The Los Angeles Dodgers have been one of the best teams in baseball this season, but there have been a few slumps in 2024/ With the MLB trade deadline a few months away, it’s time to examine potential Dodgers trade targets to improve the roster.
Los Angeles will have some reinforcements coming from the injured list throughout the year, but those same players have also proven they could go down at any moment. For Los Angeles, the goal simply has to be improving this roster and maximizing its window for World Series contention.
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Let’s dive into our top Dodgers trade targets right now.
Mason Miller, closer, Oakland Athletics
Los Angeles knows the value of having a lights-out reliever in October and it’s just one of the many reasons why Oakland Athletics closer Mason Miller headlines our top Dodgers trade targets. Oakland is going to make any team pay a premium for the hard-throwing relief pitcher, but his team-friendly contract provides even more reason to acquire him.
- Los Angeles Dodgers bullpen stats (FanGraphs): 3.25 ERA, 1.06 WHIP, 1.0 fWAR (14th)
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Miller, age 25, is almost unhittable out of the bullpen. Against 84 batters faced this season, he’s allowed just a .141 batting average. Just as remarkable, he’s struck out 53.6 percent of batters faced with only a 7.1 percent walk rate. Adding Miller to the back end of a Dodgers bullpen with Evan Phillips and Blake Treinen would give Los Angeles a three-man tandem that can dominate in October.
Bo Bichette, shortstop, Toronto Blue Jays
It simply hasn’t worked with Gavin Lux at second base, though, it isn’t as bad as his time at shortstop. There aren’t a lot of second basemen being floated in MLB trade rumors this year, so Los Angeles could move Betts back to second base and acquire a new shortstop.
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It’s been a tough year at the plate for Bo Bichette. Entering MLB games today, he is slashing just .247/.297/.366 with a 91 wRC+ and .663 OPS in 209 plate appearances. In May, however, Bichette has turned things around with a 122 wRC+ and a .291/.330/.442 slash line. He’s only under contract through the 2025 season, so this year would be the time for the Toronto Blue Jays to maximize his trade value. While he isn’t great defensively, his offensive production makes up for it and he’d still be better than Lux.
Tyler Anderson, starting pitcher, Los Angeles Angels
The Dodgers rotation is excellent when healthy, but it’s pretty clear by now durability isn’t something Los Angeles can rely upon over a full season. While others have floated front-line starters as top Dodgers trade targets, acquiring a quality innings eater should also be an option.
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Tyler Anderson was outstanding during his stint with the Dodgers, recording a 2.57 ERA with a .218 batting average allowed and 1.00 WHIP. After a miserable 2023 season with the Los Angeles Angels, he’s rebounded with a 2.52 ERA and a .193 batting average allowed this season. The Dodgers know how to get the most out of Anderson and he could provide added stability to the starting rotation.
Harrison Bader, outfielder, New York Mets
Realistically, the Dodgers could keep the same lineup and starting rotation past the MLB trade deadline and still be a great team. However, Los Angeles must find a way to make improvements defensively and Harrison Bader can be one of the Dodgers trade targets for that very reason.
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Across 358.1 innings in center field, Bader has the fourth-highest Defensive Runs Saved (four). The 29-year-old outfielder also ranks in the 95th percentile for Outs Above Average and is in the 92nd percentile for Arm Strength. Plus, his 97th-percentile Fielding Run Value is one of the best in MLB. Even if Los Angeles only wants him as a defensive replacement, he would improve the team.