The Dodgers trade deadline needs are clear, especially as they sputter into the All-Star break with a patchwork pitching staff and an everyday lineup that's dealt with instability all year.
Ken Rosenthal on FS1 laid out two main areas the Dodgers will be looking to improve by the July 30 trade deadline. The first one is the most glaring need given the state of Los Angeles' pitching rotation.
"Starting pitcher again," Rosenthal said. "And the reason is all the pitchers that are banged up in their position right now. Buehler, and Glasnow, and Yamamoto, Kershaw still on the IL. Bobby Miller back in the minor leagues. They need someone who can stabilize them a little bit, give them some innings, give them more certainty."
It's interesting that Rosenthal noted stability was the goal of a potential acquisition. LA may not be looking for a top-of-the-rotation piece like Garrett Crochet of the White Sox. They've talked to the White Sox about Crochet, to be sure, but there may also be a less costly option on the trade market with a more reliable track record of success as a starter late in a season.
While Crochet has been sensational this year, it's his first time pitching as a starter and he's already thrown more innings this year than he had in his entire career before this season. His ability to continue pitching well deep into the calendar is still in question, which may give LA some pause before unloading a haul of prospects to acquire him.
Pitching might top the Dodgers' list of priorities, but there's another key spot in their order they'll aim to address per Rosenthal.
"The other thing the Dodgers could use is an outfielder, maybe to hit seventh in their lineup so that once Muncy and Betts are back they have a lengthier lineup," Rosenthal said. "They've had moments where Pages has been good, and where Miguel Vargas has been good, and Outman is back now, but they would like a veteran to really stabilize things in that outfield."
Jason Heyward is also on the IL which limits the Dodgers' options in right field. Manager Dave Roberts has pieced things together with Pages, Outman and Vargas since Heyward went down, but reliability has to be a key in the bottom of an order that has caused LA problems all year.
They don't necessarily need an All-Star to bat seventh, but finding a consistent hitter who puts together good plate appearances would help the Dodgers better stack up against teams they'll face in the postseason.
