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The Los Angeles Dodgers were hit with a crushing injury update at the outset of the second half, learning that star catcher Will Smith still hasn't made any progress, and his return is still in question.
Smith has been shut down from all baseball activities for the time being, and while the team is saying a mid-August return is possible, the 31-year-old has missed every prior benchmark while trying to recover from his neck injury.
Though it's been reported that the Dodgers won't add a major-league catcher at the trade deadline — instead focusing on depth while handing the reins to Dalton Rushing — it's clear that the roster has a new position of need. It'd be foolish for the best team in baseball to not at least try to reinforce itself behind the plate.
Just in case they do go down that road, let's analyze a few of the top available catchers who could be had via trade.
3 tiers of catchers Dodgers could target at trade deadline to replace Will Smith
Ryan Jeffers, Minnesota Twins
The best catcher who might be available at the deadline is Minnesota Twins backstop Ryan Jeffers. He's in the midst of an enormous season at the plate, is walking just as frequently as he's striking out, and he's posting the best batted-ball metrics of his career.
Jeffers is not the best defensive catcher on the market, and there are serious health concerns here after he missed two months with a broken hamate. At the same time, those concerns will only serve to make him cheaper in a trade, and he's looked strong since returning from that injury earlier in July. If the Dodgers want a short-term replacement for Smith, they're not going to find anyone more capable than Jeffers.
Connor Wong, Boston Red Sox
Anyone up for a reunion? The Boston Red Sox are likely to be deadline buyers now that they've discovered the concept of never losing another game, but they've got three viable catchers on the roster, and one of whom is a former Dodger.
Connor Wong lost the starting job to Carlos Narváez last year and hasn't reclaimed it. Mickey Gasper has also seen extended action in Boston this season. That could make the long-forgotten piece of the Mookie Betts trade available once again.
Wong has never lived up to his top-prospect billing, but he's bounced back from an ugly 2025 season to post a strong 112 wRC+ this year. His glove work isn't much to write home about, but it's passable in a pinch and would more than suffice for the Dodgers' current needs. He's also under team control through 2028, just in case the Dodgers want a viable third catcher of their own.
Adley Rutschman, Baltimore Orioles
Adley Rutschman is due to become a free agent after next year, giving the Orioles a perfect excuse to move him now that Samuel Basallo has signed a long-term extension. Any team who acquires Rutschman will be getting one of the best two-way backstops in the majors, and Rutschman owns a 114 wRC+ and +9 Fielding Run Value in 2026. He is, however, currently on the IL himself with a wrist injury.
A blockbuster trade for Rutschman with both Rushing and Smith on the roster is probably overkill, but there's no denying how much better the Dodgers would be with the former first-overall pick. If Smith isn't expected to return at all this year, the front office might as well go all-in on his replacement.
Today's best reads
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This article was originally published on dodgersway.com as 3 catchers Dodgers could target at trade deadline after worrying Will Smith update.
