Over many decades, there were certain players coming through the Dodgers development pipeline who were considered ‘untouchable’ – those prospects that the team would not even consider trading because of their high potential to become MLB stars; names like Tommy Davis, Steve Garvey, Don Sutton, Fernando Valenzuela, Mike Piazza, Adrian Beltre, Clayton Kershaw, Corey Seager, Julio Urías, Cody Bellinger, Walker Buehler (among others) who were the elite players the team designated as the core pieces to build around for future championships.
What about 2025? Are there any Dodgers prospects considered to be untouchable in trades as the team builds the roster toward another World Championship? MLB Pipeline includes four Dodgers prospects in their Top-100: catcher/outfielder Dalton Rushing (ranked 39th), outfielder Josue De Paula (48th), shortstop Alex Freeland (70th), and left-handed pitcher Jackson Ferris (78th). Are these players untouchable in the same sense as Kershaw, Seager, et al?
While it may seem to be equivocating, the answer is – It depends.
While ‘It depends’ could be said of all top prospects, the next few seasons (2025 through 2027 in particular) will be prime seasons for the Dodgers to dominate the World Series before age, injuries, and contract status start to impact the team’s core. Kershaw will retire sooner than later, and Freddie Freeman and Tyler Glasnow will be eligible for free agency after the 2027 season. Mooke Betts and Teoscar Hernández (if he re-signs) will be 35 during the 2028 season, and Will Smith will be 33.
The Dodgers are building for future championships now. Should they have the opportunity to trade for players like Chicago White Sox left handed pitcher Garrett Crochet and center fielder Luis Robert Jr., or Seattle Mariners center fielder Julio Rodriguez, some combination of Rushing, De Paula, Freeland, and/or Ferris could be considered as valuable trade pieces, not untouchable prospects.
What sets apart Crochet, Robert Jr., and Rodriguez is the combination of their talent, ages (25, 26, and 23 respectively), salary, immediate team control, and filling Dodgers needs now and in the future. In addition, all are young and talented enough to receive lucrative, long term deals.
Trading a couple of their top prospects will not have a significant impact to the Dodgers future as the team is loaded with talented players who are making their way up the organization.
Infielders Joendry Vargas, Emil Morales, and Kellon Lindsey are hugely talented players, as are outfielders Eduardo Quintero, Zyhir Hope, and catchers Diego Cartaya (a former untouchable), Hunter Feduccia, and Jesus Galiz. Of course, the Dodgers pitching pipeline is overflowing with talent.
Untouchables?
It depends!
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