Dodgers' outlook on River Ryan, James Tibbs III screams trade fodder in the making

One of the things that makes the Los Angeles Dodgers organization so enviable, apart from the obvious, is the overwhelming prospect depth they're hoarding but have little intention of using themselves.

Sometimes the cream rises to the top. Will Smith, Andy Pages, and Dalton Rushing are the rare homegrown Dodgers position players who have actually managed to not only make the major league roster, but become meaningful contributors to it. There are a few more on the pitching staff, too.

But for the most part, the Dodgers' farm system exists to allow the front office to make any trade their hearts desire. They have 14 outfielders ranked in their top 30 and nowhere to fit them on a major league roster within the next few years.

So when the Dodgers plead "patience" with top prospects like River Ryan and James Tibbs III, it instills little confidence that either will ever show their faces at the major league level — at least, not in Dodgers uniforms.

Ryan has dominated since coming off of the IL in mid-May. Tibbs can't stop hitting home runs. Brandon Gomes, Andrew Friedman and the Dodgers' brass are the first to praise them for their performances, but they also don't make any promises as to when they'll see time in the majors.

Yeah, these guys will be on a plane come Aug. 3.

River Ryan and James Tibbs III look like obvious Dodgers trade candidates

A Ryan-Tibbs package could be enough to bring Tarik Skubal over from Detroit. The Tigers have almost zero starting pitching depth and very little outfield depth other than Max Clark. Ryan is the top-100 prospect and Tibbs is the org top-30 prospect that, rumor has it, would be the Tigers' baseline to deal Skubal. And if they want more? The Dodgers can afford to give them more.

It's hard not to feel a little bad for every player in the Dodgers' farm system. They know just as well as fans that LA's roster is overwhelmed by expensive, long-term contracts and it will stay that way for the foreseeable future. Not even a former No. 1 prospect like Rushing is promised an everyday role.

Fans almost see it as a mercy when prospects get traded. Michael Busch, Miguel Vargas, Gavin Lux, Ryan Pepiot, Jonny DeLuca, and so on — none were going to get real opportunities LA, and some have truly thrived since being dealt.

If we had to guess, that's exactly what's going to happen with Ryan and Tibbs come the trade deadline.

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