The MLB trade deadline isn't the clear cut process that it used to be.
There was a time when there were clearly-defined buyers and sellers. The addition of the extra wild card slot, though, has complicated things in recent years. The Chicago Cubs, for instance, still don't know whether they're buying or selling despite sitting six games under .500 and 10 game back in their division. Because they're only 4.5 games back of a wild card spot.
Nevertheless, there are at least some situations that are coming into focus. We know the Chicago White Sox will sell. The Miami Marlins, as well. It was recently reported that the Washington Nationals were also leaning on the sell side of things. Even teams like the Cubs could trade away certain parts of their roster while not going into full-on roster reconstruction.
This is all, of course, relevant to the Los Angeles Dodgers. We don't necessarily know their targets prior to the trade deadline. Pitching depth seems somewhat likely, whether an innings-eater on the starting side or an additional relief arm that always seems to join a contending squad. An additional infielder in the continued absence of Mookie Betts seems possible, too.
Should the Dodgers choose to pursue an addition to the outfield grass, though, there will be no shortage of candidates, based on the established list of sellers thus far.
Luis Robert Jr is an obvious candidate and one we've discussed before. He's off to a strong start in July (155 wRC+) and plays upper tier defense in center. With another year on his contract and a pair of options beyond that, he's perhaps the biggest prize available this summer. Whether the Dodgers are interested in sending the package it would take to land him, however, remains to be seen.
Miami's Jazz Chisholm Jr isn't an entirely dissimilar situation. He doesn't offer the power that Robert does and provides only average defense in center. But he's an above average bat (108 wRC+) with speed to burn and isn't a free agent until 2027. Either one makes some sense if the team is wanting to acquire someone for both short and longer-term gains.
Should a shorter term option be of interest, names like Harrison Bader & Jesse Winker are sure to emerge. Bader provides elite defense in center and is turning in his best offensive season since 2021 (110 wRC+). He's only on a one-year deal and while the Mets are in contention, he's the type of bat that could move regardless of context.
Winker is also on a single year pact and is experiencing something of a reemergence. He was clinging to life as a big league hitter last year in Milwaukee and had to settle for a minor league deal this winter. But he's back up to a 134 wRC+ and is providing both pop (10 homers) and speed (12 steals), the latter of which we hadn't seen before.
Circling back to the White Sox, Tommy Pham is also in that same mix. He's a free agent after this year and remains an above average bat (103 wRC+) even if only slightly. He hasn't demonstrated as much power this year, but has appeared regularly at all three outfield positions.
We can likely throw Oakland's Brent Rooker into the mix as well. He's a bit less likely as primarily a DH, but has appeared at both outfield corners this year. He's turning in another strong campaign (156 wRC+). If the goal is to lengthen the lineup and the team is comfortable with Andy Pages and Jason Heyward in center, there's an outside shot at it in the name of a pure bat.
It's a solid start to a list that only appears to be growing. While each presents a different context in terms of offensive profile and contractual context (meaning the difference in trade packages could vary widely), the Dodgers are sure to have options if they choose to go after an outfield bat this month.