As the 2025 MLB trade deadline approaches (Thursday, July 31, 6 p.m. ET), there are already MLB teams characterized as sellers: Baltimore Orioles, Chicago White Sox, Colorado Rockies, Miami Marlins, Pittsburgh Pirates, and Washington Nationals. Several other teams will no doubt move into the seller category as the season nears the All-Star break in early July.
The Dodgers may be both a buyer and seller as the season progresses. Shockingly, the team may be browsing the market for pitching help, both starters and relievers, depending on the prognosis of their injured pitchers: Brusdar Graterol, Tyler Glasnow, Michael Kopech, Shohei Ohtani, Evan Phillips, Roki Sasaki, Blake Snell, Blake Treinen, and Kirby Yates. By far, the best possible outcome for the Dodgers is for all of these pitchers to be healthy for the stretch drive and postseason tournament.
But, why would the Dodgers be sellers?
Do the math.
If the nine pitchers fully recover, they must be added to the active roster that already includes: Anthony Banda, Ben Casparius, Jack Dreyer, Luis García, Tony Gonsolin, Clayton Kershaw, Landon Knack, Dustin May, Matt Sauer, Tanner Scott, Lou Trivino, Alex Vesia, and Yoshinobu Yamamoto. Those in italics cannot be optioned to the minor leagues – a total of eight. By rule, MLB teams cannot carry more than 14 pitchers on its active roster (Ohtani as two way player is not counted as pitcher on the roster). Do the math.
Free agency after the 2025 season is another factor that may influence the Dodgers decision to be sellers. Pitchers García, Kopech, May, Trivino, Yates, and Vesia (team option for 2026), outfielder Michael Conforto, infielder Max Muncy (team option), and utility players Kiké Hernández and Miguel Rojas are eligible for free agency after this season. (Clayton Kershaw will also be a free agent, but trading him is not an option).
Among the potential free agents (those most likely to be traded) are right-handed relievers García, Kopech, and Trivino. And, it is possible that current starter Dustin May could be available if Kershaw returns to form and injured starters Glasnow, Ohtani, Sasaki, and Snell are healthy and effective before the end of July.
Based on May’s most recent performance, he could bring the best return to the Dodgers in prospects and Competitive Balance draft picks (the only draft picks allowed to be traded). Kopech could also net a nice return to the Dodgers once he successfully completes his minor league rehab assignment.
But, to which buyers will the Dodgers be willing to sell?
Eliminate all of the National League teams that are competing for one of the six postseason spots. And, the Dodgers will be very selective in making deals with American League teams. More likely that they would deal with those teams that are on the cusp of the playoffs: A’s, Astros, Angels, Guardians, Orioles, Rangers, Rays, Red Sox, and Royals.
Who might the Dodgers get in return? Too many possibilities to list, but there are some intriguing players/prospects from several of those teams.
Too many injuries to know how big a seller the Dodgers will be in next nine weeks, but the chances are excellent that the team will make some roster moves by July 31, 2025.
* * * * * *