Dodgers News: Dave Roberts Reveals Where LA Will Look to Upgrade at Trade Deadline
It’s unarguable that the Los Angeles Dodgers are looking significantly better than they were at this time last month. They’re now right on the Arizona Diamondbacks’ heels only half a game back in the NL West, the offense is producing, and the once-maligned bullpen has performed better as of late.
But that doesn’t mean that the Dodgers can’t upgrade.
The August 1 trade deadline is about three weeks away, and manager Dave Roberts talked about where his team may look to add some pieces.
Starting pitching is an obvious need for the #Dodgers before the trade deadline. Dave Roberts said they also have another one.
— Jorge Castillo (@jorgecastillo) July 6, 2023
"I think with the uncertainty of Chris Taylor, where he's at, I think a right-handed bat makes sense."
Roberts told Jorge Castillo of the Los Angeles Times that the team could need a consistent right-handed hitter and that certainly rings true given Chris Taylor’s season-long struggles.
The normally versatile and reliable Taylor is slashing .206/.275/.455 this year in what is his worst campaign as a Dodger thus far.
Taylor’s lost his previously guaranteed spot in LA’s lineup, and with him being stuck on the injured list, it would be worth it for LA to look at what options are out there to improve offensive depth.
As far as who could be an option, Cleveland Guardians shortstop Amed Rosario could be a name to keep in mind.
He’s hitting .263/.308/.360 in 2023 — numbers that are slightly below his career averages — but he would both be a significant upgrade offensively and provide clarity at short while Taylor figures things out.
As far as the starting rotation goes, that’s definitely a pressing need given the rash of injuries the team has dealt with.
Just this season, Julio Urias, Clayton Kershaw, and Dustin May have each gone down with varying degrees of injuries, and that doesn’t include Walker Buehler, who’s currently rehabbing from Tommy John surgery.
LA has some holes on the roster to patch up despite their recent success, and it’ll be interesting to see just what moves Andrew Friedman and the rest of the team’s brass makes as the trade deadline approaches.
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27 year old OF LANE THOMAS is the answer re the right handed bat the Dodgers & Roberts say they need! He’s a 5 tool player hitting .304 (11th in NL) with 14 home runs & 48 RBI’s in 88 games while batting leadoff. He’s blossoming into an elite player who can be a great asset to the Dodgers. STOP with the Vargas DeLuca Outman experiments! LA cannot win titles with rookies who just aren’t ready or don’t have the goods. THOMAS has 4-5 years of MLB experience; he’s young; he’s now ‘arrived,’ and his Big League career will only get better…in LA! Friedman Jaffe , anyone home? This is THE GUY you Dodger brass trade prospects to the AWFUL Nationals for. He will be the regular Centerfielder for the next 5-7 years. A SOLID MAJOR LEAGUE PLAYER like THOMAS will solidify LA down the middle, especially after BONEHEAD Dodger Prez Jaffe allowed Corey Seager to leave by not paying him the 300 Mil Texas paid him! THAT WAS INEXCUSABLE!…& STUPID!!
THE VECCHIO FACTOR SAYS…
Since they already have 3 rh hitters to play shortstop I would think a rh hitting outfielder would be a better addition. And with Hudson’s health issues maybe another good bullpen piece. Plus a starting pitcher.
I also wonder why so many teams wait until the trade deadline to make moves when they already know what their needs are.