3 trade deadline rumors Dodgers fans don’t want to hear right now

Nothing to sweat here … the Los Angeles Dodgers always come out top dogs at the trade deadline due to Andrew Friedman’s master work.

However, the 2022 season is different. The trade market has been turned upside down with the availability of Juan Soto, the potential availability of Shohei Ohtani, and the litany of non-contenders with countless assets. It’s shaping up to be one of the wildest we’ve seen in years (but also might not be!).

Anyway, though the Dodgers are firmly (reportedly) involved in all of the rumors fans are excited about, there’s competition across the board, especially from various rivals in the National League. And that doesn’t exactly make things easy for LA.

Usually, it’s the Dodgers boasting the best roster with the deepest farm system and a willingness to spend or an aggression that’s unmatched. That first part is true, but plenty of other teams have young assets they’re willing to part with, and so many other clubs are hoping to push themselves over the edge into true World Series contention.

The Dodgers might be leading the way, but things could change if these trade rumors actually materialize and put LA in a difficult position.

Dodgers fans don’t want to hear these trade rumors before the deadline

3. Cardinals eyeing high-level pitching

The Cardinals came this close to eliminating the Dodgers in the NL Wild Card Game last year, and this time around St. Louis can take home the NL Central should the chips fall in their favor.

It appears they’re ready to be aggressive, too, with various connections to top-level pitching, including Reds’ Luis Castillo, A’s Frankie Montas and Marlins’ Pablo Lopez. The Cards already boast a top-10 offense that figures to improve once they get guys back from injuries while others snap out of some unexpected regressions.

Their rotation is in shambles, though, with only Miles Mikolas and Adam Wainwright among the serviceable options. Still, that’s a great start! Perhaps they really go for it and add two of these names — not really out of the question! — and then boast a formidable top four for a seven-game series. Scary.

Not only that, but the Dodgers have a dire need for starting pitching due to the uncertainty surrounding Walker Buehler, Dustin May and Andrew Heaney. Can Clayton Kershaw remain atop his game for the rest of the year? Will the Tyler Anderson magic continue? Is Tony Gonsolin worth a postseason start? Will Julio Urías hit a wall in October like he did last year?

Lots of questions that need to be addressed, and the Cardinals can directly affect that.

2. Mets calling Angels about Shohei Ohtani trade

The Dodgers could very well get involved here, too, but Steve Cohen and the Mets have shown a willingness to go above and beyond to get top-tier talent. If the Angels do consider selling and trading Shohei Ohtani — it seems they’re softening on the idea — the Mets have already checked in.

It’s important to note the connection here: Mets’ GM Billy Eppler was the guy who established the relationship with Ohtani and his representation before he signed him in LA. Perhaps Eppler might be able to closely work with his former organization and cut the line to get a deal expedited here. Don’t know! But there’s a lot that lines up for the Mets.

Ohtani on the Mets would undoubtedly shift the balance of power in the NL, too. New York would instantly jump to “bonafide” World Series contender, boasting a rotation of Max Scherzer, Jacob deGrom (if he returns), Ohtani, Chris Bassitt and Taijuan Walker, with guys like Carlos Carrasco and Tylor Megill (when he returns in mid-August) to soak up important bullpen duty. Three aces in that rotation, though.

New York is also in dire need of an effective lefty bat. Francisco Lindor just isn’t doing enough and Brandon Nimmo has been a bit disappointing. Ohtani’s presence changes all of that and really makes the Mets a fearsome October opponent.

Then again, they gotta make it there. We’ve seen them collapse plenty before, even with very good rosters.