Juan Uribe is on a 12-game hitting streak, but he still could soon be the odd man out at third base because of Alex Guerrero's hot bat and the eventual arrival of Cuban infielder Hector Olivera.
The Guerrero craze has been going on for weeks now because the 28-year-old is batting .364/.389/.879/1.268 with six runs scored, five home runs and 13 RBIs in 16 games (36 plate appearances). Aside from third base, he's also been getting time in left field, but that will likely change once Yasiel Puig returns from the disabled list (Andre Ethier will probably shift to left).
On top of that, Olivera, who the Dodgers signed to a six-year, $62.5 million contract, is expected to join the team after the All-Star break, which will further create a logjam in the infield, specifically at third base. Considering both Guerrero and Olivera are signed on for at least the next three seasons, is Uribe a possible trade casualty since he is a free agent after 2015?
"Juan Uribe is playing well, but with Hector Olivera coming and red-hot Alex Guerrero there (third base and left field are his best positions) Uribe may become available once Olivera arrives and is proven healthy (there had been a bit of concern about Olivera's elbow)," writes Jon Heyman of CBS Sports.
"The Dodgers are going to trade a third baseman. The only question is which one," adds FOX Sports' Ken Rosenthal. "Guerrero, 28, already is drawing trade interest, according to major-league sources. But the Dodgers might prefer to trade Juan Uribe, who is 36 and in the final year of his contract."
Once Puig and fellow outfielder Carl Crawford return from the DL (and if Guerrero is still hitting well), manager Don Mattingly will be faced with a tough decision regarding third base. He previously noted he is not jumping ship on Uribe because the veteran had a good campaign in 2014 and is a reliable defender, but he may not have much of a choice.
Los Angeles will eventually have a considerable surplus of third basemen once Olivera arrives and Guerrero's trade value is fairly diminished because of a clause in his contract that allows him to become a free agent at the end of any season in which he is traded. The Dodgers' plan for their infield remains relatively unknown, but with Uribe, shortstop Jimmy Rollins and second baseman Howie Kendrick becoming free agents after this season, there will certainly be a shakeup at some point.
"One possibility would be for the Dodgers to move Uribe, who is earning $6.5 million, for a back-of-the-rotation starter at comparable salary, then later acquire a pitcher who is more of a difference-maker," adds Rosenthal.
The Dodgers recently lost Brandon McCarthy to Tommy John surgery and Hyun-Jin Ryu has yet to pitch this season because of a shoulder issue. The starting rotation has some serious question marks beyond Clayton Kershaw and Zack Greinke because Brett Anderson has a lengthy injury history and the club, as of right now, will have to rely on in-house options that consist of minor league players and others returning from injury (Ryu and Brandon Beachy).
The club also has a surplus of outfielders, but their salaries do not make them easy trade candidates. If the Dodgers need to upgrade the starting rotation, it appears as if they'll need to trade an infielder. Uribe seems most likely to be that guy.
