MLB insider reveals reason Dodgers may be 'greedy' at MLB trade deadline

The Los Angeles Dodgers may not have any apparent weaknesses heading into the regular season's stretch run, but that won't stop them from being "greedy" at the MLB trade deadline (6 p.m. ET Aug. 3), according to one MLB insider.

On Friday, Bob Nightengale of USA Today wrote that the Dodgers could be just as aggressive at this year's MLB trade deadline as in past seasons for one simple reason: They want to win the World Series.

Yes, the Dodgers have won back-to-back World Series titles, but Nightengale writes that rival MLB executives believe those within the Dodgers franchise are "infatuated with the opportunity of becoming the first National League team to win three consecutive World Series championships."

Will history motivate the Dodgers at the MLB trade deadline?

The last team to win three consecutive World Series titles was the New York Yankees from 1998-2000, so it's been some time since the feat was accomplished. Having the Dodgers as the first NL team to accomplish the feat would certainly add to the legacy that is emitted from within Chavez Ravine.

There is also the real thought of an upcoming lockout that could not only bring a stoppage to baseball when the current Collective Bargaining Agreement expires on December 1, but also that big changes could be coming with the next CBA that could be geared to bringing more parity to the sport. Could those changes level the playing field for the Dodgers and other big-spending teams?

With all of that in the background, there is plenty of reason to see why the Dodgers want to end this season on top again.

What does "greedy" look like for the Dodgers?

If the Dodgers were to cash in some of their prospects at the MLB trade deadline, a deal to acquire starting pitcher Tarik Skubal from the Detroit Tigers would be biggest splash of all. Los Angeles is a team that could certainly afford "renting" Skubal for the rest of this season while trying to sign him to a longer-term contract.

Regarding pitching's other big name potentially on the market, a deal with the San Diego Padres for closer Mason Miller seems highly unlikely. The two bitter division rivals don't seem to be a match to help each other in any way, even if the thought of Miller and Edwin Diaz in the bullpen might be tantalizing.

Certainly there are plenty of moves the Dodgers could make before the MLB trade deadline passes. It all depends on how much they want to spend from the future to win now. And, from reports like Nightengale's, it sounds like winning now is a very high priority in Los Angeles.