Los Angeles Dodgers: How to land Harper, Kluber and Realmuto

If the Los Angeles Dodgers are serious about acquiring Corey Kluber then the team is going to need to accept the fact that Alex Verdugo is going to have to be traded. While there was a way to package Puig in the deal for Kluber, that option is obviously off the table.

Personally, I don’t know if I am entirely sold on trading Verdugo for Kluber when the Dodgers already have a surplus of starting pitching. However, adding Kluber would give the Dodgers a terrifying starting rotation and hey, if it helps the team win the World Series, I am for it.

Verdugo is the obvious headliner and allows the Dodgers to keep this trade to three prospects. He is undoubtedly big league ready and arguably has been for the last year and a half. Not only can Verdugo make an impact for the next several years, but he will also make an impact on day one.

Mitchell White is the Dodgers’ eighth-ranked prospect and the team’s third-best pitching prospect. I think without Verdugo the Dodgers would have to part ways with Dustin May. However, with Verdugo, the Dodgers should avoid that at all costs.

Finally, the Dodgers would include one of the prospects that the Reds sent them in Josiah Gray. While Gray is far from being big-league ready, he is a highly touted prospect amongst scouts that would undoubtedly boost the Indians’ farm system.

Again, I personally would not trade Verdugo for Kluber. If it is going to happen, Verdugo has to go.