3 Dodgers trade targets to replace a disappointing Miguel Vargas

Miguel Vargas was optioned down to Triple-A after a not-so-stellar first half of the 2023 season. Vargas, who was meant to replace Justin Turner in the lineup, hit a measly .195 with a .672 OPS and 20% strikeout rate.

This was not the promising bat that Dodgers fans were hoping for and that could cause the team to make some adjustments at the trade deadline. Dave Roberts himself already admitted that the team would target a right-handed hitting bat and Vargas getting optioned only magnifies that need.

Vargas himself likely won't be traded as his value has never been lower and it makes no sense for the Dodgers to give up on the still-promising talent. However, he could spend the rest of the season in Oklahoma City if the Dodgers can add someone to effectively replace him in the lineup.

Dodgers trade targets that could replace Miguel Vargas

Brent Rooker

The first inclusion on this list would take some creativity because Brent Rooker won't be out there fielding balls at second base. Rooker is a corner outfielder and a marginal defender at best, so that's where he would stay with the Dodgers.

While this wouldn't directly replace Vargas, it would help set off a chain reaction of replacing him in the lineup. Rooker could be the team's go-to right-handed option in left field, allowing David Peralta or Jason Heyward to play more right field so that Mookie Betts can stay in the infield at second base.

Betts has thrived in the infield this season and keeping him there shouldn't be out of the question. A returning Chris Taylor can man the shortstop position with Miguel Rojas, and the Dodgers would be getting an All-Star slugger in Rooker to provide pop at the bottom of the order.

Mark Canha

Like Rooker, Mark Canha is traditionally an outfielder and would not directly plug the hole at second base that optioning Vargas created. In addition to setting off a chain reaction to fill that need, though, Canha can also log some innings in the infield.

Canha is by no means a great defensive infielder but he's proven the ability to play third base at the big-league level. There are nights against lefties that Canha could play third with Max Muncy on the bench. Or Muncy could even get more reps at second with Canha logging some innings at third.

Traditionally it would not seem likely that the New York Mets would be sellers, but this season has been a nightmare in Queens, so selling off some pieces is certainly a possibility. It's even more likely that the team would part with a non-star like Canha.

Canha has a club option after this season, and with New York so far over the luxury tax the team was probably planning on letting him walk anyway. Getting something for him is better than nothing and the Dodgers have a surplus of prospects to trade. For the LA, they could get the option of using Canha to replace another veteran outfielder next year, but could also get off the deal if need be.

Canha is having a down year with a .748 OPS, but the potential is still there. At his best, he's someone who works walks and gets on base, as evidenced by his .396 on-base percentage in 2019. He still gets on base quite frequently against southpaws, too. His .362 OBP against lefties would certainly raise the Dodgers' team mark and help the offense chug along.