The Los Angeles Dodgers have not been playing their best baseball lately. They need reinforcements, and the trade deadline could bring some to them.
The Los Angeles Dodgers have not been playing their best baseball lately. They need reinforcements, and the trade deadline could bring some to them.
The Dodgers' 4.43 bullpen ERA is the seventh-worst in all of baseball. This month, their offense has scored the fifth-fewest runs in baseball. Michael Conforto needs to be replaced, and the bullpen needs help. Tanner Scott has struggled this year after signing a $72 million deal in free agency. He is also now on the injured list.
The Dodgers spent a lot of money on Scott, so perhaps they'll keep him in the closer's role when he returns. However, Scott could also thrive as a setup man if the Dodgers add a closer. Regardless, they could use a leverage arm. In left field, it will not be difficult to find a better player than Conforto. The Minnesota Twins could provide the Dodgers with everything they need.
Byron Buxton has shut down any notion of him getting traded, citing his no-trade clause. However, the Twins have three players who could be available in Griffin Jax, Jhoan Durán and Willi Castro. The Athletic's Jim Bowden proposed this blockbuster trade that would bring all three to Los Angeles:
- Dodgers receive: RHO Jhoan Durán, RHP Griffin Jax and UTIL Willi Castro
- Twins receive: OF Jouse De Paula (Dodgers' No. 1 prospect), LHP Jackson Ferris (Dodgers' No. 6 prospect), RHP Bobby Miller and OF Jaron Elkins (Dodgers' No. 23 prospect)
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Duran is under club control through 2027 and has a 1.94 ERA with 15 saves this year. His electric fastball would bring a new weapon to the Dodgers' bullpen. He would take over as the closer, making Scott the setup man when he returns. Jax has a 4.09 ERA, but has notched 68 strikeouts in 44 innings. He is also under club control through 2027.
Castro was an All-Star last year, but has even better numbers this year. He has made 158 career appearances in left field and would replace Conforto. He has a .774 OPS on the season. The Dodgers would be getting an All-Star and two controllable bullpen arms, meaning the return would have to be significant.
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Category: Baseball
