While some in the organization have claimed that the impending MLB trade deadline will be relatively quiet for the Dodgers, few appear to believe it. The Dodgers have a loaded squad and spent $1 billion in the offseason in hopes of winning another World Series, but with a slew of injuries and multiple holes in the lineup, it’s difficult to believe they’ll sit on their hands on July 30.
The team is dealing with a spate of pitching problems, with Clayton Kershaw still recovering from shoulder surgery and rookie starter Yoshinobu Yamamoto suffering from a rotator cuff problem with an uncertain recovery date. Walker Buehler, who recently underwent Tommy John surgery, is now sidelined with a hip ailment.
The bullpen (Joe Kelly, Ryan Brasier, Michael Grove) has been hampered by injuries, while Mookie Betts and Max Muncy have been sidelined for extended amounts of time in the infield.
The Dodgers continue to lead their division by 7.5 games over the Padres, and they hold the National League’s second-best record (52-33). But trade talk will continue, as Bleacher Report has proposed a “outrageous” trade with the Angels for former Dodgers pitcher Tyler Anderson and infielder Luis Rengifo.
Dodgers Could Fill Two Big Holes.
In an article titled “8 Outrageous Trades to Shake Up the 2024 MLB Trade Deadline,” writer Kerry Miller proposed a unique cross-town trade between the Angels and Dodgers that would help the Dodgers address some of their weaknesses.
Here’s how the agreement comes together:
Los Angeles Dodgers Receive: LHP Tyler Anderson, IF Luis Rengifo.
Los Angeles Angels acquire OF Josue De Paula (LAD No. 2 prospect), RHP Nick Frasso (LAD No. 9 prospect), and LHP Ronan Kopp (Double-A prospect, not top ten in Dodgers farm system).
Three prospects could be enough to entice Anderson and Rengifo away from the Angels, and the two will also be under team control next season.
“With Mookie Betts sidelined and Gavin Lux in a season-long slump, the Dodgers could definitely use a middle baseman. They may also use a starting pitcher, since Yoshinobu Yamamoto, Walker Buehler, Clayton Kershaw, Tony Gonsolin, Dustin May, and Emmet Sheehan are all now out with no return date in sight.
“Both Luis Rengifo and Tyler Anderson have another year remaining before free agency—Anderson for $13M, Rengifo’s 2025 salary to be determined in arbitration—but the Angels are already pretty well dead this season and are unlikely to contend next season, either.”
Luis Rengifo Tops the MLB Hitting Chart
Anderson is in the middle of a three-year, $39 million contract signed with the Angels following the 2022 season, which he previously played with the Dodgers. He enjoyed the best year of his career that season, going 15-5 with a 2.57 ERA and making one strong start in the playoffs (5.0 innings, no runs, two hits in the National League Division Series defeat to the San Diego Padres).
He struggled in 2023, his first season with the Angels, but has rebounded this year with a 7-8 record and 3.08 ERA.
Rengifo, on the other hand, has been a standout at the plate this season, with the best hitting average in MLB (.317). He isn’t a strong defender, but he can play second, third, and shortstop, as well as the outfield if necessary.
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