Dodgers predicted to cut ties with 28-year-old former Rookie of the Year finalist

It's extremely hard to make a career as a young, unestablished player on a team with World Series expectations.

Los Angeles Dodgers outfielder James Outman knows that all too well. He finished third in Rookie of the Year voting in 2023, but he's found himself relegated to the minor leagues more often than not in the time since.

Granted, Outman isn't all that young. He was 26 during his rookie campaign, and he's 28 now. He's also got a serious strikeout problem that's even manifested itself during his time at Triple-A in addition to the majors.

However, even after the Dodgers optioned Outman to the minors again following Teoscar Hernández's return from the injured list, one writer believes there will be at least one team willing to take him on in a midseason trade.

On Monday, Katrina Stebbins of FanSided predicted that Outman would be dealt before the Jul. 31 deadline this year, suggesting the Chicago White Sox as a possible destination for the intriguing center fielder.

"Outman has reportedly been at the center of trade talks between the Dodgers and White Sox that feature Luis Robert Jr. as the return player. The Sox are apparently "intrigued" by Outman, but this short run in the majors could have them rethinking that," Stebbins wrote.

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"It still seems likely that Outman is traded sometime this season, though, which would perhaps be a more dignified end than most alternatives. He'll be out of minor league options after this year, so if the Dodgers keep him and continue to call him up as a stopgap in 2026, they would have to DFA him to get him off of the roster."

In 2023, Outman slashed .248/.353/.437 in 151 major league games. Since then, though, he's put up a .144/.251/.281 line in 62 games. Even with standout defense in center field, those numbers won't cut it for a Dodgers team with championship aspirations.

If he gets the opportunity to make his mistakes at the big-league level and keep getting playing time, there might still be a chance Outman can become a regular. But that's clearly not going to happen at this point in Los Angeles.

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