Ryan Ward Mock Trade: Dodgers Logjam, Fantasy Impact, and What It Takes for the Pirates to Land Him
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Ryan Ward is a productive AAA power bat in the Dodgers system, but he is currently blocked at the MLB level in Los Angeles by a deep group of established corner outfield and first base options.
His profile is that of a right-handed power hitter with middle-of-the-order potential, making him an appealing target for teams needing immediate offense.
For fantasy purposes, Ward offers near-term impact value, with home run power and RBI production that can play right away if he gets consistent MLB at-bats.
He profiles as a potential short-term difference-maker in deeper leagues and a useful power source in standard formats if given regular playing time.
Here’s what it would take for the Pirates to acquire him:
Pittsburgh Pirates- Los Angeles Dodgers MLB Mock Trade Details & Fantasy Baseball Impact
Pirates Acquire:
1B/OF Ryan Ward
RHP Patrick Copen
Dodgers Acquire:
RHP Levi Sterling
RHP Jeter Martinez
Fantasy Impact
Ryan Ward (Pirates)
Ryan Ward is currently a near-MLB-ready power bat providing immediate fantasy upside whenever he plays.
With strong 2025 AAA production and a 2026 line of .320 AVG and ~.987 OPS in limited action, he profiles as a corner bat with HR/RBI value and decent batting average support. In fantasy, he is a short-term impact option when given consistent MLB at-bats.
Ryan Ward collects his first MLB hit and RBI, and his family is loving it! 👏 pic.twitter.com/MyikZhh8YJ
— MLB (@MLB) April 19, 2026
Patrick Copen (Pirates)
Patrick Copen is currently dominating Double-A with a 1.23 ERA, 1.05 WHIP, and elite strikeout rates. He is a high-priority fantasy stash because of his swing-and-miss profile and strong run prevention. If promoted, he projects as a strikeout-heavy starter with SP2/streaming upside.
Levi Sterling (Dodgers)
Levi Sterling is currently struggling in Single-A with a 7.84 ERA and 1.94 WHIP, though he still shows strong strikeout ability. In fantasy, he is a long-term stash only, offering upside but hurting ratios and lacking present value.
Jeter Martinez (Dodgers)
Jeter Martinez is currently inconsistent in Single-A with a 5.40 ERA and 2.28 WHIP, though he shows decent strikeout potential. He is a deep dynasty lottery arm with no current fantasy relevance, relying entirely on future development.
Jeter Martinez tosses a scoreless first & caps it off with the strikeout!#ItAllBeginsInBradenton⚾️🏴☠️ pic.twitter.com/pbsiOXP9TF
— Bradenton Marauders (@The_Marauders) September 2, 2025
Why The Pirates Make The Trade
The Pirates make this deal because it gives them both immediate MLB help and future pitching upside.
Ryan Ward provides a ready-to-use power bat for their everyday lineup, adding needed home run and RBI production right away. His AAA track record and 2026 performance make him an immediate upgrade in the middle of the order.
At the same time, Patrick Copen gives them a high-upside pitching prospect for the future, with strikeout ability and Double-A success that could translate into a cost-controlled starter or late-inning arm.
Overall, Pittsburgh makes the move to boost their lineup now with Ward while securing Copen as a potential long-term rotation piece.
Why The Dodgers Make The Trade
And Levi Sterling tosses a strikeout to end the second!#ItAllBeginsInBradenton⚾️🏴☠️ pic.twitter.com/YDxKTIhTXH
— Bradenton Marauders (@The_Marauders) September 5, 2025
The Dodgers make this trade because they’re prioritizing pitching upside and long-term value over an older, MLB-ready bat.
They move Ryan Ward because, while he is producing and close to MLB-ready, his profile is more of a limited defensive, power-only corner bat—a type they can often replace internally. In return, they target higher-upside pitching.
They receive Levi Sterling, a young arm with significantly higher ceiling, even if the current results are inconsistent, and Jeter Martinez, another developmental pitcher with strikeout traits they can refine in their system.
Overall, the Dodgers make the deal because they trust their development system to unlock Sterling and Martinez into impact pitchers, while they feel Ward’s production is more replaceable than true long-term elite upside on the pitching side
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Ryan Shea is a seasoned sports enthusiast with a sharp eye for strategy and a deep love for the game—no matter the sport. Whether he’s analyzing roster moves or spotting trends before they hit the headlines, Ryan brings a unique mix of research, instinct, and insider perspective to his writing. With over a decade of experience dominating fantasy leagues, he knows what it takes to build championship-caliber lineups. A diehard fan of all things New York, Ryan proudly reps the Jets, Yankees, Knicks, and Rangers—win or lose.