Trade idea has Dodgers acquiring $50 million player to replace Conforto

The Los Angeles Dodgers signed Michael Conforto to start in the outfield but so far it hasn’t worked out.

Conforto’s bat has struggled, and with Los Angeles chasing another World Series, Major League Baseball analyst Jon Vankin of Newsweek believes the Dodgers should trade for Boston Red Sox star utility player Ceddanne Rafaela to replace Conforto.

“Who could the Dodgers send to Boston in return? Not the struggling Conforto. But the Red Sox have a vacancy at first base with the season-ending injury suffered by fourth-year first baseman Triston Casas last week. Dodgers 34-year-old third baseman Max Muncy has played 297 major league games at first,” Vankin wrote.

Follow The Sporting News on WhatsApp

“The switch across the diamond should be a natural one for him. Muncy is in the second year of his two-year contract, and would be owed the remainder of $14.5 million. Rafaela is in the second season of an eight-year, $50 million contract extension, meaning the Dodgers would be acquiring a long-term asset in trading for the 24-year-old native of Curacao,” Vankin added.

As Vankin notes, Boston has a surplus of outfielder which could made Rafaela expendable, while Los Angeles could deal Muncy who could start at first base for the Red Sox.

Rafaela is in the second year of his eight-year, $50 million deal. The 24-year-old would be a key part of the Dodgers’ core for a long time. This season, he’s hitting .225 with 2 home runs and 15 RBIs.

The outfielder could easily shift to left field and replace Conforto, who has struggled. He’s hitting .139 with 2 home runs and 6 RBIs this season after signing a one-year, $17 million deal.

More MLB: Dodgers urged to spurn Nolan Arenado, promote 'surging' Triple-A bat instead