MLB Predictions: Despite Links To Big Bats Like Josh Donaldson, Dodgers To Stay Quiet This Winter

The Los Angeles Dodgers figured to be a player in the off-season trade market or at least the free agent market, however, despite links with Josh Donaldson, they won’t make a big splash this winter mainly due to a certain prospect, Gavin Lux.

Teams such as the Washington Nationals, Atlanta Braves and even Minnesota Twins are vying for Donaldson’s signature. Just like the Dodgers, they all have a need, or at least a want, at the hot corner and are, therefore, linked with the best third baseman on the market.

However, Los Angeles doesn’t have quite as big of a need at third, especially when compared to the Anthony Rendon-less Nats and the Braves who, without Donaldson, don’t have an everyday option for clean-up hitter.

That makes them dark horses in the Donaldson sweepstakes as they will get handily outbid by either Atlanta or Washington. They could alternatively turn to the trade market to improve the team, but there are problems there as well.

The lefty-heavy Dodgers lineup could do with a right-handed bat. Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic reports that they are exploring the possibility of trading for Lindor of the Cleveland Indians. The Tribe accept that they will lose their best player at some point as he is highly unlikely to re-sign in Cleveland.

That doesn’t mean they will part with him on the cheap. According to Rosenthal, the Indians will insist on receiving top second base prospect Lux in return in order to settle their middle infield in Lindor’s absence.

Jon Heyman of the MLB Network reports that will not happen, however, as the Dodgers have made Lux off-limits in any scenario whatsoever. He also reports that Lux is the main name being asked for in return by all potential trade partners.

Lux can also play third base, meaning that if Los Angeles did land Josh Donaldson, he would potentially tie up the hot corner, robbing the prospect of valuable at bats. That makes the Dodgers an even more unlikely destination for Donaldson.

While Los Angeles could potentially use players such as Dustin May, Joc Pederson or even Corey Seager as trade bait, they really aren’t in a rush to do so. If any deal gets made it appears that the Dodgers will make sure it does not come at the expense of future success, even as they chase an eighth-consecutive NL West crown.