Dodgers insider makes 2 big trade deadline connections LA fans can't lose in the shuffle

The Los Angeles Dodgers remain connected to virtually every prominent player on the trade market, but two of the most interesting deadline developments involve players who could be leaving rather than arriving.

Dodgers insider David Vassegh has connected left-hander Eric Lauer to the Chicago White Sox and outfielder Alex Call to the Minnesota Twins. Neither potential move would generate the excitement of Los Angeles acquiring a frontline starter or impact bat, but both could help president of baseball operations Andrew Friedman maximize the value of players who may not have postseason roles.

Lauer has been far more than ordinary rotation depth since the Dodgers acquired him from the Toronto Blue Jays for cash in May. With Blake Snell and Tyler Glasnow landing on the injured list and Shohei Ohtani being shut down from pitching, Lauer received an opportunity and took full advantage. He is 5-0 with a 2.96 ERA since joining the Dodgers, who have won all nine games in which he has appeared.

After Lauer threw six scoreless innings and allowed one hit against the Seattle Mariners on Wednesday, Vassegh predicted that the White Sox could emerge as his eventual landing spot if Chicago were willing to send Los Angeles a Top-30 prospect in return.

Lauer has provided quality innings while the Dodgers have dealt with their latest wave of pitching injuries, and moving a pitcher who has stabilized the rotation would carry risk. But that calculation could change quickly. Snell has begun a rehab assignment, Glasnow is throwing live batting practice and Los Angeles could still acquire another starter before the deadline. Yoshinobu Yamamoto, Roki Sasaki, Emmet Sheehan and Justin Wrobleski also remain in the rotation picture.

Lauer’s postseason path could disappear despite how well he has pitched. The same is true for Call, who has been pushed toward the end of the bench following the returns of Tommy Edman and Kiké Hernández.

Dodgers can sell high on depth by trading Eric Lauer to White Sox, Alex Call to Twins

Vassegh reported that the Twins are interested in Call, who has hit .246 with three home runs, 21 RBIs and a .687 OPS over 98 games with the Dodgers. He also went 4-for-11 with three walks during last year’s postseason.

Minnesota entered the week at 54-55 but remained only 1.5 games out of an American League wild-card spot. If the Twins look to add upgrades ahead of the trade deadline, Call would offer them a versatile right-handed outfielder with postseason experience.

For the Dodgers, the appeal is straightforward. Call may not survive another bench upgrade, especially with Los Angeles reportedly searching for a right-handed hitter with more power. Trading him now could allow the Dodgers to receive a prospect rather than eventually losing him in a roster crunch.

Neither proposed deal would transform the Dodgers’ championship outlook on its own. But turning Lauer and Call into young talent while simultaneously opening roster spots for upgrades would represent the kind of quieter deadline maneuvering Friedman has repeatedly used to keep Los Angeles’ contention window open.

The Dodgers will continue chasing stars, but they shouldn't lose sight of opportunities to sell high on their own depth in the process.

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