A few weeks ago, I predicted that the Dodgers might make a trade or two in Spring Training. I think that is still possible, but it is a long shot. The Dodgers have a glut of pitchers, although I have heard that you can never have enough pitching. The Dodgers do not have to trade anyone, but if they can get better, they will.
The problem is that the Dodgers have too many of the same players. Kike Hernandez, Chris Taylor, Miguel Rojas, and Austin Barnes are the SAME PLAYER. David Bote is also the same player. Andy Pages could use another (part) season in AAA. James Outman’s star is sinking faster than the Titanic, and Alex Freeland doesn’t have a chance this year. This is not a dilemma but rather an opportunity. I am going to throw out a trade that may not happen, but it does have some possibilities.
Since the Cincinnati Reds traded for Gavin Lux, they have a plethora of middle infielders. I am going to suggest that the Reds give the second base job to Gavin Lux and trade Matt McLain to the Dodgers. First of all, Matt McLain is a second baseman who was injured last season, but in his Rookie Year (2023), in 365 ABs, he hit .290 with a .357 OB% and a .864 OPS. He is a ballplayer, and his little brother is also in the Dodgers system.
What would it take to get Matt McLain? Well, let’s start with James Outman, Chris Taylor (and $10 Million Dollars), Dustin May, and Justin Wrobleski. I would also up the ante if needed. The Reds could use a LH CF with power and a utility man. The two pitchers would make them complete. This solves a roster crunch for the Dodgers and gives the Dodgers a very, very good second baseman.
Lineup:
- Ohtani DH
- Betts SS
- Freeman 1B
- T. Hernandez RF
- Muncy 3B
- Smith C
- Conforto LF
- McLain 2B
- Edman CF
Gonsolin takes May’s spot in the Rotation. Easy Peasy!
Discussion (15)
Disagree, not disagreeable
Plunkett takes a look at the mechanical changes Glasnow is working with:
https://www.ocregister.com/2025/02/27/dodgers-tyler-gasnow-hopes-subtle-change-in-mechanics-keeps-him-healthy/
“I think having that happen it was time to say, ‘Alright, I need to change something,’” Glasnow said… A look at the biomechanics of his throwing motion offered him something to focus on – the angle of his spine as his front foot lands on the downslope of the mound sometimes gets too extreme, causing his arm to drag behind in the kinetic chain. That puts added stress on the elbow ligaments.
And MLB’s David Adler looks at starter’s split-finger FBs:
https://x.com/_dadler/status/1880421957386289595
Another stinker offensively, and that was with four regulars in the lineup. Outman is hitting his way to OKC. He struck out three more times, that makes 9 times in 13 at bats. His new hitting style is not working at this point. Bote making a push to be on the 26-man opening day roster. 11 more Ks. Ohtani and Smith will be playing against the Angels tomorrow night. Freeman will not be in the lineup. Conforto got his first spring hit, a ringing double off of the wall in right center field. Scott and Yates tagged with the runs today, Yates got the loss. Scott has a 13.50 ERA so far.
That report on Casparius is very encouraging.
With Phillips and Kopech not ready for opening day, perhaps May and Casparius will make the roster.
Just so much pitching on this team…..
Maybe McClain should move to CF and Edman to 2nd base.
Rojas is looking good. How much play will he get and where?
How many innings will Roki pitch? May? Gonsolin? Glasnow? All have had enough time on the IL to give pause to trading a pitcher.
The Dodgers have more depth at corner outfield spots compared to CFer so swap Pages in for Outman.
Knack, Wrobleski, Pages, Taylor, $14M for McClain.
2026
3B. Betts
SS McClain
2B. Edmand
Hopefully Freeland forces his way into the infield late this year.
3:10 PM ET
Dodgers (98-64) (2-5)
Rockies (61-101) (5-1)
SP Landon Knack R
0-0 .00 ERA
SP Bradley Blalock R
0-0 .00 ERA
Confirmed Lineup
SS Mookie Betts R
DH F. Freeman L
LF M. Conforto L
3B E. Hernandez R
CF Tommy Edman S
C A. Barnes R
RF James Outman L
2B David Bote R
1B G. Lockwood-Powell R
79° Wind 13 mph R-L
Freddie’s back!!!!!
I probably will get criticized but the Dodger’s depth gives young players like Pages and Outman no chance of making the 26 man roster. I believe that Pages could help the team as platoon player against lefties. I have to see Outman more to determine his ultimate status. He’s looked good the last two time he has played. Taylor by taking a spot on the roster is hurting young player development.
Watching Kim play in most of the Spring Training games,he is not ready for prime time. His bat is slow with very little power behind it. He could spend significant time at Oklahoma City and maybe after all is said and done just a defensive wizard and that’s all. We’ll have to wait and see.
The Reds aren’t trading a payroll controllable player like McClain, Bet it!!!!
When my bill to Dish reached $190, i went elsewhere and wound up with You tube TV. Apparently, I didn’t do enough research cause YT does not handle the MLB channel. I am looking for options that will give me good baseball coverage. Any suggestions? On a different note, my last post was about the fire situation in California. A problem with the CA firefighters that I failed to mention is that if they leave their home duty station, they go on portal to portal pay. That means that they are on the clock until they return, 24 hours per day. At least, that was the situation when I retired in 99. I am totally in favor of Doge reducing the work force of the USFS, but it should start at the top. That is where the most fat and the biggest savings are to be found. It would be much easier if congress would abolish or seriously amend NEPA. NEPA requires input from multiple disciplines that are not needed most of the time.
Matt McClain has been a good target for a couple of years–and he is a legit option at SS. With the spectacular Elly De La Cruz at SS for the Red, I’d been hoping the Dodgers could get McClain for SS, with Mookie at 2B.
Of course, Mookie had other ideas.
At any rate, I don’t think an Outman-Taylor-May-Wrobleski package would entice the Reds.
May is the most interesting talent–he has ace stuff– but he alway seems like an injury waiting to happen. (Would Bobby Miller have more appeal?) Wrobleski is a back-of-the-rotation guy. Outman and Taylor are not appealing at this point; just add-ons.
To get a front-line potential star like McClain, the offer would have to be better. The Reds would want to upgrade their roster, not just tread water.
Who would be the headliner?
If I ran the Reds, I’d try to get Rushing. Then we can talk about Wrobleski, Taylor, Outman…
If I ran the Dodgers, I would not want to deal Rushing. But he is blocked by Smith, and McClain could be a long-time solution at 2B and SS.
Mark, with all due respect, in your trade suggestion I believe we would be giving way to much. Even if the ten million is taken out it’s still very heavy load going for a player who had a great season and that wasn’t last year. I believe McLain will get off to a slow start as Lux did last year after sitting out the previous season. Take out the ten million and one of the pitchers then it’s getting close. But fans will need to be patient with McLain if he gets off to a slow start.
Hmmm, McClain IS a good player…..as far as we know. BUT 2/3rd’s worth of a season’s AB’s and then injured doesn’t (yet) merit a 4 for 1 trade to me. Outman has struggled, no question but he was in the discussion for ROY in ’23. CT is a multi year proven versatile player (yeah, signs of decline but showed signs of improvement later in ’24) and two strong pitchers. Granted it might take an overpay to acquire him but I’d not think this is a good trade for the Dodgers. And I especially prefer Dustin May over Gonsolin. It’s just a hunch but I think Dustin will surprise a lot of people this season.
mark, that is a very good trade idea. i love McLain. he’s a baseball player! if possible, The dodgers should do that in a heartbeat!
Would rather trade for a CF than a 2B.
Agree about Casparius. Let him cook.