Dodgers' Top Players to Target and Avoid at 2022 MLB Trade Deadline
The Los Angeles Dodgers made the biggest splash of the summer at last year's deadline when they acquired Max Scherzer and Trea Turner in a blockbuster deal with the Washington Nationals.
What will they do for an encore?
Adding a versatile bat who can help ease the loss of Chris Taylor and finding more depth in a starting rotation that is without Walker Buehler seem to be the two biggest priorities—along with finding more bullpen help, which is on every contender's to-do list.
Ahead, we've highlighted two players the team should target and taken a quick look at two guys they would be wise to avoid.
Target: RHP Luis Castillo, Cincinnati Reds
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The Dodgers reeled in the biggest arm on the market last year, and they are already circling the best available ace this summer.
According to Jon Morosi of MLB Network, the Dodgers have already had preliminary discussions with the Cincinnati Reds about right-hander Luis Castillo, who was his team's lone All-Star representative after posting a 2.77 ERA, 1.08 WHIP and 82 strikeouts in 78 innings.
The 29-year-old is controllable through the 2023 season, and that's an important factor for a Dodgers team that will have Clayton Kershaw, Tyler Anderson and Andrew Heaney all reaching free agency.
If Kershaw decides to hang it up or Anderson chases more money elsewhere after the best season of his career, the Dodgers will need rotation help, and they could address that now with a trade for Castillo.
Target: IF Brandon Drury, Cincinnati Reds
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Let's just stick with the Cincinnati Reds to cross off the Dodgers' other wish-list item.
Brandon Drury has been one of the best bargain signings of the winter playing on a one-year, $700,000 deal and hitting .278/.336/.528 with 19 doubles, 18 home runs and 52 RBI while playing all over the infield.
The 29-year-old entered the season with negative WAR for his career, but he's been worth 1.6 WAR through 81 games this year, and his team-friendly contract makes him an easy fit on any contender's payroll.
He would be a significant upgrade over Hanser Alberto and Zach McKinstry in a utility role off the bench and an insurance policy to Trayce Thompson should he regress as the right-handed-hitting side of a left-field platoon.
Players to Avoid
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C Willson Contreras, Chicago Cubs
Because they're the Dodgers, rumors will swirl about their interest in almost everyone on the block, and Cubs catcher Willson Contreras is arguably the biggest name on this year's rental market. With Will Smith entrenched as the starting catcher and the designated hitter role being used as a revolving spot to keep Justin Turner and Max Muncy fresh, giving up quality young talent for a redundant player just doesn't make sense, even if he's an All-Star Game starter.
SP Frankie Montas, Oakland Athletics
The reason the Dodgers need starting pitching help is because they are without Walker Buehler and have some other injury question marks on the staff starting with Clayton Kershaw. That makes swinging a deal for Montas a risky proposition since he was just sidelined for more than two weeks with shoulder inflammation. He can be a game-changing starter when healthy and is controllable through 2023, but shoulder injuries can often be a nagging issue.
All stats courtesy of Baseball Reference.
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