📢 TOP STORY: Why Dalton Rushing matters now: he’s the prospect who could power the Dodgers’ biggest offseason swing—and reshape the roster overnight ⚡.NL

LOS ANGELES, CA — The Los Angeles Dodgers are entering the Winter Meetings as reigning World Series champions with almost no obvious weaknesses, yet they feel on the brink of a franchise-shaping decision. That decision centers entirely on top prospect Dalton Rushing.

Rushing, a high-ceiling catcher/first baseman, is caught between promise and opportunity. He is blocked long-term behind superstar catcher Will Smith (signed through 2033) and is increasingly viewed as the key centerpiece required to unlock blockbuster trade talks for proven, controllable MLB talent like Brendan Donovan or Steven Kwan.¹

Here is why Rushing is the name other teams want most, and why the Dodgers may finally have to let him go:

1. The Super-Blocker: Will Smith²

The simplest reason Rushing is the key to a trade is the immovable obstacle in front of him.

• Smith’s Dominance: Will Smith, a multi-time All-Star, is one of the top offensive catchers in baseball and is locked into a massive contract.³
• The Development Dilemma: For Rushing, being the long-term backup catcher or a platoon first baseman/DH (as suggested by his limited 2025 MLB season where he batted .204) is a waste of his potential. Keeping him limited to part-time duty could stunt his development, making a trade the best path for both the player and the organization.

2. The Organizational Weakness

While the Dodgers are dominant, two areas need stabilizing: the outfield and middle relief.⁴ Rushing is the ideal currency to address the former.

Target	Team	Need Addressed	Why Rushing is Required
Brendan Donovan	Cardinals	LH hitting utility/outfielder	The Cardinals are pitching-hungry and would require a top-tier, MLB-ready hitting prospect to move their Gold Glove-caliber, controllable utility player.
Steven Kwan	Guardians	Elite LH-hitting outfielder/contact	Kwan is a Gold Glove winner with elite plate discipline. The Guardians have consistently sought high-power prospects in return for him; Rushing’s bat-first profile fits that demand.

Trade discussions for these types of high-value, cost-controlled players often stall because teams are reluctant to move them for lower-tier prospects. Rushing, who was the Dodgers’ No. 1 prospect in 2024, is the necessary centerpiece to get those deals done.⁵

3. High Value, Defined Role

Rushing’s trade value remains high due to his power potential and versatility.⁶

• He retains value because his defense behind the plate is viewed as solid, and he can project at first base or possibly even corner outfield, offering multiple routes to everyday playing time for a new club.⁷
• For a rebuilding team, Rushing provides a sure-thing corner power bat with several years of team control, the exact profile teams value most.

The Dodgers’ silence at the Winter Meetings is not due to apathy; it is the quiet concentration of a front office preparing to make a calculated, painful sacrifice. They must decide if they are willing to trade one of their best young assets to acquire a sure-thing MLB contributor needed to secure a historic three-peat dynasty.