Are the Los Angeles Dodgers playing possum?
Of all the World Series contenders, the Dodgers seemingly have the fewest trade deadline needs, which makes sense, because they did a ton of heavy lifting in the offseason. But as losers of 11 of their last 15, the Dodgers have to know they're not invincible.
Conceivably, the Dodgers could replace Michael Conforto as the starting left fielder and add a new closer, especially with Tanner Scott's status currently up in the air. And because they're the Dodgers, don't be surprised if they land players at those positions that any other team would kill to have.
In fact, Just Baseball's Ryan Finkelstein and Jay Staph think they can kill both birds with one stone.
On Friday, Finkelstein and Staph predicted that the Dodgers would land left fielder Steven Kwan and closer Emmanuel Clase from the Cleveland Guardians for a prospect haul consisting of catcher Dalton Rushing, shortstop Alex Freeland, left-handed pitcher Jackson Ferris, and outfielder Eduardo Quintero.
"With Clase and Kwan heading to Los Angeles, it should be expected that the return would come with an expensive price tag. For the Los Angeles Dodgers, this is extremely doable, as they currently possess one of the best farm systems in the entire sport," wrote Staph and Finkelstein.
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"The Guardians are among the best at developing pitching, and acquiring Ferris could mean finding themselves with a future ace waiting in the minor leagues. The Guardians have also been seeking a permanent answer at shortstop ever since they dealt Francisco Lindor, and the answer could come from this trade in Alex Freeland."
Kwan is now a two-time All-Star and one of the best contact hitters in the game, and the Dodgers would have him through the 2027 season. Clase is under control through 2028 including a pair of club options, and he's not only a three-time All-Star, but the two-time American League Reliever of the Year.
It's a bold prediction, to be sure, but it would be foolish to doubt the Dodgers' ability to somehow swing it.
More MLB: Dodgers predicted to trade for Twins hurler after Freddie Freeman walk-off