It’s officially a battle at the top of the NL West, so it will be fascinating to see who the Dodgers’ trade deadline targets are in 2023. In recent years, the Dodgers have been able to orchestrate some of the best trades in baseball for the first time in meet the trade deadline while still attracting the best players available.
But after a quiet winter, it remains to be seen if the Dodgers will be more aggressive this summer.
Dodgers trade deadline targets to 2023
Of course, the many Dodgers trade rumors are already flying around. Given the competition they face just to win the NL West, let alone make a World Series comeback, it’s safe to assume the Dodgers will have to make some bold moves if they hope to reach the land of promised.
With that in mind, let’s take a look at some of the Dodgers’ potential 2023 trade deadline targets.
Aroldis Chapman
A team like the Dodgers, accustomed to the postseason, knows how important good ball can be in October. That should make Aroldis Chapman a target for the Dodgers.
In fairness, any contending team will consider Chapman a trade target. However, the Dodgers have a reputation for being aggressive in such situations. They also have a strong farm system that would help them go a long way in getting Chapman. The veteran would add another late reliever, another lefty and postseason experience in Los Angeles, making him the perfect trade candidate for the Dodgers.
Nick Senzel
While Nick Senzel’s season has been hampered by injuries, with a number of young players calling them up in his absence, the Reds may not need him much if he’s healthy. That could open the door for a team like the Dodgers to trade him.
Of course, Senzel won’t make much of an impact for Los Angeles. But he is versatile, much like Chris Taylor, giving the Dodgers another option at second base, third base and a right-handed hitter in a left-handed outfield.
If the Dodgers don’t build around a shortstop and leave Taylor there most of the game, Senzel would be a nice replacement for Taylor as the team’s super tool.
Paul DeJong
When the Dodgers trade a shortstop to replace Miguel Rojas. and leaving Taylor for a utility role, Paul DeJong is an option. He is certainly not the best option available, although he would be an upgrade over Rojas.
Keep in mind that the Dodgers may not feel like they need a significant upgrade as a shortstop, having gone most of the season without accomplishing much at that position. Plus they still have Taylor in the mix. Aside from paying a $2 million buyout for next season, DeJong wouldn’t command a high price, making him a low-cost option and allowing the Dodgers to connect with other areas of their roster until at the deadline to deal with it.
Tim Anderson
If the Dodgers want to be a little more aggressive in their search for a shortstop, Tim Anderson is an obvious option. He certainly hasn’t had a great year, but he’s also much better than he’s shown, so a change of scenery at a rival club could help him.
Based on his performance this year, the White Sox may be reluctant to exercise his $14 million option next year, which would put him in a trade unless Chicago is a serious playoff contender by the deadline. Anderson has been an All-Star each of the past two seasons, and if he can play anywhere near that level, it would be a huge improvement over what the Dodgers got from their shortstops this year.
Zack Greinke
At the very least, the Dodgers should consider trading for a pitcher like Zack Greinke. He certainly isn’t the same pitcher he was with the Dodgers in 2013-2015.
But he could still swallow an inning at the bottom of a rotation that currently lacks depth due to injuries. What his swan song might be: Greinke likely wouldn’t mind returning to Los Angeles so he can help the Dodgers win a World Series.
Marcus Stroman
There are already plenty of Dodgers trade rumors linking Los Angeles to Marcus Stroman. His contract situation is a bit complicated with a significant player option for 2024 – will the Cubs try to sign him?
Stroman has had such a great year that they should listen to offers for him to see if they can land him a high quality candidate. For the Dodgers, adding Stroman would not only add depth to their rotation, but also give them a front-line pitcher to pair with Clayton Kershaw and Tony Gonsoli.
Even if Dustin May and Walker Buehler don’t return, Stroman, Kershaw and Gonsolin would give Los Angeles an impressive postseason rotation.
Shei Ohtani
The Dodgers will certainly be eager to make an offer for Shohei Ohtani if he becomes a free agent this winter. But he could also be one of the Dodgers’ trade deadline targets in 2023 when the Angels are eliminated from contention.
As previously mentioned, unless the Dodgers return some of their injured starters from IL, they will be under pressure to find a starter in time. Of course, trading for Ohtani, who would also serve as a DH, means replacing and trading out JD Martinez. But if the Dodgers are serious about a World Series run, they might be willing to pursue such a scenario.
