Dodgers Explore $5.3M Reliever, $7.8M Outfielder Trade Ideas

The Los Angeles Dodgers, despite their impressive roster, are grappling with a significant wave of injuries, especially among pitchers, leading to an MLB-high in bullpen innings and 14 pitchers currently on the injured list. As a result, contrary to offseason hopes, the Dodgers are now expected to seek reinforcements at the 2025 trade deadline. Two key trade targets have emerged: Baltimore Orioles left-handed reliever Gregory Soto, valued for his velocity and analytics despite mixed results, and Cleveland Guardians outfielder Lane Thomas, whose offensive upside and base-running skills align with Dodgers' needs, though he is currently injured and struggling at the plate. The Guardians' reluctance to spend and Thomas's impending free agency could make a deal feasible, while the Orioles' poor performance could also facilitate Soto’s availability. The Dodgers' outfield and bullpen depth issues, combined with platoon concerns and slumping performers like Michael Conforto, make these trade options both timely and potentially impactful. Ultimately, the Dodgers’ aggressive pursuit of upgrades underscores the pressure to sustain their status as World Series contenders amid ongoing adversity.