As the MLB postseason inches closer, the Dodgers find themselves in a familiar yet uncomfortable position. They boast a powerful lineup but are grappling with serious questions on the mound. Despite their offensive firepower, the glaring weakness in their bullpen looms large, reflected in a concerning 4.38 ERA. It’s a figure that casts doubt even among the most die-hard fans, especially considering the long and growing list of pitching injuries that have plagued the club this season.
The Dodgers’ front office has hardly been passive. Aggressive moves like the acquisitions of Kirby Yates and Tanner Scott were meant to shore up the bullpen. However, injuries quickly derailed those hopes. Now, with October looming and the margin for error shrinking, league insiders believe the Dodgers are once again setting their sights on bullpen reinforcements as the trade deadline approaches. While fixing the late-inning situation might not be a priority, it could be the key to their postseason survival.
“After investing a combined $107 million in free-agent relievers Tanner Scott, Blake Treinen, and Kirby Yates, the Dodgers are expected to pursue bullpen help,” MLB insider Ken Rosenthal shared his view.
Scott hasn’t looked like himself this year. Notably, he’s already given up eight homers and has a 4.09 ERA. That’s a big step back from the 1.75 ERA and just three homers allowed last season with the Marlins and Padres. Surely, that’s not exactly what the Dodgers had in mind when they gave him $72 million.
Meanwhile, Yates is still working his way back from injury on a one-year, $13 million deal. As for Blake Treinen, he is tentatively expected to be back next week after missing three months with forearm tightness. And Michael Kopech, who threw seven scoreless innings in June before undergoing knee surgery, is aiming to return sometime next month.
Thus, all things considered, it doesn’t take a genius to figure out the Dodgers are going to be looking to shore up that bullpen. They are not alone in the race to reinforce their bullpen. There are plenty of top contenders across both leagues who are in the same boat. Yankees GM Brian Cashman has already made it clear he’s shopping for pitching ahead of the trade deadline, and the Phillies could use some help, too.
Now, all eyes will be on which names the Dodgers are finding reliable and welcoming to Los Angeles.
The Dodgers need to catch the best fish out of the pond
There’s no dearth of relievers available for trade, but the Dodgers might be extra careful this time before putting their bet. The first name that is long rumored with the Dodgers is Jhoan Duran. For the unversed, in 43 1/3 innings, Duran has racked up 49 strikeouts and posted an impressive 1.66 ERA. But here’s the catch.
Like a lot of the top trade chips this year, the Twins haven’t fully committed to selling. And that makes his situation one to watch closely, because there’s no guarantee he’ll even be moved, let alone land with the Dodgers. But when it is the Dodgers, a lot can happen over anything. Remember their top trades last offseason? Well, apart from Duran, the Twins will face more onslaught from the Dodgers.
Their Griffin Jax is also on the Dodgers’ radar and could be a solid fallback option. And a more affordable one, too. He’d be a great fit alongside Alex Vesia in those key 8th-inning spots. While his ERA sits at 3.92, Jax could be another option for the Dodgers to rebuild their bullpen. With 66 strikeouts and only 10 walks over 41.1 innings this season, he’s definitely a bullpen weapon worth targeting.
And apart from these two, there’s more to target. But putting huge sums on Yates and Scott, we are not sure how much the Dodgers will go this time. So, even if we don’t see any blockbuster trade, a few utilitarian moves would surely be on the cards.
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