The trade deadline is less than two weeks away, and the Los Angeles Dodgers have a major need to fulfill before the end of the month.
MLB insider Alden Gonzalez said the Dodgers will be on the hunt for some back-end relievers to bolster their bullpen and possibly a left fielder to replace Michael Conforto.
He explained how the Dodgers are tied with the Philadelphia Phillies for the seventh-highest bullpen ERA (4.38) in MLB and will both be aggressively searching for relievers at the deadline.
During the Dodgers’ World Series run last year, Los Angeles relied heavily on the bullpen. Several starting pitchers were injured, so the Dodgers utilized multiple relievers throughout those postseason games.
As the Dodgers aim to win back-to-back World Series titles, adding some more depth to the bullpen will be crucial.
The Dodgers expected Tanner Scott, who signed a four-year, $72 million deal in January, to be the team’s closer. However, the 2024 National League All-Star has posted a 4.09 ERA, which is his highest in the last two seasons.
And Los Angeles’ strongest relievers are sidelined with injuries. Michael Kopech, Evan Phillips, Brusdar Graterol and Blake Treinen all contributed to the Dodgers’ postseason run in 2024 but have each pitched in less than eight innings this season.
The Dodgers were recently linked to Minnesota Twins reliever Jhoan Durán, who has logged a 1.66 ERA in 43.1 innings. Durán was also the American League Reliever of the Month in May.
Tampa Bay Rays reliever Pete Fairbanks, Baltimore Orioles reliever Felix Bautista, St. Louis Cardinals reliever Ryan Hesley and Cleveland Guardians reliever Emmanuel Clase have also been named as potential trade targets for the Dodgers.
Los Angeles is no stranger to making big moves at the deadline. They acquired Kopech and 2024 NL Championship Series Most Valuable Player Tommy Edman in a three-team trade deal last July.
The Dodgers still have time to work out some deals as they look to defend their World Series title.
Photo Credit: Kiyoshi Mio-Imagn Images
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