Los Angeles Dodgers utility man Kiké Hernandez is set to return from the IL this week, and his return could spell the end of another Dodger’s Los Angeles tenure.
According to Katie Woo of The Athletic, the Dodgers could look to sell Alex Call come the trade deadline Aug. 3.
Kiké Hernandez has been on the injured list for all but two games this season, going 4-for-4 with a homer and two doubles during his brief stint with the team. He entered the season on the injured list following offseason surgery on his elbow, and injured his oblique while rehabbing from that injury.
With Kiké Hernandez due back from the injured list during the Dodgers’ series against the Mariners, the Dodgers could look to move Call—a right-handed bat who can play corner outfield, just like Kiké Hernandez.
“With Tommy Edman and Teoscar Hernández healthy, and Kiké Hernandez set to be activated off the IL on Tuesday, Call’s spot on the roster is now redundant,” Woo wrote. “There are few right-handed bats available, and while Call wouldn’t be considered a power bat, his speed and plate discipline give him value as a depth piece for contending teams — as evidenced by the Dodgers trading for him last deadline.”
The Dodgers have played 106 games this season, and Call has featured in just 60 of those games. With Kiké Hernandez’s return, the Dodgers will likely use the outfielder even less than they already are. Through those 60 games, Call has a .668 OPS with one home run and 16 RBIs.
Who Else Could the Dodgers Trade at the Deadline?
In addition to Call, Woo named left-handed starter Eric Lauer as a player who the Dodgers could move by next Monday.
Lauer—who the Dodgers acquired in May after the Toronto Blue Jays placed him on waivers—has been a pleasant surprise, posting a 3.35 ERA with a perfect 4-0 record since claiming a spot in the rotation. The southpaw will be a free agent at the end of the season, and while he’s been impressive, he will not command a spot in the rotation come the postseason.
The Dodgers are reportedly looking to strengthen their minor league pitching core at this year’s deadline, and shipping out these two players could land them a solid haul, though likely not as big as the packages they’d receive for some of their top outfield prospects.
Would you trade Alex Call when Kiké Hernandez Returns?
5 Responses
IMO both of these players should be moved.
Not sure the return would be great, but neither one has a future in LA.
They’ll drop Freeland to AAA
Agree on Freeland. He’s unfortunately already seen his playing time drop. There will be even less opportunities when Kike returns to spell Muncy and T. Hernandez, unless Rojas magically has an ailment to rest
Trade Sheehan
DO NOT TRADE EITHER ONE OF THEM.