Despite being one of the best teams in baseball, there appear to be plenty of trade deadline targets for the Dodgers in 2024. Of course, the franchise has a reputation for doing whatever it takes to chase a championship, so there are always rumors of a Dodgers trade this time of year.
The biggest focus this year seems to be on improving Los Angeles' lineup.
Hitters the Dodgers will add at the deadline
With a handful of injured starting pitchers expected to return, the Dodgers could make internal improvements to their pitching staff. However, their lineup currently lacks depth, especially with Mookie Betts out. With the exception of future Hall of Famer Freddie Freeman and Shohei Otani, who looks like one of the greatest designated hitters of all time this season, the Dodgers need some help.
That's why we're focusing exclusively on hitters when we look at the Dodgers' 2024 trade deadline targets.
Louis Robert
While a starting center fielder isn’t a must-have for the Dodgers, a trade for Luis Robert is possible, with Los Angeles a likely destination. It hasn’t been his best year, but Robert is a former All-Star and Gold Glove winner. He’s also under team control through 2027 at a modest salary.
The Dodgers currently have a young duo of center fielders in Andy Pages and James Ottman. Pages has shown promise this year while Ottman has struggled after a great season in 2023. Los Angeles could use either of them as a key piece in a trade to the White Sox, making Robert the center fielder for the rest of this season and long term. It’s not the most likely deal for the Dodgers, but it’s certainly possible.
Brendan Rodgers
Second base is the position the Dodgers need to address at the deadline. Gavin Lux’s stats are poor, as he’s barely batting above .200 and has an OPS well below .600. Lux clearly isn’t enough, making someone like Brendan Rodgers a potential trade target.
The Dodgers have seen plenty of Rodgers over the years during his time in Colorado. They know he’s a former Gold Glove winner who can also be productive with the bat, making him an immediate upgrade over Lux. The problem is that Rodgers won’t be a free agent until after the 2025 season, so he’ll come at a premium and will have to be factored into the Dodgers’ plans for next year.
Paul DeJong
As a member of the White Sox, Paul De Jong is almost certain to be traded at the deadline. Despite his modest batting average this year, De Jong has already hit 16 home runs and is having one of his best seasons in terms of power, making him a useful addition to Los Angeles’ lineup.
He represents a short-term solution for the Dodgers at second base despite the fact that he is a shortstop. The Dodgers could simply plan to play Betts at second base when he returns and move Miguel Rojas to center field until then.
Tommy Pham
Tommy Pham is another member of the White Sox who is certain to be out at the deadline. He joined the Diamondbacks at the deadline last year and was a key player on their way to the World Series. He has the ability to play all three outfield positions and has a proven track record in the postseason.
Pham won't necessarily be a starter for the Dodgers. However, he will provide them with coverage at all three outfield positions, making him a valuable but affordable target.
Jazz Chisholm
If the Dodgers wanted to make a bold move, they could trade Jazz Chisholm at the deadline. Miami would certainly be open to trading him if the price was right. He’s not scheduled to hit free agency until after the 2026 season, so this would be another long-term acquisition. The price tag would be high for the former star.
While Chisholm struggled to replicate his stellar numbers in 2022, he’s only 26 years old and has a great combination of power and speed. Also, despite being the Marlins’ center fielder the past two years, Chisholm is a natural second baseman and could easily return to the starting block to help the Dodgers fill their biggest need.
