In the Los Angeles Dodgers’ quest for World Series domination, no trade upgrade can be ruled out of the equation.
Even though the Dodgers have the most talented pound-for-pound roster in the sport, they still have potential areas of improvement. On the position player front, the outfield is the obvious spot to watch due to the struggles of veteran Michael Conforto.
The Dodgers invested $17 million in Conforto this year, and it’s netted them -0.6 bWAR. And because it’s the Dodgers we’re talking about, there should be no doubt about their willingness to throw more money into fixing the issue.
It’s still early to make perfect trade deadline predictions, but one baseball analyst believes the Dodgers might go after a former All-Star from the reeling Baltimore Orioles.
In a recent YouTube video, Jim Riley of BALLCAP Sports named the Dodgers on a short list of prospective trade suitors for Orioles center fielder Cedric Mullins, who is making $8.7 million in the final season of his rookie contract.
“Cedric Mullins, with the landscape of this market, could be the top outfielder that is available at the deadline,” Riley said. “And there are a handful of teams that are going to be looking for upgrades.”
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“Michael Conforto is struggling in LA. This would be an upgrade.”
Mullins, 30, has a .226/.320/.446 slash line so far this year, but his defense in center field has regressed a bit. The Dodgers have Andy Pages covering ground in center, though, so Mullins could become an above-average defensive left fielder.
With two months to go before they have to make a decision, the Dodgers can afford to let Conforto keep struggling a little longer. But it doesn’t seem as though a turnaround is imminent, and Mullins might indeed represent an improvement when July rolls around.
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