Los Angeles Dodgers: Three unexpected potential trade targets
By Jason Reed
1. Whit Merrifield
If you are a fan of the Kansas City Royals and you stumbled across this article then you are probably yelling at your screen right now at the idea of the Royals trading away Whit Merrifield. Merrifield was one of the team’s best bats last season and will be under contract until 2023 for a cheap arbitration rate.
However, while he has a contractual situation similar to a rookie, Merrifield is already 29 and is going to be 30 before the 2019 season begins.
Chances are that Merrifield will eventually come down to grace, or at least at a level that is lesser than now, in the next three or so years. With the Royals having virtually no chance of contending now, parting ways with Merrifield makes sense, especially while his stock is high.
He makes perfect sense for the Dodgers as he adds a right-handed bat in a left-handed heavy lineup and can be the team’s everyday second baseman in 2019.
Merrifield hit .357 against southpaws last season, the fifth best in the MLB of players with at least 100 plate appearance against southpaws. A .357 average in 182 at-bats is certainly not anything to scoff over and his offensive production as a lead-off man with speed will be exactly what the Dodgers need.
While it seems very unlikely, Whit Merrifield is someone who could fit into this team seamlessly.