Dodgers Weigh Trade Options as Dalton Rushing Emerges as Offseason Asset

The Los Angeles Dodgers enter the 2025 MLB offseason focused on one primary objective: positioning the roster for another championship pursuit. With December approaching, the organization is evaluating how to maximize its talent ahead of a potential three-peat in 2026.

A recent MLB Network report by Mark Feinsand highlights Dalton Rushing, the 25-year-old catcher, as a realistic trade candidate after a challenging season. Rushing, once the Dodgers’ top prospect, struggled in a limited backup role, but his potential value remains significant.

While Rushing’s 2025 numbers—four home runs, 24 RBIs, and a .582 OPS over 53 games—fell short of expectations, the Dodgers recognize his standing as one of the game’s top catching prospects. His long-term role is complicated by Will Smith, the team’s established catcher under contract through 2033.

With roster balance and championship aspirations in mind, the Dodgers face a decision on how to deploy or move Rushing. A trade could provide the club with immediate impact talent while giving the young catcher a clearer path to playing time elsewhere.

1. Rushing’s Performance and Potential

Rushing entered the season with high expectations as the Dodgers’ No. 1 prospect in 2024. However, in his backup role, he struggled to produce consistent offense, leading to questions about his fit on a roster built to contend immediately. Despite the offensive struggles, Rushing’s tools remain highly regarded. Scouts note his defensive ability behind the plate, left-handed bat, and youth as key factors that keep him on the radar of contending teams. The limited playing time in 2025 may have affected his performance, but it also highlighted the challenge of developing in a backup role when the starting catcher is entrenched. Rushing’s ceiling remains high if given regular at-bats elsewhere. For the Dodgers, these mixed signals create a delicate decision: whether to retain Rushing as a future asset or leverage him in a trade that could strengthen a roster already built to win now.

2. Roster Considerations and Championship Goals

Will Smith’s long-term contract and entrenched role leave few opportunities for Rushing to contribute meaningfully in Los Angeles. The Dodgers, coming off back-to-back World Series titles, are structured to compete immediately. Rushing’s limited path to playing time emphasizes his value as a tradable asset. By packaging him in a deal, the Dodgers could acquire controllable starting pitchers, power bats, or other pieces to bolster their push for a three-peat. The organization faces a balancing act: keeping a high-upside young player for future years or using him to address immediate roster needs. Given the Dodgers’ current championship window, the latter approach carries strong appeal. Financial flexibility and roster space also factor into the decision. Moving Rushing could help the team manage payroll while reinforcing depth in key areas without sacrificing competitiveness.

3. Trade Outlook and Strategic Implications

Rushing’s combination of youth, positional value, and left-handed bat makes him an attractive trade chip for multiple teams. Contenders in need of catching depth or controllable talent are likely to express interest. While the Dodgers are not desperate to move him, using Rushing as a centerpiece for a major trade aligns with their aggressive roster-building philosophy. Such a move could deliver immediate impact while maintaining long-term competitiveness. The trade market will likely dictate the timing and structure of any deal. The Dodgers may explore multiple options, weighing package deals against the potential value of keeping Rushing in the organization. Ultimately, the decision will signal how the team balances short-term championship ambitions with the long-term development of its top prospects, a key consideration for any title-contending club.