After an offseason spending spree of more than $1 billion, the Los Angeles thought they had assembled a World Series-worthy roster. Now, with the July 30 trade deadline less than a month away, the Dodgers have an injury list full of players who the Dodgers are counting on down the stretch.
Mookie Betts, Clayton Kershaw, Walker Buehler, Max Muncy, Yoshinobu Yamamoto, Joe Kelly, Ryan Brasier, Brusdar Graterol, and Michael Grove are all injured yet the Dodgers are not rushing to shop.
If they are going to shop ahead of the deadline, they will deal for “bigger-picture moves” adding players who will have an impact in October and beyond.
“I think right now it’s kind of evaluating how this group is playing. It’s still quite a talented group,” general manager Brandon Gomes told Bill Plunkett of the Orange County Register. “Make sure we’re playing well and not having to step on anybody too much. But a lot of it will be wait-and-see on that front.
“We’re fortunate enough to be in a good spot in the division right now. So that will dictate a lot of it. So depending on how things progress – do we have to make moves that are more focused on the now or can we continue to evaluate and focus on bigger-picture moves?”
Surprisingly, the Dodgers aren’t looking to acquire starting pitching. Gavin Stone and Landon Knack have stepped into their roles nicely. However, Chicago White Sox starter Garrett Crochet would be an exception. He’s a bargain at $800,000 and has two years of club control.
There’s no need to add a shortstop. Miguel Rojas has that covered. But, they do need an outfielder. Specifically, an outfielder who can play daily while the others around platoon roles. As far as Gomes is concerned, the Dodgers will keep their focus on the bigger picture.
“That is an area where we are looking at more big-picture moves than the right now,” Gomes said. “We feel our young guys are in a good place. They’re progressing well where we don’t feel that’s a need. But the deadline is still a long ways away. We know very, very well that things do change.”
