Dodgers Trade Proposal Replaces Andy Pages With 25 Home Run Slugger

There’s no telling what the Los Angeles Dodgers might do during the trade deadline. If the Dodgers believe they need more, Andrew Friedman will do everything he can to ensure they are in a good position to win a World Series. There isn’t exactly an area for the Dodgers to improve. This team is the best in MLB, and their 8-0 start has proven that.

However, there will be problems throughout the season, whether injuries, average play, or anything else that comes with a 162-game Major League Baseball season. If the Dodgers believe they need something else, finding another outfielder could be their plan. Andy Pages hasn’t been great, and if he becomes too much of an issue, the Dodgers should consider finding a replacement. During the season’s first eight games, Pages is hitting .120 in 30 plate appearances. With a few players likely available, the Dodgers could consider someone like Taylor Ward to solve that issue.

The Los Angeles Angels and Dodgers making a trade isn’t common, but if the Dodgers, with their decent farm system, offer Los Angeles what it is looking for, both sides have a reason to get a deal done. Justin Mears of Yardbarker believes he’ll be traded and isn’t the only one. “The 31-year-old still has a couple seasons of team control, but it’s exceedingly unlikely he’s going to be a part of the next good Angels team. Last season Ward set new career highs in home runs (25), RBI (75), doubles (26), and hits (144). “He has the versatility to play all of the outfield positions as well as both corner infield spots, and could become a very attractive piece for contenders to consider in a few months,” Mears wrote.

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. He owns a career 109 OPS+, which is well above the average.

Rob Thomson Explains Plan for Catchers in Dodgers Series

With wild card Taijuan Walker making his first start of the season on Thursday, the Phillies did what most would expect and paired him up with everyday catcher J.T. Realmuto. On most days, that wouldn’t even be a question to consider – when healthy, the Philly backstop remains the most consistent starter in the league. But with the defending World Series Champion Los Angeles Dodgers about to come to town, would it have made more sense to rest Realmuto and have him catch all three weekend games?

Anthony SanFilippo of OnPattison asked Phillies manager Rob Thomson before the game, but the skipper responded that J.T. would rather have Sunday off right before the Phillies head back on the road. I asked Rob Thomson about J.T. Realmuto being in the lineup today rather than Rafael Marchan with the Dodgers looming. Paraphrasing here, but basically he said he asked J.T. and Realmuto preferred to play today and take off Sunday, so that’s what they’re going with.

The decision means that Realmuto will catch for Jesús Luzardo and Aaron Nola the next two days, while new backup Rafael Marchán will go with Cristopher Sánchez in the series finale. Marchán’s only start so far was this past Sunday in Washington.

He had a few last year while J.T. was injured, but he’s quickly being thrown into the flames of calling a game against arguably the most dangerous lineup in baseball. The Phillies will get somewhat of a break without a World Series MVP in the opposing lineup, but the Dodgers still enter the series as the last undefeated MLB squad standing. Realmuto had a three-hit game on Thursday, and most of the Phillies are just as hot at the plate, so they’ll look to carry that momentum against the trio of Yoshinobu Yamamoto, Roki Sasaki, and Tyler Glasnow.