Over the last three years, no MLB team has had more regular-season wins than the Los Angeles Dodgers. LA's 320 victories are 25 more than the second-place Braves during that span. Yet all the Dodgers have to show for it is an NLCS appearance and two NLDS exits.

Despite their postseason struggles, the Dodgers have started the regular season strongly again in 2024. The additions of Shohei Ohtani, Yoshinobu Yamamoto, and Tyler Glasnow have made LA an even more formidable team to face. LA's 41 wins are the second-most in the National League and give the club a comfortable eight-game lead atop the NL West.

Yet even with this success, the Dodgers can still make improvements on the field. Here are two early targets for LA ahead of the trade deadline.

Dodgers needs

Outfield

While much of the Dodgers' success has been due to the performance of its star players, the team has always seemed to get the most out of its secondary guys — usually outfielders. Two of their long-time, bottom-of-the-order hitters with a consistent performance history — Chris Taylor and Enrique Hernandez — have failed to demonstrate the same production in 2024.

Taylor is finally beginning to show signs of slowing down at age 33. The utility man is batting just .102 on the year and has a single extra-base hit in 101 plate appearances — a far cry from his career .250 batting average and .753 OPS. Taylor's -1.3 WAR is the fifth-worst in the Majors this year. As for Hernandez, he has not fared much better. The 32-year-old is batting .207 on the year with a .587 OPS.

LA has received negative WAR from left and centerfield, and its outfield has a -0.8 WAR overall. Above-average production from every other position has offset these shortcomings, but better outfield play is necessary for the Dodgers.

Relievers

Performance is not an issue for the Dodgers bullpen, as LA relievers rank 2nd in MLB in ERA and third in save percentage this season. This team needs one or two more arms to add much-needed depth. Joe Kelly and Ryan Brasier (combined 26 relief appearances) are both on the IL, leading the club to lean heavily on its five most prominent arms. Another veteran arm — especially one with ninth-inning experience — would benefit the Dodgers.

Dodgers trade deadline targets

Taylor Ward (OF), Los Angeles Angels

2022 felt like a breakthrough year for Taylor Ward. The right-hander had 23 homers in 135 games while batting .280 and posting an OPS of .833. Injuries held him back last year, but a solid start to 2024 with excellent underlying numbers make the 30-year-old a tantalizing trade target. Ward's expected slugging of .515 puts him in the 94th percentile among all MLB hitters, and his barrel rate is among the 91st percentile in the league.

These predictive numbers have produced modest numbers on the field: 11 homers, 34 RBI, a .247 batting average, and a .754 OPS. If Ward's production falls more in line with his underlying numbers in the second half of the season, he would be a trade deadline steal for the Dodgers.

Kenley Jansen (RP), Boston Red Sox

Is a Kenley Jansen reunion in Los Angeles forthcoming? Since the club parted ways with Jansen after the 2021 season, no Dodgers player has recorded more than 30 saves in a season. Craig Kimbrel notched 22 in 2022, while Evan Phillips led the team with 24 saves in 2023. Phillips has quietly been dominant for LA during this stretch, posting a 1.67 ERA and converting 87.5% of his save chances, but manager Dave Roberts has still been reluctant to rely on the right-hander overly.

Adding a veteran reliever like Kenley Jansen solidifies this unit as the best in the Majors.