Dodgers Eye White Sox’s Crochet and Robert Jr. Amid Trade Deadline Rumors

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As injuries mount for the Los Angeles Dodgers, they are reportedly eyeing several players on the Chicago White Sox for potential trade-deadline acquisitions. Several sources say the Dodgers are looking at pitcher Garrett Crochet and outfielder Luis Robert Jr. as possible trades before the July 30 deadline. 

The White Sox have their best scouts checking out the minor league teams of the Dodgers, San Diego Padres, and Seattle Mariners.

For the Dodgers, prioritizing Crochet makes sense given the current state of their rotation. Recent injuries to Walker Buehler and Yoshinobu Yamamoto have left significant gaps.

General manager Brandon Gomes mentioned on June 17 that Yamamoto’s recovery timeline is still unclear after his shoulder strain. Buehler was placed on the injured list (IL) due to hip inflammation on June 20, the same day Bobby Miller returned from a shoulder injury. 

Additionally, Clayton Kershaw was shut down for a week because of soreness in his surgically repaired left shoulder, but an MRI showed no new issues. Manager Dave Roberts is confident that Kershaw’s setback is only temporary.

The Dodgers could also use an extra bat in their lineup. Mookie Betts is expected to miss six to eight weeks after fracturing his hand on June 16 against the Kansas City Royals. Max Muncy, recovering from a strained oblique, is eligible to return from the 60-day IL on July 19. The two-time All-Star hasn’t played since May 15.

Will the White Sox sell “La Pantera”? 

While Crochet would be a valuable addition to the Dodgers’ pitching staff, Robert’s situation is more complicated. The White Sox fear they might be selling low on Robert unless he heats up at the plate before the deadline.

Robert is batting just .198/.284/.484 with seven homers in 25 games this season. He has one more guaranteed season on his contract at $15 million, with team options for 2026 and 2027 at $20 million each.

Crochet is the White Sox biggest surprise this year. The 25-year-old pitcher has a 3.05 ERA and leads the American League with 130 strikeouts in 94.1 innings. His trade value is high, as he has two more years of arbitration remaining before becoming a free agent after the 2026 season.

Despite their beaten down roster, the Dodgers (49-31) are the absolute favorites to win the National League West for the 11th time in 12 seasons. They lead the San Diego Padres by 8.5 games in the division. The potential acquisition of Crochet or Robert could bolster their roster as they aim for another deep playoff run.

The White Sox, on the other hand, are evaluating their options. They need to balance the potential return on trading key players like Robert and Crochet with their own future aspirations. The team is currently assessing interest from the Dodgers, Padres, and Mariners, with a focus on securing prospects who can contribute to their long-term success.

For the Dodgers, the upcoming trade deadline is crucial. They need to address both their pitching and hitting needs to maintain their lead in the division and prepare for the postseason. The MLB odds for their success this season will be influenced significantly by the moves they make in the coming weeks.