Dodgers just missed prime opportunity to replace Michael Conforto with Reds DFA

Of the eight Dodgers batters with over 300 at-bats this season, Michael Conforto is the worst hitter by almost every metric. He has the lowest batting average (.191), lowest OPS (.629), fewest hits, homers and RBI (63, 9, and 27). He's the only regular starter with a below-replacement bWAR. And yet, he remains on the Dodgers' roster for some inexplicable reason.

Andrew Friedman and the Dodgers' front office let the opportunity to trade for a replacement at the deadline slip away (though to be fair, they did seem to be in serious talks with the Guardians about Steven Kwan), and now they have very few options in terms of replacements if they refuse to call up power-hitting minor leaguer Ryan Ward.

The Cincinnati Reds DFA'd longtime outfielder Jake Fraley on Sunday in a move that sent outrage through the Reds' fanbase. Manager Terry Francona said of the move, "[...] Giving Jake a chance to go play, where maybe he thinks he deserves to play, which I understand, is maybe better than him sitting the bench here."

The Dodgers could've had the opportunity to use their last available avenue to acquiring new players and picked up Fraley on the waiver wire, but he was instead claimed by the Braves on Tuesday afternoon.

Dodgers missed chance to claim DFA'd Reds outfielder Jake Fraley to replace Michael Conforto

Fraley's dealt with some injuries this season, including a nearly three-week stint in May with a calf issue, and then another two-ish weeks with a shoulder sprain from June to July. He was slowly pushed off of the roster during those stints thanks to the re-emergence of former top prospect Noelvi Marte, which seems to have led to some dissatisfaction with the club.

Fraley batted .232 with a .719 OPS in 67 games before he was released — not great, but at least better than Conforto. The Dodgers were willing to trot Cavan Biggio out there as an interim outfielder last year, and Fraley's easily better than him too.

He had some solid seasons in 2022 and 2023 and will instead help out the Braves in the short-term while giving them a look for 2026. The Dodgers could've seen him as another reclamation project in the vein of Max Muncy.

Instead, LA has lost yet another opportunity to acquire a viable replacement after they put their money on Conforto and lost at the trade deadline. If not Fraley, then somebody — anybody — else needs to be playing left field for the Dodgers soon.