The Los Angeles Dodgers made four moves before Thursday’s MLB trade deadline, addressing a few pressing needs while shedding players who may have been invaluable as this year’s playoff push approaches. The moves were headlined by the acquisition of Minnesota Twins reliever Brock Stewart and the departure of starter Dustin May to the Boston Red Sox.
Stewart Trade Provides Immediate Bullpen Help
The most impactful deal saw the Dodgers swap struggling outfielder James Outman to the Twins for the right-handed reliever Stewart in a one-for-one trade. Stewart, 33, has posted a decent 2.38 ERA across 34 innings this season with a 30% strikeout rate and has blown just one save opportunity while recording 14 holds.
For a Dodgers bullpen that ranks 22nd in MLB with a 4.24 ERA and has been decimated by injuries to key arms like Evan Phillips, Michael Kopech, and Brusdar Graterol, Stewart represents immediate high-leverage help. The right-hander features a 96 mph fastball and gets significant swing-and-miss on both his sweeper and changeup.
The trade marks a homecoming of sorts for Stewart, who began his career with the Dodgers as a 2014 sixth-round pick before being lost on waivers to Toronto in 2019. Although it took him several years to find his groove as a bonafide reliever, he’s emerged as a dominant late-inning weapon since joining Minnesota.
May Heads to Boston for Top Prospect
In a somewhat surprising move, the Dodgers dealt starter May to Boston in exchange for lefty-hitting outfield prospect James Tibbs III and and 22-year-old right-handed hitting outfield prospect Zach Ehrhard. May, who is in his walk year, had struggled to a 4.85 ERA in 104 innings while working his way back from UCL surgery that cost him the entire 2024 season.
Tibbs, 22, was ranked as Boston’s No. 5 prospect and represents the type of high-upside talent the Dodgers are known to covet. The former first-round pick out of Florida State has shown impressive plate discipline improvements during his college career and offers solid power to all fields, although he’s hitting just .232 this season between High-A and Double-A.
Three-Team Deal Adds Pitching Depth
The Dodgers also participated in a complex three-team trade with Cincinnati and Tampa Bay, acquiring left-handed pitching prospect Adam Serwinowski from the Reds, plus reliever Paul Gervase and catcher Ben Rortvedt from the Rays. In return, they sent catcher Hunter Feduccia to Tampa Bay.
Serwinowski, a 6-foot-5 lefty, ranked 10th in Cincinnati’s system according to MLB Pipeline and features a plus fastball-slider combination. The 21-year-old represents the type of developmental lottery ticket the Dodgers excel at maximizing, even if he ultimately profiles as a reliever.
Call Strengthens Outfield
The Dodgers also acquired outfielder Alex Call from the Washington Nationals in exchange for two pitching prospects, Eriq Swan and Sean Paul Linan. The move essentially replaced James Outman’s roster spot with a more reliable veteran option.
Call, 30, brings versatility and improved plate discipline to the Dodgers’ outfield mix. He’s hitting .274/.371/.386 over 237 plate appearances this season and can play all three outfield positions, though he’s best suited for corner work. The right-handed hitter profiles as a platoon partner for left-handed hitting Michael Conforto and provides a significant upgrade over fringe options like Esteury Ruiz.
With two minor league options remaining, Call gives the Dodgers roster flexibility while being controlled through the 2029 season. His .800+ OPS against left-handed pitching this season makes him a valuable complementary piece.
Final Assessment
While none of these moves qualify as blockbusters, they address multiple organizational needs without sacrificing top prospects. Stewart immediately slots into high-leverage situations and provides the kind of reliable arm the Dodgers desperately needed as they push toward October. Call gives them a steady veteran presence in the outfield with platoon upside.
The May trade, while perhaps overdue given his struggles and impending free agency, brings back a legitimate prospect who could contribute to future championship runs.