4 Tigers players the Dodgers could trade for at the deadline

3. Robbie Grossman

I am firmly leading the Robbie Grossman charge for the Los Angeles Dodgers. Grossman might not be a big name, but he would give the Dodgers exactly what they need as they head into October — and with a much smaller trade.

Grossman is such an on-brand trade for the Dodgers. He’s on an expiring contract, so Detroit is better off moving him, and his overall numbers aren’t great, so the price will be cheap. The Dodgers are the perfect team to realize his ceiling and how he can help the team.

Grossman’s main purpose on the Dodgers would be a platoon bat to start against left-handed pitching. Despite being a switch hitter, Grossman is significantly better against southpaws and is actually one of the best bats in the league from the right side.

The 32-year-old outfielder is hitting .365 with a .986 OPS against left-handed pitching this season. Those are elite numbers and it’s not an outlier as Grossman has always been better in these matchups. His career average against lefties is .280 while his OPS is just a tick under .800.

Those are pretty good stats for a super cheap bench bat that would give the Dodgers a starting option against lefties (as well as a pinch-hitting option).

2. Gregory Soto

One of the most valuable players that the Tigers can trade (and will actually consider trading) is closer Gregory Soto, who was Detroit’s lone All-Star at Dodger Stadium this season. He has always been a solid left-handed pitcher for the team out of the bullpen, though not exactly “spectacular.”

This has definitely been Soto’s best season as he’s currently sporting a 2.56 ERA in 34 appearances. It was not his first All-Star appearance, either — Soto was also named to the American League club last season too.

It’s safe to say that Craig Kimbrel has not been as good as anticipated and, quite frankly, the Dodgers might be better off simply having a closer by committee in the playoffs. Instead of tying themselves down to one guy, the Dodgers could utilize several options depending on the matchups, which is what manager Dave Roberts likes to do anyway.

The Dodgers don’t really have that wipeout left-handed reliever that can come in and dominate lefty hitters. Alex Vesia has taken a step back and Victor Gonzalez will not pitch again this season.

Ironically enough, Soto actually has reverse splits as right-handed hitters have fared worse against him this year. That proves his value in any spot, and adding him would lengthen the Dodgers’ bullpen by a fair amount.

It might not be Juan Soto, but it would be an impactful Soto nonetheless.

1. Michael Fulmer

Michael Fulmer has seemingly been a potential trade target for the Los Angeles Dodgers for quite some time now. The failed-starter-turned-elite-reliever has always been a valuable commodity for the Tigers to trade, and the Dodgers can always use bullpen help.

Perhaps this is the time when a Fulmer trade finally happens for the Dodgers with the Tigers being sellers. As mentioned already, LA can use all the bullpen help they can get and this would only increase the team’s odds of winning in October.

Fulmer has been a quality arm out of the bullpen for the Tigers in each of the last two years. In 89 appearances split between the two seasons, the former AL Rookie of the Year has a 2.98 ERA and 1.26 WHIP with 108 strikeouts.

Not only is he already pitching well, but the above-average pedigree is there. If there’s any team that could unlock Fulmer even more and return him close to that Rookie of the Year form — but in the bullpen — it’s the Dodgers.

3 teams Dodgers must outbid at 2022 MLB trade deadline

The Los Angeles Dodgers must outbid these three teams at the 2022 MLB Trade Deadline by any means necessary. Be careful out there.

This could be an option for the team if the Tigers don’t want to trade Soto or if the price is too high for the left-handed reliever. The price for Fulmer should be lower, especially considering he’s a free agent after 2022.