Dodgers: The Dodgers’ top three trade pieces for the 2019 trade deadline

There is now less than one week before the buzzer sounds on the 2019 MLB trade deadline.  The Dodgers continue to search for solutions to their bullpen woes.

There is not much surprise as to what the Dodgers might do at this year’s trade deadline.  Much like the past two seasons, the Dodgers’ goal is clear, as they continue to search for late-game relievers to solidify the bridge ahead of Kenley Jansen.  With the third-best farm system in baseball, the Dodgers have plenty of ammo to upgrade their bullpen.

LA’s best trade piece this deadline is Keibert Ruiz.  The talented young catcher just turned twenty-one years old and was recently promoted to AAA Oklahoma City.  In two starts, Ruiz has hit one home run and driven in four runs.  He has also not struck out through ten at-bats in OKC which is nothing new.

When it comes to contact, Keibert is very hard to strike out and had only 21 strikeouts in 276 at-bats at the Double-A level this season.  Prior to the season, Ruiz was the Dodgers’ number one prospect but has since slipped to number three according to a few prospect publications.  That really isn’t a knock on Keibert, given the seasons of Gavin Lux and Dustin May.

The Dodgers are loaded with catchers which is why Ruiz suddenly seems expendable for LA.  Will Smith has proven to be big-league ready and Diego Cartaya is supposed to be the best catching prospect in the farm system although he is a few seasons away.  Much like starting pitching, the Dodgers are loaded and can cash in Ruiz for a big-time reliever like Felipe Vazquez.