Los Angeles Dodgers Eye Elite Bullpen Boost by Targeting 1.66 ERA Closer in Massive Trade Deadline Blockbuster Proposal
The Los Angeles Dodgers are no strangers to making headlines during the trade deadline, but their latest rumored proposal could send shockwaves through Major League Baseball. According to multiple sources around the league, the Dodgers are engaged in serious talks to acquire one of the most dominant relief pitchers in the game—a closer with a jaw-dropping 1.66 ERA—just weeks before the 2025 trade deadline. The move would solidify their bullpen as one of the most fearsome units in the sport, while sending a clear message that the Dodgers are all-in on another World Series run.
The closer in question? While team officials have not publicly confirmed the target, league insiders widely speculate that the player is Baltimore Orioles star Félix Bautista. The towering right-hander has returned from injury in spectacular form, posting a minuscule ERA, a league-leading save total, and strikeout numbers that rival those of elite starters. For the Dodgers, bringing in Bautista—or another closer of his caliber—could represent the final piece of a championship puzzle.
Los Angeles already boasts a roster stacked with star power: Shohei Ohtani, Mookie Betts, Freddie Freeman, and a strong rotation led by Tyler Glasnow and Bobby Miller. However, one area that has occasionally shown cracks is the bullpen, particularly in high-leverage situations. While Evan Phillips and Brusdar Graterol have held down the late innings admirably, the addition of a proven closer like Bautista would allow manager Dave Roberts to deploy his relievers more strategically—and more aggressively—in October.
The potential cost, however, will not be light. League insiders suggest that the Dodgers have floated a package including top-100 prospects and perhaps even a controllable young arm from the big-league roster. With their farm system still ranked among the top five in baseball, Los Angeles has the capital to pull off a blockbuster, but the front office remains cautious about overpaying. Andrew Friedman, known for his measured but decisive trade maneuvers, will have to balance the need for dominance now with the long-term health of the organization.
Bautista’s appeal lies not just in his current production, but in his contract situation. Under team control through 2027, the flamethrower would give the Dodgers a long-term solution at the back end of the bullpen, something they’ve lacked since the peak of Kenley Jansen’s tenure. His velocity, often touching triple digits, combined with a wipeout splitter and fearlessness in tight games, has made him a nightmare for opposing hitters. Simply put, Bautista can shorten playoff games and erase late-inning leads with ruthless efficiency.
For the Orioles, the idea of parting with such a weapon is not taken lightly. But Baltimore finds itself at a crossroads: while they remain in contention, they also face a roster crunch. With a surplus of infield prospects and a young core nearing arbitration, GM Mike Elias may see this as the right time to cash in on one elite asset to build out other areas of need—especially in the rotation and at corner outfield. If the Dodgers offer a top-tier pitching prospect like River Ryan or a high-upside bat such as Josue De Paula or Dalton Rushing, the deal becomes difficult to ignore.
Still, the Orioles know what they have in Bautista. He isn’t just a closer; he’s an identity—a tone-setter who brings fire and swagger to every ninth inning. Letting that go, even for a haul, comes with risk. But then again, championship windows don’t always align neatly, and smart front offices know when to strike.
The Dodgers, for their part, have seen both the upside and heartbreak of October baseball. Just two seasons removed from an early exit despite 100+ wins, they’ve made it clear this season is about results. With Ohtani now firmly entrenched in the lineup and Clayton Kershaw likely returning in the stretch run, the team’s margin for error narrows. Acquiring a closer like Bautista wouldn’t just plug a weakness—it could flip postseason momentum entirely in their favor.
Historically, deadline additions of elite relievers have changed the playoff picture. Think of Aroldis Chapman joining the Cubs in 2016 or Craig Kimbrel’s dominance in Boston during 2018. The Dodgers may see this as their version of that moment—a chance to elevate a very good team into an unstoppable one.
Another name circulating in connection with the Dodgers is Ryan Helsley of the Cardinals, who’s also enjoying a phenomenal season. With a similarly elite ERA and a full arsenal of late-inning weaponry, Helsley offers another potential fit. However, the asking price may not be much lower than for Bautista, and the Cardinals’ front office, known for conservative moves, may be less inclined to deal mid-season unless overwhelmed by an offer.
What’s more, the Dodgers’ bullpen strategy goes beyond just plugging one hole. They’ve quietly added depth arms throughout the year, including veterans on minor-league deals and versatile long-relief options. But with the National League more competitive than ever—with the Braves, Phillies, and Brewers all looming—the Dodgers know that ‘pretty good’ won’t cut it in the playoffs. Dominance is the standard, and adding a 1.66 ERA closer sends a message to the rest of baseball: they’re not settling for anything less.
If the trade does go through, the Dodgers could roll out a late-game trio of Graterol, Phillips, and Bautista—an absolutely brutal gauntlet for opposing hitters in the seventh, eighth, and ninth innings. Each offers a different look, velocity, and style, keeping hitters guessing and managers scrambling. That flexibility, paired with the offensive firepower Los Angeles already brings, would make them a postseason juggernaut.
The move would also impact clubhouse dynamics—but in a good way. Players on the Dodgers roster have expressed confidence in their current bullpen, but would undoubtedly welcome a proven closer into the fold. For young arms still developing confidence and command, the presence of someone like Bautista—or even Helsley—adds not only firepower but mentorship.
From a business perspective, the move would generate enormous fan buzz. Dodgers fans are always hungry for big moves, and acquiring a high-profile closer ahead of the deadline fits the aggressive, championship-or-bust ethos the franchise has leaned into in recent years. Merchandise sales, ticket demand, and national media attention would only increase with such a deal.
But timing is everything. The trade deadline is fast approaching, and other teams—such as the Yankees, Rangers, and Astros—are also reportedly in the market for bullpen help. If the Dodgers want to secure their target, they’ll need to move quickly and decisively. Waiting too long risks losing leverage, especially if other contenders up their offers or a bidding war begins.
There’s also the health factor to consider. While Bautista’s recovery from Tommy John surgery appears complete, teams will always do their due diligence on a reliever’s medicals, particularly one throwing 100+ mph. But early signs are positive—Bautista has not only regained his velocity, but he’s shown improved control and sharper off-speed pitches.
Should the Dodgers ultimately seal the deal, it would mark yet another high-stakes move by a front office that has never been afraid to roll the dice for greatness. And in today’s MLB landscape—where bullpens win October and pressure situations demand ice-cold execution—landing a closer with a 1.66 ERA might be the difference between another early exit and a championship parade through downtown Los Angeles.
For now, all eyes remain on the front office phones in Chavez Ravine. The Dodgers have the prospects. They have the urgency. And now, perhaps, they’ve found the missing piece. If this blockbuster goes through, expect not just a stronger Dodgers bullpen—but a baseball world forced to reckon with a team ready to dominate every inning, every pitch, and every moment come October.
