4 Dodgers who aren't as safe as they think with 2026 trade deadline a month away

It's only natural to connect the Los Angeles Dodgers to high-profile trade deadline assets. The Dodgers have one of the best farm systems in baseball and are chasing a third-straight World Series title.

With these trades, however, come difficult decisions. As great as the Dodgers youth movement has been, many of those same players will be floated in trade discussions for players like Tarik Skubal and Joe Ryan, both of whom could improve the Dodgers rotation immensely. The same can be said of any bullpen upgrade given Edwin Diaz's early-season injury.

The truth of the matter — if you're the Dodgers — is that no player is off-limits. This works both ways. Sure, any trade deadline asset can be had by Andrew Friedman. So, too, can any prospect or young player who has already proven themselves at the big-league level. No one is safe.

These Dodgers aren't safe at the 2026 MLB trade deadline

Eric Lauer, Dodgers pitcher

The Toronto Blue Jays scraps have been the Dodgers treasure so far this season. Eric Lauer was traded to the Dodgers for straight cash homie, and has pitched well for Los Angeles to the tune of a 2.54 ERA in five starts. That's a full four runs better on average that his performance in Toronto.

Lauer has been exactly what the Dodgers needed due to injuries to Tyler Glasnow and Blake Snell. However, should the Dodgers go out and acquire a Skubal, for example, there's no guarantee Lauer will remain in the starting rotation. Los Angeles already features a six-man rotation. Barring a move to the bullpen, Lauer could be the odd man out. He's solid, but he's no Skubal.

Alex Call, Dodgers outfielder

The Dodgers left field platoon of Alex Call and Ryan Ward has performed admirably so far. It's also not what you'd expect from a World Series contender, especially one with as many assets to acquire an upgrade as Los Angeles does.

It's only a matter of time before Teoscar Hernandez returns to the fold, and he'd be an upgrade over Call and Ward, to say the least. If the Dodgers make a move at the deadline — even should it not be for an outfielder — Call could easily find himself on the wrong side of the equation.

Dalton Rushing, Dodgers catcher

Now we get to the fun part. Dalton Rushing, a former top prospect in the Dodgers system, could very well be part of a trade package for Skubal, Ryan or another trade deadline acquisition.

The Dodgers have Will Smith. Yes, Smith has yet to resume baseball activities thanks to his nagging neck injury, but when healthy he's a far more trusted backstop than Rushing. The 25-year-old catcher has been solid when called upon this season. He has a .799 OPS in 139 at-bats. The Dodgers can also afford to move him, as Smith is signed through 2033.

Justin Wrobleski, Dodgers pitcher

Justin Wrobleski has been a force in the Dodgers starting rotation when they needed him most. At just 25 years old and featuring a 2.71 ERA alongside his wicked arsenal, expect teams like the Detroit Tigers to request he be included in any trade package for their ace.

Trading Wrobleski would also help the Dodgers limit the number of prospects they send back in any trade for Skubal. He's among their best possible trade chips, and while Dodgers fans would prefer to keep him long term, they're not the ones making the call this time of year.

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