Dodgers Face Fierce Competition From Five Contenders in Race to Land Top Relief Pitching Before Trade Deadline Closes In
As the 2025 MLB trade deadline approaches, the Los Angeles Dodgers find themselves in an intense bidding war with at least five other contending teams for the services of some of the top relief pitchers available on the market. With the bullpen proving to be the Dodgers’ biggest vulnerability this season, front office executives understand that shoring up the back end of games could be the difference between a deep playoff run and an early postseason exit.
Los Angeles currently sits in a solid position in the National League standings, but it’s no secret that their bullpen has cost them several games in close contests. From blown saves to late-inning meltdowns, the Dodgers have struggled to find consistent performances from their relievers outside of a few reliable arms. While their offense continues to produce at a high level and the starting rotation has mostly stabilized, the urgency to upgrade the bullpen has increased dramatically over the last several weeks.
President of Baseball Operations Andrew Friedman and the Dodgers’ front office are known for being aggressive but calculated when it comes to trade season. This year, however, the pressure is higher than usual due to heightened competition. Teams like the Baltimore Orioles, Texas Rangers, Philadelphia Phillies, Atlanta Braves, and New York Yankees are also in pursuit of late-inning reinforcements. Each of these clubs has its own motivations, but all share one thing in common: a strong desire to bolster their bullpen before the playoff race intensifies.
The Dodgers have been linked to several high-profile relievers, including Mason Miller of the Oakland Athletics, Tanner Scott of the Miami Marlins, Kyle Finnegan of the Washington Nationals, and Ryan Helsley of the St. Louis Cardinals. Each of these names brings a different skill set, but all would provide a significant upgrade to L.A.’s bullpen, which ranks near the middle of the pack in ERA and WHIP among contending teams.
Mason Miller, perhaps the most electric option, has been nothing short of dominant for Oakland. With a fastball that touches 102 mph and a wipeout slider, he’s viewed as a future elite closer—if he isn’t already. The A’s are in full rebuild mode, which makes Miller a prime trade chip. However, his team control through 2029 makes him an expensive acquisition. Multiple teams, including the Orioles and Rangers, have already expressed serious interest, making this a potential bidding war that could escalate quickly.
Tanner Scott, on the other hand, is a lefty with filthy stuff who has shown he can dominate both sides of the plate. Miami, stuck near the bottom of the National League standings, is expected to be a seller at the deadline. Scott’s expiring contract could make him a rental, but that also means a more manageable price tag in terms of prospect capital. He’s high on the Dodgers’ radar, especially given their need for a reliable left-handed option in high-leverage spots.
Kyle Finnegan brings veteran experience and a versatile skill set. While he’s not as flashy as some other targets, he’s been consistent, tough on right-handed hitters, and capable of working multiple innings. The Nationals are likely to entertain offers as they continue to retool, and Finnegan is the kind of bullpen piece that winning teams crave in October. The Phillies and Braves are also monitoring him closely, so the Dodgers will need to move decisively if they want to secure his services.
Then there’s Ryan Helsley, the All-Star closer from St. Louis. With a fastball that sits in the high 90s and elite swing-and-miss numbers, Helsley would be an ideal fit for the back end of the Dodgers’ bullpen. The Cardinals have not committed to selling yet, but if they fall further out of the playoff picture, Helsley could be moved—though at a steep cost. His multiple years of team control make him one of the most attractive relief assets on the market.
The Dodgers aren’t just window shopping, either. Sources indicate that they’ve had active discussions with several teams over the past ten days. Scouts from the Dodgers have been seen at recent Marlins and Athletics games, and multiple prospect evaluators have noted increased interest from L.A. in showcasing some of their Double-A and Triple-A arms, possibly as trade bait.
Of course, landing a top reliever won’t come cheap, especially with multiple teams pushing hard. The Yankees are reportedly willing to part with high-end prospects in exchange for a true closer to pair with Clay Holmes. The Braves, despite already having a strong bullpen, want to build depth for a World Series push. Meanwhile, the Phillies are one arm away from having arguably the best pitching staff in the National League, and the Rangers are looking to plug the holes in a bullpen that has been inconsistent since Opening Day.
Each of these teams has both the assets and motivation to make aggressive moves. For the Dodgers, that means they’ll need to weigh their desire to win now against the risk of mortgaging too much of the future. Friedman has never been shy about pulling off a blockbuster deal—remember Mookie Betts and Max Scherzer—but he’s also cautious about giving up top prospects unless the return is both impactful and controllable.
One of the Dodgers’ greatest strengths is their farm system, which remains one of the deepest in baseball. Names like Dalton Rushing, Nick Frasso, River Ryan, and Josue De Paula have drawn interest from other clubs, and L.A. may have to decide which, if any, are worth moving for a chance to solidify the bullpen. Rival executives believe that while the Dodgers would prefer to hang on to their very top-tier prospects, they may be willing to part with some of their second-tier assets for the right deal.
Internal discussions are ongoing, and the next two weeks could shape the direction of the franchise’s 2025 campaign. The Dodgers are confident in their core of stars—Betts, Freeman, Ohtani, and others—but recognize that even the best offenses can’t overcome a shaky bullpen in October.
Manager Dave Roberts has not shied away from acknowledging the issue either. In recent postgame interviews, he’s pointed out the lack of consistency from some relievers while remaining hopeful that reinforcements will arrive soon. “We’ve got guys who are giving everything they have,” Roberts said. “But we know we need more depth, more swing-and-miss, and more reliability late in games. The front office is working on it.”
If the Dodgers fail to land any of their top targets, there are still secondary options they could explore. Veterans like Scott Barlow, Joe Kelly, or even old friend Kenley Jansen could be available depending on how the market shakes out. But the focus remains on adding an elite arm who can handle postseason pressure and shorten games for Roberts and his coaching staff.
Time is ticking, and the competition is as fierce as ever. The Dodgers have the resources, the urgency, and the championship window to justify an aggressive approach. Now it’s a matter of execution. Will they outbid the Yankees and Phillies? Will the Cardinals and A’s actually pull the trigger? Can the Dodgers find the perfect bullpen addition that solidifies their World Series hopes?
With five other top teams chasing the same arms, the Dodgers are going to have to fight harder than ever—and they know it. The next few days will not only test the creativity of the front office but will also go a long way in determining how far this team can go in October. The arms race is officially on, and Los Angeles is fully locked in.
