The Los Angeles Dodgers are one of the best teams in baseball this season, despite being ravaged by injuries. While the MLB trade deadline is more than a month out, it appears the Dodgers are making one thing clear as buyers this summer.
Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic writes that top prospect Dalton Rushing, who was recently added to the Dodgers roster, is highly unlikely to be traded with the team ‘not inclined’ to move him.
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Rushing, age 24, is rated by MLB.com as the 15th-best prospect in baseball. The 5-foot-11 catcher as brought up to Los Angeles after posting a .938 OPS with a .308/.424/.514 triple-slash line across 107 at-bats with Triple-A Oklahoma City.
- Dalton Rushing stats (ESPN): .250/.286/.300, .586 OPS, 4 RBI in 20 at-bats
Brought in to replace Austin Barnes, Rushing has struck out in 52.4 percent of his plate appearances entering MLB games today. He’s made 5 starts since being called up and does offer the ability to play first base or left field, two positions he occupied at the Triple-A level this season.
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Not only is Rushing not available, but Rosenthal noted that Los Angeles could make him the replacement in left field next season for Michael Conforto. He also wrote that the Dodgers’ offseason strategy was designed with moves to avoid later overpaying for talent at the MLB trade deadline this summer.
With the pitching staff decimated by injuries, Los Angeles is certainly in need of more support and multiple clubs have already signaled they’ll be sellers. While the Dodgers will make calls and several deals should come in July, it seems highly unlikely a blockbuster trade involving Rushing will happen.