:format(webp)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/46605660/usa-today-8048395.0.jpg)
The Los Angeles Dodgers are 39-33 and a game ahead of the rival Giants for first place in the NL West. However, the Dodgers did not spend $270 million to be a game up on the NL West, they did so to win the World Series and to that end will be looking to add players at the trade deadline.
Who might the Dodgers look to buy?
After losing both Hyun-Jin Ryu and Brandon McCarthy for the season, the Dodgers will likely be looking to upgrade their starting rotation. Carlos Frias and Mike Bolsinger have done a satisfactory job filling out the back end of Los Angeles' rotation behind Clayton Kershaw, Zack Greinke and Brett Anderson, but the Dodgers will likely look for someone with a longer track record for the strectch run and postseason.
The Dodgers are reportedly looking on the very high end of the market for starting pitching, with Nationals starter Jordan Zimmermann high on their priority list. If the Nationals, a fellow contender in the NL, are reluctant to move Zimmermann to a rival, the Dodgers could also look at Phillies lefty Cole Hamels, Tigers lefty David Price or Reds right-hander Johnny Cueto. They could also look in the middle of the starting pitching market, with reported interest in Angels lefty C.J. Wilson.
Los Angeles could also kick the tires on someone like Phillies closer Jonathan Papelbon if they see a need to improve their already-strong bullpen.
Where would Los Angeles look to add a bat?
Despite leading the NL in wRC+ by 10 points, the Dodgers have a glaring offensive hole at shortstop, where 36-year-old Jimmy Rollins is hitting just .207/.265/.339 this season with a wRC+ of just 70. If the Dodgers do look to improve on Rollins at shortstop, two more notable options would be Oakland's Ben Zobrist and the White Sox's Alexei Ramirez.
The Dodgers will certainly be buyers at the deadline, the only question is the quantity and quality of players they add for the stretch run.