Dodgers One-Time Top Prospect Gaining Major Trade Buzz as Los Angeles Eyes Championship Upgrades Ahead of MLB Deadline Frenzy

The Los Angeles Dodgers find themselves at a familiar crossroads as the 2025 MLB trade deadline approaches—a dominant regular season, a roster bursting with All-Star talent, and yet, glaring areas to address if they want to hoist another World Series trophy this fall. While the focus has largely centered on potential blockbuster acquisitions or superstar rentals, an increasingly intriguing subplot is emerging: one of the Dodgers’ former top prospects is quietly gaining steam as a highly desirable trade chip, offering Los Angeles both flexibility and leverage in what’s shaping up to be an aggressive deadline push.

For years, the Dodgers’ farm system has served as both a lifeline and a weapon. Homegrown stars like Walker Buehler, Will Smith, and Gavin Lux have seamlessly transitioned into key big-league roles, while a steady pipeline of prospects has allowed Los Angeles to pull off major trades without gutting the organization’s long-term future. But not every prospect follows the same linear path, and that’s precisely where Michael Busch re-enters the conversation.

Once touted as one of the Dodgers’ most polished hitting prospects, Busch has spent the past few seasons oscillating between Triple-A dominance and sporadic big-league opportunities. Though he’s flashed moments of undeniable talent, positional logjams and the relentless depth of the Dodgers roster have limited his sustained impact at the Major League level. However, that narrative may be shifting rapidly, and rival front offices are taking notice.

In recent weeks, industry buzz around Busch has intensified. Scouts and executives alike have quietly labeled him one of the more “intriguing, MLB-ready bats available” ahead of the trade deadline. For teams struggling offensively or seeking controllable, cost-effective talent, Busch checks nearly every box. A left-handed hitter with advanced plate discipline, gap-to-gap power, and the versatility to handle multiple infield positions, he represents the type of prospect who could headline a significant trade package without Los Angeles sacrificing its core.

Sources indicate the Dodgers are well aware of Busch’s rising trade stock, and they aren’t shying away from exploring creative ways to leverage it. While Los Angeles values Busch’s upside, the organization’s front office remains laser-focused on maximizing the current championship window, particularly with Mookie Betts, Shohei Ohtani, and Freddie Freeman anchoring the lineup. Simply put, the Dodgers have the luxury of trading from a position of strength—and Busch could be the perfect piece to dangle.

The circumstances surrounding Busch’s situation mirror a familiar pattern for the Dodgers. Over the past decade, Los Angeles has masterfully threaded the needle between building from within and utilizing top prospects as currency to acquire established stars. Names like Josiah Gray and Keibert Ruiz in the Max Scherzer-Trea Turner blockbuster, or Jeter Downs in the Mookie Betts deal, serve as prime examples. In each scenario, the Dodgers balanced short-term gains with minimal long-term fallout, thanks largely to their scouting and development machine continuously churning out talent.

Now, with Michael Busch at the forefront of trade speculation, Los Angeles could execute a similar playbook. Whether the target is a front-line starting pitcher to bolster a rotation that’s dealt with injuries or an impact bat to further lengthen the lineup, Busch’s inclusion in trade talks immediately elevates the Dodgers’ offer above most suitors.

From the player’s perspective, the trade chatter presents both uncertainty and opportunity. Busch has endured the frustration that comes with being blocked at the big-league level, a common challenge for prospects in deep organizations like the Dodgers. Despite limited MLB action, he’s consistently produced in the minors, showcasing the bat-to-ball skills and power potential that once made him a first-round pick and a top-100 overall prospect.

In 2024, Busch mashed at Triple-A Oklahoma City, posting a .321 batting average with 27 home runs, 89 RBIs, and a near .990 OPS—numbers that validate his offensive profile and fuel his growing trade value. While skeptics may question how those stats translate to consistent Major League success, evaluators widely believe Busch’s disciplined approach and ability to control the strike zone will carry over in the right environment.

A fresh start with a rebuilding or fringe contender desperate for offensive reinforcements could be precisely what Busch needs to solidify his place as an everyday MLB contributor. Simultaneously, it could be the key for the Dodgers to unlock one final difference-maker before the postseason gauntlet.

It’s worth noting that the Dodgers aren’t shopping Busch out of desperation. The organization’s depth chart remains fluid, with injuries, positional rotations, and late-season adjustments often opening doors unexpectedly. But with the trade deadline looming and the National League fiercely competitive, Los Angeles is actively exploring scenarios that upgrade the roster now, even if it comes at the expense of future potential.

Industry insiders believe the Dodgers are monitoring several high-profile trade candidates across the league. Front-line pitchers like Garrett Crochet of the White Sox, Jesús Luzardo of the Marlins, or bullpen arms from struggling teams are all rumored targets. Offensively, the Dodgers could also pursue an impact bat to complement their already formidable lineup, especially with questions surrounding Max Muncy’s health or the need for additional bench depth.

In nearly every hypothetical deal, including a talent like Busch makes Los Angeles’ offer significantly more enticing—without sacrificing their elite-level prospects such as Dalton Rushing or Nick Frasso, who the Dodgers may view as untouchable. This strategic balancing act allows the front office to remain aggressive while protecting the long-term pipeline that has sustained the franchise’s success.

Busch’s situation also underscores the broader organizational philosophy that has defined the Dodgers under Andrew Friedman’s leadership: value every asset, develop relentlessly, and strike boldly when the opportunity arises. It’s a model that has produced a decade of sustained excellence, one World Series title, multiple pennants, and a perennial spot among baseball’s elite.

As the 2025 trade deadline approaches, the Dodgers once again sit at the intersection of opportunity and expectation. Michael Busch, a symbol of both the franchise’s developmental success and the harsh realities of big-league roster constraints, finds himself at the heart of that equation.

Whether he remains in Dodger blue or becomes a foundational piece for another club, one thing is certain—the league is watching closely, and Busch’s rise as an intriguing trade chip could be the catalyst for the Dodgers’ next championship-caliber move. For Los Angeles, the window is open, the ambitions are clear, and the trade market is heating up fast.

All signs point to the Dodgers being ready to deal, and Michael Busch’s growing value ensures they’ll be at the center of baseball’s biggest conversations as the deadline clock ticks down.