Los Angeles Dodgers: Five bold predictions for 2019

4. The Los Angeles Dodgers will acquire a right-handed bat at the trade deadline

Every day that passes it seems less and less likely that the Los Angeles Dodgers are going to make a significant move to improve the team this offseason. There is still plenty of time for the Dodgers to make said move, but as it stands, it looks like the team will be rolling into 2019 with a roster similar to the one they have now.

Of course, there are going to be changes, some big and some small, but the chances of the Dodgers signing any free agent to a significant contract is slim. When the team doesn’t have to sign anyone, why would they?

Some fans hate that logic, some don’t mind. Personally, I support anything the front office does to make the team better, whether it is a small acquisition or a big-name guy.

There are some holes in the roster that I would like to see filled, though. And while the front office definitely recognizes those holes, it likely won’t be until July that the team makes a move.

This is because of trade value. It makes more sense for the Dodgers to wait until midseason to pick from an assortment of trade chips that might be on the market. Since at that time it will only be half a year, the Dodgers will be sending significantly less than they would in January.

Jose Abreu, Marcell Ozuna, Scooter Gennett, Nicholas Castellanos, Khris Davis or even Nolan Arenado could be on the market come July. All of those right-handed bats are on expiring deals this season.

The Dodgers need a solid right-handed bat to put in the middle of the order between Cody Bellinger and Max Muncy; all of those players fit the billing. Regardless of who it is, or if it isn’t even one of the players mentioned, the Los Angeles Dodgers definitely will make a move.