Predicting Dodgers’ biggest move before MLB trade deadline

Luis Arraez can finally fix the Dodgers’ 2-hole struggles

On paper, the Dodgers have a solid second base plan locked in for the rest of the season, with Tommy Edman able to hold the position down as the starter with Alex Freeland and Miguel Rojas supplementing him when he needs a day off or plays at another position.

Since returning from offseason surgery in mid-June, “Tommy Tanks” has played all over the field, including five games where he appeared at third base, 10 where he played in left field, eight where he was at second, and four where he was used as a pinch hitter. Because Edman is so versatile, sticking him at just one position is kind of a waste of his talent, as being able to produce both offensively and defensively at, well, basically every position is arguably his greatest superpower.

No, if the Dodgers want to make sure they have the best team possible heading into the playoffs, which is all that really matters for a team like LA that basically already has the division locked up, they could use one more player to take them over the top, with Edman serving as the ultimate sixth man off the bench and the trio of Kike Hernandez, Call, and Rojas ready to go as positional replacements.

Enter Luis Arraez, a player who has hurt the Dodgers for years as a member of the San Diego Padres and San Francisco Giants.

One of the most consistent bats in baseball, with three Batting Titles, two Silver Sluggers, and four All-Star berths on his resume, Arraez is the kind of player the Dodgers could really use in the 2-hole behind Shohei Ohtani, a tough out who gets on base at a .318 career clip, even if he has only gotten into double-digit home runs once in his eight seasons. Playing predominantly at second base for a Giants team that quickly found out they aren’t contenders, Arraez has been a teammate of six current Dodgers during their time together in Philadelphia for the All-Star break, creating a chance for Dave Roberts to have a seventh at his disposal heading into the playoffs.

Considering the Dodgers only have one player, Edman, who is hitting above .294 this season, adding a player like Arraez, who can set the table on offense in front of a power hitter while also producing defensively at a much improved clip, could arguably fill Los Angeles’ biggest need, especially if they suffer another injury at any infield or outfield position.

With ESPN putting the chances of Arraez getting traded at 90 percent, it’s not so much a matter of if the four-time All-Star will be traded but what kind of return San Francisco will garner for his services. Unless the Dodgers find themselves in a serious bidding war, they should have the assets needed to secure his services without having to give away any player or pick with serious current or future upside.