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Los Angeles Dodgers: Scooter Gennett is the smartest trade target

By Jason Reed

LOS ANGELES, CA - MAY 11: Scooter Gennett #3 of the Cincinnati Reds watches his hit go for a two-run homerun to right field in the fifth inning during the MLB game against the Los Angeles Dodgers at Dodger Stadium on May 11, 2018 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Victor Decolongon/Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CA - MAY 11: Scooter Gennett #3 of the Cincinnati Reds watches his hit go for a two-run homerun to right field in the fifth inning during the MLB game against the Los Angeles Dodgers at Dodger Stadium on May 11, 2018 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Victor Decolongon/Getty Images) /
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The Los Angeles Dodgers have been caught up in Manny Machado and Brian Dozier. However, neither of which is the smartest option for LA to pursue.

Manny Machado and the Los Angeles Dodgers have been linked all season long. However, due to what many assume is a massive trade return that the Baltimore Orioles are asking for, nothing has happened yet.

That has led to the Dodgers exploring other trade options outside of Manny Machado. One of those options being Brian Dozier, who would be a terrible trade target for the Dodgers to consider.

Asdrubal Cabrera is another player that the Dodgers have reportedly checked in on. And while Cabrera is fine, he doesn’t shift the rest of the team’ season.

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Instead of Machado, Dozier or Cabrera, the Los Angeles Dodgers should be most interested in Cincinnati Reds’ second baseman, and all-star, Scooter Gennett. Gennett is among the three new infielders that the Dodgers have checked in on and easily is the smartest trade target.

Gennett is hitting .322 with 14 home runs, 58 RBIs and a .876 OPS. While he is hitting in a hitter-friendly park, Gennett is actually hitting better on the road — .335 opposed to .308. This includes a .714 batting average in Dodger Stadium.

Even before Gennett broke out he has always been fine at hitting left-handed pitching. Now, Gennett is seeing right-handed pitching and left-handed pitching fairly well and gives the Dodgers their everyday starter at second base.

While he would obviously take off-days, there is no reason for Dave Roberts to shuffle the position on a nightly basis just to get a good matchup. Gennett matches up well with anyone.

What makes Gennett so intriguing is that he is much more than a three-month rental. Gennett is under team control next season and fills the Dodgers’ impending hole at second base. This gives infield prospect, Gavin Lux, one more year to progress into the minor leagues before hopefully making his debut at second base in 2020.

Lux was the Dodgers’ first-round pick in 2016 and has been involved in trade talks for Manny Machado. It would be better to keep Lux around as he is hitting .317 with nine home runs, 40 RBIs and a .897 OPS as the Rancho Cucamonga Quakes’ lead-off hitter.

Los Angeles would have to send the Reds a nice trade package, however, it may end up being less than what they would have to give up for Machado. Even though Machado is only having a slightly better season, his trade value is much higher simply due to his name and intrigue.

For Gennett, the Dodgers can send a package headlined by number one prospect (according to MLB Pipeline) Alex Verdugo and number eight prospect Yadier Alvarez; two prospects that have been thrown into the Machado sweepstakes.

Alongside Verdugo and Alvarez, the Dodgers can send Logan Forsythe, who is on an expiring contract, and number 28 prospect Rylan Bannon. Bannon may only be ranked 28th but the infielder is hitting .300 with 19 home runs and 57 RBIs for the Quakes this season. Bannon is a career .311 hitter in the minor leagues.

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All the factors line up for Scooter Gennett to be the smartest trade acquisition for any team at the trade deadline. Hopefully, that team is the Los Angeles Dodgers.

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