The rich might stay rich, but not without coughing up a few crown jewels first. As the Dodgers front office toys with another round of deadline brilliance, the other is quietly stacking leverage like chips at a high-stakes poker table. And make no mistake: this isn’t just rumor-mill fluff. It’s calculated interest, creeping urgency, and the kind of negotiation that makes prospect huggers sweat through their analytics tees.
We have all heard the saying, ‘To gain something, we have to lose something,’ but this doesn’t only apply in normal life. It also applies in sports, and MLB’s version of this is being showcased by the Dodgers. There were rumors about a trade between them and the Guardians before the deadline, but this time, LA will stake more than just money.
In a recent video on the Dodgers Nation YouTube channel, Doug McKain talked about trade rumors. He said, “The Dodgers and their interest in two Cleveland Guardians players by the name of Emmanuel Clase and outfielder Steven Kwan… certainly something that is top of mind for them… they would want would be just Wrobleski and Ben Casparius… include Josue De Paula… Guardians would want more Emmet Sheehan; they wanted Dalton Rushing.”
The Dodgers’ perspective reflects escalating urgency to address bullpen and outfield weaknesses amid postseason aspirations. Despite offseason spending exceeding $107 million on relievers, injuries and uneven performances forced renewed trade exploration. The franchise now views trading for elite options like closer Clase and outfielder Kwan as a strategic priority.
Credit: Sue Ogrocki/ AP News
The trade philosophy under Andrew Friedman emphasizes disciplined deadline activity, but the willingness to pivot persists under pressure. He famously described July trades as “terrible,” preferring offseason shrewd purchases to avoid overpaying. Yet he also stated budgeted midseason funds would allow flexibility if performance demands become urgent. Controlled risk and multi-player packs define the Bruins’ blueprint for deadline overhaul.
Is the asking price too high for the Dodgers to swallow in the July frenzy? Cleveland Guardians reportedly demands four high-upside pitchers, including Wrobleski, Casparius, De Paula, and a fourth intriguing minor leaguer. That package represents substantial MLB-ready talent and leaves the Dodgers’ farm system potentially hollowed out. Evaluating whether championship gains balance long-term development remains the front office’s most critical question.
But as whispers turn into war rooms and prospects become bargaining chips, the stakes are unmistakable. The Dodgers aren’t just flirting with risk—they’re slow dancing with it in the middle of deadline chaos. Because in L.A., flags fly forever—but only if you’re willing to burn the blueprint. The Guardians hold the leverage, the Dodgers hold the wallet, and the farm might hold the receipt. So buckle up: this isn’t a trade—it’s a test of nerve dressed in front office logic.
Rumors aside, the Dodgers should focus on this first
For a team that prints postseason tickets in spring, the Dodgers sure know how to flirt with chaos. While fans debate trade targets like it’s a fantasy draft, one glaring issue keeps spilling onto the mound—and no, Ken Rosenthal can’t report their way out of it. Before dialing Cleveland about Clase or daydreaming about Kwan, L.A. might want to clean up its own high-priced mess.
The Dodgers began 2025 with a pitching staff that screamed dominance, but injuries silenced it fast. Blake Snell, Roki Sasaki, and Tony Gonsolin are all shelved, and Glasnow only just returned. Meanwhile, the bullpen’s become a MASH unit, with Blake Treinen, Michael Kopech, and Evan Phillips all sidelined. Toss in Tanner Scott’s seven blown saves, and $72 million suddenly looks like fool’s gold.
Given the rotation’s gradual recovery, Los Angeles may skip starters at the Deadline entirely. But the bullpen? That’s an open wound, and Rosenthal says help is coming. The market’s not dazzling—names like Gregory Soto, Raisel Iglesias, and Kyle Finnegan barely move the needle. Still, if teams like the Cardinals or Twins sell, arms like Helsley or Duran could stir action.
Controllable relievers such as Griffin Jax, Félix Bautista, and Clase won’t come cheap—or quietly. But the Dodgers are one power arm away from real October confidence, not clubhouse hope. Free agent David Robertson, fresh off a 3.00 ERA and 99 K’s, remains unsigned. If L.A. needs a stopgap, he might be the calm before—or after—the—trade storm. October glory isn’t built on patchwork and press releases. It’s built on trust, execution, and a bullpen that doesn’t combust on cue. Right now, L.A. has two of the three—on a good night.
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