The trade deadline is just a week away, and the Los Angeles Dodgers are expected to be active. The Dodgers’ need for a relief pitcher and corner outfielder is apparent, but could they also be looking for a starter as well? After all, injuries to the rotation are just one pitch away, as the Dodgers know. They are the living illustration of the adage, “You can never have enough pitching.” It may seem like a redundant need. For example, Shohei Ohtani is stretched out. Clayton Kershaw and Tyler Glasnow are back in the rotation and pitching well. If that isn’t enough, Blake Snell is rehabbing and will join the rotation in August. But here is why they may add to the rotation, and three possible additions before July 31.
Dodgers Could Be Looking for Another Starter
Sparing the Bullpen
Once upon a time this season, the Dodgers had a league-high 14 pitchers on the injured list, including half the starting rotation. The replacements were having a hard time getting through five innings. As a result, the Los Angeles relief corps was, once again, carrying more than their fair share of the weight. They may need to acquire an asset for the rotation to just eat innings. Secondly, the Dodgers’ pitchers have shown that they are injury-prone. Glasnow, Kershaw, Snell, and Yoshinobu Yamamoto have all missed significant time the past two seasons due to injury. Finally, it would be wise to monitor innings of the upper tier of the rotation. Another arm could spare the aces on the Dodgers staff extra mileage on their arms.
A Cardinal Turns Blue?
Erick Fedde of the St. Louis Cardinals is an innings eater and has a very respectable 3.54 ERA. The 32-year-old veteran has 55 strikeouts and 36 walks in his 15 starts for the Redbirds. He doesn’t throw extremely hard, but he knows how to maneuver through a lineup because of his control. The right-hander would not cost the Dodgers an arm and a leg in prospects and might be an attractive option if the Cardinals are willing to deal. The Dodgers have traded with the Cardinals before. They swung a deal with St. Louis in 2024 for Tommy Edman. Ironically, Fedde was part of that deal as well. Would Los Angeles pull an encore?
Landing a Big Fish
Sandy Alcántara’s name has been connected to the Dodgers more than once. The Miami Marlins’ ace has incredible stuff. He is coming off missing a year thanks to Tommy John surgery, so there was some rust to be knocked off. Case in point, the veteran right-hander has an ERA of 7.14. However, in the last few starts, he has improved, and the ERA has dropped a full run. Would the Dodgers take a chance on him in hopes of tweaking his stuff so it plays in October?
Different Shade of Blue
The Kansas City Royals have had very little they can count on this season, unless his name is Seth Lugo. Lugo has had an impressive year. The right-hander has a 2.94 ERA, and he has struck out 93 in 107 innings. He did a number on the Dodgers in Kansas City a few weeks ago. He pitched 5 2/3 scoreless innings. Oh, and he struck out eight. However, the price that the Royals will be high, likely more than the Dodgers are willing to pay. That said, Lugo’s repertoire shuts down offensive lineups. It is something to think about.
Seth Lugo
I’m unsure whether Lugo is available. He’s more expensive, but his prorated salary would be stomachable, and he brings familiarity while having a 2.94 ERA. Expected numbers aren’t enjoying Lugo this year as his contact quality has gotten rough. pic.twitter.com/rzYUdxFWvx
— Danny (@dannybarrand_) July 21, 2025
The Tanner Scott injury may have reinforced the Dodgers’ need to acquire a reliever. And they still have an offensive hole in the outfield. However, if they can swing the right deal, they will shore up their rotation. Count on it.
Main Photo Credit: Gregory Fisher-USA TODAY Sports
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