The MLB trade deadline is quickly approaching on July 31, and the Los Angeles Dodgers are surely to be aggressive once again with multiple needs to address.
Adding at least one high-leverage right-handed reliever is the focus for the team, and they could also benefit from acquiring a bat, whether that’s a starting-caliber outfielder or just someone to improve their bench and add to the roster versatility.
Starting pitcher is one area the team does not need to address, however, and they could find themselves with an abundance of options soon. Because of that, the Dodgers have considered trading Dustin May to help address their other issues, according to Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic:
One way, according to sources briefed on the club’s thinking, might be to trade right-hander Dustin May, a potential free agent who could lose his spot in the rotation once left-hander Blake Snell comes off the injured list.
The Dodgers have a rotation that currently consists of Yoshinobu Yamamoto, Clayton Kershaw, Tyler Glasnow, Shohei Ohtani, Emmet Sheehan and May.
Blake Snell is expected to return soon, and Roki Sasaki has made considerable progress, so he should be back this season. In the Minor Leagues, the Dodgers have Justin Wrobleski, Landon Knack, Bobby Miller and Matt Sauer as their primary depth.
Given their rotation depth, it would make sense for the Dodgers to trade May to another team that’s more desperate for starting pitchers. That presumably would allow the Dodgers to trade less prospect capital to fill their other needs.
May has already set a career high in innings this season with 99 over 18 games (17 starts). He’s posted a 4.73 ERA and 4.72 FIP while striking out 21.4% of hitters and walking 10% with a 1.36 WHIP.
May’s numbers are not all that impressive, but given how many other teams need starting pitchers, he could likely still fetch a decent return.
One possible trade involving May could be a three-team deal, similar to the one the Dodgers made last season, where they acquired Tommy Edman and Michael Kopech, the St. Louis Cardinals added veteran pitcher Erick Fedde and Tommy Pham, and the Chicago White Sox received Miguel Vargas and prospects.
Dustin May returning to Dodgers rotation
May was tabbed as the bulk pitcher for Ohtani’s last start, which is a role that has been filled by various pitchers this season. It served as an opportunity to begin reducing his workload, but also came due to their surplus of starting pitchers.
May pitched 4.2 scoreless innings despite giving up five hits and walking three batters. He navigated the traffic in some part behind four strikeouts.
But May is now going to re-join the Dodgers rotation, and he’s set to start against the Boston Red Sox on Sunday.
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