Dodgers Trade Rumors: L.A. Poised to Target Elite Relievers as Deadline Nears

Injuries and blown saves have rocked L.A.’s bullpen, prompting the Dodgers to pursue high-octane arms like Jhoan Duran and Félix Bautista ahead of the July 31 trade deadline.

As defending champions, the Dodgers began 2025 planning to avoid making a deadline purchase, instead banking on offseason signings like Tanner Scott, Kirby Yates, and Blake Treinen to hold the fort.

But injuries to key arms, Blake Treinen, Michael Kopech, Evan Phillips, and Tanner Scott’s league-worst seven blown saves have changed that calculus. According to Ken Rosenthal and DodgersNation, L.A. is now actively targeting bullpen upgrades before July 31.

Despite adding $107 million in relievers, the Dodgers’ bullpen ERA sits around 4.38—tied for 23rd in MLB. That’s unacceptable for a team built on locking down tight postseason games. With Blake Snell, Roki Sasaki, and Tony Gonsolin out, the rotation needs insurance, but the pen is the more pressing concern.

Two Realistic Deadline Targets & One Internal Option

Here are three relievers who could slot seamlessly into L.A.’s high-leverage unit:

1. Jhoan Duran – RHP, Minnesota Twins

• Stats: 1.66 ERA in 43.1 IP, multiple-season cutter/fastball whiff machine.
• Why L.A. Should Target Him: Elite swing-and-miss stuff (11 K/9), affordable control through 2027, perfect for Wrigley’s ninth inning. Pairing Duran with Yates and Scott gives the pen flexibility and depth.
• Cost Outlook: Contenders will make offers—expect Minnesota to ask for a top-5 prospect—but the Twins are sellers amid mediocrity.

Jhoan Duran’s full entrance because it’s fun at night pic.twitter.com/r4Tvqv0Som

— CJ Fogler 🫡 (@cjzero) July 12, 2025

2. Félix Bautista – RHP, Baltimore Orioles

• Stats: Sub-3 ERA returning from TJS, 13+ saves, dominant arsenal (via general bullpen market discussion).
• Why L.A. Loves Him: High-powered fastball-slider combo with elite K/BB, under team control into 2027. A proven playoff performer would anchor late innings in a star-studded bullpen.
• Cost Outlook: A premium piece, Baltimore would demand middle-to-high prospects, but controllability and dominance justify the investment.

The #Orioles are listening to trade offers on RHP Felix Bautista, per @Ken_Rosenthal

Bautista, 30, is under team control through the 2027 season. pic.twitter.com/mHiwfz1QT8

— MLB Deadline News (@MLBDeadlineNews) July 17, 2025

3. Alexis Díaz – RHP, Los Angeles Dodgers

• Stats: Recently acquired from the Reds, ex-All-Star with 90+ MPH stuff.
• Why It’s Smart: Known commodity with high upside, already integrated into L.A.’s clubhouse and minor-league system. Could thrive in an environment built around elite velocity arms.
• Cost Outlook: Minimal, as he’s already on the team; a promotion from Triple-A means L.A. didn’t trade assets for him, thereby preserving prospect depth.

 Considerations & Depth Chart Impacts

• Duran/Bautista Costs: High-value bullpen arms command high prices. L.A. must resist overpaying to protect the health of its farm system.

• Rotation vs. Pen: With starters returning, pen reinforcement jumps to the top of the priority list. Over-investing in a starter may not solve immediate bullpen woes.

• Internal Options: The Dodgers could promote from Triple-A (e.g., Diaz, Julian Fernández), but top-tier performance typically comes from external upgrades.

The Dodgers’ window hasn’t closed; it just got tighter. A bullpen fix is essential, and the front office recognizes that. Expect L.A. to target Duran for controllable dominance, Bautista for raw power, and lean on internal arms like Díaz for no-cost upside.

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