Guardians' trade with Brewers leaves Dodgers as last hope to take distressed asset from Cleveland

Last night, Tarik Skubal wandered into the Dodgers’ dugout for the first time. As some of his teammates took on the Red Sox on Sunday Night Baseball, Skubal had a quick conversation with Dave Roberts before walking through the rest of the dugout and talking to everyone. 

As the rest of the baseball world screamed about how Skubal going to the Dodgers was ruining baseball, his team looked like nothing like a world beater in an eventual 8-4 loss to Boston. 

And part of the reason why they didn’t look like a world beater was because of the lack of production they got behind the plate from Eliezer Alfonzo, who went 0-for-3 while providing some subpar defense. 

The only reason that Alfonzo was in the game was because Dalton Rushing was a late scratch due to an arm issue. And the only reason Rushing is the Dodgers’ main catcher is because Will Smith is on the 60-day injured list with an injury that could keep him on the shelf all season. 

Yes, the Dodgers may have the best pitching staff in baseball, but the group of backstops they’re throwing to are far from the best. 

Enter Guardians prospect Cooper Ingle, who could solve the Dodgers’ catching problems while helping the Guardians gain a big league reinforcement who could provide their lineup with some much-needed pop. 

The Guardians could capitalize on Cooper Ingle’s trade value by dealing him to Dodgers 

Although the Guardians already dipped into their catching depth over the weekend when they traded Bo Naylor to the Brewers, Ingle is still their best trade chip. He’s largely regarded as a top-50 prospect, has done nothing but rake in the minors and can play both catcher and left field. 

Now, I know what you’re thinking: “If he’s so good, why isn't he in the Guardians' lineup ever day?” 

But it’s clear the Guardians don’t really trust him to catch at the big league level, and he’s behind a bit of a logjam in the outfield. Plus he didn’t do much in his initial big league call up earlier this season. 

That doesn’t mean that he’s going to have a bad career. Twenty-one at-bats doesn’t make a career. But his prospect value is never going to be higher, and the Dodgers have a clear need behind the plate. 

Ingle could help serve as Rushing’s backup until Smith gets back, and then could be their third catcher while getting some time in the outfield. 

The toughest part would be linking up for a potential return. Alex Call would be an obvious trade target (time is a flat circle) as would Eric Lauer, but neither of them are worth the return for Ingle. The Dodgers have a deep farm system (as we saw with their trade for Skubal), but the Guardians would want some MLB-ready prospects in exchange for Cooper. 

Ryan Ward stands out as an option since he hits right-handed and can play multiple positions, but he’s 28. Not exactly a spring chicken. 

Noah Miller is also an option (the younger brother of former Guardians utility man Owen Miller), but he’s not the same kind of hitter that Ingle is. If anything, a deal between the Dodgers and Guardians involving Ingle would likely take a third team. 

To be clear, the Guardians don’t need to trade Ingle since there’s still a clear path for him to help the Guardians’ middling lineup. But he may hold even more value as a trade piece in a deal with the best team in baseball. 

Add us as a preferred source on Google

Follow