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3 positions the Dodgers should target over Luis Castillo at the deadline

By Jason Reed

CINCINNATI, OHIO - JULY 03: Luis Castillo #58 of the Cincinnati Reds walks back to the dugout in the game against the Atlanta Braves at Great American Ball Park on July 03, 2022 in Cincinnati, Ohio. (Photo by Justin Casterline/Getty Images)
CINCINNATI, OHIO - JULY 03: Luis Castillo #58 of the Cincinnati Reds walks back to the dugout in the game against the Atlanta Braves at Great American Ball Park on July 03, 2022 in Cincinnati, Ohio. (Photo by Justin Casterline/Getty Images) /
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The Los Angeles Dodgers are always one of the teams to watch during the MLB trade deadline, and that is no different this year. Los Angeles has already been tied to Cincinnati Reds starting pitcher Luis Castillo, along with several other playoff contenders.

Castillo is the hottest name on the trade block, and the starting price is already going to be high with him having another season under contract. After making the massive Max Scherzer/Trea Turner deal last season, the Dodgers may not want to get in a bidding war.

That is especially true considering LA is already deep in starting pitching and has more reinforcements coming via Walker Buehler, Andrew Heaney and Dustin May. When those three return, the Dodgers will have seven above-average starting pitchers.

Thus, it probably makes more sense for the Dodgers to prioritize other positions rather than chasing after a starting pitcher like Castillo.

Here are 3 positions the Dodgers should target over Luis Castillo at the trade deadline:

(Photo by Michael Zagaris/Oakland Athletics/Getty Images)
(Photo by Michael Zagaris/Oakland Athletics/Getty Images) /

3. Outfield

The Dodgers’ outfield is thinner than it has been in recent years because the team decided to trade AJ Pollock for Craig Kimbrel before the season began. One injury to the outfield was always going to significantly hurt it, and that has been the case thus far this year. Mookie Betts missed time and now Chris Taylor is on the IL.

This has prompted the Dodgers to rely on guys like Trayce Thompson to step up and get playing time in the outfield. While Thompson started red-hot for the Dodgers, he is coming back down to earth and is proving that, at the end of the day, he is still a replacement-level player.

While Cody Bellinger is a great fielder, his bat is also a problem, making the need for a fourth outfielder even higher. Andrew Benintendi is the biggest name on the market, but it would not be surprising if the Dodgers preferred bringing in a right-handed bat.

That being said, Benintendi has been able to hold his own against southpaws this season with a .274/.349/.326 slash line. The power goes away, but he still gets on base at a good clip. Regardless of whether it is Benintendi or someone else, outfield help would be great for LA.

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