Dodgers May Be Looking to Trade Rookie Backup Catcher

Red Sox Reportedly Interested in Trading for Dodgers Catcher Dalton Rushing

Promising Prospects

Arias is a shortstop who is currently hitting .284. Clarke is a starting pitcher and the number five prospect in the Red Sox organization. Regardless of the upside, it would make the Dodgers’ minor league system even deeper.

A Brief History of Time

Dodgers President of Baseball Operations Andrew Friedman has been loath to part with top prospects. In addition, the Dodgers have had a long-standing loyalty to their veterans. Furthermore, they have signed their primary catcher and perennial All-Star, Will Smith, to a long-term contract. As a result, they were trying to see if Rushing could play left field or third base as late as 2024.

However, in spring training this year, Los Angeles announced that going forward, Rushing would solely focus on catching. But there was no room for him on the roster. Austin Barnes was the longest-tenured Dodger, a team captain, and Clayton Kershaw‘s preferred catcher, who was good at handling the pitching staff.

The Writing on the Wall?

However, the bottom of the order has struggled to sustain rallies, and Barnes struggled to hit above a .200 when he was in the lineup. To make matters worse, he struggled defensively behind home plate, throwing out nary a runner. Consequently, the Dodgers released the veteran and called up the rookie Rushing for his first taste of the big leagues.

Assessing Needs

The Dodgers are in the market for at least one high-leverage reliever, as their bullpen has various injuries and has been largely ineffective in recent days. Tanner Scott and Michael Kopech will miss significant time, and Kirby Yates has been throwing gas on fires he is supposed to put out. Dodgers manager Dave Roberts was open about Los Angeles shopping for a reliever, saying it’s a priority. But it isn’t the only hole the Dodgers have.

The offensive output of the outfield, with the notable exception of Andy Pages, has been less than optimal this year. Teoscar Hernández has not been a defensive master class in right field, especially since his injury.

So Will They or Won’t They?

The Dodgers won’t trade Rushing for two prospects. However, if they can get a shutdown reliever or two in exchange for him, they would probably pull the trigger. The same goes for a productive corner outfielder.

One Caveat

The only other reason for the Dodgers to trade Rushing for two prospects is if Friedman uses the same prospects to flip them in a multi-team trade or a bigger package later. Of course, stranger things have happened at the trade deadline. The only guarantee is the Dodgers will do something; the only question is when. With less than a week to go, we don’t have long to wait.