Dodgers News: Writer Predicts What LA Will Do at 2023 Trade Deadline

LA in an unfamiliar situation as they look for bullpen help at the deadline

As the 2023 All-Star game draws near, the trade deadline will be here before you know it. This season hasn't gone the Dodgers way as of late after being swept by the Giants at home, and they could use a lot of help at the deadline. Kerry Miller of Bleacher Report chimed in on what he experts the team to do:

"The Dodgers currently have a $228 million payroll, with the luxury tax threshold at $233 million. And staying below that threshold is of the utmost importance to the Dodgers, as it would reset the current multiple-time luxury tax offenders to what would be “first-time” luxury tax offender status for 2024, when they hope to be paying Ohtani a ridiculous sum of money—and preferably not immediately getting taxed out the wazoo for it.

"So, Los Angeles might be a 'buyer,' but it won’t be a 'spender.'"

via Kerry Miller B/R

Andrew Friedman has set up this roster to have a lot of open cap space after the season. The team signed Noah Syndergaard, Jason Heyward, J.D. Martinez and David Peralta all to one-year deals, and Clayton Kershaw and Julio Urias will both be free agents at season's end. 

But for the time being, they could use the help of some bullpen depth or a shortstop. Here's some names that could be on the move:

• Austin Barnes - He is struggling mightly at the plate, only batting .107, and with top prospect Diego Cartaya waiting in the wings, could we see Barnes on the move at the deadline?
• Yency Almonte - Another one of the one-year contracts, he's struggled out of the bullpen, but could thrive in a new situation or on a new team

Here's some of the names that could make their way to Chavez Ravine:

• Liam Hendricks - Would fill the role of a reliable arm out of the bullpen. Wouldn't have to be an every day closer but could be.
• Tim Anderson - An every day shortstop with All-Star potential, the Dodgers could continue their streak of "one year rentals" like Manny Machado and Max Scherzer, as Anderson is scheduled to hit free agency after next year.