5 potential trade targets that could seriously alter Dodgers' 2023 season

The Los Angeles Dodgers have gotten off to a cold start in 2023. While it certainly could be worse, this is not the usual level of excellence that Dodgers fans have been used to over the last decade. However, it was somewhat expected, with this season representing a changing of the guard in LA.

As disappointing as April has been thus far, the Dodgers should still be taken seriously as a playoff contender, with the front office putting itself in a great position to add talent at the trade deadline. Let's not forget how poorly the 2018 season started -- until the team was able to turn it around, both in-house and with in-season additions.

The Dodgers have to be considered one of the primary teams to watch during the 2023 MLB trade deadline. While a lot can happen before that point, there are still some promising early trade candidates that Dodgers fans should be circling.

5 potential trade targets to alter the Dodgers' 2023 season:

Tim Anderson

The Dodgers need shortstop help; that goes without saying. Gavin Lux tearing his ACL in spring training has started a ripple effect at the shortstop position that has been unfortunate to witness after the position had been so consistent for the franchise.

There are some cheaper options that the team can pursue to put a bandage on the wound, but if the Dodgers really want to make a splash, then they should try and trade for Chicago's Tim Anderson. Just like with Manny Machado in 2018, the Dodgers could fix their shortstop woes with a high-profile trade.

Anderson's name has floated around the trade market for some time, and it all depends on what happens for the White Sox as we get closer to the deadline. Chicago has not enjoyed a good start to the year, and if they are out of the picture by July, then trading Anderson is in the equation.

Anderson has one more year under contract after the 2023 season, but the White Sox are going to get exponentially more value for him if they trade him to a hungry contender during the deadline this year. If they wait for the offseason, the price won't be as high, and if they wait until 2024, then he will just be viewed as a three-month rental.

Garrett Cooper

There was speculation last season that the Dodgers were trying to trade for Miami's Garrett Cooper, and perhaps it can come full circle this season with a deal at the deadline. The 2022 All-Star is enjoying another nice season at the plate, and would certainly add a much-needed presence in the middle of the Dodgers' order.

The 32-year-old infielder is slashing .310/.342//479 this season with three home runs and 11 RBI in 76 plate appearances. Cooper is not someone who is going to mash 25 home runs in a season, but he could comfortably slug 15-20 homers with a solid average and gap-to-gap power.

Cooper is in his last season of arbitration, and with him being on the wrong side of 30, it seems highly unlikely that a team like the Marlins would be willing to pay him after the season. Thus, Miami trading him and getting something out of him is the most logical move for the franchise.

Finding a spot for Cooper might be a bit tougher than it would have been last season, as he mostly has played either third base or DH at this stage in his career. This might mean shifting Max Muncy over to second base in some instances, as well as giving Miguel Vargas more nights off.

However, Cooper can also play left field, if the Dodgers really need him to. While it would not bring the best fielding presence out in left field, the Dodgers would make up for it by placing great defenders like James Outman and Mookie Betts alongside him. Having Cooper's bat over Chris Taylor or Miguel Rojas would make up for any defensive woes.

Most importantly, Cooper is solid against left-handed pitching. Cooper is hitting .292 with a .822 OPS against southpaws in his career. The Dodgers are 21st in MLB in OPS against left-handed pitchers this season.

Shohei Ohtani

This is obviously the biggest name on this list, as Shohei Ohtani is the best player in baseball. Dodgers fans have been optimistically waiting for Ohtani's contract with the Los Angeles Angels to expire after the 2023 season so the team could potentially lure him to LA with its winning ways.

But the Dodgers may not even need to wait that long. ESPN's Jeff Passan recently outlined Ohtani's future and how important it is for the Angels to win games. Passan said that Ohtani leaving if the team misses the playoffs is definite, and that if the Angels are struggling yet again, then a trade could even be in the cards.

The price would be astronomically high, even with Ohtani being a one-year rental. Every contending team would be in the race for Ohtani, as they look to not only bolster their playoff chances, but get him in the building early to sign an extension.

Some may argue that the Dodgers should simply wait, since Ohtani is going to test the market anyway and could come to the Dodgers in free agency. While that is true, it is impossible to blame Andrew Friedman for wanting to get Ohtani in the building ASAP to work out a contract extension before he has the chance to leave.

It worked with Mookie Betts, and as long as the Dodgers are offering Ohtani what he is looking for, then it could happen with him as well.

The Angels would actually be better off doing business with their Southern California rivals as well. Not only do the Dodgers have a rich farm system, but they theoretically would be willing to bid higher, since they know they have a chance of locking Ohtani down long-term. A team that knows he will only be a rental is only willing to offer so much.

Aroldis Chapman

Aroldis Chapman would have the smallest impact of anyone on this list, but he might be the most likely trade target for the Dodgers this season. The Dodgers need bullpen help badly, especially of the left-handed variety, as Alex Vesia has been a disaster thus far this season.

It looked like the days of Chapman being an above-average reliever were over. His velocity was down in New York, and it got so bad (and he got so frosty) that he was not included on the postseason roster. However, his velocity has suddenly returned in Kansas City, and he has pitched well to this point.

Chapman has not allowed single run in his first eight appearances for the Royals this season. He has struck out 15 batters in eight innings of work and is sporting a 0.500 WHIP. His days as an elite closer are probably over, but thus far, he is proving that he can be a valuable left-handed arm out of the bullpen.

The Dodgers almost traded for Chapman when he was with the Cincinnati Reds, so there is some familiarity there with the front office. Eight years removed from that near-trade, the Dodgers may come full circle and add one of the most prolific relievers of this generation.

Kansas City definitely should have every intent on trading Chapman, as long as there is a market this season. The Royals are not going anywhere this year and signed him on a one-year flier, probably in the hopes of him rebounding so he could have a trade market.

He is the most available player on this list, and he perfectly fits a need that the Dodgers have. Don't be shocked if Chapman is wearing Dodger Blue by August 1.