Assessing Dodgers’ Chances to Land Two Stars in One Blockbuster Trade

Despite spending more than $1 billion over the offseason, the Los Angeles Dodgers head into this year’s trade deadline with some urgent needs.

A rash of pitcher injuries that have pushed much of the staff, including frontline starters Tyler Glasnow and Yoshinobu Yamamoto, onto the injured list calls for the addition of an impactful, innings-eating arm. And an outfield group that largely has struggled at the plate is calling for an addition as well.

But with precious few teams likely to sell impactful players, the Dodgers are trying to address both needs in a single blockbusting deal.

“You don’t drop $1.3 billion over the winter and expect anything less than a World Series championship,” per USA Today ’s Bob Nightengale . “The Los Angeles Dodgers have spoken to the White Sox about a blockbuster that would include (Garrett) Crochet, center fielder Luis Robert and perhaps reliever Michael Kopech, too.”

In Crochet and Robert, the Dodgers have their eyes on two of the most-coveted players available on the market, both of whom will remain under club control until at least 2027. Crochet is the American League’s strikeout leader, with a 3.02 ERA in 20 starts. He is earning just $800,000 this season with two more years of arbitration ahead. Robert, who enjoyed an All-Star nod and Silver Slugger Award last season, is set to earn $15 million 2025 with $20 million club options for ’26 and ’27.

Dodgers have enough to land Garrett Crochet, Luis Robert Jr. in blockbuster trade

Any offer to land both players from the rebuilding White Sox would have to significantly leverage the Dodgers’ farm system. Overall, the Dodgers have a middle-tier farm, but with two players ranked within MLB’s top 75, they have the assets to get a deal done.

Improving the Dodgers’ chances of pulling off such a deal could be some urgency for the White Sox to “sell high” on their pair of young stars. Crochet already has seen more innings this season than in his previous four seasons combined, and the White Sox might see his value drop if he succumbs to injuries. Robert is similarly injury prone, and he’s already missed significant time this season. The White Sox could be motivated to get out of the $50 million extension they gave him in 2020 if they don’t expect to compete for a pennant in the near future.

Will Dodgers really pull off two-player trade deadline blockbuster?

All of that suggests the Dodgers can negotiate a blockbuster to acquire two of the most coveted deadline pieces in one fell swoop. But is it likely? The odds are not in the Dodgers’ favor, as both of the young stars they’re targeting are believed to be high on several teams’ wish lists. The White Sox almost will certainly be able to get larger returns by turning to two separate farm systems.

The Baltimore Orioles and New York Yankees are among the suitors for Crochet. The Philadelphia Phillies and Seattle Mariners are among those pursuing Robert.

Although the Dodgers are unlikely to land both players, they have more than a good chance to land one as they seem dead set on improving before the deadline.

“The Dodgers must come up with answers to questions before obtaining all of the information,” ESPN reported. “Their strategy: To chase what little high-impact talent might be available this month, in what is expected to be a deadline light on stars.”

Related: Dodgers Projected to Land MLB Strikeout Leader in Blockbuster Trade

Related: Phillies Trade Pitch Lands $50M Slugger in Proposed Four-Player Swap