Dodgers Rumors: Athletics trade buzz could bring LA solution for life after Mookie Betts

According to Bob Nightengale, the Athletics may already be willing to part with 2025 American League Rookie of the Year runner-up Jacob Wilson, just one season into his seven-year, $70 million extension.

Nightengale included Wilson as a a top-10 trade candidate to watch during upcoming GM Meetings in Las Vegas, writing, "There's certainly zero urgency to trade him, but the A's are desperate for starting pitching, and he is a fabulous trade chip."

The Los Angeles Dodgers aren't in the market for a new starting shortstop, but the question of how the Dodgers plan on getting younger will persist until they actually do it. 2027 will be Wilson's age-25 season. He's a well above-average defensive player, and although his bat kind of disappeared in 2026, that's not a challenge the Dodgers would shy away from.

They also have an excess of controllable starting pitching. Emmett Sheehan, Justin Wrobleski, and Gavin Stone (if he's healthy) are all options in 2027 ... or they could go the way of River Ryan and be moved in a blockbuster deal.

The question, then, would be where to put Betts, but the Dodgers typically like to acquire first before actually working out logistics.

Athletics Rookie of the Year runner-up Jacob Wilson could be on the Dodgers' radar this offseason

The Dodgers could have an easy solution if they're willing to slowly phase Tommy Edman out of full-time duties (which they should probably be considering, given how his 2026 went). Either Betts or Wilson could move to second base, or swap out between there and shortstop.

After hitting .311 with an .800 OPS, 13 homers, 63 RBI in 2025, Wilson's offense fell off significantly this year — .266/.685 with seven homers and 37 RBI. But he also only played in 80 games between going on and off the IL for most of the season.

Injuries and sophomore slump could be the simple explanations here, and they probably won't hurt his value much if the A's actually listen to offers, given the strength of his rookie year. His incredibly affordable extension should also be attractive to prospective buyers.

In a way, a trade for Wilson makes a lot of sense for LA. Moving Betts off of a position he's made his own since his full-time move in 2024 would take just the right player, but Wilson's pedigree, combined with his youth and affordability, should make him very attractive to the Dodgers.

Add us as a preferred source on Google

Follow