Dodgers Could Make Major Bullpen Move Before Deadline as Front Office Eyes Star Closer to Strengthen Late-Inning Postseason Performance
The Los Angeles Dodgers have never been shy about making big moves when October is in sight. With the trade deadline approaching fast and expectations sky-high in 2025, the organization appears poised once again to take a major swing — this time for bullpen help. Reports suggest the Dodgers could be targeting a high-impact reliever, potentially one of the biggest names available on the market, as they attempt to solidify a late-inning unit that has flashed moments of dominance but lacks the reliability needed to withstand postseason pressure.
The interest in acquiring a star closer or elite late-inning option isn’t new for the Dodgers. In recent seasons, the team has experienced firsthand how the postseason can turn on the strength — or vulnerability — of a bullpen. Despite having one of the most potent offenses in baseball, Los Angeles has fallen short in October more than once, often due to untimely relief collapses. The front office, led by President of Baseball Operations Andrew Friedman, has become increasingly aware of the need for dominant bullpen arms capable of handling high-leverage situations when the stakes are highest.
Evan Phillips has been excellent once again this season and remains a trusted option for the ninth inning, but the bridge to him has grown shaky as the summer has worn on. Brusdar Graterol, a key late-inning piece, has battled multiple injuries and been in and out of the lineup. Ryan Brasier, one of last season’s surprise breakout stories, hasn’t been able to replicate that success with consistency in 2025. Alex Vesia, expected to be a key left-handed weapon, has had stretches of control issues. Beyond Phillips, there’s a lack of shutdown consistency — the kind that’s critical in a postseason environment where one blown save or missed opportunity can tilt a series.
This has made the Dodgers’ interest in elite relievers such as Emmanuel Clase of the Cleveland Guardians, Mason Miller of the Oakland Athletics, or even Ryan Helsley of the St. Louis Cardinals a central storyline ahead of the deadline. Each of these pitchers brings something uniquely valuable to the table, and each would dramatically alter the dynamic of the Dodgers’ bullpen. The Dodgers have both the need and the resources to pull off such a move, and based on early reports and insider speculation, it appears that they are seriously considering it.
Emmanuel Clase, for instance, would be a dream acquisition. Known for his devastating cutter and unmatched velocity, Clase has emerged as one of the most dominant closers in baseball. With team control through the end of the decade, he represents not just a short-term answer but a potential long-term bullpen anchor. Cleveland, while technically in the playoff hunt, is believed to be willing to entertain offers for Clase if the return includes major-league-ready talent and multiple top prospects. The Dodgers have that kind of depth, and Clase’s addition would give them a two-headed monster in the late innings alongside Phillips.
Mason Miller is another fascinating option. The 25-year-old flamethrower has taken the league by storm this season, routinely touching triple digits with his fastball and showing elite strikeout stuff. The Athletics are firmly in rebuild mode and reportedly willing to discuss Miller for the right price. His team-friendly contract and years of control make him an attractive, if expensive, trade target. For the Dodgers, Miller could not only fill the eighth- or ninth-inning role immediately but potentially become the future closer for years to come. The downside? The asking price is astronomical — and justifiably so.
Ryan Helsley is a third name linked to the Dodgers and may be the most realistic acquisition from a cost perspective. The Cardinals are retooling and appear open to trading from their bullpen depth. Helsley has closing experience, playoff seasoning, and the kind of high-octane stuff that fits the Dodgers’ mold. Though he’s not quite at the elite level of Clase or Miller, he would still represent a massive upgrade for a Dodgers bullpen in need of stability. His presence would also allow Roberts to be more creative with matchups and late-game strategy.
Of course, acquiring any of these arms would not come cheap. But the Dodgers’ front office has built a farm system precisely for moments like this. With multiple top-100 prospects and a reputation for developing talent, Los Angeles is better positioned than most contenders to pay the prospect price necessary for a top-tier bullpen arm. Players like Dalton Rushing, Josue De Paula, and Nick Frasso have drawn considerable interest around the league, and the Dodgers could package one or two of them with major-league depth pieces to get a deal done.
There’s also a philosophical layer to this potential move. The Dodgers have become known for their balanced approach to roster construction — combining superstar talent with strategic depth acquisitions and an emphasis on player development. But in recent years, the team has started to show more urgency at the deadline. The addition of Max Scherzer and Trea Turner in 2021, and the midseason acquisitions of players like Manny Machado and Yu Darvish in earlier years, reflect an organizational willingness to go big when the moment demands it.
The 2025 season may well demand such boldness. Though they’ve been in or near first place for much of the year, the Dodgers haven’t been the juggernaut many expected. Injuries to starters like Yoshinobu Yamamoto and Tyler Glasnow have taxed the bullpen. The offense, while still elite, has had dry spells. And the National League landscape is crowded with capable challengers, including the Braves, Phillies, and a surprisingly resurgent Cubs team. To ensure they enter the postseason not just as contenders but as favorites, the Dodgers will likely need to shore up their biggest weakness — and that means getting the bullpen right.
The other benefit of acquiring a star reliever is its potential domino effect. If the Dodgers bring in someone like Clase or Miller, it pushes everyone else in the bullpen into more appropriate roles. Instead of relying on Vesia or Brasier in the eighth inning, they can be deployed situationally or earlier in games. This kind of rebalancing often has a compounding effect on bullpen performance overall, giving managers more flexibility and reducing the wear and tear on high-usage arms.
It’s also worth noting the postseason structure. In short series — especially the wild card and division rounds — bullpens become critical. Starters often go fewer innings, and games are frequently decided in the final three frames. Having two elite relievers you can rely on to get six outs against top-tier hitters is an advantage no championship-caliber team can afford to overlook. The Dodgers learned this the hard way in past playoff runs, where even one shaky inning from a middle reliever became the difference between advancing and going home.
Fans, of course, are watching closely. The sense around the fanbase is that this season must end in a deep October run — or else questions about postseason underperformance will only grow louder. With Shohei Ohtani on board and putting up MVP numbers, Mookie Betts and Freddie Freeman still performing at elite levels, and a rotation that, when healthy, rivals any in the game, the time to push all-in is now. Acquiring a dominant bullpen arm isn’t just a strategic move — it’s a statement of intent. It sends a message to the clubhouse, the fans, and the rest of the league that the Dodgers are serious about turning potential into performance.
There’s also the intangible element. Adding a player with a “closer” mentality — someone who thrives under pressure and brings postseason swagger — can lift a team emotionally. Whether it’s the cold-blooded dominance of Clase, the fire of Miller, or the playoff poise of Helsley, a bullpen leader can reshape the team’s late-inning identity. For a team chasing a championship, sometimes that intangible edge is the final missing ingredient.
As the deadline nears, the Dodgers will weigh multiple options. They could settle for marginal improvements — a reliable lefty or middle reliever to eat innings. But all signs point to something bigger brewing. The front office knows this is a rare window. The core is intact, the farm system is stocked, and the hunger for another title is palpable. A blockbuster bullpen move would be bold, expensive, and potentially franchise-altering — and that’s exactly why it feels like the kind of move the Dodgers are ready to make.
In the coming days, whether the deal gets finalized or not, the rumors will intensify, and names will fly. But one thing is clear: if the Dodgers want to secure their place atop the baseball world in 2025, it may come down to who they trust with the ball in the ninth inning.
