ESPN MLB insider Jeff Passan broke down some of the top possible trades ahead of this season’s deadline, and one polarizing Los Angeles Dodger seems to have some suitors.
Landing Dalton Rushing, the backup catcher who’s been thrust into the starting spot amid Will Smith’s lingering injury, would be a major win for the Texas Rangers, Passan wrote.
“Long term, the Rangers would love to address their catching needs. And while by no means are the Dodgers shopping Rushing, they’ve got Will Smith at catcher and some guy at DH, and opportunities will be limited for the foreseeable future,” he wrote.
As Passan hinted, superstar Shohei Ohtani is the starting designated hitter, and while Rushing sometimes plays first base as well, future Hall of Famer Freddie Freeman has that position on lock.
Given the Dodgers’ deep roster, it’s possible he may have to go elsewhere to find adequate playing time for a catcher of his talents.
But Passan said Texas wouldn’t be the only possible destination.
Could Dalton Rushing end up on the East Coast?
Passan indicated that it’s even possible Rushing would end up on another big-market team: the New York Yankees.
“Were Rushing to move, the Rangers wouldn’t be the only ones interested. (Imagine that left-handed swing at Yankee Stadium,” he wrote.
It’s hard to say if there’s any basis to the idea of Rushing to Yankee Stadium or if Passan is just speculating, but there’s no doubt that plenty of other teams would love to have the young catcher on their rosters.
Culturally, Texas might be the best fit for Rushing
Talents aside, though, Rushing’s personality lends itself to the Rangers, Passan explained.
“Texas president of baseball operations Chris Young loves fiery players, and the fit goes well beyond need,” he wrote.
For a young Dodger who’s developed a reputation for getting into on-field altercations with opponents and letting his emotions show, that might be an environment in which he would thrive.
And it’s hard to overvalue a player who delivers walk-off hits when the team needs them most.
What do you think? Should the Dodgers move on from Dalton Rushing and, if so, where should he go?
