Dodgers Rumors: LAD eyeing Marlins All-Star to lessen Max Muncy’s load?

The Los Angeles Dodgers‘ deadline makeover is in stasis mode at the moment, just like everybody else’s, as they wait for the dam to break. Patience is a virtue, though it can be difficult to maintain it while you’re watching the lowly Washington Nationals rub Juan Soto in your face one final time.

Soto remains the crown jewel of this year’s deadline, and until either he or Luis Castillo are dealt, it’s become difficult for any of the interested parties to fill their other needs. After all, imagine cashing in a prospect you could’ve used for Soto a day or two too early? Ghastly.

That’s led to a whole lot of pushing and pulling, with pre-deadline prices sitting sky high as everyone from Andrew Friedman to Trea Turner continues to insinuate that if the Dodgers want a star, they’ll get him.

Despite widespread inaction, two new teams loudly declared themselves as sellers on Tuesday afternoon, and both announcements should affect the Dodgers.

The Detroit Tigers leaked to Ken Rosenthal that everyone including young ace Tarik Skubal is available in talks, which means that plenty of potential Dodgers bullpen options just hit the market with full force. The Marlins snuck in right after Detroit, too, with MLB Insider Jon Heyman positing that anyone other than Sandy Alcantara could be had at the right price.

And now this! As the Dodgers play everyone’s favorite waiting game, they might consider picking up Marlins first baseman Garrett Cooper during their downtime. Just an additional All-Star! No big deal.

Dodgers Rumors: Garrett Cooper from Marlins to LA?

As long as the Soto process doesn’t move on without them while they’re chatting with the Marlins, how about a Cooper/Anthony Bass or Tanner Scott package?

Cooper’s under team control through 2023 making minimal money, and has posted a 118 OPS+ in a dulled-out lineup this season, rocking just 7 homers in 298 at-bats with the Marlins. While he can’t one-for-one replace Max Muncy, who’s mostly been manning third lately during Justin Turner’s absence, he could mask his struggles, filling the DH role while Muncy flips between second, third and the bench.

Is the offensive upgrade worth the price the Dodgers will pay? Odds are it won’t cost too much, as Cooper isn’t the kind of name you burn down the barn for. Los Angeles also has leverage; he doesn’t fit a specific need, and they’ll probably want to attach pitching to polish things off.

If LA decides that Muncy has reached the end of his leash as an everyday player, though, they might play the Cooper chip in the days to come.

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

The Los Angeles Dodgers are in the mix for right-handed pitcher Luis Castillo when they really should be in the mix for these other positions.