Dodgers: 3 rival trade scenarios that would be nightmares for LAD

1. Padres Poach Joey Gallo

The Padres can’t be feeling great about sitting in third place with a 57-42 record. Still in contention for the NL West crown — they’re only 5.5 games back with an entire second half schedule still to be played– however, they figure to be significant deadline players.

In fact, ESPN’s Jeff Passan understands San Diego is willing to splurge on impact players even if it means blowing past the $210 million luxury tax threshold. More specifically, the Padres are expected to be in the market for another big bat.

You hear that, Dodgers fans? That means the Padres have most definitely inquired about Rangers slugger Joey Gallo, who, despite striking out a whopping 120 times this season, is walking at an insane rate and currently owns a .387 OBP and an .833 OPS.

Perhaps more significant is the fact that Gallo’s power numbers have skyrocketed (even more so than before) after the league banned foreign substances. He’s smacked 11 home runs since June 25, which is tied with Angels superstar Shohei Ohtani for the most in MLB in that span.

If the Padres added Gallo to a lineup that flaunts stars like Fernando Tatis Jr., Manny Machado,  Jake Cronenworth and Eric Hosmer — and has just one starter, catcher Victor Caratini, batting under .260 — well, suffice it to say that wouldn’t be ideal for the Dodgers.

Let’s cross our fingers and hope these trades don’t come to fruition.

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