The Los Angeles Dodgers have some roster crowding going on and as injury start to hit other teams, could the team seek to make a deal? Last season, the Dodgers were the team getting hit with injuries in the outfield which is why the built up so much depth. But now at least one person is on the bench each day and the Dodgers might seek to get something in return.
Yasiel Puig, Matt Kemp, Andre Ethier and Carl Crawford are all fighting for position on the Dodgers roster. All four are playing relatively well which makes it hard to determine if someone will get traded or not. Puig is currently batting .324 with seven home runs. Kemp is hitting .276 with five home runs. Crawford has a batting average of .272 while Ethier is hitting .259 to round out the rotation. All four have brought something to the table, but as the Dodgers seek pitching depth, does someone get sent away?
According to general manager Ned Colletti, the Dodgers are not currently interested in making a trade unless they are blown away by a deal.
"It's a situation we're going to have to deal with," Colletti said, via Los Angeles Times. "But we're always going to be one injury away from not having to deal with it. It gives everybody a chance to take a breath, get a day. Everybody likes to play, but I think it's sometimes beneficial to take a day."
If a trade is going to be made, it will not be Puig. The young super star might have some off-the-field issues that the Dodgers have been forced to deal with, Los Angeles will not give up his numbers. Either has the more favorable contract to deal away. He is owed $71.5 million over the next four years. Crawford is signed to a $85.9 million contract over the next four years. Kemp's contract is the worst as he is owed $129.5 million. So who would bite for an outfielder?
The Yankees might be the most interested as injuries have been stacking up in the outfielder. When everyone is healthy, they have too many outfielders than they know what to do with, but right now Carlos Beltran is headed to the disabled list as is Ichiro Suzuki, Jacoby Ellsbury and Brett Gardner. That is a lot of batting power sitting on the bench and they might be looking to acquire someone in exchange for pitching relief.
All four of the Dodgers outfielders will require a large price tag, especially since Colletti is not interested in making any traded. However, teams need another bat and the Dodgers will be the first to have their phone ring.
