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MLB Trade Deadline: Which teams are buyers?

By Nathaniel Reeves

Sep 24, 2015; Boston, MA, USA; Boston Red Sox president of baseball operations Dave Dombrowski (left) introduces Mike Hazen (right) as the team
Sep 24, 2015; Boston, MA, USA; Boston Red Sox president of baseball operations Dave Dombrowski (left) introduces Mike Hazen (right) as the team /
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Jan 7, 2016; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Los Angeles Dodgers president of baseball operations Andrew Friedman reacts during press conference at Dodger Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 7, 2016; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Los Angeles Dodgers president of baseball operations Andrew Friedman reacts during press conference at Dodger Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports /

player. 71. . National League. West. Los Angeles Dodgers. 5

While attention in the NL West may be focused on the San Francisco Giants, the Dodgers have quietly been playing great baseball over the past month and own a 51-40 record. Los Angeles is in good shape for a Wild Card berth and will be dangerous in a short series if Clayton Kershaw is healthy, but have a few needs to address before then.

The Dodgers should always be considered a major buyer given the resources they have available. Los Angeles has one of the top farm systems in all of baseball to dip into, and its massive payroll allows it to take on bad contracts to sweeten any deal.

As has been the case for the past couple of seasons, Los Angeles’ biggest weakness is the bullpen. Kenley Jansen has been nearly unhittable in the ninth inning again, but the Dodgers need someone to help shoulder some of the load for him and Adam Liberatore.

If the New York Yankees slide below .500, both Aroldis Chapman and Andrew Miller could be available for Los Angeles. The Dodgers could also turn to Will Smith or Jeremy Jeffress from Milwaukee to slide into the high-leverage role in front of Jansen.

Los Angeles also has a bit of a tricky situation with its starting rotation, and could look to add there. The top three are strong enough and the Dodgers have a ton of candidates to fill out the bank end, but many of them have been injured or ineffective this year.

If a No. 2 or 3 like Julio Teheran becomes available, the Dodgers might be interested. Andrew Friedman has pulled off some completely unexpected deals at prior deadlines like last year’s Alex Wood trade, so there’s no telling what the Dodgers might do.

Next: 4. San Francisco Giants

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