The Los Angeles Dodgers are focused on the postseason right now, but soon they will be faced with offseason decisions.

One of the key decisions the Dodgers will face is what to do with Dalton Rushing. Rushing was one of the top prospects in the Dodgers organization and was called up to back up Will Smith.

Smith is currently on the injured list and could miss the rest of the season. However, it is not Rushing who is expected to carry the load with Smith out, but rather it is Ben Rortvedt.

Smith is signed to a 10-year, $300 million deal, so Rushing’s path to being the everyday catcher was already blocked. However, he has struggled offensively at the big league level. FanSided’s Henry Palattella predicted that Rushing would not be part of the team’s plans next season.

“In total, Rushing has only hit .189 in 122 at-bats this year,” wrote Palattella. “It’s not the kind of production the Dodgers expected from him this season, but it’s hard to expect him to be a productive major leaguer when he’s getting sporadic at-bats. But even with that, this seems like it’s going to be Rushing’s only season in Los Angeles. He garnered some interest from other teams at this year’s trade deadline, and it’s hard to imagine it’ll be any different during the offseason.”

Palattella also noted that the Dodgers would not want to keep Rushing around as a backup catcher while he still has trade value if there is no place for him to play every day.

Rortvedt has hit .270 with the Dodgers this season and is under contract through 2027. He could be an option to serve as the backup catcher, especially if he shines in October.

Rishing has not had a great season, but many teams would be willing to trade for a young catcher with potential. It would be a move that yields the Dodgers a prospect for a player they do not necessarily need.