4 Dodgers who could (or should) be used as trade fodder this offseason

The Dodgers have yet to pull off any huge moves this offseason, but everyone has a sense they're just lying in wait. They're clearly moving behind-the-scenes, if their failed bid to sign Raisel Iglesias is any indication, and their preferred targets will be in the mix deeper into the offseason, when it comes closer to time for Kyle Tucker, Cody Bellinger, and so on to sign.

And we should always be on high blockbuster alert. They're interested in Steven Kwan and Brendan Donovan again, neither of whom will be easy to pry away from the Guardians or Cardinals. Luckily, the Dodgers' packed roster means they have a ton of overflow that could be dealt elsewhere in a big deal.

4 Dodgers who could (or should) be used as trade fodder this offseason

Emmet Sheehan

Sheehan is one of a few odd men out of the Dodgers' rotation in 2026, with Yoshinobu Yamamoto, Blake Snell, Shohei Ohtani, Tyler Glasnow, and Roki Sasaki locking it down. The Dodgers have toyed with the idea of a six-man group for a few years, and are better equipped now more than ever to actually do it (and it could be helpful for Sasaki, who still never really got on an every-five-days schedule before he got hurt). Still, Sheehan could also be one of the Dodgers' most potent trade chips after a 2.82 ERA season comprised of both starts and long relief. He also comes with four years of team control left.

Gavin Stone

Stone underwent shoulder surgery in October 2024, but his season had already ended at the very end of August, right after he pitched two back-to-back seven-inning starts and only gave up one run. He'd been pretty solid throughout his rookie season, and he looked like he might be the only Dodgers starter to make it out unscathed until they dropped the bomb on his surgery. His trade value is certainly lowered because he's coming off of injury, but like Sheehan, the roster just can't really accommodate him.

River Ryan

Ryan was on fire through his first four major league starts in 2024, pitching 20 1/3 innings for a 1.33 ERA, but he was pulled from an Aug. 10 start against the Pirates and underwent Tommy John not long after. Forgive us if we're repeating ourselves too much, but it's the exact same situation as Sheehan and Grove — a lot of potential and nowhere to go on the roster. All three are former top prospects, which could help the Dodgers sell them in a potential trade. They could keep them and convert them into relievers, but it's fair to wonder how long that'll last when all of the starters are locked in on long-term deals.

Hyeseong Kim

Kim saw little playing time in his rookie season after he started the year in Triple-A, and spent some time back there rehabbing a shoulder injury. He did what he was signed to do when the Dodgers actually let him play, hitting for an .280 average with six doubles, a triple, and 13 stolen bases (third place among Dodgers hitters in far fewer games than leaders Ohtani and Andy Pages) — but the Dodgers didn't really let him play.

It's fair to assume that Kim will be little more than a bench utility guy in 2026 too, especially if the Dodgers actually trade for Donovan, and he deserves better than that. The two years and a little over $8 million he's owed, with two club options both worth $5 million for 2028 and 2029, make him a steal, and his defensive versatility and high-contact bat would surely make him a powerful trade chip.