Dodgers: Four prospects who could be traded this summer

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The Dodgers look to be one move away from a World Series title. But for that move to happen, we will have to move one or more of our top prospects to acquire a difference maker. Here is a list of 4 of the prospect who have a high possibility of being moved in a deal this summer.

The Dodgers farm system is as deep as any other in baseball. The greatness of Andrew Friedman is seen in this where he managed to keep the team uber competitive without desecrating the farm system with unnecessary moves. For example not moving the likes of Julio Urias, Cody Bellinger and of course Corey Seager. The front office has been able to remain at bay when it comes to blockbuster deals.

But this season they may just have to make a move. Maybe for an arm to hand Jansen the ball in the 9^th or a right-handed power bat. But now seems like the right time to make that move. The Dodgers were just two wins away from an appearance in the World Series last season. This year it is basically the same team. With a few minor moves to role players, the core of the team is the same. To get over the hump, they may look to acquire another great player.

For this to happen, they will have to move at least one of their top prospects. Of course, like in seasons before, the front office has players that are untouchable, but now they have the depth to move a top prospect and not feel the repercussions in the future because of how many great players they currently have. So let us take a look at four players who could be a key piece in a trade that makes the Dodgers World Series champions.

Willie Calhoun

Yes, Mr. Calhoun will be mentioned in a whole lot of deals this summer. With his raw power and offensive tools, he is attractive to many teams. Calhoun can be a top prospect in many other farm systems. There is no doubting his ability to hammer the baseball. Last season in Double-A he hit 27 jimmy-jacks. This season he already has 11 while in Oklahoma City (Triple-A).

He is listed as a second baseman, but that is not set in stone. In reality, he is still looking for a position that suits him best. For the time being it is second but that can change. For Calhoun, it has been his bat that makes him jump off the field. If he can settle in at second base or any spot, he will become even more attractive. The Dodgers can afford to move the second baseman because of the current MLB roster. They have four legitimate options at second base options in Forsythe, Hernandez, Utley, and Taylor.

Calhoun is stuck behind those four players and emerging prospects like Gavin Lux, and Brendon Davis looks to be catching up to the 22-year-old. Many teams value him, and so do the Dodgers which is why he could be the cornerstone piece in a trade that acquires a star. It will be no surprise if this pure hitter is moved this summer.

Feb 9, 2014; Glendale, AZ, USA; Los Angeles Dodgers pitchers and catchers run drills during the first day of camp at Camelback Ranch. Mandatory Credit: Rick Scuteri-USA TODAY Sports /

Jordan Sheffield

By now we have all heard of Walker Buehler, but not of Jordan Sheffield. He is the lesser known of the Vanderbilt pitchers in the Dodgers system. He’s viewed as a top 10 prospect in this farm system which says a lot of in itself. He is often overshadowed by fellow Vanderbilt star Walker Buehler and by a lot of other more “exciting” arms like Yadier Alvarez and Trevor Oaks.

He is seen as “boring” because he is what he is. He is not going to put up monster numbers. He is more of a safe bet than a lot of other arms, but his ceiling is not as high. He can be a very solid MLB starter. He has a nice fastball that sits in the mid 90’s and also has a complimentary changeup.

Sheffield is a very solid pitcher. Though he may not have the star power of many other pitchers in the organization, he looks and pitches like a big leaguer. Sheffield can be enticing to many other clubs as he can be an excellent middle of the rotation pitcher for the Dodgers following Urias and Buehler. But as of now, he might be the type of player who can get stuck in the system, which is why it will be best for him if he is moved.

Jun 18, 2015; Los Angeles, CA, USA; General view of the retired numbers of Los Angeles Dodgers former pitchers Don Sutton (20) and Don Drysdale (53) and former manager Tommy Lasorda (2) in the retired numbers plaza at Dodger Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports /

Yusniel Diaz

Diaz was a highly coveted international signing for the Dodgers. The Cuban native has the built of an outfielder. Standing at 6’1 and weighing in at nearly 200 pounds he looks to be the next sensation to come out of Havana, Cuba. He is just 20-years-old, so he still needs some developing to do as a baseball player. But the raw skill and talent look to be there.

He has plus speed, plus glove and a plus arm. He also has the body to become an excellent power hitter. Everything lines up for him to be a five-tool player, which is what makes him so exciting. He can become the next Cuban outfielder to create buzz much as Puig and Cespedes did. His future looks like it can be bright which is why the Dodgers signed him for 15.5 million dollars when he was just 19-years-old.

Diaz is still young which is what would make Friedman hesitant to deal him, but if it comes down to it, they will pull the trigger. Many teams may be enticed by his potential for being a five-tool player. Diaz could be the centerpiece of a deal due to his youth and his projectability, but the Dodgers might move him because of his underwhelming start in the minors.

Yadier Alvarez

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The big-armed right-hander might be the best arm in the farm. His main call to fame is that electric fastball. Many consider him a top 3 player in the Dodgers system. He can become a special type of pitcher with his electric stuff. His fastball can be erratic at times, but he is still young and has more than enough time to iron that out.

Another knock on him is his lack of secondary pitches for the time being. But like I said he is still just 21-years-old and has time to develop a slider and his curveball to make him an even more effective pitcher. This season in Advanced-A he has a 5.30 ERA. This looks higher because of two bad starts in which he allowed over six runs in both. Yes, he still needs some polishing, but he has all the measurables to become an electric pitcher.

Next: Previewing the 2017 Draft

For the Dodgers, they love Alvarez, but anything can happen. Especially with his ETA being 2019, the Dodgers know they have a legitimate chance a title this season. If they have to move him for an elite talent (which is what it would take for LA to move Alvarez), they would be foolish not to if they believe the player they are getting will help return the title to Los Angeles for the first time since 1988.

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