4 Dodgers most likely to be dealt at the 2023 trade deadline

More trades are coming for the Los Angeles Dodgers, especially if we're to believe their widespread interest in names such as Justin Verlander, Mitch Keller and Brady Singer, per the latest coming out of the MLB rumor mill.

Though LA's been impressive this year, its roster is still far from complete, particularly in the pitching department. That's probably where most of the focus will be, especially after the acquisitions of Kiké Hernandez and Amed Rosario (because, let's face it, Joe Kelly and Lance Lynn aren't going to transform the staff overnight).

Many have wondered who the Dodgers might be willing to part with, and anyone's guess is as good as ours. Friedman's yet to part with anything of note, surrendering two Triple-A pitchers for Hernandez, Noah Syndergaard for Rosario, and Trayce Thompson, Jordan Leasure and Nick Nastrini (OK, he's probably the only one we'll miss) for Kelly and Lynn.

All we're saying is that plenty of assets remain. Also ... so does some dead weight that the front office might be more inclined to get rid of if the right opportunity presents itself. Before Tuesday at 4 p.m. ET, all four of these guys on the 40-man roster could be gone.

4 Dodgers most likely to be dealt at the 2023 trade deadline

Gavin Stone

The Dodgers elevated Gavin Stone, arguably their most promising pitching prospect at the time, to the MLB level earlier this year. Unfortunately for the right-hander, he struggled tremendously in his four games (three starts) and was sent back down to Triple-A with a 12.75 ERA and 3.00 WHIP. Yuck.

Unfortunately, it hasn't gotten better for the 24-year-old, either. He has a 5.79 ERA and 1.47 WHIP in 16 Triple-A starts. His 85 strikeouts in 74.2 innings aren't bad, but that's considered "down" for what he's done the last couple years.

Now, we're not saying the Dodgers are going to sell low on him. They'd never do that. But they might consider finding the right suitor that would see the proper value in Stone, who is still LA's No. 4 prospect. If the Dodgers were able to sell high on Josiah Gray, who pitched in just six games in 2021 before being traded to the Nationals, why couldn't they do the same with Stone, who's arguably had a more impressive run in the minor leagues?

At this point, it feels like the Dodgers value Bobby Miller and Emmet Sheehan more than Stone, and they still have Ryan Pepiot, Nick Frasso, River Ryan and others waiting in the wings. If the Dodgers have to pay up in any trade involving a valuable everyday major leaguer, Stone could very well be on the move.

Michael Grove

Talk about selling low ... but the Dodgers might value a free 40-man roster spot over getting proper value for Michael Grove, who just hasn't been "it" for LA. Just when it looked like he was getting back on track, the Reds shelled him on Sunday for eight earned runs on 10 hits and a walk in six innings.

Grove is already in his age-26 season, and another team might value his team control as a throw-in for a potential deal. A patient, rebuilding team might see the positives in his game and might be willing to take a shot. After all, he managed to turn it around nicely last year in the hitter-friendly Texas and PCL leagues with the Dodgers' Double- and Triple-A affiliates.

The Dodgers don't need Grove. They have plenty of prospect depth behind him. Right now, he's being utilized because of injuries and his main goal has been to eat as many innings as possible. He pitched six innings on Sunday and managed decent outings against the Blue Jays, Orioles, Angels and Pirates in his previous four appearances.

He could've really helped the Dodgers by not imploding against the Reds, but Friedman has a way of coaxing other teams to buy on depreciated assets. Don't count it out here.

Michael Busch

Can someone save this man from Triple-A Oklahoma City?! Because the Dodgers apparently don't want to!

Busch got his cup of coffee in the form of 15 MLB games, but wasn't given a long leash. Back to the minor leagues he went, and he's since been carrying a bat on fire. He's hitting .318 with a 1.029 OPS, 61 runs scored, 18 homers and 66 RBI in just 70 games. This has been a calculated effort to maintain his trade value ... because why surrender anything for Rojas and Rosario when you can take a chance on Busch?

Established major league talent is always more valuable, no matter how badly they're slumping, but the Dodgers not giving Busch another chance in 2023 (and burying him with Miguel Vargas at Triple-A) speaks volumes. There's little chance a potential suitor judges Busch based on his 15 games with LA that featured a .200 average and .561 OPS.

Though his defensive versatility may no longer be as valued as it once was, Busch's lefty bat and ability to play second base at a high level will undoubtedly attract somebody out there. The Dodgers are playing their hand in a calculated manner and should get something of note out of it because of how well Busch has performed after his demotion.