MLB insider breathes new life into dream Dodgers-Brewers blockbuster trade

Hold the phone! The boring Winter Meetings might take a healthy turn for the Los Angeles Dodgers, who are still looking to make a move outside of adding Chris Archer to their front office. Fans need a real personnel move before everyone departs Nashville.

The Dodgers have been a bit held up, waiting for teams to start selling and waiting for the top free agents to make a decision so the rest of the market can begin moving. They may not be getting lucky just yet on the free agent front, but a dream trade could be materializing as we speak.

Per MLB insider Ken Rosenthal, who previously reported the exact opposite of what we're about to reveal, is reporting new life on a potential Dodgers-Brewers trade featuring Corbin Burnes and Willy Adames.

The Dodgers' need for pitching is obvious. Though fans weren't sure what would happen at the shortstop position, Fabian Ardaya reported this week that the Dodgers "could upgrade" there despite Gavin Lux's recovery from ACL surgery.

Rosenthal notes this deal could go down regardless of what happens with Shohei Ohtani, which is either a perfect backup plan or an incredible supplementary one.

MLB insider breathes new life into dream Dodgers-Brewers blockbuster trade

We're not sure what's exactly changed in the Brewers' thinking ever since it was reported they could stand pat and look to compete in 2024, but here's what Rosenthal wrote (accompanied by a few more notes). "What he's hearing" appears to have changed significantly in recent weeks:

"Regardless of whether they sign Shohei Ohtani, the Los Angeles Dodgers can entertain a multitude of trade options, including a long-speculated deal for right-hander Corbin Burnes and/or Willy Adames.

Burnes obviously would help fill the void in the Dodgers’ rotation, and Adames would give them a defensive upgrade at shortstop over Gavin Lux. A native of Kenosha, Wi., Lux could even go back to the Brewers in the trade and become the team’s second baseman, with Brice Turang moving to short.

Another possibility for the Dodgers, who are seeking a right-handed utility/outfield bat: A reunion with free agent Kiké Hernández, who underwent double-hernia surgery on Oct. 24 but should be ready for spring training."

- Ken Rosenthal, The Athletic

If a trade with the Brew Crew goes down, expect Lux to be involved in the deal, with Mookie Betts now moving to second base on a full-time basis. As we mentioned last week, a reunion with Hernández remains possible because the Dodgers could use another versatile option with pop (and he was also wearing Dodgers gear in a New Era ad despite being a free agent).

The Yankees got the ball rolling when they traded for former Dodger Alex Verdugo on Tuesday night in a deal with the Red Sox. New York and San Diego are now heavily engaged on a Juan Soto trade, which is reportedly imminent.

Perfect time for the Dodgers to get something of this magnitude across the finish line as a number of other teams dominate the headlines.