Insider Reveals Dodgers’ Struggles Ahead Of Critical MLB Trade Deadline Decision

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On paper, the Dodgers’ bullpen looks like a liability. Heading into the final week of July, it ranks 24th in MLB in ERA (4.39), 21st in home runs allowed per nine innings (1.14), and tied for 21st in home run-to-fly ball ratio (11.5%). That’s not a recipe for postseason success, especially when measured against the razor-thin margins of October baseball.

Still, the Dodgers’ front office, led by president of baseball operations Andrew Friedman, has been reluctant to pay steep prices for high-end relief help. The market is thin and expensive. Minnesota’s Jhoan Duran and Griffin Jax, along with Pittsburgh’s David Bednar and St. Louis’ Ryan Helsley, are among the big names floated. But according to ESPN’s Jeff Passan, the asking price for Duran or Jax is “at least two top-100-caliber prospects.”

That’s a big ask for players who may contribute 20 to 25 innings the rest of the way.

And that’s before considering the status of Cleveland’s Emmanuel Clase, who had been linked to the Dodgers before being placed on paid administrative leave in MLB’s gambling investigation.

Dustin May: Relief Weapon or Trade Chip?

One intriguing name that has surfaced in recent weeks is Dustin May. A hard-throwing right-hander who has already logged meaningful innings this season, May could find himself squeezed out of the rotation when Blake Snell and Roki Sasaki return from injury.

Rather than shop him for another arm, though, Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic reports the Dodgers are more likely to view May as a potential late-inning weapon themselves—perhaps in a hybrid multi-inning role behind Shohei Ohtani or Tyler Glasnow.

Still, Rosenthal notes that if May were to be dealt, it would be more likely in exchange for an outfielder than a reliever. That makes sense, especially with Michael Conforto struggling mightily (.186/.296/.323 slash line in 90 games) and utility man Kiké Hernández currently sidelined.

Internal Reinforcements Offer Hope

While the relief market is active, Los Angeles is banking on the return of several internal options. Blake Treinen was recently activated. Brusdar Graterol and Michael Kopech are both expected back before the postseason. All three have late-inning experience and could give the Dodgers a lift—assuming health and form.

This depth gives the front office some breathing room. Friedman has said publicly and through league sources that trading for a reliever isn’t a necessity. That’s likely not posturing—it’s strategy. The Dodgers aren’t aiming for a splashy acquisition unless the price and fit are right.

Miller, May, and the Prospect Dilemma

One name that continues to pop up in Dodgers circles is Athletics flamethrower Mason Miller. With a 101.1 mph average fastball and elite whiff rates, Miller is under team control through 2029 and would represent a long-term fix at closer.

But the A’s are no longer pushovers. They know what they have, and as Rosenthal noted, Miller’s $765,000 salary and team control make his price “exorbitant.” The Dodgers, Yankees, and Phillies are among the teams monitoring the situation, but Oakland may prefer to keep Miller as a cornerstone of their next competitive window.

That makes the Dodgers’ deep farm system all the more important. They boast six top-100 prospects, including outfielder Josue De Paula and catcher Dalton Rushing. Still, sources tell The Athletic that the front office is “not inclined” to deal players like Rushing, Alex Freeland, or other key long-term assets unless the return is significant.

Instead, Los Angeles may look to deal from the margins—players like shortstops Kellon Lindsey or Emil Morales, or outfielders Ching-Hsien Ko and Mike Sirota, are more likely candidates.

Friedman’s Familiar Playbook

Friedman has never been the type to swing wildly at the deadline. His in-season moves are often unheralded but calculated—Tommy Edman, Michael Kopech, and Jack Flaherty all quietly contributed during last year’s postseason run.

Even with the Dodgers leading the NL West by six games and holding one of the best records in baseball, the bullpen remains a weak spot. But with rotation help on the way and a loaded offense anchored by Ohtani and Freddie Freeman, Friedman’s restraint might once again pay off.

The Los Angeles Dodgers are buyers—but not reckless ones. If they can upgrade the bullpen or outfield without touching Dustin May or the top shelf of the farm system, they’ll act. If not, they’ll count on internal health, strategic depth, and October-tested experience to carry them through.