The Major League Baseball Trade Deadline is four days away, and the Los Angeles Dodgers are linked to some big names. But are they the best fits? Here are four players they should consider.
Four Players That Fit in L.A.
Andy Pages is manning center field for the Dodgers. He was called up in April to add some much-needed pop to the lineup. He got off to a hot start. However, Pages has cooled off since the beginning of June, and his defense is a work in progress. Mookie Betts could be an option, but he looks like a mainstay in the infield when he returns from the injured list. Will the Dodgers trust an untested rookie at one of the most premium defensive positions in the playoffs? If the answer is “no,” Here are two options.
Brent Rooker (OF)
Although not traditionally a centerfielder, Oakland Athletics Brent Rooker would make all the normal defensive plays expected of him and would be a major upgrade with the bat. Rooker’s Wins Above Replacement is at 3.6, while Pages’ WAR is .4. Rooker also has 25 home runs and a batting average of .288. Both are higher than Pages who has a .246 batting average with eight homers. Athletics’ brass are reluctant to part with Rooker, but the Dodgers have a deep farm system. Whether it would be enough to entice Oakland remains to be seen.
Luis Robert Jr. (OF)
The Dodgers have been linked to the White Sox center fielder for a while. He is a huge upgrade defensively. He had 38 home runs last year and has a team-friendly contract. The Dodgers have James Outman, but he has a high strike-out rate, and Jason Hayward is injury-prone. Robert is coming off the I.L. with a hip flexor strain. If he can stay healthy, he could be a reliable force in October and the years to come.
Jack Flaherty (SP)
The Dodgers received reinforcements off the I.L., in Clayton Kershaw and Tyler Glasnow, but it remains to be seen how durable they will be going forward. They also hope that Walker Buehler and Yoshinobu Yamamoto will return to form, but there is no guarantee. The Dodgers have been linked to Garrett Crochet, but the asking price may be too high for Andrew Friedman to stomach. Jack Flaherty could be a good choice. He has a 2.95 ERA and averages nearly 6 innings at a start, which is something the Dodgers would covet. Moreover, he has a winning record in the playoffs and has shown he can pitch deep into games in the postseason.
Tanner Scott (RP)
Tanner Scott seems to be on everyone’s wish list. It’s not hard to see why. He has a miniscule 1.18 ERA with 18 saves with 53 strikeouts in 45.2 innings. The Marlins are reportedly asking for an arm and a leg. and the Dodgers have Brusdar Gaterol currently on a rehab assignment, which means they are unlikely to part with either. However, Evan Philips has struggled recently, so it is not beyond the realm of possibility.
Predicting The Future
Andrew Friedman will most likely make a splash on Tuesday. How big of one is anyone’s guess? He has shown that he is hesitant to overpay for any player and usually waits until the last minute to make a deal. The Dodger fanbase doesn’t always appreciate Friedman’s style, but now, they have less than 72 hours to wait.
Main Photo Credits: Jim Rassol-USA TODAY Sports
