The Dodgers have a need in the starting rotation and for a shortstop as Nomar Garciaparra can’t be counted on to stay healthy. With that in mind 26-year old lefty swinging outfielder Andre’ Ethier could be on the move. Most teams are asking for Matt Kemp in trades but the Dodgers would be smart to sub Ethier and other parts in trades for help. Ethier has played in 92 games for the Dodgers this season and he is 93 for 339 (.274 avg, .787 OPS) with 52 runs scored, 11 homers, 45 RBIs and 3 stolen bases. With Juan Pierre and Andruw Jones making so much money this season it is hard for the Dodgers to put them on the bench despite the fact that Ethier has outplayed both of them this season. Still, Ethier has some trade value because he’s young and productive.

Due to recent injuries to Brad Penny and Hiroki Kuroda the Dodgers need to make a move to help the starting rotation. Why not make a super bold move and trade outfielder Matt Kemp, 3B Andy LaRoche, shortstop Chin-lung Hu and relief pitchers Yhency Brazoban and Jonathan Broxton to the Indians for lefty starter C.C. Sabathia, righty reliever Rafael Betancourt and 3B/1B/OF Casey Blake. Sure, it sounds like the Dodgers would be giving up a lot but what they got in return would help them win right now. C.C. Sabathia is a 27-year old lefty fireballer who won the Cy Young Award in the American League in 2007. He has started 15 games for the Indians this season and he is 5-8 with a 4.26 ERA and a 1.31 WHIP. Sabathia has also whiffed 97 batters in 99.1 innings which means his stuff is still right where it needs to be. His record is so poor this season because the Indians can’t score any runs. 34-year old righty swinging Casey Blake would likely step right into Kemp’s old spot and he has a knack for getting big hits. Blake has played in 66 games for the Indians this year and he is 59 for 224 (.263 avg, .772 OPS) with 34 runs scored, 7 homers and 42 RBIs. Betancourt is a much better pitcher than he has shown this season and he would likely replace Broxton in this situation. The 33-year old righty reliever has pitched in 32 games this year and he is 2-3 with 4 saves, a 6.12 ERA and a 1.48 WHIP. But, Betancourt has had a solid major league career to this point so his bad year probably is a fluke. He has pitched in 305 games (0 starts) in his career and he is 21-19 with 16 saves, a 3.12 ERA and a 1.10 WHIP.