Dodgers Rumors: Familiar trade partner eyeing ex-top prospect LA is reluctant to part with

The Dodgers seem to have some kind of plan for Dalton Rushing, but fans are struggling to see the vision. How could we, when there are massive contracts blocking him from taking over at either catcher or first base full-time, and the team has seemingly closed the door on their brief outfield experiment with him?

Rushing's initial landing in the majors has been underwhelming thus far, but if scouts and evaluators still believe he has the potential to be great, what does that mean for his future on the Dodgers? Would they trade Will Smith soon, even though he's having the best year of his career, just to clear a path for Rushing? Surely not.

The obvious solution would be to trade Rushing. His current offensive performance isn't really helping his trade value, and if he doesn't improve, the Dodgers run the risk of having another Diego Cartaya situation on their hands.

The Red Sox clearly see the Dodgers' dilemma and, per Sean McAdam of MassLive, are interested in Rushing (sub. required). However, most Dodgers writers sense unwillingness on the part of the Dodgers' front office to trade him.

Red Sox reportedly scouting former Dodgers No. 1 prospect Dalton Rushing, but LA might not want to give him up

Boston's interest poses a couple of questions, though. What would the Dodgers be getting in return, and how would the Red Sox not block Rushing in the same exact way in Boston?

To the first question, the Red Sox don't really have bullpen arms — the Dodgers' No. 1 priority — that would warrant a trade high-powered enough to involve Rushing, but their outfield is a different story. Perhaps Wilyer Abreu or Ceddanne Rafaela, who are having breakout seasons? Maybe Masataka Yoshida or Jarren Duran (though the Red Sox might have to throw in more for Rushing)?

To the second, that's a little more complicated. Rushing is blocked by Smith in LA, but he'd be blocked by Carlos Narváez in Boston. Narváez is far from proving himself to Smith's extent, so the Red Sox could let Rushing and Narváez duke it out for the role of primary catcher, but the latter has emerged as a very possible long-term solution to a Boston void.

The Red Sox do desperately need an upgrade from backup (and former top Dodgers prospect) Connor Wong, but Rushing could warrant far too great a return for Boston to accept, especially if the Dodgers are playing hardball.