Dodgers division-by-division trade targets: AL East

Giancarlo Stanton, Miguel Andujar

Both of these Yankees played less than 60 regular season at-bats in 2019, but both were 2018 All-Stars. The Yankees were one of baseball’s best teams without either of these right-handed sluggers, so they can certainly afford to deal one or both to LA.

In Stanton’s case, rumors of his going to LA have been going for the last few years. When he went to the Yankees from Miami, that may have signaled that he would not be headed to the Dodgers any time soon, but that all may be changing.

The Dodgers need a right-handed power bat now more than at any point in the last three seasons, and as Justin Turner ages, the lineup will become less and less talented from the right side. Plus, the current outfield is supported by left-handed bats. Alex Verdugo and Cody Bellinger will start in center and right field, and if AJ Pollock and Joc Pederson are meant to split the left-field duties, this is clearly wasted value.

Instead, the Dodgers should deal for Stanton and ship Pollock and/or Pederson off to another team, though that team is likely not the Yankees.

For Andujar, he can play the corner infield slots, meaning that Turner can slowly transition from third to first without making the abrupt shift all at once. Andujar’s right-handed power would balance the Dodgers lineup without adding an undue monetary burden. Andujar is currently under contract from his age 25 to 28 seasons, as he won’t become a free agent until after the 2023 season.

If the Dodgers found a way to add Andujar while dumping salary, that would be ideal, but the Yankees really are not in need of much MLB-ready talent. The prospect cost for Andujar would likely involve Tony Gonsolin along with some lower-level prospects, but that could all be worth it to bring a ring back to Los Angeles.