MLB insider proposes insane Dodgers trade idea

As we sit inside of 10 days until the MLB trade deadline, the rumors are starting to come hot and heavy. Given the somewhat obvious needs (and limitless ambition) of the Los Angeles Dodgers, their name is seemingly everywhere.

Most of these notes are pretty standard. "Dodgers interested in Player X." Insert Tarik Skubal, Jack Flaherty, or your pitcher of choice from a non-contender. While we haven't heard them linked to specific names on the position player side, there's an obvious desire to upgrade the depth there, too, at a bare minimum.

Bob Nightengale of USA Today , though, wants for the Dodgers to make things as simple as possible at this year's deadline. He's reported that the team has discussed a blockbuster with the Chicago White Sox that would send Garrett Crochet, Luis Robert Jr, and Michael Kopech to the Dodgers.

We've discussed Crochet & Robert Jr as options for the Dodgers. Crochet has been one of the best starting pitchers in all of baseball following his conversion out of the bullpen. He won't be a free agent until 2027. Robert Jr has shown only flashes of his elite upside this year, but would be a clear upgrade to the outfield group. He has another year under contract before a pair of team options in 2026 & 2027.

While those two have been linked to the Dodgers with regularity, Kopech is a newer name to the mix. The Dodgers want relief help (as does everyone else this deadline), but Kopech has struggled in his first year doing full-time relief work. His ERA is over five, as is his BB/9 figure. Given the high octane stuff, though, one imagines the Dodgers would love to work with him in restoring some of that former prospect pedigree he possesses. He also has an additional year of control.

That the idea that the Dodgers could pull off such a deal isn't entirely realistic speaks to the stability, depth, and aggression of this organization. In theory, they have the depth on the farm to allow such a blockbuster to come to fruition. There aren't many other teams in baseball that could say that. If any.

However, while it's a logistical possibility , it's hard to imagine the team actually being willing to move toward acquiring such a package of players given the cost. The additional years of control would drive the price even higher. You're not only talking about an elite starter, an outfielder with elite upside, and a reliever with stuff , but a trio with extensive control beyond this year. That control component costs a lot on its own within the baseball world. To say nothing of the players themselves.

Because of that, it's hard to comprehend a world in which such a deal could actually take place. Again, the Dodgers could absolutely make such a deal work on paper. They're deep & stable enough to do so. But they also might be better-served to set their sights on a process that wouldn't ravage the farm quite in the way that a deal of this magnitude absolutely would.

At minimum, however, t's at least worthwhile to note that Nightengale's report does at least indicate the two teams have been talking. The two teams have a history of transactions and the White Sox with players even beyond those three to trade. While it may not be the super-sized deal that Nightengale posits, it's easy to figure something manifesting between the two before July 30th.