Dodgers Team News

Dodgers Rumors: Trio of Right-Handed Bats Linked to LA as Possible Trade Targets

The August 2nd MLB trade deadline is fast approaching and although the Dodgers have one of the best records in baseball, one can never rule out the LA front office from adding even more talent to the roster. Team president Andrew Friedman has hinted that the team isn’t looking to make a splash this summer, but also seemingly hedged on the Dodgers exploring a possible trade for Juan Soto. However, according to one Dodgers insider, there’s some other notable hitters that LA could be potentially exploring trades for.

In a recent episode of Dodger Talk on AM570, insider David Vassegh rrattled off some other hitters the Dodgers are pursuing.



“I’ve also heard that the Dodgers are kicking the tires on right-handed hitters like J.D. Martinez, Ian Happ, Brandon Drury, even Josh Bell of the Nationals. The Dodgers might make a trade with the Nationals, and it might not be for Juan Soto, it might be for Josh Bell.”

Red Sox slugger J.D. Martinez is the most noteworthy name, but Happ, Drury, Bell could also be, individually, strong additions to the Dodgers lineup.

Ian Happ

Happ, who made his first All-Star team this season, has primarily served as the Cubs left fielder. The 27-year-old owns a .811 OPS this season, but could be a significant lineup piece against left-handed pitching.

He has a .920 OPS  and a .346 batting average against lefties. Considering that Happ is under team control through next season, trading for him would likely cost the Dodgers a prospect or two.

Brandon Drury

If there’s a team that’s certainly selling at the deadline, it’s the Reds. The Reds have lived in the NL Central basement for most the season and now have a valuable trade chip in Drury who signed a one-year, $900,000 deal this past offseason. Like Happ, the infielder has mashed lefties (1.025 OPS) this year.

The MLB journeyman has played in the outfield in the past, but this season, has seen most of his playing time at second and third base. He’s having the best season of his career and the Dodgers would be buying high, but it might be worth paying for a massive Hanser Alberto upgrade.

Josh Bell

The switch hitting first baseman has had a resurgent season after signing a one-year, $10M deal with Washington. He’s logged a 153 OPS+ and 53 RBI this season.

Freddie Freeman has played every game this season and is the far superior player so trading for Bell is really all about how the Dodgers want to manage the struggling Max Muncy and veteran Justin Turner in the DH spot moving forward.

Drop into in the comments below and let us know which of the three hitters above you’d like to see the Dodgers trade for!

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Eric Eulau

Born and raised in Ventura, not "Ven-CH-ura", California. Favorite Dodger Stadium food is the old school chocolate malt with the wooden spoon. Host of the Dodgers Nation 3 Up, 3 Down Podcast.

5 Comments

  1. My efforts would be devoted to acquiring JD Martinez. He is due for free agency and could well reup, especially if the Dodgers take the World Series. He seems like a player who enjoys playing for a winner
    Happ and Drury never turned me on. Bell, well solid seems redundant. The price seems way too high for Soto who so far other than winning the home run derby is certainly not having the year that would or should have him in the top ten MVP voting

  2. Thank you for allowing me to comment… I CANNOT understand why Roberts plays Lux rather than DH him.. He is a defensive liability but offensively, he cannot be beat. Second, why does Roberts continue to put Muncy on the field. He is hurting the team and at the very least he should sit himself down. I like Muncy but he needs to work out his problems in AAA or another team. Lastly, the GM needs to stop thinking he can turn relief pitchers that no one else wants into legit backups.

  3. A Drury and L. Castillo trade combo (from the Reds) for minor leagers is what is needed to begin.

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