Dodgers Rumors: One Buy-Low Trade Target For LA That No One’s Talking About

The MLB Trade Deadline is rapidly approaching. In less than two weeks, the MLB’s top contenders should look much different, and the Dodgers are sure to have some new pieces to push them in the stretch run.

The Dodgers have a few glaring needs — starting pitching and bullpen — but also need to add a right-handed bat, especially with the injury to recently-acquired Jake Marisnick and the uncertainty surrounding Chris Taylor’s knee.

The Dodgers have been and will continue to be linked to all the top players on the market. However, in this article, I want to hone in on one guy that no one’s really talking about that I think would be a perfect buy-low candidate for LA.

The St. Louis Cardinals are going to be selling this trade deadline — their president has already confirmed it. Obviously Nolan Arenado should be at the top of the Dodgers’ wish list — which you can read about here — but I want to talk about someone who would come much, much cheaper and, I think, could make a huge impact as a right-handed bat.

If you’ve forgotten the name Tyler O’Neill, I don’t blame you. O’Neill hasn’t played since May 4 due to lingering back issues, but is finally healthy, and was just activated off the 60-day injured list this week.

He’s yet to suit up in the crowded Cardinals outfield since returning, but his past play speaks for itself.

At his best in 2021, O’Neill was an MVP candidate, crushing 34 home runs and driving in 80 RBIs while slashing .286/.352/.560 in 138 games. He ended up finishing eighth in NL MVP voting that year, and won his second straight Gold Glove Award.

Unfortunately, injuries have hindered his last two seasons. In 2022, he played in just 96 games, and this year, he’s played in just 29.

I know Dodger fans are fed up with trading for injury-prone players, and the last thing this team needs is another injury. However, O’Neill is finally healthy, and the reward that could come with buying low on the power-hitting, Gold Glove Award-winning left fielder outweighs the risk of him potentially getting hurt.

O’Neill has one more year of team control before being a free agent in 2025, so the Dodgers would be getting a year-and-a-half of the 28-year-old slugger. He could be a mainstay in left field for the next couple seasons, bringing power in the bottom half of the lineup and Gold Glove-caliber defense in the outfield.

Per Baseball Trade Values, O’Neill has a value of just 5.8 right now. For reference, they also have Dodgers right-handed pitching prospect Jake Pilarski at a 5.8. Sounds like a good deal for the Dodgers to me.

Photo Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports

Have you subscribed to our YouTube Channel yet? Subscribe and hit that notification bell to stay up to date on all the latest Dodgers news, rumors, interviews, live streams, and more!