Not only do the Los Angeles Dodgers possess the capital, the brand, and the front office savvy to acquire star talent, they also have a strong knack for developing prospects.

With smaller market teams, prospect development can be the only ace in the hole for future success, and that is because they do not possess the financial firepower and other aspects of a big market.

So, when it comes to the Dodgers, they have enough players in their minor-league system who can be traded for reinforcements who are ready to step on the field now.

As the Aug. 3 MLB Trade Deadline gets closer, will the Dodgers look to move any of those pieces?

Recently, ESPN MLB insider Kiley McDaniel identified prospects from all 30 Major League Baseball teams who may end up getting moved, while also identifying untouchable prospects from said organizations.

First on McDaniel’s list were the Dodgers, who are trying to capitalize on a once-in-a-lifetime-opportunity by winning their third-straight World Series title this season. To make it happen, Los Angeles may have to part with one, or multiple, high-level prospects if it wants to bolster the team with the Dodgers logo on the front of the jersey.

McDaniel praised the Dodgers’ strong farm system and pointed to their wealth of outfield prospects, some of whom may get moved, while others are untouchable. 

McDaniel names outfielder Josue De Paula, the fourth-ranked prospect in MLB’s top 100 and No. 1 in the organization, as one such player who is off limits. Joining him on the list of untouchables, according to McDaniel, might include players such as outfielders Mike Sirota and Eduardo Quintero.

Prospects that have a better chance of ending up on the trade block include outfielder Zyhir Hope, the fifth-ranked prospect in the organization, outfielder Charles Davalan, the No. 8 prospect, and outfielder/first baseman James Tibbs III, the No. 9 prospect.

If the Dodgers want to seriously enter the Trade Deadline landscape, they understand what teams will want in return. Additionally, if Los Angeles wants to move off pitchers, it will probably have to part with one of its two Triple-A arms from the top-30 list.

McDaniel named right-hander River Ryan, the No. 7 prospect in the organization and No. 70 in MLB’s top-100 list, and left-hander Jackson Ferris, the No. 11 prospect in the organization, as pitchers who may also end up being moved in a deal.

It will certainly be interesting to see if the Dodgers are willing to mortgage pieces of their long-term future for success in the coming months.

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