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“Oh, put me in coach
I’m ready to play today.
Put me in coach
I’m ready to play today.
Look at me, I can be, centerfield”
Centerfield – John Fogerty – 1985
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It may seem odd to consider what tweaking the Dodgers roster may need after winning their first seven games of the 2025 season. The offense, defense, and pitching have been in sync, with each area stepping up at exactly the right moments for victories.
Position by position, the Dodgers roster ranges from solid to exceptional – except for centerfield. With Tommy Edman moving to second base, 24-year-old Andy Pages has become the de facto centerfielder.
Pages is talented. He has demonstrated in his short ML career (466 plate appearances) that he crushes southpaw pitchers (148 wRC+ – 48% above average) while struggling against righties (19% below average). Albeit a very small sample size in 2025 (six games), Pages has thus far slashed .158/.304/.211/.515 for a wRC+ that is 42% below Major League average; and a strike-out rate of 39.1%.
While not an immediate problem with the team off to a hot start, it would not be surprising for the Dodgers to pursue a platoon partner for Pages, or a full time centerfield replacement.
(ESPN)
The internal outfield options are not great. At Triple-A Oklahoma City, James Outman is a terrific defensive centerfielder, but continues to struggle offensively, failing to make consistent contact. Eddie Rosario is a veteran left-handed hitter who is a below average defender. The Dodgers need better, but Rosario may get a call before Outman.
Perhaps the best internal option is middle infielder Alex Freeland, the team’s number five prospect who is considered an above average defensive player. Freeland could share second base duties with Miguel Rojas with Edman returning to centerfield.
Internal promotions would require a corresponding roster move, with either Pages returning to Triple-A, or possibly designating veteran Chris Taylor for assignment.
External options are more difficult to forecast, but here are couple of trade possibilities for Dodgers fans consideration:
New York Yankees Trent Grisham as a platoon partner with Pages or Kiké Hernández.
Toronto Blue Jays Daulton Varsho (currently on IL until mid-April) would become the Dodgers regular centerfielder. St. Louis Cardinals Brendan Donovan for second base would move Edman to centerfield.
Who would the Dodgers trade in return? Perhaps starting pitcher Tony Gonsolin and/or reliever Evan Phillips would be of interest to the Yankees or Blue Jays. Cardinals are retooling and would be interested in a package of prospects headlined by Bobby Miller and and catcher Hunter Feduccia.
What do you think Dodgers fans?