Dodgers Trade News: Los Angeles Makes Multiple Deals Before 2018 Deadline In World Series Push

The Los Angeles Dodgers aren’t holding back in their pursuit of a championship. L.A. made a couple of deals in the minutes leading up to the 2018 MLB trade deadline, adding another power hitter and a reliever to the roster.

Los Angeles acquired second baseman Brian Dozier from the Minnesota Twins in exchange for Logan Forsythe, Luke Raley and Devin Smeltzer. The deal comes two weeks after the Dodgers sent five prospects to the Baltimore Orioles for shortstop Manny Machado.

The Dodgers also acquired reliever John Axford from the Toronto Blue Jays.

Dozier isn’t an All-Star like Machado, but he’s been among the most productive players at his position over the last few years. He averaged nearly 35 home runs per season from 2015-2017 with a slugging percentage just south of .500.

Dozier is hitting .224/.305/.402 this season with 16 home runs. July was his best month of the year with five homers and a .455 slugging percentage.

Machado put up MVP-caliber numbers with Baltimore, and he hasn't disappointed with a .304/.418/.500 slash line in 11 games with the Dodgers. He’s got a career-high .958 OPS on the season.

Justin Turner will soon return from the disabled list to play third base and give Los Angeles one of the best infields in all of baseball. The Dodgers already lead the National League with 144 home runs, and the Chicago Cubs are the only NL team with more runs scored in 2018.

Already leading the NL with a 3.49 team ERA, the Dodgers might have to be considered the favorites to reach the World Series with their improved lineup. Los Angeles made it to Game 7 of the 2017 World Series before losing to the Houston Astros. The Dodgers and Cubs could be headed for a third straight meeting in the NLCS.

Giving up assets for both Machado and Dozier, who are likely to leave in free agency, could point to a sense of urgency to win within the organization. Los Angeles has five straight NL West titles with no World Series championships to show for it.

The Dodgers have a half-game lead over the Arizona Diamondbacks for first place in the NL West at the trade deadline. Four teams are within less than six games of each other in the division.