The Los Angeles Dodgers acquired James Tibbs III from the Boston Red Sox in exchange for Dustin May last season, and he has turned into one of their best prospects.
Tibbs was a solid prospect before getting to the Dodgers, but his offense has taken a huge leap since joining the Dodgers organization. He has 21 home runs, tied for the third-most in Triple-A. His .959 OPS is the seventh-best in Triple-A, and he is currently the team's No. 9 prospect. He already had great trade value, but he has increased it even more this year. While the team may like him, trading him makes too much sense.
The Dodgers are looking to three-peat, and Tibbs does not look like a piece that can help them right now. Not because he isn't good enough, but because there is no room. When healthy, the Dodgers' preferred outfield is Kyle Tucker, Teoscar Hernández and Andy Pages. The only other position Tibbs plays is first base, where future Hall of Famer Freddie Freeman is a regular. Unlike most teams, the Dodgers cannot simply slot him in as a designated hitter. Shohei Ohtani will be the designated hitter every day that he is playing, and the Dodgers are not going to keep him out of the lineup.
Tibbs has a case to be called up right now, but he plays on a team with no room, and there may not be space any time soon. Trading Tibbs now to win a third straight championship could be a great move.
Tibbs could be the headliner going to another team in a trade that would net the Dodgers a superstar. Tarik Skubal could be on the move, and adding Tibbs, a big-league-ready prospect, could make the Dodgers' offer more enticing for the Detroit Tigers.
If not Skubal, then the Dodgers could use Tibbs to add a different star. The point is, the Dodgers are interested in winning now, and Tibbs does not help them do that. They don't have to worry about having prospects to take over in the outfield in the future since four of their top five prospects are also outfielders.
The only value in keeping Tibbs is if they know Freddie Freeman will retire or leave after the 2027 season. However, the Dodgers should have no problem in finding a new first baseman even if they trade Tibbs.