The Los Angeles Dodgers already have the lineup every other team is trying to measure up to, but they could always add more firepower before the trade deadline.
Nearly every position appears solidified for the Dodgers, but if one had to pinpoint a weak spot, it might be center field. LA can play Tommy Edman there, where he's a serviceable defender, but the switch-hitter is also a frequent starter in the middle infield.
Meanwhile, in 2024 and carrying over so far into 2025, youngsters Andy Pages and James Outman have struggled to lock down the center field job, as both have been given reasonable shots to carve out pseudo-starting roles.
One baseball writer has a trade target in mind for the Dodgers to improve their outfield, but be warned: it's one that doesn't make a ton of sense at first glance.
On Friday, Athlon's Jon Conahan named Los Angeles Angels outfielder Taylor Ward, who is under team control through 2026 and is making $7.8 million this season, as a potential Dodgers trade target.
"Andy Pages hasn't been great, and if he becomes too much of an issue, the Dodgers should consider finding a replacement," Conahan wrote. "With a few players likely available, the Dodgers could consider someone like Taylor Ward to solve that issue."
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"In 585 at-bats a season ago, Ward impressed, posting a .246 average and 25 home runs. He isn't a perfect player, but the 31-year-old would be an upgrade to what the Dodgers are currently working with."
Ward is a bat worth acquiring for many contenders, but unfortunately for Conahan's proposal, he's really not a center fielder. He hasn't played the position at all since 2022, and only has 19 games there in his entire big-league career.
Not only that, but because the Dodgers have relatively slow corner outfielders in Michael Conforto and Teoscar Hernández, they really need a center fielder who can cover a lot of turf.
Expecting Ward to be in a Dodgers uniform by the end of the summer seems destined for a letdown, but at the same time, much crazier things have happened at previous trade deadlines.
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