The Los Angeles Dodgers are rolling at 11-4, sitting pretty atop the NL West. But that’s not stopping them from looking for ways to get even better.
FanSided’s Zachary Rotman floated an interesting idea: what if LA made a move for Houston’s Isaac Paredes? It’s the kind of luxury upgrade that could push them from great to unstoppable.
The Trade Proposal
Dodgers get: 3B Isaac Paredes
Astros get: INF Alex Freeland, OF/1B Ryan Ward (LAD No. 19 prospect)
Now, do the Dodgers need Paredes? Not really. But that’s exactly what makes this interesting.
“The Dodgers don’t need Isaac Paredes, but that doesn’t mean he wouldn’t be an interesting fit. Paredes crushes left-handed pitching, as his career .804 OPS against southpaws would suggest, making him an ideal platoon partner with Max Muncy at the hot corner.”
That’s where the appeal lies. Paredes has built his reputation on destroying lefties, and he’d give the Dodgers flexibility across the infield. He can handle three infield spots, which means Freddie Freeman and Tommy Edman could get strategic rest days without the lineup taking a hit.
The Numbers Game
Paredes is off to a quiet start this season, slashing .222/.349/.333 with four doubles and six RBIs. But context matters here – he’s not meant to be an everyday starter in this scenario.
Max Muncy is crushing it right now, hitting .267/.365/.533 with four homers. The beauty of this pairing? Each guy would see more of the pitching they thrive against. Muncy handles righties well, while Paredes feasts on southpaws.
The financial piece makes sense too. Paredes is earning $9.4 million this year, with a $13.4 million club option for next season. That’s affordable luxury for a team with the Dodgers’ payroll flexibility.
Why It Could Work
What makes this different is that it’s not about filling a glaring need. It’s about optimization. The Dodgers already have a championship-caliber roster – this would be about making that roster even more efficient.
From Houston’s perspective, they’d get a solid return in Ward, who’s shown promise as a versatile prospect. Alex Freeland adds infield depth. For a team that might need to retool, it’s not a bad haul for a player who doesn’t fit their timeline.
The way I see it, moves like this are what separate good teams from dynasties. The Dodgers have the resources to make upgrades that other teams can’t justify. If they can pull this off without touching their top prospects, it’s the kind of move that makes the rest of the league nervous.
All things considered, it’s a luxury the Dodgers can afford – and one that could pay dividends if they’re serious about that threepeat.
