Andrew McCutchen Potential Trade Fit: Los Angeles Dodgers

Dodger’s Need

The Los Angeles Dodgers have seen themselves miss the World Series time and time again over the last few years.  In 2015, the Dodgers had arguably the best number one and number two pitcher in the league only to watch the Mets go to the Series.  Then in 2016, they saw themselves get out performed again by the Cubs.  The Cubs now represent a team that looks to be the next MLB dynasty.  The Dodgers on the other hand are going to open their check book and trade lines to figure out how they can finally win the last game of the season.  Enter their biggest need on offense, the outfield.

Current Outfield

Currently the Dodgers outfield only has one every day player, Yasiel Puig.  What is ironic is the Dodgers were looking to trade Puig throughout the 2016 season.  Instead they kept him and he ended up being their best offensive outfielder down the stretch.  Then there is former top prospect Joc Pederson.  Pederson’s first full season in the league was 2015.  He really came under the spot light at the Home Run derby that season.  However, he is a career .178 hitter against left-handed pitcher.  In 2016 he actually saw his numbers go down against left-handed pitching and at this point looks to be more of a platoon player.

Other Options

Currently slated in the other spot is Andre Ethier, who played in just 16 games in 2016 and is projected by Steamer to only appear in 87 games in 2017. Ethier, who is better against lefties than Pederson, has only batted .234 in his career against left pitching.  Ethier has never lived up to his expensive contract,  he struggles hitting outside of Dodger Stadium, and is aging as he turns 35 in April.  At this point the Dodgers do not view him as an everyday player.

The other option is 24-year-old outfielder Andrew Toles.  Toles had a nice stretch with the Dodgers last season.  The lefty hit over .300 in his 48 games played.  However, Toles gives the Dodgers a third left-handed outfield option.  He is also unproven and projects to be more of a fourth outfielder. Most likely a team like the Dodgers will not rely on an experienced, not highly touted player like Toles to be the every day player to start the season.

All in all they do not have any legitimate every day players other than Puig in the outfield.  They also have a lack of right-handed bats in their lineup as a whole.  Their prominent hitters are Adrian Gonzalez and Corey Seager both whom are lefties.  Add those two and consider  three of the four current outfielders are left-handed and they could use an impact right-handed bat, specifically an outfielder line McCutchen.