Trade Deadline Preview: Los Angeles Dodgers

Jun 20, 2014; San Diego, CA, USA; Los Angeles Dodgers relief pitcher Brian Wilson pitches during the eighth inning against the San Diego Padres at Petco Park. Mandatory Credit: Jake Roth-USA TODAY Sports

Three biggest needs

1. Bullpen

The Dodgers bullpen just has not been very good this season. The renaissance of Brian Wilson has not worked out very well and the offseason signing of Chris Perez has been downright awful, both own ERA’s that hover around 5.00. In fact as a team the Dodgers have the 10th worst bullpen ERA in the National League. Winning a World Series, and even making the playoffs, is going to be very difficult if the Dodgers do not find a way to bring in more reliable bullpen arms. Don Mattingly needs to trust his late inning guys and right now its tough to find a player in that bullpen that has his full trust.

2. Catcher

A.J. Ellis is said to be liked by the Dodgers pitching staff but he has not been exactly tearing the cover off the ball, with just a .230 batting average. On top of that he has been off and on injured this year and it would be wise for the Dodgers to try and acquire either a proven backup, right now Drew Butera is backing Ellis up, or if possible finding a better caliber starting catcher.  Finding a catcher will most likely prove to be difficult considering the lack of talent and depth at the position.

3. Third Base

Juan Uribe seems to come up with a lot of timely and big hits but he also has been underperforming, which could be due to his age, 35, and the fact he has been nagged by injuries also this year. Uribe is solid defensively and they could do worse at the position but an upgrade would give them a lethal bat off the bench if Uribe was regulated to that position.