Latest Will Smith injury update has insiders split on Dodgers' trade deadline strategy

Outside of trading for Tarik Skubal, who looks less and less available by the day, the Los Angeles Dodgers were expected to have a quiet trade deadline — making minor additions around the margins, like the deal for Seth Halvorsen — while also trying to rebalance their farm system by exchanging some of their outfielders for high-end prospects at other positions.

That is, until uncertainty about Will Smith's timeframe to return from injury came to light. Now, who knows what to believe. National MLB insider Bob Nightengale is reporting that the Dodgers have pivoted and now have catcher, as well as another starter, given Shohei Ohtani's withdrawal from pitching, as Los Angeles's top priorities.

Not everyone is in agreement, though. Dodgers beat writer Katie Woo of The Athletic has a different take on things. Her intel says that there has been no material change to LA's deadline plans, despite the expectation that the earliest Smith will return is mid-August.

"Despite Smith’s prolonged absence, the Dodgers do not plan to pursue major-league catching depth and will continue to rely on Dalton Rushing for the bulk of the starts," Woo wrote.

Who's right and who's wrong? It's hard to tell, but the answer might be both. Sort of.

The Dodgers will likely be opportunistic, but won't panic at the trade deadline

This is why the Dodgers were smart not to sell low on Dalton Rushing during the offseason. The controversial young catcher got off to an incredible start, slashing .348/.423/.848 over the season's first month. That gave way to an incredibly frigid May, with Rushing hitting just .146/.239/.146.

Over the last two months, the wild swings have dissipated, and Rushing has settled in. His .233/.333/.398 line since June 1 isn't going to raise many eyebrows, but it's good for a 104 wRC+, which is pretty solid production for a backstop.

There are teams, like the New York Yankees, who are much worse off behind the plate. The fact that Smith will eventually return also provides some solace and mitigates some of the urgency. After all, if the Dodgers went out and made a blockbuster deal for one of the top-end catchers rumored to potentially be available, like Ryan Jeffers, Hunter Goodman, or Shea Langeliers, they would eventually face a roster conundrum that they'd rather not have to deal with.

Now, if they can find some value, don't be surprised if they pull the trigger. Andrew Friedman has never been one to shy away from a move if he thinks he'll come out the winner, so if he's able to get a fair price for a veteran catcher, it shouldn't be a surprise to see him jump on it.

Moreover, we could see the Dodgers go after a more under-the-radar target. Don't forget how crucial Ben Rortvedt was for Los Angeles down the stretch and in the playoffs last year. Adding a glove-first catcher of a similar ilk could be on the menu.

At the end of the day, the Dodgers will never pass up an opportunity, and they will do their due diligence. But what they won't do is panic. Given that this year's trade deadline is expected to be an extreme seller's market, it would be a shock to see them go after a high-end catching option that will cost above market value. Still, that doesn't mean that a lower-tier addition behind the plate isn't in the cards.

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