The Los Angeles Dodgers ended their World Series rematch against the New York Yankees with a loss and are now preparing for a brutal stretch of the season.
"And now one of baseball's most injury-plagued teams must strap back in for a four-game series against a first-place New York Mets team that has won seven of eight," as Bill Plaschke put it for the Los Angeles Times. "Followed by three games in hot St. Louis. Followed by three games in angry San Diego. Followed by three games against the reborn San Francisco Giants. Followed by four more games against damn San Diego."
As the Dodgers look to overcome a series of persistent injuries, a return to the Fall Classic is far from guaranteed. And there are a few places they might consider upgrading their roster, even after a blockbuster winter of star additions.
One of those offseason additions, Michael Conforto, hasn't panned out as hoped. And he could be reaching the end of his leash with the Dodgers.
"The team is giving him a longer runway to find his swing considering the contract and his track record," Jason Fray wrote for Dodgers Nation. "At the same time, what if it never comes? L.A. can't wait on Conforto if his play continues to be this poor."
Assessing the landscape for potential trade upgrades to replace Conforto and perhaps third baseman Max Muncy as well, Fray landed on the Athletics' Miguel Andujar, who is enjoying a breakout season in his final year of arbitration eligibility.
"His play thus far in 2025 has been spectacular to the point that he could be named an AL All-Star," Fray noted. "In other words, he'd be an upgrade over Conforto (and likely Muncy) in virtually all categories. Andujar's ability to put the ball in play is a skill all teams search for come postseason time."
Andujar is slashing .296/.328/.402 with 50 hits and just 23 strikeouts for the A's so far. And, given his contract situation and the team's likely contention window, it seems he could be on the trade block at midseason.
If the Dodgers do want to boost the offense amid an epidemic of injuries on the team, they might look across the state for a trade involving Andujar.
