The Dodgers took a step toward easing their middle-infield logjam, and it wouldn’t be surprising if more moves are on the way.
Los Angeles dealt Gavin Lux to Cincinnati on Monday, offering some clarity at second base after it signed Korean infielder Hyeseong Kim on Friday.
Kim was set to be used in a super-utility role, but it seems likely that he’ll now see regular playing time at second, where he won three KBO Golden Glove Awards.
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Kim’s signing made it clear that the Dodgers will have to make some tough decisions going forward — they also had to designate for assignment former top catching prospect Diego Cartaya to clear a roster spot.
As busy as the Dodgers have been this offseason, there’s still more they would like to accomplish, such as signing Japanese phenom Roki Sasaki or perhaps adding another high-leverage reliever. Depending on what’s next, they may need to open more spots on the 40-man roster, so here are three potential trade candidates:
Chris Taylor
2024 stats: .202/.298/.300 slash line, 73 OPS+
Taylor’s speed and ability to play all over the field are his calling cards, but he has dropped off offensively in recent years. With the 34-year-old utility player entering the final season of a four-year, $60 million contract (with a club option for 2026), the Dodgers likely would need to include cash in any potential deal.
At his best, Taylor can be the versatile bench bat that the Dodgers value, but they can only carry so many of those. It’s difficult to see how L.A. could have both Taylor and, say, Kiké Hernández — who is still a free agent — on the roster.
Miguel Rojas
2024 stats: .283/.337/.410 slash line, 113 OPS+
Rojas’ stock should be higher than it has been in a while, as the veteran infielder put together one of the best seasons of his career at the plate while playing a strong shortstop (and elsewhere in the infield as needed).
The Dodgers picked up Rojas’ $5 million option to keep him on for his age-36 season.
A leader in the clubhouse, Rojas’ role on the 2025 Dodgers would probably overlap a fair amount with Taylor’s. Rojas has the more team-friendly contract and a better recent track record on offense, whereas Taylor’s speed and defensive versatility make him well-suited as a role player.
James Outman
2024 stats: .147/.256/.265 slash line, 50 OPS+
It once seemed like Outman was going to be a big part of the Dodgers’ future. Now, it’s uncertain how he fits with the club moving forward.
After finishing third in NL Rookie of the Year Award voting in 2023, Outman could not find the same success in ’24 and spent most of the season with Triple-A Oklahoma City.
With the ’25 outfield projected to include Michael Conforto in left, Tommy Edman in center and Teoscar Hernández in right, it’s difficult to see how he could get regular playing time, especially with Andy Pages also vying for more reps.
Outman, who will turn 28 in May, is not yet eligible for salary arbitration. The Dodgers could bet on his 2024 season being an outlier, or they could package him as a player who could benefit from a change of scenery.
