The Los Angeles Dodgers have some decisions to make at the MLB trade deadline this week, with July 31 marking the final day that organizations can significantly add to their rosters.
As they are most years, the Dodgers are expected to be active in the 2025 trade market, with a particular focus on bullpen help. An overworked, injured, and struggling group of relievers has caused the Dodgers to “intensify” their search for a high-leverage option before the 3 p.m. PT deadline passes.
Tanner Scott is the most recent late-inning reliever to be placed on the injured list, joining Michael Kopech, Brusdar Graterol, and Evan Phillips, who is out for the season after undergoing Tommy John surgery. Blake Treinen was included in that group as well until getting activated on Sunday.
Meanwhile, the collective slump of the Dodgers’ offense has been highlighted during their current 5-13 stretch sinceJuly 4, raising the question of whether the lineup needs to be addressed as well.
But Dodgers manager Dave Roberts is confident some of the players will rebound as the second half of the season progresses, particularly those with prestigious track records like Freddie Freeman and Mookie Betts. He’d prefer the focus be on acquiring bullpen arms instead.
“Well, I think that on the offensive side, with the guys that we have scuffling with the bat, those are essentially four or five trade pickups in itself,” Roberts said. “So that, we’re going to bet on the comeback, the performance of those guys.”
In terms of pitching, Roberts is hoping to acquire some more established veterans to help stabilize the group. Either way, he welcomes any player that makes the Dodgers better and has faith in the front office’s judgement.
“I think then you’re starting to really think about the relief pitching,” he said. “Some guys have track records, most of our guys don’t. Getting somebody that can really take down right-handed hitters, I think is something that everyone knows that we’re looking at.
“But yeah, I think you’re still just trying to get quality players. Whether it ultimately does become a position player, great, and if it’s a reliever, great. But like I said, Andrew, Gomer, they’ve been great at always trying to do things to make our club better.”
Freeman has been able to turn things around as of late amid a continued search for the feel with his swing. It has been spurred on by another minor adjustment with his mechanics, which was inspired by a photo of his batting stance from the World Series last year.
The results haven’t been nearly as positive elsewhere in the lineup, as Betts’ struggles continue. Betts was moved into the leadoff spot of the lineup as the Dodgers look to facilitate a turnaround.
And even with Roberts voicing confidence in the current group of position players, the Dodgers are said to be in the market for an outfielder.
Dave Roberts frustrated by Dodgers lacking ‘focus’
In addition to the Dodgers’ ongoing struggles at the plate, they have not been playing clean baseball in the field. They’ve committed at least one error in multiple games and in Boston specifically were puzzled by the Green Monster.
Errors were particularly a factor in Clayton Kershaw being plenty frustrated and prompted Roberts to question his team’s attention to detail of late.
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