Dodgers manager Dave Roberts strongly downplayed the idea that the team would move rookie catcher Dalton Rushing before Thursday’s deadline. MassLive’s Sean McAdam reported last week that the Red Sox were showing interest in the 24-year-old catcher, who’d certainly have been a target of multiple clubs if the Dodgers were willing to trade him.
“I haven’t talked to Dalton (about the trade speculation),” Roberts said on Monday (link via Bill Plunkett of The Orange County Register). “I just don’t see a world in which he’s moved anyway, and I think he’s smart enough to realize that.” That aligns with reporting from Fabian Ardaya of The Athletic, who wrote last week that the Dodgers aren’t inclined to trade either Rushing or infield prospect Alex Freeland — who is expected to come up for his MLB debut tomorrow.
Rushing entered the season as L.A.’s best minor league talent and a top 20 overall prospect at Baseball America. Teams are loath to part with prospects of that caliber. To the extent that there was chatter about the Dodgers potentially dealing Rushing, it came from a question of playing time. Will Smith is locked in as L.A.’s primary catcher for a decade. That didn’t stop the Dodgers from calling Rushing up in the middle of May. They haven’t given him starts anywhere other than catcher in the big leagues, seemingly preferring not to overload him with defensive responsibility as he adjusts to facing pitching at the highest level.
The lefty-hitting Rushing has started slowly, batting .200/.270/.275 while striking out 36 times in his first 89 MLB plate appearances. That’s a tiny sample in only semi-regular playing time that seemingly hasn’t given the Dodgers any pause about his offensive upside. The former second-round pick has a .289/.409/.512 slash in 301 career Triple-A plate appearances. Rushing has a full slate of minor league options, so the Dodgers have the ability to send him back to Triple-A if they decide to turn to a more experienced backup at some point.
There’s no point in using him as a bench guy it hurts both his development and his value they should trade him for another outfielder or middle infielder
If they can get one more strong bat to help mitigate their 7-9 hitters that makes them go back to back
The Dodgers World is looking pretty good right now. I’d keep Rushing to.
Cap – Dodgers should trade him straight up for Rafaela. They need some youth in their aging lineup and a strong defensive outfielder.
The Sox need to make room for Marcelo at 2B while resolving their outfield logjam, this trade would accomplish both.
Fever – That’s a clever trade suggestion. I can’t say it’s “bad”, but Rushing is unproven. And what would they do with Narvaez?
let – The Sox have already expressed interest in Rushing.
Narvaez would catch around 40% of the games, Wong would be gone.
Unfortunately for Roberts, he is not the guy who makes decisions on who gets traded, and even if he was, he would obviously want to establish that he feels like all of his current players are Dodgers until they are not.
Wander – Jeffers seems to be on the move, possibly to Red Sox? That would be a nice move.
I don’t think it’s a certainly that using him as a bench guy hurts his development. Exposure to the day to day big league experience, veteran leadership, and top tier coaching is a good thing.
If he never played, sure, but he’s playing.
Not a “bench guy.” He starts once or twice a week.
One guy gets paid to ask questions he knows the answer to and another gets paid to report said answer. Definitely not a bubble.
Is this posturing? Trading Rushing seems like a solid option since he is blocked by Smith.
According to Baseball Savant, nothing is blocked by Smith
No point in Rushing him, unless you’re entertaining the idea of trading him.
Shouldn’t the kid be playing every day? I don’t get this bringing him up to the big leagues to play sporadically and ride the bench. Kids need reps, leave him in Triple-A to play every day or trade him so he can be useful to another team.
that’s how loser franchises like Seattle justify not putting the best players on the field. You guys havent won the division in decades because your FO manipulates service time in the way you describe instead of playing the best talent.
Since when has trading a player “so he can be useful to another team” the goal of any MLB organization? Trading players to get equal or better value back yes, helping other teams not so much.
“Shouldn’t the Dodgers trade Rushing so he helps another team” no, they don’t owe anyone anything except to field the best team possible
Rushing is currently catcher #2. Only going to start once or twice a week (barring injury) spelling the Fresh Prince who is having a fantastic season. What is underrated with Rushing not playing full-time is his exposure to a championship club, gaining familiarity with the pitching staff that has a few Cy Young Awards earned and being able to chat with MVP’s Ohtani, Freeman and Betts about hitting. They can afford to bring Rushing along a little slower than the average team. Fresh Prince Will Smith likely only has another 2-4 years behind the dish before transitioning to 3rd base or 1st base. With both Freeman and Muncy closer to the end than the beginning, Smith should feature at one or the other. As much as some of us would like to see Rushing full time or in a halfsies platoon, Smith is playing too well to justify that.
The cynic in me thinks the Dodgers could unload Rushing-just driving up the price-and slot Hunter Fedducia into the second catching position. We’ll see.
The DH spot never being available makes it tough.
But the problem here is, you can’t tell what you actually have in Dalton if he’s a part time player. Trading him now, before he loses all his prospect hype, would get rid of that risk.
I would assume Will Smith would move to 3B
Yeah Will Smith will take over 1st when Freddie leaves. Or 3rd if they let Muncy walk in the off-season.
Unless you find the guy a new position, this seems like a stupid world to live in.
Do you see a world where he could get some starts if OF over a guy barely hitting his weight? Give him more ABs!
Soooo… You’re trading Will Smith? Got it.
He’s been on the outs ever since he slapped Chris Rock, even though everyone has wanted to do that!
Everybody does hate him
He should have DFA’d Jada years ago.
I’d claim Jada on waivers….
Minor league contract so she can be released when she becomes detrimental to the team, with no guaranteed money.
Don’t see, huh? Reminds me of Bobby-yes, Bobby Bowden “Mah players don’t know the meaning of the word quit! Ah’ve looked at their grades and there’sa lotta words they don’t….'”
Rushing ends up in Boston.
If the Dodgers are looking for a bullpen arm from the Twins (Jax or Duran), Rushing may be what it takes to get one of our high leverage relievers. Both of which are under team control through 2027.
Rushing will get more playing time. Last night was his second start in a row. It’s understood that sporadic playing time does not help h8s hitting.
It wasn’t that long ago that the Dodgers had another top 10 catching prospect that went from untouchable to released.
Difference was Cartaya never reached the majors. He was in AAA and struggling mightily.
Only the Blue Jays would trade a blue chip catching prospect.
I give you one William Contreras formerly of the Atlanta Braves.
They r messing up this guys career at this point he’s already pushing 25 y/o
Catchers are slower to develop than other types of players. It is the most mentally and physically taxing position in baseball. He’s learning from Will Smith now and getting invaluable exposure. Plus he IS playing a couple of days a week.
Disagree with Dave Roberts. LA has a lot of catching depth. If they can get a controllable SP for Rushing, they should do it.
Of course, if LA has other ideas for Rushing (LF ?) in the future then hold out for a big payday in a trade. If it doesn’t come, keep him and go with what you got.
I disagree about depth. Dodgers C pipeline is lighter than it’s been in many years. I like Feduccia as a player but clearly the team doesn’t as he has only 14 MLB ABs. Then it’s someone named Chuckie Robinson. Is there anyone else?
I would keep Rushing and let him start playing left field. The bad thing though is Conforto has kind of started to hit and since the Dodgers are paying him $17 mil., they’re going to play him.
I don’t see why they don’t give Rushing some reps in left. Conforto’s glove is becoming as useless as his bat….
Maybe there’s a future where Smith is moved to first or third, with Rushing and Feduccia handling catcher duties. But with Freddie still playing well and signed through 2027, first isn’t likely open until then. Muncy will get be back for 2026, doing Muncy things.
Then again they could do just about anything if they think it will improve the team. If they trade a catcher, it’s likely to be Feduccia. Unless the return is significant for Rushing.
Rushing is certainly on the block for a major acquisition, and Roberts is doing his usual posturing to not reveal any FO intentions….
Feduccia is definitely more than capable to backup Smith of that trade Rushing.
I dont see him getting too many more starts if he comes to Boston. Carlos Narvaez is solid and is a borderline All-Star so far. While Narvarez is playing a ton, I’d guess Rushing could split playing time, IF he hits. Can’t wait for the deadline!
With as many injuries as the Dodgers have suffered this season… I really don’t see the team trading Rushing unless the return is OVERWHELMINGLY favorable for LA!
As he did earlier this season in the minors, Rushing will continue to get OF reps in the offseason/2026 spring training