RESOLVING THE LEDGER
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See the full story · 2 sourcesDodgers trade rumors: Tarik Skubal, Clay Holmes among 6 top options for Los Angeles at 2026 deadline originally appeared on The Sporting News .
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The Dodgers have just about everything a team could need or want, but that doesn't mean they can't be active ahead of the trade deadline as they pursue a three-peat.
L.A. largely stayed put at last year's deadline, bringing in Brock Stewart and Alex Call but otherwise relying on their ultra-talented roster to get it done. With the best record in baseball in hand and key players set to return from injury, a similar approach is the most likely outcome.
With that being said, the Dodgers now have a glut of talented young outfielders in their system. Regardless of how the next couple of years shake out, there simply won't be enough room for all of them. Could the smart play be to stay aggressive and deal from that depth this summer?
Here are six players the Dodgers could target ahead of the trade deadline.
MORE: 16 players who could be traded by MLB deadline
Dodgers trade targets
Tarik Skubal, SP, Tigers
The Dodgers would go against their philosophy from 2025 by trading major assets for Tarik Skubal, but pitchers of Skubal's caliber don't often become available midseason. The two-time Cy Young Award winner appears to have rounded back into form after missing time with an injury earlier this season, as he opened the second half with back-to-back terrific outings and would be a transformative piece for any team.
Do the Dodgers need Skubal? Probably not. The Athletic also reports a deal is unlikely as L.A. relies on injured starters returning down the stretch as they did last season. Acquiring Skubal, though, would be a form of defense against the Braves, Cubs or any potential postseason opponent that could land him instead.
MORE: Tarik Skubal makes trade deadline stance clear
Clay Holmes, SP, Mets
The Dodgers might be expecting Blake Snell, Tyler Glasnow and Shohei Ohtani to get back on the mound soon, but they know well that you can never too much starting pitching. Clay Holmes might be the ideal fit as he works his way back from a fractured.
Holmes was a career reliever before making the jump to the rotation with the Mets last season and matching, or even beating, expectations. He might not want to shift back into a relief role, but the Dodgers would have the ability to tinker with his role and shift him around based on the health of the starters around him. If he wants to win, perhaps Holmes would be willing to accept that.
Jonah Heim, C, Athletics
There are no real areas of need in the Dodgers' lineup other than potentially catcher, and that's only due to Will Smith's neck injury. Smith isn't yet ready to resume baseball activities, so he's without a timeline to return.
L.A. is fortunate to have Dalton Rushing as an option in Smith's absence, but Rushing has been painfully streaky this season, soaring early in the season but dealing with some major struggles at other times. If the Dodgers want a complement to Rushing until Smith is ready to return, veteran Jonah Heim -- who has caught the final out of a World Series but has struggled offensively of late -- is a solid stopgap option.
Walker Buehler, SP, Padres
Who doesn't like a reunion?
The Padres might not be inclined to trade with the Dodgers, but if this is what Buehler wants, they shouldn't let a rivalry in what is currently an uncompetitive division stand in the way.
The veteran starter has a 5.13 ERA this season, but his 4.36 FIP is a touch better, and he's more importantly managed to stay healthy. If the Dodgers simply want to bargain hunt for some depth, bringing back a familiar face who thrived under the lights of October would be wise.
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Pete Fairbanks, RP, Marlins
The Dodgers lost 69 games last season partly because their bullpen struggled to hold a lead. That's not a problem this year, and it's why they're ahead of where they were at this time a year ago.
Still, you can't have too many relievers. The Dodgers took a flier on struggling former closer Alexis Diaz early last season and could try to do the same with Miami's Pete Fairbanks, who should be available for pennies as he carries a dismal 7.18 ERA through 34 appearances.
Fairbanks' strikeout rate is well up compared to the last two seasons, and that's something L.A. can absolutely work with in low-leverage roles before he hits free agency in the winter.
The Dodgers took on a reclamation project in the bullpen
Tyler Stephenson, C, Reds
Tyler Stephenson is an obvious trade candidate with the Reds just about out of contention and free agency pending. He could make sense for the Dodgers for the same reasons Heim does,
Stephenson offers a bit more offensive upside, as he has a career OPS+ of 103, though he has declined offensively over the last two seasons. The former first-round pick would be rejuvenated by a postseason race and wouldn't have to take on anything more than a part-time role regardless of Smith's health. MORE: Which MLB teams have the most World Series wins?
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