Fansided

MLB trade rumors: Each team’s best trade chip

By Joshua Sadlock

Mandatory Credit: Kamil Krzaczynski-USA TODAY Sports
Mandatory Credit: Kamil Krzaczynski-USA TODAY Sports /
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Oct 11, 2016; Glendale, AZ, USA; Glendale Desert Dogs outfielder Alex Verdugo of the Los Angeles Dodgers during an Arizona Fall League game against the Scottsdale Scorpions at Camelback Ranch. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 11, 2016; Glendale, AZ, USA; Glendale Desert Dogs outfielder Alex Verdugo of the Los Angeles Dodgers during an Arizona Fall League game against the Scottsdale Scorpions at Camelback Ranch. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports /

Los Angeles Dodgers: Alex Verdugo

Under Andrew Friedman, the Dodgers have been very careful about trading away prospects for MLB talent. Two years ago, they could have had Cole Hales, but allowed him to go to Texas and took Alex Wood from the Braves. At the time, the move looked very passive, but Wood has developed into one of the best stories of 2017.

The Dodgers are a very complete team with an overabundance of starters and dead money on the books. It is unlikely they will move a top prospect at the deadline, but outfielder Alex Verdugo is one of their top candidates who could be dealt if the front office looks to make an impact trade.

Verdugo could make his debut at some point this season. Nearing his 22nd birthday, he is a very polished hitter and is raking at Triple-A with a high batting average and low strikeout rate. Verdugo sticks to hitting line drives to all field, and does not project to hit for huge power numbers in the big leagues. He is slugging below .400 this season, but may develop more gap-to-gap power and hit more doubles as he grows.

After years of patiently waiting and coming up short of the World Series, this may need to be the year the Dodgers have a more aggressive trade deadline approach. Verdugo is a potential .300 hitter at the MLB level, but the Dodgers already have a crowded outfield. The top-50 prospect is far from a lock to be traded, but could help put the Dodgers over the top as a trade chip.

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