3 blockbuster midseason trades Dodgers should already be preparing for

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.

5 teams most likely to steal Chris Taylor from the Dodgers

The Los Angeles Dodgers can only do so much in free agency and they might end up losing Chris Taylor to one of these five teams.