The Los Angeles Dodgers are yet to make the splash many anticipate before the MLB trade deadline at 1 p.m. PT on Friday, though the club has certainly been linked to multiple intriguing possibilities.
With the Washington Nationals appearing willing to trade Max Scherzer and others as part of being sellers, there’s speculation the Dodgers — along with the San Diego Padres and San Francisco Giants — could become heavily involved for the future Hall of Famer.
The Dodgers’ presumed interest also applies to the Chicago Cubs if they part with the likes of Kris Bryant or Craig Kimbrel.
Dodgers president of baseball operations Andrew Friedman has added impact talent to the roster at the trade deadline, even if the it came in the form of second-half rentals such Yu Darvish and Manny Machado.
Although that remains plausible again this year, the Dodgers reportedly aren’t willing to include Keibert Ruiz in a trade for a player who is only under contract through the 2021 season, according to ESPN’s Alden Gonzalez:
The Dodgers have been getting plenty of interest in minor league catcher Keibert Ruiz, as is usually the case given that he has no path to the major league roster. But they don’t want to give him up for a rental piece.
Ruiz has become an annual target at the deadline because of his promising talent behind the plate, but also due to the Dodgers already having Will Smith entrenched as their starting catcher and Austin Barnes in place as the backup. Furthermore, Diego Cartaya is making his way up the Minor League ranks behind Ruiz.
If the Dodgers refuse to trade Ruiz for a rental, it could impact potential negotiations with the Nationals for Scherzer. That situation is further muddied by Scherzer holding a no-trade clause.
Dodgers reluctant to move Ruiz
Considering the depth chart ahead of him, Ruiz recently expressed a willingness to play multiple positions if it meant carving out a role with the Dodgers. However, manager Dave Roberts pushed back on the possibility.
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