Editorials

Dodgers Rumors: Andrew McCutchen, Ryan Braun Could Emerge as Trade Targets

As Brian Dozier talks begin to fade, the Dodgers are forced to pursue other second basemen. Logan Forsythe and Ian Kinsler are the popular names, but if L.A. opts for a cheaper route, it opens up the chance of pursuing an outfielder.

If the Dodgers address second base without dipping much into their wealth (both monetary and prospect-wise), the team could trade for Andrew McCutchen or Ryan Braun, according to Ken Rosenthal of Fox Sports.



Rosenthal lists Chase Utley, Stephen Drew, Luis Valbuena and Dustin Ackley as qualifiers for the “cheap” label. At that point the Dodgers can weight what combination will help the team most: Valbuena + Braun, Ackley + McCutchen, Kinsler + incumbent, etc.

[graphiq id=”7p9Pr00XWV7″ title=”Andrew McCutchen 2016 Complete Batting Splits” width=”640″ height=”773″ url=”https://w.graphiq.com/w/7p9Pr00XWV7″ link=”http://baseball-players.pointafter.com/l/10588/Andrew-McCutchen” link_text=”PointAfter | Graphiq” ]

Both McCutchen and Braun have been long rumored as movable by their respective organizations. The price tag for McCutchen is high, and eventually proved too rich for the Washington Nationals, who were at one point reportedly deep in talks with Pittsburgh. The New York Mets, Baltimore Orioles, Seattle Mariners and Toronto Blue Jays are among suitors, but no talks have progressed. Our Trevor Vernola previously wrote about a McCutchen-Dodgers partnership and proposed an offer.

[graphiq id=”iouYe0z35Hf” title=”Ryan Braun 2016 Complete Batting Splits” width=”640″ height=”754″ url=”https://w.graphiq.com/w/iouYe0z35Hf” link=”http://baseball-players.pointafter.com/l/1724/Ryan-Braun” link_text=”PointAfter | Graphiq” ]

As Rosenthal noted, the Dodgers tried to acquire Braun twice in the last year. We recently heard he could re-emerge as a trade target. Milwaukee has been quiet regarding Braun this offseason, though with the past negotiations, it’s possible a deal could come together quickly from previous framework. I explained how the financial commitment to Braun isn’t as bad as it seems on the surface.

Sometimes the best moves are the ones you don’t make. If Dozier talks remain stagnant, the Dodgers will hope that’s the case. There are plenty of avenues for Los Angeles to explore, and the time for that has arrived.

Kenley Jansen is officially back

Gabe Burns

Gabe Burns is an award-winning journalist. He serves as a reporter and editor at the DodgersNation news desk. He additionally works as editor-in-chief of The Spectator, Valdosta State University's student paper. Gabe's work has been featured on a number of platforms, including Draft Breakdown and Pro Football Spot. His byline has been cited in media such as the New York Times, Los Angeles Times and Chicago Tribune. Aside from covering Dodgers baseball, Gabe enjoys watching the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Orlando Magic and Tampa Bay Lightning. He can be followed on Twitter at @GabeBurns_DN.

18 Comments

  1. Haven’t we been over all this before?! Yes they “could” be trade targets but so “could” miguel cabrera ,manny ramirez or pedro guerrero !
     Mr Burns if you are reading this lets get this straight. The Dodgers blueprint is not to trade good young players for declining older players. What is so hard about that to understand? Their interest in Dozier is underscored by the fact that he is young, inexpensive with a high cieling. Plus if they lose him in a couple years they get a draft pick and move up another young,team controlled player.
       So no these ideas you have will mot happen. If they do I owe you dinner.

  2. I do not see them going after Braun or McCutcheon. They have a glut of outfielders as it is. Friedman stated at the Jansen- Turner presser that the Dodgers were going to give Puig every opportunity to prove he is worthy of playing every day. That shuts down Braun, Pederson is not going anywhere and that shuts down McCutcheon. Friedman expects SVS back at full strength and Thompson to be ready sometime this spring. That’s 2 more RH bats for the OF. McC and Braun are not needed.

  3. I could see a trade for Josh Harrison but doubt the Dodgers would put together a package robust enough to get Pitt to trade McCutcheon. They still think his value is at its peak.

  4. Rap59 His peak??? He has been on a downward trend the last 3 seasons. Where do you find your stats???? In a fortune cookie??

  5. Rap59 That’s the point. Pitt will still value him as an MVP candidate and there is no way the Do
    dgers will part with enough of a package to get him – assuming they want him.

  6. Michael Norris Puig has been given “every opportunity” over and over again. He is not suddenly going to become disciplined at the plate. Or become clutch. He is exactly what he seems to be. And the bad part, everyone knows it…..

  7. JonathanWillcox Michael Norris  Well gladly, Freidman does not see it your way. He has stated, last week in fact that he is very pleased with the way Puig has responded this winter in his dedication to getting better. tell me, why would they want a couple of 30 year olds on the way down when they have a 26 year old under a team friendly contract with a huge upside? Makes no sense to me, and Obviously, not to them either.

  8. Michael Norris A glut of average and below average outfielders. SVS at full strength is mediocre, Ethier is a shell of his former self and Pederson despite his power is a .240 hitter at best. And Puig is so inconsistent he can’t be relied on at all.

  9. Jagman63 2014 he hit .314 with 25 and 83, in 2015 .292 with 23 and 96. Last year was an off year but he’s only 30 years old. No Dodger outfielder has had “off” years like McCutcheon did in 14 and 15.

  10. Brad Machado Michael Norris  Oh really? You had better check his career stats there Bub. He is a career .287 hitter and has only played 1 full season in the majors. SVS is and always has been a bench guy. Toles hit over 300 in his short stint with the team. Pryor to his back problems Thompson was hitting and playing well. Ethier cannot be traded unless he approves it. Hernandez, who they list as an OF is more of a infielder. They traded for Eibner, another OF. You do not trade 4 players for a OF that has had 3 straight down years. He is not as good in CF as Pederson. Also Pederson improved his contact rate last year more than any MLB player had done in the last 10 years…….2 years in the majors and over 50 homers. I think they can judge his talent better than you

  11. Michael Norris Brad Machado How does it feel to be an expert there Hillbilly Jim? And McCutcheon has had ONE bad year not three. Have someone read you his stats, you know-it-all.

  12. Brad Machado Michael Norris  You want to attack me personally why don’t you try that crap face to face. I said his stats have declined. And they have. I would much rather have a 25 year old Puig coming into his peak years than McCutcheon who is on his down side and over 30 moron.

  13. Michael Norris You need to check his stats there porky. I’d say it to your know it all face but I don’t know where your double-wide is located. And please learn proper English. more of a infielder?

  14. Brad Machado Michael Norris  Kiss my ass dickhead…..McCutcheon’s batting average has dropped the last 2 years in a row…His HR total has stayed consistent, but his RBI total dropped last year..and by the way……I may be big, but I bet I could kick your little ass……

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