The Los Angeles Dodgers‘ trade deadline plans are coming into shape. USA Today’s Bob Nightengale recently discussed the team’s intentions in the trade market.
“The Dodgers, who swore up and down all winter and spring that they were going to stay out of the trade market, now have no choice but to get another reliever,” said Nightengale. “They thought they assembled a lights-out bullpen when they shelled out $107 million to sign co-closers Tanner Scott and Kirby Yates, to go along with Blake Treinen. Scott has already blown seven saves and given up eight homers with a 4.09 ERA. Yates is yielding a .500 slugging percentage. Evan Phillips underwent Tommy John surgery. And Treinen and Michael Kopech are hurt.”
Despite all the money spent to sustain an elite bullpen, the group’s ERA of 4.39 ranks fourth worst in the National League. Getting Treinen and Kopech back will certainly help, but this team will have to add to be confident in their pen come playoff time. Nightengale would go on to name six relievers that the Dodgers have already expressed interest in trading for.
Jhoan Duran (MIN)
Kicking off the rumors, we will start with Twins closer, Jhoan Duran. The righty lights up the radar gun with his triple-digit fastball, complemented by his 97-mph splitter, curveball, and sweeper. He’s arguably having the best season of his career with a 1.62 ERA. More importantly, he’s been consistent over his four-year MLB career with a 2.40 ERA, 1.13 WHIP, and 30.9% strikeout rate. Duran will cost a pretty penny, as he has two more years of team control after this season.
Griffin Jax (MIN)
Another Twin on the list, Griffin Jax, is also in trade rumors. He has a much different approach compared to Duran, and he throws his sweeper and change-up 70% of the time. Outside of those two pitches, he has a 4-seam fastball, sinker, and cutter. Jax currently has a 3.83 ERA, but his xERA is much better at 2.91. On top of strong expected numbers, he is a strikeout machine. His strikeout and whiff rates are in the 99th percentile, and his chase rate is the best in the MLB. Like Duran, Jax has two additional years of control, and it will take significant trade capital to acquire him.
Félix Bautista (BAL)
The Orioles are expected to have somewhat of a fire sale this trade deadline, and Bautista seems almost certain to be moved. The 6’8″ hurler was an All-Star in 2023, before missing the entire 2024 season after getting Tommy John surgery. Fortunately, the righty has returned to form this year with a 2.60 ERA, 35.2% strikeout rate, and the lowest expected batting average in the league. The big question with Bautista is with his command, as his walk rate of 16.2% is the lowest in the MLB. Like the previous two, Bautista has two more years of control, raising his trade value.
Ryan Helsley (STL)
The St. Louis Cardinals closer led the MLB in saves last season, while posting a 2.04 ERA over 66.1 innings. Helsley is not having as good a season this year (3.18 ERA), but his career track record shows he’s still a quality reliever. The righty throws a slider-fastball combo 93% of the time, paired with two show-me pitches, the curveball and cutter. The Cardinals are still in the mix to make the playoffs, but if they opt to sell at the deadline, Helsley will cost less than the others on this list, as he will be a free agent after this season.
David Bednar (PIT)
After struggling early in his MLB career with the Padres, Bednar put together three fantastic seasons with the Pirates from 2021-2023, which included two All-Star appearances. He had a down year in 2024, where he had a brutal 5.77 ERA, but has bounced back this season. So far, the righty has a 2.45 ERA and an elite 33.8% strikeout rate. He throws a three-pitch mix made up of a 4-seamer, curveball, and splitter. He will be a free agent after the 2026 season, so Bednar is likely to cost less than some of the other high-leverage relievers on the market.
Emmanuel Clase (CLE)
Last, but not least, is Emmanuel Clase. The dominant bullpen arm is probably the most impactful player the Dodgers can add at this trade deadline. It’s pretty easy to claim that Clase has been the best reliever in the MLB since the 2021 season. He’s a three-time All-Star and holds a career 1.82 ERA and 0.93 WHIP. He’s another righty who primarily throws a cutter and slider. Clase is under contract next year, and then has a $10 million club option in both 2027 and 2028.
No matter who the Dodgers end up trading for, they will need their new addition to step up. The bullpen is desperate for a righty who can shut down games. While the Dodgers are still in first place in the NL West, their lead has dwindled down to just 3.5 games. Their schedule includes many important series ahead that will ultimately determine whether or not they enter the postseason with a first-round bye. Trading for the correct bullpen arm could easily be the deciding factor for the reigning World Champs.
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