Los Angeles Dodgers: Manny Machado is not the answer; who is?

Even with Corey Seager missing the season with Tommy John surgery, Manny Machado is not the answer for the Los Angeles Dodgers. Who is?

Six months ago Corey Seager grounded out to Jose Altuve and the Houston Astros became World Series Champions. At that particular time, no possible situation seemed worse than that moment for the Los Angeles Dodgers.

Six months later and Corey Seager singles up the middle in the ninth inning off of former Dodger, Tony Watson. This single raises Seager’s average to .267 after a slow start.

That will be the last at-bat Corey Seager has in 2018. Six months ago, the worst-case scenario for Corey Seager was being the last out in the World Series; forever been etched in history when the Astros’ win plays back.

In May 2018, a much worse reality has dawned upon Seager and the Dodgers. Corey Seager is out for the year. He is having Tommy John surgery. While he ultimately should be fine, as he is a positioned player, this was an issue that seemingly could have been avoided with an offseason “clean up” surgery.

The Dodgers, who were already missing Justin Turner alongside new DL members Yasiel Puig, Logan Forsythe and Rich Hill, are without the best all-around bat on the team. Of course, it doesn’t help that the Dodgers started the season off worryingly slow.

Thus, with all of this grim news, one solution has been presented.

Manny Machado.

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Manny Machado was a possible trade target before this even happened. While no serious talks around Machado emerged, the all-star infielder was an interesting trade chip on the last year of his deal. It was a low-risk, high reward situation for the Dodgers who probably could have made it work with the versatility on the roster.

Now, that same icing on the cake is supposed to be the savior of the Dodgers. Fans are hoping that Machado can save the season, which is understandable. The shortstop is batting .366 on the season with nine home runs and 23 RBIs. That is exactly the kind of electricity the Dodgers need.

However, as intriguing and interesting as Machado in Dodger Blue is, it is not the answer. The 2018 offseason has already been tied to the Dodgers, so if the team really wants Machado or someone like Bryce Harper, they will wait until then.

Plus, the Orioles are not going to be dumb. While the team is one of the worst in the American League, it isn’t hard to realize how much Machado is worth to a team like the Dodgers.

The front office would have to pay far more than they should for Machado. Walker Buehler or Alex Verdugo would have to be included. That just does not make sense in the long-term side of things.

Instead, the answer is the person that the Dodgers would have to trade for Machado.

Alex Verdugo.

Alex Verdugo is the perfect option to replace Corey Seager in the lineup. While Seager is more polished and is a better natural hitter, Verdugo has the same sweet left-handed stroke that is prone to finding gaps.

He is a double machine. Verdugo can utilize all areas of the field and with good speed can play selflessly with bunts to move Chris Taylor over. While he does not have as much power as Seager, Verdugo is a natural at putting the ball in play and can be a hit and run machine with Taylor.

Seager’s injury opened up a season-long spot for Verdugo, even in the Dodgers do not yet want to admit it. Chris Taylor and Enrique Hernandez are going to split time at shortstop. However, that role should primarily go to Taylor.

That opens up a spot in the outfield. And while a few weeks ago that would have gone to Andrew Toles, Verdugo is the guy now. He can play left, center or right. He has good range, a fantastic arm and is probably the best all-around fielding outfielder behind Yasiel Puig.

In fact, Verdugo might be the best all-around outfielder the Dodgers have, period. He does not have the fielding handicap of Kemp or the hitting struggles of Yasiel Puig.

He has just about the whole package. Not a ton of power, but enough to lace home runs at a 20 per year pace.

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With the Dodgers losing Corey Seager, who has every tool aside from speed, they need to replace it with something special. Luckily, Verdugo may be the closest thing to a five-tool player the Dodgers have aside from Cody Bellinger.

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