With just more than one month remaining until the MLB trade deadline, the Los Angeles Dodgers find themselves as an obvious buyer looking to improve their World Series odds.
The Chicago White Sox, on the other hand, are one of the teams that will absolutely be selling due to their MLB-worst record and lack of talent all around. However, they do have a few star players drawing interest around the league in Garrett Crochet and Luis Robert Jr.
As two of the premier talents on the trade block, and likely the best players with the chance of being moved, a potential bidding war for their services could be brewing. If that happens, it seems the Dodgers would be among the clubs in the mix as they have interest in both players, according to Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic:
The Dodgers also like Crochet as well as center fielder Luis Robert Jr., major-league sources said.
Bother players have superstar talent and team control, making it a challenge to trade for either one of them. The cost will be high, and the competition for their services will be fierce.
Robert is having a bit of a down season, batting .198/.284/.484 with seven home runs and a 108 wRC+, but throughout his career, the production has been far better.
In 392 games since his debut in 2020, Robert is hitting .274/.324/.499 with 81 home runs and a 124 wRC+.
The main concern has been his ability to stay on the field, playing more than 100 games just one time in three full seasons, but the Dodgers have never been scared of the injury prone tag on a player.
Crochet struggled to find his footing at the Major League level early in his career, but this year he has broken out to become one of the most dominant pitchers in MLB.
In 94.1 innings, he’s pitched to a 3.05 ERA and 2.54 FIP while striking out 12.40 hitters per nine innings and walking just 1.91 per nine.
Prior to this season, Crochet spent his time in the bullpen and missed the 2022 season due to Tommy John surgery.
The 25-year-old is in his first season of arbitration with two years remaining, so the cost to acquire him will be very high.
White Sox want significant return for Luis Robert Jr.
Robert Jr. is not only a potentially elite player, but is playing on a cost-controlled six-year, $50 million contract. His deal has the potential to run through the 2027 season, with two club options in 2026 and 2027.
Because of his talent and team-friendly contract, the White Sox are reportedly asking for a significant return in any trade, and one that could rival what the Washington Nationals received for Juan Soto.
The Dodgers have the prospect capital to get a deal done, if they so chose, but as always, it takes two clubs to make a deal and may be out of their control. Regardless, either player would provide a significant upgrade to the Dodgers’ roster for the next few seasons.
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