Dodgers Offer 3-Word Response on Trade Replacement for Michael Conforto

The Los Angeles Dodgers added some distance in the standings over the division rival San Diego Padres with a win on Tuesday, but the race in the National League West could be much tighter than they thought.

Sitting fewer than four games behind the Dodgers in the division, the San Francisco Giants added superstar slugger Rafael Devers in a shocking trade with the Boston Red Sox. That move announced very clear win-now intentions from the Giants and it raised questions about whether the Dodgers might respond in kind by the midseason trade deadline.

And if the Dodgers are considering an external upgrade, it seems pretty clear which current player would be replaced, at least offensively.

"To date, obviously, Michael (Conforto) hasn't performed up to what he expected or we expected," Dodgers president of baseball operations Andrew Friedman said, per Bill Shaikin of the Los Angeles Times. "Obviously, like we will with all of our players, we will continue to assess where things are."

After joining the Dodgers on a single-year, $17 million contract, Conforto has slashed a dismal .168/.305/.277 so far this season. In a batting order alongside superstars like Shohei Ohtani, Freddie Freeman and Mookie Betts, that level of performance and his lack of tenure with the team could make Conforto the obvious man out if an intriguing trade option emerges for the Dodgers.

When asked point blank if there is a possibility that the Dodgers will trade for a new left fielder, Friedman offered a clear three words in response: "Never say never," he said, per Shaikin.

Friedman did add that such a trade is "very unlikely" and he has noted that one reason for the Dodgers' aggressive offseason was because he's hesitant to overpay for upgrades at the trade deadline. But with Conforto struggling, it seems the team is at least open to making an external change.