Dodgers' Final Guide, Ideal Targets for 2022 MLB Trade Deadline
After an up-and-down June, the Los Angeles Dodgers have been rolling in July and once again look like the team to beat in the National League.
That said, they are not without some issues that need to be addressed on the trade market, most notably on the pitching side of things where they could use some additional depth while Walker Buehler works his way back from the injured list and some bullpen help that has late-inning experience should Craig Kimbrel falter.
This year's trade deadline is on Tuesday, and teams will have until 6 p.m. ET on the day to put the finishing touches to their roster for the stretch run.
Ahead we have taken a closer look at the buyer vs. seller debate while also highlighting a pair of ideal targets to address their roster needs.
Buyers or Sellers?
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No one made a bigger splash at last year's deadline than the Dodgers, which swung a blockbuster deal to acquire Max Scherzer and Trea Turner from the Washington Nationals.
Will we see something similar this year?
There's no doubt they are in a position to buy, and with a farm system that ranked No. 3 in B/R's most recent update, they have the young talent to be major players on the trade market again.
Expect them to kick the tires on all of the market's top pitchers, and to be major players for Juan Soto if the Nationals decide to take a more aggressive approach to moving him than simply listening to offers.
At the very least, expect to see a new bullpen arm or two next week.
Ideal Target: SP Luis Castillo
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With All-Star Tyler Anderson and fellow offseason addition Andrew Heaney both headed for free agency at season's end and Clayton Kershaw again playing on a one-year deal, the Dodgers are facing some potential turnover in their starting rotation.
That makes targeting Luis Castillo (CIN) and Frankie Montas (OAK)โthe market's top two starting pitchersโa logical move since both are controllable through the 2023 season and could help address that upcoming need in advance.
Castillo, 29, is having the better season of the two with a 2.77 ERA, 1.08 WHIP and 82 strikeouts in 78 innings. He was an All-Star this year for the second time in his career, and his 3.2 WAR ranks seventh among NL starters.
It's going to take at least one Top 100 prospect and several other high-upside pieces to get a deal done, but that's a price the Dodgers should be willing to pay for a chance to bolster their rotation for the stretch run and beyond.
Ideal Target: RP Gregory Soto
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Much like the starting rotation, the Dodgers are also facing significant potential turnover in the bullpen where closer Craig Kimbrel, left-hander David Price and injured setup man Daniel Hudson ($6.5 million club option) could all hit the open market.
That could mean the front office prioritizes controllable late-inning arms, with David Bednar (PIT) and Gregory Soto (DET) atop the list of players who fit that profile and are expected to be available.
An All-Star this year for the second time in as many seasons, Soto has developed into one of the best lefty relievers in the game. The 27-year-old has converted 18 of 20 save chances with a 2.43 ERA, 1.17 WHIP and 9.7 K/9 in 35 games.
With control through the 2025 season, he won't come cheap, but he could help solidify the Dodgers' relief corps for the foreseeable future while also providing some insurance for Kimbrel this year should he falter down the stretch.
All stats courtesy of Baseball Reference and accurate through Tuesday's games.
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