Report: Dodgers have talked trade with 4 teams about infielders
The Los Angeles Dodgers' search for infield help apparently isn't stopping at Manny Machado.
While the Dodgers are still said to be in the thick of the Machado sweepstakes, they've reportedly engaged a number of other teams in conversations about potential trades for infielders, sources told Yahoo Sports' Jeff Passan on Monday. Los Angeles has apparently had discussions with the Minnesota Twins, Cincinnati Reds, and New York Mets about second basemen Brian Dozier, Scooter Gennett, and Asdrubal Cabrera, respectively, according to Passan.
Additionally, Mike Berardino of the Pioneer Press reported that Los Angeles has also checked in with the Pittsburgh Pirates about the availability of middle infielder and super-utility man Josh Harrison.
Of the names connected to the Dodgers, only Dozier and Cabrera are scheduled to reach free agency after this season. Both Gennett and Harrison have years of team control remaining - Gennett has another season of arbitration eligibility, while Harrison's contract contains club options for 2019 and '20 - meaning Cincinnati and Pittsburgh could command higher price tags for those players.
Los Angeles has a number of infielders on its roster, while a potential black hole at second base has been shored up by breakout star Max Muncy. Any additions could still improve bench depth for manager Dave Roberts, who only has veterans Chase Utley and Logan Forsythe as backup infielders right now.
Dozier has emerged as a premier power-hitting second baseman during the past two seasons, but is having somewhat of a down year ahead of his free agency, slashing just .222/.305/.402 with 13 homers for the disappointing Twins.
Cabrera, who has experience playing second, third, and shortstop, has been one of the few bright spots in Queens during this dismal Mets season, posting an .806 OPS with 15 homers in 354 plate appearances.
Gennett, a waiver-wire pickup only one year ago, earned his first All-Star berth this season thanks to a .322/.366/.509 slash line, and his batting average ranks second in the National League.
Harrison has played in just 54 games thanks to a fractured hand sustained earlier this season. The 31-year-old is hitting .256/.292/.350 with four home runs.