3 superstars the Dodgers can conceivably trade for this offseason
This team has needs across the diamond.
The Los Angeles Dodgers' season ended much sooner than anyone expected, as the team was swept in three games against the Arizona Diamondbacks. Fans are yearning for some kind of change after back-to-back NLDS disappointments.
With Dave Roberts sticking around, that change might have to be player-based. While there were several new players on the team last season, it might be time for the Dodgers to go out and get another big fish. After all, the team won the World Series in Mookie Betts' first season with the team.
The biggest prize this offseason is Shohei Ohtani in free agency, but what if the Dodgers also want to pull off a trade for an all-star? There are some conceivable options that could definitely head to LA this offseason.
The Dodgers can conceivably trade for Tyler Glasnow
If there is one team in the league that always trades players before they need to, it is the Tampa Bay Rays. Tampa Bay traded Blake Snell with multiple years left on his deal, and with Tyler Glasnow having one more year under contract, it might be time to say goodbye for Rays fans.
Trade speculation around Glasnow has already started this offseason, and he would be a welcomed addition to the Dodgers' rotation. Even if the Dodgers sign Ohtani, the team is going to need an experienced arm in 2024. Glasnow could be that guy and would be an excellent one-year rental.
Glasnow started just two games in 2021 and started 21 games in 2023 to the tune of a 3.53 ERA. That is naturally going to lower his value some but the hard-throwing right-hander is still an elite arm that the Dodgers absolutely would get the most out of. This isn't just adding more pitching depth. This is adding a legitimate ace to the top of the rotation.
Andrew Friedman has his ties to the Tampa Bay front office, and that could be enough to get a deal done. A package consisting of Michael Busch, one of LA's young pitching prospects, and a back-end top-30 prospect should be more than enough to bring Glasnow to LA.
The Dodgers can conceivably trade for Corbin Burnes
The Milwaukee Brewers have similar traits as the Tampa Bay Rays when it comes to trading star players. As a small-market team, Milwaukee can only pay so much to a player in arbitration before the money starts to not make sense. Additionally, a new contract is less likely, which prompts a small-market team like the Brewers to trade someone while they can.
That is the crossroads the Brewers find themselves in with Corbin Burnes. It seemed likely before the 2023 season that Burnes would be traded, but the two sides settled the trade discourse and Burnes put together another All-Star season for the Brewers.
It seems increasingly likely that Burnes will be wearing a different uniform in April, though, considering he has one more year of arbitration before he will hit free agency next offseason. Milwaukee would be foolish not to trade Burnes at all, and it would still be silly to wait until July.
Burnes' value is going to be cut in half as a midseason rental in July. Instead, the Brewers would be better off getting the deal done now to allow teams to get in a bidding war for the former Cy Young's services. Luckily for the Dodgers, they can outbid other teams in any bidding war.
The price for Burnes would certainly be higher than Glasnow. The Dodgers could probably get away with keeping Dalton Rushing, but the package would have to start with Busch and Diego Cartaya.
The Dodgers can conceivably trade for Nolan Arenado
The Nolan Arenado speculation once again amped up during the 2023 trade deadline, as the St. Louis Cardinals were in the middle of a disappointing season while the Dodgers needed a right-handed bat. Los Angeles ultimately went bargain shopping and Arenado stayed in St. Louis to finish the season.
That does not mean that a trade is completely dead for Arenado, however. If the Los Angeles native wants to play for a more competitive team, then the Dodgers are going to be on his shortlist. That is important to note, as Arenado has a no-trade clause on his deal.
Logistically, this makes a lot of sense for the Dodgers next season as well. It is unclear whether or not J.D. Martinez is going to return, and Arenado would essentially serve as the Martinez replacement. He could provide Gold Glove defense for the Dodgers at third base, shifting Max Muncy back to being a full-time DH.
The Dodgers would replace Martinez's bat and get exponentially better in the field as a result. Arenado is the perfect type of three-hitter to put behind Freddie Freeman, and would make the Dodgers' lineup even more dangerous.
Arenado is definitely past his absolute prime and is coming off his worst offensive season since the 60-game 2020 campaign. But Martinez was also coming off of a down year, and the Dodgers were able to unlock him. Just imagine what the team could do with a younger player who has a much higher ceiling.
The price for Arenado would be similar to Burnes, if not more. The deal would have to start with Busch and Cartaya.