The stove has been set on low heat since the Rafael Devers blockbuster deal to the San Francisco Giants, as Josh Naylor, Gregory Soto, and Ryan McMahon headline some of the bigger moves made over the last week. It’s a game of “Will they?” or “Won’t they?” when discussing what the Dodgers plans for the trade deadline, which is now just three days away.
Contrary to years prior, the Dodgers front office has made it a mission to retain the roster constructed over the offseason, but injuries and a rough month of July have pivoted those focuses to making moves ahead of the deadline. The Dodgers have already shown interest in Minnesota Twins reliever Jhoan Duran as a means to strengthen the bullpen, but with Michael Conforto miring in a career worst season, the Dodgers could look to add a corner outfielder.
Bob Nightengale of USA Today reports that the Dodgers have shown interest in Twins outfielder Harrison Bader along with St. Louis Cardinals utility man Brendan Donovan.
Bader is having a career year offensively, as he is slashing .255/.336/.441 with 12 home runs, 38 RBI, a career-high 118 wRC+ and 1.9 fWAR. Donovan was selected to his first All-Star team this season, and is slashing .288/.358/.421 with nine home runs, 42 RBI, a 122 wRC+ and 2.5 fWAR while spending time at second base, shortstop, and left field.
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The Boston Red Sox have shown interest in catcher Dalton Rushing, per Sean McAdam of MassLive. Rushing has scuffled at the plate since making his big league debut in May, and a move involving the rookie to Boston would make him a viable platoon option behind Carlos Narváez.
There is a chance that Dustin May tossed his final pitch in a Dodgers uniform on Sunday against Boston. Jack Harris of the Los Angeles Times notes that the team will have to make some tough decisions on the framework of the rotation, which could mean either a departure from bullpen or team completely for May.
Michael Conforto is starting to get it together in the month of July, as he is slashing .276/.323/.517 with three home runs, most notable tallying three extra-base hits in Sunday’s loss to the Red Sox. Conforto admitted that recent uptick in productivity at the plate isn’t influenced by the looming trade deadline and the surrounding rumors, per Bill Plunkett of the Orange County Register.