Dodgers trade rumors: Outfielders other than Puig up for grabs

Although the Dodgers currently sit only four games behind the NL West-leading Giants and are definite playoff contenders, they still could be sellers before the trade deadline. According to Jayson Stark of ESPN.com, several rival teams have expressed that Los Angeles is willing to listen to trade offers on every one of their outfielders except Yasiel Puig. That means Andre Ethier, Matt Kemp, and the oft-injured Carl Crawford are all candidates to be dealt before July 31.

Ethier, who has hit .259 in 62 games with the Dodgers this season, has drawn significant trade interest from teams like the Red Sox, Orioles, Rangers and Mets over the past couple of seasons. He would seem to be the most likely candidate to be dealt due to Crawford's injury concerns and Kemp's stature in Los Angeles, and is the cheapest of the trio in the long-term, being owed a relatively manageable $52M over the next three seasons.

Kemp, who is owed $107.5M over the next five seasons, also drew significant trade interest last offseason before the Dodgers told agent Dave Stewart during the Winter Meetings that he would not be dealt. Los Angeles would probably have to pick up some of his contract if they traded him elsewhere after signing him to an 8-year, $160M extension after the 2011 season.

Crawford, who last appeared in a game on May 27, recently suffered a setback in his recovery from an ankle injury and is now out indefinitely. He could be seen as a trade candidate if he returns in time to show teams that he is healthy before the end of July, but could also be considered a waiver-wire candidate in August due to the $62M+ that is owed to him over the next three seasons.

Teams that could be looking for outfield help at the deadline include the Red Sox, Mariners, Rangers and Mets. As more teams fall out of the race in the next six weeks, more and more outfielders will become available on the trade market.