Dodgers Trade Rumors: Bryan Reynolds, Alek Thomas, Jarred Kelenic Among OF Targets
The Los Angeles Dodgers are "actively pursuing trades for a center fielder," according to Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic.
Cody Bellinger played 144 games in center field for the Dodgers in 2022, but he was non-tendered this offseason before agreeing to a one-year deal with the Chicago Cubs.
Los Angeles is searching for a replacement, with Rosenthal listing the Pittsburgh Pirates' Bryan Reynolds, Arizona Diamondbacks' Alek Thomas, St. Louis Cardinals' Dylan Carlson and Seattle Mariners' Jarred Kelenic among the options.
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Reynolds is by far the most proven candidate after earning an All-Star selection in 2021. He finished last season with 27 home runs, seven stolen bases, a .262 batting average and an .807 OPS.
In 2021, his .912 OPS ranked 11th in the majors.
The 27-year-old also requested a trade earlier this month, making him a quality fit for the Dodgers. His past production will create a high trade cost, but it might be worth it for Los Angeles as it tries to win a World Series.
The other potential options struggled offensively last season, although the Dodgers could get a steal with a high-upside player.
Kelenic was one of the top prospects in baseball heading into the 2021 season and has crushed it in the minors (.302 average in Triple-A), but he's hit just .168 across two seasons in the majors.
Carlson hit just .236 with eight home runs last year after he was a Rookie of the Year finalist in 2021.
Thomas had a .231 average and .619 OPS, although he is a plus defender who had six defensive runs saved last year, per FanGraphs.
With a lineup that's already loaded after winning 111 games last season, Los Angeles can afford to take a risk in center field.
If the Dodgers choose not to make a trade, Chris Taylor and Trayce Thompson are among the internal candidates available after playing the position last year. There are few impact options available in free agency after Brandon Nimmo re-signed with the New York Mets and Andrew Benintendi joined the Chicago White Sox.
