The Los Angeles Dodgers do not have to make any moves before the trade deadline. They are involved in discussions for nearly every available player, including Tarik Skubal. With one week remaining before the deadline, the franchise is operating as it always does—leveraging financial resources and prospect depth to explore all possibilities, from acquiring a star to engineering three-team deals that trade major league talent for more prospects.
Dodgers president of baseball operations Andrew Friedman acknowledged the luxury of not having an acute need at this time of year. The team holds the best record in baseball and expects seven key players to return from significant injuries over the next two months. This sets the stage for a three-peat: the chance to become the first NL club to win three straight World Series championships.
Friedman has often stated his desire for this era to be remembered as the golden age of Dodger baseball. Achieving something never done before would cement that legacy. However, the potential for a salary cap in future collective bargaining agreements—pushed by owners including Dodgers owner Mark Walter—could make such sustained dominance impossible in the future. Walter told reporters this spring, "We can't win all the time," hinting at the league's intent to impose spending restraints.
The urgency is clear: act now, even if it feels uncomfortable, because this opportunity may never come again. Friedman described the current team as "as talented and tight-knit of a group as we've had" and noted the organization's history of aggressive offseason moves. Yet, he also downplayed the three-peat narrative, focusing instead on winning the 2026 World Series. "24 and 25 are in the bank," he said. "As soon as you get into the offseason and into spring training, it's all about winning in 26."
Fangraphs projects the Dodgers have a 25% chance to win the World Series—more than double any other team. While a third catcher or reliever could provide insurance, neither would dramatically improve those odds. Even acquiring Skubal might not significantly boost the rotation, given the expected returns of Shohei Ohtani, Blake Snell, and Tyler Glasnow by October. However, Skubal could help counter threats from the Milwaukee Brewers, Atlanta Braves, and Chicago Cubs—teams most likely to block the Dodgers' path.
The Dodgers already field the oldest lineup in the majors. If a lockout delays the 2027 season, as happened in the NHL, the team could eventually start a lineup where every position player except Andy Pages is at least 30—including Freddie Freeman at 38, Max Muncy at 37, Mookie Betts at 34, and Ohtani at 33. Friedman called predicting labor negotiations a "fool's errand" but stressed the importance of making smart decisions. "If we had an acute need and it was like, 'Oh, you didn't address that,' then, yeah, we missed an opportunity," he said. "In this game, there's just no guarantees of anything."
The Dodgers' championship window may never be wider than it is now. The question is whether the front office will trade aggressively to maximize it—or let history slip away.
Originally reported by westhawaiitoday.