Dodgers Rumors: Stan Kasten on Big Moves

The Los Angeles Dodgers are willing and able to make big moves as the July 31 non-waiver trade deadline approaches, team president Stan Kasten tells Dylan Hernandez of the Los Angeles Times.

"I promise you we’ll explore everything," Kasten said. "Look, as candid as we can be, we’re the Dodgers. We’re supposed to be big. We intend to be big. Will we look at big things? You bet."

With their new ownership group in place, the Dodgers now have the financial flexibility to add payroll. LA showed the league they are willing to spend big yesterday, as it was announced they reached a seven-year, $42 million contract with free agent outfielder Yasel Puig.

While money shouldn’t be an issue for the Dodgers, Kasten did lament the fact that his club "doesn’t have more top-tier prospects who would be attractive trade pieces." Kasten told Hernandez that he wishes LA was "deeper in that regard."

In order to retain the young and talented minor leaguers the club does have, Kasten said he would prefer to take on a greater percentage of an incoming player’s salary if it means they can acquire him for lesser prospects.

Though Kasten says he thinks the Dodgers can remain competitive without acquiring players, it appears LA could be busy this summer. Not even into July, the club is already said to be seeking an impact bat, a starting pitcher and a reliever.

The Dodgers have recently been tied to players such as Ryan Dempster and Matt Garza of the Chicago Cubs, Edwin Encarnacion of the Toronto Blue Jays, Carlos Lee of the Houston Astros and Bryan LaHair of the Chicago Cubs.