The MLB trade deadline for the 2025 season is not until July 31, but there already is early speculation over potential moves for teams in need.
Despite best efforts by president of baseball operations Andrew Friedman during the offseason, the Los Angeles Dodgers may very well find themselves among the buyers. Their pitching staff once again has been decimated by injuries this year, and the Dodgers reportedly are open to finding a left-handed hitting position player for the bench.
In a breakdown for each team heading into the MLB trade deadline, ESPN’s Jeff Passan identified Walker Buehler as the “best fit” for the Dodgers amid a goal to “Get to October with a full rotation.”
During an appearance on the “Foul Territory” show, Ken Rosenthal explained why he believes the Dodgers completing a trade with the Boston Red Sox for Buehler is unlikely:
“Maybe the Dodgers should just collect every pitcher, and by the playoffs they can figure out who’s healthy and who’s not, and choose from a staff of 50. Seriously though, with the Red Sox, yeah I can understand the questions about them possibly becoming a seller, buta gain, we’re two months away — just about two months away — from the deadline.
“The Red Sox built this team to win. That’s why they gave Bregman a $40 million average annual value, that’s why they traded for Crochet and signed him. I cannot imagine them conceding easily.
“We’ve been hearing from them all season, ‘We’re going to be better. We expect to play better.’ But they have not put it together yet. Do I believe they can put it together? I absolutely do. Especially with Bregman coming back at some point.
“So they may do some things we discussed earlier; trading from depth, from strength. With an outfielder, for instance. But I don’t expect them to be full-blown sellers and trading away Buehler and others just for the sake of collecting young players.”
The Red Sox would need to make a significant climb back up the standings in order to contend for an American League East title, but they remain well within striking distance for a Wild Card spot.
Buehler was among several additions the Red Sox made during the offseason, which included trading for Garrett Crochet and signing Alex Bregman. Buehler joined Boston on a one-year, $21.05 million contract for the 2025 season.
Despite being a former Dodgers draft pick, there never was much publication indication that re-signing with the team was a plausible scenario. The Dodgers instead addressed their rotation by signing Blake Snell and Roki Sasaki, while also welcoming back Clayton Kershaw.
Beyond the notion of Boston wanting to still compete this year, there is also the fact of their trade history with the Dodgers. The Red Sox were heavily criticized for trading Mookie Betts to the Dodgers, and would subject themselves to more in the event they sent Buehler back to L.A. and he helped them win a World Series.
Would Dodgers need Walker Buehler?
Buehler has had moments of pitching well at various points this year, but he’s just 4-3 with a 4.44 ERA and 1.31 WHIP in nine starts.
He nevertheless does profile as the type of depth candidate the Dodgers might target at the trade deadline. Furthermore, Buehler has proven time and time again his capability of shining in October, which is where the Dodgers put their ultimate focus anyhow.
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