Dodgers' Dave Roberts Shuts Down Reports of LA Trading Key Player

Feb 18, 2024; Glendale, AZ, USA; Both Los Angeles Dodgers starting pitchers recovering from surgery, Tony Gonsolin (26) and Dustin May (85) lean on the fence as they watch in the bullpen as manager Dave Roberts (30) looks on starting pitcher Bobby Miller (28) throws in the bullpen during spring training at Camelback Ranch. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-Imagn Images | Jayne Kamin-Oncea-Imagn Images

The Los Angeles Dodgers have a few hours left until the trade deadline.

After landing a few prospects in a three-team deal with the Cincinnati Reds and Tampa Bay Rays, and reuniting with Brock Stewart by way of the Minnesota Twins, there is still chatter among the baseball world as to what the Dodgers will do next.

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Recently graduated top prospect Dalton Rushing has established himself as the new backup catcher for the defending champions after being called up in May, and LA parting ways with longtime backstop Austin Barnes.

With the rumor mill churning like never before, the 24-year-old catcher was linked to a few contenders ahead of this exciting deadline. Manager Dave Roberts recently spoke on Rushing being involved in these rumors and what he thinks will happen to the backstop.

"I just don’t see a world in which he’s moved anyway and I think he’s smart enough to realize that," Roberts said.

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Rushing was raking in Triple-A Oklahoma City this year, batting .308/.424/.514 with a .938 OPS across 31 games. He added five home runs and 17 RBIs during this time.

With a clear need to bring up another strong bat, Barnes was designated for assignment and Rushing was called up.

So far in his MLB debut, Rushing is hitting .200 with a .545 OPS through 29 games. Although his early struggles are common for recently called up prospects given the expectations and pressure on the young man, it is certainly not a sign that the Dodgers would look to trade him.

Catching prospect Hunter Feduccia was flipped on Wednesday as a result of the Reds and Rays deal, further shrinking the catching depth in the Dodgers organization. Parting ways with Rushing before he has shown his fullest potential in the majors makes less sense as the days go on, and it doesn't look he will be in a different uniform beyond Aug 1.

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