5 moves the Dodgers should make at the MLB trade deadline

Washington Nationals starting pitcher Jordan Zimmermann has taken a step back from the back-to-back All-Star performances that he delivered the past two seasons. Regardless, he is still having a solid year, and his addition would give a major boost to a Los Angeles Dodgers pitching rotation that desperately needs it.

Zimmermann is reportedly at the top of the Dodgers’ wish list for the 2015 MLB trade deadline, along with Cole Hamels of the Philadelphia Phillies and the Detroit Tigers’ David Price. In comparison to these two, Los Angeles could land the Nationals’ righty for a significant bargain.

It may be hard to fathom why Washington would be looking to move its No. 2 starter during the middle of a playoff race, but the possibility of losing Zimmermann for nothing on the free agent market this offseason has the front office exploring their options.

Dodgers catching prospect Austin Barnes could be a potential trade option, as the Nationals could be looking to upgrade the position going forward. Wilson Ramos has been serviceable at the position, but does not have near the upside that Barnes does.

The Dodgers also have plenty of talented young arms in their farm system that would intrigue Washington. Most notably, Jose De Leon and Julio Urias, both of whom are considered among the top pitching prospects in all of baseball.

It will take a very good offer to convince the Nationals to trade away one of the stars of its rotation with just a two-game lead over the New York Mets in the National League East, but acquiring Barnes, De Leon and Urias could be just enough to sway them to pull the trigger.

Next: Aquire Cole Hamels from the Phillies