The Los Angeles Dodgers have been steadily active at MLB’s trade deadline for several seasons in a row. Last season, they acquired Michael Kopech and Tommy Edman at the trade deadline, and both players helped the team drastically en route to winning the 2024 World Series. With the news of Kopech being sent to the 60-day Injured List with knee inflammation, the Dodgers might be in the market once again for a high-leverage reliever.
Los Angeles is comfortable atop the National League West, but after losing five straight games, there is a slight concern that the bullpen could be an issue in October. Unexpectedly, the Dodgers will not go after a starter with the reinforcements they are getting from Tyler Glasnow’s return, Blake Snell, and Shohei Ohtani being back on the mound.
Dodgers Could Be in the Market for David Bednar
The Pittsburgh Pirates are expected to be sellers at the deadline, and they have two relievers who are going to be hot commodities at the end of July. David Bednar and Dennis Santana are both putting together stellar seasons. In this trade proposal, the Los Angeles Dodgers make a deal with the Pirates for Bednar in exchange for outfielder James Outman and left-handed pitcher prospect Jackson Ferris. The Dodgers have a deep farm system, so they could afford to give away a top-five prospect in their system. As for Outman, he has been given many chances with the big league club and has shown he may need a new organization to revitalize his career.
Bednar would be another solid high-leverage arm for L.A. behind Tanner Scott and Kirby Yates. Bednar won the reliever of the month award for his outstanding June and is having success like he did back in 2022 and 2023, when he was named an All-Star in back-to-back seasons.
Bednar is Having Another All-Star Caliber Season
In June, on his way to reliever of the month honors, Bednar made 10 appearances, recorded five saves in five opportunities, and gave up no runs. He had a tough 2024 season that saw him get sent down to Triple-A a couple of times, but he has rebounded nicely this season.
Bednar has a 2.70 ERA in 30 innings to go along with 12 saves and 43 strikeouts. He has clearly regained his confidence and his strikeout stuff after a 5.77 ERA in 2024. Bednar and his teammate, Santana, are both going to garner numerous calls, as consistent and productive relievers are often a contending team’s biggest targets.
The Los Angeles Dodgers have aspirations of repeating as World Series Champions, and to do so, they may have to make a deal like this to solidify the back end of the bullpen once again. As noted, they will have one of the deepest rotations in October, but the bullpen is so important in the playoffs, and it could be the one flaw the Dodgers have.
With the trade deadline just a few weeks away, look for the Dodgers to be engaged in the reliever market and potentially to make a deal with the Pittsburgh Pirates for one of their premier arms in the bullpen.
Dodgers Trade Idea With Pirates Replaces Injured Michael Kopech