3 blockbuster midseason trades Dodgers should already be preparing for

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John Means #47 of the Baltimore Orioles (Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty Images) /

Though we’re currently mired in the offseason and awaiting the lockout, the Los Angeles Dodgers are undoubtedly playing 4D chess at the moment and plotting out a few midseason methods for filling their roster holes, too.

Don’t get us wrong. We’re not saying the Dodgers should delay solving anything just because the midseason trade deadline also exists. Andrew Friedman should still sign Clayton Kershaw and Max Scherzer. He should still extend between one and two All-Star shortstops. Despite the post-Dec. 1 slowdown, there will be no excuses during this all-important offseason.

We’re simply saying that … some opportunities are going to open up in the middle of July. Some skinflint teams aren’t going to be contending. Some skinflint teams will be contending, and will still be trying to offload some pretty impressive assets.

Those cheapo contenders are otherwise known as the “Tampa Bay Rays.”

In order to determine where the Dodgers will strike midseason, you have to think about which ongoing problems they’ll likely be battling long after the offseason has wrapped.

Throughout 2021, rotation depth was a serious issue — so serious the team pivoted at the break and added Literally Max Scherzer (blocking the Padres helped, too). No matter how well Friedman does in retaining arms this offseason, that need will arise by midseason once more, you’d think.

Outfield depth was also a significant problem, and it’ll get even worse if Chris Taylor departs. If Corey Seager hits paydirt elsewhere, the Dodgers could be eyeing a star second baseman. They’ll also be without a long-term third base replacement for Justin Turner without a Seager re-up, too.

With that baseline in mind, keep an eye on these three emerging trade targets.

The Dodgers should pursue these 3 midseason blockbuster trades.

3. John Means, Baltimore Orioles

John Means has only recently hit the market, but we suspect a trade is more likely midway through the 2022 campaign once he’s reestablished his value, rather than right this minute, when he’s closer to a bum second half plagued by a shoulder issue instead of his hot start.

All things considered, the All-Star lefty posted 4.0 WAR and a sterling 1.03 WHIP during a bounce-back season that cemented him as a viable No. 2 in a stronger rotation than Baltimore’s. He hurled a no-hitter and made headlines. He snapped off enough curves to befuddle the AL East — and only faced the Red Sox once (on Opening Day), which undoubtedly affected the Wild Card race.

His first half was spectacular (2.28 ERA), while his second half was erratic (4.88 ERA). Knowing the Orioles’ Houston-inspired braintrust, they’re certainly not going to sell their top non-Cedric Mullins asset at depreciated value. Maximize, maximize, maximize!

Baltimore’s recent leak of Means’ availability seems strategic to us. If the Dodgers really struck while the iron was hot here, they could get three years of a controllable, top-of-the-rotation lefty at a discount. Wouldn’t the O’s want to roll the dice and try again in July, though, especially considering the way a healthy Means sprinted out of the gate last year?

Table this idea until the deadline.

Kevin Kiermaier #39 of the Tampa Bay Rays (Photo by Winslow Townson/Getty Images) /

2. Kevin Kiermaier, Tampa Bay Rays

All the Rays do is flush superfluous assets out of their system. They don’t care how good their “chemistry” is. They don’t care about the timing; whether it’s Blake Snell before the season, or Willy Adames when they’re smack dab in the middle of winning the AL East, they do not care.

That’s why we’re pretty sure that Kevin Kiermaier, who’s under contract through 2022 with a team option for 2023, will be rolling out of Tampa soon.

The speedy lefty-batting center fielder with 10-15-homer power (except … weirdly not in 2021) would nicely fill a rotational gap for the Dodgers in the same way that he does in Tampa. He doesn’t have to start every day; 100 games should be fine. He doesn’t have to lock down center field with regularity; he can float to left and right.

But when Mookie Betts goes down, the Dodgers need a trusted replicant. If CT3 gets swiped by another team (which seems quite likely), LA’s going to need somebody with more natural defensive instincts than Gavin Lux to fill center field. The inevitable AJ Pollock injury has consequences.

The Dodgers are one of very few MLB teams who can add another ~$9 million player at the drop of a hat, making them the favorites for Kiermaier the second the Rays decide to engage “sell mode.” It won’t torpedo their chances in 2022, but it will cause diehards to question the organization’s loyalty … as they not-so-secretly plot to spend half their time in Montreal.

Who knows? Maybe Kiermaier will ask out of town sooner, once he gets wind of those details.

Jose Ramirez #11 of the Cleveland Indians (Photo by Jason Miller/Getty Images) /

1. Jose Ramirez, Cleveland Guardians

Hey, nobody thought the Dodgers would have a chance at Max Scherzer until the moment arrived. Once a big name hits the market, it doesn’t take long before everything settles down and he ends up in Hollywood.

Try as they might to avoid the conversation, the Guardians are going to trade Jose Ramirez. If Corey Seager leaves LA, there’s an obvious hole for him to fit (and you’d better believe Gavin Lux will be in that deal). If Seager stays … the hole’s less obvious, but it seems like Trea Turner doesn’t get extended, in that case. In 2022, it’d be Justin Turner/Seager/Turner/Muncy, Ramirez as the Universal DH (who can relieve Turner at third a few times per week). In 2023? Extend him to be your full-time second baseman, part-time third baseman.

Add talent. Ignore the position clashes. Ask questions later. Didn’t we all learn anything from the Red Sox acquisition of Kyle Schwarber? They just … shoved him in there, and it worked, despite the nonsensical nature of his position switches.

What would it take to secure just one half-year of Ramirez’s services? Presumably, either Lux or someone of his caliber will headline the package, but the clock is ticking. It can’t take much more than that. LA already cashed in their best trade chip in Keibert Ruiz, but they still have plenty of high-level pitching, like (possible reliever) Bobby Miller. The Guardians should be prioritizing offense in the outfield, but if they’re dealing Ramirez, they’re already resigned to reality. He’s a sunk cost, and you should grab as much talent (of any kind) as you can get for him.

Get in that pool, Friedman.

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - OCTOBER 06: Chris Taylor #3 of the Los Angeles Dodgers celebrates his walk off two-run home run in the ninth inning to defeat the St. Louis Cardinals 3 to 1 during the National League Wild Card Game at Dodger Stadium on October 06, 2021 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images)

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The Dodgers should pursue these 3 midseason blockbuster trades.

3. John Means, Baltimore Orioles

2. Kevin Kiermaier, Tampa Bay Rays

1. Jose Ramirez, Cleveland Guardians

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