According to Ken Rosenthal of Fox Sports , the Los Angeles Dodgers are engaged in trade talks to improve the depth of their outfield, which is one of the most talented in all of baseball. The Los Angeles Dodgers consists of Scott Van Slyke left, Joc Pederson in center, and Yasiel Puig in right. Andre Ethier and Carl Crawford each get occasional playing time as well.
The Los Angeles Dodgers are pursuing Boston Red Sox outfielder Alejandro De Aza, who was acquired by Boston via the Baltimore Orioles in early June.
De Aza would act as an alternative acquisition if the team is unable to acquire Chase Utley , which seems likely at this point. Ruben Amaro Jr. , the current general manager of the Philadelphia Phillies, says Utley will likely remain with the Phillies, despite all of the speculation as of late. With the acquisition of De Aza, Kike Hernandez, who normally plays in the outfield, could convert to a position in the infield. That position would probably be second base, since their everyday second basemen Howie Kendrick is injured.
This trade seems quite peculiar unless another move is being contemplated. De Aza hits from the left side of the plate, but the Los Angeles Dodgers already have three left-handed-hitting outfielders in Andre Ethier, Carl Crawford, and Joc Pederson. Also, De Aza does not hit well against left-handed pitchers, similar to the three left-handed-hitters already on the squad.
One thing De Aza brings to the Los Angeles Dodgers is his flexibility given his experience playing center field. But the same could also be said of the three options to the Dodgers currently have, except the current center fielder, rookie Joc Pederson.
However, De Aza is much cheaper than the three veterans. De Aza hits free agency after the season, making him a cheap rental, as the Los Angeles Dodgers look to make a deep run in the postseason. Ethier and Crawford come with hefty guarantees after this season, making a trade involving one of the two conceivable. But the Dodgers would have to find a trade partner, which may be somewhat difficult.
Since it is August, the 31-year-old De Aza would need to either be claimed by the Dodgers or have already passed through revocable waivers in order to be dealt. It has not yet been reported whether or when De Aza was placed on waivers.
Do you think the Los Angeles Dodgers will make a transaction in order to acquire Alejandro De Aza? If not, do you think the Los Angeles Dodgers will make any moves during the August trade period?
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