Dodgers: 3 trade candidates LAD shouldn’t focus on

2. Josh Hader

Will the Brewers be selling at the deadline? Can they be tempted? Odds are they will not be, thanks to the energy of Willy Adames. If there’s anyone on that roster who could be gone, though, it’s their stalwart closer Josh Hader, whose price is eternally escalating as his arbitration years rise, and who plays the most fungible position in the game.

As a star closer on a team that seems to constantly bounce between semi-contention and a first-round playoff out, you’re going to hear his name. That’s what happens with teams in the middle. Heck, that’s why Adames was traded by the Rays in the first place.

But if Hader gets dealt this year, it’ll be at his absolute peak for a massive load of capital, which the Dodgers should loudly pass on.

0.76 ERA. 41 Ks in 23.2 innings pitched. 0.761 WHIP, the best of his career. If you know closers, you know that means he’s bound to get worse before the season wraps!

Plus, if you don’t think there’s a Dodgers Tax here, your mind isn’t adjusting right. Brewers-Dodgers? Yeah, that’s gonna be a monstrous overpay. You step on Jesus Aguilar, you get the horns. People don’t forget.

With Milwaukee in their current condition, this isn’t the deadline where they’re going to be convinced to sell their All-Star closer … unless some bonafide contender goes absolutely nuts. Don’t let that be you.