The Dodgers’ trade deadline plans are still very much a mystery, but the chatter around them has split into two camps. One view, pushed by The Athletic’s Dodgers beat writers, says Los Angeles may actually take a restrained approach and even consider moving major league pieces to bolster the farm. Another, from USA Today’s Bob Nightengale, paints a far more aggressive picture: rival executives think the Dodgers could get “greedy” with a shot at becoming the first National League team to win three straight World Series titles.
If that’s the lane they choose, the possibilities get wild fast. Here are four moves that would fit a full-throttle Dodgers deadline.
A Tarik Skubal deal would be the loudest possible swing. His availability is uncertain, but if Detroit were willing to listen, Los Angeles has the kind of prospect depth that could at least start the conversation.
The framework of a three-team idea making the rounds would send the Tigers a younger, cost-controlled starter with upside in exchange for the two-time AL Cy Young winner. If Andrew Friedman dangled Justin Wrobleski, who is under team control through 2031, plus a couple of prospects, the Tigers would have a real decision on their hands.
Another blockbuster would be going after Padres closer Mason Miller. It would be an intra-division deal with a rival, which already makes it feel unlikely, but the Dodgers have the prospect capital to chase a player like that.
San Diego’s asking price is expected to begin with two top-100 prospects, and Los Angeles has more of those than anyone. The Padres also need pitching badly, with their rotation in rough shape and Michael King headed for free agency after this year.
If the Dodgers landed Skubal, they could even be in position to move one of their controllable starters to help get Miller. That kind of move would also ease the load on Edwin Diaz as he comes back from elbow surgery, and if Diaz returns to form, the Dodgers would suddenly have the most dangerous late-inning combination in the league.
Catching is another area that could draw attention if Will Smith’s injury situation keeps the Dodgers looking around. Nightengale has already floated that possibility, and Dalton Rushing has been decent, though nowhere near the level he showed in the first month of the season.
The market, though, is thin. Shea Langeliers is likely done for the year, Hunter Goodman would cost too much to pry loose from Colorado, and Adley Rutschman’s numbers since May 1 - .218/.309/.362 - come on top of a .220/.307/.366 line in 2025.
That makes Twins All-Star Ryan Jeffers the cleanest fit. He’s expected to be available, he brings real offense, he handles the position well enough, and he’s a rental.
Los Angeles could use him now, pair him with Smith to ease the workload, and then move forward with Smith still locked up long term.
And then there’s Hunter Greene, who could be a more realistic alternative if the Dodgers don’t land Skubal or decide they want both. The Reds are sellers, and while most of their focus is on moving rentals, they’re also open to listening on Greene.
He comes with two years of team control at reasonable salaries after this season, plus a $21 million club option for 2029. The catch is obvious: he’s been injury-prone and has never thrown more than 150 innings in a season.
That could help keep the price from getting out of hand. Cincinnati’s system is loaded with shortstops and light on outfield talent, which lines up neatly with a Dodgers organization that can offer minor league outfield depth.
That kind of match could make a deal very easy to imagine.
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