MLB insider reveals ‘ideal’ Los Angeles Dodgers trade target, position team wants to address

The Los Angeles Dodgers roster has been hit by several major injuries in 2024. With Mookie Betts, Clayton Kershaw, Yoshinobu Yamamoto and Max Muncy all sidelined ahead of the MLB trade deadline, the Dodgers rumor mill has been busy.

Los Angeles would ideally like to find a shortstop, a position the front office considered a need even before Betts landed on the injured list. However, Bo Bichette is not believed to be high on the Dodgers radar and there are very few compelling options available this summer.

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• Los Angeles Dodgers rotation stats ( FanGraphs ): 3.78 ERA (10th in MLB), 15.8% K-BB rate (10th in MLB), 1.18 WHIP (6th in MLB), .227 batting average allowed (4th)

One alternative would be to upgrade in center field. While it would still leave Los Angeles short either defensively or offensively at shortstop, it would close the gap and improve run production. However, pitching is viewed as an even bigger need in Los Angeles.

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Appearing on Fox Sports , MLB insider Ken Rosenthal shared that the Dodgers would like to add a starting pitcher before the MLB trade deadline and Chicago White Sox’ Garrett Crochet is viewed as the ideal option for Los Angeles.

• Garrett Crochet stats : 3.02 ERA, 0.93 WHIP, 141 strikeouts in 101.1 innings pitched

Crochet rejected a contract extension from Chicago, increasing the likelihood of the 25-year-old southpaw being moved. He is also under contract through 2026, meaning he could be a long-term fixture in the Dodgers rotation.

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The one drawback with Crochet is his workload. Coming off Tommy John surgery in 2022, Crochet is already well past his career-high for innings pitched. The belief is that any team acquiring him would need to scale down his innings, likely shifting him to the bullpen at some point.

While that shouldn’t be a deal-breaker by any means for the Dodgers front office, it could shape what other moves are made and what Los Angeles is willing to give up for him. However, there’s little doubt that Crochet could be a front-line starter and add another impact player to the Dodgers roster.

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