The Los Angeles Dodgers are playing a quality brand of baseball despite dealing with various injuries and underperformance from key players. The Dodgers are still one of the World Series favorites, but they would benefit from making a move or two ahead of the 2022 MLB trade deadline. However, what exactly does this Dodgers team need? After all, they feature a deep roster.
Los Angeles has a few different needs. Pitching is always beneficial, while offensive depth could help stabilize the lineup. Today, we are taking a look at the Dodgers' top three trade targets ahead of the 2022 MLB trade deadline.
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3 top targets for Dodgers ahead of 2022 MLB trade deadline
Luis Castillo of the Cincinnati Reds is expected to be one of the more popular names on the trade block. The 29-year-old right-handed pitcher has established himself as one of the better pitchers in MLB over the past few seasons and is in the midst of an excellent 2022 campaign.
Castillo's ERA is narrowly above 3, and he is holding opposing hitters to a .213 batting average. He is doing all of this while pitching at hitter-friendly Great American Ballpark.
The Dodgers would be smart to inquire about Castillo this month. LA's rotation has dealt with injuries to pitchers such as Walker Buehler and Clayton Kershaw this year. Although Kershaw is back, Buehler is expected to be out until August or September. Trading for Luis Castillo would provide the Dodgers with extra rotation depth while adding an All-Star-caliber arm.
2. Brandon Drury
Sticking with our Reds theme, Brandon Drury is another player who makes sense for LA.
In the past, the Dodgers have utilized utility type of players often. Kike Hernandez played a major role for Los Angeles a few years ago, while Chris Taylor has emerged as a utility superstar. Brandon Drury fits that mold.
He has experience at multiple infield positions while also possessing outfield experience.
But Drury is more than just a multi-eligible position player. He his hitting .270 with a quality .852 OPS to go along with 16 home runs. The 16 homers are already a career high for Drury, who is is enjoying a breakout season. At just 29 years old, the Dodgers and Brandon Drury seem like the perfect fit for one another. He could easily turn into the next Chris Taylor.
LA should look into trading for Drury this season.
The San Diego Padres acquired former Oakland Athletics pitcher Sean Manaea prior to the season. The Dodgers could follow suit by adding Frankie Montas of the Oakland Atheltics this season.
Montas was one of the few high-profile names not traded out of Oakland this past offseason. However, many expect him to be dealt as the season rolls on.
The right-hander has pitched to the tune of a 3.26 ERA and a 1.09 WHIP so far in 2022. Additionally, he is holding hitters to a .226 clip off of him. Montas also has 100 strikeouts and just 24 walks through 96.2 innings pitched in 2022.
It should be noted that Montas left his start over the weekend with an apparent injury after just one inning. Both the Athletics and Dodgers are hopeful that Frankie Montas avoided anything too series.
As long as Montas is healthy, he would be an excellent addition for the Dodgers this season. I would label Montas as the most likely to get dealt to the Dodgers. The fit makes sense and LA is always an attractive trade destination.
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