Dodgers Eye Twins’ Breakout Arm with 1.52 ERA as Injury-Plagued Rotation Forces Front Office into Trade Market Early
The Los Angeles Dodgers are once again battling an all-too-familiar opponent: the injury bug. Despite entering the 2025 season with lofty expectations and a revamped rotation that included big-ticket additions like Tyler Glasnow and Yoshinobu Yamamoto, the Dodgers are now facing a growing list of sidelined pitchers and a desperate need to reinforce their once-formidable pitching staff. With key contributors like Walker Buehler, Dustin May, Ryan Pepiot, and Clayton Kershaw all dealing with injuries or rehabbing long-term issues, the team is in urgent need of stability.
Amid this turmoil, rumors are swirling that the Dodgers have turned their attention to the Minnesota Twins’ breakout pitcher, Simeon Woods Richardson, who has quietly become one of the most dominant arms in the American League this season. With a dazzling 1.52 ERA over 15 starts, Woods Richardson has not only solidified himself as a frontline option for the Twins but has also drawn interest from multiple playoff contenders—including the Dodgers, who may be preparing to make a push for his services before the trade deadline.
The fit makes sense on paper and in reality. Woods Richardson, only 24 years old, is under team control through the 2029 season, making him an attractive long-term asset rather than a short-term rental. He features a deep pitch mix, including a lively fastball, a plus changeup, and a breaking ball that has developed into a legitimate out pitch. His ability to generate weak contact and command the zone has turned heads across the league. Now, with the Twins looking to maximize their roster flexibility and capitalize on a strong trade chip, the Dodgers may be the ideal match.
Los Angeles, traditionally aggressive in July when championship hopes are threatened, is already deep into trade evaluations, and according to league sources, the club has held preliminary discussions with the Twins regarding Woods Richardson. While the conversations are in early stages, insiders say the Dodgers are willing to move at least one top-10 prospect to facilitate a deal, potentially including right-handed pitcher Nick Frasso or outfielder Josue De Paula.
The need for a move like this is rooted in the Dodgers’ current rotation issues. Glasnow has been excellent at times but is being carefully monitored after shoulder fatigue. Yamamoto has had flashes of brilliance but has also shown inconsistency as he adapts to MLB hitters. Gavin Stone has held his own, but inconsistency and innings limits are concerns. Michael Grove and Landon Knack, thrust into starting roles out of necessity, have battled through growing pains. Simply put, the Dodgers are walking a tightrope—and the margin for error is shrinking fast.
If Los Angeles wants to stay in the NL West race and gear up for another deep playoff run, adding a durable and effective arm is a must. Woods Richardson, who has already thrown over 90 innings this season without signs of fatigue, would be a stabilizing force in the middle or even top of the rotation. The Dodgers aren’t just looking for any pitcher—they need someone who can give them six to seven innings consistently, keep the ball in the park, and compete in October. That’s exactly what Woods Richardson has done for Minnesota all year.
But the question remains: why would the Twins entertain trading such a valuable young pitcher?
For Minnesota, the answer lies in roster depth, future planning, and positional needs. Despite Woods Richardson’s success, the Twins have a surplus of pitching talent, including Pablo López, Joe Ryan, Bailey Ober, and a re-emerging Chris Paddack. They’ve also seen promising development in their minor league arms. What they lack, however, is impact bats—particularly young, controllable outfielders and infielders who can elevate the offense over the next several seasons.
That’s where the Dodgers come in. L.A.’s farm system remains among the most loaded in the league, even after promoting names like Miguel Vargas, Andy Pages, and Michael Busch in recent years. They can afford to part with a few top prospects without compromising their future. In return, they’d get a frontline pitcher just entering his prime.
If the Dodgers are indeed serious about acquiring Woods Richardson, the cost won’t be light. One potential framework for a trade could include De Paula—ranked by many as one of the Dodgers’ most promising outfielders—and an additional pitching prospect such as Emmet Sheehan or Ronan Kopp. The Twins would likely ask for a package centered around upside and proximity to the majors, as they look to thread the needle between competing now and building for sustained success.
From the Dodgers’ perspective, this kind of bold move would send a clear message to the rest of the league: they’re not content with just treading water amid injuries. They’re still all-in.
And they need to be. The NL West is tighter than it’s been in years, with the San Francisco Giants and San Diego Padres both making legitimate playoff pushes. The Diamondbacks remain competitive, and even the Rockies have stolen a few series the Dodgers were expected to win. Every game, every inning, and every rotation decision matters. Relying on bullpen games or rookie arms with limited big-league experience won’t be sustainable deep into August and September.
Woods Richardson also fits perfectly into the Dodgers’ broader team-building philosophy. He’s young, controllable, data-driven in his approach, and adaptable. L.A.’s pitching coaches would likely help him refine his pitch shapes even more and deploy his arsenal based on the team’s advanced scouting models. It’s not just a trade for 2025—it’s a multi-year investment in the future of the rotation.
In terms of clubhouse dynamics, adding a reliable arm like Woods Richardson would also help alleviate the pressure currently bearing down on Glasnow and Yamamoto, who’ve carried much of the load. It would also allow Roberts to more strategically manage innings across the rotation, keeping key pitchers fresh for what they hope will be a deep October run.
Dodgers fans may also appreciate the aggressive mentality. After years of watching this front office stockpile talent, there’s always an expectation that when a window is open, Friedman and company will act. Landing Woods Richardson wouldn’t just address a need—it would energize a team, a fanbase, and an organization that has been reeling from one injury after another.
Of course, deals of this magnitude don’t happen overnight. There will be posturing, prospect rankings debates, and perhaps even other teams entering the mix. But the Dodgers have the combination of need, resources, and motivation to make a deal like this happen—and they may not be able to wait much longer.
With the trade deadline looming and the rotation on shaky ground, the time to act is now. If Simeon Woods Richardson is truly available—and the Dodgers are truly interested—this could be one of the most important and strategic moves of the 2025 MLB season.
The Dodgers don’t just want him. At this point, they may need him.
