The Los Angeles Dodgers recently designated Austin Barnes for assignment. However, his replacement may not stick around much if things do not get better in the rotation.
The Dodgers called up Dalton Rushing, their top prospect, to back up Will Smith after moving on from Barnes. However, their starting rotation is riddled with injuries, and Rushing could become a trade asset, according to FanSided’s Katrina Stebbins.
“It would take a lot for the Dodgers to deal Rushing, their No. 1 prospect until he graduates to fully-fledged rookie status, but if the rotation is still bent out of shape by the deadline and a non-contender puts a competitive starter on the market, maybe the Dodgers could be more agreeable,” wrote Stebbins.
It would not be easy for the Dodgers to part with Rushing. However, injuries to Blake Snell, Tyler Glasnow and Rōki Sasai are getting in the way of their World Series aspirations. The Dodgers would not trade Rushing for a rental, if they even consider the idea. They would want a controllable starter in such a deal.
“It does seem like Rushing is here to stay for a while, given the Dodgers’ release of Austin Barnes and their overall hesitance to deal Rushing (they declined to include him in Garrett Crochet talks last year, and at the moment there doesn’t seem to be a starter of Crochet’s caliber on the trade block),” wrote Stebbins. “However, Blake Snell and Roki Sasaki’s prognoses don’t look great, and if they’re not ready to take on October action, the Dodgers will have to do whatever they can to secure at least one more starter at the deadline.”
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If the Dodgers consider trading away their top prospect just a couple of months after his debut, they would need to be getting a superstar in return. The deal would end up being one that no experts see coming and lands Los Angeles with an elite pitcher.
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