The Los Angeles Dodgers are gearing up for the trade deadline with an eye on bolstering their pitching staff, which has faced significant challenges lately. Their immediate needs center around acquiring either a reliable reliever or a solid starter to improve their rotation. Former MLB GM Jim Bowden has identified the Tampa Bay Rays as a potential trade partner, suggesting that Dodgers’ top prospect Dalton Rushing might be a key target. The Rays have struggled at the catcher position, where their current duo of Danny Jansen and Ben Rortvedt has underperformed, with Jansen posting a dismal .197 average and five home runs this season.

Rushing, although recently called up, has not yet matched Jansen's production and comes in with a minor league track record of hitting .308 with five home runs in Triple-A. Despite his current struggles, he is considered a long-term solution for the Rays. The Dodgers, equipped with Will Smith behind the plate, would likely not miss Rushing, making this trade scenario plausible. With the Rays holding a competitive 36-31 record, the urgency for them to find a solution at catcher is clear as they eye the coming weeks.