Potential Dodgers trade targets emerge among A's slugging outfielders

As quickly as they started, rumors about White Sox slugger Luis Robert Jr. have quieted down. Bob Nightengale reported that Chicago is considering keeping him for the time being because of his offensive struggles since his return from injury, which could dash whatever grand dreams the Dodgers may have had of adding him to their power-deficient outfield.

However, Robert isn't the only outfielder out there, and in the same report, Nightengale noted a couple more names on the block who would probably come a bit cheaper than Robert. The Athletics are perennial sellers at the deadline, so it's no surprise that they're shopping multiple players including Brent Rooker and Miguel Andújar, two bright spots on the better-than-anyone-expected 2024 A's.

Rooker was the A's lone All-Star representative last year as a reserve DH, and Andújar has been having a pretty good comeback year after being tossed between the majors and minors by the Pirates last season before eventually being DFA'ed and picked up by Oakland.

Neither has Robert's pedigree, but they're both still hitting better than Gavin Lux, Kiké Hernández, and Chris Taylor, and they could give the bottom of the Dodgers lineup that much-needed push.

If Luis Robert Jr. is off the table, Dodgers could pursue Athletics outfielders Brent Rooker and Miguel Andújar

Rooker became a mainstay for the A's last season, and by the end of it he'd hit 30 home runs and knocked in 69 runs to lead the team in both categories (he also led in slugging and OPS). He's on pace for another 30-homer season, and although he strikes out way too much, his barrel, hard-hit, and sweet spot rates primarily off sinkers and sliders make him one of the best off-speed hitters in the game. While he makes most of his starts at DH for the A's and would definitely need some polishing on his defense were he to come to the Dodgers, none of LA's hitters at the bottom of the order have anywhere close to 15 homers this year, and Rooker could fill in that gap perfectly.

Andújar would be a little riskier to bet on, given his recent struggles and constant movement between the majors and Triple-A. He's also been hurt this year, missing out on almost two full months from Opening Day to late May after undergoing a knee surgery. However, in his first 32 games back, he managed to hit .305 with six extra-base hits, two homers, and 14 RBI. His defense has also left a lot to be desired throughout his career, but Jason Heyward's defense has been pretty subpar this year in its own right. Andújar has always looked better as an outfielder than as a third baseman anyhow.

While Rooker would be the more desirable of these two candidates, it does mean that the Dodgers have other options outside of Robert to chase for the short-term. Randy Arozarena is still a name that's floating out there, and LA could always go after Robert again in the winter. For now, it's time for the Dodgers to swallow their tongues and pay the price in what's about to be a seller's paradise.