 3B. But he can also stick in LF for both years. The problem I see is that there are more than 12-15 teams that are checking in on him. St. Louis is going to take the team with the best package. The Dodgers could be that team, they just usually do not do that. It is going to take a headliner, and the only one I see is Sheehan. Baseball Trade Values indicate that Wrobo, Ferris, and Hurt would be a fair trade for Donovan. I do not see St. Louis agreeing to that.
BTW, would you trade 5 years of control for Sasaki straight up for 2 years of Donovan. Baseball Trade Values shows that as an even match.
Which shows why BTV is a poor proxy…
It’s comical to think of AF or BG turning to Baseball Trade Values to help them make a decision.
Not that it isn’t fun.
So would you deal Sheehan for Donovan?
What if Sheehan could instead bring in Abreu or Duran?
I like Donovan, but my sense is that OF is the priority, given that Edman, Rojas and Kim are already on the roster.
In any deal, I hope the Dodgers figure out a way to bring back a decent catching prospect.
That Sasaki-Donovan match is interesting.
No, I wouldn’t do it, but I’m guessing the Cards would.
I really wonder what the Dodger front office thinks of Roki’s prospects after last year. Do they firmly expect him to be a very good starter? Are they figuring that if he doesn’t succeed at that, he’ll be an excellent reliever, maybe a future closer? Or are they just talking a good game and are now not so sure what the future will bring?
I don’t think I’d trade Roki for any player with less than 4 years of control.
Hats off to our two Jeffs. Good thinking by both.
I also like Donovan as a 600 AB LFer and or 2nd baseman.
Given the year Conforto had and the reluctance to use the best defensive CFer (Outman), it is easy to assume the Dodgers won’t value PCA as much as I do. Tucker visited Toronto recently. I think they want him on their terms and if signed, might Varsho be available?
I like to look at batting orders more than positions when comparing teams. For the next few years the Dodgers top of the lineup will be Ohtani, Betts, Smith, Freeman, and Hernandez. I think Muncy, Teo, and Ohtani have too much swing and miss. Still, given the Dodger pitching, they have enough offense to get through 2026 without a big trade or free agent signing. But right now that’s boring.
Who needs a clean up hitter? That is the team that might want Teo.
I think it is the Cubs or Pittsburgh that wants a veteran pitcher to anchor their younger rotation. That could mean Glasnow plus cash could be as desired as Sheehan.
Yes, no trades or FA signings is boring, and Bums you are anything but boring.
I do not disagree that Glasnow could anchor a team’s rotation as their Ace. And there has been at least one journalist who thinks he could be traded. I am just not sure the Dodgers will pay down Glasnow’s contract so they can pay a team to beat them. Both Pittsburgh and Cubs believe they can make the playoffs. How realistic? Probably not so much for th4e Pirates, but why disillusion their fans. Cubs do not have a young rotation. Cade Horton is the only pitcher younger than 32. They have three above 34. Pittsburgh has nobody that would interest the Dodgers in their lineup. They could be looking to trade pitchers to help their lineup. They may want to keep Mitch Keller to be the anchor. But he is also the one getting the most reports on trades. The only way Pittsburgh can trade themselves of their mess is by trading Paul Skenes. But they would probably screw that up too.
I have admit: Glasnow to Cubs would be fun
Not for me.
Wouldn’t that be ironic. Glasnow finally achieves a contract with his home town team and a WS ring only to be traded right back to where he started, in Pittsburgh.
AI Overview
+7
Several MLB teams need veteran starting pitchers for the 2026 season, with the St. Louis Cardinals, Tampa Bay Rays, Colorado Rockies, Miami Marlins, and Houston Astros frequently mentioned as needing innings, leadership, and stability in their rotations to complement younger arms or fill big gaps, especially with potential high-end free agents available.
Teams Specifically Mentioned:
According to MLBTR Teo has been discussed in trade talks with other teams.
Pirates send RHSP Johan Oveido, LHP Tyler Samaniego, C Adonys Guzman to Boston for OF Jhostynxon Garcia, and RHP Jesus Travieso.
The primaries were Oveido and Garcia. Garcia is a highly regarded OF who is blocked by the numerous Boston OF on the MLB Roster. Oveido has been a good pitcher for Pittsburgh, who had TJ surgery late 2023. He is 28 and should fit in nicely into the Boston rotation.