We are one month away from the 2025 MLB trade deadline. As perennial contenders for the postseason, the Los Angeles Dodgers have shown they aren’t afraid to make a deal when a need arises. A year ago, they swung a pivotal three-team trade en route to a World Series ring. So the question remains: what areas would the Dodgers think about upgrading in hopes of improving their chances for another championship? Here are three to consider.
Three Areas of Priority for the Dodgers at the Trade Deadline
Out in Left Field
The Dodgers have more than adequate offensive numbers in every position on the diamond except left field. Michael Conforto has the lowest offensive rating of any regular in Major League Baseball, and it has been that way for some time. Conforto has had a batting average below .200 since the middle of April. There have been isolated moments of optimism that the veteran outfielder would snap out of the offensive doldrums, but they don’t seem to last for extended periods of time. Nevertheless, the Dodgers seem reticent to quit on Conforto, and as of right now, even less inclined to trade for a left fielder. Manager Dave Roberts said last weekend that the next several weeks were critical in determining the next course of action. The leash in left may be getting shorter by the minute.
“At least my sense from Andrew Friedman is they’re not really interested in making a move in left field… I would think pitching area for sure is where they’re focused.”
@BillShaikin joined @AlannaRizzo and @RealFRG to dive into what’s shaping up at the trade deadline. pic.twitter.com/40Fch6ciaohttps://twitter.com/LADTerritory/status/1937541225952714869?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1937541225952714869%7Ctwgr%5Ead6dceeffff723459edc569aed03833710606dcf%7Ctwcon%5Es1_&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Flastwordonsports.com%2Fbaseball%2F2025%2F06%2F30%2Fthree-dodgers-priorities-2025-trade-deadline%2F
Right-Handed Relief
The Dodger bullpen has logged more innings than any other relief corps in baseball. Again. One-time closer Evan Phillips is out for the season. As if to add to that urgency, the normal right-handed relievers of Blake Treinen and Brusdar Graterol will be out until after the All-Star Break, and who knows if they come back healthy. Treinen and Kirby Yates are grizzled veterans who have proven they can still execute at an elite level, but they may not be as durable as they once were. Therefore, it is a real possibility that the Dodgers are on the market for a right-handed reliever, possibly one who is in the last year of a deal with a non-contender. Andrew Friedman has already committed big bucks to Tanner Scott, so it would not be a surprise to see him revert to form and bargain hunt for a bullpen arm.
My Kingdom For a (Healthy) Starting Pitcher
The Dodgers came out of spring training with a surplus of starting pitchers. By the end of April, half the rotation was out with injury. As a result, the air miles between Los Angeles and Triple-A Oklahoma City have accumulated at hyper speed. There is some good news for the near future. Emmet Sheehan is on the brink of returning to the rotation on a permanent basis. He has shown that he is healthy and has electric stuff. Clayton Kershaw has returned to vintage form and is three strikeouts away from 3,000 in his career.
In addition, Tyler Glasnow and Blake Snell look like they are on the road back. However, it is an open question whether they can be healthy and effective. And no timetable has been announced for Tony Gonsolin. Therefore, it’s an open secret that they are in search of at least one starting pitcher. Most think that it is the Dodgers’ top trade priority, and it should be. Who they will acquire remains a mystery. For now, the rumors will fly.
