The Los Angeles Dodgers do not have many holes to fill this offseason. Kolten Wong is the perfect suitor to help fill one of the few holes the team has.
If there is any silver lining to theLos Angeles Dodgerslosing in game seven of the World Series it is that the team is, for the most part, completely intact.Brandon MorrowandYu Darvishmay be the only big losses.Andre Ethier,Tony WatsonandChase Utleyare some minor losses.
The loss of Utley takes away a left-handed/right-handed platoon at second base.Logan Forsytheis the Dodgers’ best second baseman but he cannot hit right-handed pitching. Utley provided the perfect backup option to play against right-handed pitching. With some defensive flare still in his arsenal and natural veteran leadership, Utley was a key component of the locker room.
However, his production late in the season — especially in the postseason — may be the ultimate calling card that it is time to hang it up. Utley hit only .236 on the season with a season-long career-low eight home runs. In the postseason, Utley failed to garner a single hit, his last postseason hit coming in the 2016 NLDS against the Nationals.
Although the players likely will petition to get Utley back on the board, it does not make sense from a logistic standpoint for the Dodgers. LA simply cannot waste a roster spot on someone of Utley’s caliber — as harsh as that may sound.
While the Dodgers could pull Utley’s replacementfrom the farm system, there is a better solution this offseason. The free agency class is thin, so that will not work. Instead, the Dodgers can trade for St. Louis Cardinals second basemanKolten Wong.
Wong finds himself in an interesting position heading into next season. With Aledyms Diaz,Jedd Gyorko,Matt CarpenterandPaul DeJongall healthy, Kong finds himself outside of the starting nine. Although the Cardinals could hold onto Kong for infield depth, they could look to trade from an area of strength into an area of need.
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With all the rumors and rumblings aroundGiancarlo Stanton, it is apparent that the Cardinals need a right fielder.Stephen Piscottyis not the best option and is arguably the weakest link in the Cardinals roster.
Thus, the Dodgers can trade away a talent such asAndrew Toles. Toles has surprising speed (making up for the loss of Wong), a great arm and an electric bat. Essentially the Dodgers and Cardinals are trading two similar players, thus performing a position swap.
Los Angeles may need to include a lower level pitching prospect such asTrevor Oaks, but that should not make or break the deal. Instead, the Dodgers should be willing to give up a Toles-Oaks package for Wong and his .288 batting average against left-handed pitching.
The Dodgers already have a starting left fielder inJoc Pedersonand could even promoteAlex Verdugo. The last thing LA needs is three left-handed hitting left fielders. Then, the Dodgers have the flexibility to pursue a right-handed outfielder such asLorenzo Cainor Giancarlo Stanton himself.
Must Read: How the Dodgers can land Giancarlo Stanton
Overall, trading for Kolten Wong may seem like a move out ofMLB: The Show.However, it is a move that is more than doable this offseason. With no real candidates emerging yet, Wong is the best option for the Dodgers’ second base platoon.
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