The Los Angeles Dodgers were seemingly linked to every top relief pitcher who was available at this year’s MLB trade deadline amid their search for bullpen help, including Jhoan Duran and Griffin Jax of the Minnesota Twins.
Both right-handers were ultimately sent elsewhere for notable returns as Duran went to the Philadelphia Phillies and Jax was dealt to the Tampa Bay Rays.
The Dodgers still wound up acquiring a reliever from the Twins as they brought back Brock Stewart in exchange for James Outman.
According to Bobby Nightengale of The Minnesota Star Tribune, the Dodgers weren’t too keen on Duran or Jax despite previous reports suggesting otherwise, and the Twins preferred Outman over a potential trade for prospects:
The Dodgers didn’t show much interest in Duran or Jax, and the Twins valued Outman more than the prospects who were discussed.
While Stewart doesn’t have the same upside as Duran or Jax, he was one of the Twins’ most effective relief pitchers and pitched to a 2.38 ERA in 39 appearances for the team this season.
The Dodgers were able to land Stewart without giving up any prospects, which is a win for the front office considering the high cost to acquire relief pitchers with control at this year’s trade deadline.
Though, the Phillies’ trade for Duran wasn’t the exorbitant cost many anticipated despite the fireballer being under team control through the 2027 season.
Coincidentally, MLB Pipeline ranked the Dodgers farm system No. 1 overall in their midseason update for 2025. It’s their first time reaching the top of the list since heading into the 2016 season. MLB Pipeline began ranking Minor League systems in 2015.
Andrew Friedman doesn’t regret Dodgers’ trade deadline
While the Dodgers lauded their addition of Stewart, he now is on the 15-day injured list because of right shoulder inflammation. The team is optimistic Stewart’s injury was caught early enough to make a return late in the 2025 season.
Stewart pitched to mixed results in his appearances for the Dodgers thus far, and despite that along with the injury, president of baseball operations Andrew Friedman said the front office does not regret what turned out to be a relatively modest trade deadline.
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