Dodgers acquiring Brock Stewart from Twins
With relief prices through the roof, and many of the top options already off the board, the Dodgers turned to a familiar — albeit less splashy — name to help fill their bullpen need on Tuesday.
In a deal with the Minnesota Twins, the Dodgers are acquiring right-hander Brock Stewart, according to multiple people with knowledge of the situation not authorized to speak publicly.
In return, the Dodgers sent outfielder James Outman back to Minnesota.
Stewart, 33, started his big-league career with the Dodgers from 2016-2019, after being selected by the club in sixth round of the 2014 draft.
His first Dodgers’ stint was unremarkable, with the Illinois native posting a 5.46 ERA in 36 total appearances.
However, Stewart has revamped his career in Minnesota, riding renewed life in what is now an upper-90s mph fastball to a 2.33 ERA over the last three seasons, including a 2.38 mark in 39 appearances this year.
Stewart is still thought highly of within the Dodgers organization, according to a person with knowledge of the situation but not authorized to speak publicly. He also gives the team another weapon to deploy against right-handed hitters, having held them to a .104 average and .327 OPS this year.
Stewart is currently only making $870,000 this year, and will be eligible for arbitration next season and in 2027.
The trade was first reported by ESPN.
While the Dodgers had been linked to bigger-name relievers in recent days, from Jhoan Durán to David Bednar to Ryan Helsley and Pete Fairbanks (who had yet to be traded by the Tampa Bay Rays as of Thursday afternoon), they stayed quiet while other National League contenders made blockbuster additions to their bullpens in the last 24 hours.
The Philadelphia Phillies acquired Durán (a 100 mph flamethrower with two years of team control beyond this season) for two top-100 prospects in the sport.
The New York Mets added Helsley and Tyler Rogers (two rentals who will be free agents in the offseason) in a pair of deals that cost them four of their top-15 prospects.
The San Diego Padres splurged for young Athletics star closer Mason Miller, plus starting pitcher JP Sears, in exchange for a four-player package headlined by 18-year-old shortstop Leo De Vries (the No. 3 overall prospect in the sport).
The New York Yankees nabbed Bednar for three prospects, including a top-10 talent in their farm system.
The Dodgers, meanwhile, have stuck their typical deadline MO.
Wary of overpaying for relief pitchers subject to sudden volatility — and seeking value in a less costly alternative such as Stewart, who sounded open to a reunion with the Dodgers earlier this week.
“I love [Dodger Stadium],” Stewart told The Athletic on Wednesday. “That’d be cool. There’s a couple teams that would be cool.”
Now, he will get a full-circle homecoming moment.
The Dodgers, meanwhile, have a few hours left to see if any reinforcements to the bullpen (or the lineup) will materialize before the 3 p.m. deadline strikes.
Dustin May traded to Red Sox for outfield prospect
Pitcher Dustin May walks off the mound as Alex Bregman rounds the bases after his two-run home run in what turned out to be May’s final start with the Dodgers on Sunday.
As had been increasingly speculated leading up to the trade deadline, Dustin May’s time with the Dodgers is over.
Just before the trade deadline Thursday, the pitcher was dealt to the Boston Red Sox, a person with knowledge of the situation but not authorized to speak publicly confirmed, ending his Dodgers career just months before he was slated to become a free agent.
In exchange, the Dodgers will reportedly acquire outfield prospect James Tibbs III — who was the 13th overall selection in last year’s MLB draft, and part of the Red Sox’s return for Rafael Devers from the San Francisco Giants earlier this season.
Though May made his MLB debut with the Dodgers seven years ago, he pitched just 65 total games for the club, missing most of the 2021, 2022 and 2023 seasons, plus all of 2024, because of two elbow procedures and an emergency esophageal surgery last summer.
This year, May was finally healthy, nearly doubling his previous career-high for innings with 104 over 19 outings. His performance, however, was unsteady, posting a 6-7 record and 4.85 ERA.
May was likely to be squeezed out of the rotation this week, with Blake Snell returning from the injured list. And though he could have served in a bullpen role down the stretch this season, the Dodgers instead began shopping him, looking to get some value back before he reached free agency this offseason.
Dodgers acquire outfielder Alex Call from the Washington Nationals
With just under an hour to go before the trade deadline, the Dodgers finally landed a position player.
The team is acquiring outfielder Alex Call from the Washington Nationals, a person with knowledge of the situation but not authorized to speak publicly confirmed.
The Dodgers’ return will include pitching prospects Eriq Swan and Sean Paul Liñan, the Nos. 16 and 20 ranked players in their farm system by MLB Pipeline.
Like with the team’s acquisition of reliever Brock Stewart, trading for Call will not mark one of the major moves made on trade deadline day around the league.
The 30-year-old, right-handed hitter has appeared in just 277 career games over four MLB seasons with the Nationals and Cleveland Guardians.
But the former third-round draft pick is having a nice 2025 season, highlighted by a .274 batting average, .756 OPS and decent (if unspectacular) defensive grades at all three outfield positions.
While Call’s role wasn’t immediately clear, he could factor into a platoon with recently resurgent left-handed hitting outfielder Michael Conforto.
He also gives the Dodgers another option in center field, specifically, which would allow Andy Pages to spend more time in a more naturally-suited corner outfield spot.
Originally drafted by the Chicago White Sox, Call was traded to Cleveland in 2018 for Yonder Alonso, then picked up off waivers by the Nationals in August 2022.
He played 128 games in the 2023 season, but hit only .200.
After limited MLB playing time last year, he has been more of a fixture on a rebuilding Washington Nationals club this term.
James Outman going to Twins in Brock Stewart trade
James Outman’s career with the Dodgers began with a bang in 2023 but fizzled in recent seasons before he was dealt as part of the Brock Stewart trade on Thursday.
The Dodgers are sending James Outman to the Minnesota Twins in return for reliever Brock Stewart, multiple people with knowledge of the situation but not authorized to speak publicly confirmed.
The move brings an end to Outman’s three-year career with the Dodgers — one that started with a bang in his rookie 2023 season, but fizzled amid poor hitting and repeated demotions to the minor leagues in recent years.
ESPN first reported that Outman would be the Dodgers’ return in the trade.
A former seventh-round draft pick out of Sacramento State in 2018, Outman rose up the Dodgers’ farm system to become an integral part of their 2023 team.
That season, he hit .248 with 23 home runs, 70 RBIs and was twice named National League Rookie of the Month. He finished third in Rookie of the Year voting as well.
However, the left-handed hitting slugger was demoted back to the minors early in 2024, batting just .147 in 53 games that season.
And this year, he has seen only limited playing time in the majors as an injury replacement, hitting only .103 with two home runs in 44 plate appearances.
The 28-year-old does still provide value with his glove, and is under team control through the 2029 season.
But it had long ago become clear that he was being squeezed out of the Dodgers’ long-term plans.
Thus, the Dodgers found a new home for him, in what wound up being a relatively low-cost trade to bolster their bullpen.
As deadline nears, Dodgers still lacking addition to lineup
The Dodgers have made one deadline day move to shore up their bullpen.
But the clock is ticking for the team to find any reinforcements for its lineup.
One Dodgers target, Minnesota Twins center fielder Harrison Bader, is already off the board, dealt to the Philadelphia Phillies earlier in the day.
However, Cleveland Guardians outfielder Steven Kwan remains available — a left fielder who was seen as a “dream” target to some in the organization as the deadline neared this week.
Just how urgently the Dodgers would pursue another impact bat was somewhat unclear in recent days. While the biggest stars in the offense have struggled of late, the resurgence of Michael Conforto (who is hitting .277 with five home runs over his last 27 games) lessened the once glaring need to find a replacement in left field.
Still, the Dodgers could use a defensive upgrade in the outfield, and were evaluating the market for such options entering the day.
For now, Kwan remains the biggest fish left in the pond — though as a cost-controlled All-Star who won’t reach free agency until 2028, any deal would require a hefty package.
To this point, it remains to be seen if the Dodgers will make an enticing enough offer or if they will pivot to another option in the deadline’s final hours.
Trade Dustin May? Dodgers pitcher stumbles in loss to Red Sox as deadline rumors swirl
BOSTON — On a day the Dodgers were facing one of their former longtime starters, Dustin May faced the prospect of potentially soon having the same distinction.
In the last week, trade rumors have started to swirl around May, the oft-injured right-hander who is finally healthy this season — but also having an up-and-down campaign in his final year before free agency.
The past trade history that makes Dodgers wary of deadline deals for relievers
The Houston Astros’ Yordan Alvarez watches batting practice before a game against the Minnesota Twins on June 13.
The wait goes on for the Dodgers to add a reliever before today’s 3 p.m. trade deadline.
It’s a position they’ve reluctantly found themselves in.
Andrew Friedman hasn’t been burned on many trades during his time running the Dodgers’ front office, but the few exceptions have been while shopping for a reliever at the deadline.
Yordan Alvarez (a future three-time All-Star and Silver Slugger) for Josh Fields in 2016.
Oneil Cruz (the current MLB stolen base leader) for Tony Watson in 2017.
And, as the most recent entry into this list, Zach McKinstry (a surprise All-Star selection with the Detroit Tigers this season) for Chris Martin in 2022.
Such are the risks that come with attempting to buy an impact player at such a volatile position. It’s why the Dodgers tried to load up on relief depth this offseason, hoping to avoid having to balance value and need amid the deadline’s inflated prices.
However, thanks to injuries and underperformance from their two key offseason signings (Tanner Scott and Kirby Yates), the Dodgers are having to explore the relief market now — where prices remain high.
The latest reminder: The Washington Nationals just traded closer Kyle Finnegan (a rental right-hander with 20 saves but also a 4.38 ERA this season) to the Detroit Tigers for two pitching prospects, according to reports, including one prospect ranked in the top-15 of Detroit’s minor-league pipeline.
As Dodgers look to upgrade outfield, Harrison Bader could be a trade deadline fit
Minnesota Twins left fielder Harrison Bader dives to catch a fly ball during a game against the Chicago Cubs on July 8.
CINCINNATI — The Dodgers have already clinched a losing record in July, entering play Monday with their worst single-month winning percentage since May 2013.
Their league-leading offense has remained stuck in a nosedive, ranking bottom-four in the majors entering Monday in runs scored, batting average and OPS this month despite some short-lived signs of life from their lineup last week.
Shaikin: Home again? Why Kenley Jansen could be a good trade match for Dodgers
Angels closer Kenley Jansen reacts after a win over the Philadelphia Phillies on July 18. Should the Dodgers try to pull off a reunion with Jansen?
Kenley Jansen signed his first professional contract with the Dodgers 21 years ago. He was Clayton Kershaw’s catcher in rookie ball. He has been honored as an All-Star four times. He has saved more games than all but three men in major league history, all of them Hall of Famers. He won a World Series with the Dodgers.
For all that Jansen has accomplished in his two decades in pro ball, there is one thing he has not experienced: He never has been traded.
Padres make major splash in bid to catch Dodgers in standings
Athletics pitcher Mason Miller throws during a game against the Toronto Blue Jays earlier this month.
Another top reliever is off the board at the trade deadline.
And this blockbuster will have reverberations close to home for the Dodgers.
In what was one of the most unexpected moves of the deadline, the San Diego Padres acquired young, hard-throwing closer Mason Miller from the Athletics, along with starting pitcher J.P. Sears, according to multiple reports.
The Padres’ return package is centered around shortstop Leodalis De Vries, the No. 3 prospect in the sport according to Baseball Reference.
The move could be the first of several big deadline day dominos to fall for the Padres — who entered Thursday just three games behind the Dodgers in the NL West standings.
With Miller (a flame-throwing 26-year-old with a career 3.16 ERA and 48 saves) and Sears (a left-handed starter who is 7-9 this year with a 4.95 ERA) in tow, the Padres will likely look to move current closer Robert Suarez and pending free-agent starter Dylan Cease in an effort to bolster their lineup.
It could be the start of a major shake-up from the Dodgers’ biggest division rival this season — potentially turning up the heat on the Dodgers to make a splash of their own before the 3 p.m. cutoff.
Beyond the bullpen, how aggressive will the Dodgers be at the MLB trade deadline?
Dodgers pitcher Kirby Yates, above reacting to being lifted from the game against the Twins Wednesday, has the worst ERA (4.45) among Dodgers relievers with more than 30 appearances this season.
BOSTON — Four months ago, the Dodgers were cast as baseball’s new evil empire, lapping rival contenders with lavish free-agent spending during an offseason that raised alarms about competitive balance within MLB.
“Coming into the season,” general manager Brandon Gomes recalled this week, “we were talking about how we’ve ruined baseball with all the talent we’ve got.”
Dodgers have a top-five farm system. What names could entice selling clubs?
Despite trading prospects away at seemingly every deadline, and rarely picking high in the draft for almost a decade now, the Dodgers’ farm system has remained one of the highest-rated in the majors, ranked as the fourth-best system this year by MLB Pipeline.
The makeup of the group, however, has changed in recent years.
Most of the Dodgers’ top pitching prospects in recent years have suffered injuries. And on the offensive side, their best bats are still in the lower rungs of minor league baseball.
As one evaluator put it, “it’s depth over impact” — which could benefit the Dodgers in some trade talks, but limit them when in negotiations with teams looking to compete in the near-term.
Outside of catcher Dalton Rushing (whom manager Dave Roberts said was highly unlikely to be traded this week) and infielder Alex Freeland (a top-100 prospect in the sport who was called up for his MLB debut this week), the club is lacking in impact hitters close to being ready to play in the majors.
Their most exciting hitting prospects — including Future’s Game MVP Josue De Paula, recent trade acquisitions Zyhir Hope and Mike Sirota, and breakout talent Eduardo Quintero — are all currently in high-A.
According to MLB Pipeline, the only top-30 player in the Dodgers’ system in triple-A right now is 22-year-old infielder Noah Miller.
On the mound, Jackson Ferris is the Dodgers’ top pitching prospect, but has a 4.54 ERA in double-A this season.
The only other pitcher who ranks in the top-12 of the club’s farm system is River Ryan, who is recovering from a Tommy John surgery he had last year.
The Dodgers do have other interesting names. 2024 third-rounder Chase Harlan and Taiwanese outfielder Ching-Hsien Ko have impressed evaluators in A-ball this year. Right-hander Christian Zazueta is another A-ball player whose stock has risen this season.
It means the Dodgers should have plenty of trade chips to get deals done — but will have to decide how willing they are to part with one of their top prospects if it is required to execute a bigger splash.
Why outfield defense figures to be one of Dodgers’ deadline priorities
Dodgers outfielder Andy Pages catches a high fly ball hit by Ceddanne Rafaela during Friday’s game against the Boston Red Sox.
As we detailed earlier this week, one way the Dodgers could improve the position-player half of the roster is by finding a defensive upgrade in the outfield.
While the lineup has struggled in July, that has mostly been due to Mookie Betts, Freddie Freeman, Shohei Ohtani and Teoscar Hernández slumping to various degrees. Meanwhile, one of the Dodgers’ best hitters of late has actually been Michael Conforto, who has finally played up expectations (at least for one month) after signing a $17 million deal in the offseason.
Still, despite a .278 average and .889 OPS since June 22, Conforto’s season batting average remains below .200 — and his defense in left field continues to be a weakness.
For a Dodgers team that is hoping to rely on the strength of a fully-healthy pitching staff come October, having Conforto and Hernández (who has also graded out poorly in right field this year) as their corner outfielder looms as a potential vulnerability in a postseason environment.
That’s part of the team’s appeal for players like Steven Kwan of the Cleveland Guardians (considered one of the best left fielders in the sport) and Harrison Bader of the Minnesota Twins (who has played well in left field this season and could shift to center with the Dodgers, allowing Andy Pages to move to a more naturally-suited corner outfield spot).
The Dodgers could also upgrade their outfield by adding another infielder, and shift Tommy Edman to center field down the stretch.
But Edman has been limited this year by a lingering ankle injury, leaving his ability to play the outfield in doubt. Another internal outfield option, Kiké Hernández, also remains shut down from baseball activities because of an elbow injury. He is still expected to return this season, but the fact his injury has dragged on this long makes him more of an uncertainty as well.
As reliever prices soar, how much will Dodgers give up for late-game help?
The Dodgers have typically been loath to meet steep deadline prices for big-name relievers in the past.
But based on the way the market is shaping up, they may be left with no other choice this year.
Wednesday’s flurry of moves saw hefty packages exchanged for Jhoan Durán (two top-100 Phillies prospects), Ryan Helsley (two of the Mets’ top-15 prospects) and Tyler Rogers (two of the Mets’ top-12 prospects).
The hauls for Helsley and Rogers were particularly surprising, as they were only rentals who will hit free agency after the season.
That won’t be the case with the top relievers left on the board entering Thursday:
Pittsburgh Pirates closer David Bednar (2.37 ERA, 17 saves) — who reportedly went to the New York Yankees Thursday — won’t be a free agent until 2027. Tampa Bay Rays closer Pete Fairbanks (2.75 ERA, 18 saves) has a relatively team-friendly club option for next year that could top out at $11 million through incentives.
While the Dodgers have been linked to both, neither are certain to move.
The Rays, who remain in AL wild-card contention, would be content keeping Fairbanks unless they receive a compelling offer.
The Pirates view Bednar (who is making only $5.9 million this year in his penultimate season of arbitration) as perhaps the best value on the market.
Elsewhere, Cade Smith of the Cleveland Guardians is under control until 2030, and might be less likely to move after Cleveland’s closer (and another supposed trade chip) Emmanuel Clase was put on leave amid a gambling investigation.
Likewise, Griffin Jax (3.91 ERA, 21 holds) of the Minnesota Twins, under control through 2027, might also be even harder to pry away now, with his former bullpen-mate in Durán having already been shipped out.
If the Dodgers do prefer a rental who would come at a more reasonable price, Raisel Iglesias of the Atlanta Braves could have appeal. He has a strong career track record (2.99 career ERA, 236 saves), and has shown improvements in recent weeks despite a career-worst overall season (4.97 ERA). Plus, his $16 million salary might limit his market of suitors.
Kenley Jansen (2.93 ERA, 20 saves) would also fit in that category, although the Angels appear to be buyers and are unlikely to make trades with the Dodgers anyway.
If relief costs remain too high in the Dodgers’ eyes, they could explore second-tier alternatives, such as St. Louis’ Phil Maton (2.35 ERA, 20 holds), and Miami’s Anthony Bender (1.83 ERA, 18 holds). Washington’s Kyle Finnegan (4.38 ERA, 20 saves) was another potential target but he was dealt to the Detroit Tigers on Thursday, per reports.
There’s little doubt the Dodgers will get something done before the deadline. Given Evan Phillips’ season-ending Tommy John surgery, and the struggles top offseason signings Tanner Scott and Kirby Yates have endured, the Dodgers need one more arm to shore up the back end of their bullpen.
But with costs high and options dwindling, the clock is ticking for them to land one of the few remaining impact candidates.
What will the Dodgers do at the MLB trade deadline?
It’s trade deadline day. And though they’ve only made one minor move to this point, the Dodgers are still expected to be in the middle of the action.
As has so often been the case during Andrew Friedman’s time as president of baseball operations, the Dodgers arrive at the deadline with World Series aspirations, looking to upgrade a club in possession of first place in the National League West.
The Dodgers’ two needs today are clear:
1. Adding a late-game, high-leverage, right-handed reliever to stabilize a bullpen that has been beset by injuries and underperformance this season.
On Wednesday, the Dodgers sat on the sideline of trade activity while several top names went elsewhere, including Jhoan Durán to the Philadelphia Phillies, and Ryan Helsley and Tyler Rogers to the New York Mets.
But other targets are still available: Highly-coveted closer Pete Fairbanks of the Tampa Bay Rays; gifted younger set-up men like Cade Smith of the Cleveland Guardians and Griffin Jax of the Minnesota Twins; more middle-relief types including Phil Maton of the St. Louis Cardinals and Anthony Bender of the Miami Marlins; and wild card veterans in Raisel Iglesias of the Atlanta Braves and familiar face Kenley Jansen of the Angels.
Star Athletics closer Mason Miller was the first to come off the board Thursday, going to the San Diego Padres according to multiple reports. Pittsburgh Pirates closer David Bednar was another reliever dealt Thursday, going to the New York Yankees according to reports.
2. Another position player to bolster the Dodgers’ recently struggling lineup.
The Dodgers have cast a wide net in this area. A defensive upgrade in the outfield would be ideal, but the team could also use another left-handed bat, and could make another infielder work given the versatility of their roster (though Tommy Edman’s lingering ankle injury has made that a tougher fit in recent days).
The dream scenario here would be Steven Kwan of the Cleveland Guardians, a career .285 hitter considered one of the best left fielders in the sport.
Other names who could fit include: Mike Tauchman of the Chicago White Sox; Ramon Laureano and Cedric Mullins of the Baltimore Orioles, Jesus Sanchez of the Miami Marlins; and Brendan Donovan of the St. Louis Cardinals.
Harrison Bader of the Minnesota Twins was someone the Dodgers were interested in, but he was dealt to the Philadelphia Phillies on Thursday. He was seen as someone who could potentially play center field and allow Andy Pages to move to a more naturally-suited corner outfield spot.
The Dodgers should have some flexibility in the deals they pursue. They still have a deep farm system, albeit without many upper-level impact players that teams could be seeking (assuming the club, as it has indicated, does not make catcher Dalton Rushing available in a trade). They also don’t seem to be limited by any financial constraints, able to take on extra salary in a way that will make some buyers more wary.
At a bare minimum, a top reliever is expected to arrive before the 3 p.m. PT cutoff. Beyond that, the team will look to be opportunistic, willing to make a splash if they can line up on a deal, but also seemingly content if no major addition to the lineup materializes.
Follow along with live updates below.
