Dodgers News: Freddie Freeman away from team, Garrett Crochet buzz

The trade deadline is just days away now, and the Los Angeles Dodgers once again find themselves among the top playoff contenders looking to add to their roster. The trade market isn't particular robust in terms of options this year with so many teams on the fringes of playoff contention, but LA is going to be in play for basically any of the players out there that could help them, especially on the pitching side of the trade market.

However, the various trade deadline rumblings are not the only thing going on in Dodgers land. Unfortunately, they are going to be without star first baseman Freddie Freeman for a little while.

Dodgers News: Freddie Freeman away from the team while his son is sick

It is never ideal to lose a player as important as Freeman for any stretch of time. However, some things are bigger than baseball and that is the case with Freeman, as he left the Dodgers to go be with his son Maximus while he is dealing with a nasty case of transient synovitis, which causes hip inflammation.

Freeman's son's condition was so bad that he couldn't do anything but lay down for several days and he hadn't been eating, making a second hospital stay very possible. Manager Dave Roberts said that he doesn't expect Freeman back during this current series against the Astros. While LA would love to have him in the lineup, family is the most important thing, and we hope that young Maximus feels better soon.

Dodgers News: LA could be the one team that could still make a move for Garrett Crochet

Recently, Garrett Crochet's trade market was flipped on its head when it was revealed that if an acquiring team wanted Crochet to pitch in the playoffs this year, he would not do so unless he was signed to a contract extension. This highly unusual demand has spooked many of the teams that were chasing a deal for him. However, the Dodgers have been long connected to a Crochet trade and those hopes are not completely dead.

LA is arguably more equipped than almost any team in baseball to give Crochet what he wants, as they are certainly not afraid to give out long-term deals to guys with questionable track records. Joel Sherman of the New York Post detailed the Dodgers' continued interest in Crochet and ability to be amenable to his demands on Friday night.

Hell, the Dodgers gave the oft-injured Tyler Glasnow an extension before he threw a single pitch for them. The Dodgers have money, are pot-committed to contention for the next several years, and need an impact arm. While the circumstances aren't ideal, an extension isn't going to completely scare them away. Even more promising? It might scare everyone else away.

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