The Dodgers are already two-time defending World Series champions, but Andrew Friedman isn’t about to rest on those rings. He’s proven he’ll explore every avenue to keep this championship window wide open, and that could mean making a blockbuster move at the trade deadline.
A new trade proposal from Sports Illustrated’s Patrick McAvoy has the Dodgers going all-in for one of baseball’s elite arms: Sandy Alcantara from the Miami Marlins.
Dodgers Receive: Sandy Alcántara. Marlins Receive: Outfielder Josue De Paula (Dodgers No. 1 prospect), Outfielder Mike Sirota (Dodgers No. 4 prospect) and Infielder Alex Freeland (Dodgers No. 8 prospect)
That’s a hefty price tag. We’re talking about their top prospect plus two other highly-ranked guys in the system.
But here’s the thing – the Dodgers are chasing history. Three straight championships doesn’t happen often, and Friedman knows windows like this don’t stay open forever.
The rotation question
On paper, LA’s starting five looks pretty solid when healthy: Yoshinobu Yamamoto, Blake Snell, Shohei Ohtani, Tyler Glasnow, and Emmet Sheehan. That’s a championship-caliber group right there.
Adding Alcantara would give them something different, though. He’s a workhorse who can eat innings and dominate when he’s right. The former Cy Young winner has dealt with injuries recently, but when healthy, he’s as good as anyone in the game.
What makes this scenario interesting is Miami’s position. The Marlins have been stuck in neutral for a while now, and moving Alcantara could kickstart a proper rebuild. If they’re finally ready to hit the reset button, Alcantara will be the most coveted starter on the market.
Friedman has never shied away from big moves when he believes his team can win it all. He’s built a track record of making the right calls, even when they involve parting with top prospects. The way I see it, if this type of deal surfaces and he pulls the trigger, there’s probably good reason to trust the process.
The Dodgers have championship expectations every year, but this season feels different. Three in a row would cement this group’s legacy, and that’s worth taking some risks for.
