As the MLB trade deadline approaches on Aug. 3, the Los Angeles Dodgers find themselves in a familiar position, boasting what is probably the best team in baseball as they aim to win a third straight World Series.
Yet even powerhouse teams like the Dodgers engage in strategic roster shaping, and one name stands out as their most likely candidate to change uniforms: outfielder Ryan Ward.
Fabian Ardaya of The Athletic has named Ward as the most likely Dodgers player to move before the deadline, noting that he could be a sneaky option for clubs searching for a power bat.
“The Dodgers have already traded one of their outfield prospects, and it would qualify as somewhat of a surprise if they don’t move another,” Ardaya wrote. “Ward is a candidate who the Dodgers listened in on earlier this season, and with a dearth of outfield options on the market, Ward (a consistent Triple-A performer who debuted this season) could be a stealth option for teams looking to add a bat.”
Ward was originally selected by Los Angeles in the eighth round of the 2019 MLB Draft and has established himself as quite the home-run threat on the minor-league level.
The 28-year-old smashed over 30 home runs in both 2024 and 2025, topping out at 36 homers and 122 RBI at Triple-A last season. However, he didn’t make his big-league debut until this year and slashed just .218/.283/.455 with three long balls and 12 RBI before being demoted last month.
With established players locking down key spots and a thin market for outfield talent across the league, Ward’s availability could quietly appeal to contenders seeking an infusion of offensive potential without breaking the bank.
Playing time has been hard to come by behind the Dodgers’ star-studded lineup. For teams in need of a steady outfield addition—whether as a starter, platoon piece, or depth option—Ward could provide a low-risk, high-upside solution at a time when proven bats are scarce.
This potential move fits into the broader Dodgers strategy of leveraging their organizational depth. Los Angeles has long excelled at developing talent and using it to address needs elsewhere, whether through trades for pitching reinforcements or other upgrades. Moving Ward would not signal any major teardown but rather a calculated redistribution of resources as the club eyes another deep postseason run.
From the perspective of acquiring teams, the appeal lies in Ward’s profile as a “stealth” option. He may not command the headlines of superstar deals, but his track record of steady Triple-A production makes him a compelling target. In a deadline environment where outfield help is at a premium, a player with his skill set could slot into various lineups and contribute immediately while retaining years of team control.
Of course, nothing is guaranteed until the deadline passes. The Dodgers could opt to hold onto Ward if internal evaluations shift or if the return offered falls short of expectations. However, the combination of their existing outfield investments and the market dynamics points toward movement being the more probable outcome.
Ward’s name is one to monitor closely as the trade deadline inches closer.
For the Dodgers, it’s about optimizing a championship-caliber roster. For another club, it could represent a timely addition capable of making a meaningful difference down the stretch. The coming days will determine whether Ward trades in Dodger blue for a new set of colors.
