Los Angeles Dodgers Trade Scenarios: The Dodgers' Best Waiver Deal Prospects

The Los Angeles Dodgers have shown some promise over the past couple weeks, winning four of their five most recent series. However, the Dodgers have failed to make up serious ground in the National League Western Division, still standing 10 games behind the leading San Francisco Giants.

With the Arizona Diamondbacks breathing down the Giants' necks and the Colorado Rockies toiling away in mediocre fashion similar to the Dodgers, the Los Angeles faithful are losing hope in a miracle run.

With a tough schedule upcoming, including series with the Philadelphia Phillies, Milwaukee Brewers and St. Louis Cardinals all within the next two weeks, the Dodgers are going to need to play significantly better baseball to hold their own. 

Assuming the Dodgers do not make a run, they could potentially deal some of their veteran contributors to contending teams via the waiver system in baseball, and the deadline for trading players via waivers is August 31st. Dodger players like utility-men Jamey Carroll (pictured here) and Aaron Miles could draw interest, and the Dodgers might be able to pick up a prospect in the deal. 

Relief pitchers like Mike MacDougal and Blake Hawksworth might bolster a team that needs some extra pitching depth, and the Dodgers might be able to reap the benefits. The Dodgers have been known over the years for getting great talent through the waivers at the dealing, and now they can return the favor for another team and give another team some talent while also gaining some talent and hope for the future. 

Let’s take a look at who might be moved, broken down by position or role.

Starting Pitching: Assuming Kuroda Does Not Change Tune, Can Colletti Move Lilly

The biggest move the Dodgers made during the July trade period was to bring in catching prospect Tim Federowicz, who along with pitchers Steven Fife and Juan Rodriguez were exchanged for outfielder Travyon Robinson. The reason this relates to the Dodgers starting pitching is because Robinson was never supposed to be included in the deal, and it was supposed to include Dodger pitcher Hiroki Kuroda. 

Kuroda would not lift his no-trade clause and thus, the Dodgers had to give up good young talent to get the players that general manager Ned Colletti wanted. Kuroda will almost surely not lift his block during August, but if he does at some point, he would would garnish a lot of interest. Kuroda has been extremely reliable and consistent this season, solidifying the rotation for the Dodgers. 

However, the player and the contract the Dodgers need to be trying to get rid of is that of Ted Lilly. Lilly, a lifetime mediocre pitcher with some good moments, was signed to a ridiculous three-year, $33 million dollar contract. Lilly, who came in at 35 years old with a lifetime 4.23 ERA entering the season, has not impressed and holds a 4.86 ERA with a 7-11 record currently. 

If the Dodgers can shop Lilly hard enough and find someone to take on the bulk of his horrendous contract, that would free the Dodgers up tremendously. Lilly has been extremely hittable all season and never looks like he is going to dominate a game. 

Since Lilly’s contract is so bloated, a team like the Yankees or Red Sox who might need another pitcher in case of injury, might take a chance on Lilly and grab him for a low-level prospect and some money. It is a possibility, but there is very little chance that Colletti is able to move any of his starting pitchers. 

If Colletti is able to get rid of Lilly, and get talent in return for him, that might be enough to save his job after the season.

Relief Pitching: Will Mac the Ninth or the Hawk Go? Is It Time for Better Nickna

Coming into this season, the Dodger bullpen looked like it was going to be one of the strongest in baseball, full of veteran names and young talent. However, things did not go according to plan and the veteran arms fell apart and the young talent was forced to take control. Youngsters became relied on, and became veterans fast considering the Dodgers kept needing more and more relief from injuries. 

Before the season, the Dodgers signed former Kansas City Royal closer Mike MacDougal  (pictured here) in as a non-roster invite, and he impressed all spring. MacDougal started in a middle relief role, but has been called upon in pressure situations as the season has progressed. MacDougal has one save and nine holds, good enough for second-best on the team. 

Since MacDougal is only signed to a one-year, $500,000 contract and might have other teams interested in him come winter time, the Dodgers could receive a prospect for his services. MacDougal could bolster a Los Angeles Angels bullpen that could use some extra help, or even a Detroit Tigers bullpen that is both young and old. 

Overall, MacDougal has been effective and good pickup by Colletti, but if there is talent that can be received for MacDougal, don’t hesitate to make the move. With Blake Hawksworth, the issue is different because Blake is only 28 years old. Hawksworth has been solid this season, going 2-2 while posting a 3.00 ERA in a middle relief role. Hawksworth has impressed many times, pitching with a lot of poise and confidence. 

Since Hawksworth is only making $426,000 this season and is only arbitration-eligible after next season, I would personally keep Hawksworth to give the bullpen some leadership and maturity at very low cost. However, if a team were to inquire about his services it would be difficult not to dangle him and try to pick up a decent prospect. 

Other than those two relievers, no other pitcher is going anywhere any time soon.

Catchers: Could either Rod Barajas or Dioner Navarro go?

The Dodgers have both Rod Barajas (pictured here) and Dioner Navarro, two serviceable catchers that are far from superstars. Both are signed to very reasonable, one-year contracts and do not have no-trade clauses. Other than the fact Barajas makes a little more money and hits a little better, they are strikingly similar catchers. 

With the depth that A.J. Ellis provides, the Dodgers could afford to see either one go. Plus, with the addition of Tim Federowicz for the future, the Dodgers will only be able to keep one catcher. Barajas has been the better of the two, posting some serious power numbers and being very hot of late. For a team with little depth and little experience at catcher (the San Francisco Giants) and for a team that needs an offensive spark (Giants again), Barajas could bolster the lineup. 

Both catchers are good defensively and can adapt to a pitching staff. Barajas came over to the Dodgers last August via waivers and learned Dodger pitchers very quickly and very well, impressing many in the organization. 

Colletti should be inquiring about both Rod and Dioner. Both have shown signs of offensive capability this season, and even with his ankle injury that sidelined him for over a month Barajas is tied for second most home runs on the team with 10 thus far. Barajas has even had multiple-hit games in each of his last three starts. 

If Colletti can find a suitor, he shouldn’t feel bad about pulling the trigger. Both of these guys are good guys that deserve a chance at the playoffs and can handle the pressure, and one could potentially end up back in a Dodgers uniform next season as they prepare for Federowicz.

Infielders: Of Course Jamey Carroll and Aaron Miles, but Maybe Casey Blake Too?

For the Dodgers' rotating infield this season, it has been crucial to have the presence of utility men like Jamey Carroll and Aaron Miles. Both have played second base, shortstop and third base at different times this season for different injured players. Carroll, in his second year with the Dodgers, is a fan favorite and is a free agent after the season. 

When Rafael Furcal was traded, Ned Colletti stated that the Dodgers would not trade Jamey Carroll, but he did not mention Aaron Miles. Similar to Carroll’s .297 batting average, 10 RBIs and nine stolen bases, Miles is batting .296 with a solid 29 RBIs and four stolen bases. 

Miles is signed for one year, making $500,000 this season. His versatility makes him an asset and his postseason experience is an added benefit. Miles won a World Series with the St. Louis Cardinals as the second baseman back in 2006, and is actually batting 30 points higher than he did that season. Miles could be a good fit for a Milwaukee Brewers club that could use more flexibility as the playoff race gets even more intense. 

As for Casey Blake, now that he is healthy, he is just as available as anyone else. Blake has only played in 50 games this season, and is only batting .245 in his 189 plate appearances. However, he is a veteran bat that has consistently performed no matter what the situation. Blake has had double-digit home run totals for the past eight seasons, so he is no stranger to offensive production. 

If Colletti can trade Blake considering he is a free agent after the season and the Dodgers will not be re-signing him, Colletti will have worked a miracle and will be rewarded. Colletti can redeem himself for not only signing Casey Blake to a bloated contract, but also for the injured Juan Uribe and his awful signing.

Outfielders: Newcomer Juan Rivera Is the Only One Possibly on the Move

A lot of trade deadline talk surrounding the Dodgers regarded the possibility of trading star slugger Andre Either because of contract restrictions in the future. Since no trade was made before July 31st, Andre will be in a Dodger uniform for at least the rest of the 2011 season. 

No regular Dodger outfielder will be traded this season, making sure that Matt Kemp, Tony Gwynn and Either continue to roam the outfield, making spectacular catches. However, there is a chance that Juan Rivera might be traded to a contending team, and that would be a fair move considering Rivera is a free agent after the season and was only picked up to provide depth and some power. 

Rivera has been excellent so far for the Dodgers, batting over .300 while showing some power and providing protection for Matt Kemp in the lineup. Rivera has played first base consistently, almost supplanting James Loney from the starter’s role at times. Rivera is an asset to the Dodgers and could be a cheap boost to a contending team in need of a bat that can play both first and corner outfield. 

Rivera could be a pinch-hitting specialist for the weak hitting Giants, or could provide depth for a team like the St.Louis Cardinals or the Detroit Tigers who have struggled with Magglio Ordonez’s declining production. 

Colletti could also hold on to Rivera for next year, where he could be an asset to a 2012 Dodgers ball club that would automatically have a little more power.