As the 2024 MLB trade deadline looms, the Los Angeles Dodgers could be among the teams making significant moves. One primary area where they might look to strengthen is their bullpen. With the late-season grind intensifying, the Dodgers could benefit from acquiring an impact reliever who can handle high-leverage situations and add depth to their late-inning strategy.
A reliable closer, a solid setup man — or both — could be a difference-maker in tight games in the playoffs, assuming the Dodgers do indeed clinch a berth. Teams with strong bullpen arms might be looking to unload players in exchange for future assets, and the deep Los Angeles farm system could make them an attractive trade partner.
Offensive Upgrades
In addition, the Dodgers might explore upgrading their lineup with a dynamic bat to enhance their offensive depth. Despite their strong roster when healthy, adding a versatile hitter who can contribute both power and average could provide a crucial boost as they head into the final stretch of the season. Whether it’s a solid outfielder or a middle infielder with pop, such a player would add another dimension to their lineup and help balance the offensive attack.
When stripped bare of key contributors, skipper Dave Roberts has been forced to construct lineups featuring players like Gavin Lux hitting in the three-hole and Jason Heyward batting cleanup, as made evident by the batting order in Sunday’s victory over the Houston Astros.
Obviously, Freddie Freeman will be back in the daily lineup very soon, as will outfielder Mookie Betts. Roberts told reporters on Sunday that Betts has been swinging a bat and could be cleared to take batting practice in the coming days. Roberts also added that another offensive gun — third baseman Max Muncy — is still dealing with oblique discomfort and remains without a clear timetable to return.
Nevertheless, having Betts join Freeman, Shohei Ohtani and Wil Smith at the top of the lineup is an instant upgrade that the Dodgers will certainly welcome.
A Solid Starting Rotation
As we have seen in recent years, there’s no such thing as too much starting pitching, especially in the eyes of the Dodgers. However, the idea that the club designated a serviceable lefty in James Paxton for assignment and later traded him to the Boston Red Sox might suggest the club is more comfortable with the state of the starting rotation, particularly when considering the recent emergence of youngsters like Landon Knack, Justin Wrobleski and River Ryan. Add in an effective Clayton Kershaw and Yoshinobu Yamamoto, and the Dodgers could have one of the most formidable rotations in the National League.
If everyone’s perfectly healthy by the time October rolls around — and assuming the team doesn’t land an impact starter before Tuesday evening — the rotation could look something like Tyler Glasnow, Gavin Stone, Kershaw and Yamamoto, with your choice of Ryan, Knack, Wrobleski, Bobby Miller or even Walker Buehler to round out the starting five.
A Struggling Bullpen
With the recent struggle of Evan Phillips, the Dodgers definitely could benefit from a bonafide skilled closer with experience at the MLB level. When calculating in his last appearance against the Astros on Saturday, Phillips saw his ERA balloon to 11.35 over his last 11 games. While there might be a chance he improves, it’s something the Dodgers can certainly not bank on.
In the meantime, 37-year-old Daniel Hudson has been seeing the brunt of the high-leverage spots and save situations. Considering the veteran righty has had his fair share of injuries in recent seasons, the Dodgers don’t want to depend on his arm too much as the postseason nears.
MLB’s 2024 trade deadline is Tuesday, July 30, at 3:00 p.m. Los Angeles time.