MLB Trade Speculation: Top 9 Los Angeles Dodgers Targets at the Deadline

The Los Angeles Dodgers are having a rough time this season.

One reason is injuries, the other is money.

With these two, I'll focus more on prospects the Dodgers have in their farm system, with a few ideas—some may be far-fetched—sprinkled in. With all the economic problems the Dodgers are dealing with this season, their best bets are those that are within the organization.

They don't have much to spend on outside guys, but if they are willing to trade some of their own stars, they have a chance to really improve.

Rubby De La Rosa

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SCOTTSDALE, AZ - MARCH 18: Pitcher Rubby De La Rosa #78 of the Los Angeles Dodgers throws against the San Francisco Giants during the spring training baseball game at Scottsdale Stadium on March 18, 2011 in Scottsdale, Arizona. (Photo by Kevork Djansezi

While yes, De La Rosa is in the Dodgers system right now, he is not part of the rotation quite yet.

I mark him as a target because the Dodgers organization will benefit greatly if he can succeed.

De La Rosa got through the heart of the Astros on May 25, sitting down Hunter Pence, Carlos Lee and Brett Wallace.  As Baseball America’s second-best pitching prospect in the Dodgers organization, De La Rosa could prove to be a lifesaver to the Dodgers’ closer issue.

Josh Lindbloom

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LOS ANGELES, CA - MAY 02: Closer Jonathan Broxton #51 of the Los Angeles Dodgers throws a pitch in the ninth inning against the Chicago Cubs on May 2, 2011 at Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles, California. Broxton picked up the save as the Dodgers won 5-2.

Jonathan Broxton is on the DL, but he wasn't up to par with the blue and white while he was pitching.

With the Dodgers' constant injury issues, Lindbloom could be their next big pitcher.

At Chattanooga, Lindbloom had 30 strikeouts in 22.2 innings. The Dodgers are in need of some good relievers, and Lindbloom could be what they’re looking for.

Steven Ames

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LOS ANGELES, CA - MAY 01: Hong-Chih Kuo #56 of the Los Angeles Dodgers pitches during the ninth inning against the San Diego Padres at Dodger Stadium on May 1, 2011 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)

Hong-Chih Kuo is another pitcher who hasn't done as much as the Dodgers hoped. With his time on the DL, the organization is hoping to find another pitcher to fill in.

The blue and white are looking for some big pitchers to come their way after all their injuries.

Ames is another solid pitcher with a 1.29 ERA in his last 10 games and a 1.21 overall ERA in the majors.

A.J. Ellis

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LOS ANGELES, CA - MAY 14: Rod Barajas #28 of the Los Angeles Dodgers keeps his eye on the base runners after a blocked wild pitch against the Arizona Diamondbacks at Dodger Stadium on May 14, 2011 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Ima

The Dodgers may need to add a new catcher.

After Rod Barajas’ sprained wrist, the organization may want to bring back Ellis. He was sent down to Triple-A over a month ago, but hit .267 in six games.

Ellis finishes up the Dodgers' farm system suggestions.

Chad Qualls

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PEORIA, AZ - MARCH 02: Chad Qualls #52 of the San Diego Padres pitches against the Colorado Rockies during spring training at Peoria Stadium on March 2, 2011 in Peoria, Arizona. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)

Relievers are a hot commodity, and the Padres could be open to trading Qualls.

With so many of the Dodgers' relievers on the DL, Qualls' 2.22 ERA so far after 26 games could be something they are looking for.

Kevin Slowey

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MINNEAPOLIS, MN - JUNE 30: Kevin Slowey #59 of the Minnesota Twins pitches in the second inning against the Detroit Tigers during their game on June 30, 2010 at Target Field in Minneapolis, Minnesota. (Photo by Hannah Foslien/Getty Images)

Slowey is one of the more popular relievers that teams are going after.

Despite being put on the 15-day DL, Slowey has been doing well and can add to the pitching depth that the Dodgers desperately need.

Jose Reyes

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NEW YORK, NY - MAY 05: Jose Reyes #7 of the New York Mets celebrates after the final out of the eighth inning against the San Francisco Giants on May 5, 2011 at Citi Field in the Flushing neighborhood of the Queens borough of New York City. (Photo by Ji

Now we go to the players outside of the organization that could be costly.

This guy seems to be one of the main players several teams are considering.

He’s got a .335 batting average so far, and with his fielding and hitting skills, he could prove extremely helpful to a Dodgers organization filled with injuries in the infield.

A quality shortstop could help the team significantly.

Albert Pujols

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ST. LOUIS, MO - MAY 30: Albert Pujols #5 of the St. Louis Cardinals hits a solo home run against the San Francisco Giants at Busch Stadium on May 30, 2011 in St. Louis, Missouri. (Photo by Dilip Vishwanat/Getty Images)

A power hitter at first or third base could be just what the Dodgers need. Casey Blake needs some help at third, and Pujols could be what they’re looking for.

It just depends on how much the Dodgers are willing to spend.

Carl Crawford

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BOSTON, MA - MAY 20: Carl Crawford #13 of the Boston Red Sox hits a 2RBI single on May 20, 2011 at Fenway Park in Boston, Massachusetts.on May 20, 2011 at Fenway Park in Boston, Massachusetts. The Chicago Cubs and the Boston Red Sox have not played at Fe

If the Dodgers are willing to trade a big player, Crawford may be an outfielder that could be extremely useful to them.

Andre Ethier has shown interest in leaving L.A., so a possible trade could be helpful to both parties. Crawford is a power-hitting outfielder that the Dodgers need.