4 Dodgers who aren't as safe as they think with 2025 trade deadline approaching

The Los Angeles Dodgers seem destined to make some kind of big move at the trade deadline. Maybe they go after an infielder who can help take some pressure off Freddie Freeman. Or maybe they elect to break their cardinal rule and overpay for one of the top names on the market. 

But regardless of what they do, it’s clear this year’s trade deadline is going to bring about the end of some player’s tenures on the roster.

Here are four of them who might be confident in their own ability to stick around, but likely shouldn't be. 

4 Dodgers who aren't as safe as they think with 2025 trade deadline approaching

C Dalton Rushing
.200/.270/.275, 1 HR, 11 RBI in 29 games

Rushing, the team’s top prospect last year per MLB Pipeline, has gotten his first taste of MLB action this year as Will Smith’s backup, which is the biggest reason why he’s only played in 29 games this year despite being on the roster since the middle of May. 

Dodgers manager Dave Roberts has already said on the record that Rushing isn’t going to be traded, but just because he says something doesn’t mean that it’s going to come true. 

Rushing has the kind of skillset that other teams covet, so it would be hard for another team in MLB to top a Dodgers’ trade package that includes Rushing based on who's available at this particular deadline. 

The Dodgers have one of the best records in baseball and obviously have their eyes set on competing for a World Series, so they’re going to need to add some major league talent at this year’s deadline. Trading Rushing would be the best way to make that happen. 

RHP Emmet Sheehan
2-1, 4.22 ERA, 21 K in 21 1/3 innings 

At this point it seems like the final spot in the Dodgers’ rotation is down to a race between Sheehan and Dustin May, which has led to many assuming that May will be the odd man out due to his age and impending free agency. 

And while that may still be the case, that doesn’t necessarily mean that Sheehan is a lock to stay on the roster long-term either. 

He’s pitched well this year outside of one blowup against the Brewers 10 days ago, but it’s also hard to imagine how he fits into the Dodgers’ long-term plans if everyone’s healthy. He also has plenty of competition across the rest of the roster in the form of Justin Wrobleski, Ben Casparius and Jack Dreyer, among others. 

The Dodgers are among MLB’s best at getting the most out of their pitching in unconventional ways, but Sheehan could also be used as a chip to flip in exchange for the hitting reinforcement the team desperately needs.

C Hunter Feduccia
0-for-2 in two MLB at-bats

Another Dodgers catching prospect, Feduccia hasn’t seen time with the Dodgers since a two-game span in April and is currently hitting .290 in 77 games at Triple-A. 

The same logic that applies to Rushing also applies here; arguably even more so. Feduccia is 27 and never had the same kind of prospect pedigree that Rushing had, which could result in him being even more expendable, either via trade or DFA. 

He’s occupied a space on the 40-man roster since November 2023 but only has 14 MLB at-bats to show for it, and there’s no clear path to get/keep him on the roster. Feduccia probably thinks he's next in line (and better suited) to a backup role once Rushing leaves town, but the Dodgers clearly value veteran leadership in that position. Look how long they held onto Austin Barnes.

This seems like the classic transaction where the Dodgers shop him around a bit, then designate him for assignment before trading him to another team for cash considerations in the offseason if no one bites. 

OF Michael Conforto
.195/.305/.345, 9 HR, 24 RBI in 92 games 

This season has been an abject disaster for Conforto, who is on a one-year, $17 million contract. While his numbers have been buoyed by a .308 batting average in the nine games he’s played in since the All-Star Break, Conforto has still been 16% worse than league-average by OPS+ and has the worst batting average among qualified batters. 

At this point, it just seems like a matter of time until Conforto’s time on the Dodgers’ roster comes to an end. 

They’re in the hunt for seemingly every big name outfield bat available, and seem willing to turn over every rock to improve upon the dismal production Conforto has given them in left field. It may sting to have to give him away for nothing via a DFA, but that seems like the most likely outcome at this point.

If the Dodgers are serious about repeating as World Series champs, then Conforto shouldn't be on their roster by the time August rolls around. His big one-year deal won't provide him the security he's probably hoping for.